5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (2 May - Results & Review)

Downs...

3. Some Of Those Lengthy Gaps

What was that about stretching a 2-hour format across 3 solid hours of television?

This is a wider point about SmackDown as a whole since the turn of the year. Some episodes have still flown by due to excellent matches, loads of star power and the fact people were buzzed for WrestleMania season, but then there are the 'filler' editions. They struggle to fill the full duration with must-see content, and that was definitely the case this past Friday night.

There were multiple times on Friday when WWE went 25 minutes plus between major matches or in-ring segments, and that’s just far too long. It’s why many can’t wait for SmackDown to go back to the 2 hour format and drop this third hour stuff. Recent WWE news suggests that’ll happen in a month or so, and it can’t come soon enough for regular viewers - especially now that 'Mania is in the rear view mirror and there's a traditional drop in casual interest.

Lengthy gaps are bloody painful if you’re watching the show live without any ability to fast forward through some of the fluff, and it must be murder for those paying a fortune to sit in the arena. There are only so many WWE Shop ads, superstar-specific vignettes and backstage promos one audience can be expected to sit through at once.

Pacing is important for any wrestling show, and SmackDown just didn't seem to understand that. Poll WWE's writers and they'd probably agree that going back to 2 hours would be best. That's coming soon, but maybe not soon enough for episodes this thin on the ground.