WWE Confirms SmackDown Returning to Two-Hour Format on July 4 – After nearly a year of extended programming, WWE SmackDown will officially return to its traditional two-hour format starting Friday, July 4, 2025.
The change was announced during the June 27 edition of SmackDown, which aired live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Commentator Michael Cole delivered the news on-air between segments, briefly confirming the shift before transitioning to a recap of the previous week’s confrontation between Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair.
WWE also confirmed that the July 4 episode will be pre-taped following the RAW taping on June 30 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The blue brand originally moved to a three-hour format in September 2024, a change widely reported at the time to be temporary. However, as the format continued into 2025, some reports suggested WWE was considering making the longer runtime permanent. That speculation has now been put to rest.
While the expanded format allowed for deeper story development and additional match time, it also drew criticism from fans and analysts who felt the pacing suffered. The return to two hours is expected to bring back a tighter, more focused structure that many long-time viewers prefer.
With SmackDown heading into a busy summer season following Night of Champions, the timing aligns with upcoming creative changes and potential roster moves. Fans can now look forward to a more concise weekly broadcast moving forward.
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WWE Confirms SmackDown Returning to Two-Hour Format on July 4
