WWE has officially confirmed that SmackDown will be expanding from its current two-hour format to a three-hour broadcast starting in 2025. This significant change is set to take effect on January 3, 2025, with the first extended episode airing live from Phoenix, Arizona.
Starting next week, WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights on the USA Network from 8-11pm ET. Two championship matches are set for the broadcast:
- Andrade vs Shinsuke Nakamura (c) for the United States Championship
- Naomi challenges Naomi for the WWE Women’s Championship
SmackDown made its return to the USA Network on Friday, September 13, 2024, after a five-year stint on Fox. The return to USA Network was part of a new multi-year partnership between WWE and NBCUniversal, reportedly valued at $1.4 billion over five years. This deal not only brought SmackDown back to cable television but also included plans for WWE to produce four annual Saturday Night’s Main Event primetime specials for NBC.
WWE SmackDown results for December 27, 2024:
- Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Bayley defeated Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae. Naomi pinned LeRae after a roll-up.
- Singles Match: Braun Strowman defeated Austin Theory with Grayson Waller. Strowman won with a running powerslam.
- Women’s United States Championship Celebration: Chelsea Green celebrated her title win, but was interrupted by Michin, who attacked Piper Niven with a kendo stick.
- Tag Team Match: The Street Profits defeated Los Garza (Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo) with Elektra Lopez. The Street Profits won with the Doomsday Blockbuster.
- Singles Match: Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes ended in a no contest. The match was disrupted by Braun Strowman chasing Hayes away, and then The New Bloodline attacked Zayn.
- Jade Cargill Saga: Nia Jax denied involvement in Jade Cargill’s injury and accused Bianca Belair of being the top suspect
