WWE SmackDown will move from its usual home on July 21st.
In recent weeks WWE SmackDown has proved to be a huge ratings success, but a dip could be on the way on July 21st. Although the show has been firing on all cylinders, the next episode will be broadcast on FS1 instead of Fox. The move is due to the Fifa Women’s World Cup which is currently taking place in New Zealand and Australia.
The United States gets its tournament underway against Vietnam at the same time that SmackDown will be broadcast live from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer pondered what impact the move could have on the ratings.
“The 7/21 Smackdown show will air on FS 1 because of a women’s World Cup game that night on FOX. It was pushed pretty hard on the 7/14 show. It will be very interesting to see with Smackdown being so hot right now what kind of a rating they get on cable not that it matters because in the past it’s been in the half of usual range and bounces right back the next week.
It is built around Reigns being on the show, Reigns and Jey Uso rules of engagement for their SummerSlam title match to be addressed, and a four-way with Rey Mysterio vs. Sheamus vs. Knight vs. Grimes with the winner facing Escobar on 7/28, and the winner of that match faces Theory for the title. SummerSlam is so loaded with matches that I don’t know for sure it will be on that show, but the timing works out for it to be.”
Updated WWE SmackDown Card – July 21st, 2023
The upcoming episode of SmackDown will feature another face-to-face between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso as they prepare to square off at SummerSlam. Meanwhile, the tournament to decide a new number one contender for the United States Title will continue.
- Roman Reigns & Jey Uso – Rules of Engagement segment
- Rey Mysterio vs. Sheamus vs. Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight. Winner to face Santos Escobar.