WWE has confirmed that starting in the new year, SmackDown will return to a three-hour format. Earlier in 2025, SmackDown was extended to three hours but was later reduced back to two hours mid-year. After several months of airing for two hours weekly, a new update was announced on the December 12th episode of SmackDown in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where Michael Cole revealed that the show will be three hours again beginning January 2nd. That particular episode will be held at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
There is speculation that SmackDown’s schedule might be adjusted if WWE introduces a new USA Network show to fill the third hour. For instance, Braun Strowman’s program “Everything on the Menu” aired immediately after SmackDown for a few weeks. With that show concluding, SmackDown is set to occupy the full three-hour slot again. However, if a new program is launched in the future, SmackDown could revert to two hours, with the additional hour taken by the new show. WWE will provide updates as the situation evolves.
Fan Take: This time change is significant for WWE fans as it offers more in-ring action and storyline development each week, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Extending SmackDown to three hours could also provide more opportunities for fresh talent to shine and keep the content dynamic, which is essential for maintaining fan engagement in the long run.
