WWE fans are in for a treat tonight when SmackDown moves out of its usual timeslot on Netflix.
The sports entertainment giant is returning to Saudi Arabia this weekend for its weekly Friday show and the Night of Champions premium live event, which means a change for everyone else around the world.
There had been some pressure from fans for the events to be moved given recent events in the Middle East following US strikes on Iran.
However, SmackDown and the PLE are both going ahead, with wrestlers arriving in Riyadh earlier this week.
Massive names like John Cena, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill are all set to be in action tomorrow, with some big matches set for SmackDown 24 hours earlier.
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Here’s everything you need to now before tonight’s show.
What time is WWE SmackDown on tonight in the UK?
Tonight, WWE SmackDown starts at 6pm for fans in the UK.
Raw and SmackDown typically air in the early hours for us all, but we’re in for a treat this week as the live Netflix stream kicks off at a much more sociable time.
Where is WWE SmackDown tonight?
Tonight, SmackDown is airing live from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
WWE is in the Middle East this week, with SmackDown coming 24 hours before the Night of Champions premium live event.
Both shows will take place at the city’s Kingdom Arena.
WWE SmackDown preview: match card and announcements for June 27, 2025 episode
- WWE Champion John Cena returns to SmackDown
- Last Woman Standing Match for WWE Women’s Title: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Nia Jax
- WWE Women’s United States Title: Zelina Vega (c) vs. Giulia
- WWE Tag Team Titles: Street Profits (c) vs. The Wyatt Sicks
Why is WWE SmackDown starting early tonight?
Like WWE’s European dates earlier this year, and Clash In Paris later this summer, it’s all benefiting from the new Netflix deal.
In the past, whenever WWE aired internationally, they’d generally be broadcast on a delay to fit with the US transmission times, which were still in the early hours for the UK.
That’s all changed with Netflix, as the streaming giant has the WWE rights for most of the world outside the United States, while international crowds have raised the bar in recent years.
This all means that SmackDown, which is part of our Netflix subscription but is still broadcast on the USA Network for fans in the States, will air live for fans over here.
WWE SmackDown roster and champions
WWE SmackDown roster has quietly built into a rock solid collection of huge names and stars of the future since Raw made its worldwide move to Netflix.
Hollywood star John Cena, who is in the midst of his farewell retirement tour, is the current Undisputed WWE SmackDown, while Tiffany Stratton is top of her division as WWE Women’s Champion.
The men’s and women’s United States Championships are held by Jacob Fatu and Zelina Vega respectively, and Street Profits are leading the charge as WWE Tag Team Champions.
The men’s side of the roster is highlighted by the likes of Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, Aleister Black, Carmelo Hayes, JC Mateo, Solo Sikoa, LA Knight, Randy Orton and Rey Fenix, while Kevin Owens’ future is uncertain after a neck injury.
For the women, the division is stacked with Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Chelsea Green, Giulia, Nia Jax, and more.
When it comes to tag teams, the blue brand is in good hands too, with top duos including AAA World Tag Team Champions Los Garza, Motor City Machine Guns, the Wyatt Sicks, Pretty Deadly and #DIY.
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