Latest news with #USANetwork
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Reportedly Making Another Major Change To SmackDown
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new report indicates that WWE SmackDown will return to its traditional two-hour broadcast format sooner than expected. The show had been airing for three hours since the beginning of the year. According to PWInsider, the change will take effect starting with the July 4th episode. That holiday episode will be pre-taped on May 30th following a live Raw in Pittsburgh. SmackDown: Earlier Return To Two Hours This new timeline is earlier than what was previously indicated by USA Network's fall schedule. A recent announcement for a new series, "The Rainmaker," had it premiering in SmackDown's 10 p.m. Eastern time slot on August 15. That announcement confirmed the show would eventually revert to two hours. This new report now pinpoints the exact date as July 4th. Paul "Triple H" Levesque looks on during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Paul "Triple H" Levesque looks on during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Context For The Change On a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the likely financial reasons behind the move. He suggested that WWE was probably not earning significant additional revenue for the third hour. "I guess the way they signed the contract, they must have given USA the option," Meltzer said. "Because if they were making more money on the deal, it absolutely would have been said at the investors call and we would have seen it." More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A Temporary Expansion When SmackDown initially expanded to three hours in January 2025, WWE executive Triple H indicated the move was not expected to be permanent. Fans who felt the three-hour runtime was too long will now see the show return to its original length this summer. The return to a two-hour format will align SmackDown with the runtime of WWE's other main roster show, Monday Night Raw. Since debuting on Thursday nights in 1999, WWE SmackDown has had a varied broadcast history. The show famously moved to Friday nights in 2005, a time slot it held for nearly a decade across multiple networks like The CW and Syfy. After a brief return to Thursdays in 2015, SmackDown was reborn in 2016 as the live, Tuesday night SmackDown Live during the brand extension, positioning it as an equal to Raw. Its biggest move came in 2019 with a high-profile return to Fridays on the FOX broadcast network before eventually moving back to the USA Network. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE SmackDown returns to its classic two-hour format this July
WWE SmackDown WWE SmackDown is getting ready for a big change this summer. After running for three hours every Friday night since early 2025, the show is now expected to go back to its original two-hour format. This move is happening because of a new TV series that will air on USA Network later this year. SmackDown became a three-hour show as part of a short-term deal between WWE and USA Network. This was when Raw was preparing to move to Netflix. Now, with a new show taking over the 10 PM slot on Fridays, SmackDown won't be able to continue with its third hour. Two-hour format likely to begin July 4 According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, WWE is planning to drop the third hour starting with the July 4 episode. This means SmackDown will return to the two-hour format very soon, even before the new series airs. USA Network will debut its new legal drama called Rainmaker on August 15 at 10 PM ET. This show will air every Friday, which forces SmackDown to end before that time. There has been no official announcement from WWE or TKO yet, but this change has been in discussion for a while. Back in January, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H had already mentioned that the third hour would be temporary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo SmackDown originally became three hours long to help WWE manage content during the transition to Netflix. But the extra hour was never meant to last forever. What does this mean for WWE and the fans Going back to two hours will affect how WWE runs SmackDown each week. With three hours, there was more time for matches, promos, and major returns. Recently, SmackDown featured big names like John Cena and Randy Orton , and held first-round matches for the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. Even with tough TV competition, SmackDown still drew strong ratings. But with two hours, WWE will need to be more focused in how they use their time. This could lead to tighter storylines and faster-paced episodes. Many fans might welcome the change, as three hours sometimes felt too long. The upcoming change was also confirmed by a Variety report, which stated that Rainmaker will start airing on August 15 and take over the 10 PM time slot. The show will star actors like John Slattery and Lana Parrilla and is expected to run for 10 episodes. PWInsider reported that the show is expected to go to two hours starting July 4. Mike Johnson also mentioned that episodes of the Blue Brand will likely return to the old two-hour format well before the new series airs. While WWE has not officially confirmed the change, all signs suggest that SmackDown will return to two hours beginning next month. Also Read: Hulk Hogan NOT in his deathbed - Baseless rumors debunked about WWE legend Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Fans got him back' - Shotzi Blackheart shares her thoughts about R-Truth's WWE return
Shotzi Blackheart and R-Truth (Image via WWE) The wrestling world is so excited after Ron 'R-Truth' Killings made his return to WWE. His comeback made many fans happy and shows that their voices can make a big change. R-Truth's return is a big moment not just for him, but for wrestling fans everywhere. R-Truth's return was a big surprise for many. Just a few days after WWE let him go, he was back in action, closing the Money in the Bank event alongside superstar John Cena . This surprise return has gotten everyone talking, and someone who's really happy about it is Shotzi Blackheart. What Shotzi Blackheart thinks about R-Truth's return During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, former WWE superstar Shotzi Blackheart shared her thoughts on R-Truth's return. Blackheart said, 'I do think that they actually let him go. I just feel like, because also at the same time Carlito and Sarah Logan, they told them that their contract wasn't getting renewed so I think it would be really messed up of WWE to capitalize on that.' Joe Pyfer and Shotzi Blackheart IN STUDIO, Diego x Yair Feud, Canelo v Crawford on Netflix | 6/10/25 Blackheart also made a strong point about the power wrestling fans have in making things happen. 'I think that fans got him back. I think the fans got him back and that just shows you how much power the fans do have sometimes, so I think that's really cool. He's 53. That just gives us hope that- I could be 53-years-old and be put in some crazy storyline still.' The superstar made it clear that the fans made their voices heard, and WWE listened. Triple H has commented on R-Truth's return While many wrestling fans celebrated R-Truth's return, WWE's Chief Content Officer, Triple H, kept things a little confusing. His comments made many people think there might be more to the story. At a press conference after the Money in the Bank event, when someone asked him about R-Truth's return, Triple H casually said, 'You enjoying the show? All part of the show, man.' Some reports say wrestling insiders were confused by this. Some think WWE made him a new deal after seeing the strong reaction both online and in arenas following his departure. Triple H talks about R-Truth Whatever happened, R-Truth is back in WWE, and he's currently scheduled to face John Cena in a rematch on the next episode of Friday Night SmackDown on June 20. The showdown is set to take place at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it will air live on USA Network at 8 p.m. EST. Overall, R-Truth's return is a moment to celebrate. It brings happiness not just to him but to wrestling fans who missed him. His comeback signals that there's always a chance for a superstar to make a strong return, regardless of age or struggles. Also Read: Ron Killings returns on WWE RAW with emotional promo, says goodbye to R-Truth
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch U.S. Open Final Round: Live Stream Sunday PGA Tour Golf, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The final round of the 2025 U.S. Open Golf Championship takes place on Sunday with three golfers at the top of the leaderboard within one stroke of each other, setting up for a thrilling championship Sunday. Adam Scott of Australia celebrates after a putt on the 17th green during the third round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 14, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Adam Scott of Australia celebrates after a putt on the 17th green during the third round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 14, 2025 in Oakmont, to Watch the 2025 US Open - Final Round Date: Sunday, June 14, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. ET (Morning Coverage), 12:00 p.m. ET (Main Coverage) Channel: USA Network, NBC Stream: Fubo (try for free) The U.S. Open has a prize purse of $21.5 million this year and has been taking place at the Oakmont Country Club in beautiful Pennsylvania. Currently atop the leaderboard is American golfer Sam Burns at four under par. Burns shot one under par in the third round on Saturday to maintain a one-stroke lead at the top of the leaderboard. In second place is JJ Spaun. Spaun has one win in his PGA Tour history and one win in the Korn Ferry Tour in his career history, making him a fun underdog story heading into Sunday. Tied with Spaun for second place is Australian golfer Adam Scott. The 44-year-old with one major tournament win on his resume, the 2013 Masters, will be looking to win the second major of his career. Scott has 14 PGA Tour and 11 European Tour wins in his career so far. Also lurking just behind the leader is Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland at one under par. Hovland has placed second at a major once in his career, at the 2023 Masters, but has never won a major despite having seven PGA Tour wins in his career. Live stream the 2025 US Open Golf Championship final round for free on Fubo: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply.
NBC Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
NOTES AND QUOTES – NBC SPORTS' COVERAGE OF THE 125TH U.S. OPEN (THIRD ROUND)
Sunday's Final Round Coverage Begins at 9 a.m. ET on USA Network and Continues on NBC and Peacock at Noon ET 'He answered a lot of questions about himself today – but tomorrow will be the biggest day of his career.' – Dan Hicks on Sam Burns (-4, Leader) 'It really seems like physically and mentally that Adam Scott is in complete control of his game and his mind.' – Smylie Kaufman on Scott (-3, T-2nd) 'If he were to go on to win tomorrow, remember that shot today.' - Terry Gannon on Viktor Hovland's shot from the rough on No. 17 to a few feet Mini Episodes of the GOLF Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav Post Nightly STAMFORD, Conn. – June 14, 2025 – NBC Sports presented third round coverage of the 125th U.S. Open from Oakmont Country Club on NBC, Peacock, and USA Network, including on-site post-round coverage on Golf Central Live From the U.S. Open on GOLF Channel. Sunday's final round coverage begins at 9 a.m. ET on USA Network and continues on NBC and Peacock at noon ET. Saturday's coverage included a visit to the broadcast booth by 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus, who won his first major title at the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont. 125th U.S. Open – Third Round Leaderboard ON SAM BURNS (-4, Leader) Hicks: 'He answered a lot of questions about himself today – but tomorrow will be the biggest day of his career.' Terry Gannon on his par at No. 7: 'That's a U.S. Open par.' Kisner on his pre-shot routine: 'He does his routine almost every single shot I've ever seen him hit. He's always trying to keep that club face outside of his hands and he checks it with his eyes before he goes back to set and hit his shot. That routine gets him super comfortable with where he's putting the golf club on every swing.' Brad Faxon on Burns' putting following birdie on No. 13: 'Scottie Scheffler has said that Sam is one of these guys that has good fundamentals, good instincts and he putts very reactionary. That's a good compliment from the best in the world.' Kisner on Burns' long birdie putt left short from the front of No. 16: 'The guys have been leaving this putt short all day long.' Jim 'Bones' Mackay: 'It's funny – as the guys were walking up to the green, someone in the crowd was yelling that the guys have been short from the front of this green all day long.' ON ADAM SCOTT (-3, T-2nd) Hicks following Scott's birdie on No. 13: 'You get the feeling that Adam Scott is kind of a favorite? That was a heck or a roar.' Kaufman prior to his birdie on No. 17 to tie for the lead: 'This is a putt you almost expect to make has a player. Just a cup or two out on the right side, but I think that Adam Scott is licking his chops here. It really seems like physically and mentally that Adam Scott is in complete control of his game and his mind.' ON J.J. SPAUN (-3, T-2nd) Begay III: 'He's just been really solid in a lot of areas of the game…Really seems to be comfortable with his golf swing, but more important he's been comfortable in the moment.' Hicks: 'There is confidence in that putter.' Faxon: 'I think hearing what he said about his experience at the PLAYERS, playing against Rory when he said he was the most nervous he's ever been, particularly in the playoff on Monday morning...I really think that experience is going to help him down the stretch at Oakmont.' ON VIKTOR HOVLAND (-1, 4th) Faxon following his missed birdie on No. 7: 'It gets frustrating when you hit good shots and you don't make (the putts), you just have to remind yourself, 'I can keep doing this. I'm going to keep hitting good putts. I have to go through my process.'' Hicks after his birdie on No. 10: 'That's why Hovland says he has been in a good state of mind. Even though you're going to pick up bogeys like he did early in the round, he knows he's hitting well and he doesn't get into panic mode.' Kisner: 'I love this look in his face. He's just so stoic.' Smylie Kaufman: 'I talked to his caddie Shay Knight and he said just about every iron he has hit today, there's been a little bit more juice in it. There's been about four or five extra yards that there haven't expecting.' Terry Gannon on Hovland's shot from the rough on No. 17 to a few feet: 'If he were to go on to win tomorrow, remember that shot today.' ON TYRRELL HATTON (+1, T-6th) Kisner: 'He always seems to be around in these majors on the weekend.' Hicks: 'U.S. Open, Tyrrell Hatton, and Oakmont? Sign me up. Around this place, it could send even Hatton to a whole new level.' ON SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER (+4, T-11th) Hicks on Scheffler's putting today: 'He just hasn't been able to continue that really good putting streak that he's had by winning three of his last four starts.' Scheffler to Cara Banks post-round on the mental grind of Oakmont: 'Collin, Viktor and I were laughing in scoring yesterday because there was one instance yesterday where Collin kind of walked through my line because he got flustered by chipping it over the green. Viktor did the same thing on the hole before because he had played a little hockey and then I had messed up some scores on Collin's card so we're sitting there laughing in scoring like, 'What are we doing out there?' Maybe once or twice a year you mess up somebody's score, and I messed up two of Collin's yesterday so it's challenging in a lot of different senses and it's especially challenging when you're not hitting the ball where you're looking, but overall, I still have an outside chance going into tomorrow.' ON RORY MCILROY (+10, T-49th) Begay III on Rory McIlroy's performance: 'I give him a little bit of a pass with the career Grand Slam. Now he's just trying to figure out, 'What are my goals now?' For a decade, it was, 'I need to win The Masters.' What does he want his new set of goals to be to make his mark on the game?' JACK NICKLAUS WITH MIKE TIRICO Nicklaus to Tirico on winning his first major at the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont: 'I remember playing very well and managing my game. Barbara and I were 22-year-olds at the time. It was fun. Jackie with us was eight months old. It's a lot of things to remember but I remember I played basically 17 weeks in a row coming into the U.S. Open.' Nicklaus on playing with Arnold Palmer at Oakmont in 1962: 'People have asked me that a thousand times. I never heard the people. I was a 22-year-old kid with blinders on. I had one focus of mine at that's to win a golf tournament…I felt like this was my year and I came in here not realizing, or just dumb enough, to (not) know that there was a guy named Arnold Palmer that lived in western Pennsylvania. But anyway, I played well and Arnie played well. A lot of guys played well that week, we shot one-under par. That was a good score at a U.S. Open. And it still is.' Nicklaus on the mental approach of playing major events: 'The one thing you have to do is be patient. You know that you can't force things at a U.S. Open. When you force things, that's when you make mistakes, that's when you get killed…I always liked golf courses where par was important. I never liked a golf course where 20-under par was something that you strived for. It then became a putting contest, and you really can't play that way. You have to play a total different mindset on that type of a golf course. But here, Oakmont's a challenge. It's the roughest stuff, the fairways are appropriate width, the greens are usually firm and fast. It's what an Open should be.' ON OAKMONT Brandel Chamblee on the 2025 U.S. Open: 'It was kind of sleepy for the first two-and-a-half days or so. It's like the whole championship took a couple of Ambien. Then it was like the girl in Pulp Fiction that got stabbed with the adrenaline – it woke right up.' Mike Tirico on Oakmont: 'With the set up, it is the way the game is played today and the classic test of golf and where the two intersect. And that's why the leaderboard has some throwbacks there, guys who won majors ten, 12 years ago. It's an interesting mix. It's cool. It's not the same thing week-in, week-out and that's what makes all of it, plus the national championship on the line, so entertaining.' Kevin Kisner on if Oakmont is the toughest U.S. Open course: 'I'd rate it as the toughest mental test. I think it's relentless, it's exhausting. All day you're on the grind and just over and over again mentally, you just get beat up. I love that the premium here is driving the golf ball in the fairway, and that starts right there at the first…I really love the idea of what the USGA tries to accomplish and that's get every club in the bag dirty. I think that's a cool motto to try to accomplish.' Notah Begay III on the changing conditions at Oakmont: 'The golf course has changed a little bit with all the moisture that came overnight. The greens are more receptive and the fairways softer…It really favors the players that trap the ball a little bit more.' Gary Koch on making adjustments mid-tournament: 'So much of golf, at this level, is about knowing how to correct yourself. It's not like other sports where you have a manager or coach.' GOLF CHANNEL PODCAST WITH REX & LAV As part of NBC Sports' comprehensive U.S. Open coverage, new daily episodes of the GOLF Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav, hosted by senior writers Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner, will post nightly. The podcast sees the two longtime scribes discuss and debate the latest news and hottest topics in the sport, and this week's daily mini-pods will recap each round of the U.S. Open, discuss the major storylines from the championship, and look ahead to the following day's play. Click here to listen to the latest episode on YouTube and Apple Podcasts. --NBC SPORTS--
