WWE SmackDown is expected to move back to its traditional two-hour format in the coming weeks. The decision is reportedly coming from USA Network rather than WWE itself, as the network adjusts its upcoming programming schedule.
At this time, there is no confirmed date for when the change will take effect. The May 1 and May 8 episodes are still listed as three-hour broadcasts on USA Network’s schedule. This indicates the shift will likely happen later in the month or early summer.
The main reason behind the change is the network’s future lineup. USA Network is preparing to add new content in the 10 PM Eastern time slot later this year. One of the planned shows is the return of Everything on the Menu, hosted by Braun Strowman, which is expected to premiere its second season in early summer.
SmackDown has historically been a two-hour program since its debut in 1999. The show briefly expanded to three hours during the first half of 2025, then returned to two hours before shifting back to a three-hour format again starting January 2, 2026. The extended runtime has reportedly not been well received by fans or within WWE during its previous run.
The expected return to two hours may also be connected to recent roster decisions. Reports suggest that WWE’s latest round of releases following WrestleMania 42 was partly influenced by the need to adjust the roster for a shorter weekly show. According to Bodyslam, 14 main roster talents associated with SmackDown were included among the 25 total releases on April 24.
With the format change approaching, WWE will likely need to refine how it uses its roster on WWE SmackDown. A shorter show means less available screen time, making it more important to focus on key storylines and talent moving forward.
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