Fans will be seeing the WWE Speed match feature on its own social media show if the promotion goes ahead with current plans.
Before the December 15, episode of SmackDown, WWE introduced the Speed Match. The match sees a five-minute time limit, meaning Superstars must work quickly to secure the win. SmackDown saw two ‘Speed Matches’ with ‘Big’ Bronson Reed facing NXT Superstar Nathan Frazer in the first. Later on, Cedric Alexander faced NXT’s Axiom.
Plans for the WWE Speed Match
Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick were on commentary for the WWE Speed matches, and the matches were filmed as if they’d be broadcast. Fightful Select was told by sources that the current plan is for the show to run on social media platforms if it is launched.
Many at the SmackDown taping were surprised by the match and had no idea the matches were happening until shortly before the show. So far, no new Speed matches have been filmed since the initial matches earlier this month.
— Ultimate Wrestling Trivia (@UltWresTrivia) December 16, 2023
Another Potential Change?
WWE is introducing the Speed Match, but may have made a massive change to wrestling staple the ‘Steel Cage Match’. At WWE NXT Deadline, Roxanne Perez faced Kiana James in a cage match.
It was mentioned during the show that the match could be won only via pinfall or submission, removing the traditional rule of escaping the structure for victory. It’s currently unclear if this was a one-off change for this match or if this is how Steel Cage matches will go moving forward.