Underutilized talent finally to be showcased, RAW star to change brands? - 4 things that could happen when WWE SmackDown moves to three hours
There is a major rumor going around regarding WWE and the future of Friday Night SmackDown. If reports and speculation are to be believed, the blue brand could be shaking things up considerably next year.
Allegedly, SmackDown will be moving from a two-hour show to a three-hour show. This would be similar to Monday Night RAW, which has been a three-hour program for many years now and will likely return to being one come January.
This rumor comes hot off the heels of other major moves for SmackDown. Most notably, the blue brand moved from the FOX Network to the USA Network just last week. Additionally, the commentary team has been shaken up and the show even has new graphics and a brand new theme song.
If SmackDown does become three hours long, it would change the tone of the show considerably. There will likely be some changes that come with the move and this article will look at four key things that might happen if the show is extended in 2025.
Below are four things that could happen when WWE SmackDown moves to three hours.
#4. NXT stars may be called up to WWE's main roster
The WWE Draft takes place almost every year and features talent being moved across RAW and SmackDown, typically with some call-ups from NXT. Due to RAW being three hours, the red brand generally has an extra draft pick. That wasn't the case this year, but RAW still has a much larger roster.
WWE could choose to pad out the SmackDown roster if they move to three hours by calling up some NXT talent. The first and most obvious choice is Roxanne Perez, who is arguably the most talented competitor regardless of gender on NXT.
Alternatively, a few other optional call-ups could happen too. Ethan Page may get moved up if he loses the NXT Championship. The likes of Trick Williams, Axiom, Nathan Frazer, and maybe even Giulia could find their way to SmackDown too.
#3. Underutilized talent could finally be showcased
While adding NXT performers to WWE Friday Night SmackDown would be exciting, the reality is that there are several stars from the brand who need to be utilized first. Adding others when there are some chomping at the bit awaiting opportunity would be silly.
The most glaring examples are Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, The Good Brothers, and Tegan Nox. All of those talented performers either haven't been on television since the 2024 WWE Draft or are currently not being utilized.
Beyond those performers, other quality stars could be used more regularly, even if they still appear on a somewhat frequent basis. Blair Davenport, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, and Baron Corbin could all get more established roles if SmackDown goes to three hours.
#2. A Women's United States Championship could be introduced
Women's wrestling has evolved a lot over the years. Gone are the days of bra and panties matches and silly nonsense like that, which ultimately just set women's wrestling in WWE backward.
Instead, WWE has three fantastic divisions filled with talented stars. SmackDown, for example, features the likes of Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Bayley, Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax, Naomi, Chelsea Green, Michin, Candice LeRae, and Piper Niven, among others.
The blue brand has 15 women on its roster and that is without returns and call-ups. It is time for the show to have a mid-card title. If SmackDown moves to three hours, the Women's United States Championship could be introduced. This would allow Chelsea, Piper, Candice, Michin, and even the likes of Tegan, Elektra Lopez, and B-Fab to have a title to fight for.
#1. Some RAW stars may move to SmackDown full-time
As noted, RAW has a significantly larger roster than WWE Friday Night SmackDown. Despite the draft format changing this year, SmackDown still has about two-thirds the strength of the red brand.
One easy way to correct this would be by moving a handful of WWE Monday Night RAW performers over to SmackDown on the USA Network. For example, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn could easily move on over to the blue brand.
Both men are expected to be part of the ongoing Bloodline saga once again, so moving them just makes a lot of sense. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, who are a bit lost in the shuffle on RAW, could also move over to get a refresh of sorts.