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What's the story?
Monday Night RAW may be celebrating it's 25th anniversary next year, but 2018 isn't just all about the red brand. According to Dave Meltzer and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter SmackDown LIVE also hits a pretty impressive milestone next year, its 1,000th episode.
It is expected to feature a number of iconic Superstars much like the 25th-anniversary edition of Monday Night Raw.
In case you didn't know...
SmackDown LIVE is on somewhat of a roll at the moment, viewership for the programme has increased for the fourth time in four straight weeks, almost catching up to Monday Night RAW this week. The show also has AJ Styles as its champion, and arguably the best tag-team division in pro-wrestling at the moment with The Usos and The New Day.
The heart of the matter
But when exactly will SmackDown LIVE's 1,000th episode be taking place? Well, the WON have looked at the schedule and have found the date.
Based on the schedule, it looks like the 1,000th episode of Smackdown would be on October 16, 2018. So they are likely to make that one a major show.
And just in case any of you were wondering if they'd make a big deal out of SmackDown's milestone given that RAW 25 is happening in the same year, then yes, it appears the WWE would!
What’s notable is that’s five days before a Raw PPV and if they are doing a show that’s expected to be big ratings, it would also be smart to promote the Raw feuds on it. So they’ll have both the Raw 25th anniversary and the Smackdown milestone show next year
What's next?
It looks like 2018 is going to be a big year for RAW and SmackDown live with SmackDown talent set to appear on RAW 25, and if Dave Meltzer is correct, RAW talent appearing on the SmackDown 1,000th episode show. Poor Survivor Series may have a lot of competition next year!
Author's take
What is there to say other than to highlight how impressive a feat this really is, regardless of the quality of the show now, or whether or not you enjoy it, WWE have managed to keep two shows on weekly television for an incredible amount of time.
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