WWE SmackDown Almost Moved Due To WNBA Finals Scheduling Issues

WWE SmackDown almost had a later start time this week due to scheduling issues over game six of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries.

Game six is set to take place at 12:30 pm ET today at Atlanta's State Farm Arena, with the Valkyries leading 3-2 in the series. The unusual start time is due to the NBA's Atlanta Hawks having a home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers scheduled for Thursday night, with the decision made to hold the WNBA game at 12:30 pm instead of moving the match to Atlanta's Gateway Center Arena and a primetime slot.

WWE became involved in frantic negotiations over when to hold game six, however. ESPN has reported that Atlanta Hawks CEO and TKO Lead Independent Director Steve Koonin reached out to WWE President Nick Khan to ask if he would be willing to move the October 30 episode of SmackDown to 9 pm ET, one hour later than the show's usual start time of 8 pm, with the idea that game six would air on USA Network from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Khan gave Koonin his approval for the switch, but new concerns were raised by the WNBA commissioner about a potential game seven being held on November 3, the same day as the US midterm elections, which caused the WWE-approved plan to fall apart.

The October 30 episode, billed as Danhausen's Very Nice, Very Evil SmackDown, will feature Sami Zayn vs. Trick Williams for the Undisputed WWE Championship and Chelsea Green defending the WWE Women's Title against Nikki Bella.