WWE SmackDown to become a 3-hour show starting January 2025? Exploring potential hint

Over the past few years, WWE has been producing some of the exciting episodes of SmackDown, and many fans want to see the Friday Night show become a three-hour show. As of now, RAW is the only three-hour show in the promotion whereas the blue brand and NXT run for two hours.

However, in 2025, this could change and the Friday Night show could add an extra hour to its programming. A recent development in the Stamford-based promotion could lead to this change. The development in question is ESPN's Joe Tessitore joining the SmackDown broadcast team.

Recently, WWE announced the joining of Tessitore to the promotion as a play-by-play commentator alongside Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes on the blue brand. This development could lead to three-hour episodes of the Friday Night show because three-man booths are pretty common for longer shows in the TKO-led promotion.

In recent months WWE has switched back to having a two-person commentary team for its weekly shows. However, with RAW moving to Netflix and SmackDown coming to USA Network later this year, fans could see significant changes in the broadcasting team.

While nothing about a three-hour SmackDown is confirmed yet, it will be interesting to see if WWE goes along with an idea like that. After all, given how well RAW has done, one can only imagine how much better the blue brand could do given the storylines they have.

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Joe Tessitore commented on joining WWE SmackDown as play-by-play commentator

In a statement released by WWE, the promotion's Chief Content Officer and Creative Head Triple H lauded Joe Tessitore. The Game said that regardless of the event Tessitore is a part of, his voice behind the microphone always creates a big event feel.

The statement also included Joe Tessitore's first reactions after joining the Stamford-based promotion. He mentioned it's an honor for him to be joining WWE. Tessitore also praised talents and the current commentary team. SmackDown's newest commentator said:

"It’s an honor to be a part of WWE. The recent success and trajectory are undeniable. Being there at WrestleMania XL, one could feel it – from Cody, Seth, Roman, and The Rock, to creative and production, these are some of the very best storytellers in TV. Corey and Wade are absolute stars and it is my privilege to join their team. Pat and Cole are just magical together and Cole is the greatest to ever sit in that chair. As a lifelong viewer, I’m humbled to join this team and to serve our fans."

You can also check out a tweet by Triple H below:

It will be interesting to see how Joe Tessitore is received on the blue brand. In his career till now, Tessitore has made a name for himself by calling big boxing fights and even college football games.