Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer is reporting new information regarding WWE’s jump to FOX that includes SmackDown’s airing schedule and what the channel has planned in build to the show debuting on October 4.
According to Meltzer, FOX held their annual summit meeting with it’s affiliates on July 17 and a big focus happened to be the WWE product they’re acquiring. The main focal points of discussion were that SmackDown would air 51 weeks of the year with it being preempted by the World Series.
In addition, there will be a one-hour launch show in anticipation for SmackDown firing up in late September to get their mainstream audience acquainted with the WWE talent, storylines and overall product. FOX really wants to promote WWE as a legitimate sport in regards to the choreographed sports presentation of the product, not that the match outcomes themselves are real.
In regards to the 10/4 episode of SmackDown itself, the FOX figureheads plan to have big surprises in store with part of the promotional tactic being wrestlers in moving trucks to all sizes of TV markets across the country.
Finally FOX is in talks about having NXT air on one of their networks in some form or fashion. Nothing is confirmed or solidified yet, but the black and yellow brand has been in discussion.
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