WWE SmackDown Shakeup: Will a Three-Hour Format Be a Slam Dunk or a Stumble?
The landscape of professional wrestling could be significantly changed in 2025, with whispers of a major shakeup for Friday Night SmackDown. Reports circulating throughout the industry suggest the popular show is slated to expand to a three-hour format, following a similar shift for Monday Night Raw when it makes its highly anticipated move to Netflix in January.
Network Shifts and Expanded Programming
This potential expansion for SmackDown coincides with a period of major change within WWE television programming, sparked by Raw’s move to Netflix. Earlier this year, Raw briefly scaled back to two hours, bridging the gap between its departure from the USA Network and its premiere on the streaming giant. WWEı entered into a short-term agreement with USA to keep Raw on standard cable through the end of 2024.
Timing Still Uncertain
While WrestleVotes Radio has indicated that SmackDown’s move to a three-hour format is likely to occur in January, the exact timeline remains unconfirmed. “We did mention here on WrestleVotes Radio in the past, SmackDown will be moving to three hours. However, we are told that isn’t a guarantee to be starting the same week as Raw moves to Netflix,” WrestleVotes reported.“Now, we’re hearing the plan is still to extend SmackDown to three hours this coming January. However, it is to be determined if it will go down the first week of 2025 when Raw shifts or later on in the month.”
A Mixed Reception from the WWE Universe
News of SmackDown’s potential extension has been met with mixed reactions from fans. Some are enthusiastic about the prospect of more in-ring action and expanded storylines, anticipating the opportunity for deeper character development and more captivating narratives.
However, a segment of the WWE Universe expresses concern that an additional hour could dilute the show’s quality. SmackDown has long been celebrated for its tight pacing and engaging narratives, often lauded as the more focused and strategically paced of WWE’s two flagship shows. Critics fear that a longer runtime could lead to filler content or a sprawling narrative flow that loses its punch.
A Balancing Act for WWE
The potential expansion of SmackDown presents WWE with a significant challenge: maintaining the show’s signature quality while accommodating a larger time slot. It’ll be a delicate balancing act, requiring a careful curation of storylines, match lengths, and segment pacing to ensure the show remains engaging despite the longer runtime.
Do you think a three-hour SmackDown is a good idea? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Can a three-hour SmackDown format sustain viewer engagement?
## WWE SmackDown Shakeup: Will a Three-Hour Format Be a Slam Dunk or a Stumble?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show, wrestling fans! Tonight we’re diving deep into the rumors swirling around Friday Night SmackDown. Word on the street is, the blue brand is getting a major overhaul in 2025, expanding to a three-hour format. To help us break down this potential game-changer, we’ve got wrestling journalist and commentator, Jim ‘The Critic’ Sullivan on the line. Jim, thanks for joining us!
**Jim Sullivan:** Always a pleasure to be here! I’ve been hearing whispers about this SmackDown expansion for months now, and it definitely has the potential to shake things up.
**Host:** Absolutely. Now, three hours is a significant jump from the current two-hour format. What are your initial thoughts on this potential change?
**Jim Sullivan:** It’s a double-edged sword, really. On one hand, a longer show gives WWE more time to develop storylines, showcase more talent, and deliver more in-ring action. We could see deeper character development, more in-depth feuds, and a chance for some of the underutilized wrestlers to shine. [ [1](https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/09/27/wwe-smackdown-expansion-likely-as-talks-continue-with-usa-network/) ]
**Host:** That definitely sounds promising. But what about the potential downsides?
**Jim Sullivan:** Well, there’s always the risk of bloating the show. Three hours is a long time to keep viewers engaged, and if not executed well, it could feel repetitive or meandering. WWE will need to carefully curate the content to ensure a dynamic and engaging experience for the audience.
**Host:** That’s a crucial point. Is there any precedent for expanding a wrestling show to this length?
**Jim Sullivan:** Not really.
WWE tried a three-hour Raw format for a while, but it ultimately didn’t stick. However, this is a different WWE landscape. With Raw moving to Netflix, SmackDown might be positioned to become the flagship show, the main event on Friday nights. That could justify a longer format.
**Host:** Interesting. To wrap things up, Jim, what’s your overall prediction? Will SmackDown’s potential expansion be a slam dunk or a stumble?
**Jim Sullivan:** I’m optimistic. WWE has a talented roster and a proven track record of entertaining fans. If they can maintain a tight, well-paced show with compelling content, the three-hour SmackDown could be a huge success. But it’s definitely a gamble, and only time will tell if it pays off.
**Host:** Thanks for your time and insight, Jim. We appreciate your expertise.
**Jim Sullivan:** Always a pleasure, thanks for having me.
