For the first time since it debuted in 1999, WWE SmackDown will be on the same network as Raw. Starting in the first quarter of 2016, SmackDown will be moving from its current home, SyFy, to USA, the long-time home of Raw.
SmackDown has bounced around a bit over the last decade. After launching on UPN in 1999, it moved to The CW following the merger of UPN and the WB. In 2008, it was moved over to MyNetworkTV, and two years later, it moved over to SyFy, where it has remained ever since. After originally airing on Thursday nights, SmackDown moved to Friday nights in 2005 before moving back to Thursday earlier this year.
While a premiere date or time hasn’t immediately been announced, WWE did state that SmackDown will make the jump in the first quarter of 2016.
USA will also be airing the return season of Tough Enough, debuting Tuesday, June 23rd. The first three seasons of Tough Enough aired as a stand-alone show on MTV from 2001-2003, while season four aired as a part of SmackDown in 2004 and season five aired on USA back in 2011.
WWE has been a ratings monster for USA over the years, and it looks like they’re finally going in with some more consistent WWE programming.
[WWE]
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About Joe Lucia
I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.