(Warning: WWE SmackDown spoilers for viewers in the United States.)
RAW commentator Michael Cole disclosed a major change for WWE SmackDown from next week.
During the SmackDown go-home episode tonight before Night of Champions, Michael Cole announced that starting next week, July 4, the Friday night show would return to a two-hour format, i.e., 8 pm to 10 pm ET, instead of the current three-hour format from 8 pm to 11 pm ET.
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There have been recent rumors that the Friday night show will return to a two-hour time slot after USA Network announced a new show, The Rainmaker, which will premiere on August 15, starting at 10 p.m. ET. The three-hour format of the blue brand began at the beginning of this year on January 3.
Michael Cole Also Addressed Another Issue On WWE SmackDown
The beginning of this week’s show began with uncertainty when live coverage was down for 30 minutes after a reported power outage in Saudi Arabia, which is why many fans watching at home missed the Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton opening segment ahead of their King of the Ring Tournament final this weekend.
When WWE SmackDown’s live coverage came back on, Michael Cole apologized to the fans watching at home and explained that the show was down due to some technical difficulties. He also jokingly apologized for having Wade Barrett as one of the people to welcome them back when the live coverage of the episode returned.