WWE ‘Smackdown’ Moves to USA Network in 2016: Joins 'Monday Night Raw'
Smackdown moving back to Thursday nights this year was huge news for WWE fans. When it debuted in 1999 that was its original night slot and the Thursday move gave the show a bit of a nostalgic feel to it. Well it looks like there's more monumental news in the Smackdown realm as WWE made the big announcement Tuesday that it will be joining Monday Night Raw on the USA Network beginning in December 2016.
To have Smackdown on the USA Network is incredibly convenient for fans. They clearly already know where USA is by now and this roots out deep excavations of television menus for anybody who doesn't know what ScyFy channel is on.
USA Network President Chris McCumber is said to be ecstatic about this announcement. He told WWE.com that Smackdown's channel relocation to USA makes his network the true cable home for WWE television.
"WWE consistently delivers one of the largest and most socially engaged live audiences in entertainment and we're excited to expand our long-standing relationship and be the true cable home for the WWE fan," McCumber says.
The person who might be the most ecstatic by this move though is WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, who shared the same sentiments as President McCumber:
"WWE is proud to have SmackDown join Raw as part of our expanded partnership with USA Network," Mr. McMahon says. "The combination of the No. 1 cable network and two ratings juggernauts provides a destination for our viewers and an extraordinary platform for our partners."
On top of all of this starting on June 23rd the WWE will be bringing back their famed reality television show Tough Enough. The upcoming version of the show will also be on USA and it is said to be different than previous seasons. Starting in June, Tough Enough will have an all-new format with live elements – something lacking in older seasons – and fan participation. If you've never watched Tough Enough think American Idol but for something cooler like wrestling.
Here's a clip from previous seasons: