WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on the USA Network from the XL Center in Hartford, CT.
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.
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.
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 airs live tonight on the USA Network from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
WWE SmackDown tonight on the USA Network was taped last week.
Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown delivered one of the most electrifying moments of the year as CM Punk made his much-anticipated return. Joining the original Bloodline team for War Games, Punk’s comeback was orchestrated by none other than Paul Heyman, who also made a dramatic return to the fold.
Punk had been absent from WWE television, selling injuries sustained during his brutal Hell in a Cell victory over Drew McIntyre at Bad Blood. Fans were left guessing who would fill the fifth spot for the babyface War Games team, and the answer came in epic fashion when Heyman interrupted a tense in-ring confrontation between the two teams.
Earlier in the night, Solo Sikoa took center stage, attempting to gain control of the narrative. With the opposing team seemingly unable to secure a fifth member, Sikoa called out Roman Reigns and the OG Bloodline faction for what he labeled “terms of surrender.”
Sikoa delivered an emotional plea laced with threats, telling Reigns and his crew that they could dominate WWE for decades if they joined forces. He wasn’t shy about pointing out Roman’s lack of a “Wise Man” or a fifth ally, raising the stakes with the ominous ultimatum: surrender and align with him, or face destruction.
The tension in the ring was palpable as Sikoa handed Reigns the microphone. But before Reigns could respond, Paul Heyman made his presence known.
In classic Heyman style, the legendary advocate interrupted with a dramatic apology for his absence, referencing the brutal table spot at Madison Square Garden that took him out of action. Heyman then dropped the bombshell—War Games would indeed be five-on-five, revealing CM Punk as the final member of the OG Bloodline team.
As the unmistakable sound of Cult of Personality (Punk’s entrance music) hit, the crowd erupted. Punk sprinted down the ramp, wasting no time in igniting a brawl. The chaotic clash saw Punk and Roman Reigns dominate, with Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga each falling victim to a spear and Punk’s signature Go to Sleep (GTS).
The night ended on a powerful visual, as Paul Heyman stood on the ring apron, smiling broadly at the alliance between Punk and Reigns.
With CM Punk’s return and his alignment with the original Bloodline, the War Games match has gone from must-see to absolutely unmissable. The dynamic between Punk, Reigns, and Heyman adds a layer of intrigue, as does the question of how Solo Sikoa will respond after his failed coup attempt.
SmackDown has officially raised the stakes for Survivor Series, and fans are eager to see what chaos unfolds when War Games hits the cage. Will Punk and Reigns be able to coexist, or is this alliance destined for implosion?
BONUS: CM Punk and The OG Bloodline stand tall: SmackDown exclusive, Nov. 22, 2024
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
With most of WWE’s stars gearing themselves up for Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30, the company has been taping episodes of “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown,” with the November 18 episode of “Raw” being the latest example. However, the show being taped meant that a number of things that happened live ended up being changed for the televised broadcast.
According to Fightful Select, the November 18 episode wasn’t shown in the same order it was filmed. For example, viewers were greeted with the electrifying return of Rhea Ripley, who was revealed as the final member of the women’s WarGames team. However, this major moment was actually taped at the end of the show, not the beginning as it aired.
Meanwhile, the hard-hitting clash between Bronson Reed and Seth Rollins—which saw Reed secure a massive win, followed by an intense confrontation involving Solo Sikoa—aired as the main event. For those in attendance, though, it was the first match of the evening.
WWE also made post-production tweaks to enhance the televised experience, adding commentary lines and refining audio during certain segments to ensure the show delivered maximum impact.
The November 18 Raw taping is just the beginning of WWE’s holiday season adjustments. By the end of 2024, the company has plans to film three additional episodes of Raw and SmackDown back-to-back with live broadcasts.
The reasoning for these tapings? WWE wants to give its roster and crew some much-deserved downtime during the Christmas season. While the motive for taping the November 29 episode of SmackDown hasn’t been disclosed, the December tapings are aimed at ensuring talent and staff have an extended holiday break.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Shinsuke Nakamura has reemerged on WWE SmackDown, and he’s bringing a darker edge to his character. Months after a house show loss in Cardiff, Wales, Nakamura made a surprise return to confront United States Champion LA Knight.
Knight, fresh off a victory over Legado del Fantasma’s Berto, found himself blindsided by Nakamura. This wasn’t the flashy “King of Strong Style” fans remembered, however. Gone was the red gear synonymous with his WWE run. Instead, Nakamura sported a long, brown duster over a black leather shirt and pants. His crimson face paint, shaped into striking diamond patterns, added an air of menace as he silently admired the damage he inflicted before leaving the ring.
Fans have been waiting months for Nakamura to step back into the spotlight. His last televised WWE match was a loss to Sheamus on the April 22 episode of Raw. Despite his absence from WWE programming, Nakamura has kept fans intrigued, especially with Pro Wrestling NOAH announcing his return for their New Year’s Day show in 2024.
This marks a special homecoming for Nakamura, who previously appeared at NOAH’s New Year’s Day event in 2023, where he defeated The Great Muta during the Japanese legend’s retirement tour.
Nakamura’s sudden targeting of LA Knight raises plenty of questions. Was this a one-off attack, or the beginning of a feud? Either way, Nakamura’s shift in presentation suggests that the WWE veteran is ready to reinvent himself yet again, a hallmark of his career in both WWE and Japan.
As he balances his WWE commitments with his anticipated Pro Wrestling NOAH appearance, one thing is certain: Shinsuke Nakamura is back, and he’s making waves in more ways than one.
WWE fans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, got an unexpected treat after last night’s episode of SmackDown went off the air. Braun Strowman, the “Monster Among Men,” made a shocking return to action during a dark match that pitted The Judgment Day against the LWO.
The post-show matchup saw Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio struggling against The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, and surprise ally Carlito. The odds turned in the LWO’s favor when Strowman made his entrance, stepping in to even the playing field. Strowman’s involvement helped the team secure the win, and he left fans with a memorable moment, stuffing Carlito’s signature apple down his trunks after the match.
This surprise appearance marks Strowman’s first action in months following a groin injury sustained during his Last Monster Standing match against Bronson Reed on the September 30 episode of Raw. Strowman later revealed on Instagram that he tore his groin just two minutes into the match, but fortunately, surgery was not required for his recovery.
Before that injury, Strowman had already been through a challenging year. After undergoing neck surgery in 2023, he finally returned to WWE in April, only to face another setback with the groin tear during his feud with Reed. While his recent dark match appearance is a promising sign, there’s no official word yet on when he’ll be back on WWE television.
Fans eager to see more of Strowman won’t have to wait long. He’s confirmed to appear at Great Lakes Championship Wrestling’s Blizzard Brawl on December 7, revisiting a promotion he last worked with in 2022.
Whether his dark match return signals a storyline reintroduction or serves as a tune-up for his independent commitments, Strowman’s return adds a new layer of excitement to WWE’s roster. With his larger-than-life persona and renewed momentum, the Monster Among Men is once again ready to dominate the ring.
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