WWE SmackDown is potentially heading back toward its two-hour format.
Earlier this year, SmackDown brought a major change in its format when it transitioned from a two-hour show to a three-hour show. While the two-hour format was well-loved by fans across the globe, the three-hour format failed to receive a similar recognition. Fans often felt the show ran too long, yet still failed to properly utilize the roster.
Last month, WrestleVotes Radio reported that SmackDown was set to continue its three-hour format for the “foreseeable future”. However, following a recent update from USA Network, a potential spoiler regarding the Friday night show’s return to its original time slot has emerged.
USA Network shared an announcement that “The Rainmaker” is scheduled to premiere on Friday, August 15th at 10 p.m. ET. This announcement indicated that the blue brand will transition back to two hours since it airs from 8 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET every Friday.
The official statement from USA Network about ‘The Rainmaker’ reads:
“The Rainmaker — which will premiere on August 15, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on USA Network, with episodes streaming on Peacock one week after they first air — stars Milo Callaghan as Rudy Baylor, a young law school grad. As the new trailer reveals, he gets fired on his first day working for the powerhouse lawyer Leo Drummond (Mad Men’s John Slattery), forcing him to get a job with Brusier (Once Upon a Time’s Lana Parrilla), a tough, talented, but not exactly reputable lawyer. (Her offices are located in what used to be a taco shop.) Rudy and Bruiser are joined by disheveled paralegal Deck (P.J. Byrne).”
However, the Stamford-based promotion has not yet shared an official statement on SmackDown’s future, and this still remains speculation and not an official update.
We at ITR Wrestling shall update the story as soon as we hear more.
A Former WWE Champion Wants To Be “Home” During SmackDown’s Dublin Episode
Later this year, WWE is set to tour the UK before heading to France for the Clash in Paris PLE. After a long time, the promotion is set to halt in Dublin and air a SmackDown episode from there on August 22nd. In an interview with Michael Fairman before WrestleMania 41, Lyra Valkyria opened up on her wishes to perform in Dublin.
“It’s always great to go home, I know we’ve got a SmackDown in Dublin in August, so I would absolutely love to get the chance to go and be on that with this on my shoulder. Maybe with another one around my waist.”
In other news: Detailed insights on Liv Morgan’s injury is now out.