WWE Shakes Up Broadcast Schedule with Taped NXT Episode Ahead of the Holidays

WWE is shaking up its broadcast routine, opting to tape upcoming episodes instead of going live—a move that’s sure to have fans buzzing.

With the holiday season approaching and the company’s touring schedule undergoing changes, WWE has started taping episodes a week in advance more frequently. The latest on the list? The November 29 episode of SmackDown, which will be pre-recorded on November 22 in Salt Lake City. Why? So that WWE staff and wrestlers can enjoy their Thanksgiving break without the usual hustle.

But that’s not all. WWE has mapped out plans to tape the December 20 SmackDown on December 13 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Similarly, the December 23 Raw show will be filmed on December 16 at the TD Garden in Boston, MA. Don’t worry, live episodes are expected to return in full force once 2025 kicks off.

And it’s not just Raw and SmackDown getting the tape-delay treatment. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that the December 17 NXT show in Lowell, MA, will air with a one-hour tape delay. The reason? WWE plans to broadcast that night’s show while also taping the Christmas Eve episode.

While there’s speculation that WWE will air an NXT episode on December 31, it has yet to be confirmed. Fans will have to stay tuned to see what surprises WWE has in store for the end-of-year programming.