WWE Accused of Trying to Take Braun Strowman’s Time Slot After SmackDown Expands to Three Hours

WWE’s decision to expand SmackDown back to three hours has already stirred up plenty of discussion—but now the company is catching heat from one of its former stars. Baron Corbin is openly accusing WWE of trying to take over Braun Strowman’s TV time slot on USA Network.

The controversy began after WrestleVotes reported that SmackDown will return to a three-hour format starting January 2nd, with the first extended show broadcasting live from Buffalo, New York. The move caught fans off guard, especially since WWE only recently trimmed the show back down to two hours over the summer.

Shortly after the news broke, Corbin jumped on Twitter and fired off a jab that immediately grabbed attention. He suggested WWE’s real motivation wasn’t creative direction—it was competition. Before delivering his punchline, Corbin framed it as the obvious conclusion to WWE’s timing. Then he dropped the accusation:

“Ha they want Braun’s time slot! The food show is crushing.”

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Corbin’s comment refers to Braun Strowman’s new series, Everything On The Menu, which airs Friday nights on USA Network and debuted with strong viewership. The premiere episode pulled 481,000 viewers with a 0.12 demo rating—numbers that reportedly impressed the network. With the show airing directly after SmackDown, Corbin is implying WWE wants that slot back under its own control.

While there’s been no official confirmation about whether WWE’s expanded runtime will affect Strowman’s show, Corbin’s accusation suggests a behind-the-scenes tug-of-war could be brewing. If USA Network decides to prioritize WWE programming in that window, Strowman’s series may face scheduling changes—or worse.

WWE hasn’t commented, and neither has Braun, but Corbin’s accusation has already kicked up debate among fans who wonder whether WWE is positioning itself to reclaim Friday nights entirely.

Do you think Baron Corbin is right—does WWE want Braun Strowman’s time slot back? Or is he stirring the pot for no reason? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.