Triple H states that a major change is coming to WWE SmackDown.
On the first SmackDown episode of 2025 on 3rd January, the blue brand underwent a major change. With its transition from a 2-hour to a 3-hour show, the blue brand experienced several changes and a complete makeover.
While Raw went back to 2 hours last year, Triple H recently confirmed the Monday-night show to have a much more flexible runtime after its Netflix premiere. However, what is next for SmackDown in the future?
A few weeks ago, a report from WrestleVotes on WrestleVotes radio noted that “chatter” inside the promotion believed SmackDown to be three hours long till June 2025, after which it would shrink back to a two-hour show.
Recently speaking to Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show, the promotion’s chief content officer, Triple H confirmed SmackDown moving back to two hours later in the future. However, The Game did not mention any timeline for it.
“Yes, for right now (it is three hours), and then it switches back to two.”
Soon enough, Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics reported on it,
Levesque didn’t specify the timing here. I’ve been informed SmackDown is planned to return to a 2-hour format beginning in June.”
The possible runtime change is still far away, as fans now gear up for the Raw on Netflix premiere episode, which is slated to be filled with several returns from Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and many more.
In recent news, Triple H has teased a major return to WWE.
Triple H Addresses The Fate Of WWE PLEs After Netflix Move
Speaking to Jimmy Traina on the SI Media podcast, Triple H addressed the fate of future PLEs after their current deal with Peacock expires.
“At some point this year, we’ll get into the deal with Peacock, who we love and they’ll get a lot of consideration for us as the existing partner. I like to think that if we’re successful the way we think we will be, Netflix would be very interested and others will be as well. Premium Live Events, that’s our biggest content and our most valuable content, including WrestleMania. I think people will come in strong for that. Hopefully, between now and March of next year, we will prove ourselves that that is our most valuable content.”
The promotion signed a five-year deal with Peacock in 2021, transferring all of their Network content live streaming to Peacock.
In other news: Dominik Mysterio is not a fan of The Rock and John Cena’s WWE returns.
In a follow-up report, the reason for WWE SmackDown going back to 2 hours has been revealed.