WWE SmackDown will return to its three-hour format starting in 2026

WWE started 2025 with a series of changes in its main brands. On one hand, Monday Night Raw officially debuted on Netflix with a facelift both visually and in its duration, which is now "flexible" (around two and a half hours). On the other hand, SmackDown increased its duration to three hours. A decision that did not convince fans or many within the company, and was reversed in the month of July.

Thus, the blue brand returned to its traditional two-hour format. A duration that satisfied fans, but ultimately has not been reflected in the audience ratings, which have seen a significant decline in recent months. Perhaps for this reason the company and USA Network have decided to return to the three-hour format.

This was revealed by the media outlet WrestleVotes, indicating that the first show of the blue brand in 2026 will be the chosen event to make this change. Specifically, it is the episode of SmackDown on January 2, which will take place at the Keybank Center in Buffalo, New York.

It is worth remembering that the three-hour format was not only criticized by fans, but also by some individuals within the company, who were aware of the dangers of such a long show, including story repetition and lack of long-term ideas. Something that the company must take into account if it does not want to repeat the mistakes of the most recent past.