Ratings are expected to drop whenever a show is moved to a different time slot, but when a show is moved to a completely different station, ratings will drop even more than usual, and this is something that WWE faces with SmackDown around this time every year due to FOX’s coverage of the World Series.
Due to the MLB World Series, WWE will broadcast SmackDown from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri on FS1 rather than FOX tonight.
SmackDown could return to FS1 next week.
In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer stated that if the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies play a sixth game, SmackDown will air on FS1. Tonight’s show will clash with Game 1, while Game 6 will also take place on a Friday.
On Halloween night, RAW will face competition from the series, and AEW Dynamite could face game five next Wednesday.
Because WWE is flying to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel next Saturday, next week’s episode of SmackDown will be taped tonight.
For tonight’s show, WWE has announced the following lineup:
* Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa vs. Ridge Holland and Butch
* Hit Row’s “Top Dolla” AJ Francis and Ashante “Thee” Adonis and a mystery partner vs. Legado del Fantasma’s Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro
* SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defends in an Open Challenge
* Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns returns to promote Crown Jewel title defense against Logan Paul
