Backstage Update On Changes Coming To SmackDown On USA & NXT On CW, Raw/Netflix Notes

SmackDown Set To Make Big Changes

Multiple sources are reporting that SmackDown on FOX is set to undergo some major changes in the near future. One of the biggest changes is expected to be the show moving to a new day and time. SmackDown has been airing on Fridays at 8pm ET since its inception in 1999, but it is now expected to move to Thursdays at 8pm ET. This move would put SmackDown in direct competition with AEW Dynamite on TNT, which currently airs on Wednesdays at 8pm ET.

In addition to the day and time change, SmackDown is also expected to get a new look and feel. The show is expected to be more fast-paced and action-packed, with a greater focus on in-ring competition. This change is likely being made in an effort to attract new viewers and compete with AEW Dynamite, which has been steadily gaining in popularity over the past year.

NXT Moving To The CW

NXT is also set to undergo some big changes in the near future. The show is expected to move from the WWE Network to The CW, which is a major over-the-air network. This move would give NXT a much larger audience and help to legitimize the brand. NXT has been a developmental territory for WWE for many years, but it has recently started to produce some of the company's most popular stars, such as Adam Cole, Keith Lee, and Rhea Ripley.

The move to The CW is expected to happen in the fall of 2021. NXT will likely air on Tuesdays at 8pm ET, which is the same time slot that it currently occupies on the WWE Network. This move would put NXT in direct competition with AEW Dark, which currently airs on Tuesdays at 7pm ET.

Raw/Netflix Notes

There have also been some rumors that Raw could be moving to Netflix in the near future. WWE's current contract with NBCUniversal expires in 2023, and there have been reports that Netflix is interested in acquiring the rights to Raw. This would be a major coup for Netflix, as Raw is one of the most popular wrestling shows in the world.

However, there are also some reports that WWE is not interested in moving Raw to Netflix. WWE is reportedly happy with its current relationship with NBCUniversal, and it is not clear if Netflix is willing to pay the price that WWE is asking for the rights to Raw.

Conclusion

The wrestling industry is constantly evolving, and these changes are a sign of that. SmackDown and NXT are two of the most popular wrestling shows in the world, and these changes could help to make them even more popular. It will be interesting to see how these changes play out in the coming months and years.