WWE SmackDown is reportedly set to become a three-hour program once again, beginning in 2026. According to a report from WrestleVotes, the change is scheduled to take effect early in the new year.
“According to sources, WWE and USA Network have decided to move SmackDown back to three hours, beginning with the January 2nd show from Buffalo, NY,“ the tweet read. On January 2, 2026, WWE is scheduled to be at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
SmackDown’s Previous Three-Hour Run
This move marks a quick return to the expanded format. SmackDown was temporarily a three-hour show from January 3, 2025, through June 2025. That change was reportedly a temporary measure to increase advertising revenue for its broadcast partner, USA Network, following the move of Monday Night Raw from USA to Netflix in January 2025.
The show returned to its traditional two-hour format on July 4, 2025, but it appears that change was short-lived.
The initial three-hour run was met with mixed reactions from fans. While some enjoyed the extra opportunities for mid-card talent, others found the show too long and overloaded with commercials. This change also comes after Monday Night Raw reverted to a two-hour format (with flexible timing) for its Netflix debut, after airing for three hours since 2012.
According to sources, WWE and USA Network have decided to move SmackDown back to three hours, beginning with the January 2nd show from Buffalo, NY.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) November 14, 2025
