Backstage personnel in WWE have expressed dissatisfaction with SmackDown’s current three-hour format, according to a recent report from WrestleVotes Radio on Backstage Pass.
The report indicates that several WWE staff members believe the extended runtime has negatively impacted the show’s quality. When the format change was initially implemented, there was an expectation that the additional hour would create more opportunities for underutilized talent, but this has not materialized.
Those who aren’t big on the three-hour format feel the quality of the show has suffered as a result of the extra hour. There was an initial thought that the extra hour would benefit underutilized talent, but that hasn’t materialized so far.
WWE plans to end the three-hour experiment by late May, returning the blue brand to its traditional two-hour format. Fan sentiment has reportedly aligned with the backstage perspective, with viewers largely preferring the shorter version of SmackDown.
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The extended format represents significant potential revenue for WWE through the USA Network deal, though the company must now weigh this against concerns about diminishing viewer interest.
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