WWE SmackDown Preview 1/17/2025

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown airs live on the USA Network in the United States and on Netflix internationally from the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

  • WWE Women’s Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Bayley
  • Motor City Machine Guns vs. Los Garza
  • Solo Sikoa returns following his loss to Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat

The Wyatt Sicks Moved To WWE SmackDown Amid Transfer Window

The WWE transfer portal has been busy again, and it’s bringing major changes to the blue brand. The Wyatt Sicks, a faction shrouded in mystery and chaos, are officially moving to WWE SmackDown. This shift not only signals a fresh start for the group but also puts an end to their ongoing feud with The Final Testament.

Karrion Kross Drops the News

Fans learned about the move during a backstage segment on this week’s Raw. While speaking with The Miz outside of Adam Pearce’s office, Karrion Kross revealed that The Wyatt Sicks would be leaving the red brand for SmackDown. The announcement makes it clear that WWE is opting to draw a line under the rivalry between The Wyatt Sicks and The Final Testament, which had been a focal point on Raw in recent months.

This decision also sets the stage for Karrion Kross to move on to new storylines without the ominous faction lurking in his shadow. Whether his comments hint at his own brand move or a new angle for Kross remains to be seen.

The Wyatt Sicks’ Rocky Road on Raw

The Wyatt Sicks haven’t had the smoothest ride on Raw. The faction, led by Bo Dallas in his Uncle Howdy persona, was last seen on the December 23 episode, where their interference led to Dexter Lumis’ match with The Miz ending in a no contest. Prior to that, the group suffered their first loss on the December 9 episode, with Dallas himself taking the pin in a tag match against The Final Testament.

While their cryptic and chaotic presence created intrigue, these losses marked a stumbling block in their momentum. Moving to SmackDown could be a chance for The Wyatt Sicks to regain their edge and establish themselves as a dominant force.

Joining Familiar Faces on SmackDown

Interestingly, The Wyatt Sicks’ move reunites them with Braun Strowman, another former disciple of Bray Wyatt. Strowman returned to SmackDown earlier via the transfer portal, and his presence adds an intriguing layer to The Wyatt Sicks’ arrival. With their shared history as part of the Wyatt Family legacy, fans are already speculating about potential interactions—or rivalries—between Strowman and the group.

Uncle Howdy wasn’t with the group during their last appearance on Raw.

Fresh Opportunities on the Blue Brand

The move to SmackDown opens up a world of possibilities for The Wyatt Sicks. The blue brand’s roster is packed with potential rivals, from established stars to rising talents. Whether they continue their mysterious and unsettling antics or take a more direct approach, the group’s presence is sure to shake things up on Friday nights.

Meanwhile, SmackDown’s creative team now has the challenge—and opportunity—to revitalize the faction, potentially giving them a stronger spotlight and better creative direction than they had on Raw.

What’s Next?

With The Wyatt Sicks leaving Raw, the group gets a much-needed reset. Whether this move allows them to regain their footing and create the same kind of mystique Bray Wyatt brought to WWE remains to be seen. For now, fans will have to tune in to SmackDown to see how The Wyatt Sicks fit into the mix.

As WWE continues to shake up the rosters and craft new storylines, The Wyatt Sicks’ move could be a major turning point for the faction. Will the blue brand become their playground of terror, or will they face new challenges that test their unity? Time will tell.

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/3/2025

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown live on USA Network from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

SmackDown moves to a 3-Hour show beginning tonight.

  • WWE Women’s World Title Match: Nia Jax (c) vs. Naomi
  • United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Andrade in a non-title match. If Andrade wins, he will be next in line to challenge Nakamura for the title.

Shakeup To WWE’s Ring Announcing Teams

In a noteworthy shakeup within WWE, it has been reported by PWInsider that two prominent ring announcers, Lilian Garcia and Alicia Taylor, are set to switch brands in the near future. This change signals a fresh start for both announcers as they bring their unique energy to new audiences.

Lilian Garcia Heads to SmackDown

A seasoned WWE veteran, Lilian Garcia will transition from her recent role on RAW to take over announcing duties on SmackDown. Known for her polished delivery and emotional performances, Garcia is no stranger to the SmackDown stage, having previously made her mark on the brand during her illustrious career. Fans can expect to hear her voice as early as tonight’s episode.

Alicia Taylor Joins RAW

Meanwhile, Alicia Taylor will step into the RAW spotlight, officially beginning her tenure this coming Monday. Taylor has gained a loyal following with her dynamic style and passion for the sport, most recently showcased during her time on NXT. Her transition to RAW provides an exciting opportunity to expand her reach to the red brand’s worldwide audience.

Both announcers bring a unique flair to their roles, and this swap adds a fresh layer of intrigue as WWE continues to fine-tune its on-air presentation. Be sure to catch Lilian Garcia on SmackDown tomorrow night, and don’t miss Alicia Taylor’s RAW debut this Monday on Netflix.

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/27/2024

WWE SmackDown live tonight on USA Network from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

The only thing WWE has officially announced and advertised heading into the show this evening is an appearance by Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/20/2024

WWE SmackDown will air tonight on the USA Network, taped last week from the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Bianca Belair and Naomi defends against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae
  • The Bloodline vs. LA Knight, Apollo Crews and Andrade
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Braun Strowman
  • Johnny Gargano vs. Alex Shelley

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/13/2024

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on the USA Network from the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

  • Women’s United States Championship Tournament Semifinal Match: Michin vs. Tiffany Stratton
  • Women’s United States Championship Tournament Semifinal Match: Bayley vs. Chelsea Green
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. TBA

“Transfer Window” Teased on WWE SmackDown: Roster Shakeups Coming in 2025?

If there’s one thing to know about the Paul Levesque era of WWE, it’s that every detail matters—no line, moment, or background shot is without purpose. That philosophy was on full display during this week’s WWE SmackDown, as a small but significant comment could signal a major roster shakeup in the near future.

During the opening promo segment featuring Cody Rhodes, RAW’s Chad Gable—alongside The Creed Brothers—surprisingly made an appearance on the blue brand. While it might seem odd for RAW Superstars to crash SmackDown, Gable quickly explained that “the transfer window is about to open,” hinting at a potential move to SmackDown. He further noted that SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis was already working behind the scenes to bring him over.

To add fuel to the fire, Michael Cole followed up on commentary, stating that when RAW officially moves to Netflix in January 2025, fans can expect significant changes to both SmackDown and NXT. Cole’s comment left little doubt that trades, roster shake-ups, and call-ups from NXT are on the horizon as WWE prepares for a new era across its brands.

What Does This Mean for WWE?

  1. Roster Trades and NXT Call-Ups: WWE has teased a “transfer window” concept, which opens the door for Superstars to swap brands. This could see major names move between RAW and SmackDown, as well as emerging talent from NXT getting called up to the main roster. It’s a fresh and exciting way to bolster the rosters ahead of RAW’s move to Netflix and the rumored third hour of SmackDown.
  2. Commentary Shake-Up: Michael Cole’s mention could also serve as a transition for WWE’s broadcast teams. With rumors of Pat McAfee returning to SmackDown commentary, it makes sense for Michael Cole to head back to RAW, while Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett are said to be joining Corey Graves on the blue brand. These moves will give WWE’s commentary teams a refreshed dynamic heading into 2025.
  3. The Third Hour of SmackDown: Another significant takeaway is the speculation surrounding SmackDown expanding to a three-hour format. If this happens, the blue brand will need a deeper roster to fill the extra time, and the “transfer window” could be WWE’s storyline explanation for these roster additions.

Why This Matters

WWE is clearly preparing for a seismic shift in 2025 as it adjusts to new deals and platforms. The “transfer window” could be a game-changing way to keep storylines fresh, create buzz around Superstar moves, and elevate talent from NXT. It also ties into WWE’s growing partnership with Netflix, giving fans plenty to look forward to as WWE embarks on a new era.

For now, details are scarce, but the groundwork is being laid. Keep an eye on SmackDown, RAW, and NXT in the coming months because when the “transfer window” officially opens, the WWE landscape could look very different.

WWE Announces Tonga Loa Is Out Indefinitely Due To Torn Bicep Sustained At WarGames

The fallout from WWE Survivor Series: WarGames continues to take its toll on Solo Sikoa’s New Bloodline faction, with another key member now sidelined due to injury. Following the brutal WarGames main event this past Saturday, WWE confirmed on SmackDown that Tonga Loa has suffered a torn bicep and is out indefinitely.

During Friday’s SmackDown, WWE displayed both a scan of Loa’s torn bicep and footage of him wearing a sling. It was also revealed that the former WWE Tag Team Champion has already undergone surgery to begin the recovery process. While there’s no clear timeline for Loa’s return, torn biceps typically require several months of rehabilitation, leaving a significant hole in Solo Sikoa’s New Bloodline moving forward.

Loa is just the latest casualty from Survivor Series: WarGames. As reported earlier, Bronson Reed sustained a serious ankle injury, which WWE also addressed during the SmackDown broadcast, while Jimmy Uso is dealing with a broken toe. Despite speculation about Jacob Fatu suffering a scare during the chaotic match, he appears to have avoided any significant injury.

The WarGames match saw Solo Sikoa’s New Bloodline—featuring Sikoa, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, and Bronson Reed—come up short against Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and CM Punk. With three members of Sikoa’s group now banged up, the faction is already showing signs of strain as they attempt to establish dominance under Solo’s leadership.

Interestingly, Tonga Loa’s absence was felt immediately during SmackDown. The show opened with Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga attacking Apollo Crews backstage—without Loa in tow—suggesting the group is wasting no time in carrying out their agenda despite the mounting injuries.

For fans, this latest injury raises questions about how the New Bloodline will regroup and adapt in Loa’s absence. Will Solo Sikoa look to bring in reinforcements, or will the remaining members of the group step up to fill the void? One thing is certain: The battle between Roman Reigns’ Bloodline and Solo Sikoa’s New Bloodline is far from over, but injuries could force a shift in strategy for the faction.

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/6/2024

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  • Fallout from Survivor Series: War Games
  • WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament First Round Match: Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Elektra Lopez
  • What’s fate of the Women’s Tag Team Championship after Jade Cargill was taken out?