Wrestling On FanNation

WWE SmackDown Appears Set To Return To Two-Hour Format This Summer

SmackDown could be back on the 2-hour format by August as a new show is set to premiere on the USA Network.
Rick Ucchino|
WWE SmackDown
WWE SmackDown | WWE

WWE Friday Night SmackDown looks to be returning to the old two hour format, and it appears to have been quietly been confirmed nearly two weeks ago.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer posted on social media Tuesday afternoon that a new show called 'Rainmaker' is set to debut on Friday, August 15 at 10pm ET (9pm CT) on the USA Network. He goes on to credit a report from Variety.

The publication first mentioned the premiere date in this column from June 4, promoting the latest trailer for the series.

The 10pm ET (9pm CT) start time for 'Rainmaker', which as Meltzer already joked has nothing to do with Kazuchika Okada, would indicate that SmackDown will be dropping it's third hour of programming by that date.

The August 15 episode of SmackDown is set to take place in Boston's TD Garden Arena, and comes one week ahead of WWE's overseas tour that will lead up to Clash in Paris.

There's been no confirmation from WWE on the future of SmackDown's length, but Chief Content Officer Paul 'Triple H' Levesque did announce back in January that the Blue Brand would go back to the old format at some point in 2025. We'll provide more information on the future of SmackDown as it becomes available.

The Latest On WWE, AEW & More

Former WWE Champion Gets Sentimental Discussing Goldberg's Last Match

AEW Star MVP Says The Clock Is Ticking Down To The End Of His In-Ring Career

WWE Hall Of Famer Hopes Ron Killings Becomes World Champion

Konnan Gives Update On When Rey Mysterio May Return To WWE

Published
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

Home/WWE