WWE changes course again on SmackDown’s 3-hour runtime

Another change is being made by WWE regarding Friday Night SmackDown’s runtime, which was recently upped to three hours. However, that may not be the case for long.

Bodyslam.net (via Ringside News) reports that SmackDown is expected to drop the three-hour format and revert to being a two-hour show “in a few weeks.”

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as WWE followed a similar plan in 2025. In Bodyslam’s report, they note how Bryan Alvarez noted that it may be “an annual temporary thing.”

Having three-hour episodes of SmackDown is greatly beneficial for the build to WrestleMania. They allow WWE to flesh out more storylines as the Showcase of the Immortals approaches. As the summer begins, it’s a slower time until the build to SummerSlam begins later in the season. Going back to two-hour episodes makes sense.

As noted, a similar approach was taken in 2025. SmackDown was three hours until a change was made in August 2025, moving it back to two hours.

However, before the start of the new year, it was reported that WWE would once again bump SmackDown’s runtime to three hours. This change was implemented on Jan. 2, 2026, and has been the status quo for a few months since.

When will WWE change the SmackDown runtime?

A specific date wasn’t announced for the SmackDown runtime change. However, it should be expected in the near future since Bodyslam’s report stated it’d occur “in a few weeks.”

Currently, the SmackDown roster includes top stars like Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, and Jacob Fatu.

There are also younger up-and-coming stars on the roster. Trick Williams just won the United States Championship at WrestleMania 42 from Sami Zayn. Fatal Influence, a faction featuring the likes of Jacy Jane, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid, was just called up to the main roster as well.

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