SmackDown brought back its three-hour format on the USA Network this past Friday, but fans shouldn’t get too used to the extended runtime.
According to Bryan Alvarez of The Bryan and Vinny Show, the current format may only stick around for the first half of the year—just like it did in 2025. Alvarez explained that the move appears to be part of a repeat programming strategy by the network. Last year, SmackDown aired as a three-hour show for several months before reverting to two hours. It looks like that playbook is being used again in 2026.
“This was the first three-hour SmackDown, and they had a comment on the show—and I didn’t write it down—but the way they said it made me think that this is an annual temporary thing,” Alvarez said. “Last year, of course, SmackDown was three hours for about the first half of the year, and then it went back to two hours.”
Alvarez went on to explain that sources had tipped him off about the plan even before SmackDown returned to three hours this January.
“I was told, when the announcement was made that they were going back to three hours in January, that it probably was going to be the same thing this year—where it would be a three-hour show for the first half or whatever.”
The longer format seems to be part of a broader network effort to test strong lead-ins for other programming. Alvarez added that the second half of 2026 may introduce a new show targeting the wrestling audience.
“And then they wanted to find some other program, similar to the Braun Strowman program, that a lot of wrestling fans would watch, and that would follow SmackDown starting in the latter half of the year. So I guess we’ll find out.”
Despite his belief that “three hours is too long for any wrestling show,” Alvarez admitted that the first episode of 2026 worked better than expected—thanks to the introduction of several fresh faces from NXT and the independent scene. Trick Williams, Jordynne Grace, Je’Von Evans, and Matt Cardona all made appearances, giving WWE a much-needed injection of new energy and justifying the expanded runtime—for now.
Still, the clock may already be ticking on the third hour. If the network pulls the trigger on its rumored post-SmackDown project, fans could see the blue brand trimmed back down by summer.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
Would you prefer Smack Down to stay at three hours, or is two enough for your Friday nights? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
