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{{Short description|Professional wrestling television program}}
{{For|the WWE brand featured on the program|SmackDown (WWE brand)}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image = WWE SmackDown (2024) Logo.svg
| image_alt =
| caption = ''WWE SmackDown'' logo (2024–present)<ref name="Smackdown USANetwork">{{Cite web |title=SmackDown gets a new logo; theme song from Megan Thee Stallion |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/entertainment-celebrity/smackdown-gets-a-new-logo-theme-song-from-megan-thee-stallion/ar-AA1qxEOJ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=MSN}}</ref>
| alt_name = ''SmackDown!'' (1999–2008)<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/17/business/upn-keeps-its-focus-on-youth-so-its-leader-talks-the-talk.html | title=UPN Keeps Its Focus on Youth, So Its Leader Talks the Talk | work=The New York Times | date=May 17, 2002 | last1=Rutenberg | first1=Jim | access-date=April 15, 2023 | archive-date=April 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415175152/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/17/business/upn-keeps-its-focus-on-youth-so-its-leader-talks-the-talk.html | url-status=live }}</ref><br />''SmackDown Live'' (2016–2019)
| genre = [[Sports Entertainment]]
| creator = [[Vince McMahon]]
| writer = {{Plainlist|
*John Swikata <small>(Lead Writer)</small>
*''See list of [[list of WWE personnel#Creative team|SmackDown creative writers]]''
}}
| presenter = {{Plainlist|
* [[Joe Tessitore]] {{small|(play-by-play commentator)}}
* [[Wade Barrett]] {{small|(color commentator)}}
}}
| starring = [[List of WWE personnel#SmackDown|SmackDown roster]]
| opentheme = {{Plainlist|
* "[[Neva Play]]" by [[Megan Thee Stallion]] ft. [[RM (musician)|RM]]}}
| executive_producer = [[Triple H|Paul Levesque]] (2024–present)<br />Lee Fitting (2024–present)
| country = United States
| language =
| num_seasons = 27
| num_episodes = {{#expr:1119 + {{age in weeks|January 29, 2021}}}}<!--Please do not alter this, it updates automatically!-->
| list_episodes =
| camera = [[Multiple-camera setup|Multi-camera setup]]
| runtime = {{plainlist|
* 120 minutes (August 26, 1999–December 27, 2024, July 4, 2025–present)
* 180 minutes (January 3–June 27, 2025) (including commercials)
}}
| company = [[WWE]]
| network = [[UPN]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1999|08|26}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2006|09|15}}
| network2 = [[The CW]]
| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2006|09|22}}
| last_aired2 = {{End date|2008|09|26}}
| network3 = [[MyNetworkTV]]
| first_aired3 = {{Start date|2008|10|03}}
| last_aired3 = {{End date|2010|09|24}}
| network4 = [[Syfy]]
| first_aired4 = {{Start date|2010|10|01}}
| last_aired4 = {{End date|2015|12|31}}
| network5 = [[USA Network]]
| first_aired5 = {{Start date|2016|01|07}}
| last_aired5 = {{End date|2019|09|24}}
| network6 = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
| first_aired6 = {{Start date|2019|10|04}}
| last_aired6 = {{End date|2024|09|06}}
| network7 = [[USA Network]]
| first_aired7 = {{Start date|2024|09|13}}
| last_aired7 = present
| related = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[WWE Raw]]''
* ''[[WWE Evolve]]''
* ''[[WWE NXT]]''}}
}}
'''''WWE SmackDown''''', also known as '''''Friday Night SmackDown''''' or simply '''''SmackDown''''', is an American [[professional wrestling]] television program produced by [[WWE]]. It airs [[Live television|live]] every Friday at 8 p.m. [[Eastern Time]] (ET) on [[USA Network]] in the United States (simulcast on [[Fox Deportes]] with [[Spanish-language]] commentary) and in most international markets on [[Netflix]]. The show features characters from the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]], to which WWE wrestlers are assigned to work and perform. ''SmackDown'' debuted on August 26, 1999 and is considered to be one of WWE's two flagship programs, along with ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-moves-to-usa-network|title=NXT moves to USA Network|website=WWE|access-date=August 22, 2019|archive-date=August 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820225413/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-moves-to-usa-network|url-status=live}}</ref>
Originally launched as a complementary second show to ''Raw'', ''SmackDown'' became further distinct after the WWE brand split in 2002, representing the company's talent in the SmackDown brand roster. It has been taped in and broadcast from over hundreds of arenas and cities throughout eleven countries, mostly in the [[United States]] but also in [[Canada]], [[France]],{{Efn|(In 2024)}} [[Germany]],{{Efn|(In 2024)}} [[Iraq]], [[Italy]], [[Japan]],{{Efn|In 2005}} [[Mexico]],{{Efn|(In 2011)}} [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Spain]]{{Efn|(In 2025)}}, the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]{{Efn|(In 2025)}}. Prior to switching to its current live format, taped episodes premiered a few hours or up to a day earlier in certain countries outside the United States due to time differences.
''SmackDown!'' began on the broadcast network [[UPN]] in 1999 and was initially broadcast on Thursday nights. The show moved to Friday nights on September 9, 2005, and began airing on [[The CW]] in September 2006, after the [[2006 United States broadcast TV realignment|merger of UPN and the WB]], before later moving to [[MyNetworkTV]] in October 2008.<ref name="CW08">{{Cite news|title=CW, "SmackDown" Part Ways|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i55bff7bc1a68ecef11e4dc915b1479f8|date=February 8, 2008|access-date=February 9, 2008|last=Wallenstein|first=Andrew|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080502192425/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i55bff7bc1a68ecef11e4dc915b1479f8|archive-date=May 2, 2008}}</ref><ref name="MyNetworkCrowns">{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_02_26.jsp|title=MyNetworkTV Crowns WWE Its New Programming Champ|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 28, 2008|access-date=October 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615083535/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_02_26.jsp|archive-date=June 15, 2010}}</ref> On October 1, 2010, ''SmackDown'' moved to cable network [[Syfy]],<ref name="SyfyMove">{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2010/WWECorporate-2010_04_13.jsp |title=SmackDown Goes SyFy |work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |date=April 13, 2010 |access-date=April 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416182439/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2010/WWECorporate-2010_04_13.jsp |archive-date=April 16, 2010}}</ref><ref name="SyfyLATimes">{{Cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/wwes-smackdown-moving-to-syfy-.html|title=WWE's "SmackDown" Moving to Syfy|first=Joe|last=Flint|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 12, 2010|access-date=April 13, 2010|archive-date=April 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415180526/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/wwes-smackdown-moving-to-syfy-.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and eventually returned to Thursdays on January 15, 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|title=SmackDown moves to Thursday nights|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2014-11-07/smackdown-moves-to-thursday-26779849|publisher=WWE|date=November 6, 2014|access-date=November 6, 2014|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627090826/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2014-11-07/smackdown-moves-to-thursday-26779849|url-status=live}}</ref> The show then moved to the sibling USA Network on January 7, 2016,<ref name="USA">{{Cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/07/wwe-smackdown-moves-to-usa-network-in-2016/386011/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410200448/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/07/wwe-smackdown-moves-to-usa-network-in-2016/386011/|archive-date=April 10, 2015|title='WWE SmackDown' Moves to USA Network in 2016|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=April 7, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Weekly">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/07/usa-network-wwe-smackdown|title=WWE SmackDown moves to USA Network|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|last=Bacle|first=Ariana|date=April 7, 2015|access-date=April 8, 2015|archive-date=April 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409030726/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/07/usa-network-wwe-smackdown}}</ref><ref name="24Wrestling" /> and later that year, beginning on July 19, ''SmackDown'' began broadcasting live on Tuesday nights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/smackdown-live-usa-network-july-19|title=SmackDown going live on USA Network on a new night with a distinct roster starting July 19|work=[[WWE]]|date=May 25, 2016|access-date=May 25, 2016|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627062418/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/smackdown-live-usa-network-july-19|url-status=live}}</ref> ''SmackDown''{{'}}s move to Fox on October 4, 2019 marked the show's return to Friday nights and [[Terrestrial television|over-the-air]] broadcast television. On September 13, 2024, the show returned to USA Network.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Ryan |date=2024-05-09 |title=WWE SmackDown Sets Earlier Move From Fox to USA Network — Find Out When |url=https://tvline.com/news/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-leaving-fox-usa-network-returning-2024-1235046738/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}}</ref> As of 2024, ''SmackDown'' is the most viewed television show on Friday nights in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WWE Smackdown, Raw & NXT Score Viewership Gains in Key 19-49 Advertising Demo Ahead of WrestleMania XL |url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2024/04-01-2024 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=WWE Corporate}}</ref> ''Smackdown!'' has also been broadcast globally on other networks since it first began. The [[WWE Network]] ceased operations in the United States on April 4, 2021, with all content moved to [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] which now has all previous episodes of ''SmackDown''.
== History ==
{{Main|History of WWE SmackDown}}
=== Early years (1999–2002) ===
[[File:WWF SmackDown Logo (1999-2001).svg|thumb|right|200px|The first ever ''SmackDown!'' logo used from April 29, 1999, to August 9, 2001]]
''WWF SmackDown!'' first appeared on April 29, 1999, using the ''[[Raw is War]]'' set as a single television special on [[UPN]]. On August 26, 1999, ''SmackDown!'' officially debuted on UPN as a weekly, two-hour, primetime show, marking the debut of WWF professional wrestling on [[Over-the-air television|broadcast TV]]. As a second WWF show complementing ''Raw'', ''Smackdown!'' increased the exposure to the company's superstars and the storylines and its airing on the UPN network expanded the accessibility of WWF television to audiences without a cable subscription.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mifflin |first=Lawrie |date=1999-07-21 |title=TV NOTES |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/21/arts/tv-notes.html |access-date=2025-07-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''Smackdown!'' was also conceived to compete against [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW)'s Thursday night show, ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]'', and like ''Thunder'' it was recorded on Tuesdays and then broadcast on Thursdays.
''Smackdown!'' quickly became UPN's most watched show and is credited for saving the network.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/39725/2000strandt.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710083020/https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/39725/2000strandt.pdf | archive-date=2024-07-10}}</ref> The show had a viewership of about 6.5 million as of late 1999, almost as many as the WWF's flagship show ''Raw''. The new WWF show was so popular that WCW moved ''Thunder'' to Wednesdays so that it would not compete directly. However, some advertizers pulled after citing what they thought was the show's overly crude nature on broadcast TV, and combined with a [[Parents Television Council]] campaign led to bad publicity for WWF. On November 30, 1999, Vince McMahon announced changes that will lead to "less aggression, less colorful language, less sexuality" on ''Smackdown!''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Member |first=Devin Gordon Newsweek Is A. Trust Project |date=1999-12-12 |title=Wwf Tones Down Its 'Smackdown' Act |url=https://www.newsweek.com/wwf-tones-down-its-smackdown-act-162738 |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000095013000004115/0000950130-00-004115-0001.txt | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108113406/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000095013000004115/0000950130-00-004115-0001.txt | archive-date=2015-01-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WWF's Big Smack |url=https://ew.com/article/1999/12/03/wwfs-big-smack/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=EW.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Street Journal |first=Betsy McKayStaff Reporter of The Wall |date=1999-11-30 |title=World Wrestling Federation Clamps Down on 'Smackdown!' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB943920938995774483 |access-date=2025-07-14 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
Throughout the show's early existence, [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] routinely called ''SmackDown!'' "his show", in reference to the fact that the name was derived from one of his [[catchphrase]]s, "Layeth the Smack down".<ref name="wwe56">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=56}}</ref>
=== Brand extension (2002–2009) ===
In March 2002, WWF implemented the "[[WWE brand extension|brand extension]]", under which [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] would have separate rosters of performers that are exclusive to their respective programs and events, and be positioned in-universe as competing "brands" (in a manner reminiscent of [[athletic conference]]s).<ref name="wwe57">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1= Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=57}}</ref>
In the 2004–05 season, ''SmackDown!'' had an average viewership of 5.1 million viewers, making it UPN's second-highest-rated series behind ''[[America's Next Top Model]]''. With the cancellation of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', ''SmackDown!'' moved into its former timeslot on Friday nights for the 2005–06 season, beginning September 9, 2005. WWE subsequently announced that the show would be renamed ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' to emphasize the new scheduling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/upn-wrestling-re-dubbed-friday-night-smackdown-77569|title=UPN Wrestling Re-Dubbed Friday Night Smackdown|last=Benson|first=Jim|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=23 August 2005|language=en-us|access-date=2019-09-29|archive-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929222626/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/upn-wrestling-re-dubbed-friday-night-smackdown-77569|url-status=live}}</ref>
In January 2006, [[CBS Corporation]] and [[Warner Bros. Entertainment]] announced that UPN and [[The WB]] would merge to form a new network known as [[The CW]] that fall. As part of the announcement, The CW announced that it would renew ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' for two more seasons as part of its launch schedule—which drew from the strongest programs of its two predecessors.<ref name=Renew-Variety>{{cite news|title=Mixed views on WB, UPN merger|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/mixed-views-on-wb-upn-merger-1117936770/|access-date=August 4, 2006|last1=Adalian|first1=Josef|last2=Martin|first2=Denise |date=January 24, 2006|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304065216/https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/mixed-views-on-wb-upn-merger-1117936770/|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 22, 2006, ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' aired its first ever episode on The CW.
The CW declined to renew ''SmackDown'', resulting in the series being picked up in October 2008 by [[MyNetworkTV]], a second new network that had been formed by [[Fox Entertainment Group]] to take on former UPN and WB affiliates who were not selected to join The CW.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/business/media/14wrestle.html|title=W.W.E.'s 'Smackdown' Is Moving to Cable TV|last=Stelter|first=Brian|date=2010-04-13|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-09-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025170642/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/business/media/14wrestle.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Retaining its previous Friday-night time slot, the season premiere of ''SmackDown'' on MyNetworkTV was the highest-rated program in that night on the network, with 3.2 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Largest Audience Ever Tunes in to the Premiere of "WWE Friday Night SmackDown"|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/10/06/mynetworktv%c2%ae-largest-audience-ever-tunes-in-to-the-premiere-of-%e2%80%9cwwe%c2%ae-friday-night-smackdown%c2%ae%e2%80%9d/5781/|website=[[TV by the Numbers]]|date=October 6, 2008|access-date=October 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002082808/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/10/06/mynetworktv%c2%ae-largest-audience-ever-tunes-in-to-the-premiere-of-%e2%80%9cwwe%c2%ae-friday-night-smackdown%c2%ae%e2%80%9d/5781/|archive-date=2012-10-02}}</ref> On March 20, 2009, ''SmackDown'' celebrated its 500th episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03202009/|title=Layin' the SmackDown 500 times over|last=Burdick|first=Michael|date=March 20, 2009|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=July 28, 2009|archive-date=May 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501053324/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03202009/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Move to Syfy and USA Network (2010–2019) ===
On October 1, 2010, as part of a new broadcast deal with [[NBC Universal]], ''SmackDown'' moved to [[Syfy]], retaining its Friday night timeslot.<ref name=SyfyMove/> Prior to this premiere of ''SmackDown'', Michael Cole hosted a "pre-game" show. The move saw Syfy paying close to $30 million for the show as opposed to the $20 million paid by its former network MyNetworkTV.<ref name=SyfyLATimes/>
During the August 29, 2011 episode of ''Raw'', WWE dissolved the brand extension, thus allowing performers to appear on ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' at any given time without restriction.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nemer|first=Paul|title=Raw Results – 8/29/11|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/26309-raw-results-8-29-11/|work=Wrestleview|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331032437/http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/26309-raw-results-8-29-11/|url-status=live}}</ref> The October 14, 2011, episode made ''SmackDown'' the second-longest-running weekly episodic television series of American television history (behind ''Raw'', which surpassed that mark on August 1, 2005). On January 18, 2013, ''SmackDown'' celebrated its 700th episode.
On October 10, 2014, ''SmackDown'' celebrated its 15-year anniversary.<ref name="Smackdown 15 Years">{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2014 |title=Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Smackdown - Friday Oct 10 |url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/celebrate-the-15th-anniversary-of-smackdown-friday-oct-10-26675652 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021185411/http://www.wwe.com/videos/celebrate-the-15th-anniversary-of-smackdown-friday-oct-10-26675652 |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2014 |work=WWE.com |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> To help celebrate the 15th anniversary, [[Stephanie McMahon]] came out first, then Laurinaitis and Long, respectively, the latter of which kept one-upping each other for the main event of the night until McMahon decided to keep the [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Multiple man teamed matches|15-man tag team match]] that Long suggested, on the condition Laurinaitis and Long be the captains of each team like at [[WrestleMania XXVIII]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2014-10-10/results-oct-10-2014-26710342|title=SmackDown results – Oct. 10, 2014: Team Teddy battled Team Johnny on SmackDown's historic 15th Anniversary Celebration|last=Taylor|first=Scott|publisher=[[WWE]]|work=WWE.com|date=October 10, 2014|access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-date=October 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013021935/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2014-10-10/results-oct-10-2014-26710342|url-status=live}}</ref> Long's team won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/517947-wwe-smackdown-15-preview|title=Non-Spoiler Match Listing for Tonight's WWE Smackdown 15 Special: Cena & Ambrose Appear, 16 Man Tag Match & More|last=Paglino|first=Nick|work=Wrestlezone|date=October 10, 2014|access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014062841/http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/517947-wwe-smackdown-15-preview|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 16, 2014, ''SmackDown'' aired a live 800th episode special on Syfy's sister channel [[USA Network]], ''SuperSmackDown Live!'', featuring a main event between [[Dolph Ziggler]] and [[Seth Rollins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2014-12-16/wwe-super-smackdown-live-results-26919245|title=WWE SuperSmackDown LIVE results — Dec. 16, 2014: Dolph Ziggler showed up Seth Rollins in a main event showdown|last=Taylor|first=Scott|publisher=[[WWE]]|work=WWE.com|date=December 16, 2014|access-date=November 25, 2015|archive-date=November 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126080112/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2014-12-16/wwe-super-smackdown-live-results-26919245|url-status=live}}</ref>
In January 2015, ''SmackDown'' returned to a Thursday time slot. The return to Thursday nights was expected to help attract a younger audience to Syfy, as well as more premium advertising dollars from marketers, who tend to spend more to promote their products, especially film releases, on the night as consumers head into the weekend.<ref name="Graser">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/wwe-syfy-move-smackdown-to-thursday-night-in-january-exclusive-1201347349/|title=WWE, Syfy to Move 'SmackDown' to Thursday Night in January (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Graser|first=Marc|work=Variety|date=November 6, 2014|access-date=November 6, 2014|archive-date=November 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107153927/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/wwe-syfy-move-smackdown-to-thursday-night-in-january-exclusive-1201347349/|url-status=live}}</ref> The last ''SmackDown'' airing on a Friday night had 2.43 million viewers with a 0.7 share.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/12/friday-cable-ratings-gold-rush-tops-night-alaskan-bush-people-nba-basketball-friday-night-smackdown-more/349047/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113004259/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/12/friday-cable-ratings-gold-rush-tops-night-alaskan-bush-people-nba-basketball-friday-night-smackdown-more/349047/|archive-date=January 13, 2015|title=Friday Cable Ratings: 'Gold Rush' Tops Night + 'Alaskan Bush People', NBA Basketball, 'Friday Night Smackdown' & More|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=January 12, 2015|access-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref> On January 7, 2016, ''SmackDown'' moved to USA Network, remaining on Thursday nights.<ref name="USA"/><ref name="Weekly"/><ref name="24Wrestling">{{cite web|url=http://www.24wrestling.com/wwe-smackdown-to-premiere-on-usa-network-in-january/|title=WWE SmackDown To Premiere On USA Network In January|last=Lynch|first=Eric|work=24Wrestling.com|date=November 4, 2015|access-date=November 4, 2015|archive-date=October 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011142207/https://www.24wrestling.com/wwe-smackdown-to-premiere-on-usa-network-in-january/}}</ref> With the move, all top three WWE programs—''Raw'', ''SmackDown'' and ''[[WWE Tough Enough|Tough Enough]]''—would air on the same network for the first time ever.<ref name="Weekly"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.24wrestling.com/smackdown-to-remain-on-thursday-nights-in-2016/|title=SmackDown To Remain On Thursday Nights In 2016|last=Davis|first=Brad|work=24Wrestling.com|date=November 3, 2015|access-date=November 3, 2015|archive-date=November 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120152411/http://www.24wrestling.com/smackdown-to-remain-on-thursday-nights-in-2016/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On May 25, 2016, as part of the re-implementation of the [[WWE brand extension|brand extension and split]] between ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'', it was announced that ''SmackDown'' would move to Tuesday nights and be broadcast live.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|title=WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 25, 2016|access-date=May 25, 2016|archive-date=May 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526113045/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the July 11, 2016 episode of ''Raw'', [[Vince McMahon]] named [[Shane McMahon]] the commissioner of SmackDown.<ref name="Raw07112016">{{cite web|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|title=7/11 WWE Raw Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Report|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/11/711rawresultsfinal/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 11, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716120934/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/11/711rawresultsfinal/|url-status=live}}</ref> Then next week on ''Raw'', [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] was revealed as the new SmackDown General Manager.<ref name="Raw07182016">{{cite web|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|title=7/18 WWE Raw Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live TV Report|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/18/july18rawresultsfinal/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=July 18, 2016|access-date=July 20, 2016|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531193342/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/18/july18rawresultsfinal/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 22, 2016, general manager Daniel Bryan revealed the new SmackDown logo on his official Twitter page, renaming the show '''''SmackDown Live'''''.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Raw and SmackDown logos unveiled for WWE's New Era|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/new-raw-smackdown-logo-reveal|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=July 22, 2016|access-date=August 5, 2016|archive-date=September 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901115614/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/new-raw-smackdown-logo-reveal|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 10, 2018, SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon announced that Daniel Bryan was back as a full-time WWE wrestler and named [[Saraya Bevis|Paige]] the new general manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2018-04-10#full-detail-40041375|title=Shane McMahon announced Paige as the new General Manager of SmackDown LIVE|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=April 12, 2018|archive-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082112/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2018-04-10#full-detail-40041375|url-status=live}}</ref> The show had its 1000th episode on October 16, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WWE SmackDown 1000 results, Oct. 16, 2018: Mysterio soars over Shinsuke in sensational SmackDown 1000 thriller |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/smackdown-1000-2018-10-16 |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=WWE |language=en}}</ref>
=== SmackDown on Fox (2019–2024) ===
[[File:WWE_SmackDown_(2019)_Logo.svg|thumb|right|200px|This ''SmackDown'' logo used from October 4, 2019 to September 6, 2024 during its run on Fox.]]
On June 26, 2018, [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] announced a five-year agreement to air ''SmackDown'', in a deal worth $205 million per year. ''SmackDown'' would debut on October 4, 2019, with its first episode being the [[WWE SmackDown's 20th Anniversary|20th Anniversary]] special. The episode also marked the return of ''SmackDown'' to Friday nights and the return of WWE programming to Fox for the first time since Fox aired the November 14, 1992 episode of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-wwe-close-five-year-deal-bring-smackdown-network-1123487|title=Fox and WWE Close Five-Year Deal to Bring 'SmackDown' to Network|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 26, 2018|access-date=June 27, 2018|archive-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102193229/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-wwe-close-five-year-deal-bring-smackdown-network-1123487|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wrestling-rights-shakeup-fox-nabs-wwe-espn-signs-ufc-nbc-gets-raw-1115156|title=How Fox Bodyslammed Rivals to Win WWE Rights|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 30, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=September 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926151012/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wrestling-rights-shakeup-fox-nabs-wwe-espn-signs-ufc-nbc-gets-raw-1115156|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-fox-2019-1202858691/|title=WWE's 'SmackDown Live' Moves to Fox Broadcasting in 2019|work=Variety|date=June 26, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=January 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131060122/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-fox-2019-1202858691/|url-status=live}}</ref> The agreement came as WWE's previous broadcast deal with USA Network to air both ''SmackDown'' and ''[[WWE Raw]]'' was set to expire, and as Fox has increasingly emphasized live sports programming and non-scripted entertainment in the wake of its then-upcoming sale of its [[20th Century Fox|in-house studios]] to [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]. Fox had hoped to acquire ''Raw'' for the Fox network and ''SmackDown'' for [[Fox Sports 1|FS1]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/fox-sports-wwe-raw-broadcast-tv-contract-ufc-smackdown-smack-down-ronda-rousey/1ovzh7gbpyt9t1fglfp1m7xr2w|title=Raw Deal: Fox could put 'WWE Raw' on broadcast TV|work=Sporting News|date=March 7, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=January 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121319/http://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/fox-sports-wwe-raw-broadcast-tv-contract-ufc-smackdown-smack-down-ronda-rousey/1ovzh7gbpyt9t1fglfp1m7xr2w|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-fox-new-channel-1202817799/|title=WWE Stock Climbs as Fox Nears Deal for 'SmackDown'|work=Variety|date=May 21, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=December 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219134506/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-fox-new-channel-1202817799/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, amid a competitive bidding situation, NBCUniversal focused its efforts on renewing ''Raw'', freeing up Fox to pursue ''SmackDown''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/wwe-smackdown-up-grabs-as-nbcuniversal-moves-lock-down-raw-1112671|title=WWE 'Smackdown' Up for Grabs as NBCUniversal Moves to Pin Down 'Raw'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202211333/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/wwe-smackdown-up-grabs-as-nbcuniversal-moves-lock-down-raw-1112671|url-status=live}}</ref> In particular, Fox promised a larger amount of promotion for ''SmackDown'' during its [[Fox Sports (United States)|sports programming]], as well as a WWE-oriented studio show (''[[WWE Backstage]]'') on FS1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wrestling-rights-shakeup-fox-nabs-wwe-espn-signs-ufc-nbc-gets-raw-1115156|title=How Fox Bodyslammed Rivals to Win WWE Rights|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=30 May 2018|language=en|access-date=2019-12-24|archive-date=September 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926151012/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wrestling-rights-shakeup-fox-nabs-wwe-espn-signs-ufc-nbc-gets-raw-1115156|url-status=live}}</ref>
From March 13, 2020, all WWE touring shows were cancelled indefinitely due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], with ''SmackDown'', ''Raw'', and pay-per-views being broadcast from a studio in the [[WWE Performance Center]] in [[Orlando, Florida]] [[Behind closed doors (sport)|with no audience]] beginning that night. The ensuing episode also featured [[Triple H]] as a guest commentator, and an encore presentation of the [[Elimination Chamber]] match for the [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship|SmackDown Tag Team Championship]] from the [[Elimination Chamber (2020)|titular pay-per-view]] the previous Sunday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/coronavirus-wwe-smackdown-live-1203532469/|title=WWE Moves 'SmackDown Live' to Orlando Performance Center With No Live Audience Due to Coronavirus|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=March 12, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608114522/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/coronavirus-wwe-smackdown-live-1203532469/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brookhouse|first=Brent|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-john-cena-caps-surreal-empty-arena-showy-you-have-to-see/live/|title=WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: John Cena caps surreal empty arena show you have to see|website=CBSSports.com|date=March 13, 2020|language=en|access-date=March 14, 2020|archive-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317050616/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-john-cena-caps-surreal-empty-arena-showy-you-have-to-see/live/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 17, WWE announced that ''SmackDown'', ''Raw'', and pay-per-views would move out of the Performance Center to the "[[WWE ThunderDome]]" at Orlando's [[Amway Center]], beginning with ''SmackDown'' on August 21. The program continued to be broadcast behind closed doors, but with a [[virtual audience]] and enhanced arena production.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":20" /> WWE returned to hosting and touring shows for both the ''SmackDown'' and ''Raw'' brands in July 2021.<ref name=":0" />
Since the move to Fox, ''SmackDown'' has occasionally been pre-empted to FS1 due to conflicts with other Fox Sports programming airing in primetime, particularly the [[Major League Baseball on Fox|Major League Baseball]] postseason.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 11, 2020|title=WWE SmackDown airing on FS1 next week due to college football|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-smackdown-airing-fs1-next-week-due-college-football-327401|access-date=October 30, 2021|website=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030062739/https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-smackdown-airing-fs1-next-week-due-college-football-327401|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=October 15, 2021|title=WWE and AEW engage in an arms race for a Friday night showdown|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/wwe/wwe-and-aew-engage-in-an-arms-race-for-a-friday-night-showdown.html|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019201748/https://awfulannouncing.com/wwe/wwe-and-aew-engage-in-an-arms-race-for-a-friday-night-showdown.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In one instance in October 2019 due to the [[2019 World Series|World Series]], an hour-long version of the episode aired on Fox the following Sunday afternoon.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collins|first=Elle|date=October 24, 2019|title=Fox Is Messing With Smackdown's Schedule This Weekend|url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/fox-airing-smackdown-fs1-friday-edited-sunday/|access-date=October 25, 2019|website=UPROXX|language=en-US|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025072240/https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/fox-airing-smackdown-fs1-friday-edited-sunday/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE SmackDown Will Air On FS1 Next Week Due To World Series|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2019/10/19/wwe-smackdown-mlb-world-series-fox-fs1/|access-date=October 25, 2019|website=ComicBook.com|date=October 19, 2019 |language=en|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025072243/https://comicbook.com/wwe/2019/10/19/wwe-smackdown-mlb-world-series-fox-fs1/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In conjunction with the [[Money in the Bank (2023)|2023 Money in the Bank]] event, which was held at [[The O2 Arena]] in [[London, England]], on July 1, the June 30, 2023, episode of ''SmackDown'' was held at the same venue, and broadcast live on [[BT Sport]] in local primetime hours for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Defelice |first1=Robert |title=WWE SmackDown Will Emanate From The O2 Arena In London, England On 6/30/23 |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-smackdown-will-emanate-o2-arena-london-england-63022 |access-date=February 9, 2023 |work=Fightful |date=February 9, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209165947/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-smackdown-will-emanate-o2-arena-london-england-63022 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the program aired episodes from other countries for the first time in conjunction with other WWE PPV's, including May 3 for [[Backlash France]] ([[LDLC Arena]] in [[Décines-Charpieu|Décines-Charpieu, Lyon, France]]), May 24 for [[King and Queen of the Ring (2024)|King and Queen of the Ring]] ([[Jeddah Super Dome]] in [[Jeddah]], [[WWE in Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]]),<ref>{{cite web|last=Tessier|first=Colin|date=April 7, 2024|title=WWE To Hold 5/24 SmackDown And WWE King And Queen Of The Ring PLE In Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-hold-524-smackdown-and-wwe-king-and-queen-ring-ple-saudi-arabia|access-date=April 7, 2024|work=Fightful|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408005617/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-hold-524-smackdown-and-wwe-king-and-queen-ring-ple-saudi-arabia|archive-date=April 8, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> and August 31 for [[Bash in Berlin]] ([[Uber Arena]] in [[Berlin, Germany]]).<ref>{{cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|date=November 20, 2023|title=WWE SmackDown On August 30, 2024 To Take Place In Berlin |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-smackdown-august-30-2024-take-place-berlin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120231958/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-smackdown-august-30-2024-take-place-berlin |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |access-date=November 20, 2023 |work=Fightful}}</ref>
=== Return to USA Network and global move to Netflix (2024–present) ===
On September 21, 2023, it was announced that ''SmackDown'' would return to USA Network in October 2024, following the expiration of WWE's contract with Fox. The agreement with NBCUniversal was reported to be valued at $1.4 billion over five years, an increase over the previous agreement. As part of the agreement, WWE also agreed to produce four primetime specials for sister broadcast network [[NBC]] per-year;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=September 21, 2023|title=WWE's 'Smackdown' to Move From Fox to USA Network in New Rights Deal |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/wwes-smackdown-usa-network-2024-1235730831/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922042349/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/wwes-smackdown-usa-network-2024-1235730831/ |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> these specials were later revealed to be a second revival of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event]]'', which premiered on December 14, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=September 17, 2024|title=WWE Sets 'Saturday Night's Main Event' Return Date on NBC, Peacock (Exclusive)|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/wwe-saturday-nights-main-event-nbc-peacock-premiere-date-1236144941/|access-date=October 24, 2024|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917174743/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/wwe-saturday-nights-main-event-nbc-peacock-premiere-date-1236144941/|archive-date=September 17, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
The original date of ''SmackDown''{{'}}s return to USA Network was October 4, 2024, the fifth anniversary of its premiere on Fox, however, Fox had originally planned to move the final three episodes of ''SmackDown'' to FS1 to accommodate the premiere of ''[[Fox College Football|Fox College Football Friday]]'' in its former time slot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/03/fox-to-replace-smackdown-will-college-football-on-friday-nights/|title=Fox to replace Smackdown will college football on Friday nights|work=Sports Media Watch|first=Jon|last=Lewis|date=March 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506035447/https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/03/fox-to-replace-smackdown-will-college-football-on-friday-nights/|archive-date=May 6, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 9, 2024, USA Network announced that ''SmackDown'' would return to the channel on September 13, 2024, retaining its Friday-night timeslot.<ref>{{cite web|last=Currier|first=Joseph|date=May 9, 2024|title=WWE SmackDown moving back to USA Network earlier than expected|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-smackdown-moving-back-to-usa-network-earlier-than-expected|access-date=May 9, 2024|work=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510025235/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-smackdown-moving-back-to-usa-network-earlier-than-expected|archive-date=May 10, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
On December 20, 2024, WWE announced that ''SmackDown'' would expand to three hours beginning January 3, 2025, replacing ''[[NXT Level Up]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2024/12/20/24326264/wwe-smackdown-three-hours-long-official-starting-first-2025-episode|title=WWE officially announces SmackDown's move to three-hours|work=Cageside Seats|first=Sean|last=Reuter|date=December 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221022727/https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2024/12/20/24326264/wwe-smackdown-three-hours-long-official-starting-first-2025-episode|archive-date=December 21, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/wwe-announces-smackdown-moving-to-three-hours-in-january|title=WWE SmackDown Moving To Three Hours In January|date=December 20, 2024|last=Ucchino|first=Rick|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=December 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221002921/https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/wwe-announces-smackdown-moving-to-three-hours-in-january|archive-date=December 21, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> As [[Netflix]] acquired the rights to WWE programming outside of the United States, and ''Raw'' globally starting January 2025, that episode of ''SmackDown'' was streamed on [[YouTube]] internationally in the interim. ''SmackDown''{{'}}s formal Netflix debut was on the January 10 episode, following the debut of ''Raw'' on Netflix.<ref>{{cite web|last=Adamson|first=Dave|date=December 17, 2024|title=January 3 WWE SmackDown Broadcast Important Update|url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/wwe-smackdown-january-3-broadcast-update/|access-date=December 17, 2024|website=WrestleTalk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219012140/https://wrestletalk.com/news/wwe-smackdown-january-3-broadcast-update/|archive-date=December 19, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 27, 2025, it was announced that SmackDown would be moving back to two hours on July 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-smackdown-moving-back-two-hours-july-4|title=WWE SmackDown Moving Back To Two Hours On July 4|date=June 27, 2025|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|access-date=June 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250627202635/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-smackdown-moving-back-two-hours-july-4|archive-date=June 27, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
==
WWE taped ''SmackDown'' on Tuesday evenings to air on Thursday evenings on UPN the same week. However, ''SmackDown'' had aired occasional live specials on Tuesday nights (which are then replayed in its usual Thursday night timeslot). The show began broadcasting in [[High-definition television|HD]] beginning with the January 25, 2008 episode of ''SmackDown'', where a new set (which became universal for all WWE weekly programming) debuted. Following the first broadcast in HD, the [[exclamation mark]] used since the show's inception disappeared from all references pertaining to "SmackDown", including the official logo, which resembles the 2001–2008 logo, but with a darker blue scheme.
[[File:1999 WWF Smackdown (WWE).jpg|thumb|right|The set used from the show's debut on August 26, 1999, until August 16, 2001]]
The early set included an oval-shaped [[Jumbotron#References in popular culture|TitanTron]] entrance and stage (dubbed the "Ovaltron")<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-from-the-fist-to-ovaltron-every-wwe-smackdown-stage-ever/ |title=From the Fist to Ovaltron, Every WWE SmackDown Stage Ever |last=Chavan |first=Ishan |date=May 7, 2021 |website=EssentiallySports.com |publisher= |access-date=October 12, 2022 |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013154236/https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-from-the-fist-to-ovaltron-every-wwe-smackdown-stage-ever/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which made it stand out from the ''Raw Is War'' set with its rectangular Titantrons. Later productions gained the ability to move the Ovaltron either to the left or to the right of the stage. In August 2001, as part of celebrating ''SmackDown!''{{'}}s second anniversary, the show received a new [[logo]] and set, which consisted of a fist centered above the entrance with the WWF/E scratch logo above it, and many glass panes along the sides strongly resembling shattered glass with two TitanTrons on each side. From September 23, 2004, to September 26, 2008, the theme song for ''SmackDown!'' was "Rise Up" by [[Drowning Pool]], with variations, making it the longest tenured theme song used in the program.
Whenever ''SmackDown!'' shared the arena with ''Raw'' during the 2005–2007 period in a form of a supershow, the ''SmackDown!'' stage utilized all or some components of the same set from ''Raw''.
From November 2, 2012 until April 18, 2014, ''SmackDown'' began using "Born 2 Run" by 7Lions as its [[theme song]], with "This Life" by [[CFO$]] and Cody B. Ware serving as the secondary theme, then a swap was made, as "Born 2 Run" was used as a secondary theme, when "This Life" is used as ''SmackDown's'' main theme. Prior to November 2, 2012, ''SmackDown'' [[Music in professional wrestling|opened]] with "[[Know Your Enemy (Green Day song)|Know Your Enemy]]" by [[Green Day]] while "Hangman" by [[Rev Theory]] served as the secondary theme song.<ref name=theme2010>{{cite web|first=Dave|last=Hillhouse|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2010/10/02/15556551.html|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports|title=Smackdown: Live from Oklahoma City, it's Friday night!|date=2010-10-02|access-date=2010-10-02|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310031441/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2010/10/02/15556551.html}}</ref> Upon ''SmackDown''{{'}}s debut on Syfy in 2010, it replaced the previous theme song "Let it Roll" by Divide the Day.<ref name=theme>{{cite web|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|url=http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wwetunes/3242484/sdthemeneedham|publisher=WWE.com|title=Friday nights 'Let It Roll'|date=2009-10-02|access-date=2009-10-02|archive-date=October 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006080405/http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wwetunes/3242484/sdthemeneedham|url-status=live}}</ref>
As of August 3, 2012, the show has used the modified WWE HD universal set, which debuted at ''[[Raw 1000]]'' on July 23.<ref name="HD">{{cite web|title=WWE Goes HD |url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_01_14.jsp |publisher=WWE |access-date=2008-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118074358/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_01_14.jsp |archive-date=2008-01-18 }}</ref> From September 21, 2012, until October 26, 2012, October 4, 2013, until November 1, 2013, October 3 and 31, 2014, and October 2 and 30, 2015, WWE worked in conjunction with [[Susan G. Komen for the Cure]] to raise awareness for [[breast cancer]] by adorning the ''SmackDown'' set with pink ribbons and a special pink middle-rope in the ring. ''SmackDown''{{'}}s ring ropes were usually blue from 1999 to 2012 (although they were black for a period between 2001 and 2002). They remained blue until December 2012 when they were permanently changed to white, with all WWE programming now using white ring ropes. On August 22, 2014, ''SmackDown'' switched to a full 16:9 letterbox presentation, with a down-scaled version of the native HD feed on a 4:3 SD feed.
Although the graphics were re-positioned, ''SmackDown'' continued to use a variation of the graphics package that had been in use since its first HD broadcast in January 2008, until the show moved to Thursday nights on January 15, 2015, when an all-new graphics package (now optimized for the 16:9 format) and intro video were introduced along with a revised ''SmackDown'' logo. On March 26, 2015, WWE added a small [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] board to the left side of the ring on ''SmackDown'', similar to ''Raw''. On the September 14, 2015 season premiere of ''Raw'', the middle rope was colored gold. Throughout the month of October 2015, the WWE broadcast table, entrance ramp, and ring skirts were co-branded with Susan G. Komen for the cure of breast cancer.<ref name="October 2015">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2015/wwe-goes-pink-with-susan-g-komen|title=WWE Goes Pink with Susan G. Komen|access-date=October 12, 2015|work=[[WWE]].com|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011035741/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2015/wwe-goes-pink-with-susan-g-komen|archive-date=October 11, 2015}}</ref> Also, the middle ring rope was pink to promote the fight against breast cancer.<ref name="October 2015"/> Following the brand split in 2016, the ropes return to its original blue color as well as debuting a new set. The post brand extension set was almost identical to the [[TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs]] set from 2009 to 2013 and caused some negative feedback among online fans for re-using an old stage design. A month after the new set debut, a more distinctive and elaborate stage was created for SmackDown. The stage used was a new design with multiple LED side panels on each side with a titan-tron in a semi circle in the center. The new set also introduced LED floor panels on the entrance ramp. Feedback was more positive for this set design.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
With the shift to Fox, both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' introduced new sets during their "premiere week". The new set featured a large TitanTron screen, with semi-arches partially resembling the original ''SmackDown'' stage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/first-look-at-new-wwe-smackdown-on-fox-set/|title=411MANIA | First-Look at New WWE SmackDown on Fox Set|access-date=October 15, 2019|archive-date=October 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015152616/https://411mania.com/wrestling/first-look-at-new-wwe-smackdown-on-fox-set/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], all WWE programs suspended touring shows from mid-March 2020 through mid-July 2021. All ''SmackDown'' broadcasts were filmed [[Behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]] with no in-person spectators, initially from the [[WWE Performance Center]] in Orlando, before returning to an arena setting with a closed set known as the "[[WWE ThunderDome|ThunderDome]]"—which featured a larger-scale production more in line with its PPV shows, but with a [[virtual audience]] displayed on a [[grandstand]] constructed from video boards.<ref name=":19">{{Cite magazine|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|title=WWE Turning Orlando's Amway Center into 'WWE ThunderDome'|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2020/08/17/wwe-summerslam-___location-amway-center-orlando|access-date=2020-08-17|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=August 17, 2020 |language=en-us|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819173448/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2020/08/17/wwe-summerslam-___location-amway-center-orlando|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=2020-08-17|title=WWE to Establish 'ThunderDome' Residency in Orlando's Amway Center|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wwe-amway-center-thunderdome-1234736530/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=August 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817123123/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wwe-amway-center-thunderdome-1234736530/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-17|title=Contender Profile: WWE Production Designer Jason Robinson on Creating Big Fan Experiences During Pandemic|url=https://www.btlnews.com/crafts/production-design/wwe-jason-robinson/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Below the Line|language=en-US|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721065957/https://www.btlnews.com/crafts/production-design/wwe-jason-robinson/|url-status=live}}</ref>
With the return to live shows in July 2021, a new universal stage was adopted by both ''SmackDown'' and ''Raw'', with a high-resolution LED screen, and increasing use of [[augmented reality]] graphics for the television production.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Dachman|first=Jason|title=WWE Returns to the Road With 25-City Tour, Adds AR Steadicam and High-Res LED Screen|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2021/07/16/wwe-returns-to-the-road-with-25-city-tour-adds-ar-steadicam-and-high-res-led-screen/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Sports Video Group|date=July 16, 2021|language=en|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721070003/https://www.sportsvideo.org/2021/07/16/wwe-returns-to-the-road-with-25-city-tour-adds-ar-steadicam-and-high-res-led-screen/}}</ref>
Since January 3, 2025, ''SmackDown'' introduced a blue ring mat which the blue shading would change in the following weeks to be a slightly lighter shade of blue. The new standard announce table design, which debuted on [[WWE Raw premiere on Netflix|the Raw debut on Netflix]], was unveiled the next week.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/update-on-new-blue-smackdown-ring-mat-new-ring-mat-expected-for-raw-more-changes/ | title=Update on New Blue SmackDown Ring Mat, New Ring Mat Expected for Raw, More Changes | date=January 4, 2025 }}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
!style="background:#bcbcbc;"| Song title
!style="background:#bcbcbc;"| Written and/or performed by
!style="background:#bcbcbc;"| Dates used
!style="background:#bcbcbc;"| Ref
|-
| "Smack"{{ref|2|2}}
| [[Jim Johnston (composer)|Jim Johnston]]
| April 29, 1999 – August 9, 2001
| <ref name="music">{{cite web|last=Murrin|first=Lucas|title=WWE Editorial: The Music History Of Smackdown Theme Songs|work=wrestlingnewsdepot.com|date=10 October 2014|url=http://wrestlingnewsdepot.com/2014/10/wwe-editorial-the-music-history-of-smackdown-theme-songs/|access-date=18 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412144917/http://wrestlingnewsdepot.com/2014/10/wwe-editorial-the-music-history-of-smackdown-theme-songs/|archive-date=12 April 2015}}</ref>
|-
| "[[The Beautiful People (song)|The Beautiful People]]"
| [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]]
| August 16, 2001 – May 15, 2003
| <ref name="music"/>
|-
| "I Want It All"
| Jim Johnston
| May 22, 2003 – September 16, 2004
| <ref name="music"/><ref name="uncaged3">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/wwe-uncaged-iii/1271429098|access-date=2017-08-21|title=WWE Uncaged III on iTunes|date=21 August 2017|publisher=iTunes|archive-date=November 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118070125/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wwe-uncaged-iii/id1271429098|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| "Rise Up"{{ref|3|3}}
| [[Drowning Pool]]
| September 23, 2004 – September 26, 2008
| <ref name="music"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/theme-addict-ww-the-music-vol-6-original-soundtrack-mw0000140544|title=WWE ThemeAddict: The Music, Vol. 6 – Original Soundtrack|work=[[AllMusic]]|publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]]|access-date=September 25, 2015|author=Jeffries, David|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402104440/https://www.allmusic.com/album/theme-addict-ww-the-music-vol-6-original-soundtrack-mw0000140544|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| "If You Rock Like Me"
| Jim Johnston
| October 3, 2008 – September 25, 2009
| <ref name="music"/>
|-
| "Let It Roll"
| Divide the Day
| October 2, 2009 – September 24, 2010
| <ref name="music"/>
|-
| "[[Know Your Enemy (Green Day song)|Know Your Enemy]]"
| [[Green Day]]
| October 1, 2010 – October 19, 2012
| <ref name="music"/>
|-
| "Born 2 Run"
| 7Lions
| October 26, 2012 – April 4, 2014
| <ref name="music"/>
|-
| "This Life"
| [[CFO$]]
| April 11, 2014 – January 9, 2015; this song version featuring Dylan Owen was used as the bumper song.
| <ref name="music"/>
|-
| "[[Centuries (song)|Centuries]]"
| [[Fall Out Boy]]
| October 10, 2014 (only used for ''SmackDown's 15th Anniversary'')
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailywrestlingnews.com/former-wwe-stars-returning-smackdown-tonights-tapings-theme-song/|title=Former WWE Stars Returning on SmackDown?, Tonight's Tapings, Theme Song|work=dailywrestlingnews.com|last=Arrington|first=Eric|date=October 7, 2014|access-date=April 12, 2015|archive-date=November 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124200916/http://dailywrestlingnews.com/former-wwe-stars-returning-smackdown-tonights-tapings-theme-song/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.todayfm.com/Song-of-the-week--------|title=SONG OF THE WEEK|work=today.fm|date=October 13, 2014|access-date=April 12, 2015|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215173114/https://www.todayfm.com/Song-of-the-week--------|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| "Black and Blue"
| CFO$
| January 15, 2015 – July 19, 2016
| <ref name="iTunes_BlackandBlue">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/sg/album/wwe-black-blue-smackdown-single/id953974052|title=Black and Blue|date=25 December 2014|publisher=[[iTunes]]|access-date=April 12, 2015|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306061306/https://itunes.apple.com/sg/album/wwe-black-blue-smackdown-single/id953974052|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| "Take a Chance"
| CFO$
| July 26, 2016 – September 24, 2019
| <ref name="Chance">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0726/614973/new-wwe-smackdown-intro-video-and-theme-song/|title=New WWE SmackDown Live Intro Video And Theme Song, Charly Caruso Working SmackDown Live, Pre-show Video|work=Wrestling Inc|date=July 26, 2016|___location=United States|access-date=July 27, 2016|first=Marc|last=Middleton|archive-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730154541/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0726/614973/new-wwe-smackdown-intro-video-and-theme-song/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
| "[[Victorious (Panic! at the Disco song)|Victorious]]"
| [[Panic! at the Disco]]
| October 16, 2018 (only used for SmackDown's 1000th episode)
|
|-
| "[[Are You Ready (AC/DC song)|Are You Ready]]"
| [[AC/DC]]
| October 4, 2019 – October 14, 2022
| {{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
|-
| "Prime Time Open"
| Jim Johnston
| May 7, 2021 (only used for Throwback SmackDown!)
|
|-
| "Nobody Better Than Me"
| def rebel ft. Supreme Madness
| October 21, 2022 – September 6, 2024
|
|-
| "[[Red (Hardy song)|Red]]"
| [[Hardy (singer)|Hardy]] ft. [[Morgan Wallen]]
| December 8, 2023 (only used for [[WWE Tribute to the Troops results#2023|''Tribute to the Troops'' 2023]])
|
|-
| '''“[[Neva Play]]” '''{{ref|1|1}}
| [[Megan Thee Stallion]] ft. [[RM (musician)|RM]]
| September 13, 2024 – present
|<ref name="Smackdown USANetwork"/>
|}
'''Notes'''
{{Refbegin}}
# {{note|1}} Bold song titles are currently being used as the opening theme.
# {{note|2}} Also titled as "Everybody on the Ground" prior to the release of the [[WWE: Uncaged series]].
# {{note|3}} The first version was an instrumental composed by Jim Johnston and it was only used on September 23, 2004, for ''SmackDown's 5th Anniversary''. Another version was performed by [[Ryan McCombs]] entitled "Rise Up 2006" and was used from March 24, 2006.
{{Refend}}
== Cultural references ==
On July 10, 2007, [[Merriam-Webster]] included the word ''smackdown'' in ''[[Webster's Dictionary]].''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.today.com/id/19698856|date=2007-07-10|publisher=[[Today.com]]|title=It was a ginormous year for new words|access-date=2007-07-23|archive-date=October 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022004020/http://www.today.com/id/19698856}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/smackdown|title=m-w.com/dictionary/smackdown|access-date=2007-07-23|archive-date=May 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509200202/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smackdown|url-status=live}}</ref> Merriam Webster defined a "smackdown" as:
* The act of knocking down or bringing down an opponent.
* A contest in entertainment wrestling.
* A decisive defeat.
* A confrontation between rivals or competitors.
The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] traces the use of the word ''smackdown'' in English back at least as far as 1990, but notes that a professional wrestling television show "popularized" the term.
== Special episodes ==
{{main|List of WWE SmackDown special episodes}}
Throughout its broadcast history, the show has aired editions that have different themes. These include tributes to various professional wrestlers who have recently died or retired from actively performing, and episodes commemorating various show milestones or anniversaries.
== Other SmackDown-branded properties ==
Although ''SmackDown'' has been the second-largest show in the WWE, the company's use of the term went beyond its namesake program. During the [[2000 United States presidential election|2000 U.S. election]] campaign, the WWE launched the ''SmackDown! Your Vote'' program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2003/02-03-2003|title=Smackdown Your Vote! Announces Program To Increase Young Voter Participation By ...|website=corporate.wwe.com|access-date=December 28, 2018|archive-date=April 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416032534/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2003/02-03-2003|url-status=live}}</ref>
The name was also used when WWE released its 2015 film ''[[The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown!]]'' and [[WWE Network]]'s show ''Kitchen SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1036417-wwe-kitchen-smackdown-debuts|title=WWE Kitchen SmackDown Debuts, Top 10 RAW Moments Of 2018|date=27 December 2018|website=Wrestlezone|access-date=December 28, 2018|archive-date=December 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228130851/https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1036417-wwe-kitchen-smackdown-debuts|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Roster==
{{Main|List of WWE personnel}}
The wrestlers featured on WWE take part in scripted [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuds]] and [[Narrative thread|storylines]]. Wrestlers are portrayed as [[Face (professional wrestling)|heroes]], [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]], or [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#tweener|less distinguishable characters]] in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.
The primary commentators for ''SmackDown'' are [[Joe Tessitore]] and [[Wade Barrett]]. Additional commentary has been provided by [[Taz (wrestler)|Tazz]], [[Jim Ross]], [[Josh Mathews]], [[Mauro Ranallo]], [[Tom Hannifan|Tom Phillips]] and others since its creation.
Since March 2025, Mark Nash is WWE SmackDown's lead ring announcer.
== Broadcast ==
=== Broadcast history ===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0; font-size: 95%"
|+
!Channel
!Timeslot
!Years
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[UPN]]
| rowspan="2" |Thursday 8–10 p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|ET]]
|April 29, 1999
|-
|August 26, 1999 – September 1, 2005
|-
| rowspan="4" |Friday 8–10 p.m. ET
|September 9, 2005 – September 15, 2006
|-
|[[The CW]]
|September 22, 2006 – September 26, 2008
|-
|[[MyNetworkTV]]
|October 3, 2008 – September 24, 2010
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Syfy]]
|October 1, 2010 – January 9, 2015
|-
| rowspan="2" |Thursday 8–10 p.m. ET
|January 15, 2015 – December 31, 2015
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[USA Network|USA]]
|January 7, 2016 – July 14, 2016
|-
|Tuesday 8–10 p.m. ET
|July 19, 2016 – September 24, 2019
|-
|[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
| rowspan="2" |Friday 8–10 p.m. ET
|October 4, 2019 – September 6, 2024
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[USA Network|USA]]
|September 13, 2024 – December 27, 2024
|-
|Friday 8–11 p.m. ET
|January 3, 2025 – June 27, 2025
|-
|Friday 8–10 p.m. ET
|July 4, 2025 – present
|}
==== Americas ====
===== Latin America =====
''SmackDown'' airs live on [[Fox Sports (Latin America)|Fox Sports]] in [[Mexico]]<ref name="Fox"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Mexico |title=WWE Mexico Scheduling |publisher=[[WWE]] |access-date=August 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209003431/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Mexico |archive-date=February 9, 2010 }}</ref> and across [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]] since 2014 until 2021.<ref name="Fox">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2014/2014_9_17.jsp|title=WWE and Fox Sports Latin America Announce Partnership|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018013358/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2014/2014_9_17.jsp|archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espanol.wwe.com/shows/|title=WWE's Spanish Language website|work=WWE |publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 1, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429042607/http://espanol.wwe.com/shows|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/WWECorporate-2011.02.23.jsp|title=WWE launches in Brazil|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=February 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319154140/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/WWECorporate-2011.02.23.jsp|archive-date=March 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esmas.com/canal5/|title=Canal 5 Website|publisher=[[XHGC-TV|Canal 5]]|access-date=August 21, 2009|archive-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405093928/http://www2.esmas.com/canal5|url-status=live}}</ref>
===== Canada =====
In Canada, ''SmackDown'' was previously aired on [[Sportsnet 360]] (SN360, formerly known as The Score), as part of a long term deal with [[Rogers Media|Rogers Sports & Media]]. The program was mostly aired in simulcast with the U.S. airing but was broadcast the previous day from January 2015 to July 2016. This was due to conflicts with the channel's Thursday-night [[National Hockey League]] broadcasts.<ref name="Canada Wed">{{cite web |last=LaPrade |first=Patric |date=November 7, 2014 |title=Canada to get Smackdown on Wednesdays |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2014/11/07/22058041.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624201746/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2014/11/07/22058041.html |archive-date=June 24, 2016 |access-date=November 20, 2014 |work=Slam! Sports}}</ref> In 2005, when the taped show moved to Friday airings in the U.S., it remained on Thursdays in Canada for a period of time.
When SmackDown transitioned to a live format in July 2016, the program returned to airing in simulcast with the U.S. broadcast, initially on Tuesdays and then moving back to Fridays in October 2019. Despite the move to Fox (which is widely carried on Canadian television providers) in 2019, Rogers did not elect to simulcast ''SmackDown'' on its broadcast network [[Citytv]] to invoke potential [[simsub]] rights.
As Rogers also held the rights to [[NHL on Sportsnet|National Hockey League broadcasts]], the program was occasionally pre-empted to [[Bravo (Canadian TV network)|OLN]] during the Stanley Cup playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/wwe/article/how-to-watch-monday-night-raw-on-april-25-may-2-may-9/|title=How to watch Monday Night Raw on April 25, May 2 & May 9|work=[[Sportsnet]].ca|date=April 24, 2022|access-date=April 25, 2022|archive-date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425091745/https://www.sportsnet.ca/wwe/article/how-to-watch-monday-night-raw-on-april-25-may-2-may-9/|url-status=live}}</ref>
All archived broadcasts of ''SmackDown'' were available on the [[WWE Network (Canada)|WWE Network]] until its closure in December 2024. Since January 1, 2025, WWE’s Canadian broadcast rights are held by [[Netflix]]. Select archived episodes are available for streaming on Netflix under the title ''SmackDown Vault,'' with live broadcasts beginning on January 10. The January 3 episode was streamed on WWE’s [[YouTube]] channel. The show does not air on the [[USA Network (Canadian TV channel)|Canadian iteration of USA Network]], which launched on the former Discovery Channel space on January 1.
===== Asia, Africa and Oceania =====
''SmackDown'' airs live in the [[MENA]] region on Netflix on Saturday mornings.
''SmackDown'' airs live in Australia on Saturday late mornings/early afternoons and Sunday afternoons on [[Fox8]] and Friday nights on [[9Go!]] as a one-hour version,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxtel.com.au/channel/channel_38.html|title=Entertainment List|access-date=2008-02-03|work=Foxtel channels|archive-date=January 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125040818/http://www.foxtel.com.au/channel/channel_38.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.wwe.com/schedules/television//rw/country/Australia|title=WWE's Australia Schedule|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=2014-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006163303/http://www2.wwe.com/schedules/television//rw/country/Australia|archive-date=2011-10-06}}</ref> and airs live in [[New Zealand]] and Australia on [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunn |first=David |title=SmackDown, January 4, to stream on YouTube |url=https://www.nzpwi.co.nz/2025/01/smackdown-january-4-stream-youtube/ |date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 21, 2025 |website=nzpwi.co.nz}}</ref>
''SmackDown'' airs in [[Fiji]] on [[Sky Pacific]] and Sky Fiji.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Fiji|title=WWE's Fiji Schedule|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=2009-10-07|archive-date=October 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024045957/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Fiji}}</ref>
''SmackDown'' airs live in [[Pakistan]] and in [[Bangladesh]], [[Nepal]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[India]] on [[Sony Ten]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Show Listings for India |url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/india |website=wwe.com |publisher=WWE |access-date=1 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222151034/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/india |archive-date=22 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/nepal |title=WWE "Nepal" |website=www.wwe.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019171527/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/nepal |archive-date=2011-10-19}}</ref><ref name="SonyRebranding">{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/sony-rebrands-sports-business-launches-2-new-hd-channels/articleshow/59651869.cms |title=Sony Pictures Sports Network rebrands TEN Sports channels |work=The Economic Times |date=18 July 2017 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721172333/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/sony-rebrands-sports-business-launches-2-new-hd-channels/articleshow/59651869.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Kenya]] on [[Kenya Broadcasting Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Kenya|title=WWE's Kenya Schedule|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=2009-10-07|archive-date=October 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006060642/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Kenya}}</ref>
''SmackDown'' airs in [[Malaysia]] on [[Astro SuperSport]] 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Malaysia |title=WWE's Malaysia Schedule |publisher=[[WWE]] |access-date=2009-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228191959/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Malaysia |archive-date=2010-02-28 }}</ref>
The series airs in the [[Philippines]] on [[TAP Sports]] including its streaming counterpart [[Blast TV]].
''SmackDown'' airs live in [[Indonesia]] on [[Mola (streaming service)|Mola TV]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PH5A_ldYw |title=SEGERA DI MOLA TV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408120104/https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PH5A_ldYw/ |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |url-access=subscription |trans-title=SOON ON MOLA TV |trans-quote=Are you a WWE fan? Don't miss WWE's RAW and SmackDown shows that will soon be live on Mola TV every week! |quote=Anda penggemar WWE? Jangan sampai terlewatkan tayangan-tayangan RAW dan SmackDown dari WWE yang akan segera tayang Live di Mola TV setiap pekan! |language=Indonesian |access-date=May 13, 2023 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
The series airs live in [[Singapore]] on Starhub's HubSports 2<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Singapore|title=WWE's Singapore Schedule|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=2009-10-07|archive-date=July 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728053754/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Singapore}}</ref> and [[South Africa]] on [[SuperSport (South African TV channel)|SuperSport]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/South%20Africa |title=WWE's South Africa Schedule |publisher=[[WWE]] |access-date=2009-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317143459/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/South%20Africa |archive-date=2010-03-17 }}</ref>
''SmackDown'' airs on [[Abema]] in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TIMES編集部 |first=ABEMA |date=2023-09-28 |title=「ABEMA」、WWE『RAW』&『SMACKDOWN』を国内独占放送！ 中邑真輔「ABEMAでWWE漬けに」 {{!}} 告知 {{!}} ABEMA TIMES {{!}} アベマタイムズ |url=https://times.abema.tv/articles/-/10097209 |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=ABEMA TIMES |language=ja |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002143036/https://times.abema.tv/articles/-/10097209 |url-status=live }}</ref>
''SmackDown'' airs in [[Israel]] on [[Sport 5|5LIVE]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/israel |title=WWE: Homepage > Schedules > Television > Israel |website=www.wwe.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629103007/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/israel |archive-date=2011-06-29}}</ref>
In [[South Africa]], ''SmackDown'' was previously broadcast by free-to-air broadcaster [[e.tv]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Local/0,6119,2-1225-1242_1294527,00.html|title=Get ready to rumble|date=2002-12-06|access-date=2006-05-28|publisher=[[News24 (website)|News24]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930220056/http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Local/0,6119,2-1225-1242_1294527,00.html|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> The show would play on Wednesday nights in the evening, with a 7-day delay, edited to one hour and was one of the most watched programs on the channel. However, in 2017 e.tv decided not to renew its broadcasting deal with WWE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/default.aspx|title=TVSA - South Africa's TV Website {{!}} TVSA|website=www.tvsa.co.za|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222142510/https://www.tvsa.co.za/default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The rights were later resold to [[SuperSport (South African TV channel)|SuperSport]] (the initial broadcasters of WWE programming) who broadcast the show across Sub-Saharan Africa, live and uncut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/South%20Africa |title=WWE South Africa Scheduling |publisher=[[WWE]] |access-date=August 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317143459/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/South%20Africa |archive-date=March 17, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etv.co.za/extended/about/wwe_raw|title=About WWE Raw|publisher=[[E.tv]]|access-date=August 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413014606/http://www.etv.co.za/extended/about/wwe_raw|archive-date=April 13, 2010}}</ref>
In 2019 SuperSport, along with its parent company [[Multichoice]], signed a deal to broadcast the 24-hour WWE channel on their [[DStv]] platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slamforce-africa.com/2019/08/06/dstv-launches-wwe-pop-up-channel/|title=DSTV Launches WWE Pop-Up Channel – SLAMFORCE AFRICA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220071500/https://www.slamforce-africa.com/2019/08/06/dstv-launches-wwe-pop-up-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Europe ====
In Portugal, ''SmackDown'' airs live on [[Sport TV|SportTV 4]] every Saturday at 01:00 [[Western European Time|WET]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Durães|first1=Pedro|title=Sport TV assegura exclusividade dos direitos de transmissão da WWE para Portugal|url=http://www.meiosepublicidade.pt/2017/10/sport-tv-assegura-exclusividade-dos-direitos-transmissao-da-wwe-portugal/|access-date=25 October 2017|website=Meios e Publicidade|language=pt|archive-date=October 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025185011/http://www.meiosepublicidade.pt/2017/10/sport-tv-assegura-exclusividade-dos-direitos-transmissao-da-wwe-portugal/|url-status=live}}</ref> In Russia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pwnews.net/news/2020-01-03-15050|title=WWE returns to Russian television and will be broadcast on the Match TV channel! Fighter|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104053907/https://pwnews.net/news/2020-01-03-15050|url-status=live}}</ref> ''SmackDown'' aired on [[:ru:Матч! Боец|Match! Fighter]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://matchtv.ru/channel/boec|title=МАТЧ! БОЕЦ - PACKAGE SPORTS|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407000020/https://matchtv.ru/channel/boec|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Russian language|Russian]] commentary until 2022, when WWE ceased broadcasting their programs in Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In Finland, ''SmackDown'' airs on [[Subtv]] (2001-2006) in a shortened version with a three-week delay. MTV3 MAX began showing SmackDown and also RAW and ECW which later changed to NXT (2007-2010). SmackDown and Raw started showing again on MTV Sub (2021-2022).
In Spain, ''SmackDown'' airs on [[Mega (Spanish TV channel)|Mega]] every Sunday at 13:00 [[Central European Time|CET]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nieto |first1=Cristina |title=Atresmedia emitirá la programación de 'WWE Raw' y 'SmackDown' en España |url=https://www.formulatv.com/noticias/atresmedia-emitira-programacion-programas-wwe-raw-smackdown-espana-90798/ |website=FormulaTV |access-date=31 October 2019 |language=es |date=29 March 2019 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229064223/https://www.formulatv.com/noticias/atresmedia-emitira-programacion-programas-wwe-raw-smackdown-espana-90798/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, ''Smackdown'' airs live on [[Netflix]], alongside ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]].''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-30 |title=Tonight's WWE Raw marks end of an era after 32 years on TV |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/12/30/tonights-wwe-raw-marks-end-era-32-years-tv-22267886/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref>
In Malta, ''SmackDown'' airs on Melita Sports 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Malta|title=WWE's Malta Schedule|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=2009-10-07|archive-date=July 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704112937/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Malta}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melita.com/epg/?ChannelId=Digi+Sp+1 |title=Melita Sports 1 Television Schedule |publisher=Melita Sports 1 |access-date=2009-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108035522/http://www.melita.com/epg/?ChannelId=Digi%2BSp%2B1 |archive-date=January 8, 2010 }}</ref>
In Germany, ''SmackDown'' airs on ProSieben MAXX Saturdays at 22:00 CET.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prosiebenmaxx.de/serien/wwe-smackdown|title=WWE SmackDown | Wrestling auf ProSieben MAXX|date=February 7, 2024|website=ProSieben MAXX|language=de}}</ref>
In Belgium, ''SmackDown'' airs on Saturday on [[ABXplore]]. It also airs on [[AB1]] in France. Both are commented by Philippe Chereau and Christophe Agius.
In 2017, Smackdown began airing on S Sport and S Sport Plus in Turkey, continuing until 2023.
=== Online streaming ===
On May 22, 2009, [[Hulu]] and WWE agreed to air full episodes of ''SmackDown'' to be available for viewing the day following its original airing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/10303890|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526081817/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/10303890|url-status=live|archive-date=May 26, 2009|title=Hulu to stream full episodes of SmackDown, ECW|access-date=August 16, 2015|date=May 22, 2009|work=[[WWE]].com|publisher=[[WWE]]|first=Corey|last=Clayton}}</ref> On September 24, 2012, Hulu signed a multi-year deal with WWE to stream all of the company's TV shows and some of its web series, which includes ''SmackDown''. Full episodes of ''SmackDown'' are available for viewing the following day of its original airing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2012/digital/news/hulu-plus-pacts-with-wwe-1118059700/|title=Hulu Plus pacts with WWE|access-date=August 15, 2015|publisher=[[Penske Business Media]]|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 24, 2012|first=Marc|last=Graser|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112040919/https://variety.com/2012/digital/news/hulu-plus-pacts-with-wwe-1118059700/|url-status=live}}</ref> All previous episodes of ''SmackDown'' are available on the [[WWE Network]], where recent episodes are available for on-demand viewing 30 days after the original air date.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goldman|first=Eric|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/09/06/wwe-network-coming-in-2012|title=WWE Network coming in 2012|date=September 6, 2011|access-date=August 15, 2015|publisher=IGN|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309223809/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/09/06/wwe-network-coming-in-2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/wwenetwork/wwe-network-outside-united-states-26533843|title=WWE Network available outside of the U.S. starting Aug. 12|date=July 31, 2014|access-date=August 15, 2015|work=[[WWE]].com|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=July 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724210559/http://www.wwe.com/wwenetwork/wwe-network-outside-united-states-26533843|url-status=live}}</ref>
Outside the United States, ''SmackDown'' airs on Netflix and archived episodes of this series are branded as ''SmackDown Vault''.
== See also ==
* [[List of professional wrestling television series]]
* [[List of longest-running American television series]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|WWE Smackdown}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Official website|http://www.usanetwork.com/wwesmackdown|''WWE SmackDown''}} at [http://www.usanetwork.com USANetwork.com]
* {{IMDb title|0227972|WWE SmackDown}}
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