WWE Friday Night SmackDown: UK start time, matches announced and current WWE Champions

As the Road to WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas starts to accelerate, while much talk is focused on this evening’s world title bout, much more has been spoken about the barbs traded between the current World Heavyweight Champion and his challenger and 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble winner.

Standing toe-to-toe in the middle of the ring earlier in the week, Roman Reigns once again explained the reasons for his challenge to Punk - calling him a liar, that he hates him, and that by the end of the match at WrestleMania, he is going to ‘retire’ the Second City Saint.

Not one to mince his words, though, Punk shot back, telling Reigns that he doesn’t care if he is liked or hated; he is a fighting champion.

But how dare he tell people that he is going to be retired by the Tribal Chief?

Punk promised to ‘bury’ Reigns - and then he won’t be alone anymore. He doesn’t have his ‘Wise Man’ Paul Heyman, doesn’t have his cousins The Usos, but he will be kept company next to his dead dad...

… prompting Punk to leave a bewildered Reigns in the middle of the ring.

This evening’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown has huge ramifications heading into WrestleMania 42; will Randy Orton be facing ‘The Scottish Warrior’ Drew McIntyre in Las Vegas this April, or will Cody Rhodes win back the championship, setting up a feud between his friend and one-time ‘Legacy’ stablemate?

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

This evening’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown is due to air live and exclusively on Netflix from 1am on March 7, with on-demand repeats available shortly after its initial broadcast.

What matches have been confirmed for Friday Night SmackDown?

WWE Undisputed Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) v Cody Rhodes

In the night's biggest showdown, Drew McIntyre defends his Undisputed WWE Championship against his long-time rival Cody Rhodes.

The tension between the two reached a breaking point last week in Chicago when McIntyre’s interference reportedly cost Rhodes his guaranteed ticket to WrestleMania.

In response, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis has ordered this title match, with the winner moving forward to face the Men’s Elimination Chamber victor, Randy Orton, at the grandest stage of them all.

WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill meets Rhea Ripley face-to-face

WrestleMania rivalries are heating up elsewhere as Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley are scheduled for a tense in-ring confrontation.

Following Ripley’s triumphant performance at Elimination Chamber, the two are on a collision course for the WWE Women's Championship.

With both women possessing unparalleled strength and athleticism, tonight’s face-off will likely provide a physical preview of what fans can expect in Las Vegas next month.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend to hold a celebration

The women's division has a new set of powerhouses at the helm following a shock title change.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend, now known as The Irresistible Forces, are set to host a major celebration tonight after dethroning the formidable duo of Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. While Jax and Legend have declared their victory the start of a dominant new era, several teams in the locker room are already on the prowl to cut the party short and reclaim the gold.

Who will be the new contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship?

The tag team division is also in the spotlight as a No. 1 Contender’s Match will determine who is next in line to challenge MFT for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

General Manager Nick Aldis recently noted that the current champions have been more focused on their ongoing feud with the Wyatt Sicks than defending their titles, prompting this tournament-style move to restore order.

While the specific teams have yet to be confirmed, the outcome will be crucial for the WrestleMania tag team picture.

Who are the current WWE Champions?

As of writing, your current WWE champions across all three brands are as follows:

Raw

• World Heavyweight Champion: CM Punk
• Women’s Champion: Stephanie Vaquer
• World Tag Team Champions: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)
• WWE Intercontinental Champion: Penta
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion: AJ Lee

SmackDown

• WWE Undisputed Champion: Drew McIntyre
• WWE Women’s Champion: Jade Cargill
• WWE Tag Team Champions: The MFT
• WWE United States Champion: Carmelo Hayes
• WWE Women’s United States Champion: Giulia

NXT

• NXT Champion: Joe Hendry
• NXT Women’s Champion: Jacy Jayne
• NXT Tag Team Champions: The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes)
• NXT North American Champion: Myles Bourne
• NXT Women’s North American Champion: Izzi Dame
• WWE Men’s Speed Champion: Elio LeFleur
• WWE Women’s Speed Champion: Fallon Henley

Cross-Brand Championships

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Nia Jax and Lash Legend