Category: SmackDown

Report: Tommaso Ciampa Set to Exit WWE as Contract Nears Expiration

Tommaso Ciampa’s run with WWE appears to be nearing its end, as a new report has added important context to his current contract situation.

As previously noted over the weekend, Ciampa’s WWE deal is expected to expire soon and is not believed to be renewed. While initial reports were light on details, the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio has clarified that the decision was likely Ciampa’s to make.

According to the report, Ciampa informed WWE roughly five weeks ago that he would not be renewing his contract. At this time, there’s no indication that WWE pushed him out, with the choice said to have come from Ciampa himself. The specific reasons behind his decision have not been made public.

In recent weeks, WWE programming has subtly reflected Ciampa’s absence. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae have continued appearing on SmackDown without him, including during last week’s episode, signaling a possible creative shift ahead of his reported departure.

Ciampa has yet to comment publicly on the situation, and there is no information regarding where he may land next. If this does mark the end of his WWE tenure, it would close the book on an accomplished run. Ciampa is a former two-time NXT World Champion, a two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, and a former NXT Tag Team Champion, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures of the black-and-gold NXT era.

His most recent WWE appearance came on the December 19 episode of SmackDown. As Ciampa’s contract situation continues to develop, fans will be watching closely to see what the next chapter holds for “The Blackheart.”

Matt Cardona Is Officially Back In WWE On The SmackDown Roster

Matt Cardona made a surprise in-ring return to WWE SmackDown on Friday night, competing in a New Year’s-themed episode and picking up his first win on WWE television in more than six years. The former Zack Ryder squared off against Kit Wilson in a singles bout, marking another notable chapter in Cardona’s ongoing reintroduction to WWE audiences.

Wilson came out aggressively at the opening bell, using a Corkscrew Elbow to seize early control. Cardona weathered the storm and fired back with a clothesline to swing momentum briefly in his favor, but Wilson’s ring awareness allowed him to regain the upper hand by knocking Cardona off the ropes and keeping him grounded. The match remained competitive throughout, with both men trading advantages as the pace picked up.

Cardona came close to sealing the deal with a Double Underhook Powerbomb that nearly earned him the three-count. Wilson answered back by attempting his Tourniquet finisher, but Cardona managed to survive. The turning point came when Wilson missed a strike in the corner, opening the door for Cardona to capitalize. Moments later, Cardona connected with the Rough Ryder to score the pinfall victory.

Following the match, commentary from Michael Cole confirmed that Cardona is officially part of the SmackDown roster. The appearance continues a recent run that has included a match on NXT against Josh Briggs and involvement in the “Last Time Is Now” tournament. Prior to this stretch, Cardona had not competed in a WWE ring since 2020.

Since leaving WWE, Cardona has built a high-profile run across multiple promotions, including AEW, IMPACT/TNA, GCW, and Ring of Honor, reinventing himself as one of the most prominent independent stars in the industry. Interestingly, while he was introduced as Matt Cardona on SmackDown, his entrance video briefly displayed the Zack Ryder name, and his finishing move was called the Rough Ryder rather than its independent-era name, Radio Silence.

Those details leave some unanswered questions about Cardona’s presentation going forward. Whether WWE fully embraces his post-WWE persona, returns him to the Zack Ryder identity, or blends elements of both remains to be seen as his SmackDown run continues.

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/2/2026

WWE SmackDown airs tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally, live from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

WWE SmackDown moves back to 3 Hours starting tonight.

  • Ambulance Match: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
  • 8-Woman Tag Team Match: Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend & The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
  • Jade Cargill vs. Michin
  • Appearances by Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, The Street Profits, Drew McIntyre, and Solo Sikoa

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/26/2025

WWE SmackDown airs tonight on the USA Network in the US and Netflix internationally, taped from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  • Ilja Dragunov‘s WWE United States Championship Open Challenge
  • Joe Hendry concert
  • Christmas Street Fight: Joe Hendry vs. The Miz
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Lash Legend
  • Giulia and Kiana James vs. Alba Fyre and Women’s US Champion Chelsea Green
  • WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes to appear
  • Drew McIntyre to appear

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/19/2025

WWE SmackDown airs tonight from the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania on the USA Network and Netflix for international fans.

  • WWE Tag Team Championship: Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy) vs. two members of The MFTs
  • Cody Rhodes to appear ‘after invading Drew McIntyre’s home’
  • Will Nick Aldis officially reinstate Drew McIntyre from suspension and reveal the date of his WWE championship match against Cody Rhodes? What stipulation will McIntyre choose? Tune
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend
  • US Champion Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes vs. DIY

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/12/2025

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and Netflix internationally, from the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

  • Celebration of John Cena’s career 
  • WWE United States Championship: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
  • Mixed Tag Match: Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley vs. Aleister Black and Zelina
  • Alexa Bliss vs. Lash Legend

WWE Is Preparing Changes For SmackDown In 2026

WWE appears ready to hit the reset button on Friday nights, as plans are reportedly in motion to significantly shake up SmackDown heading into 2026.

According to Bodyslam+, internal discussions within WWE point to SmackDown expanding back to a three-hour format early next year. The move is said to be a direct response to concerns about the show’s overall direction in 2025, which many — both internally and among fans — felt failed to consistently deliver momentum despite a few standout moments along the way.

Along with the added hour, WWE is expected to bolster the blue brand’s roster. Additional talent is reportedly being considered to help fill the expanded runtime and freshen up weekly programming. WWE officials are said to be closely monitoring audience feedback, acknowledging that SmackDown often felt “flat” throughout much of the year and lacked a clear identity compared to other flagship shows.

Creative changes are also on the table. WWE is evaluating how both storytelling and talent utilization can evolve to better support a longer broadcast, with the goal of making SmackDown feel more dynamic and essential on a week-to-week basis. If current plans hold, the three-hour version of SmackDown is expected to officially return in January 2026 — signaling a major creative shift for the blue brand as WWE looks to rebound and redefine its Friday night product.

WWE Pulling Double Duty Next Week With Back-to-Back Raw & SmackDown Holiday Tapings

WWE is getting ahead of the holiday schedule next week, as both RAW and SmackDown will be taped in back-to-back double sessions. Fans in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, will essentially be getting two shows for the price of one.

The December stop of Monday Night RAW in Hershey has been re-listed as a combined taping for both RAW and SmackDown. A few days later, Friday Night SmackDown in Grand Rapids will follow the same format, also pulling double duty.

To make room for the expanded schedule, WWE has bumped both events’ local start times to 6 PM. Interestingly, even though RAW will be taped early, it’s still set to air in its standard TV window at 8 PM EST, so fans at home won’t see the usual “early airing” adjustment that sometimes happens with internationally broadcast shows.

On the storyline front, WWE has confirmed a marquee tag match for next week’s RAW: The Usos vs. The New Day—a rivalry that never misses. With both brands under one roof and a packed taping schedule, it wouldn’t be shocking if more crossover surprises hit the card.

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/5/2025

WWE SmackDown live tonight on USA Network from The Moody Center in Austin, Texas

  • Fallout from Survivor Series War Games
  • Last Time Is Now Tournament Finals: LA Knight vs. Gunther
  • What’s next for WWE Champion Cody Rhodes?
  • Will Jade Cargill’s reign of terror continue?
  • Charlotte Flair, Sami Zayn, Tiffany Stratton and Randy Orton are all being advertised for the show as well, but will they all be there?

WWE SmackDown Preview 11/28/2025

WWE SmackDown this Friday on USA Network from Denver, Colorado

  • Last Time is Now Tournament Quarterfinal Match: LA Knight vs. TBA
  • Traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match: Team Sami (Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Motor City Machine Guns & Rey Fenix) vs. Team MFT (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo & Tonga Loa)