With Raw moving to Netflix, it became a three-hour show. Now, SmackDown has also started doing a three-hour show, which is great for fans because they get more drama, though it comes at a price.
But WWE plans to go back to the old two-hour format soon. WWE CCO Paul Levesque has revealed the expected date for this change.
SmackDown switched to a three-hour format at the beginning of the year, but this change will soon be reversed. Some people thought this new schedule would stay, but Triple H recently said it won’t be permanent.
SmackDown will reportedly go back to a 2 hour show in May or June.
— Cultaholic Wrestling (@Cultaholic) January 17, 2025
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter) pic.twitter.com/iEDkM1U5f4
According to him, WWE SmackDown will return to its original two-hour format in May or June 2025. Reports from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter also back this up.
While the three-hour shows featured a greater number of matches and segments, the pacing became more challenging. Triple H shared on The Pat McAfee Show that the creative team believes they can keep the show exciting in just two hours.
Triple H opens up about WWE SmackDown’s two-hour format
WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H, recently talked about bringing WWE SmackDown back to its two-hour format on The Pat McAfee Show. The change aims to balance quality content with keeping fans engaged.
Triple H explained, “Yes, for right now (it is three hours), and then it switches back to two” He also mentioned that three-hour shows often include some extra filler content added on purpose, which can be avoided with the shorter format.
