WWE is shaking up its usual production routine in a big way this week, locking in an aggressive taping schedule to accommodate the upcoming holiday season.
Fans attending shows in Hershey, Orlando, and Grand Rapids should expect long nightsbecause WWE is doubling and even tripling up on content. The changes begin tonight at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. While Monday Night Raw will air live at 8 PM ET on Netflix, fans in attendance will see more than just Raw. WWE is also expected to tape Friday Night SmackDown content before Raw goes on the air, a rare production shift thats part of the companys push to bank shows ahead of years end.
The Raw card itself is stacked, including CM Punks return, Stephanie Vaquer defending her WWE Womens World Title against Raquel Rodriguez, Maxxine Dupri vs. Ivy Nile for the Womens IC Title, New Day vs. The Usos, and Logan Paul taking on Rey Mysterio. But with SmackDown tapings folded in, the full evening could run well beyond a typical show.
The taping frenzy continues Tuesday at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. That nights WWE NXT broadcast will air live in the U.S. on The CW Network and on Netflix internationally, but WWE is also planning to tape the following weeks episode on the same night. That means two full weeks of NXT content will be filmed in one go.
As of now, Tuesdays lineup includes a high-stakes four-way between Joe Hendry, Dion Lennox, Myles Borne, and Leon Slaterwith the winner earning a title shot against Oba Femi at New Years Evil. Blake Monroe will also defend her NXT Womens North American Championship against Thea Hail.
The week finishes strong Friday in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where WWE will air Friday Night SmackDown live on USA Network (and on Netflix for international audiences). But thats not allWWE is also expected to tape the next episode of Monday Night Raw during Fridays SmackDown taping.
This kind of taping reshuffle is unusual for WWE, but with the company now producing content for both traditional networks and streaming platforms like Netflix, its clear the production model is evolving.
Are you in favor of WWEs packed taping schedule ahead of the holidaysor do you think it risks overloading fans and talent? Let us know in the comments.
