WWE SmackDown has returned to a three-hour format on the USA Network, but the expanded runtime may only be temporary.
According to Bryan Alvarez on the Wrestling Observer’s Bryan and Vinny Show, the longer format is expected to mirror last year’s approach, with WWE SmackDown airing for three hours during the first part of the year before eventually reverting to two hours. Alvarez suggested the move is part of a familiar programming strategy rather than a permanent change.
“This was the first three-hour SmackDown, and they had a comment on the show, and I didn’t write it down, but the way they said it made me think that this is an annual temporary thing,” Alvarez said. “Last year, of course, SmackDown was three hours for about the first half of the year, and then it went back to two hours.”
Alvarez added that he had been told in advance that the plan for 2026 closely resembled what WWE and the network did in 2025.
“I was told, when the announcement was made, that they were going back to three hours in January, that it probably was going to be the same thing this year, where it would be a three-hour show for the first half or whatever.”
The reasoning appears to be tied to network scheduling. Alvarez explained that USA Network is once again using SmackDown as a strong lead-in while it looks to develop additional programming that appeals to the wrestling audience later in the year.
“And then they wanted to find some other program, similar to the Braun Strowman program, that a lot of wrestling fans would watch, and that would follow SmackDown starting in the latter half of the year,” Alvarez said. “So I guess we’ll find out.”
Despite maintaining that three hours is too long for any wrestling show, Alvarez acknowledged that the first SmackDown of 2026 benefitted from the extra time. The episode featured several fresh faces from NXT and outside WWE, including Trick Williams, Jordynne Grace, Je’Von Evans, and Matt Cardona, giving the show a noticeable boost of energy.
For now, the extended format appears to be a short-term experiment rather than a long-term commitment, with WWE once again using the early months of the year to test how much content audiences are willing to consume.
WWE SmackDown Results January 2, 2026
The results for last Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown are as follows:
- Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley defeated Lash Legend, Nia Jax and The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)
- Matt Cardona defeated Kit Wilson
- WWE United States Title Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) defeated Johnny Gargano
- WWE Women’s United States Title Match: Giulia defeated Chelsea Green (c) – NEW CHAMPION
- Ambulance Match: Damian Priest defeated Aleister Black
