WWE Debuts New Match Concept Before SmackDown

Prior to WWE’s double SmackDown taping last night in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company debuted a new match type called “WWE Speed”.

Two “WWE Speed” matches took place between Cedric Alexander & NXT’s Axiom, and Bronson Reed & NXT’s Nathan Frazer. These matches had a five minute time limit, with the countdown lock on the titantron, making for fast-paced matches with a lot more focus and non-stop action.

Fighftul Select provided some more details on the WWE Speed concept and how they were filmed, “We're told that Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick were on commentary, and the matches were filmed as if they'd be broadcasted, though we've not heard of any specific plans as of yet. Previously, NXT talent working pre-show matches was usually reserved for Main Event tapings ahead of WWE Raw.”

It isn’t known whether these matches will be taking place on a new show, posted to social media, or something else. Either way, it is something different for WWE ahead of the new year, and it might allow some underused names such as Alexander to get featured.