Excitement crackles in the air as WWE embarks on a new chapter, spearheaded by the visionary duo of Paul Levesque and Nick Khan.
With a commitment to elevating creative, production, talent relations, and the fan experience, the company is poised for a dynamic future.
A key marker of this new era arrives on Friday, June 28th, as SmackDown returns to the legendary Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
Tickets for this momentous event flew off the shelves, selling out in record time. Interestingly, reports from WrestleTix suggest a “minimal stage setup” for this taping, sparking curiosity about whether this signals a permanent aesthetic shift for SmackDown.
This return to Madison Square Garden guarantees a night to remember. The December 2023 non-televised live event at this esteemed venue shattered attendance records, drawing a crowd of over 15,800, solidifying the passionate fanbase in New York City.
While matches and segments for the upcoming live event haven’t been officially announced yet, fans can expect the company to pull out all the stops for this historic occasion.
Adding further fuel to the excitement is the confirmed presence of the newly crowned Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Cody Rhodes.
SOCIAL is the code for the MSG show. They are opting for the minimal stage setup for this show.
🔗 https://t.co/PtCiNTl4E6 pic.twitter.com/Eun5hTKyl3
— WrestleTix (@WrestleTix) April 10, 2024
Fresh off his epic WrestleMania victory over Roman Reigns, “The American Nightmare” will address the SmackDown audience for the first time as champion.
Fans are also eagerly anticipating Bayley’s appearance, where she’ll discuss her WrestleMania win over IYO SKY and her future following the dissolution of Damage CTRL.
The list of advertised Superstars for this blockbuster event includes heavy hitters like Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, Rey Mysterio, Bayley, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley, and Bianca Belair.
However, fans can expect more names to be added to the mix as the date approaches.
Looking ahead to the near future, Cody Rhodes is expected to defend his coveted title at Backlash France on Saturday, May 4th. Following that, the King and Queen of the Ring pay-per-view awaits on May 25th.
While an official date hasn’t been announced yet, Rhodes’ first title defense will be against Jey Uso, a Superstar currently on the RAW roster who secured the challenge through a Fatal Four-Way match.
With a champion at the peak of his career, a historic venue primed for action, and a new era promising a revitalized WWE experience, the upcoming SmackDown at Madison Square Garden promises to be a night etched in wrestling history.
