Report: FOX Want To Promote WWE SmackDown Like A "Real Sport"

Major changes are coming to WWE's blue brand this October.

Kevin Owens Dolph Ziggler
WWE.com

The professional wrestling business has gone through several seismic changes in 2019 already, but the craziest developments may still be yet to come.

WWE SmackDown is set to move from the USA Network to FOX on 4 October. With AEW's Wednesday Night Dynamite reportedly debuting that same week (and NXT potentially airing on FOX Sports 1 to counter it), major changes are afoot, and the entire complexion of WWE's blue brand could be altered.

Per Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, FOX are telling everyone within their network to "promote WWE as a legitimate sport," adding that "not that the outcomes are real, but it is a choreographed sports presentation as part of a Thursday through Sunday sports block in the fall, with the NFL on Thursday and Sundays, and college football on Saturdays."

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The sheer volume of goofiness that permeates every wrestling show will make this challenging, but kudos to FOX and WWE if they can pull it off. A change of feel and philosophy is definitely needed if the promotion are ever going to solve their ratings crisis and numbers like those WWE currently pull on USA won't cut the mustard on FOX.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.