WWE has reportedly changed the start time of an upcoming SmackDown taping to avoid a clash with the soccer World Cup.
WWE recently added two new dates to its upcoming European Summer Tour, including a rare Tuesday taping of SmackDown at London’s O2 Arena on June 23. RAW will take place at the same venue the night before. While the promotion already listed the show as “Friday Night SmackDown,” Alex McCarthy of SunSport reports that it will not air live on Netflix and will go out in its usual time slot on Friday.
However, the report notes that the taping will start earlier than usual on Tuesday, June 23, as the date coincides with England’s clash against Ghana in their second group stage game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match starts at 9 pm UK time, and WWE has adjusted the SmackDown start time so the fans can watch the game.
Along with the Tuesday SmackDown taping, WWE has announced 16 dates for the upcoming European Summer Tour, which also includes the Clash in Italy PLE on May 31.
Lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown
Tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown will emanate from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The announced lineup for the event so far features the following:
- Gunther’s appearance
- Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James – WWE Women’s United States Championship
- Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss & Rhea Ripley vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid)
- The funeral of the Gingerbread Man
It will be the go-home show for the WWE Backlash PLE tomorrow.
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