WWE SmackDown will return to the USA Network on September 13 after five years on FOX, a press release from NBC Universal has confirmed.
It was last year that it was confirmed that SmackDown will return to the USA Network in 2024, ending the blue brand\'s five-year tenure on FOX. In the statement, it is confirmed that the first episode back on the USA Network will come this September.
\"Starting in September and through the end of 2024, USA Network will serve as the exclusive linear home of the WWE’s two tentpole franchises, “WWE Monday Night RAW” and “WWE SmackDown,” which returns to the network on Sept. 13 as part of a new multi-year partnership.\
Fans will get just more than WWE SmackDown on the USA Network, as the press release also confirms that a \'WWE Week\' will commence on September 9. The network will air films from the “Fast and the Furious” franchise starring Dwayne \'The Rock\' Johnson, “Blockers” starring John Cena, and the Peacock documentary “Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal.
The Future of WWE\'s Broadcasts
WWE SmackDown isn\'t the only show that will soon find itself a new home. This year, WWE NXT will move to the CW Network after years as part of the USA Network. The five-year broadcast deal sees NXT become the latest sports show on the CW as the network also broadcasts ACC football and basketball games airing every Saturday throughout the season and LIV Golf.
The biggest change coming will affect Monday Night Raw, which will leave syndicated broadcast programming and move to Netflix in January 2025. The ten-year deal is estimated to be worth $5 billion and can be shortened or extended depending on how the parties involved feel. Those outside of the U.S. will see Netflix host Raw, SmackDown, WWE NXT, and PLEs.
