WWE SmackDown Live: 5 changes that might happen when the blue brand moves to Fox

SmackDown Live will move to Fox this year in October and it will become the first ever WWE weekly show that will be aired on a major television network. The deal between Fox and WWE is reportedly valued at US$1 billion. Also, according to reports, this deal is a three-fold increase over what NBCUniversal is currently paying to WWE.

SmackDown has outperformed Raw on a weekly basis over the past year. And despite being arguably the better show, it is still treated as the 'B' Show, but that might change when SmackDown shifts to Fox.

Reportedly, Fox has a different vision for SmackDown Live and they want some huge changes in the programming of SmackDown. One of the biggest changes will be that SmackDown will be aired on Fridays instead of Tuesdays.

Now let's see what other changes the show might have when it moves to the biggest network that it has ever existed on.

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#5 Less comedy

There will be less comedy

Comedy has been a part of WWE programming for a long time. Generally, there are a few comical segments in the weekly shows (Raw and SmackDown Live). These segments could be really entertaining if they are booked properly.

Sometimes WWE books extremely entertaining segments like they did with Fashion Police, whereas, at other times they book some trashy urination jokes.

According to a report, Fox wants SmackDown Live to be more focused on sports entertainment rather than comical entertainment. This will mean that performers like The New Day will either have to be a little more serious or they might be drafted to Raw.

This move could have a mixed effect as some people like comedy segments and some don't. It will be interesting to see how this move will affect the ratings and the product as a whole.

#4 More focus on the in-ring competition

A huge push for Nakamura?

When Fox signed the deal with WWE, they made it clear that they wanted SmackDown to be more of a sports-oriented program. Fox is willing to include SmackDown as a part of their sports block of programming, which will run from Thursday to Sunday, and hence they wanted some major changes in the product.

SmackDown Live could become a paradise for talented and underutilized Superstars like Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev, as they have incredible in-ring skills and create classic matches with other superstars, hence WWE management might decide to push them.

This decision will be welcomed by the WWE Universe with open arms as the fans have always wanted WWE to focus more on the in-ring competition. This move might also help them in competing with rival brands like AEW and NJPW, as they can attract more pro wrestling fans from around the world.

#3 Ronda Rousey will move to SmackDown Live

Fox wants Ronda on SmackDown Live

Reportedly, Fox wants a huge Superstar to be on SmackDown when it moves to Friday Nights, and that Superstar is none other than The Baddest Woman On The Planet - Ronda Rousey.

Rumors suggest that Rousey will lose her Raw Women's Championship to Becky Lynch at WrestleMania. After WrestleMania, WWE might shock us all by drafting Rousey to SmackDown Live.

Rousey has been a household name for years now. She is currently involved in one of the best rivalries WWE has created in recent history and she will become the first woman alongside Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch to main-event WrestleMania.

With a prominent and successful career in UFC as well as WWE, Rousey will certainly help the network garner mainstream attention and viewers. She will also be a huge asset for Fox if they want to cross-promote between sports.

It will be amazing to see Ronda on SmackDown as she can have feuds with new superstars. She might also have a dream match with the Empress of Tomorrow - Asuka.

#2 Return of major superstars

Many major superstars can return on a permanent basis!

Batista recently returned to Raw and started a feud with Triple H and eventually a huge match involving the two was set up for WrestleMania. Batista is a Hollywood star and an appearance from him helps the company garner mainstream attention, and we all know that Vince loves mainstream attention.

We can expect more of these kinds of appearances from former WWE Superstars when SmackDown moves to Fox. The fans love nostalgia, and whenever a former superstar returns, the ratings spike up.

We might even get to see some past superstars return on a permanent basis as WWE could offer them much more money than before, due to the billion dollar deal with Fox.

Also, many past superstars are still in their 40s and could create decent matches. WWE could use these superstars to put over new talent and could also create some dream rivalries.

#1 SmackDown will become the 'A' Show

It will no longer be the 'B' Show

Vince McMahon has treated Raw as the superior show for many years. Currently Raw is the home to the company's major stars like Roman Reigns, Ronda Rousey, and Brock Lesnar and we get to see major returns and major storylines generally on Monday nights.

Raw has been the flagship show of WWE for many years now but that could change when SmackDown moves to Fox. The deal with Fox is worth a billion dollars and Fox would not like SmackDown to be treated as an afterthought by the WWE management.

Fox has a wider reach, as it is a major network and it could help WWE get more viewers. So WWE might focus more on SmackDown to garner more viewers by exploiting the reach of Fox.

Also, according to rumors, SmackDown will become the 'A' Show when it moves to Fox Network. Major superstars will be drafted to SmackDown Live and we will get to see more interesting storylines.

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How do you think these changes will affect SmackDown Live? Give your opinions in the comments section below!