Category: SmackDown

Lilian Garcia Steps Away from Full-Time WWE Ring Announcing, SmackDown in Barcelona was Her Last Full-Time Show

For decades, Lilian Garcia’s voice has been synonymous with some of WWE’s most legendary moments. From championship introductions to emotional farewells, her signature delivery has been immortalized in WWE history, video games, and collectibles. However, a new era is beginning, as Garcia has officially announced that her most recent appearance on WWE SmackDown was her final show as the blue brand’s full-time ring announcer.

Garcia broke the news to fans via Instagram, thanking the Spanish crowd at Friday’s event before confirming that she would no longer be a full-time announcer for WWE moving forward.

“There’s just a new era upon us. Things are being shifted around,” Garcia explained, hinting at broader changes within the company.

Not a Farewell, But a Transition

While stepping away from weekly announcing duties, Garcia made it clear that she’s not cutting ties with WWE. She confirmed that she will still be involved with the company in select capacities, including performing at special events. Her first scheduled appearance post-SmackDown departure will be at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12, where she will be lending her vocal talents.

Additionally, Garcia teased new projects in collaboration with WWE, though she remained tight-lipped on specifics.

“I am working with WWE on some new projects,” she revealed. “So, I invite you to follow me and just keep along this journey. It’s a brand new chapter, and we’ll see what happens.”

What’s Next for Garcia—and WWE’s Announcing Team?

Although she’s stepping back from her weekly role, Garcia assured fans that WWE will always be home to her. Before officially ending her full-time duties, she will be part of the promotion’s European tour, specifically the upcoming German leg.

As of now, WWE has not announced a permanent replacement for Garcia on SmackDown, but she left the door open for occasional returns.

“You never know if I pop up on Raw or SmackDown whenever I’m needed,” she said, suggesting that she may still lend her iconic voice to WWE when the moment calls for it.

Garcia’s departure from weekly programming marks the end of an era, but her continued presence ensures that her legacy will live on in WWE. Whether through special appearances or new projects, fans haven’t heard the last of Lilian Garcia just yet.

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/14/2025

WWE SmackDown takes place today at the Olimpic Arena, Barcelona, Spain.

International Netflix subscribers can watch tonight’s episode live, beginning at 3:00 pm ET. The show will air on a tape delay in the United States on the USA Network, starting at 8:00 pm ET.

  • WWE World Tag Team Championship Match: #DIY (c) vs. The Street Profits
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes appears on Miz TV
  • Randy Orton vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • Charlotte Flair vs B-Fab

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/7/2025

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in and on the U.S. and Netflix internationally, beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the Well Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • Fallout from Elimination Chamber
  • Street Fight: WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green vs. Michin
  • WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes addresses John Cena’s attack
  • Jade Cargill to address her attack on Naomi
  • Randy Orton is scheduled to appear
  • Charlotte Flair likely to appear

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/28/2025

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown is the go-home show for Saturday’s Elimination Chamber premium live event and will air live on the USA Network in the US and Netflix internationally. from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. LA Knight
  • WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green vs. a mystery opponent
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear
  • WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus to appear

The Rock Makes a Chilling Offer to Cody Rhodes on WWE SmackDown

The Rock may have arrived on SmackDown to announce WrestleMania 42 for New Orleans, but by the time he left, he had dropped a far more personal bombshell on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. In a dramatic in-ring segment, The Rock first extended his hand in friendship—before revealing a much darker intention.

“I Want Your Soul”

Earlier in the night, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis hinted that The Final Boss wanted a word with Rhodes, setting the stage for a tense confrontation. When The Rock finally addressed the WWE Champion, he reflected on their complicated history—how their paths clashed heading into WrestleMania 40, how their families had since grown close, and how much respect he had for Rhodes. At first, his words seemed almost benevolent.

“I want you to be my champion,” The Rock told Rhodes, promising to help him achieve all his dreams and even calling him his “brother.”

But the vibe quickly shifted. The Rock reminded Rhodes that last year, he had planned to main-event WrestleMania 40 against Roman Reigns—until Rhodes got in the way and even slapped him. That, Rock admitted, was why Cody was special. And now, he had an offer: Rhodes had until Elimination Chamber on March 1 to make a decision.

Rhodes, sensing where this was heading, asked if The Rock wanted a shot at his WWE Championship. But The Great One made his true intentions clear.

“No… I don’t want your title. I want your soul.”

The chilling declaration left the crowd stunned, as the WWE Universe tried to piece together exactly what The Rock meant by his ominous words.

The Rock’s Power Play

Beyond his challenge to Rhodes, The Rock also reminded everyone of his growing influence behind the scenes. He brought up his position on TKO Group Holdings’ board of directors—the parent company of WWE—and even joked that Ari Emanuel himself said The Rock practically owned the company.

That statement alone could have major implications. With The Rock’s power in both the corporate and creative side of WWE, is this a sign that he’s setting the stage for something bigger than just a match?

What’s Next for Cody Rhodes?

Now, the ball is in Cody Rhodes’ court. With Elimination Chamber just around the corner, what exactly does The Rock’s challenge mean? Is this leading to a match, an alliance, or something even more sinister?

One thing’s for sure—when The Final Boss makes a move, the entire landscape of WWE changes.

Stay locked on WrestlingNewsBlog.com for all the latest updates as this massive story unfolds!

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/21/2025 – The Rock

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will air live on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix Internationally, from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana,

  • The Rock coming to SmackDown tonight. – The Rock took to social media hyping up his return to SmackDown, noting that The Final Boss is coming to handle business
  • WWE Tag Team Championship: DIY (c) vs. Pretty Deadly
  • WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes, Braun Strowman and Damian Priest vs. Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga
  • Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Naomi
  • Drew McIntryre vs. Jimmy Uso

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/14/2025

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will air live on the USA Network in the United States and on Netflix internationally, beginning at 8:00 pm ET from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

  • WWE Women’s Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) defends against Nia Jax
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Naomi vs. Chelsea Green
  • Triple Threat Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Damian Priest vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Braun Strowman

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/7/2025

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and on Netflix for international fans, beginning at 8:00 pm ET. from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

  • Fallout from the 2025 Royal Rumble
  • Men’s 2025 Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso to appear
  • Women’s 2025 Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair to appear
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear
  • WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton to appear

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/31/2025

WWE SmackDown live tonight on USA Network from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

  • WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green (c) vs. Michin
  • Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • Naomi vs. Liv Morgan
  • DIY & Pretty Deadly vs. Motor City Machine Guns & Los Garza

WWE SmackDown Reportedly Returning to Two-Hour Format Later This Year

Big changes are on the horizon for WWE Friday Night SmackDown. Earlier this month, Triple H announced that the blue brand, currently airing on the USA Network, will be returning to its traditional two-hour format later in 2024.

According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, this shift is expected to happen sometime between May and June, shortly after WrestleMania 41. WWE reportedly plans to keep SmackDown in its current three-hour format through the spring, as the company believes it has enough compelling content to sustain the additional hour until then.

The End of the Three-Hour Experiment

SmackDown’s move back to two hours will mark the conclusion of the show’s recent experiment with an extended runtime. While the three-hour format has allowed WWE to showcase more talent and stories, it has also been met with mixed reactions from fans, many of whom feel that the additional hour dilutes the show’s pacing and impact.

A return to two hours would bring SmackDown back to its roots and align it with what many fans consider its most successful format. Historically, the two-hour structure has been praised for delivering a tighter, more action-packed product, and this change is likely to be welcomed by a majority of WWE’s fanbase.

What This Means for WWE Programming

The timing of the change is significant. WrestleMania 41, which will take place in April, is traditionally a reset point for WWE’s storylines and programming. By scaling SmackDown back to two hours following the biggest event of the year, WWE can adjust its creative direction and focus on crafting concise, high-quality episodes for the remainder of 2024.

SmackDown’s Future on USA Network

This announcement comes as SmackDown continues its current run on the USA Network. The show’s move to the network in late 2024 was part of WWE’s massive deal with NBCUniversal, following the expiration of its previous agreement with FOX. Fans will be keeping a close eye on how this programming change impacts SmackDown’s presentation under its new home.

As WWE gears up for this transition, it’s clear that Triple H and the creative team are looking to optimize SmackDown’s format to keep fans engaged while delivering the best product possible.

For now, fans can look forward to an exciting few months leading into WrestleMania 41, with the blue brand wrapping up its three-hour run in style before heading back to its classic two-hour format later this year.