Fansided

WWE Smackdown will reportedly move to Fridays on FOX in Fall 2019

By Nir Regev

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 21: WWE professional wrestler A.J. Styles visits Fox 29's 'Good Day' at FOX 29 Studio on July 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 21: WWE professional wrestler A.J. Styles visits Fox 29's 'Good Day' at FOX 29 Studio on July 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images) /
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WWE is closing in on a massive deal with FOX for Smackdown and reportedly will move to Friday nights in Fall 2019 after leaving the USA Network.

According to an exclusive report from TheWrap, WWE Smackdown is not only going to move to a new network but a new night. Smackdown has been no stranger to network moves or new nights, and has previously survived a move to Friday nights before in Fall 2005. Friday nights, however, have never been considered a top-shelf time slot for any show. While WWE faithful and AJ Styles fans (what a legend) will obviously follow the show anywhere, some casuals might be lost.

One has to wonder if a Friday time slot might deter new, potential lifetime fans or casuals from hopping aboard the WWE express. After all, Smackdown’s return to Thursday nights back in 2014 on SyFy was in an effort to attract a younger audience. Last June, Dave Meltzer stated wrestling fans’ median age is around 40s on Twitter. Simply put, the pressure will continue being chiefly on Styles’ shoulders to bring new Smackdown fans (particularly younger demographic) into the fold. On TV, the gate, and merchandise wise. His move set, especially the Styles Clash is an instant draw. Roster changes can happen by Fall 2019 of course.

Some have argued that having RAW, Smackdown, and NXT (for WWE Network subscribers) back-to-back-to-back these days may have given wrestling fans fatigue. As with a three hour episode of RAW every Monday night and the occasional PPV, fans end up choosing only one of the brands a week. Or one show and NXT. From that point of view, the move to Friday nights is welcome breathing room. A day in-between each edition of the WWE.

Impact on Television Schedule

Last Man Standing along with Hell’s Kitchen is set to air on Friday nights, meaning both will have to move next Fall. Last Man Standing could simply move from 8 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and act as a lead-in show for Smackdown. Hell’s Kitchen on the other hand is a one hour show and will likely need an entirely new night rather than a shift up hour-wise.

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Impact Wrestling dodged a potential finisher by not having to compete with Smackdown head-to-head on Thursday nights. Smackdown returning to its former night on Thursdays would have severely taken away their primary audience of fans. The last edition of Smackdown to ever air drew 2.43 million viewers according to TVByTheNumbers.