Vince McMahon is bound to be a very happy man right now as reports emerged this week that WWE is nearing a $1 billion deal with Fox to broadcast SmackDown LIVE.
WWE is searching for new homes for both SmackDown as well as Monday Night RAW, with the company also close to agreeing on a deal with NBC Universal to air RAW when they leave the USA Network.
BILLION DOLLAR DEAL
Since those reports have emerged and created plenty of noise online, fans are wondering which significant changes could be in store - and several outlets have been claiming that several exciting things could be in the works with WWE yet to announce any sort of news.
Fans want the old SmackDown set-up to return, the announcing team could be reshuffled once again but one of the more significant changes that is expected to take place is that SmackDown will move from Tuesday nights and return to a Friday slot.
Now, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has announced that an even bigger change will be in the works - and it’s all down to pressure being on WWE to continue delivering high network ratings to keep SmackDown in a prime slot on Fox.
Speaking on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer has revealed that WWE will make SmackDown LIVE the A show by either moving the top guys from RAW to the blue brand or by making it more of an even playing field.
THE A SHOW
During an excerpt from the clip - which you can listen to by clicking here - he said: “SmackDown ratings on Friday are the most important and really only number that matters because they have to do competitive network numbers or they’re going to get cancelled, or they’re gonna get moved.
“Fox is paying a lot of money for this. They have to deliver ratings for Fox, and they have to deliver network ratings.
“So, the point of all this is that SmackDown has to be the A show, SmackDown ratings are the most important for WWE’s finances long-term - the most important number are the SmackDown ratings - so, therefore, yes they’re gonna have to move top stars to SmackDown.
“I mean whether it’s gonna be two even shows, whether SmackDown will be the A show, that I can’t tell you. But it has to be at least even, and it can’t be an afterthought show because as I said, SmackDown ratings are truly the most important number that WWE needs to keep up.”
Fans have always been critical of WWE giving RAW more attention than SmackDown. Although, it can be argued that the Tuesday night show does possess arguably its best roster in quite some time.
Still, with Fox paying so much money for what WWE has considered the B show for so long, it could be a welcomed change to see huge names like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins shift over to SmackDown to finally give it the importance it deserves.
What do you make of WWE potentially moving its top stars from RAW to SmackDown LIVE soon? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.