Tonight, WWE will host SmackDown at the Nationwide Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, beginning a packed weekend of events including WWE NXT: The Great American Bash on Saturday, WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC and Peacock, and WWE Evolution 2 on Sunday. The WWE SummerSlam SmackDown surprise guests are expected to make a notable impact on the evening’s show.
Notable Appearances and Debuts Scheduled for SmackDown
Among the confirmed highlights, Sol Ruca will make her official main roster television debut tonight, competing against Alexa Bliss, Roxanne Perez, and Kairi Sane. This marks a significant step in her WWE career as she appears on SmackDown for the first time.
Additionally, Jelly Roll is slated to debut in the ring at WWE SummerSlam 2025, where he will team with Randy Orton in a tag team match. Plans indicate that Logan Paul will be involved in this match, likely opposing Jelly Roll and Orton.
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus is also backstage and scheduled for a segment with WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton. This encounter will serve as their final face-to-face meeting before their co-main event clash at WWE Evolution 2.
Backstage Activity and Dark Matches to Excite Live Audience
Several stars from WWE Raw are present backstage, including WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER, Jey Uso, and Sheamus. While these wrestlers are expected to participate in dark matches exclusively for the live Nashville crowd after the broadcast, their appearance on tonight’s televised show remains uncertain.
Implications for WWE’s Upcoming Events
The combination of key appearances, debuts, and surprises is set to create dynamic storylines heading into this weekend’s major WWE events. Trish Stratus’s involvement alongside Tiffany Stratton signals an escalating build-up to their significant bout at WWE Evolution 2, while Jelly Roll’s upcoming match with Randy Orton and Logan Paul at SummerSlam 2025 suggests fresh new directions for WWE’s talent roster.
These developments underscore WWE’s commitment to blending established stars and new talent, aiming to maintain audience engagement across multiple platforms, including live events and Peacock broadcasts.
“This will be her official TV debut on WWE’s main roster.”
—PWInsider Elite
“She will have her final face-to-face segment with WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton ahead of their co-main event showdown at WWE Evolution 2.”
—PWInsider Elite
“Several RAW stars are also backstage, including WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER, ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso and Sheamus.”
—PWInsider Elite
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WWE 100% acting?
A. Unlike other types of entertainment, wrestlers often stay in character even when not on stage. This commitment to making the scripted story seem real is called kayfabe. When a wrestler stops doing this, it’s similar to an actor stepping out of character.
Q. Does WWE pay Netflix?
A. WOODS: Netflix has entered into a $5 billion agreement with WWE. They will exclusively stream the show for the next ten years. This isn’t Netflix’s only sports agreement. They have also obtained rights to show National Football League games and the Women’s World Cup.
Q. Is WWE paying Netflix?
A. WOODS: Netflix has made a $5 billion agreement with WWE, securing exclusive rights to the show for the next ten years. This isn’t the only live sports agreement Netflix has made.
Q. Is Netflix paying WWE?
A. UNKNOWN SPEAKER: Welcome to Netflix’s Raw.
WOODS: Netflix has a $5 billion contract with WWE, granting them exclusive rights to air the show for ten years.
