Michael Cole announced on Friday night that WWE SmackDown will again run for three hours. The change starts on January 2 2026. Fans will watch the first show of

Friday Night SmackDown could be in for a creative overhaul in 2026. While it has not yet been confirmed by the company, the Blue Brand is reportedly set to retu

The rumors were true, and WWE SmackDown will be moving back to a three-hour format beginning next year. The news was officially announced during Friday’s episode of the show. At the broadcast table, Michael Cole and Corey Graves confirmed that the show will be moving back to three hours in 2026.

According to a report from BodySlam on Friday morning, WWE is aware that recent stretches of "SmackDown" have not met expectations.

As confirmed by Michael Cole on WWE SmackDown itself, the blue brand will return to being a three-hour show in 2026. The change will come into effect starting from the January 2 edition of the show.

WWE announcer Michael Cole revealed on the 12 December edition of SmackDown that the blue brand will be going 3 hours again starting with the 2 January 2026 episode. This is the second time in as many years that Triple H's crew has elected to bolster SmackDown and lengthen the show from a more traditional 2 hour format by tacking on an extra hour.

WWE is reportedly very high on a SmackDown Superstar. According to a new report from Bodyslam.net, WWE officials were happy with Lash Legend‘s performance in the Women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series last month.

WWE SmackDown will officially move back to three hours on January 2, 2026. Michael Cole confirmed the news during the December 12th episode of SmackDown. WrestleVotes first reported the news on November 14.

SmackDown is taking place from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas tonight. As was already announced, the show will feature the Last Time is Now tournament finals between Gunther and LA Knight. Appearances by Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa have now been added to the card, along with two women’s division matches and a United States title open challenge.

WWE will host its final premium live event of the year, where John Cena retires from in-ring competition. Meanwhile, Charlotte Flair revealed her new name and paid homage to The Franchise Player.