Bully Ray Criticizes SmackDown’s Return to Three Hours – WWE has confirmed that SmackDown will shift back to a three‑hour format starting in early 2026, ending its shorter two‑hour run that began in June. The change was first hinted at by WrestleVotes on November 14 and later acknowledged on-air. When the show broadcasts from Buffalo, New York to kick off the new year, fans will once again have an extended weekly lineup.

Not everyone is thrilled. On Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray and co-host Dave LaGreca made it clear they’re not fans of the expanded runtime.

“I’m sorry, but three hours is just too much,” Bully Ray said. “Whatever company it could be, it’s just too much. For me, it’s always been too much. I don’t want three hours. I understand why, I understand a football game is long. I understand certain types of sporting events, but three hours, with commercials, sorry, too much.”

LaGreca agreed, pointing out that while NFL games can run long, the league only operates for a few months each year. WWE, meanwhile, produces weekly programming year-round, and the creative team is already stretched with two and a half hours of RAW every Monday.

He added that SmackDown hasn’t been particularly strong in recent weeks, though he acknowledged there are still standout moments. One example he praised was a recent vignette featuring Drew McIntyre and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, where Rhodes appeared at McIntyre’s home during negotiations with General Manager Nick Aldis.

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