WWE Planning to Cut SmackDown Back to Two Hours — Target Date Revealed

WWE’s decision to make SmackDown a three-hour show hasn’t exactly been a home run—and now, it looks like the clock is ticking on that extra hour.

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is preparing to move SmackDown back to its original two-hour format. “There has been talk that SmackDown goes back to two hours on 6/6, but that is not a hard date,” wrote Dave Meltzer. “It was expected at the end of May would be the move back. Company sources say the date isn’t etched in stone but they expected it will be finalized this week.”

Internally, there’s been growing frustration about the extended runtime. While the third hour was intended to provide more screen time for underused talent, insiders say it’s resulted in “weaker pacing, filler content, and creative fatigue.”

Fans have echoed similar complaints on social media, comparing the current format to Monday Night Raw, which has often been criticized for dragging during its three-hour broadcasts.

If the June 6 target holds up, WWE could return to a more focused, faster-paced version of SmackDown just in time for the summer stretch leading into Money in the Bank and SummerSlam.