4 things WWE needs to do when SmackDown moves to 3 o'clock

Reports suggest a big change is afoot WWE SmackDown in the new year, with the blue-branded show returning to a three-hour run starting on January 2, 2026 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The run time change has not yet been confirmed by WWE or USA Network, but has been reported by various sources.

SmackDown also ran for three hours in 2025, from January to July of this year. The Friday Night Show has been dealing with low ratings in recent weeks, leading to several unpredictable moments during the two recent episodes. And with a longer runtime, there are several key things WWE needs to do to ensure the blue brand isn't neglected.

4. Switch some of the best ring workers from RAW to SmackDown

When RAW moved to Netflix earlier this year, many of them SmackDown's Top Starslike Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, AJ Styles and LA Knight moved to the red brand to give it a boost. Fast forward to the end of the year and the blue brand roster feels depleted.

Although Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest have joined the Friday Night Show along with former AEW stars Rey Fenix ​​and Aleister Black, the roster still feels too light. With more time to put on matches, some of the best in-ring workers could move to SmackDown as they would have a better chance to showcase their skills in the ring.

3. NXT could have a showcase every week

Fans always seem to appreciate the main roster collaborating with NXT in any way. With John Cena's latest edition of Saturday Night's Main Event set to feature an NXT submission, the company could make her a staple on the main roster each week, possibly as part of an Open Challenge.

Or, better yet, they could involve stars from both brands in a feud to raise the stakes for NXT's involvement.

2. Take the tag team titles from The Wyatt Sicks and a better tag team in the ring

SmackDown has some amazing tag teams, with the Motor City Machine Guns, DIY, Fraxiom, Street Profits and the MFTs to name a few. Wyatt's sick they currently hold the WWE Tag Team Championship, but have not been booked as champions.

The mysterious faction has been absent from programming for long periods and hasn't been able to build a solid story. While it looked like they were ready to have a feud with the MFTs, those plans seem to have been scrapped, with Solo Sikoa's faction now fighting Sami Zayn and his allies.

As a result, the titles should probably go to one of the teams that appear more regularly, such as the Machine Guns or perhaps Fraxiom.

1. Fill the card with brilliant talent

SmackDown hasn't felt like the land of opportunity in a long time And perhaps new and young talent is what is required. NXT calls should move to the blue label program to gain more exposure with the increased running time and to help strengthen the lower card.

The Friday Night Show could certainly use someone like Trick Williams, Oba Femi or Joe Hendry to help boast an equally strong roster as RAW.