WWE SmackDown Is Returning To 3 Hour Format (WWE News)
No word on whether or not it'll be permanent, but WWE is taking SmackDown from 2-3 hours again.
WWE SmackDown will reportedly return to an abandoned 3 hour format starting with the 2 January 2026 episode early next year. WrestleVotes dropped the news that USA Network and the company itself had agreed to try on the 3 hour look once more - previously, WWE had beefed the blue brand up from 2-3 hours for the start of 2025.
That lasted up until July when the show reverted back to a more traditional 2 hour window.
There's no word on whether or not this will be a permanent change or another temporary one. WWE itself hasn't officially announced any changes to SmackDown, but that's expected to happen sooner rather than later so they can start hyping up the 2 Jan edition. There's also a solid chance that the show will come armed with some hefty star power to make those 3 hours worth it and kick off the new year with a bang.
This wasn't included in the WrestleVotes write up, but don't be too shocked if SmackDown is marketed as a 'new year, new me' sort of deal. It turns out that one new year resolution Triple H has is to figure out how to fill 3 hours of TV every Friday. Some episodes of SmackDown sagged under the 3 hour format, so it'll be interesting to see if things are any different come 2026.
USA Network clearly played a big role in making this happen. Of course, Raw runs for 3 hours every Monday over on Netflix. SmackDown is available via the subscription service in select markets internationally, but airs on USA in the...well...the United States.
Keep an eye out for WWE's official word.