SmackDown is a brand of the American professional wrestling promotion WWE that was established on March 25, 2002. Brands are divisions of WWE's roster where wrestlers are assigned to perform on a weekly basis when a brand extension is in effect. Wrestlers assigned to SmackDown primarily appear on the brand's weekly television program, Friday Night SmackDown, also referred to simply as SmackDown. It is one of WWE's two main brands, along with Raw, collectively referred to as WWE's main roster. The brand extension was discontinued between August 2011 and July 2016.
Stephanie McMahon was the first SmackDown General Manager
WWE Hall of Famer Theodore Long served as SmackDown General Manager twice, lasting a combined six years
Image: Cody Rhodes with his Undisputed Championship (Birmingham UK, April 2024) (3) (cropped)
Image: Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley 2017 05 12 22 17 58 ILCE 6500 DSC05420 (34569288882) (cropped)
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into fields outside of wrestling, including film, football, and various other business ventures. The company is additionally involved in licensing its intellectual property to companies to produce video games and action figures.
Vincent J. McMahon with Verne Gagne and Bruno Sammartino in 1975
Hulk Hogan, pictured in 1989, was the WWF's top star during the 1980s professional wrestling boom.
Shawn Michaels became one of the biggest star in WWF during this time, since an iconic ladder match at WrestleMania X.
Stone Cold Steve Austin rivalry with Vince McMahon is often cited as having turned the tides for WWF in the Monday Night War against rival promotion WCW.