WWE Friday Night SmackDown: Season 8
The 2006 season of SmackDown celebrates a new King of the Ring as Booker T is crowned and battles Batista. Plus, The Great Khali arrives in WWE and immediately challenges the Undertaker. All this and more.
Season 8 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of WWE Friday Night SmackDown Season 7.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
The 2006 season of SmackDown celebrates a new King of the Ring as Booker T is crowned and battles Batista. Plus, The Great Khali arrives in WWE and immediately challenges the Undertaker. All this and more.
Episode Guide
Season 8 Progress Shield
SmackDown - Jan. 06, 2006
Jan 6, 2006 · 86 min
The WWE Tag Team Championship is on the line in a Steel Cage Match as MNM defend against Rey Mysterio & World Heavyweight Champion Batista. After Mark Henry dismantles three oppone
SmackDown - Jan. 13, 2006
Jan 13, 2006 · 89 min
After Batista is forced to relinquish his World Heavyweight Championship due to injury, a main event Battle Royal to determine a new champion is announced. Rowdy Roddy Piper return
SmackDown - Jan. 20, 2006
Jan 20, 2006 · 86 min
Daivari faces World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle. While Angle readies for action, Rey Mysterio and Mark Henry face off in a match to determine a new No. 1 Contender for his titl
SmackDown - Jan. 27, 2006
Jan 27, 2006 · 87 min
Kurt Angle battles WWE Tag Team Champions MNM in a Handicap Match. Finlay looks to give the WWE Universe a preview of things to come in a match against Funaki. The Mexicools take o
SmackDown - Feb. 03, 2006
Feb 3, 2006 · 87 min
Randy Orton & Mark Henry face Rey Mysterio & World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle. While still suffering the effects of his nagging "injury", Booker T enlists Finlay to defend his
SmackDown - Feb. 10, 2006
Feb 10, 2006 · 86 min
With Randy Orton's despicable comments towards the memory of Eddie Guerrero weighing on his mind, Rey Mysterio sets his sights on getting even with The Legend Killer. The Undertake
SmackDown - Feb. 17, 2006
Feb 17, 2006 · 87 min
The Undertaker & Kurt Angle take on Mark Henry & WWE Tag Team Champions MNM. With Randy Orton's taunts continuing to get under his skin, Rey Mysterio takes to the ring to go one-on
SmackDown - Feb. 24, 2006
Feb 24, 2006 · 85 min
While Randy Orton celebrates taking Rey Mysterio's place at WrestleMania 22, the festivities are short-lived. Eddie Guerrero is announced as being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fam
SmackDown - Mar. 03, 2006
Mar 3, 2006 · 88 min
Kurt Angle and The Undertaker battle for the World Heavyweight Championship. Matt Hardy enlists the help of a mystery partner to face WWE Tag Team Champions MNM. Fear of The Boogey
SmackDown - Mar. 10, 2006
Mar 10, 2006 · 88 min
After demanding a chance to challenge Kurt Angle for the World Heavyweight Championship, Mark Henry finds himself partnering with Randy Orton to face Rey Mysterio & The Olympic Gol
SmackDown - Mar. 17, 2006
Mar 17, 2006 · 87 min
Mark Henry & WWE Tag Team Champions MNM face World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle, Randy Orton & Rey Mysterio. Bobby Lashley, Matt Hardy, and more look to qualify for the upcoming
SmackDown - Mar. 24, 2006
Mar 24, 2006 · 87 min
World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle battles Mark Henry. Randy Orton looks to strike at Rey Mysterio. Despite being wary about facing The Boogeyman on The Grandest Stage of Them A
SmackDown - Mar. 31, 2006
Mar 31, 2006 · 84 min
Rey Mysterio faces World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle. With his bout against The Undertaker at WrestleMania approaching, Mark Henry vows to lay The Deadman's undefeated streak t
SmackDown - Apr. 07, 2006
Apr 7, 2006 · 87 min
After defying the odds to capture the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22, Rey Mysterio defends his newly won title against Randy Orton. When The Undertaker battles M
SmackDown - Apr. 14, 2006
Apr 14, 2006 · 87 min
Kurt Angle battles Randy Orton in the first round of the King of the Ring Tournament. The man who laid waste to The Undertaker is revealed to the WWE Universe. John "Bradshaw" Layf
SmackDown - Apr. 21, 2006
Apr 21, 2006 · 85 min
When John "Bradshaw" Layfield hosts a special Great American Celebration, Kurt Angle and World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio take it upon themselves to crash the festivities. B
SmackDown - Apr. 28, 2006
Apr 28, 2006 · 85 min
Kurt Angle challenges Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship. The King of the Ring Tournament continues with Bobby Lashley facing off against Mark Henry. John "Bradsha
SmackDown - May. 05, 2006
May 5, 2006 · 85 min
The problems between World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio and United States Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield continue to escalate when JBL announces that Mysterio will go one-o
SmackDown - May. 12, 2006
May 12, 2006 · 84 min
World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio takes on The Great Khali in the main event. Mark Henry looks to send a message to Kurt Angle in a match against Paul Burchill. Plus, Booker
SmackDown - May. 19, 2006
May 19, 2006 · 84 min
Rey Mysterio takes on a mystery opponent in the main event. Jillian Hall partners with Brian Kendrick & Paul London to take on the trio of MNM in a Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match.
SmackDown - May. 26, 2006
May 26, 2006 · 84 min
John "Bradshaw" Layfield challenges Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship, but is forced to defend the United States Championship against a formidable opponent. Follo
SmackDown - Jun. 02, 2006
Jun 2, 2006 · 83 min
United States Champion Bobby Lashley gets less than the royal treatment in a main event bout against King Booker. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper hosts The Great Khali and Daivari on a brand n
SmackDown - Jun. 09, 2006
Jun 9, 2006 · 84 min
World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio declines Paul Heyman's offer to join him in the reformation of ECW. After suffering an assault at the hands of Bobby Lashley, William Regal
SmackDown - Jun. 16, 2006
Jun 16, 2006 · 83 min
Despite receiving advice from doctors not to compete, Bobby Lashley puts the United States Championship on the line in a main event bout against King Booker. The Mexicools look for
SmackDown - Jun. 23, 2006
Jun 23, 2006 · 87 min
Rey Mysterio defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Mark Henry. King Booker and Bobby Lashley compete for the United States Championship. The Great Khali looks to make
SmackDown - Jun. 30, 2006
Jun 30, 2006 · 85 min
Mark Henry looks for revenge against Chavo Guerrero. Much to his dismay, King Booker competes in a Steel Cage Match to challenge Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship. P
SmackDown - Jul. 07, 2006
Jul 7, 2006 · 85 min
A Battle Royal for a chance to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship at The Great American Bash. Rey Mysterio joins forces with Batista to settle a score with Mark Henry
SmackDown - Jul. 14, 2006
Jul 14, 2006 · 87 min
With King Booker set to challenge Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship, William Regal is tasked with softening up his majesty's opponent in the main event. SmackDown
SmackDown - Jul. 21, 2006
Jul 21, 2006 · 87 min
King Booker faces Rey Mysterio. With Mark Henry being unable to face Batista at The Great American Bash due to injury, Mr. Kennedy steps up to offer The Animal a new challenge. Bob
SmackDown - Jul. 28, 2006
Jul 28, 2006 · 86 min
King Booker defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Rey Mysterio. Just hours after facing each other in a memorable bout, Batista and Mr. Kennedy take to the ring do bat
SmackDown - Aug. 04, 2006
Aug 4, 2006 · 88 min
Chavo Guerrero explains why he turned on Rey Mysterio. A giant problem awaits The Undertaker when he goes one-on-one with World Heavyweight Champion King Booker in the main event.
SmackDown - Aug. 11, 2006
Aug 11, 2006 · 85 min
William Regal & United States Champion Finlay face Batista and Bobby Lashley. Tensions between The Undertaker and The Great Khali explode after Khali refuses to accept The Deadman'
SmackDown - Aug. 18, 2006
Aug 18, 2006 · 87 min
After taking to the ring to battle Sylvan in singles action, Batista is called out by World Heavyweight Champion King Booker. The Great Khali and The Undertaker meet in a Last Man
SmackDown - Aug. 25, 2006
Aug 25, 2006 · 84 min
As a reward for William Regal and Finlay's service to his throne, World Heavyweight Champion King Booker offers his loyal subjects a special Knighthood. SmackDown General Manager T
SmackDown - Sep. 01, 2006
Sep 1, 2006 · 85 min
World Heavyweight Champion King Booker and Batista to sign the contract for their upcoming battle. Rey Mysterio feels the pain of betrayal when Vickie Guerrero reveals her new busi
SmackDown - Sep. 08, 2006
Sep 8, 2006 · 84 min
Sir William Regal and Finlay prove their worth to King Booker when he defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Batista. The Miz looks to continue his recent success in a
SmackDown - Sep. 15, 2006
Sep 15, 2006 · 84 min
Finlay faces Bobby Lashley in the main event for a chance at King Booker's World Heavyweight Championship. The extremely personal rivalry between Rey Mysterio and the duo of Vickie
SmackDown - Sep. 22, 2006
Sep 22, 2006 · 85 min
King Booker defends the World Heavyweight Championship against The Undertaker. While their king prepares for battle, Finlay & Sir William Regal take to the ring to meet Batista & B
SmackDown - Sep. 29, 2006
Sep 29, 2006 · 82 min
WWE Champion John Cena comes to SmackDown to partner with Bobby Lashley & Batista against King Booker, Sir William Regal & Finlay. United States Champion Mr. Kennedy finds himself
SmackDown - Oct. 06, 2006
Oct 6, 2006 · 83 min
With Bobby Lashley set to challenge King Booker for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Mercy, both men find themselves with the advantage of picking the other's opponent on t
SmackDown - Oct. 13, 2006
Oct 13, 2006 · 82 min
Despite successfully defending the World Heavyweight Title at No Mercy, King Booker's reign as champion may be nearing the end, as Bobby Lashley, Finlay, and Batista clash in a Tri
SmackDown - Oct. 20, 2006
Oct 20, 2006 · 84 min
Despite successfully defending the World Heavyweight Title at No Mercy, King Booker's reign as champion may be nearing the end, as Bobby Lashley, Finlay, and Batista clash in a Tri
SmackDown - Oct. 27, 2006
Oct 27, 2006 · 80 min
After Batista suffers an attack for refusing to join Paul Heyman's ECW brand, The Animal partners with WWE Champion John Cena to take on World Heavyweight Champion King Booker and
SmackDown - Nov. 03, 2006
Nov 3, 2006 · 82 min
Batista calls out Finlay. The Brothers of Destruction take Mr. Kennedy & Montel Vontavious Porter in a tag team match with some special stipulations. While rumors abound over the f
SmackDown - Nov. 10, 2006
Nov 10, 2006 · 83 min
King Booker finds himself defending the World Heavyweight Championship under SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long's orders. In the main event, Batista goes one-on-one with Finla
SmackDown - Nov. 17, 2006
Nov 17, 2006 · 86 min
World Heavyweight Champion King Booker & Finlay take on Batista & Bobby Lashley. MVP takes to the ring for a Street Fight against Kane. The Boogeyman finds himself pulling double d
SmackDown - Nov. 24, 2006
Nov 24, 2006 · 87 min
King Booker and Batista and sign the contract for their World Heavyweight Championship Match at Survivor Series. Mr. Kennedy gives a Thanksgiving address to The Undertaker. Kane an
SmackDown - Dec. 01, 2006
Dec 1, 2006 · 85 min
MVP goes one-on-one with The Undertaker. The World Heavyweight Championship is on the line in a Triple Threat Match when Batista defends the title against King Booker and Finlay. P
SmackDown - Dec. 08, 2006
Dec 8, 2006 · 83 min
Mr. Kennedy competes in main event action against Kane. World Heavyweight Champion Batista prepares for his upcoming battle with John Cena by going one-on-one with Finlay. Plus, Wi
SmackDown - Dec. 15, 2006
Dec 15, 2006 · 85 min
Raw's WWE Champion John Cena goes one-on-one with Finlay. MVP & Mr. Kennedy unite to face The Brothers of Destruction. WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London and Brian Kendrick partner
SmackDown - Dec. 22, 2006
Dec 22, 2006 · 85 min
The Brothers of Destruction take on Finlay & King Booker. With Christmas just days away, World Heavyweight Champion Batista takes on a true holiday icon. Following Joey Mercury's i
SmackDown - Dec. 29, 2006
Dec 29, 2006 · 86 min
As 2006 comes to a close, Michael Cole and John "Bradshaw" Layfield take the WWE Universe on a journey through time for a look at highlights of all the best matches and most unforg