Report: WWE SmackDown Moving Back To Three Hours

Starting off in January earlier this year upon the move of Friday Night SmackDown to the USA Network, the blue brand moved to three hours in what was believed to be a temporary length for the show. In June, SmackDown switched back to its two hour format, and it has remained that way ever since. 

It has been revealed by WrestleVotes on X that both WWE and the USA Network have made the decision to move Friday Night SmackDown back to the three hour format, starting with the January 2, 2026 episode at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. It isn’t specified whether this is another temporary change for SmackDown that could last a similar amount of time to three-hour stretch this year, or a permanent move to three hours. 

It was reported earlier this year that the USA Network were happy with the viewership figures for WWE SmackDown as a three-hour show, but with the return of The Rainmaker series, SmackDown moved back to two hours in length. When it comes to WWE’s preference, it was reported during last year that those running the show were in favor of the shorter length.