WWE Reportedly Eyes Return Date for Two-Hour SmackDown Broadcast

SmackDown will return to a two-hour format starting with the July 4 episode, ending its temporary three-hour extension introduced in early 2025.
The July 4 episode will be taped on June 30 alongside WWE RAW, with RAW airing from 8-10:30 PM ET and SmackDown likely recorded afterward in a condensed format.
The three-hour SmackDown broadcasts will officially conclude on August 15, making way for a new legal drama series on USA Network at 10 PM.

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SmackDown will return to its traditional two-hour broadcast format, beginning with the July 4 episode. This adjustment comes as USA Network prepares for the debut of a new legal drama series.

The Friday night program had temporarily expanded to three hours in early 2025, following its move to USA Network from FOX. This extension was implemented to accommodate the network’s schedule as it finalized its new programming lineup.

Dave Meltzer clarified the timeline for this change during the June 19 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer stated that the three-hour format will officially conclude on August 15, making way for the new series, which will air at 10 PM.

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The July 4th SmackDown, which is being taped in Pittsburgh on the Monday before, on June 30th, that we’re being told is a two-hour show.
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Bryan Alvarez sought confirmation on the taping schedule for both WWE RAW and SmackDown on the same day.

So the July 4th show is a taped show. They’re taping a RAW and a SmackDown on Monday?

Meltzer affirmed WWE’s plan for the tapings.

Right. And they’re gonna tape RAW. So RAW will not be live. RAW will be taped from 6 to 8:30, but air from 8 to 10:30 Eastern Time. And then they will tape SmackDown probably about 8:45-ish, and do a two-hour show, which they can probably do in about an hour and a half, by just eliminating the backstage segments and obviously the commercial time. So they can get the show over by 10:15, 10:30, which is a reasonable time.

The schedule for the episodes between July 11 and August 8 remains undisclosed. Meltzer indicated he had not received clear information regarding these four shows despite his inquiries.

While the official return to a two-hour SmackDown is set for August 15, fans will experience the shorter format with the July 4 episode. This pre-taped broadcast, recorded on June 30 alongside WWE RAW, will temporarily reintroduce a more streamlined product.

The three-hour format had generated mixed reactions from fans and critics, with concerns raised about pacing and the inclusion of excessive filler content. The transition back to two hours is anticipated to enhance the show’s structure and improve viewer engagement.