WWE SmackDown is returning to USA Network, and changes are reportedly in store. Additionally, NXT‘s move to The CW will lead to some changes as well.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (via Fightful Select) reports that SmackDown is expected to get a new theme song, possibly with the season premiere episode on September 13. WWE has been using a Def Rebel song for the past three years, and the world internally is that the new theme would be by a “legit artist.”
Additionally, SmackDown is expected to have a little more flexibility regarding potential overruns. SmackDown had been going off the air around 9:58 EST, rather than 10 p.m., due to FOX’s local news coverage. Though USA Network has not given overruns to WWE RAW, the change from FOX is still noteworthy for SmackDown.
Changes To NXT
On the other hand, NXT is expected to have less flexibility with overruns. The show has often gone past 10 p.m. EST on USA Network, but this will likely stop with the move to CW, per Sapp.
Sapp also writes that WWE is aiming to load up NXT’s premiere on The CW as much as possible, as they want to make a strong impression on the network. Additionally, Sapp writes that WWE sources think they can do their highest number for NXT since the company loaded up the special episode of NXT that aired against AEW Dynamite.
Furthermore, Sapp writes that NXT’s shows at the Performance Center are not expected to be done. NXT will hit the road for the October 1 episode and the following week. It remains unclear how often the show will be held outside of the Performance Center beyond that.
