WWE SmackDown Unveils a Bold New Ring Mat—And Another Could Be on the Way

The January 3 episode of WWE SmackDown brought more than just in-ring drama—it also introduced a brand-new blue ring mat, marking a striking departure from the traditional design fans have come to recognize. But SmackDown wasn’t done shaking things up.

Earlier in the day, WWE experimented with a completely different mat design. According to Fightful Select, a black mat featuring multiple sponsorship logos was spotted in the ring ahead of the show. Among the featured logos were Fortnite, Netflix, Snickers, Cricket, and Riyadh Season. Two corners of the ring even showcased Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer branding, giving a nod to the WWE Hall of Famer’s latest venture.

While this alternate mat didn’t make its way to the live broadcast, sources suggest it might appear on other WWE programming, including Raw. WWE has yet to officially confirm if this sponsorship-packed mat will be a regular feature, but the inclusion of such prominent brands could signal a fresh direction for the company’s in-ring aesthetic.

The blue mat that ultimately debuted on SmackDown is already turning heads, but the potential addition of a heavily branded mat could take WWE’s presentation to another level.

What do you think of WWE’s new ring mat? Should the sponsorship-loaded black mat make its way to TV? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!