WWE Friday Night SmackDown: UK start time, matches announced, and when is the next PLE?

• Ilja Dragunov defends his United States championship against Tomasso Ciampa on this evening’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
• There’s also a mini Judgement Day reunion, and Cody Rhodes addresses the WWE Universe ahead of his challenge against Oba Femi.
• Here’s your WWE SmackDown preview, including UK start time this evening.

It’s the final episode of WWE SmackDown before John Cena’s imminent retirement match, set to take place tomorrow evening at Saturday Night’s Main Event - but could the iconic WWE superstar make one last appearance on the blue brand this evening?

Although several segments have been announced so far for the show, including Cody Rhodes set to address the WWE Universe ahead of his encounter against Oba Femi, many are speculating that ‘the unseen, seventeen’ record holder might make one final unannounced appearance.

With this being one of the final times to see him inside the ring, could John take advantage of being in the area ahead of tomorrow night’s epic encounter against Gunther?

But before that, we have a United States championship match where the champion knows who his opponent will be, fallout continuing from WWE Survivor Series, and Rhea Ripley comes to Friday night to aid her fellow ‘Terror Twin,’ Damien Priest.

Here’s your WWE Friday Night SmackDown preview for December 12, including UK start time and what the next huge WWE event is set to be after Saturday Night’s Main Event.

What time is WWE Friday Night SmackDown starting in the UK this evening?

No changes to the scheduling this week, I’m afraid - it’s going to be a late two evenings for us UK WWE fans.

But for those who are up for a late one this evening, WWE Friday Night SmackDown is scheduled to broadcast on Netflix from 1am GMT on December 13, with repeats available on demand shortly after the initial broadcast.

What has been announced so far for this evening’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown?

Alongside expected appearances by Cody Rhodes ahead of his champion versus champion match against NXT Champion Oba Femi at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and possibly a sneaking appearance from the thorn in Cody’s side, Drew McIntyre, the following matches have been announced so far for tongiht.

WWE United States Championship: Ilja Draugnov (c) v Tomasso Ciampa

Tommaso Ciampa has finally backed the dominant United States Champion, Ilja Dragunov, into a corner, securing his shot at the coveted US Title after weeks of relentless mind games and provocation. The rivalry stems from Dragunov’s repeated and public dismissal of Ciampa, whom 'The Mad Dragon' has deemed "not worthy" of a title opportunity or even sharing the ring with him.

This disrespect fuelled Ciampa’s rage, leading him to directly interfere in the champion's matches and launch brutal, calculated assaults on Dragunov. The intensity peaked just last week when Ciampa’s outside interference shockingly cost Dragunov a clean victory over Carmelo Hayes.

As a result, Dragunov enters this title defence not just to retain his championship, but with a fierce desire to definitively prove his superiority and avenge the stolen win.

However, the odds may be stacked against the tenacious champion. Dragunov will no doubt have to be looking over his shoulder throughout the contest, knowing that Ciampa’s loyal "family"—Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae—could make their presence felt at any moment.

Rhea Ripley and Damien Priest v Zelina Vega and Aleister Black

The Terror Twins reunite for the first time since their split to take on the villainous duo of Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.

This bout is the culmination of a deeply personal and bitter feud that has defined much of 2025 between Priest and Black. While Black appeared to bring the rivalry to a violent end by defeating Priest in a brutal Last Man Standing Match, the victory was cemented by a heinous act: Zelina Vega throwing a blinding fireball directly into Priest's face.

Now, with Ripley evening the odds and neutralising the constant threat of Vega's interference, the ‘Terror Twins’ have the numerical advantage they desperately need. This match is not just about victory; it is about delivering long-awaited and definitive payback for the humiliation and physical damage inflicted by Black and Vega.

Alex Bliss v Lash Legend

The intense rivalry between their respective factions is set to continue as Alexa Bliss faces Lash Legend in a highly anticipated singles match. This bout serves as a direct continuation of the conflict that exploded at Survivor Series, where Bliss's team emerged victorious in the gruelling Women’s WarGames match.

That crucial victory has injected significant momentum into Bliss's corner, establishing her team as the dominant force heading into the end of the year. However, Lash Legend—representing the rival group—will be looking to halt Bliss's momentum immediately and prove that the WarGames loss was merely a temporary setback.

Legend's raw power and intimidating presence present a difficult challenge for the quick and cunning Bliss, making this a pivotal match for both women as they fight for supremacy within their ongoing faction war.

When is the next WWE Premium Live Event?

The next big WWE PLE set to take place in the new year is NXT’s New Year’s Evil, which will be taking place on January 6, with one of the big four WWE shows taking place at the end of the month.

The annual Royal Rumble will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 30 as the ‘Road to WrestleMania’ officially kicks off for another year.

Both events will be available to stream live on Netflix in the United Kingdom.