The Three-Hour WWE SmackDown Problem
WWE SmackDown moved back to a three-hour format to kick off 2026, and while it initially started with a bang, it simply hasn’t been working lately. The show often feels bloated, with matches that many fans believe should be under ten minutes being stretched well past that time frame.
On top of that, running a three-hour program on the USA Network means dealing with roughly 50 to 60 minutes of commercials. This has created an unenjoyable experience for weekly viewers, whose frustrations were voiced loud and clear following the ad-heavy broadcast of WrestleMania 42.
Beyond the issues fans are feeling, this is also a major challenge for WWE writers who have to pivot their booking between two-hour and three-hour formats constantly. Fortunately, the show is set to return to its traditional two-hour timeframe in late June or early July 2026, which should help tighten the product.
The primary solution is for WWE to return to and stick with a two-hour program. While the company may argue that a three-hour show helps feature more talent, they simply aren’t doing a good enough job with that extra time anyway.
Given their current inability to push certain stars, even a five-hour show wouldn’t fix the underlying issue. Moving to a tighter schedule will force writers to make the most impactful decisions for the talent on a weekly basis.
WWE SmackDown doesn’t have a star power problem; it has an urgency problem. The blue brand is at its best when it’s helping wrestlers level up and shape their careers. But lately, it has felt more like a holding pattern on a repetitive loop.
SmackDown is definitely in a rut right now, and WWE needs to find a way to fix things quickly to get the fans back on board. The company has proven they are capable of listening to feedback and taking action, so the only real question is if they’re ready to do it again.
