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Did you know WWE SmackDown is the US’s most viewed TV show on Friday nights? I’m not surprised, since it’s been a staple for many pro wrestling fans since childhood (including myself)! Now that it airs on USA Network, streaming with a service like Fubo or Sling TV is the easiest and cheapest way to watch.
In a hurry? These are the better streaming services I recommend to fellow wrestling fans wanting to watch WWE SmackDown:
All three services carry Wrestling. Pick based on your budget:
Best Overall
185+ channels including Wrestling, all major sports networks, and local channels. 7-day free trial – watch tonight, cancel anytime. Best if you want one service that “just works”, without piecing together bundles.
From $79.99/mo after free trial
Lowest Price
Carries Wrestling from $45.99/mo – roughly half the price of Fubo. Add channel packs if you want more. The lowest-cost route for Wrestling, if you are happy with a smaller bundle.
Most Channels
90+ channels including Wrestling – the closest thing to full cable without a contract. 5-day free trial, then from $59.99/mo.
Away from home? If your content is blocked, a VPN helps you keep streaming. Our top pick is ExpressVPN.
SmackDown is live on USA every Friday at 8:00 pm (ET). You can get USA on live streaming services, with other platforms providing replays of the show on-demand.
Some live specials air on Peacock and NBC throughout the year. As a local channel, NBC can be accessed with an antenna or streaming service that provides the network in your area.
Since all you need to watch SmackDown is USA, you can subscribe to one of the many streaming services that provide the network. I’ve had success watching WWE SmackDown with all of the following:
| Service | Price | Channels | Reviews |
| $79.99/month | 185+ | Fubo |
 | $45.99/month | 40+ | Sling |
 | $64.99/month | 125+ | DIRECTV |
| $82.99/month | 95+ | Hulu |
 | $82.99/month | 100+ | YouTube |
These options all come with DVRs so you can record shows and allow you to stream on multiple devices simultaneously. They work on almost every device, including smart TVs (eg, Samsung), iPhone and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, web browsers, and some gaming consoles (eg, Xbox and PlayStation).
Once you’ve signed up, download the app, sign in, and select USA when SmackDown is on.
WWE SmackDown shows aren’t aired live in real-time, so you don’t lose anything by watching episodes later on-demand — and I’ve found it’s cheaper to do it this way.
Peacock provides every WWE episode from 1999, enough to keep any wrestling fan going for a while! Peacock costs $10.99/month for its on-demand library, but it also has a premium tier for $13.99/month that includes a live NBC stream as well. If you think you’ll use Peacock year-round, you can buy an annual subscription to either plan for the price of ten months.
The only downside is having to wait 30 days after a show’s initial airdate for the new episode to become available on Peacock. But if you don’t mind waiting, this is definitely better value.
If you want to catch SmackDown without breaking the bank, Sling Blue is the way to go. It’s got FOX, so you’re covered for every Friday night smackdown, and it’s way cheaper than those other guys like Fubo. Sure, the DVR is a bit basic, but it gets the job done. The picture quality is great – no pixelated punches here! – and it works flawlessly on all my devices. Plus, Sling’s interface is a breeze to use, even for someone who’s not exactly a tech whiz. For the price and convenience, Sling Blue can’t be beat.
First airing on April 26, 1999, SmackDown was a standalone special produced by the American company World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In August of that year, the show was given a permanent weekly time slot on UPN.
Over the past 22 years, the show has featured a variety of stars such as Eddie Guerrero, Brock Lesnar, and the New Day. In 2016, WWE decided to make SmackDown its own brand complete with its own roster, championship, and storylines.
This show is currently headlined by Roman Reigns, who is the brand’s top champion. However, SmackDown was originally used to showcase The Rock, as he was one of the company’s top stars at the turn of the 21st century. The name of the show was taken from one of the many catchphrases he would use to insult, belittle, and taunt his opponents.
Attending the show live provides a unique perspective into what happens in the ring, because you won’t be subject to camera tricks or other tactics designed to prevent television viewers from seeing any mistakes made during a match.
You’ll also be able to watch untelevised matches before and after the broadcasted show and get the chance to buy your favorite wrestler’s merchandise (or even get an autograph).
WWE Friday Night SmackDown distinguishes itself from WWE Monday Night Raw and NXT with a blue color scheme, and you’ll often hear the show described as the blue brand by wrestlers, commentators, and fans.
SmackDown and AEW Rampage differ because they are owned by two separate entities: WWE by Vince McMahon and AEW by Tony Khan (who is related to Shad Khan, the owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars).
As of October 2024, SmackDown returned to the USA Network after moving to Fox in 2019; as part of this deal, on-demand episodes were removed from Hulu and moved to Peacock. New episodes are available on Peacock 30 days after their original air date.
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