Dreaming of a White Christmas? Could we interest you in a Red and Blue one, instead? “Monday Night Raw” and “SmackDown Live” are set to go commercial-free for their first 60 minutes next week, WWE announced on Thursday.
Not a bad gift from Vince McMahon to the WWE Universe — hell, we’ve certainly received worse.
This stocking stuffer marks the first time since 2009 that the top pro-wrestling promotion and the most-watched basic cable channel have pulled such a stunt, TheWrap is told. Monday will also mark the first time that USA will air “Raw” live on Christmas — that part was previously announced, however.
A few weeks into 2018, the 25th anniversary of “Raw” will take place from both Barclays Center and Manhattan Center in New York City.
On Jan. 22, WWE superstars from both brands will be at the Brooklyn arena, while the event at Manhattan Center — the site of the first episode of “Raw” in 1993 — will feature WWE Superstars competing, as well as special appearances by legends The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash, among others.
“Raw” and “SmackDown Live” are the No. 1 and No. 2 longest-running weekly episodic programs in United States primetime TV history. The shows have aired more episodes than television staples “The Simpsons,” “Gunsmoke,” “Lassie” and “Monday Night Football,” to name a few series you may have heard of.