How & Where to Watch WWE Smackdown

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WWE SmackDown now airs live on USA Network, which is available on five live TV streaming services. If you’re looking to watch WWE SmackDown without cable, there are several options available.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown recently moved from FOX back to USA Network, marking a homecoming for the show. SmackDown originally aired on USA Network in 1993, before moving to FOX in 2019. Prior to that, fans could watch SmackDown on UPN and The CW.

Despite the move to USA Network, recent episodes of SmackDown are still available on-demand through Peacock. New episodes will be added to Peacock 30 days after they premiere on USA Network, giving fans a chance to catch up.

This article explains how to watch SmackDown live on popular streaming devices like Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast with Google TV. By the way, Monday Night Raw is still on USA Network until it moves to Netflix in January 2025.

How to Watch WWE SmackDown without Cable

The weekly two-hour showdown takes place every Friday night, featuring popular wrestlers like Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, as well as iconic tag team rivalries like The Bloodline and #DIY.

Several live TV streaming services now carry USA Network, ESPN, A&E, and other channels that were once exclusive to cable and satellite. This means you can watch WWE SmackDown live on USA Network without needing a traditional TV package.

To get started, all you need is an internet connection or data plan.

Many streaming services also offer a free trial, allowing you to stream SmackDown live before subscribing. Whether you’re using a Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV, setting up the app is simple.

If you’re wondering how to watch WWE SmackDown on Roku or how to stream WWE SmackDown on your Smart TV, it’s as easy as downloading the app and logging in with your account.

Canceling a streaming service is just as easy, and it can be done through your online account at any time. Below is a quick look at the streaming services available and how to watch SmackDown live on each device, including Roku, Fire TV, and Smart TVs.

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) subscribers has local FOX stations, sports and entertainment channels. 

The Entertainment package has more than 75 TV channels for $79.99 per month. Subscribers can watch TV on an unlimited amount of screens in your home.

You can sign up for a 5-day free trial. ESPN, FS1 and TNT are included in the channel lineup. USA Network is included as well in the Entertainment plan.

You get unlimited Cloud DVR for recording sports and TV shows. There are more than 40,000 on-demand movies and shows. DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and smartphones and tablets

Subscriptions run month to month. You can cancel whenever you want. You can look over the different channel lineups and promotions they are currently offering. 

directv stream local channels
(photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Simultaneous Streams: Unlimited
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes

Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia.

Fubo

Fubo lets you watch Smackdown on USA Network when you subscribe to its entry-level Pro bundle. 

The Pro bundle has about 198 TV channels and unlimited Cloud DVR storage. ESPN, HGTV, AMC, USA Network, Big Ten Network and ACC Network are included in the Pro channel bundle.

Fubo subscribers get local channels including ABC, CBS, and NBC in most areas of the U.S. You can watch TV on 10 screens at once. A subscription costs $79.99 per month. fuboTV has a library of on-demand movies, and TV shows. 

fubotv-channels
(photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Pro$79.99/month198
Elite with Sports Plus$99.99/month300
Deluxe$109.99/month314 w/MGM+
Simultaneous Streams: 10
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes

Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One, along with Smart TVs by Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast TV. Android, iPhones and iPads with current iOS.

Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV has entertainment, sports, and local channels as part its 95 live TV channels.

The Live TV plan with Hulu includes ESPN, ESPN2, CNN, FS1, TNT and USA Network. There are a number of other TV channels that you would find on a cable TV package as well. 

You can stream TV on up to two screens at once. A subscription costs $76.99 per month, and now includes Disney+ and ESPN+. 

Hulu with Live TV comes with unlimited Cloud DVR so you can record sports, news, movies or whatever else you want.

Hulu’s channel lineup has local NBC, ABC and CBS stations across the U.S. You can look over the channel lineup to see what locals and regional sports networks are available for your area.

(Photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$76.99/month95+
Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$89.99/month95+
Simultaneous Streams: 2
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: Yes
Local Channels: Yes

Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.

Sling TV

Sling TV is an affordable way to live stream Friday Night Smackdown through the Blue plan.

The Blue plan has more than 42 channels, including NFL Network, FX, USA Network, Discovery, TNT, AMC, and MGM+ Drive In. Local FOX and NBC stations in some markets through Sling Blue as well.

A subscription is $40 per month, but Sling regularly offers discounts for the first month of service instead of a free trial. The Sling on-demand library is included in each bundle. Sling Blue subscribes can stream live TV on three screens at once.

The Sling Orange plan has 35 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, A&E, History and TNT. Sling Orange doesn’t carry USA Network, but you can add it to the Blue plan for an additional $15 per month. Subscribers get 50 hours of Cloud DVR with any plan.

There are no contracts or hidden fees when you sign up for Sling TV.

watch-nfl-games
Sling TV is an inexpensive option for ESPN. (Photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Orange$40/month35
Blue$40/month42 (Locals included)
Orange + Blue$55/month77
Simultaneous Streams: 1 (Orange plan); 3 (Blue plan)
Cloud DVR Storage: 50 hours
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes (limited markets, Blue plan)

Device support: AirTV Mini, Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast along with Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is another option for watching Friday Night Smackdown without a cable or satellite.

A subscription to the Base plan costs $64.99 per month, and carries local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations. 

ESPN, NBA TV, NFL Network, USA Network, TBS and TNT are included in the base channel plan. 

The YouTube Base plan lets you watch TV on three screens at once. YouTube TV has apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and Chromecast with Google TV.

You can check out the latest offer YouTube TV is making to new and returning customers.

youtube-tv-channels
(photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)
PLANPRICECHANNELS
YouTube TV$72.99/month128
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
Exclusive Content: No
Local Channels: Yes

Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.

No matter how you prefer to watch, there are plenty of ways to stream WWE SmackDown live without cable. Following your favorite WWE Superstars and tag teams has never been easier.

Whether you’re using a Roku, Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, or other streaming devices, services like DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV offer free trials and access to USA Network.

Peacock is a wallet-friendly option to watch WWE SmackDown on-demand once an episode hits the 30-day mark from airing live.

Start watching today and enjoy all the excitement of WWE SmackDown without the need for cable.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.