WWE: Why SmackDown Should Never Go to 3 Hours

WWE SmackDown should never go to three hours.

What works for one weekly wrestling program might not work for every show. SmackDown is not an exception to the rule.

Monday Night Raw changed it format to three hours and has managed to work so far.  Due to the change in hours, the exposure of wrestlers, tag teams and superstars to the WWE Universe has increased immensely.

SmackDown never had this problem, as it effectively gave opportunities to superstars who needed the airtime. However, it’s worth to ponder the question “Should SmackDown should go to three hours”?

Here’s why that should never happen.

Exposure

The amount of exposure to SmackDown superstars should be in question. Thanks to Raw and other shows, that no longer is the case.

Many SmackDown stars are presently seen on Raw. Sheamus, the World Heavyweight Champion, has not emerged as a top player on both shows. Though, Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler get time on SmackDown, they still get additional time on Raw.

Plus, the midcard wrestlers on SmackDown also get time on Raw. Even shows, such as WWE Superstars and WWE Saturday Morning Slam will give them time needed to tell a story. At this point, it’s difficult to tell which wrestlers are on which show.

Superstars getting time shouldn’t be a concern. In fact, they should be honored getting enough screen time.

The three hours could also cause negative exposure for the superstars. Some who have problems with the WWE wrestling style, such as Sin Cara, could become more scrutinized for not fitting into the WWE mold.

Exposure works both ways. SmackDown possibly going three hours could result in more negative exposure than positive. 

Format

The format for SmackDown in three hours wouldn’t work because of its design.

The show isn’t live. It’s taped on Tuesdays, which is then edited on Friday.

The unpredictable factor that live airings provide for the majority of viewers is gone. Live TV brings a significant factor for WWE programming,which is why Raw is and has been the flagship show for them.

Live TV for the WWE can tell which superstars are getting over with the crowd. SmackDown’s current format cannot sustain that.

Raw is succeeding but still figuring out what works. Moving SmackDown  to three hours would take more time.

Taped Shows

SmackDown is taped on Tuesdays and then broadcast on the SyFy channel every Friday.

The WWE edits their SmackDown programs. Sometimes, viewers are able to tell which applause is authentic and which is doctored.

The doctored applause could be a sign that the WWE desperately wants to get their wrestlers more exposure. It also could mean that they are struggling to achieve that exposure for their wrestlers.

On Raw, they don’t have that advantage. Tapings, however, provide the opportunity for WWE to bring a louder reaction than originally aired. It could become frustrating, especially for fans who have seen SmackDown for many years.

Imagine three hours of taped broadcasts as fake applause is played throughout the program.

A solution would be adding Raw superstars to the three hours of SmackDown. However, it wouldn’t make much sense in keeping the shows separate.  

Storylines

Believe it or not, some superstars’ storylines do not extend to Raw and stay on SmackDown.

However very rarely do storylines stay on one show. The majority of storylines roll over to Raw and sometimes even start there.

Damien Sandow’s growth, Ryback’s dominance and Wade Barrett’s comeback have all become a part of Raw, following last Monday’s edition. The tag team champions and Divas champion appear on both shows.

What would be the point of increasing SmackDown’s length if Raw already features SmackDown superstars and storylines?

It's an Extension

The bottom line is SmackDown is an extension of the week and Raw. It continues the storylines and recaps from Raw into their show.

There's not enough in the WWE Universe to go three hours every Friday. Occasionally a three-hour broadcast could work, but not on weekly basis.

SmackDown is the number two show of the WWE. Increasing it to three hours wouldn’t help get rid of that stigma, it would only enforce it.

Raw went three hours first and this fact will stick in fans’ minds. And needless to say, SmackDown wouldn’t benefit by changing to three hours and risking fans tuning in. So, stay at two hours, SmackDown.