As first reported by BodySlam+, WWE SmackDown is set to go back 2 hours, and we quote, in a “few weeks.” That is sooner than most of the WWE Universe expected, considering the timeline of last year’s SmackDown going from 2 hours to 3. For the first half of 2025, the Blue Brand went to 3 hours to accommodate the build to that year’s WrestleMania 41, as well as have more time to prepare Premium Live Events that preceded it, such as the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber.
WWE SmackDown went back to 2 hours at the beginning of July 2025, and it was announced in December of last year that it will indeed have another hour to kick in the new year, mirroring the events of last year. As reports suggest, The USA Network wanted an extra hour of SmackDown to fill some time slots before the TV network greenlights a premiere of a brand new show.
If the rumor mill is correct, we may see the Blue brand back to 2 hours as early as the mid-way point of May 2026. The 2-hour and 3-hour debate has been looming for a couple of years now, with some voicing their displeasure with the long run time of the show, considering the pacing hasn’t been that good and having a 2-hour show on Fridays is enough since WWE Monday Night Raw goes for nearly 3 hours on Netflix, and NXT for 2 as well on The CW.
Others find the 3-hour format better, since it provides another hour of WWE TV to give newer or underutilized stars their time to shine. Well, if the rumors are true, we’re just going to find out for ourselves. There are definitely merits to a longer runtime for Friday Night Fight Night, but only if the promotion builds a stronger foundation and actually figures out a way to make it work, since WWE Raw has been marred with pacing issues since its move to 3 hours, or 2 and a half hours on Netflix.
