Backstage news items leading up to the January 3rd 2025 edition of WWE Smackdown

The January 3rd 2024 edition of WWE Smackdown will be the launch of the brand’s three-hour format. Here are a few backstage news items regarding the event via Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com…

* Bruce Prichard has been spotted in Phoenix (location for the show) which means that he is back on the road for WWE after taking time off to deal with family issues. NXT’s Matt Bloom was also spotted in the area.

* It was noted that “there are far more producers than usual scheduled for today’s taping and one would think that will be the norm going forward.”

* Michael Cole and Corey Graves are slated to call the broadcast for tonight with Lilian Garcia handling the ring announcing. As previously noted, Garcia is expected to be Smackdown’s announcer moving forward.