With WWE SmackDown likely moving to Fox in fall 2019, there’s a strong likelihood of superstars appearing on other programs for promotional purposes. Here are some amazing possibilities.
Last week, the wrestling world was shocked to hear about the new television rights deals for WWE programming. While the flagship show, WWE Raw, is continuing with NBCUniversal and (probably) the USA Network, WWE SmackDown will be on the move. Beginning in October 2019, the Blue Team will have a home on Fox — yessiree, network television!
WWE and Fox still haven’t confirmed the deal, which is reported to be worth a billion dollars over five years. But with all signs pointing to the reports being accurate, it’s time to start thinking about what this means in a big-picture sense. Fox is going to want to push their new addition, and WWE will be interested in maximizing ratings.
That’s a perfect recipe for crossovers! We’ve seen celebrities appear on WWE programming for years, with the appearances ranging from good (Stephen Amell) to godawful (Lonzo Ball). However, I’m looking at the other direction — what WWE superstars could appear on Fox network shows to hype SmackDown?
Now, we’re still over a year out from the rumored deal taking effect. Anything we speculate now might be impossible come fall 2019. Some of these network shows may be canceled. And some of the SmackDown-based talent may move to Raw in next year’s Superstar Shake-up. Or, the brand extension could end, and everyone will be on both Raw AND SmackDown. (That’s highly unlikely, but still possible.)
So let’s take a look at five current WWE SmackDown superstars who could appear on current Fox shows.
AJ Styles, guest starring on Last Man Standing
Let’s get the reigning WWE Champion on a show that fits his demo right out of the gate (and no, this has nothing to do with the upcoming WWE Championship match at Money in the Bank). When you think AJ Styles, the first thing many think of (besides, “man this guy is a good wrestler”) is “Southerner.” And the target audience for Last Man Standing definitely trends below the Mason-Dixon Line.
Last Man Standing is a Tim Allen vehicle, and it’s fairly similar to his old show Home Improvement. The show is about Allen interacting with his family — mostly his wife and three daughters — and made news for being one of the few shows featuring a conservative-leaning main character. Whatever your personal political beliefs are, you can’t deny that WWE is a conservative-leaning company.
Styles would be a perfect guest star, because he’s really just a more athletic Tim Allen with a drawl. Allen’s character runs a sporting goods store, so maybe Styles could play the owner of a rival store, and the two make some stupid gentlemen’s bet that involves athletic competition. Or perhaps Styles could just play himself, and pop in as a potential advertising partner for the store Allen’s character runs.
However it works out, getting Styles — one of the most popular superstars in WWE — on another Fox show is essential.
Naomi & Carmella, guest judges on So You Think You Can Dance
This one is almost a no-brainer, as both superstars have a ton of experience as dancers before joining WWE and SmackDown.
We’ll start with Naomi. From 2007-2009, she was a dancer and cheerleader with the Orlando Magic franchise in the NBA. She also worked as a backup dancer for several hip hop artists, including Flo Rida (which I guess explains why Flo is always performing with WWE). Even now, dancing is a big part of Naomi’s ring entrance, which is one of the most entertaining in all of WWE.
And while Mella may be money, she’s also quite the hoofer. Today, she mainly just does a moonwalk, but she’s got plenty on her resumé to qualify her to judge a dance contest. Carmella spent three years as a New England Patriots cheerleader, and one season as one of the famed “Laker Girls” in Los Angeles.
With a panel of permanent judges and room for a few rotating guest judges, So You Think You Can Dance is the perfect place to add a bit of WWE flavor. Let Naomi and Carmella alternate appearances next to Vanessa Hudgens and crew. And you know that Naomi would be mostly supportive and helpful, while Mella would be the Simon Cowell of the group with glee.
The New Day, guest stars on Empire
Empire is a show about hip-hop entertainment company and the family fighting for control over the business. It’s received much praise during its four-season run, mainly for Taraji P. Henson’s work as the matriarch of the family, Cookie Lyon.
And what about the New Day? The WWE SmackDown trio is better known for their anime and video game references than hip-hop. But Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E have participated in their fair share of rap battles over the years. Even if they aren’t big hip-hop fans, you’d think something would rub off and sink in.
Additionally, as a trio, New Day has the perfect setup for a new, up and coming musical act. Run-DMC was a trio; so were the Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Cypress Hill, and Salt N Pepa. Maybe one of Cookie and boss Lucious’s sons think a group played by New Day is the next big thing in hip-hop.
It wouldn’t have to be a full-episode arc. A couple of scenes here and there, with Woods, Kingston, and E dropping some sick freestyles in the recording booth while the Lyon family listens on. In the end, they would fail to get signed by Empire Entertainment, and they’d never be spoken of again. Until sweeps week, at least.
Daniel Bryan, guest voice on Bob’s Burgers
This is my favorite one by far, because Bob’s Burgers is a great show, and a vegan superstar from WWE SmackDown voicing a character on it would be just absurd enough to be hilarious.
For those not in the know, Bob’s Burgers is about a family-run burger joint, and the wacky antics said family gets roped into over the course of an episode. The Belchers — Bob, Linda, and children Tina, Gene, and Louise — also frequently create “special” burgers of the day. You know, thinks like “She’s a Super Leek Burger,” or “If Looks Could Kale Burger.” Puns are awesome, try and prove me wrong.
What if Bryan voiced a character who was keen to get his own burger business into a storefront near Bob’s on Ocean Avenue? But there’s a twist — Bryan, a vegan voicing a vegan, plans on opening a healthy option, meatless burger joint, which messes with Bob to the extent that he starts going a little batty.
The episode could feature Bryan having witty banter with all the children, as well as Bob and Linda. The best part is, because it’s an animated show, Bryan’s character could look nothing like he does in real life. The animator could go the stereotypical route of manbun, flannel, beard, and sandals; or they could just make him a clean cut dude in a fancy suit.
The Miz, literally anywhere (but probably on the NFL pre-game show)
Folks, I’m not exactly going out on a limb here when I say that The Miz is probably the best person to send out on the media rounds. He’s a smooth talker, he’s personable, and he honestly and truly loves everything about the business and wants what’s best for it. If he was a babyface, he’d literally be perfect for the role; as a heel, it still works, but you have to keep in mind he’s there mostly in character.
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But The Miz is also an accomplished actor. Sure, it’s part of his gimmick that he’s the “A-Lister,” but it’s not like he’s completely terrible at acting. The Marine films are decent enough to distract you for an hour and a half, and everything he’s guested on has been at very least watchable.
So when it comes to putting a WWE superstar on a Fox show, you can place Miz anywhere. Animate him for The Simpsons or Family Guy? Sure! Comedy spot on Ghosted? Go for it! Play the heavy on an episode of Lethal Weapon? Absolutely!
However, the most likely spot for The Miz — or, really, any WWE SmackDown superstar — is on the pre-game show for the NFL. By far, the NFL games consistently give Fox it’s biggest ratings. Even the pre- and post-game shows pull in a bunch of viewers. If you want to promote WWE SmackDown, sitting down with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and the rest of the crew is the best bet.
Next: SmackDown Move Could Mean Inter-Brand Competition
Where do you think WWE SmackDown superstars might show up to help promote the show once it moves to Fox in 2019?