WWE SmackDown!" will move from its Thursday night time slot on UPN to the new, controversial Friday night slot beginning this week. For WWE, Thursday is better than Friday, but Friday is better than being off the air. The network competition will be weaker on Fridays, but the show will be pre-empted more in big markets on Fridays.

One thing that could play in everyone's favor is that WWE seems to be committed to using the move as a kind of rebirth for the program. Right off the bat, the show will take on an edgier feel with likely a new set and graphics -- and probably a few roster surprises. Already confirmed for the Friday debut is a SummerSlam" rematch between JBL and Batista in a bull-rope match, which presents an interesting twist: Batista can lose his title without being pinned.

AROUND THE RING: Mick Foley should be making his WWE TV return in the next two to three weeks. ... X-Pac has been in negotiations with WWE and could join Triple H when Raw" moves to USA in October.

Copyright The Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.