Jump to content

WWE SmackDown: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m →‎Champions: accent
←Blanked the page
Line 1: Line 1:
{{For|an article of the video game series based on the show|WWE SmackDown (video game series)}}
{{For|an article of the first game from said series|WWF SmackDown!}}
{{Infobox Television
|show_name=WWE Friday Night SmackDown
|image=[[Image:WWESmackDownHD.png|200px]]
|creator=[[Vince McMahon]]
|format=[[Sports entertainment]]<br/>[[Professional wrestling]]
|picture_format=[[480i]] ([[SDTV]])<br/>[[1080i]] ([[HDTV]])<ref>{{cite web| title=WWE Slams Into HD |url=http://www.tvtechnology.com/pages/s.0082/t.11698.html|publisher=TV Technology|accessdate=2008-03-09}}</ref>
|camera=[[Multicamera setup]]
|runtime=Approximately 2 hours per episode<br/>(1 hour 30 minutes and commercials)
|starring=[[Current World Wrestling Entertainment employees#SmackDown brand|SmackDown brand]]
|country={{USA}}
|network=[[UPN]] ([[August 26]] [[1999]] – [[September 15]] [[2006]])<br/>[[The CW Television Network|The CW]] ([[September 22]] [[2006]] – [[September 26]] [[2008]])<!---Do NOT add MyNetworkTV until the first episode on it airs--->
|first_aired=[[August 26]] [[1999]]
|last_aired=present
|num_episodes=475 (as of [[September 19]] [[2008]])
|opentheme="Rise Up" by [[Drowning Pool]]
|website=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/
|imdb_id=0227972
|tv_com_id=3316
|}}

'''''WWE Friday Night SmackDown''''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[television program]] for [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE). Currently it is the only television broadcast for the SmackDown brand. From its launch in 1999, ''SmackDown'' was shown on Thursday nights, but as of [[September 9]] [[2005]], the show moved to Friday nights. The SmackDown brand is currently one of WWE's three brands, the other two being [[WWE Raw|Raw]] and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling (WWE)|ECW]]. It currently airs in the [[United States]] on [[The CW Television Network|The CW]]. It will air on [[MyNetworkTV]] beginning [[October 3]]. The show is also shown in the [[United Kingdom]] on Friday nights on [[Sky Sports 3]], owing to the time difference the show actually premieres in the UK before the [[United States]].

==Show history==
===Original format===
''SmackDown!'' as it was originally titled first appeared on [[April 29]] [[1999]] as a single television special on [[UPN]]. On [[August 26]] [[1999]], ''SmackDown!'' officially debuted on UPN, in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. Like ''WCW Thunder'', ''SmackDown!'' was recorded on Tuesdays and then broadcast on Thursdays. The new WWF show was so popular that WCW moved ''Thunder'' to Wednesdays in the hope of holding on to fans rather than losing them to WWF. ''SmackDown!'', like ''Thunder'', made heavy use of the color blue.

[[Image:SmackDown!original.JPG|right|150px|thumb|''WWF SmackDown!'' logo (1999-2001)]]

The first ''SmackDown!'' set was unique as it featured an oval-shaped [[Jumbotron|TitanTron]] (which was dubbed the "OvalTron"), entrance and stage which made it stand out from the ''Raw'' set and its rectangular TitanTrons. An added feature to the original set was the ability for the OvalTron to be moved to either the left or right of the stage. Throughout the show's early existence, top WWF superstar [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] routinely called ''SmackDown!'' "his" show, in reference to the fact that the name was derived from one of his [[catchphrase]]s, "Laying the smackdown." In [[August 2001]], as part of celebrating ''SmackDown!'''s second anniversary, the show received a new [[logo]] and set. The last ''SmackDown!'' to use the previous television set saw [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|Alliance]] member [[Terry Gerin|Rhyno]] [[Professional wrestling attacks#Spear|Gore]] WWF member [[Chris Jericho]] through the center screen, destroying part of the set.

===Brand Extension===
{{main|WWE Brand Extension}}

In early to mid-[[2002]], WWE underwent a process they called the "Brand Extension". WWE divided itself into two "de facto" wrestling promotions with separate rosters, storylines and authority figures. Raw and SmackDown! would host each division, give its name to the division and essentially compete against each other. The split was a result of WWF purchasing their two biggest competitors, WCW and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling|ECW]]. The brand extension was publicly announced during a telecast of ''WWF Raw'' on [[March 25]] [[2002]], and became official the next day.

[[Image:SmackDown!Brand.JPG|right|150px|thumb|''WWE SmackDown!'' logo (2001-2005)]]

Wrestlers now would become show-exclusive, wrestling for their specific show only. At the time this excluded the [[WWE Undisputed Championship]] and [[WWE Women's Championship]], as those WWE titles would be defended on both shows. In [[August 2002]], WWE Undisputed Champion [[Brock Lesnar]] refused to defend the title on Raw, in effect causing his title to become exclusive to SmackDown! The following week on ''Raw'', General Manager Eric Bischoff awarded a newly instated [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] to Raw's designated #1 contender, [[Triple H]]. Due to the fact that since the WWE Undisputed Championship was now SmackDown! exclusive it was no longer seen as "Undisputed". Following this, the [[WWE Women's Championship]] soon became Raw-exclusive as well. As a result of the Brand Extension, an annual "[[WWE Draft|draft lottery]]" was instituted to exchange members of each roster and generally refresh the lineups.

On [[June 6]] [[2005]], WWE Champion John Cena switched brands from SmackDown! to Raw as part of the month-long [[WWE Draft#2005|Draft Lottery]]. This effectively left SmackDown! without a World Title. During this time, United States Champion [[Orlando Jordan]] was billed as the top champion on the show. On [[June 23]] [[2005]], in [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long announced a six-man elimination match between [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]], [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]], [[Chris Benoit]], [[The Undertaker]], [[Jason Reso|Christian]] (replacing [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]], who was picked by Raw in the lottery), and [[Mark Copani|Muhammad Hassan]] to crown the first SmackDown! Champion. On the [[June 30]] episode of ''SmackDown!'', JBL won the match. Long appeared afterward and stated that even though JBL had won the match, SmackDown! did not need a Championship anymore. [[Dave Batista|Batista]], the World Heavyweight Champion, entered the ring as SmackDown!'s final draft lottery pick. Long also revealed that JBL was the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.

===Friday Night SmackDown!===
[[Image:FridayNightSmackDown!.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' logo used from [[September 9]] [[2005]]-[[January 18]] [[2008]]]]

It was possible that WWE's "lame duck" status with Viacom on [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike TV]] is what prompted its moving ''SmackDown!'' to the [[Friday night death slot]] for the Fall 2005 season. However, it worked out for both parties involved, as the show did better in the ratings than it had on Thursdays, while UPN received much better ratings on Fridays than it did before, with its movie night. In addition, UPN had been able to hold on to the ratings from Thursday nights, most notably with comedian [[Chris Rock]]'s ''[[The Wonder Years|Wonder Years]]''-like sitcom ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]''. In January 2006, prior to the announcement of the CW Network, it was announced that UPN had renewed ''SmackDown!'' for two more years.<ref name=Renew-Variety>{{cite web|title= Mixed views on WB, UPN merger|publisher=Variety.com|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117936770?categoryid=14&cs=1&s=h&p=0 |accessdate=2006-08-04}}</ref>

Following the cancellation of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', ''SmackDown!'' was renamed ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' and moved into ''Enterprise'''s former timeslot in the [[United States]]. WWE promoted this move with the [[tagline]] "TV that's changing Friday nights." ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' made its season premiere on [[September 9]] [[2005]]. The program still aired on Thursdays in [[Canada]] on [[The Score (television network)|the Score]]. In the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Australia]], their stations [[Sky Sports]] and [[FOX8]] air ''SmackDown!'' on Fridays before the [[United States]] due to the time difference. This is the first time a major weekly WWE show airs internationally before it hits screens in the U.S.

The events of [[Hurricane Katrina]] affected the first edition of ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' in the U.S. due to a special fundraising concert (see [[Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast]]) that aired on UPN at the same time that the first edition would have been broadcast, resulting in only the second hour of the show being shown on UPN. The first hour was instead streamed from WWE's website. Other countries, including Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Philippines received the full two-hour show. [[WWOR-TV]] (My 9, New York, New York) also aired both hours of the show on tape delay on Saturday, due to a previous commitment to broadcast the [[New York Yankees]] on Friday nights.

At the ''SmackDown!'' taping on [[January 10]] [[2006]], Batista had to forfeit the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] because of a [[triceps]] injury. SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long made a Battle Royal for the vacant title. The winner was at the time Raw superstar [[Kurt Angle]], who later switched to the SmackDown brand. In a break from their traditional role of acting as if ''SmackDown!'' is not pre-recorded, WWE.com had a photograph of Angle holding his new title on the main page. WWE also did this when [[Adam Copeland|Edge]] cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to win the World Heavyweight Championship from [[The Undertaker]] and when [[The Great Khali]] won a battle royal after [[Adam Copeland|Edge]]'s injury.

On the [[April 7]] [[2006]] edition of ''SmackDown!'', SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long announced that the [[King of the Ring]] tournament would return after a four year hiatus as a ''SmackDown!''-exclusive tournament. The tournament ended at [[Judgment Day (2006)|Judgment Day 2006]] with [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]] as the winner, defeating [[Bobby Lashley]] in the final.

On [[June 9]] [[2006]], [[Tazz]] left the SmackDown! brand to join the new [[Extreme Championship Wrestling (WWE)|ECW]] brand, leaving the color commentator position on SmackDown! vacant. However, on [[June 11]] at [[One Night Stand (2006)|One Night Stand 2006]], JBL revealed that he would be the new color commentator for SmackDown! He stayed in that position until December 2007 when he left SmackDown! to become an in-ring competitor on [[WWE Raw|Raw]]. [[Jonathan Coachman]] replaced him afterwards.

===The CW Network===
====2006====
[[Image:Former WWE Smackdown Arena.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Variations of the ''SmackDown!'' fist and mirrors set were used from [[August 16]] [[2001]] - [[January 18]] [[2008]].]]

On [[September 22]] [[2006]], ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' debuted on the [[The CW Television Network]], a joint venture between [[CBS Corporation]], owner of [[UPN]], and [[Warner Bros. Entertainment]], a subsidiary of [[Time Warner]], majority owner of [[The WB Television Network|The WB]].

For four weeks before the official premiere (and in preparation for the impending removal of UPN in several markets by the debut of [[MyNetworkTV]] on [[September 5]] [[2006]]) of ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' on the CW on [[September 22]] [[2006]], [[Tribune Broadcasting]] television stations in six major markets (including [[WPIX]] in New York City and [[KTLA]] in Los Angeles) aired WWE's ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' early in September 2006.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/tribunesmackdown WWE, Tribune announce September SmackDown! schedule]. WWE.com</ref> Two other future affiliates of The CW, [[WCWJ]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]] and [[WIWB]] in [[Green Bay, Wisconsin]], also aired ''SmackDown!'' in early September as well.

The transition to the CW caused an interruption in the broadcast of ''SmackDown!'' in the state of [[Utah]] beginning in June when [[KPNZ]] in [[Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake City]] stopped airing all UPN programs early. The show is now seen on [[KUWB|KUCW]]. In [[Hawaii]], ''SmackDown!'' returned in late 2006, airing on a CW [[digital subchannel]] of [[Honolulu, Hawaii|Honolulu's]] [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] affiliate [[KHON]] (Channel 2), which has received statewide carriage over [[Time Warner Cable|Oceanic Time Warner Cable]]. Since the move to the CW Network, ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' has shown a major increase in [[Nielsen Ratings|ratings]] now averaging a 3.0 national rating. In addition, ''SmackDown!'' has become the second highest watched program on The CW.

====2007====
On [[April 20]] [[2007]], ''SmackDown!'' celebrated its 400th episode. Ratings success soon followed. On [[June 8]] [[2007]], ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' made CW history by making a three-way tie with [[CBS]] and [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in the key ad demographic, adults 18-49 by drawing a 1.5 rating each. On [[June 22]] [[2007]], ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' again made CW history by tying the network for first place in the key ad demographic, adults 18-49, and being the second most watched network program at 9 p.m. for the night. The CW had not performed as well at any time slot since ''[[America's Next Top Model]]'' in March 2007. The next week on [[June 29]] [[2007]], ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' helped The CW claim the top spot in the key demographic, Adults 18-49 for Friday. [[CBS]] got the overall lead but The CW got top spot for the Adults 18-49 by registering a 1.4 rating followed by [[CBS]] and [[NBC]] at 1.3, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] at 1.2, and [[FOX]] at 0.9.<ref>[http://rajah.com/base/node/7400 Friday Night SmackDown!delivers]Rajah.com</ref><ref>[http://rajah.com/base/node/7414 WWE Ratings Come In Strong]Rajah.com</ref> Then on Friday, [[July 13]] [[2007]], ''Friday Night SmackDown!'' made network history by placing first in the 18-49 demographic and becoming the most watched show at the 9 p.m. hour on network television. This is the first time anything has placed this well on The CW. ''SmackDown!'' became a hit show on Friday nights winning the demographics for young males, and ranking second on the demographics (18-49) for Friday nights.

On [[October 16]] [[2007]] it was announced that the SmackDown! and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling (WWE)|ECW]] brands would begin a "talent exchange", allowing their respective talent to appear and compete on either brand, due to the fact that ECW is broadcast live on the same night and from the same arena where Smackdown is taped.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10162007/articles/partnershipforming|title=Partnership Forming?|date=[[October 16]] [[2007]]|accessdate=2007-10-25|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10162007/|title= Setting the night on fire|accessdate=2007-10-25|work=ECW results|publisher=WWE}}</ref>

====2008====
In January 2008 SmackDown! debuted in HD with Raw and ECW and dropped the exclamation point from the end of its name. The "SmackDown fist" was removed as well as all WWE shows started using the same, standard set. On [[February 8]] [[2008]] it was reported that World Wrestling Entertainment and [[The CW Television Network|The CW]] had ended negotiations to keep ''Friday Night SmackDown'' on the network. WWE stated that negotiations with other networks has begun and that ''Friday Night SmackDown'' would continue to air on The CW through the end of the [[2007]]-[[2008]] broadcast season.<ref name=CW08>{{cite web|url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i55bff7bc1a68ecef11e4dc915b1479f8|title=CW, 'SmackDown' part ways|date=2008-02-08|accessdate=2008-02-09|last=Wallenstein|first=Andrew|publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/articles/6103668/smackdownmovingfromcw|accessdate=2008-02-08|title=SmackDown! is moving from the CW|publisher=WWE|date=2008-02-08}}</ref> On [[February 26]] WWE issued a press release announcing ''Friday Night SmackDown''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> move to [[MyNetworkTV]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/smackdownnewhome|title=MyNetworkTV new home of SmackDown|date=2008-02-26|accessdate=2008-02-26| publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=MyNetworkTV Crowns WWE Its New Programming Champ|publisher=WWE|date=2008-02-26|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080226/20080226006085.html|accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> On [[May 19]] [[2008]], MyNetworkTV president, [[Greg Meidel]], announced that WWE television would premiere on the network in October 2008, with a recap of [[WrestleMania XXIV]] being shown on [[October 2]] [[2008]], and ''SmackDown'' premiering on [[October 3]] [[2008]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080519mynetworktv01 |title=MyNetworkTV Pins Down First Week of October 2008 for Tag Team of WWE Television Events|accessdate=2008-05-19|date=2008-05-19|publisher=The Futon Critic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/7115762|accessdate=2008-05-19|title=WWE joins forces with MyNetworkTV this fall|publisher=WWE|date=2008-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a96574/mynetworktv-plans-magic-show-revival.html|title=MyNetworkTV plans 'Magic' show revival|first=Dave|last=West|date=2008-05-22|accessdate=2008-05-22|publisher=Digital Spy}}</ref>

In April 2008, [[Mick Foley]] replaced [[Jonathan Coachman]] as [[Color commentator]]. Following the [[2008 WWE Draft]], [[Jim Ross]] became the new play-by-play announcer for SmackDown, while [[Michael Cole]] moved to Raw. The WWE Champion [[Triple H]] was also drafted to SmackDown, which gave SmackDown two world championships to be featured on the brand. On June 30, 2008 on Monday Night Raw, [[CM Punk]] cashed in his [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank]] contract and defeated the World Heavyweight Champion [[Adam Copeland|Edge]], bringing the World Heavyweight Championship back to Raw. In August 2008, [[Tazz]] replaced Foley as the color commentator.

===Induction into Merriam-Webster===
On [[July 10]] [[2007]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19698856/|title=msnbc.msn.com|accessdate=2007-07-23}}</ref> [[Merriam-Webster]] announced it would induct the word ''smackdown''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/smackdown|title=m-w.com/dictionary/smackdown|accessdate=2007-07-23}}</ref> into [[Webster's Dictionary]]. According to Merriam Webster, a "smackdown" is:
* The act of knocking down or bringing down an opponent
* A contest in entertainment wrestling
* A decisive defeat
* A confrontation between rivals or competitors

==Production==
[[Image:WWESmackdownHD.jpg|right|thumb|175px|''SmackDown'''s version of the universal WWE [[High Definition Television|HD]] set used from [[January 21]] [[2008]]-present. The set it now reversed from what it used to be.]]
''Friday Night SmackDown'' is usually taped on Tuesday evening and aired Friday evening on The CW the same week. Occasionally, it is taped on Monday nights before or after ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' in what is called a "Supershow". ''SmackDown'' has also aired live on occasion.

The most recent theme song for ''SmackDown'' was ''"Rise Up!"'' by [[Drowning Pool]], a remake of ''SmackDown'''s fifth anniversary instrumental theme song. It was performed by then-lead singer [[Jason Jones (singer)|Jason "Gong" Jones]] and featured on the ''[[WWE ThemeAddict: The Music, Vol. 6]]'' album. Currently however, the theme song for the SmackDown! brand is ''"Rise Up 2006"'' by [[Drowning Pool]], a new version of ''"Rise Up!"'' performed by new lead singer [[Ryan McCombs]] and featured as a bonus downloadable track on the [[WWE Wreckless Intent]] album.

''Friday Night SmackDown'' began broadcasting in [[High-definition television|HD]] beginning with the [[January 25]] [[2008]] edition of ''SmackDown'', where a new set debuted that is shared among all three WWE brands. Following the first broadcast in HD, the iconic [[exclamation mark]] used since the show's inception was removed from all references pertaining to "SmackDown" including the official logo. <ref name="HD"> {{cite web|title=WWE Goes HD|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_01_14.jsp|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-01-15}}</ref>

===Special episodes===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Episode title
!Date
!Rating
!Note
|-
|''SmackDown!'' Xtreme
|[[February 1]] [[2001]]
| 4.0<ref name=WIA>{{cite web|url=http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfsmck.htm|accessdate=2007-12-28|title=SmackDown! ratings history|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
|{{small|One night special. Series [[Television pilot|pilot episode]].}}
|-
|[[September 11th attacks|9/11]] Tribute
|[[September 13]] [[2001]]
| 3.6<ref name=WIA/>
|{{small|Tribute in memory of 9/11.}}
|-
|Christmas from Baghdad
|[[December 25]] [[2003]]
| 3.0
|{{small|Honored [[Military of the United States|American armed forces]].}}
|-
|Christmas from Baghdad
|[[December 23]] [[2004]]
| 3.0
|{{small|Honored [[Military of the United States|American armed forces]].}}
|-
|SmackDown! Night of Champions
|[[December 30]] [[2004]]
|
|
|-
|[[Eddie Guerrero#Aftermath|Eddie Guerrero Tribute Show]]
|[[November 18]] [[2005]]
| 3.1<ref name=WIA/>
|{{small|Tribute in memory of [[Eddie Guerrero]].}}
|-
|SmackDown! Special
|[[November 25]] [[2005]]
|
|
|-
|Best of SmackDown! 2005
|[[December 23]] 2005
|1.8
|{{small|Featured clips from matches of 2005}}
|-
|''SmackDown!'' 400th episode
|[[April 20]] [[2007]]
| 2.4<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carlson316wrestling.net/wwe/tvratings/smackdown/2007.html|accessdate=2008-01-22|title=SmackDown 2007 TV Ratings|publisher=Carlson Wrestling}}</ref>
|{{small|Celebrated 400th episode.}}
|-
|WWE Best of 2007
|[[December 28]] [[2007]]
| 2.5<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling101.com/101/newsitem/4851/|accessdate=2008-01-22|title=WWE:SmackDown! Rating for December 28, 2007|last=Haslett|first=Cassidy|publisher=Wrestling 101|date=2007-12-29}}</ref>
|{{small|Featured clips from matches of 2007}}
|-
|''SmackDown'' All-Star Kick-Off
|[[October 3]] [[2008]]
|
|{{small|Featured a Champion .vs. Champion .vs. Champion Match}}
|}

:''Seasonal rankings (based on average total estimated viewers per episode) of SmackDown! on UPN and The CW''
[[Image:Smackdownset00.jpg|right|175px|thumb|''WWF SmackDown!'' set used 1999-2001]]
{| class="wikitable" width=55% |
|-
! Season
! Timeslot
! Network
! Season
! Rank
! Viewers<br />(in millions)
|-
| 1st
| Thursday 8/7C
| [[UPN]]
| 1999-2000
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
|style="text-align:center" | 7.2<ref name="a0102">{{cite web|url=http://www.quotenmeter.de/index.php?newsid=9946|title=Primetime wrap 1999-00}}</ref>
|-
| 2nd
| Thursday 8/7C
| UPN
| 2000-2001
| style="text-align:center" | 90
| style="text-align:center" | 7.1<ref name="b0203">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20030620234732/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/gofuton.cgi?action=ratings&type=seasontodate&season=20002001|title=Primetime wrap 2000-01}}</ref>
|-
| 3rd
| Thursday 8/7C
| UPN
| 2001-2002
| style="text-align:center" | 111
| style="text-align:center" | 6.5<ref name="c0304">{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm|title=Primetime wrap 2001-02}}</ref>
|-
| 4th
| Thursday 8/7C
| UPN
| 2002-2003
| style="text-align:center" | 114
| style="text-align:center" | 5.4<ref name="d0405">{{cite web|url=http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.tv/browse_thread/thread/ee82c0640bcaeb06/82c78e0fe7710443?lnk=st&q=%22practice%22++2002-03+%22primetime%22+friends+survivor&rnum=1&hl=en#82c78e0fe7710443|title=Primetime wrap 2002-03}}</ref>
|-
| 5th
| Thursday 8/7C
| UPN
| 2003-2004
| style="text-align:center" | 140
| style="text-align:center" | 5.1<ref name="e0506">{{cite news|url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_12|title=Primetime wrap 2003-04}}</ref>
|-
| 6th
| Thursday 8/7C
| UPN
| 2004-2005
| style="text-align:center" | 106
| style="text-align:center" | 5.1<ref name="f0607">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471|title=Primetime wrap 2004-05}}</ref>
|-
| 7th
| Friday 8/7C
| UPN
| 2005-2006
| style="text-align:center" | 120
| style="text-align:center" | 4.3<ref name="g0708">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393|title=Primetime wrap 2005-06}}</ref>
|-
| 8th
| Friday 8/7C
| [[The CW Television Network|CW]]
| 2006-2007
| style="text-align:center" | 120
| style="text-align:center" | 4.5<ref name="h0809">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f?pn=2|title=Primetime wrap 2006-07}}</ref>
|-
| 9th
| Friday 8/7C
| CW
| 2007-2008
| style="text-align:center" | 120
| style="text-align:center" | 6.4<ref name="h0809">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfddlbcb53566ad8d9a71cad261604f?pn=2|title=Primetime wrap 2008-2009}}</ref>
|-
| 10th
| Friday 8/7C
| [[MyNetworkTV]]
| 2008-2009
|
|
|-
|}

==On-air personalities==
===Champions===
{| class="wikitable"
!Championship
!Current champion(s)
!Date won
!Date aired
!Notes
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|[[WWE Championship]]
|[[Triple H]]
|[[April 27]] [[2008]]
|[[April 27]] [[2008]]
|
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|[[WWE United States Championship]]
|[[Shelton Benjamin]]
|[[July 20]] [[2008]]
|[[July 20]] [[2008]]
|
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|[[WWE Divas Championship]]
|[[Michelle McCool]]
|[[July 20]] [[2008]]
|[[July 20]] [[2008]]
|{{small|Became the first Diva's Champion in WWE history.}}
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|[[WWE Tag Team Championship]]
|[[Carly Colón|Carlito]] and [[Eddie Colón|Primo Colón]]<ref name=WV-tapings>{{cite web | first = Adam | last = Martin | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1222057185.shtml | title = Friday Night Smackdown Tapings - Columbus (Last show on CW) | date = 2008-09-22 | accessdate = 2008-09-22 | publisher = WrestleView.com}}</ref>
|[[September 21]] [[2008]]
|[[September 26]] [[2008]]
|
|-
|}

===General Managers===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General Managers 2|General Manager]]
! Date Started
! Date Finished
! Notes
|-
| [[Stephanie McMahon]]
| [[July 18]] [[2002]]
| [[October 19]] [[2003]]
| {{small|Fired after losing an [["I Quit" match]] to [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]].}}
|-
| [[Paul Heyman]]
| [[October 23]] [[2003]]
| [[March 22]] [[2004]]
| {{small|Quit position after [[2004 WWE Draft|drafted]] to Raw.}}
|-
| [[Kurt Angle]]
| [[March 25]] [[2004]]
| [[July 22]] [[2004]]
| {{small|Fired by Mr. McMahon for faking injury as GM, but was put back on active roster.}}
|-
| [[Theodore Long]]
| [[July 29]] [[2004]]
| [[September 21]] [[2007]]
| {{small|[[Vickie Guerrero]] acted as "[[Professional wrestling authority figures#SmackDown brand authorities|Assistant General Manager]]" from May - September 2007.}}
|-
| '''[[Vickie Guerrero]]'''
| '''[[September 28]] [[2007]]'''
| '''Present'''
| {{small|Became General Manager after Long had a heart attack. Long served as "Assistant General Manager" from November 2007 - May 2008.}}
|}

===Commentators===
{| class="wikitable"
!Commentators
!Year(s)
|-
|[[Michael Cole]] and [[Jim Cornette]]
|Special - April 29th, 1999
|-
|[[Jim Ross]] and [[Jerry Lawler]]
|Pilot - August 26th, 1999
|-
|Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler
|September 1999 - February 2001
|-
|Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler
|November 2001 - March 2002
|-
|Michael Cole and Tazz
|February 2001 - June 2006
|-
|Michael Cole and [[John Layfield|JBL]]
|June 2006 - December 2007
|-
|Michael Cole and [[Jonathan Coachman]]
|January 2008 - April 2008
|-
|Michael Cole and [[Mick Foley]]
|April 2008- June 2008
|-
|Jim Ross and Mick Foley
|June 2008 - August 2008
|-
|'''Jim Ross and Tazz'''
| '''August 2008 - Present'''
|}

===Ring announcers===
{| class="wikitable"
!Ring announcer
!Year(s)
|-
|[[Tony Chimel]]
|April 1999 - September 2007
|-
|'''[[Justin Roberts]]'''
|'''September 2007 - Present'''
|}

===Recurring segments===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Segment
!Host
!Year(s)
!Notes
|-
|[[Piper's Pit]]
|[[Roddy Piper]]
| 2003
|{{small|In-ring [[Promo (professional wrestling)|interview]] segment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030410.html|title=SmackDown! results - April 10, 2003|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>}}
|-
|[[WWE Tough Enough|$1,000,000 Tough Enough]]
|[[Al Snow]]
| 2004
|{{small|WWE Tough Enough competition segment.}}
|-
|Kurt Angle Invitational
|[[Kurt Angle]]
| 2004 - 2005
|{{small|Three minute match challenge for Angle's [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] [[Gold medal|Gold Medals]].<br/>Discontinued after Angle was [[2005 WWE Draft Lottery|drafted]] to [[WWE Raw|Raw]].}}
|-
|Carlito's Cabana
|[[Carly Colón|Carlito]]
| 2005; 2008-present
|{{small|In-ring interview segment.<br/>Discontinued after Carlito was [[2005 WWE Draft Lottery|drafted]] to [[WWE Raw|Raw]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050414.html|title=SmackDown! results - April 15, 2005|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>}}
|-
|Peep Show
|[[Jason Reso|Christian]]
| 2005
|{{small|In-ring interview segment.<br/>Discontinued following Christian's departure from WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050818.html|title=SmackDown! results - August 18, 2005|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>}}
|-
|[[WWE Diva Search]]
|[[Mike Mizanin|The Miz]]
| 2006
|{{small|WWE Diva Search competition segment.}}
|-
|Miz TV
|[[Mike Mizanin|The Miz]]
| 2007
|{{small|In-ring interview segment.<br/>Discontinued after Miz was [[2007 WWE Draft|drafted]] to [[Extreme Championship Wrestling (WWE)|ECW]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070309.html|title= SmackDown! results - March 09, 2007|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>}}
|-
|Masterlock Challenge
|[[Chris Mordetzky|Chris Masters]]
| 2007
|{{small|[[Submission wrestling|Submission]] challenge to break Masters' [[Professional wrestling holds#Full nelson|Masterlock]] hold.<br/>Discontinued following Masters' departure from WWE.}}
|-
|'''The Cutting Edge'''
|'''[[Adam Copeland|Edge]]'''
|'''2007 - present'''
|{{small|In-ring interview segment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070601.html|title= SmackDown! results - June 01, 2007|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>}}
|-
|'''V.I.P. Lounge'''
|'''[[Montel Vontavious Porter|MVP]]'''
|'''2007 - present'''
|{{small|In-ring interview segment.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070817.html|title=SmackDown! results - August 17, 2007|accessdate= 2007-08-17|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>}}
|}

==International broadcasters==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Country !! Network
|-
| [[United States]] || [[The CW Television Network|The CW]] and [[American Forces Network|AFN Xtra]]
|-
| [[Israel]] || [[Sport 5|Sport 5+]]
|-
| [[Canada]] || [[The Score (television network)|The Score]] Network and [[E! (Canada)|E!]] Montreal
|-
| [[Turkey]] || ''S'nek''
|-
| [[Bangladesh]], [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] || [[Ten Sports]]
|-
| [[Germany]] || DSF
|-
| [[United Kingdom|UK]] and [[Republic of Ireland]] || [[Sky Sports|Sky Sports 3]]
|-
| [[Italy]] || [[Sky Italia]]
|-
| [[Finland]] || ''Urheilukanava''
|-
| [[Portugal]] || [[TVI (Portugal)|TVI]]
|-
| [[Dominican Republic]] || ''Antena Latina'' Channel 7
|-
| [[Puerto Rico]] || [[WAPA-TV|WAPA]] and [[The CW Television Network|The CW]]
|-
| [[Ecuador]] || Teleamazonas
|-
| [[Chile]] || [[Chilevisión]]
|-
| [[Malaysia]] || [[TV3 (Malaysia)|TV3]]
|-
| [[Samoa]] || [[SBC (Samoa)|SBC]]
|-
| [[Mexico]] || 52MX
|-
| [[Australia]] || [[FOX8]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxtel.com.au/channel/channel_38.html |title=Entertainment List|accessdate=2008-02-03|format=html|work=Foxtel channels}}</ref>
|-
| [[New Zealand]] || [[The Box (New Zealand TV channel)|The BOX]]
|-
| [[Bulgaria]] || GTV
|-
| [[Philippines]] || [[Jack TV]] and [[C/S]] on [[Radio Philippines Network|RPN]]
|-
| [[Peru]] || [[ATV (Peruvian Network)|ATV]]
|-
| [[Spain]] || [[Cuatro (channel)|Cuatro]]
|-
| [[Romania]] || TV Sport
|-
| [[Serbia]] || [[FOX Televizija]]
|-
| [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Middle East]] || [[Showtime Arabia]] and [[ShowSports]] 4
|-
| [[France]] || NT1
|-
| [[Japan]] || ''J Sports''
|-
| [[South Africa]] || [[e.tv]]
|-
| [[Fiji Islands]] || Super Channel (Channel 10)
|-
| [[El Salvador]] || VTV
|-
| [[Argentina]] || [[Canal 9 (Argentina)|Canal 9]]
|-
| [[Honduras]] || TVC Canal 5
|-
| [[Panama]] || Canal 4 RP
|-
| [[Singapore]] || Super Sports
|-
| [[South Korea]] || tvN
|-
| [[Belgium]] || [[AB3]]
|}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}}
*[[Current World Wrestling Entertainment employees#SmackDown brand|World Wrestling Entertainment roster (SmackDown Brand)]]
*[[WWE Velocity]]
*[[WWE Raw]]
*[[Extreme Championship Wrestling (WWE)]]

==External links==
*[http://www.mynetworktv.com/shows.php?show=71 ''WWE Friday Night SmackDown'' at MyNetworkTV.com]

{{WWE programs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Friday Night SmackDown!}}
[[Category:1999 television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990s American television series]]
[[Category:2000s American television series]]
[[Category:CW network shows]]
[[Category:UPN network shows]]
[[Category:MyNetworkTV shows]]
[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment television programs]]
[[Category:WWE SmackDown!]]

[[bar:SmackDown!]]
[[bg:SmackDown!]]
[[ca:Smackdown!]]
[[da:SmackDown!]]
[[de:SmackDown]]
[[el:WWE Smackdown]]
[[es:WWE Friday Night SmackDown!]]
[[fr:WWE Friday Night SmackDown!]]
[[gl:SmackDown!]]
[[id:Smackdown!]]
[[it:WWE Friday Night SmackDown]]
[[he:סמאקדאון]]
[[lt:Smackdown!]]
[[nl:WWE SmackDown!]]
[[ja:スマックダウン]]
[[no:WWE Friday Night SmackDown!]]
[[pt:WWE Friday Night SmackDown!]]
[[ro:WWE Friday Night SmackDown!]]
[[simple:WWE Friday Night SmackDown!]]
[[sr:Američko rvanje: Do koske]]
[[fi:SmackDown!]]
[[sv:SmackDown!]]
[[th:WWE SmackDown!]]
[[vi:SmackDown!]]
[[zh-yue:砌低你]]

Revision as of 14:41, 22 September 2008

Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=WWE_SmackDown&oldid=240235963"