WWE “Friday Night SmackDown” officially kicked off its new three-hour format on the USA Network this week. However, a new report suggests the expanded runtime may not be a permanent fixture for the entirety of 2026.
Speaking on the “Bryan and Vinny Show,” Bryan Alvarez reported that the current three-hour block is expected to follow a similar pattern to 2025. The show could potentially revert to two hours in the second half of the year.
Alvarez noted that when the announcement was made regarding SmackDown’s shift to three hours for January 2026, sources indicated it would likely mirror the previous year’s schedule. In 2025, the blue brand ran for three hours during the first half of the year before scaling back.
“I was told, when the announcement was made that they were going back to three hours in January, that it probably was going to be the same thing this year. Itt would be a three hour show for the first half, or whatever,” Alvarez stated (H/T to WrestlingNews.co).
The strategy appears to be driven by the network’s programming needs. Alvarez mentioned that the network likely intends to launch a different program to follow SmackDown in the latter half of 2026. This would necessitate a cutback to the two-hour wrestling format.
More news: Nikki Bella Reunites With Ex-Boyfriend At WWE Raw
Despite his general sentiment that “three hours is too long for any wrestling show,” Alvarez praised the execution of the first episode of 2026. He noted that unlike previous attempts which “struggled for content,” this week’s show utilized the extra hour effectively by showcasing main roster call-ups from NXT, including Trick Williams, Jordynne Grace, Je’Von Evans, and Matt Cardona.
More WWE News:
