Possibility of WWE Countering AEW with SmackDown Simulcast Deal Unveiled

AEW secured the new multi-year media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery last year, which led to the company getting a simulcast deal for content to air on MAX, in addition to TBS. This made fans wonder if there’s a chance of WWE doing something similar for SmackDown, but it appears that might not be happening.

While speaking on Fightful Select’s Q&A podcast, Sean Ross Sapp was asked if there was any chance of WWE getting a simulcast deal for Friday Night SmackDown in order to counteract AEW Dynamite airing on MAX as well as TBS.

Sean Ross Sapp noted that WWE is unlikely to secure a simulcast deal for SmackDown to counter AEW’s Dynamite. This is because WWE is currently locked into its deal with the USA Network. Unless the USA Network signs a streaming deal and the current agreement is amended, a simulcast deal for SmackDown is not expected.

The January 1st edition of Dynamite began with the mother of all simulcasts and it’s safe to say it was a massive success on all fronts. Even internally, many in AEW were happy about the overall production overhaul for Dynamite.

While a simulcast deal for SmackDown may not be in the cards right now, WWE obviously has all the momentum in the world right now since we are officially in the Netflix era of the company, which is set to begin on January 6th with Monday Night RAW. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether the USA Network does end up securing a simulcast deal in the future, as anything is possible in the world of professional wrestling.

What do you think about WWE’s current broadcasting deal with USA Network? Do you believe SmackDown could benefit from a simulcast deal in the future, or do you think WWE will stick with its current strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.