Why is WWE pre-taping upcoming SmackDown show following June 30th episode of Raw?
(Courtesy : WWE)
WWE SmackDown will be pre-taped on June 30 after RAW
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will return to Saudi Arabia on June 27 with a special episode of SmackDown, followed by Night of Champions on Saturday, June 28.
Both events will be hosted in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The post-NOC RAW is set on June 30 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. However, no date for the blue brand exhibition was previously scheduled for that week, which occurs on July 4.
The adjustment was most likely caused by the company’s decision to give employees a day off for Independence Day in the United States. WWE has set a 5:30 p.m. start time for the June 30 show in Pittsburgh, and the arena has now announced it on X/Twitter.
“Breaking News: Our previously scheduled WWE Monday Night Raw will now include Friday Night SmackDown on June 30th right here in Pittsburgh! TWO SHOWS, ONE NIGHT! Get your tickets now!,” wrote PPG Paints Arena with the graphic below.
WWE will now tape both weekly episodes on the same night, only two days following Night of Champions. The June 30 event at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh will be a double-taping with a live RAW and SmackDown, which will air on Friday, July 4.
Recent WWE SmackDown viewership saw a boost
Last Friday’s program of WWE SmackDown on the USA Network drew 1.383 million viewers, up from 1.29 million the week before. The critical 18-49 demographic, however, had a 0.33 rating, the lowest thus far in 2025. The prior week’s episode had a 0.36 rating.
SmackDown ranked fourth in the key demographic on television that night. TNT’s NBA playoff game between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers ranked first with 5.839 million viewers and a 1.83 rating. Inside the NBA on TNT came in second, while the NHL playoff game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars was third for the night.
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