Initial Expansion and ⁢Potential Reversion

Friday night SmackDown debuted its new three-hour format on the USA Network this week, but ⁢reports suggest‍ the expanded⁣ runtime may not last the entire year. Wrestling journalist Bryan Alvarez, speaking on ⁢the Bryan and Vinny Show, indicated the show could revert too a two-hour format in the latter half ⁣of 2026, mirroring a similar pattern observed in 2025.

In 2025, SmackDown aired for three hours during the first six months before returning to its conventional two-hour length. Sources suggested the January 2026 ⁢expansion would follow the same schedule. alvarez⁣ stated, “I was told, when⁢ the proclamation was made that they were going back to three hours in January, that ⁤it probably was going ⁣to be ⁣the⁤ same thing this year, where it would be a three hour show for the first half,⁢ or whatever.”

Network Programming Strategy

The potential shift is reportedly driven by the USA Network’s broader programming strategy. The network aims to⁢ leverage smackdown as a strong lead-in for other shows later in 2026. Alvarez suggests the network intends to launch a new program-comparable to the previous “Braun Strowman program”-following SmackDown, which would necessitate reducing the wrestling ‍show back to a two-hour duration.

Utilizing the Extended Runtime

Despite a general belief ⁢that “three hours is too long for any wrestling show,” Alvarez praised the execution of the january 2026 episode. He contrasted it with ⁣the three-hour episodes⁢ from 2025, which often “struggled for content.” this ‍week’s show effectively used the additional hour to showcase⁢ talent recently promoted from NXT.

“This show, they brought up some new wrestlers from NXT… They had more than enough talent to fill up the three hours,” Alvarez explained.

The episode ⁤featured ⁢appearances by Trick Williams, Jordynne Grace, Je’Von Evans, and Matt Cardona, demonstrating the ability to justify the extended runtime with fresh faces.