WWE SmackDown live on USA Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tn.
- WWE Tag Team Championship: Street Profits (c) vs. Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacey & Dexter Lumis)
- Ron “The Truth” Killings vs. Aleister black
- Jelly Roll to appear
Tag: SmackDown
WWE SmackDown Preview 7/4/2025
WWE SmackDown Preview 6/20/2025
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan on the USA Network in the United States and on Netflix for international fans.
- Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena vs. Ron “The Truth” Killings (non-title)
- King of the Ring Semifinal Match: Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn
- Queen of the Ring Semifinal Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka
- LA Knight, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Miss Money in the Bank Naomi and Nia Jax are expected to appear
Report: WWE SmackDown Returning to Two Hours Starting July 4
After a brief stint in three-hour territory, WWE SmackDown is officially set to scale back to its traditional two-hour format starting with the July 4 episode. According to a new report from PWInsider Elite, fans can expect just two more extended editions before the blue brand reverts to its more familiar runtime.
The change aligns with a new Friday night programming shift on USA Network. At 10 p.m. following SmackDown, the network will debut a new series titled The Rainmaker—an adaptation of the John Grisham novel of the same name. This programming move all but confirmed WWE’s decision to cut back SmackDown‘s length.
The three-hour expansion was introduced earlier in 2025, largely as a stopgap after WWE Raw shifted over to Netflix in January. While the extended runtime gave more talent time to shine, it was always billed as a temporary move. Now, with SmackDown set to return to two hours, WWE appears to be settling back into a more sustainable weekly schedule.
For some fans, this is welcome news. The two-hour format has long been seen as the sweet spot—long enough to build stories and showcase top-tier talent without dragging. Even Paul “Triple H” Levesque previously noted that his ideal show would land somewhere between two and three hours, giving creative teams enough breathing room without feeling bloated.
Still, the rollback means less weekly TV time to go around, and some Superstars who’ve enjoyed regular exposure during the three-hour stretch may soon find themselves fighting harder for airtime.
As WWE fine-tunes its new era of TV partnerships and streaming transitions, the return to a tighter SmackDown may mark a renewed focus on concise storytelling and more meaningful weekly programming.
Stay tuned—July 4 might not just be about fireworks in the sky, but also a refreshed spark for the blue brand.
WWE SmackDown Preview 6/13/2025
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and Netflix for international fans from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Fallout from Money in the Bank
- Women’s Money in the Bank winner Naomi to appear
- Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena to appear
- United States Champion Jacob Fatu to appear
- King and Queen of the Ring tournament matches continue
- Hikuleo reportedly will be backstage. Could be making WWE debut.
Hikuleo, Reportedly Will Be Backstage At WWE SmackDown – Could The Bloodline Be Calling?
Nearly a year after word first broke of his WWE signing, it looks like Hikuleo is finally stepping into the WWE spotlight.
According to a new report from PWI Elite, the towering former NJPW standout is set to be backstage at this Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Lexington, Kentucky. While Hikuleo has been listed on WWE’s internal roster for some time now, this marks the first indication that the company may finally be ready to integrate him into the on-screen product.
The timing is intriguing — and so is the potential creative direction.
Given his real-life family ties to Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa (all three were members of NJPW’s Guerrillas of Destiny), speculation has long pointed to Hikuleo eventually becoming part of WWE’s ever-evolving Bloodline saga. With the faction undergoing a major shake-up in recent weeks, now might be the perfect time for a new piece to be added to the puzzle.
At Money in the Bank this past weekend, the Bloodline story took another wild twist. Jacob Fatu, who recently debuted and already holds the United States Championship, shockingly cost Solo Sikoa the briefcase opportunity — going as far as to yell “Solo, I hate you!” as he shoved him off the ladder. That moment allowed Seth Rollins to capture the contract, and it signaled that the cracks in this next-gen version of The Bloodline are only getting deeper.
If Hikuleo is coming in now, the big question is: whose side is he on?
It’s worth noting that fellow NJPW alum Jeff Cobb (now competing as JC Mateo) recently aligned with Jacob Fatu, helping him retain his title at WWE Backlash. Could Hikuleo follow suit, or might he be walking into the chaos to back up his brother Tama Tonga — or even Solo Sikoa?
Before signing with WWE, Hikuleo spent eight years making his mark in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He held the IWGP Tag Team Titles, the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship, and had brief appearances in AEW and TNA as well. At 6’8”, with a unique blend of raw power and agility, he certainly brings a physical presence that fits WWE’s main event scene.
Whether Friday’s SmackDown marks his on-screen debut or simply the start of his transition to TV, the message is clear: Hikuleo is on WWE’s radar — and perhaps on a collision course with the chaos surrounding The Bloodline.
WWE SmackDown Preview 6/6/2025
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and on Netflix for international fans, from the Dignity Health Center in Bakersfield, California.
- Cody Rhodes and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso will confront Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena and Logan Paul
- Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer and Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez, Giulia and Naomi
- Every Men’s and Women’s Money in the Bank competitor to appear
WWE SmackDown Preview 5/30/2025
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and Netflix for international fans, beginning at 8:00 pm ET. from the Thompson–Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
- Appearances by Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena and former champion Cody Rhodes
- Men’s Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Andrade vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Carmelo Hayes
- Women’s Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax vs. Naomi
- Homecoming for Bianca Belair
WWE SmackDown’s Three-Hour Format Isn’t Going Anywhere—For Now
Despite earlier chatter about WWE SmackDown possibly trimming its runtime back to two hours this summer, it looks like the blue brand is sticking with its three-hour format for the time being.
According to a new report from WrestleVotes, the USA Network is reportedly happy with how the longer version of SmackDown has been performing in the ratings. That satisfaction seems to have put any plans for a June rollback on hold, at least for now.
The three-hour format, which had previously been exclusive to Monday Night Raw, has been a point of debate among fans since it was introduced for SmackDown. While some appreciate the expanded screen time for more in-ring action and storyline development, others feel it leads to pacing issues and viewer fatigue.
Still, if the numbers are strong, it’s hard to argue with the strategy from a business perspective. USA Network’s confidence in the extended format could be a sign that WWE is delivering the kind of content they’re looking for—and that fans are tuning in to see it.
With this latest update, it appears WWE is content to ride the momentum and keep SmackDown at three hours… at least until further notice. Whether fans will continue embracing the extended show remains to be seen, but for now, Friday nights are going long.
The Wyatt Sicks Return on WWE SmackDown, Honor Bray Wyatt
The eerie presence of The Wyatt Sicks returned to WWE in dramatic fashion during the closing moments of this week’s SmackDown, crashing the WWE Tag Team Championship main event between The Street Profits and Fraxiom—and leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
Just as Montez Ford was scaling the ropes for what looked to be the final flourish in a high-octane showdown, the arena plunged into darkness. Moments later, under a haunting spotlight, the full force of The Wyatt Sicks—Uncle Howdy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross, Erick Rowan, and Joe Gacy—stood in the ring.
Lumis wasted no time, yanking Ford from the top rope and kicking off a relentless beatdown. The chaos wasn’t limited to just the two teams competing—#DIY tried to intervene but were quickly overpowered, and even the Motor City Machine Guns, who raced out to back up Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, found themselves laid out. Candice LeRae, who had reunited with her husband and Ciampa earlier in the night, wasn’t spared either, as Nikki Cross zeroed in on her with feral intensity.
The segment closed with a chilling tribute: Uncle Howdy delivered a devastating Sister Abigail to Gargano before the group unveiled a birthday cake in the center of the ring—candles lit—to honor the late Bray Wyatt on what would have been his 38th birthday. It was a somber, surreal moment that blended storyline madness with real-world emotion, once again blurring the line between fiction and tribute in the most Wyatt-esque fashion possible.
This marks the faction’s first WWE appearance since a December 9 bout on Raw, where they suffered a loss to The Final Testament and The Miz. Although the group was drafted to SmackDown in January, their absence has been explained by behind-the-scenes reports of Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) being sidelined, effectively keeping the entire stable off TV—until now.
With their reemergence, The Wyatt Sicks have made it clear: they’re not just back—they’re looking to change the landscape of SmackDown in their own twisted image. What’s next for the enigmatic faction? One thing’s for sure: no one is safe.
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