WWE returns to Europe tonight with SmackDown live from the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, as the Friday night show air date falls two days ahead of Clash in Paris on August 31. The broadcast is set for Friday, August 29, 2025, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (2 a.m. Central European Summer Time).
How to watch
– USA Network: Live broadcast available as usual.
– DIRECTV: Free trial available, with $35 off the first month.
– FuboTV: $30 off the first month.
– Sling TV: Flexible options include Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly for $45.99, and a Season Pass for $199.99 covering five months, then $45.99 per month thereafter. Also offering half off the first month on Sling Orange and Sling Blue.
– Peacock: Premium monthly subscription is $10.99, or an annual option for $109.99 (saves about 17% upfront).
Upcoming content noted for fans is that SmackDown will also be available on Peacock later in the week after air time.
Tonight’s lineup and headline storyline
In a show packed with action, the on-air tease centers around John Cena’s reaction to Logan Paul’s blindside attack. The card also features two title-focused bouts headlining a preview of Clash in Paris:
– Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the United States Championship
– The Street Profits vs. Melo Don’t Miz for No. 1 Contenders Tag Team match
– Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Note: Card subject to change.
Watch and context
WWE SmackDown has a long history, debuting on April 29, 1999, and evolving through branding changes over the years. RAW airs Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern as a companion program. For fans who can’t catch the live broadcast, a recap and catalog of WWE content are made available on Peacock in the days following airtime.
What this means for Clash in Paris
With Clash in Paris scheduled for August 31, SmackDown from Lyon serves as a final major live lead-in, giving viewers a taste of the rivalries and title stakes that will carry into the major event. The international venue underscores WWE’s ongoing strategy to bring marquee programming to Europe, while offering multiple streaming options to suit different viewing preferences and budgets.
Positive take
The Lyon show offers an accessible gateway to big matches and developing storylines, including Cena-Paul collateral and a charged United States Championship picture, all while giving fans diverse ways to watch, from traditional cable to discounted streaming options.
Summary
WWE SmackDown heads to Lyon, France, for a Friday night broadcast featuring a US Title showdown, a No. 1 Contenders tag title match, and a Women’s Tag Team Championship clash, set against the backdrop of Clash in Paris. Viewers can choose from several streaming deals or watch on USA Network, with Peacock carrying episodes after they air. The night also advances ongoing narratives ahead of the big Paris event, with Cena responding to Logan Paul’s recent attack and ongoing championship angles adding momentum to the weekend’s WWE slate.