WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque has confirmed that the current three-hour runtime of WWE SmackDown will revert to its traditional two-hour format in June 2025. Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Triple H addressed fan concerns over the extended runtime and highlighted the challenges of balancing storytelling with audience engagement. This announcement marks a pivotal shift in WWE’s programming strategy as the company navigates its evolving partnerships with broadcasters and streaming platforms.
Why SmackDown adopted a three-hour format.
The extended three-hour runtime of WWE SmackDown debuted on January 3, 2025, as part of WWE’s agreement with USA Network. The additional hour was introduced after WWE Raw moved to Netflix, leaving USA Network with SmackDown as its flagship wrestling program. This decision was intended to provide more content for fans while ensuring USA Network retained prime-time wrestling viewership.
Despite these intentions, the change has been met with mixed reactions from the WWE Universe. While some fans appreciated the added time for underutilized talent and longer storylines, others criticized the format for pacing issues and filler segments. Triple H acknowledged these concerns, stating, “Yes, for right now [SmackDown is three hours], and then it switches back to two.”
Reports confirm June 2025 as the timeline for change.
Industry insiders, including Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston, have corroborated that the transition back to two hours is set for June 2025. This move aligns with WWE’s strategic goals of maintaining viewer engagement and optimizing the pacing of its flagship shows. For many long-time fans, the return to the two-hour format represents a return to SmackDown’s classic structure, which many consider the ideal length for weekly episodic wrestling content.
Triple H on finding the ‘sweet spot’ for WWE programming.
During his interview with Pat McAfee, Triple H provided insight into the complexities of determining the perfect runtime for WWE shows
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque has confirmed that WWE SmackDown will return to its traditional two-hour runtime in June 2025. Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Triple H addressed fan concerns about the extended three-hour runtime and explained the reasoning behind this temporary schedule change. The announcement comes as WWE continues to navigate its evolving broadcasting strategies, including new partnerships with USA Network and Netflix.
Why SmackDown’s runtime was extended.
SmackDown’s three-hour format debuted on January 3, 2025, following WWE Raw’s move to Netflix. The additional hour was part of WWE’s agreement with USA Network, designed to bolster the network’s prime-time wrestling content in Raw’s absence. This shift offered more time for extended segments, talent exposure, and storylines.
However, the change has been met with mixed reactions from fans and critics. While some appreciated the opportunity to see more wrestlers in action, others criticized the pacing and highlighted “filler” segments that detracted from the show’s overall quality. Addressing these concerns, Triple H stated, “Yes, for right now [SmackDown is three hours], and then it switches back to two.”
When will the change take place?
Although Triple H did not specify an exact date, multiple reports, including those from Wrestlenomics and WrestleVotes, confirm that the two-hour format will return in June 2025. This timeline aligns with WWE’s contractual obligations and audience feedback, ensuring that SmackDown maintains its fast-paced, high-energy presentation.
Triple H: Balancing storytelling and runtime.
Speaking candidly about the challenges of show length, Triple H elaborated on the creative and logistical decisions behind WWE programming. “Sometimes, a three-hour show can feel long, and two hours is not enough. Somewhere between that two- and three-hour window is the sweet spot,” he explained. “With three hours, you get more space to highlight talent and stories, but it can also lead to pacing issues. On the other hand, two hours sometimes forces us to leave compelling stories or talent off the show entirely.”
He further emphasized the need for flexibility, especially in the current era of streaming and evolving audience habits. “It’s all about what the content needs to be. Some weeks, two hours might be enough, but other weeks, we might need more time to do justice to the stories we’re telling.”
What does this mean for WWE fans and the industry?
Fans can expect a more streamlined product when SmackDown reverts to two hours. The shorter runtime will likely eliminate “filler” segments, focusing instead on high-impact matches and storyline-driven content. However, this also means that some mid-card talent might see less screen time, potentially impacting their character development and exposure.
From a business perspective, the two-hour format may better align with live audience preferences and ratings trends. Shorter shows tend to perform better in terms of viewership retention, especially in an era where attention spans are shorter, and streaming platforms dominate. Additionally, USA Network may find the concise runtime more appealing for advertisers, ensuring a higher-quality presentation without sacrificing commercial opportunities.
Could more changes be on the horizon?
The decision to return SmackDown to its two-hour format raises questions about WWE’s broader programming strategy. With Raw now streaming on Netflix, WWE has already shown a willingness to experiment with formats and runtimes. This flexibility could extend to other shows on WWE’s roster, further adapting to audience preferences and technological advancements.
For now, the WWE Universe can look forward to SmackDown’s return to its roots in June 2025, while enjoying the additional content provided by its temporary three-hour format. As WWE continues to innovate, it remains clear that the company is committed to offering the best possible experience for its fans, both in the ring and on-screen.
