WWE SmackDown reportedly moving back to a three-hour format in 2026

The January 3rd 2025 edition of WWE Smackdown was the launch of the show becoming three hours on a weekly basis. In February, it was reported by WrestleVotes Radio that people within WWE “strongly dislike the three-hour SmackDown format.” In the summer, SmackDown went back to being a two-hour show.

However, it appears that SmackDown will be moving back to a three-hour format. Twitter/X account @WrestleVotes noted that according to sources, WWE and USA Network “have decided to move SmackDown back to three hours, beginning with the January 2nd show from Buffalo, NY.” WWE has yet to officially confirm the report.

According to sources, WWE and USA Network have decided to move SmackDown back to three hours, beginning with the January 2nd show from Buffalo, NY.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) November 14, 2025