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Although difficult to believe in the cord-cutting age of 2018, TV proves to be a prosperous space for the WWE product this year. RAW has been running weekly since 1993 while Smackdown trailed closely behind, airing in 1999. Both shows have stood the test of time through network change-ups and comparatively low show quality in the mid to late-2000s to achieve a niche legacy in television history.
However, 2018 and 2019 may give WWE the jolt it needs to produce quality TV content once again. There are a few new developments that indicate a theoretical push towards better TV, and they both should influence how WWE plans out it’s TV programming in the near future. Hopefully, these instances will garner a more entertaining group of shows each week.
Smackdown on FOX
The first huge newsbreak comes out of the blue brand. The Hollywood Reporter broke news on May 21st of this year that FOX made a bid for and secured Smackdown Live for an outlandish one billion dollar, five year deal beginning in October 2019. As a huge fan of Smackdown for many years, I was both incredibly shocked and very excited for the change of pace.
WWE would be insane not to accept such a lucrative deal, but let’s hope this is not just another check in Vinny Mac’s mattress. The move to FOX should be a huge deal for Smackdown Live. I imagine that a new network and more money on the product would result in better storylines, more high-profile matches and more emphasis on the Smackdown program as an equal (or superior) alternative to Monday Night RAW.
This has yet to be seen, but in the wake of this stellar FOX deal, WWE would be foolish to rest on their laurels. Reinvigoration and reestablishment of the Smackdown brand should be a top priority, and in order to reinvigorate a brand, you need eyeballs on it. Cue big names and blockbuster matches.
Next Page: Why WWE Needs To Focus On Their TV Product More Than Ever (cont.)
