WWE officials are reportedly unhappy after this week’s episode of SmackDown leaked online ahead of its scheduled broadcast.
Unlike a typical live Friday night episode, this week’s SmackDown was taped on Tuesday in London. WWE recorded the show ahead of schedule so the roster and production crew could travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Saturday’s Night of Champions premium live event.
However, before the episode could air in the United States later tonight, the entire show reportedly surfaced online across multiple platforms.
According to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, the leak caused frustration within WWE.
“There was internal unhappiness within WWE this week as apparently the entire episode of tonight’s Smackdown leaked online in different places. No idea how that happened but I could certainly see why that would upset people in the company.”
While there has been speculation among fans that the leak, which also spoiled a surprise debut by a former NXT Champion, may have originated from a satellite feed, Johnson noted that he does not know how it occurred.
The leak comes before SmackDown is set to air in the United States. Because the show was taped several days in advance, spoilers had already circulated online, but this situation reportedly involved the full episode becoming available before its scheduled television broadcast.
WWE’s focus now shifts to Night of Champions on Saturday, which emanates from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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