MyNet Lands 'WWE Smackdown' for Fall

By Julieanne Smolinski

MyNetworkTV is the new home of World Wrestling Entertainment’s “Smackdown,” the network announced Tuesday. The two-hour program will begin airing weekly this fall.

“The momentum at MyNetworkTV continues with this major acquisition,” said MyNetworkTV President Greg Meidel. “We have demonstrated tremendous growth, and this partnership with WWE, the premier sports entertainment franchise in the world, is a perfect fit for our viewers, advertisers and affiliates.”

Wrestlers Edge, Rey Mysterio, Kane, Undertaker and others will continue to appear on the 9-year-old show, which previously aired on The CW.

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon added, “We are excited to add MyNetworkTV and its television affiliates to our family of global network partners. We have an unmatched record of delivering ratings success to each and every network partner we’ve worked with in our long and storied history. We fully intend to bring that same level of success to MyNetworkTV.”