Why is WWE taping two extra shows this week? Everything you need to know

WWE will be taping two shows this week. According to a report from Fightful Select, after the December 15 edition of Monday Night RAW from Pennsylvania, the promotion will be taping next week's episode of SmackDown.

Then, there will be another double-taping on this week's SmackDown. After the show, next week's episode of RAW will be filmed. The reason why WWE is taping two shows this week is that the WWE team has a break from December 20 until Christmas, before the Holiday tour, which officially begins on December 26.

According to the report from Fightful, the period from December end till February next year will be "one of the busiest travel periods" for the promotion in a while.

WWE will have the first-ever Royal Rumble tournament outside North America, in Saudi Arabia, next year. The show will take place on January 31, 2025. There is no PLE event before the Royal Rumble.

The promotion will be however, be preparing for a big championship match next year on the January 5 episode of RAW. CM Punk will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker on RAW. There are good chances that Punk might drop the gold to Breakker, provided the former Intercontinental Champion has the backing from his entire group--The Vision.

Gunther trolls John Cena after retiring him at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event

Gunther opened this week's episode of Monday Night RAW. The Ring General took the mic amid the crowd booing for him. Thumping his chest after his victory over the 17-time Champion at SNME, the former World Heavyweight Champion said that he made Cena tap like a b*tch.

He teased his departure twice and once again came and took the mic to remind the fans that he was the future of this business, as he made Cena tap out. For the unversed, John Cena had never lost a match by tapping out in the last 21 years. However, he lost the match his retirement match to Gunther at SNME on December 13, 2025, by tapping out to Sleeper Lock.

Gunther stormed out of the building after a dressing down from General Manager, Adam Pearce. With no opponent locked, it will be interesting to see who challenges Gunther next in the company.

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Edited by Mohammad Bilal