As noted earlier this week, FOX has big plans for WWE SmackDown Live when the show moves to their network in October.
One of the things they are working on is a bus tour, similar to the Lex Express tour that went across to different cities in 1993 during the weeks leading up to Lex Luger’s match against Yokozuna at SummerSlam. This was discussed by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.
“They are doing something where I guess they’re going to do the Lex Express modernized. Wrestlers will be in a moving truck going to different cities, big and small, and intermediate markets to promote starting on FOX in October,” Meltzer said. He added, “They are planning a digital primer where viewers can get a behind-the-scenes look at the product and to teach viewers inside wrestling terms.”
Another thing that was discussed at the meeting was that they want WWE to promoted as a legitimate sport and not entertainment. In addition, FOX plans on airing a one-hour special in September to get their viewers familiar with WWE. Fox Sports 1 has already committed to airing a weekly magazine-style show that will cover the happenings on Raw and SmackDown Live and there are talks to have NXT air on Wednesday nights on Fox Sports 1. If a deal is worked out, then the NXT show would air as counterprogramming to All Elite Wrestling, which is believed to be airing from 8-10 pm eastern on Wednesday night’s starting in October. AEW has trademarked “Wednesday Night Dynamite” so that seems to be the most likely night for the show.
The October 4th FOX debut episode is expected to have a lot of surprises with a red carpet, celebrities and some major names from the past expected to be there.
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