WWE SmackDown Debuts New Ring Mat with Angry Orchard Sponsorship

WWE SmackDown got a fresh look on January 24, 2025, with yet another change to its ring mat. Since the start of the year, WWE has been tweaking its presentation across all shows, with SmackDown shifting from a white ring mat to blue. Unlike Raw’s darker Netflix-exclusive ring, SmackDown had kept things simple—until now.

During the first match of the night, featuring the Motor City Machine Guns defeating Pretty Deadly, fans noticed something different in the ring. SmackDown now has a sponsor featured prominently in the center of the mat: Angry Orchard Hard Cider. WWE previously dropped video ads for the brand featuring The Miz and Otis, but now the partnership has made its way directly into the ring.

There’s no word on how long WWE plans to keep the Angry Orchard logo on SmackDown’s mat, but it stands out since Raw has multiple sponsor logos, while SmackDown is only showcasing one for now. WWE has been rolling out presentation changes all month, largely in connection with Raw’s Netflix move, so it wouldn’t be surprising if more branding shifts are coming.

Fans are already debating whether sponsor logos in the ring are a good move or a distraction.