WWE Smackdown expanded to a three-hour format in the latter half of 2024, a change that many fans have criticized. Although the longer show was meant to showcase more talent, it often resulted in filler content, causing what some describe as “viewer fatigue.”
Recently, it was announced that Smackdown will revert back to its traditional two-hour length. On the June 27th episode, Michael Cole confirmed that starting July 4th, Smackdown will air as a two-hour program. Additionally, the US network has removed the three-hour graphics and confirmed this update on social media.
The freed-up third hour will now feature a new series called “The Rainmaker,” inspired by the popular John Grisham novel. For WWE fans, returning to the shorter two-hour format is generally seen as a positive change, though how WWE will implement this shift remains unclear.
Fan Take: This update is significant for WWE fans who felt the longer Smackdown stretched the show too thin, impacting overall quality. Moving back to two hours could reignite excitement and tighten storytelling, ultimately benefiting the sport’s presentation and fan engagement.
