WWE’s “SmackDown Live” is not only changing networks, it’s getting a new name when it debuts on Fox on Friday, Oct. 4.
The wrestling franchise is dropping the “live” from its name and will be called “Friday Night SmackDown.” Fox also unveiled its first promo, which you can watch in the video above.
The promo will air Friday night on Fox Sports 1 during its college football preview show, “Big Noon Kickoff” at 6:30 p.m. ET. The promo, part of Fox’s “We Are All Superstars” campaign, sees everyday people (and a few celebs) mimic some of their favorite moves though “If Ya Smell What Gordan Ramsay Is Cooking” just doesn’t have the same ring to it. The spot also features of Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.
TheWrap broke the news last May that “SmackDown” would be moving from USA to Fox’s broadcast network — and from Tuesdays to Fridays — for the 2019-20 television season (and beyond). We also exclusively reported that it would remain live. The two-hour series runs until 10 o’clock, which is when Fox’s national primetime programming ends.
The wrestling program’s move to Fox, and to Fridays, pushed Tim Allen’s “Last Man Standing,” previously a Friday night comedy, to midseason. Fox is also in the second year of its five-year deal to air the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football” franchise, meaning that Fox will have live sports on two nights most weeks during the fall.