It looks like WWE’s blue brand might be gearing up for another major schedule shake-up. According to a new report from WrestleVotes, SmackDown is expected to expand back to a three-hour format beginning in early 2026.
Per the report, sources indicate that WWE and USA Network have already agreed to the change, with the first extended broadcast slated for January 2 in Buffalo, NY. While the decision reportedly has been made, there’s no word yet on what prompted the move—or what the extra hour might mean for the show’s structure or roster focus.
This would mark SmackDown’s second runtime switch in less than a year. The brand originally bumped up to three hours in January when Raw moved from USA Network to Netflix. By June, SmackDown reverted back to its traditional two-hour window, a shift rumored to be tied to the network debut of The Rainmaker series. That season wrapped in mid-October, and there hadn’t been any chatter about a runtime change since—until now.
What makes this even more interesting is that previous reports following WrestleMania 41 suggested the opposite—that SmackDown would be locked in at the two-hour format over the summer. Clearly, plans evolved behind the scenes.
As of Friday’s show, neither WWE nor USA Network has officially confirmed the return to three hours, but if the report holds true, the shift will land right before the 2026 Royal Rumble on January 31 in Riyadh—effectively kicking off WrestleMania season with more weekly airtime than ever.
The conversation also comes at a time when ratings across all major wrestling programs have been recalibrated due to Nielsen’s new “Big Data + Panel” measurement system, which has shaken viewership trends industry-wide.
If SmackDown really is going long again, the added hour could bring new opportunities—or risk the pacing and fatigue issues fans often associate with three-hour wrestling shows. For now, all eyes are on WWE and USA Network for the official call.
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