WWE fans in the UK are in for a treat for tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
Over the next couple of weeks, episodes of Raw and SmackDown will start at a totally different time of day from the usual early hours 1am broadcast, meaning fewer sleepy wrestling fans.
Usually, we have to wait until the wee hours to get our fix, but the lead up to the 2026 Royal Rumble is bringing sweet respite from the late nights.
It all starts with this evening’s SmackDown, which will be the second edition since the show returned to a three-hour format, and less than 2 weeks until the release of docu-series WWE Unreal.
As well as only the sixth ever Three Stages of Hell Match, there is also a blockbuster eight-man tag bout, and an official blue brand debut for one of NXT’s most promising stars.
Get personalised updates on all things Netflix
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Here’s everything you need to now before tonight’s show.
What time is WWE SmackDown on this week in the UK?
This Friday, WWE SmackDown starts at 7pm live on Netflix for fans in the UK.
Raw and SmackDown typically air in the early hours for those of us on these shores, but this time the show kicks off in the evening.
Where is WWE SmackDown this week?
This week, SmackDown is airing live from Berlin, Germany, which explains the unusual start time.
WWE SmackDown preview: match card for January 9, 2026
- Three Stages of Hell (regular, Falls Count Anywhere, Steel Cage) for WWE Title: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
- The Wyatt Sicks vs. The MFTs
- Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix
Why is WWE SmackDown starting early this week?
Just like we saw with WWE’s various European dates last year, the Netflix deal has made things much more convenient for fans in the UK when the wrestling giant goes international.
Whenever WWE used to travel around the globe for live TV or premium live events, the rest of the world still used to have to stick with US broadcast times.
This meant a show taped in Manchester or London at 6pm wouldn’t air for Brits until 1am, which was never ideal.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 tour dates for UK and Europe
WWE is currently on its first ever UK and Europe tour on the road to the Royal Rumble, marking the first time WWE will broadcast televised events from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Dusseldorf, Germany.
It is also the first time in 11 years that WWE will return to Poland, the first return to Denmark in 9 years, the first return to Mannheim in 6 years, last night was the first return to Leipzig in 4 years.
- Thursday, January 8 – Leipzig, Germany – Quaterback Immobelien Arena
- SmackDown: Friday, January 9 – Berlin, Germany – Uber Arena
- Saturday, January 10 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
- Sunday, January 11 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
- Raw: Monday, January 12 – Dusseldorf, Germany – PSD Bank Dome
- Tuesday, January 13 – Mannheim, Germany – SAP Arena
- Thursday, January 15 – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
- SmackDown: Friday, January 16 – London, UK – OVO Arena Wembley
- Saturday, January 17 – Gdansk, Poland – Ergo Arena
- Sunday, January 18 – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
- Raw: Monday, January 19 – Belfast N. Ireland – SSE Arena
Thankfully, Netflix’s grip on the WWE rights for most of the world outside the US, things have changed, while we also have to recognise the way international crowds have really raised the bar in recent years.
SmackDown is still broadcast on the USA Network for fans in the States, but it’ll be airing live for us on Netflix as the Road To Royal Rumble tour gets going.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: ‘Exceptional’ medical drama that left viewers in tears flies up Netflix charts
MORE: 10 Netflix movies everyone’s watching right now as true crime hit gets 15,000,000 views
MORE: Stranger Things star missing from season 5 says finale ‘would have helped during cancer treatment’
#WWE #SmackDown #special #early #start #time #tonight #live #Netflix
