UPDATE: WWE SmackDown Going Live – Draft & Brand Extension?

May 25, 2016

UPDATE: WWE.com has confirmed the Variety report. They also posted the following video…

The new era of #Smackdown has arrived. Starting July 19, Smackdown will be broadcast LIVE TUESDAYS on @USA_Network. pic.twitter.com/ULrGy57aFz

— Triple H (@TripleH) May 25, 2016

ORIGINAL: According to Variety, WWE SmackDown will move to Tuesday nights on July 19th, and air live from 8-10 PM ET. This means that the show will go head to head with TNA iMPACT! during the 9PM ET hour. The move is being done in part because the network is looking for more ways to air content that needs to be seen as it airs and not on DVR.

The article also looks to confirm previous rumors of a brand extension, with the following paragraph…

The debut of a live “Smackdown” comes as two of the WWE’s biggest attractions, John Cena and Seth Rollins, are returning to competition from injuries. And the company is expected to create strong points of differentiation between “Smackdown” and USA’s other live program, “Monday Night Raw,” according to the WWE. A draft will be held before the “Smackdown” launch date to determine which wrestlers on the company’s talent roster will be assigned to which program. Each show is expected to feature separate cast, plots and writing teams.