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Major Update on the Future of WWE SmackDown's 3-Hour Format

More changes are in store for WWE SmackDown, as the show will reportedly be switching back to its old format in the near future.
Rick Ucchino|
SmackDown
SmackDown | WWE.com

As we already saw this past Friday night, WWE SmackDown is undergoing a bit of a makeover.

It was first reported by WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select this past Thursday that changes were in store for the Blue Brand, including an update of the show's presentation and a refresh for the roster.

The first adjustment emerged on Friday afternoon when WWE unveiled brighter match and segment promotional graphics. Gone are the old washed-out versions with the color stripped from wrestlers involved. They've now been replaced by these new renderings that give off the same vibe as Dorothy stepping out into the Emerald City for the first time.

Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley | WWE

Then came the infusion of new talent to the locker room. WrestleVotes reported Thursday evening that two-time NXT Women's Champion Jacy Jayne was being discussed for a call-up to SmackDown, and she arrived a little over 24 hours later. And she didn't come alone.

All three members of Fatal Influence, including Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, arrived on the scene this past Friday night and made a major statement by attacking Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley and Women's Tag Team Champions Brie Bella and Paige, as well as Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.

It was also announced that former NXT Women's North American Champion Blake Monroe would be making her SmackDown debut on the May 1 episode in Tulsa, Oklahoma, alongside former NXT and NXT North American Champion Ricky Saints.

It does appear, however, that there will soon be less screen time for all this new SmackDown talent to share with the main roster veterans.

SmackDown will reportedly revert back to two hours in the near future

The insiders at BodySlam reported Sunday afternoon that SmackDown will be switching back to its old two-hour format within the next few weeks, marking the latest reshuffling of the show's allotted time since it moved from FOX to the USA Network in the fall of 2024.

"This is a USA Network move and not a WWE move," BodySlam wrote in its report. "USA Network has exclusive shows that will be airing at 10 p.m. Eastern, including Everything on the Menu starring Braun Strowman."

It was not noted if the upcoming format change played a factor in the disproportionate number of SmackDown superstars that were released from their contracts on Friday.

Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, The Wyatt Sicks, Motor City Machine Guns, Alba Fyre and Apollo Crews made up a large portion of the two dozen wrestlers who departed the company this weekend. Many of them will become free agents within the next 90 days.

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Rick Ucchino
RICK UCCHINO

Rick Ucchino is the Assistant Editor & Content Coordinator for The Takedown on SI. He also works full-time for 700WLW Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio as a local news and sports anchor, in addition to his time covering the Cincinnati Bengals for Sirius XM. Rick has been on the professional wrestling beat since 2019, having provided coverage for a number of outlets, including Fightful, SB Nation’s Cageside Seats and the Bleav Podcast Network. With an educational background in theater, creative writing and journalism, Rick focuses primarily on the storytelling aspect of pro wrestling, but he’s no stranger to the squared circle himself. He had the privilege of training with former WWE & WCW cruiserweight Jimmy Wang Yang for nearly two years and retired early due to back issues with a perfect 1-0 record in singles competition. Rick is a married father of two incredibly adorable children, who are budding pro wrestling fans themselves. Much to the chagrin of their mother. You can reach Rick at rwucchino@gmail.com

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