Three things that can happen as WWE SmackDown moves to three hour format in 2025

WWE SmackDown currently airs for two hours

WWE has officially announced that SmackDown will expand to a three-hour format beginning with its January 3, 2025 episode. The show will continue to air on Friday evenings, live from the USA Network, with the first extended episode set to broadcast from Phoenix, Arizona.

The promotion reported, “SmackDown continues to air on USA Network every Friday night at 8/7 C in the U.S. At the start of 2025, SmackDown will expand to three hours starting with the Jan. 3 episode from Phoenix, Arizona.”

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨#SmackDown will now be 3 hours starting January 3rdRaw and Smackdown will both be 3 hours in 2025Don’t forget there will be a WWE Superstar Shake-Up soon pic.twitter.com/38dCK62tsL

— Chris (@enforcerchris_) December 20, 2024

As the Blue brand transitions to a three-hour format, let’s take a look at three things that could happen afterward.

3. Enhanced storytelling

With an additional hour for its programming, the promotion can delve deeper into storylines and character arcs which would lead to a more engaging and more intriguing experience for the fans.

As of now, SmackDown suffers with pacing as the two-hour format sometimes isn’t long enough for matches, segments, and storylines. The promotion also has to free up time for ads in between the program which affects the duration of matches.

Also Read: WWE SmackDown set to follow Raw’s footsteps as it soon moves to three-hour format

2. More opportunities for newcomers

The increased time would also give newcomers and mid-card talents to showcase their abilities in front of the live audience as well as fans watching the broadcast.

Newcomers would be able to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and build momentum, potentially leading to a stronger and more diverse roster. This would also increase the total number of matches per show for the Blue brand.

1. Longer matches and fan engagement

The extra hour could include interactive elements such as fan participation during promos and segments. The segment where the promotion showcases the audience signs can also be increased.

The Stamford-based promotion could also use the extra time for matches with high anticipation and stakes. Main event matches would get more time leading to a more engaging atmosphere for the live audience and viewers at home.

With the extended runtime, the pacing of both matches and segments would improve, allowing for a more balanced and fluid show.

How do you think the three-hour format will impact the pacing and storytelling of SmackDown? What matches do you want to see in 2025? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

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