During the latest SmackDown broadcast, WWE experienced an embarrassing technical difficulty. The company had announced the Blue Brand show from Saudi Arabia, featuring King of the Ring finalists Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton competing on the night of the Champions PPV. However, midway through this segment, the broadcast was interrupted by a Netflix International Feed message indicating the show would be back online soon.
According to Pwinsider, this disruption was caused by a blackout in Riyadh, which impacted WWE’s production setup. Both the control room and backstage areas were affected, leaving staff unable to manage the live show.
While the broadcast was halted, fans shared footage of the main event that took place before SmackDown and a two-hour video documenting the power outage’s impact. During the blackout, a large screen above the ring went dark in the middle of the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton exchange. Despite these issues, the two wrestlers continued their verbal battle without physical confrontation. Randy Orton left the ring at one point while Rhodes stayed, with Orton’s entrance music playing and some legends making appearances ringside to entertain fans.
Cody Rhodes made a second entrance as Orton retreated, addressing the crowd about the technical problems. Carmelo Hayes then cut a promo for the former champion, ending the segment with a nod to the NXT Star Crossroads. Both competitors exited the ring, and the feed returned with behind-the-scenes footage featuring JC Mateo and Solo Sikoa.
Fan Take: This unexpected broadcast hiccup reminds WWE fans that live sports entertainment is vulnerable to real-world challenges, heightening the unpredictability of live events. Such moments can either disrupt the flow or create unique fan experiences, emphasizing the resilience and adaptability needed in WWE production.
