WWE reportedly has no plans to change course for SmackDown on January 1, 2027, even though AEW is set to run a live New Year’s Smash edition of Dynamite the same night.
According to WrestleVotes Radio, via Fightful Select, WWE sources said the company will still tape the episode in advance on December 28 in Tampa, Florida.
WWE reportedly set up the schedule that way so talent won’t have to work on New Year’s Day. The decision will stand regardless of AEW’s plans for that night.
WWE also reportedly expects the special New Year’s Day SmackDown to draw lower viewership than a regular live episode. That projection is not based on going head-to-head with Dynamite but on the holiday season.
As previously reported, AEW will hold New Year’s Smash across two nights, with Dynamite on January 1, 2027, and Collision the following night. Both shows will air live from the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta.