By Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE and Fox have agreed in principle to a new deal that will bring the Smackdown television series to the network, according to ESPN.com‘s Darren Rovell.
Powell’s POV: Neither WWE nor Fox have confirmed the report as of this update. If Smackdown moves to the actual Fox broadcast network, it would strike me as being the company’s A-show ahead of Raw, which is believed to be staying on USA Network. I’m sure WWE would publicly state that they will be equal priorities, but Smackdown airing on broadcast television with the marketing power of Fox behind it is quite the coup for WWE. The current WWE television deal with NBCU runs through September 2019, meaning Smackdown would not debut on Fox until October 2019 if the two sides reach an official agreement.
Next year’s Superstar Shake Up, calling it now…
To Smackdown:
Roman Reigns
Braun Strowman
Seth Rollins
Kevin Owens
Ronda Rousey
Alexa Bliss
…and everything else that’s not nailed down, except for Curt Hawkins.
To RAW
Big Cass, because by then there will be no shine left on him. And Hawkins needs someone to wrestle weekly in those 180 minute Iron Man Matches.
Seriously though, it’s a great move for WWE. The exposure will be fantastic, and Fox has great presentations of their sports programming. I just hope WWE will treat the brands somewhat equally if this comes to be.
You may be somewhat joking but we all know Smackdown will be the “new” Raw come October 2019.