IWE SmackDown

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'''''IWE SmackDown''''' is a sports entertainment television program for [[IWE]]. As of 2010 it airs on Syfy in the United States as ''IWE Friday Night SmackDown''. The show's name is also used to refer to the SmackDown [[IWE Brand Extension|brand]], in which IWE employees are assigned to work and perform on that program; the other program and brand currently being [[IWE Raw|Raw]]. It is currently the only television broadcast for the SmackDown brand, though at one point ''[[IWE Velocity]]'' also featured SmackDown branded wrestling.
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'''''[[IWE]] SmackDown,''''' also known as '''''Thursday Night SmackDown,''''' simply known as '''''SmackDown''''' is a [[Sports Entertainment|sports entertainment]] [[Television Program|television program]] that debuted on August 26, 1999. Prior to September 1, 2005, ''SmackDown!'' was broadcast on Thursday nights; from September 9, 2005 to January 9, 2015, it was broadcast on Friday nights. The show returned to Thursday nights on January 15, 2015. ''SmackDown!'' originally debuted in the United States on the [[UPN (TV Network)|UPN]] [[Television Network|television network]] on April 29, 1999, but after the [[2006 United States Broadcast TV Realignment|merger of UPN and the WB]], ''SmackDown!'' began airing on [[The CW (TV Network)|The CW]] in September 2006. The show remained on the CW network for two years until it was moved to [[MyNetworkTV (TV Network)|MyNetworkTV]] in October 2008. ''SmackDown'' moved to [[SyFy (TV Netowrk)|Syfy]] on October 1, 2010 and remained there until December 31, 2015. A week later, on January 7, 2016, ''SmackDown'' moved to its sister channel, [[USA Network (TV Network)|USA Network]]. It complements ''[[IWE Raw]]'' as the second of IWE's two main weekly programs. Since its first episode, ''IWE SmackDown!'' has been broadcast from 162 different arenas, in 147 cities and towns, in seven different nations (the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Canada]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Iraq]] in [[IWE Tribute to the Troops#2006|2006]] and 2007 for specials [[IWE Tribute to the Troops|Tribute to the Troops]], [[Japan]] in 2005, [[Italy]] in 2007 and [[Mexico]] in 2011). Due to time differences, ''SmackDown!'' premieres a few hours earlier in [[Ireland]] and the [[United Kingdom]] and a day earlier in [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Singapore]] and [[Philippines]] than the [[United States]], except for live episodes. For international broadcast listings, [[#Broadcast|see below]]. The show celebrated its 15th anniversary on October 10, 2014.
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From its launch in 1999, ''SmackDown'' broadcast on Thursday nights, but on September 9, 2005, the show moved to Friday nights. The show originally debuted in the United States on the UPN television network on April 29, 1999, but after the merger of UPN and the WB, ''SmackDown'' began airing on The CW in 2006. The show remained on the CW network for two years until it was announced that it would move to MyNetworkTV in October 2008. ''SmackDown'' moved to Syfy on October 1, 2010.
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== History ==
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===Original format (1999–2005)===
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Due to time differences, ''SmackDown'' premieres a few hours earlier in Ireland and UK and a day earlier in Australia, India and Philippines than the United States. For international broadcast listings, [[#International broadcasters|see below]]. IWE SmackDown also airs on a three week tape delay in South Africa on private broadcaster e.tv, on Wednesdays at 8.30pm.
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==Show history==
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===Original format (1999-2002)===
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[[File:1999 IWF Smackdown (WWE).jpg|left|150px|thumb|The official set used from the show's debut in August 26, 1999 to August 9, 2001]]
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[[File:SmackDown!original.JPG|right|150px|thumb|The original ''IWF SmackDown!'' logo used from April 29, 1999 to August 9, 2001.]]
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The early set featured an oval-shaped [[JumboTron|TitanTron]] entrance and stage (dubbed the "OvalTron") which made it stand out from the ''Raw'' set with its rectangular TitanTrons. Later productions gained the ability to move the OvalTron either to the left or to the right of the stage. Throughout the show's early existence, [[Sam Simkins|The Rock]] routinely called ''SmackDown!'' "his" show, in reference to the fact that the name was derived from one of his catchphrases, "Layeth 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 entrance stage saw [[The Alliance|Alliance]] member [[Peter Gerin|Rhyno]] [[Spear|gore]] federation member [[Khris Jericho]] through the center screen, destroying part of the set. As a result of that incident, the new set consisted of a fist centered above the entrance, and many glass panes along the sides strongly resembling shattered glass
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===Brand Extension (2002-2005)===
===Brand Extension (2002-2005)===
*''Main article: [[IWE Brand Extension]]''
*''Main article: [[IWE Brand Extension]]''
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In spring 2002 IWE underwent a process which it called the "Brand Extension". IWE divided itself into two "de facto" wrestling promotions with separate rosters, storylines and [[Authority Figures|authority figure]]s. 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 the federation purchasing their two biggest competitors, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Xtreme Championship Wrestling (XCW), which resulted in the roster and championships doubling in size. The brand extension was publicly announced during a telecast of ''RAW'' on March 18, 2002, initiated with the first-ever draft a week later on the March 25, 2002 edition of Raw, and became official the following week on the April 1, 2002 edition of ''Raw''.
 
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Wrestlers would now become show-exclusive, wrestling for their specific show only. At the time this excluded the [[IWE Championship|IWE Undisputed Championship]] and [[IWE Women's Championship]], as those IWE titles would be defended on both shows. In August 2002, IWE Undisputed Champion [[Rob 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 (IWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] to Raw's designated #1 contender, [[Triple K]]. Because since the IWE Undisputed Championship was now SmackDown! exclusive it was no longer seen as "Undisputed". Following this, the IWE Women's Championship soon became Raw-exclusive as well. As a result of the Brand Extension, an annual "[[IWE Draft|draft lottery]]" was instituted to exchange members of each roster and generally refresh the lineups.
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===Changing channels (2006-2010)===
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====The CW (2006–2008)====
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This also marked the first time that IWE willingly censored blood by turning the screen grayscale whenever any on-camera shot of a bloodied face was shown. This practice did not start until a 2003 episode of ''SmackDown!'' aired featuring a match in which Brock Lesnar beat down [[Christopher Gown|Zach Gowen]]. In this match, Gowen did a blade job that bloodied his face so badly that UPN made a decision to blur the entire screen, simulating a technical problem with the camera that was in charge of showing Gowen. This scene was neither uncensored on the replay of the incident on Spike TV's [[IWE Velocity|Velocity]] (SmackDown!'s "B show") or in other countries (though the UK did cut out a separate Gowen/Lesnar scene, which Lesnar shoved Gowen down a fight of steps, a few weeks later). Though IWE did not censor this segment themselves, it has since, up to the initiative of going PG.
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====MyNetworkTV (2008–2010)====
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On June 6, 2005, IWE Champion Dustin Simpson switched brands from SmackDown! to Raw as part of the month-long [[IWE Draft#2005|Draft Lottery]]. This effectively left SmackDown! without a world title. On June 23, 2005, SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long announced a six-man elimination match between [[John Goff|John "Bradshaw" Goff]], [[Steve Britz|Booker T]], [[Kevin Hunter]], [[Martin McAlmond|The Undertaker]], [[Khristian]] (replacing [[Marc Beltran|The Big Show]], who was picked by Raw in the lottery), and [[Mark Hassan|Muhammad Hassan]] to crown the first SmackDown! Champion. On the June 30 episode of ''SmackDown!'', JBG won the match. Long appeared afterward and stated that even though JBG had won the match, SmackDown! did not need a Championship anymore. [[Jesse Dern|Batista]], the World Heavyweight Champion, entered the ring as SmackDown!'s final draft lottery pick. Long also revealed that JBG was the number one contender for the World Heavyweight championship.
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===NBCUniversal (2010-present)===
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====Syfy (2010–2015)====
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===Move to Friday nights with various networks (2005-present)===
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=====Return to Thursday nights (2015)=====
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====The CW====
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====USA Network (2016–present)====
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====MyNetworkTV====
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====Syfy====
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===Induction into Merriam-Webster===
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On July 10, 2007, Merriam-Webster announced it would induct the word ''smackdown'' into Webster's Dictionary. According to Merriam Webster, a "Smackdown" is:
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*The act of knocking down or bringing down an opponent
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*A contest in entertainment wrestling
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*A decisive defeat
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*A confrontation between rivals or competitors
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==Production==
==Production==
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IWE usually tapes ''SmackDown'' on Tuesday evenings and airs it on Friday evenings on Syfy the same week. Occasionally taping takes place on Monday nights before or after ''[[IWE Raw|Raw]]'' in what is called a "Supershow".
 
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As of 2011 ''SmackDown'' opens with "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day. Upon SmackDown's debut on Syfy it replaced the previous theme song "Let it Roll" by Divide the Day.
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===Theme music===
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{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 200px; style="font-size: 110%; "
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|- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
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! style="background:#bcbcbc;"|Song Title
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! style="background:#bcbcbc;"|Written and/or Sung by
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! style="background:#bcbcbc;"|Dates used
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! style="background:#bcbcbc;"|Ref
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|}
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The show began broadcasting in HD beginning with the January 25, 2008 edition of ''SmackDown'', where a new set debuted — shared between both IWE brands. Following the first broadcast in HD, the iconic exclamation mark used since the show's inception disappeared from all references pertaining to "SmackDown", including the official logo.
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==Cultural references==
===Special episodes===
===Special episodes===
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===Seasonal rankings===
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{{main|List of WWE SmackDown special episodes}}
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Throughout its broadcast history, the show has aired editions that have different themes. These include tributes to various professional wrestlers who have recently died or retired from actively performing, as well as episodes commemorating various show milestones or anniversaries.
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''<small>(based on average total estimated viewers per episode) of SmackDown! on UPN, The CW and MyNetworkTV</small>''
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==On-air personalities==
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{|
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:''Main article: [[List of WWE Smackdown On-air Personalities|List of IWE Smackdown on-air personalities]]''
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|-
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|1st
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|Thursday 8/7C
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|[[UPN (TV Channel)|UPN]]
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|1999–2000
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|style="text-align:center"|7.2
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|-
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|2nd
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|Thursday 8/7C
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|UPN
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|2000–2001
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|style="text-align:center"|7.1
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|-
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|3rd
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|Thursday 8/7C
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|UPN
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|2001–2002
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|style="text-align:center"|6.5
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|-
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|4th
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|Thursday 8/7C
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|UPN
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|2002–2003
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|style="text-align:center"|11.4
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|-
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|5th
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|Thursday 8/7C
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|UPN
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|2003–2004
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|style="text-align:center" |14.1
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|-
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|6th
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|Thursday 8/7C
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|UPN
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|2004–2005
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|style="text-align:center"|16.1
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|-
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|7th
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|Friday 8/7C
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|UPN
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|2005–2006
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|style="text-align:center" | 17.3
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|-
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|8th
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|Friday 8/7C
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|[[The CW (TV Channel)|CW]]
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|2006–2007
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|style="text-align:center" | 22.5
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|-
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|9th
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|Friday 8/7C
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|CW
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|2007–2008
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|style="text-align:center" | 14.6
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|-
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|10th
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|Friday 8/7C
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|[[MyNetworkTV]]
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|2008–2009
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|style="text-align:center" | 17.8
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|-
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|11th
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|Friday 8/7C
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|MyNetworkTV
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|2009–2010
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|style="text-align:center" | 20.2
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|-
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|12th
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|Friday 8/7C
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|[[SyFy (TV Channel)|Syfy]]
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|2010–2011
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|style="text-align:center" | 24.4
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|-
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|13th
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|Friday 8/7C
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|Syfy
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|2011–present
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|N/A
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|}
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==On-air personalities==
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==Champions==
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===Champions===
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:''See also: [[List of current champions in IWE]]''
:''See also: [[List of current champions in IWE]]''
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===Authority figures===
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==Broadcast==
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===Commentators===
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===Canada===
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{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 200px; style="font-size: 88%; "
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! Commentators || Dates
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|[[Michael Cole]] and [[Jim Cornette]]
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|April 29, 1999 (Pilot)
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|-
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|[[Jim Ross]] and [[Jerry Lawler]]
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|August 26, 1999 (Network Premiere)
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|-
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|Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler
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|September 2, 1999 - February 22, 2001<br/>November 22, 2001 - March 28, 2002<br/>October 23, 2009
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|-
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|Michael Cole and [[Tazz]]
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|February 22, 2001 - June 28, 2001<br/>August 2, 2001 - October 18, 2001<br/>April 4, 2002 - June 9, 2006
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|-
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|Michael Cole and Jim Ross
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|July 5, 2001 - August 2, 2001
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|-
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|Michael Cole and [[Paul Heyman]]
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|October 25, 2001 - November 15, 2001
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|-
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|Michael Cole and [[Ernest Miller]]
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|November 28, 2002
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|-
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|Michael Cole and [[John Goff|John "Bradshaw" Goff]]
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|June 16, 2006 - December 21, 2007
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|-
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|Michael Cole and [[Jonathan Coachman]]
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|January 4, 2008 - April 25, 2008
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|-
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|Michael Cole and [[Mick Foley]]
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|May 2, 2008 - June 16, 2008
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|-
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|Jim Ross and Mick Foley
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|June 23, 2008 - August 1, 2008
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|-
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|Jim Ross and Tazz
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|August 8, 2008 - April 3, 2009
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|-
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|Jim Ross and [[Todd Grisham]]
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|April 10, 2009 - October 9, 2009
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|-
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|Todd Grisham and Michael Cole
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|October 16, 2009
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|-
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|Todd Grisham and [[Matt Striker]]
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|October 30, 2009 – September 24, 2010
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|-
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|Todd Grisham, Michael Cole and Matt Striker
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|October 1, 2010 – December 3, 2010
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|-
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|[[Josh Mathews]], Michael Cole and Matt Striker
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|December 10, 2010 - January 28, 2011
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|-
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|Josh Mathews, Michael Cole and [[Steve Britz|Booker T]]
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|February 4, 2011 – July 27, 2012
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|-
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|Michael Cole and Guest Commentators
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|August 24, 2012
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|-
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|Josh Mathews and Michael Cole
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|November 29, 2011 – December 9, 2011<br>January 6, 2012<br>August 3, 2012 – October 5, 2012
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|-
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|'''Josh Mathews and John "Bradshaw" Goff'''
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|'''October 12, 2012 - present'''
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===Ring announcers===
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===Asia-Pacific and Africa===
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{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 200px; style="font-size: 88%; "
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! Ring Announcer || Dates || Notes
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|[[Tony Chimel]]*
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|April 1999 - August 2007<br>October 2009 – November 29, 2011<br>November 2, 2012
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|<small>Transferred to the [[XCW (IWE)|XCW]] brand in August 2007.<br>Transferred back to SmackDown following [[Lilian Garcia]]'s retirement from IWE.</small>
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|-
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|[[Justin Roberts]]
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|September 2007 - October 2009
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|<small>Transferred to the Raw brand following Lilian Garcia's retirement from IWE. Made one night apperances on December 10, 2010, March 11, 2011, and September 16, 2011</small>
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|-
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|[[Eden Stiles]]
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|July 15, 2011
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|<small>Stiles serves as the dual-branded ring announcer for [[IWE Superstars]] and substitute ring announcer for both shows</small>
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|-
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|'''[[Lilian Garcia]]'''
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|'''December 9, 2011–present'''
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|<small>Returned to IWE to take over for Tony Chimel.</small>
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(*) During the remainder of Chimel's run, If Chimel was absent from the NXT/SmackDown tapings, he would have substituted as ring announcer by RAW's Justin Roberts or IWE Superstars' Eden Stiles, who would also serve as NXT's ring announcer for that week's episode. Stiles has since been promoted to work NXT full-time until December 20 when she worked her final NXT/Smackdown taping as NXT and Superstars ring announcer.
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===Recurring segments===
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===Europe===
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==International broadcasters==
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===Online streaming===
==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 08:47, 15 February 2016

IWE Smackdown
Created by Vince Matteson
Format Sports entertainment
Professional wrestling
Starring Smackdown brand
Opening theme "This Life" by CFO$ (main)
"Born 2 Run" by 7Lions (bumper)
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 15
No. of episodes 797 (as of November 28, 2014)
Production
Running time 120 minutes (including commercials)
90 minutes(without commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel UPN (1999–2006)
The CW (2006–2008)
MyNetworkTV (2008–2010)
Syfy (2010–Present)
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Original run April 29, 1999 – present
Chronology
Related shows IWE Raw
IWE NXT
IWE Main Event
IWE Superstars
IWE Saturday Morning Slam
External links

IWE SmackDown, also known as Thursday Night SmackDown, simply known as SmackDown is a sports entertainment television program that debuted on August 26, 1999. Prior to September 1, 2005, SmackDown! was broadcast on Thursday nights; from September 9, 2005 to January 9, 2015, it was broadcast on Friday nights. The show returned to Thursday nights on January 15, 2015. SmackDown! originally debuted in the United States on the UPN television network on April 29, 1999, but after the merger of UPN and the WB, SmackDown! began airing on The CW in September 2006. The show remained on the CW network for two years until it was moved to MyNetworkTV in October 2008. SmackDown moved to Syfy on October 1, 2010 and remained there until December 31, 2015. A week later, on January 7, 2016, SmackDown moved to its sister channel, USA Network. It complements IWE Raw as the second of IWE's two main weekly programs. Since its first episode, IWE SmackDown! has been broadcast from 162 different arenas, in 147 cities and towns, in seven different nations (the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Iraq in 2006 and 2007 for specials Tribute to the Troops, Japan in 2005, Italy in 2007 and Mexico in 2011). Due to time differences, SmackDown! premieres a few hours earlier in Ireland and the United Kingdom and a day earlier in Australia, Canada, Singapore and Philippines than the United States, except for live episodes. For international broadcast listings, see below. The show celebrated its 15th anniversary on October 10, 2014.

Contents

History

Original format (1999–2005)

Brand Extension (2002-2005)

Changing channels (2006-2010)

The CW (2006–2008)

MyNetworkTV (2008–2010)

NBCUniversal (2010-present)

Syfy (2010–2015)

Return to Thursday nights (2015)

USA Network (2016–present)

Production

Theme music

Song Title Written and/or Sung by Dates used Ref

Cultural references

Special episodes

Main article: List of WWE SmackDown special episodes

Throughout its broadcast history, the show has aired editions that have different themes. These include tributes to various professional wrestlers who have recently died or retired from actively performing, as well as episodes commemorating various show milestones or anniversaries.

On-air personalities

Main article: List of IWE Smackdown on-air personalities

Champions

See also: List of current champions in IWE

Broadcast

Canada

Asia-Pacific and Africa

Europe

Online streaming

See also

References

External links

Retrieved from "http://editthis.info/iwe/IWE_SmackDown"
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