Alistair McGeorge
2026-01-16 09:31:00
WWE is back in the UK and it’s good news for your Friday night in.
Over the last week, episodes of Raw and SmackDown have been starting at a totally different time from the usual early hours 1am broadcast, meaning fewer wrestling fans waking up exhausted afterwards.
The lead up to the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh is bringing sweet respite, with the late night wakeups becoming a distant memory for a little while, at least.
After some 7pm starts over the last week, things are slightly different for this evening’s SmackDown, which will be the third edition since the show returned to a three-hour format, and just days away from the release of docu-series WWE Unreal season 2.
One of WWE’s most promising stars will get the chance to take a huge step towards a world title shot against the UK’s own Drew McIntyre, while an open challenge could turn toxic.
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Here’s everything you need to now before tonight’s show.
What time is WWE SmackDown on this week in the UK?
This Friday, WWE SmackDown starts at 8pm live on Netflix for fans in the UK.
Raw and SmackDown typically air in the early hours for those of us on these shores, but this time the show kicks off in the evening.
Where is WWE SmackDown this week?
This week, SmackDown is airing live from The O2 arena in London, which explains the unusual start time.
WWE SmackDown preview: match card for January 16, 2026
- #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Randy Orton vs. The Miz
- #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
- #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
- #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
- US Title Open Challenge: Carmelo Hayes vs. TBA
- Drew McIntyre returns to London as WWE Champion
Why is WWE SmackDown starting early this week?
Just like we saw with WWE’s various European dates last year, the Netflix deal has made things much more convenient for fans in the UK when the wrestling giant goes international.
Whenever WWE used to travel around the globe for live TV or premium live events, the rest of the world still used to have to stick with US broadcast times.
This meant a show taped in Manchester or London in the evening wouldn’t air for Brits until 1am, which was never ideal.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 tour dates for UK and Europe
WWE is currently on its first ever UK and Europe tour on the road to the Royal Rumble, marking the first time WWE will broadcast televised events from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Dusseldorf, Germany.
It is also the first time in 11 years that WWE has returned to Poland, the first return to Denmark in 9 years, the first time in Mannheim in 6 years, and the first show in Leipzig in 4 years.
- SmackDown: Friday, January 16 – London, UK – OVO Arena Wembley
- Saturday, January 17 – Gdansk, Poland – Ergo Arena
- Sunday, January 18 – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
- Raw: Monday, January 19 – Belfast N. Ireland – SSE Arena
Thankfully, Netflix’s grip on the WWE rights for most of the world outside the US, things have changed, while we also have to recognise the way international crowds have really raised the bar in recent years.
SmackDown is still broadcast on the USA Network for fans in the States, but it’ll be airing live for us on Netflix as the Road To Royal Rumble tour nears its conclusion.
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