WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix Internationally, from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
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.
The “Last Time Is Now” tournament kept rolling on this week’s WWE SmackDown from Albany, and fans got a surprise throwback appearance that nobody saw coming.
The night opened with Jey Uso knocking off The Miz to secure his place in the next round. WWE still hasn’t revealed the tournament bracket, so we’re left guessing who Main Event Jey will collide with next.
Later in the show, LA Knight came prepared for a mystery opponent — but the crowd inside MVP Arena erupted when the curtain parted to reveal Matt Cardona, fully revived in his classic Zack Ryder persona. Same name, same color scheme, same entrance. The whole package.
This was Ryder’s first match on the main roster in more than five years, with his last WWE appearance coming during an NXT cameo back in 2019 where he lost to Josh Briggs.
Cardona didn’t look out of place at all and came in swinging, clearly aiming to make the most of the moment. But despite a strong showing, LA Knight cut him off and sealed the win with the BFT, punching his ticket to the tournament’s next stage.
Whether Ryder’s return is a one-night nostalgia hit or something more permanent remains to be seen — but the crowd reaction made one thing clear: Albany knew it.
WWE airs live tonight beginning at 8:00 pm ET on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from the MVP Arena in Albany, NY.
Last night’s WWE SmackDown featured more than one shocking moment, but Charlotte Flair may have stolen the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
During her match with Nia Jax, Flair suffered an unexpected wardrobe malfunction that forced the production crew to repeatedly cut to black as she tried to adjust her gear. The interruptions were noticeable to viewers at home, though the match continued without being stopped.
Despite the hiccup, Flair carried on like a pro, keeping her composure and finishing the bout against “The Irresistible Force.” Fans on social media were quick to praise her professionalism and the production team’s quick response to contain the situation on live television.
Before the match, Flair was part of a backstage segment that hinted at her next big storyline. The Queen and her tag team partner Alexa Bliss, the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, crossed paths with the newly crowned WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill.
Cargill, fresh off a dominant win over Tiffany Stratton, delivered a warning to the women’s locker room, claiming that anyone who steps to her will meet the same fate. As she walked past Flair and Bliss, tensions flared immediately. Cargill held her championship high, exchanging heated words with the duo before Bliss pulled Flair back, reminding her to focus on her upcoming match with Jax.
It seems WWE may be planting the seeds for a major showdown between Charlotte Flair and Jade Cargill — a clash between two powerhouses that could redefine the SmackDown women’s division.
Wardrobe slip aside, Flair remains front and center in the women’s scene, and with Jade Cargill now on top of the mountain, the blue brand may be heading toward an explosive confrontation between two of the most dominant stars in WWE history.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans, emanating from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans, emanating from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from the Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University.
After more than a year away from the ring, Ilja Dragunov stormed back into WWE in a big way—by taking the United States Championship from Sami Zayn on SmackDown.
Dragunov, who hadn’t competed since last September, became the seventh challenger to answer Zayn’s weekly open challenge. The “Mad Dragon” made the most of his shot, going toe-to-toe with the resilient champion in a hard-hitting clash that lived up to both men’s reputations.
The bout was physical from the opening bell, packed with punishing strikes and near-falls. Zayn looked to have things under control late in the match, lining up for his trademark Helluva Kick—but Solo Sikoa chose that moment to make his presence felt. The Bloodline powerhouse appeared at ringside, briefly distracting Zayn and giving Dragunov just enough time to recover.
Sensing an opening, Dragunov exploded with the Torpedo Moscow, flooring Zayn before sealing the deal with a thunderous H-Bomb elbow drop. The three-count ended Zayn’s 50-day reign and crowned Dragunov as the new United States Champion—his first title since joining the main roster. The victory adds to Dragunov’s already impressive résumé, which includes reigns as both NXT and NXT UK Champion.
However, Dragunov’s celebration was short-lived. Moments after the match, Sikoa and his MFT allies launched a brutal attack on both Dragunov and Zayn. Standing tall over the fallen Superstars, Sikoa declared that he would “bring gold back to his family.” But before The Bloodline could further their assault, the Wyatt Sicks emerged, creating a tense standoff that closed the show.
With Dragunov now holding the red, white, and blue gold, and Sikoa vowing vengeance, the United States Title picture just became one of the most volatile storylines on SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally, emanating from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
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