6 Changes To WWE SmackDown

Ahead of one the penultimate episode of WWE SmackDown ahead of WrestleMania 41, there are changes on the horizon.

There are some potential twists and turns that would make the next two SmackDown episodes before WrestleMania 41 really special, and bigger changes that seem to be confirmed.

Here are six upcoming changes to WWE SmackDown.

6. Aleister Black Returns

After vignettes teasing the separate arrivals of both Penta and Rey Fenix, the pair of former AEW World Tag Team Champions have already debuted as singles stars.

Another former AEW star that WWE fans are expecting to debut at some point soon is Aleister Black.

Since there have already been some dark and spooky vignettes released teasing a mysterious arrival, it seems only fitting that the reveal is the return of Black.

With existing potential feuds on SmackDown like Andrade, LA Knight and the Bloodline waiting for the former Malakai Black, the Friday night staple seems like the perfect fit.

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5. Nick Aldis Makes Himself A Match For WrestleMania

Well known to fans of WWE as the SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis is far from just an authority figure.

The former TNA and NWA World Champion had a long history in professional wrestling before joining WWE.

After last week’s SmackDown saw Randy Orton deliver an RKO to Aldis, perhaps the GM will end up becoming Orton’s opponent for WrestleMania 41.

If the storyline plays out that Nick Aldis makes the decision himself, it could also be used as an explanation as to why other wrestlers without matches – like Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura among others – didn’t get the spot.

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4. Trick Williams Takes Out The Miz

With the recent pairing of Carmelo Hayes and The Miz to form the team “Melo Don’t Miz”, it would seem that Hayes is off to a fresh start.

However, he really shouldn’t be when Trick Williams could be called up to the main roster to reunite Trick Melo Gang.

With NXT planting roots for a potential heel turn, Trick Williams could have a simple segue to rejoin Melo by attacking The Miz.

The pair could go on to feud with The Miz and his next miz-cellaneous tag team partner.

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3. Major Trades In 2025 WWE Draft

While fans’ minds are still focused on the fast approaching WrestleMania 41, after the big event comes the next big shake-up.

With the 2025 WWE Draft planned for after WrestleMania 41, there will likely be some big moves made this year.

Not only would some stars be expected to switch from Raw to SmackDown and vice versa, there are also NXT call-ups to account for as well.

Some bold predictions include Tiffany Stratton & Cody Rhodes to WWE Raw, Rhea Ripley & Seth Rollins to SmackDown, and Trick Williams, Roxanne Perez and Fallon Henley getting called up from NXT.

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2. Becky Lynch Returns To SmackDown

While Becky Lynch has reportedly been re-signed to WWE for months, she has yet to return to TV screens.

The Man was made on SmackDown, which would totally support the former WWE Women’s Champion returning to her former stomping grounds.

After being a staple of WWE Raw for the past several years, upon Lynch’s inevitable return, she should instead join the blue brand.

Able to be an immediately viable threat against Charlotte Flair, it would be kind of poetic to see Flair’s next feud be a fellow veteran, with Lynch clearly unafraid to go toe-to-toe against the Queen.

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1. SmackDown Returns To 2 Hours

There were a number of changes to WWE programming at the start of 2025 including WWE Raw airing on Netflix while SmackDown switched to the USA Network.

In addition to the flip in network, there was also a change to the SmackDown run-time. Starting with the January 3, 2025 episode of SmackDown, the show has been clocking in at three hours in length.

However, fans of the shorter broadcast are in luck as it seems that the show is planned for a trim in the near future.

It has been reported that SmackDown is set to return to a two-hour broadcast in June 2025, something that is still believed to be the plan.

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