Add as a preferred source on Google SmackDown is expected to return to a three-hour format in January, following the model WWE and USA Network have used in recent years.
The information was mentioned by Brie Bella on a recent edition of The Nikki & Brie Show, as the WWE Hall of Famer discussed her loss to Lainey Reid on the July 3 episode. Reid won the match in just over three minutes, following interference from Fatal Influence against Paige.
Brie explained that she had been asking for a singles match on WWE programming for some time, but was frustrated when she found out she would have very little time in the ring.
“SmackDown is back to two hours, and it’ll be two hours until January.”
Her comment indicates that a return to three hours is already planned for the start of 2027. Brie also said she understands the situation, since the move from three hours back to two forces several rivalries to compete for space on the weekly show.
The blue brand officially returned to two hours on July 3. One week earlier, Michael Cole confirmed on commentary that the show would be leaving the expanded format again.
The back-and-forth is not much of a surprise. In April, it had already been reported that the move to two hours was a USA Network decision, rather than something directly made by WWE, as the network looked to make room for other programming in the 10 p.m. hour in the United States.
Triple H had also publicly indicated that SmackDown could have a variable runtime, describing the show as a two-hour program during some parts of the year and a three-hour program during others.