WWE programming will get a major revamp once Smackdown Live moves to FOX Sports. It will happen from October 2019 onwards. WWE signed a contract with the renowned sports brand to broadcast this show for the next five years. They are likely to throw a big challenge to the flagship programming of WWE Monday Night Raw that airs on the USA Network.
FOX Sports has already started planning about this and made a couple of demands to the WWE officials. One of the requests came in a very interesting manner as they wanted Ronda Rousey to be part of Smackdown Live. The Tuesday night show will move on to Friday nights as part of the schedule change. FOX officials think that this woman will be a big attraction for obvious reasons.
The new host network of Smackdown Live has an old relationship with Ronda Rousey due to her UFC tenure. For years, this woman has served as a major rating-booster for FOX Sports. They think Ronda’s MMA background, popularity, and credibility as an athlete will act as a selling point for the show. Hence this demand is something that is unavoidable from a WWE perspective, (courtesy wrestlingINC.com)
“As previously reported, FOX reportedly wants SmackDown to have more of a sports direction and feature less comedy to fit in with their other sports programming. The addition of Rousey to SmackDown Live is expected to make her a main player in their efforts to do cross-promotional campaigns between WWE and FOX’s other programs.”
FOX sports wants Smackdown Live to get rid of comedic elements in order to become more of legit sports show. Ronda Rousey entering the scene will help them achieve the target. They are considering another UFC name to enter the scene in order to do so. UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier is on the radar of the network which is the home of UFC broadcasts.
They want WWE to sign Daniel Cormier as a commentator on Smackdown Live Even the company sent out an invitation to the UFC champ to get some positive responses. But the chances of a potential tryout was not there as Daniel Cormier was preparing for his defense against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230. But he is still open for the spot meaning that we can eventually see him on the blue brand.
