First-Ever SmackDown Live Episode After Brand Split Turns 10 Today
Ten years ago today, on July 26, 2016, the first-ever episode of SmackDown Live aired following WWE’s brand split.
What followed over the next several months was one of the most widely praised periods of WWE programming in recent memory.
With a roster featuring AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, John Cena, Randy Orton, and many others, SmackDown Live delivered consistently strong episodes on a weekly basis, becoming must-watch viewing for many fans.
The move to a live format also marked a significant change for SmackDown. The show had traditionally been taped on Tuesdays before airing later in the week on Thursdays or Fridays.
SmackDown Live was held live every Tuesday night, providing a new challenge for the roster. The format meant performers had to deliver in the moment, without the safety net of editing that came with the previously taped version of the show.
It is safe to say the roster at the time delivered, with the period continuing to be remembered fondly by fans as one of the strongest eras of SmackDown in recent memory.
In the main event of the show, Dolph Ziggler won a star-studded Six-Pack Challenge by defeating Baron Corbin, John Cena, AJ Styles, Apollo Crews, and Bray Wyatt. The victory earned Ziggler a WWE Championship opportunity, leading to a match against then-champion Dean Ambrose at that year’s SummerSlam event.
The SmackDown Live era lasted just over three years, running from July 26, 2016, until September 24, 2019. Following the move to FOX in October 2019, SmackDown returned to Friday nights and adopted a new chapter in the show’s history.
SmackDown Live was also complemented by the addition of Talking Smack, a live post-show talk program that analysed the night’s events. The show provided wrestlers with a platform to discuss their matches and further develop their characters outside of the ring. It is perhaps best remembered for the heated confrontation between The Miz and Daniel Bryan on the August 23 episode, which became one of the most memorable segments of the era.
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