WWE SmackDown, also known as Friday Night SmackDown or simply SmackDown, is an American professional wrestling television program produced by WWE. It airs live every Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on USA Network in the United States, and in most international markets on Netflix. The show features characters from the SmackDown 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 Monday Night Raw.
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, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom and Ireland. 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…
This description was generated automatically and may contain inaccuracies.
Following an attack by Becky Lynch at Clash in Paris, CM Punk’s search for backup has teased the involvement of Rhea Ripley, adding a twist to widespread rumors of his wife AJ Lee’s return to the company.
Penta scored a non-title victory over Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio after SmackDown in France, fueling his pursuit of the championship he has chased throughout 2025.
Chris Jericho’s classic WWE theme was heard outside the LDLC Arena before SmackDown in Lyon, fueling speculation of a return as his AEW contract nears its December expiration.
WWE is discussing moving North American Champion Ethan Page to SmackDown alongside Chelsea Green, with plans for a Canadian stable after their strong showing at NXT Heatwave 2025.
With still no medical update on WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton confronted Drew McIntyre during the latest SmackDown taping in Dublin, Ireland.
The creative reasoning behind LA Knight’s move to Raw and Sami Zayn’s to SmackDown has been revealed as an intentional, unofficial superstar trade.
WWE altered the broadcast of Friday Night SmackDown, reshooting Logan Paul’s attack on John Cena for more impact following a mention of Brock Lesnar by Nick Aldis.
On SmackDown, a message from Brock Lesnar to John Cena was teased before Logan Paul ambushed Cena backstage, leaving the message undelivered.
Randy Orton made his first appearance since SummerSlam, delivering an RKO to Drew McIntyre following McIntyre’s promo on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
WWE has confirmed two championship matches and a top contender’s bout for the August 29 episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Lyon, France.
Logan Paul attacked John Cena from behind with brass knuckles, leaving him unconscious at the end of the August 22 episode of WWE SmackDown.
John Cena and Logan Paul escalated their rivalry with personal insults on SmackDown, culminating in Cena delivering an Attitude Adjustment ahead of their Paris match.
Piper Niven secured a major upset victory over Charlotte Flair during the August 22 episode of WWE SmackDown, pinning the multi-time champion cleanly.
