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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – John Cena’s final match is 24 hours away as WWE Smackdown broadcasts live today – Friday, Dec. 12 – from Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. This episode is available to watch on multiple streaming services.
If you can’t watch Smackdown on USA Network today at 8 p.m. Eastern on cable, or you are locked out by the FuboTV dispute, you can utilize a free trial from DIRECTV, which is also offering $40 off your first month.
The most flexible non-free option is Sling TV, which now offers new users a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for five months and $45.99 per month thereafter. You can also grab half off the first month on the Sling Orange and Blue package.
In tonight’s jam-packed episode, the United States Championship is on the line, and the Terror Twins take a crack at the darkness as the superstars gear up for a historic Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13.
Smackdown has a special tribute in store for John Cena one night before his final match.
Tonight’s card
- Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa (United States Championship Match)
- Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley vs. Aleister Black and Zelina Vega (Mixed Tag Team Match)
- Alexa Bliss vs. Lash Legend (Women’s Singles Match)
- Cody Rhodes appearance
- Smackdown celebrates John Cena’s career
*Card subject to change
Watch WWE Smackdown for free on DIRECTV
Here’s more information on how to watch WWE Smackdown on TV and streaming services.
- What: WWE Friday Night Smackdown
- When: Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
- Time: 8 p.m. Eastern
- Where: Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza | Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
- Channel: USA Network
- Best streaming options: DIRECTV (free trial and $40 off first month) and Sling TV, (half off first month and daily, weekend, weekly, monthly and season pass) and Peacock
NOTE: WWE Friday Night Smackdown episodes are available on Peacock’s extensive WWE catalog a few days after airtime.
When is John Cena’s retirement match?
John Cena, the 17-time World Champion, will fight in his final match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13 at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. The event will stream exclusively on Peacock beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Is John Cena on WWE Smackdown tonight?
John Cena is not scheduled to appear on tonight’s episode of Smackdown. He will fight in his final match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13.
What is WWE Smackdown?
Smackdown is one of the longer running television programs in history. It first aired April 29, 1999. Through the years, it has been rebranded, first as Smackdown! from 1999 to 2008, and then Smackdown Live from 2016 to 2019.
Its companion program, WWE RAW, airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern. Didn’t see Monday’s show? Here’s a recap below.
