There have been questions about SmackDown going back to 2 hours on July 4th and whether or not this is a permanent change.
The era of the three-hour WWE Friday Night SmackDown is officially over after this week. According to a report today from PWInsider, the show’s return to a two-hour format on the USA Network is a permanent change moving forward.
The move to three hours began when SmackDown returned to the USA Network at the beginning of 2025. While initially believed to be a temporary measure, reports earlier in the year suggested the USA Network was happy with the strong viewership of the third hour and opted to keep the extended runtime. The decision to revert to the traditional two-hour format brings the show back in line with its original structure, which it has maintained for the majority of its existence since 1999.
The change will take effect with the July 4th episode, which will be pre-taped this Monday after Raw.
The final three-hour edition of SmackDown will emanate from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this Friday, June 27. The show will serve as the final stop before the Night of Champions premium live event, and will feature the crowning of the new King and Queen of the Ring.
