7 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (3 Jan - Results & Review)

1. 3 Hours Could Be A Problem

This week's SmackDown wasn't a bad show at all, but...is anyone else slightly worried about weekly three hour SmackDowns that piggy back on weekly three hour Raws? WWE's television output feels better without that extra hour (two hour episodes of Raw were the slickest in years towards the end of 2024), because that enables creative to avoid awkward sags here or there. Or, y'know, the need to pad everything out with video packages and recaps.

There were a few too many of those on Friday.

This might be jumping the gun, but three hours could prove to be too much for the blue brand. Raw will be WWE's focus, at least for a while, and asking the fanbase to sit there watching eight hours (including NXT) of core TV each week a ambitious at best and silly at worst. Suddenly, WWE's entire library of programming will feel like a big commitment unless you’re watching on catch up and can skip through some of the fluff. That won't bother hardcore fans, but the more casual market? Yikes.

Friday's effort was largely fine 'cause it was the first edition and there's a bit of buzz surrounding the Netflix jump/WrestleMania season starting. WWE also 100% defo deserve the chance to make this work, but it was noticeable how stretched some segments felt throughout SmackDown. The Usos and Sami Zayn took so long over their entrance it was nearly time to lift the curtain on Royal Rumble by the time they'd finished yeeting.

Just be careful, Hunter. There are only so many superstar vignettes, recaps and visible filler people can stomach.