WWE has officially announced a location swap for upcoming episodes of “Monday Night Raw” and “Friday Night SmackDown”. The quick change was explained by their busy schedule at the end of the year. They host “Saturday Night’s Main Event” in Salt Lake City and then go for Survivor Series: WarGames and John Cena’s final match.
The location changes automatically impact the WWE Live Holiday Tour in January 2026. SmackDown was scheduled for January 2 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Raw was scheduled for January 5 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. These venues eventually had to be changed. SmackDown will now take place in Buffalo on January 2, while Raw will take place in Brooklyn on January 5. Online gambling platforms like GGBet now have more time to adjust their betting odds and engage more fans.
SmackDown in Buffalo: Star Power on Display
WWE has already released a new promotion campaign for SmackDown in Buffalo, featuring Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Jacob Fatu, and other big names. All stars are involved in the major storylines within Survivor Series: WarGames and beyond.
Rhodes and McIntyre are currently scheduled for championship clashes at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Jade Cargill’s dominant run in the women’s division will also create huge momentum. With so many top-tier talents appearing on the Buffalo card, WWE aims to deliver a strong battle to its 2026 schedule. Survivor Series: WarGames will be held on November 29 at Petco Park in San Diego. John Cena’s farewell match will take place on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C. These significant events will set the tone for the major part of 2026.
Going for the Royal Rumble
The winter episodes of Raw and SmackDown will play a significant role in forming the 2026 Royal Rumble, which will be held on January 31. Public speculations have been in the air for a while. Sami Zayn is now viewed as the most likely candidate to win the Men’s Royal Rumble Match. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Bron Breakker also have high chances of making it to the WWE’s biggest show of the year.
Fans are always looking forward to women’s battles. Liv Morgan’s return and victory make up the biggest expectations. Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, and AJ Lee are also among the potential candidates to win the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. Raw and SmackDown episodes will depend on the results of WarGames, which will set up major storylines and define the lead-up to the Rumble.
WWE’s 2026 Expansion: The ESPN Deal
WWE continues to make major corporate moves. So, the event adjustments come along the way. WWE and ESPN have reached a massive agreement that makes all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) available exclusively on ESPN platforms in the United States. With that said, ESPN knows how to reach excellent deals with the biggest brands in sports. Their fans can now watch WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Money in the Bank on new platforms in 2026. The deal is worth around $325 million per year, marking a new chapter for WWE’s distribution strategy. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised the partnership, revealing excellent opportunities for the devoted fanbase.
Until the ESPN deal officially begins, WWE’s current broadcasting arrangements remain in place. Monday Night Raw will continue to air on Netflix under a 10-year, $5 billion global streaming deal. Meanwhile, SmackDown will stay with Peacock in the U.S. until 2029. WWE will eventually focus on the European tour, with SmackDown taking place at the Uber Arena in Berlin. The international expansion will take the company to new heights.
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