The broadcast featured current WWE wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions as well as Hall of Famers and Legends from the past.

The event also saw Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's first appearance on SmackDown in over five years,[5] and the WWE debut of mixed martial artist Cain Velasquez and professional boxer Tyson Fury.

[6][7] On June 26, 2018, WWE announced that SmackDown would move to Fox on Friday nights beginning on October 4, 2019, under a five-year contract valued at $205 million per-year.

The move to pursue SmackDown came as part of Fox's increasing focus on live sports programming and non-scripted entertainment, in the wake of the then-upcoming sale of its film and television studios to Disney.

[11] On September 26, 2019, WWE announced that Michael Cole would be returning to SmackDown for the first time since 2008 to lead the commentary team alongside his former Raw colleagues Corey Graves and Renee Young.

[12] The following night, Fox aired a special, SmackDown's Greatest Hits, which featured memorable moments from the program's 20-year history.

[13] Booker T and Young hosted a half-hour kickoff special prior to the premiere, joined by Fox Sports reporter Charissa Thompson as "blue carpet" correspondent.

Later that night, a tag team match pitting Lynch and Flair against The Boss 'n' Hug Connection was scheduled for October 4.

Shane said he would consider it, but then cost Owens his King of the Ring tournament match against Elias by taking over as ref and making a fast three count.

[33] Rowan then defeated Reigns in a No Disqualification match at Clash of Champions thanks to the returning Luke Harper, reforming their tag team.

[34] Prior to the announcement on the September 24 episode of SmackDown, Reigns and Bryan challenged Rowan and Harper to a tag team match at Hell in a Cell which was made official.

[36] The actual event opened with Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch praising SmackDown only for King Corbin to interrupt, followed by The Rock.

[1] After that, Braun Strowman, The Miz, and Heavy Machinery (Otis and Tucker) faced Randy Orton, United States Champion AJ Styles, and Raw Tag Team Champions Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler in an eight-man tag team match.

[1] In a backstage segment, DJ Marshmello tripped and fell on top of Carmella, thus pinning her to win the WWE 24/7 Championship.

Additional footage was shown on WWE's website and social medias showing Carmella winning back the title.

[1] In the main event, Kofi Kingston defended the WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar (accompanied by Paul Heyman)—Lesnar's first match on television in 15 years.