On September 13 WWE SmackDown moves from FOX to its new home of the USA Network, representing an exciting new era for the blue brand.
As was seen when SmackDown first moved to FOX changes could come as a result in all areas, from presentation to the company’s product itself.
Here are seven changes potentially coming to WWE SmackDown on the USA Network.
7. Brand New Logo
While not a massive change, a new logo can be visual affirmation that a new era is beginning for viewers tuning in on a new network.
Although it’s not yet been officially confirmed on WWE’s website, the USA Network may have revealed a new logo for SmackDown when it begins like there on September 13.
As spotted on USA’s listing for SmackDown, the new logo (see above) features a curved design and a darker shade of blue than the current design.
Again, not a big change by any means but could represent a shift in the presentation from what we’ve become used to on FOX.
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6. Return of Saturday Night’s Main Event
It has been reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE are set to announce the return of Saturday Night’s Main Event “very soon” as a part of SmackDown’s deal with the USA Network.
While the Saturday Night’s Main Event branding was used for some WWE live events in 2022, it hasn’t been seen on TV since 2008.
How WWE approach the return of the show remains to be seen. Treating them at PLE level seems unlikely, but perhaps somewhere in-between a PLE and regular SmackDown in terms of importance level and match quality would be the sweet spot and an incentive for fans to tune in.
We will have to wait and see what happens, but either way this is sure to be a popular announcement – especially for the nostalgic WWE fan.
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5. The Lucha Bros WWE Debut
At the time of writing Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix are still featured on the AEW official roster page, but it seems a matter of time before their exits are made official.
As seen at AEW All In London, PAC captured the Trios Championships without them, a spot many would assume would have been there’s were they not reportedly heading for the exit door.
WWE seem to be the Lucha Bros’ next destination despite the uncertainty of when exactly that will be, the only question becomes which brand will the group land on?
Although the more casual sections of the WWE audience may not all be familiar with their work, it seems like they should realistically bypass NXT in favor of the main roster, with both the SmackDown and Raw tag rosters in need of an injection of excitement that they could certainly provide.
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4. New SmackDown Commentary Team
On this week’s WWE Raw we saw the broadcast debut of veteran sports commentator Joe Tessitore, replacing Michael Cole in the red brand’s hot seat.
As a result Cole will now move back to SmackDown to sit once again alongside Corey Graves, with Graves’ former partner Wade Barrett also moving to Raw.
Granted, things change once again come January, as Cole moves back to Raw alongside Pat McAfee, and Tessitore and Barrett head the other way to SmackDown. Despite it being short-lived it will be a nice refresh while it lasts on both brands.
Hopefully from 2025 onwards we get greater stability so these broadcast line-ups can get properly settled.
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3. AJ Styles WWE Return
Despite reports suggesting a return was imminent several weeks back, we haven’t seen AJ Styles on TV since his Undisputed WWE Championship match loss to Cody Rhodes back at Clash at the Castle in June.
This isn’t the first time in the last year that Styles has vanished from TV, taking a substantial period of time off in late 2023 following a storyline attack from The Bloodline.
While it’s unlikely he’s going to be contesting for Cody’s championship again, there’s surely some room back on SmackDown for him.
Old foe LA Knight is currently in need of new challengers for his United States Championship, so perhaps Styles and his OC brethren Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson can make their presence felt on the USA Network premiere.
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2. Jimmy Uso & Paul Heyman Return To Roman Reigns’ Side
Roman Reigns is currently all alone in his fight to reclaim the Ula Fala and status as The Bloodline’s Tribal Chief, and as seen by his last appearance on WWE SmackDown, he doesn’t stand much of a chance the way things are.
Despite things looking bleak now I think we can all see where WWE’s plans are likely to lead to: a War Games match between Roman Reigns’ original Bloodline and Solo Sikoa’s new version.
For that to happen however, we’re surely going to need at least some movement soon. And there’s no better way to do so than beginning with those closest too Reigns before his WWE Title loss at WrestleMania 40: Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman.
Reigns was scheduled to appear at the USA Network premiere, however, was later pulled from advertisements for the show. Despite this, given the show’s importance it’s difficult to imagine WWE not booking Reigns for a surprise return, and him doing so along with Jimmy and Heyman would make it that much more exciting.
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1. WWE Women’s United States Championship Introduced
For many, many years now fans have called for the introduction of mid-card women’s championships in WWE.
While the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles fill a gap of sorts, it also leads to a lot of forced alliances for stars who have little better to do.
Back in early July it was reported that WWE had “discussed” the introduction of a women’s Intercontinental and United States Championship, however there has been zero sign that’s set to materialise in the time since.
If NXT can get a mid-card women’s title there’s absolutely no reason why the main roster can’t get at least one. So, hopefully our wishes are granted and we see these titles introduced on the USA Network premiere.
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