Big news, folks, and let me tell you, it’s got wrestling fans shaking in their boots—or at least their recliners. While we’re all popping champagne for the news that “WWE Raw” is mercifully dropping back to two hours starting October 7 after 12 long years of weekly marathons, don’t get too comfortable. Because guess what? There’s a new rumor in town: “WWE SmackDown” might expand to three hours by 2025.
That’s right, folks. Just when you thought your Fridays were safe, SmackDown might be getting an extra hour, thanks to some behind-the-scenes maneuvering between WWE and USA Network. According to the all-knowing Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is reportedly on the verge of locking in a deal to stretch SmackDown into a full three-hour spectacle, giving you even more wrestling to chew on at the end of your week. It’s like a buffet that never ends, but can you handle another plate?
Let’s break it down: WWE is in talks with USA, and while nothing’s set in stone yet, it looks like a low-risk, high-reward move for the company. You see, producing another hour of TV each week is practically pocket change for WWE—especially since they’ve been doing it for Raw since 2012. For WWE, it’s all upside. For fans? Well, some might say it’s a bit like that one relative who keeps hanging around long after the party’s over.
And just when you thought the battle between WWE and AEW couldn’t get spicier, there’s more. If SmackDown goes three hours, that means the final hour would go head-to-head with AEW Rampage on TNT. Talk about turning up the heat! Although, let’s be honest, AEW might just move Rampage or cancel it altogether depending on the media rights shake-up that’s coming. So, could SmackDown reign supreme as the only wrestling show in town on Friday nights? It’s looking more and more like it.
So, what do you think, folks? Are you ready for a three-hour SmackDown? Or is this more of a “be careful what you wish for” situation? Either way, WWE fans better buckle up—2025 is shaping up to be one heck of a ride.