WWE SmackDown Returning to Two Hours Permanently Starting July 4

The three-hour era of WWE SmackDown is officially over.

Starting July 4, SmackDown will return to its classic two-hour format on USA Network—and this isn’t temporary. According to Ringside News, the third hour has been scrapped for good, ending months of speculation about the show’s future run-time.

While Wrestling Observer recently floated the idea that WWE might keep the three-hour version, that was never the long-term plan. USA reportedly tested the format to improve Friday night ratings, but neither viewership nor fan response made the extra hour worth it. On top of that, WWE wasn’t earning extra revenue for the third hour—making the cut an easy call.

The two-hour format returns with the Independence Day episode, promising fans a leaner, faster-paced SmackDown moving forward.

Source: Ringside News