Behind-the-Scenes Discontent Grows Over SmackDown’s Current Format
The expansion of Friday Night SmackDown to three hours in 2025 promised more wrestling action and storyline development. However, both WWE insiders and fans have increasingly voiced concerns about the show’s creative direction and overall quality. According to recent reports, this sentiment isn’t just coming from the WWE Universe – it’s echoing through the corridors of WWE itself.
Internal WWE Sources Confirm Quality Concerns
Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp recently revealed on The Hump podcast that numerous WWE personnel have expressed disappointment with SmackDown’s current trajectory.
> “Yes, there has been. A lot of people have brought it up. They don’t feel like it’s been up to par as of late, and I certainly understand it and agree with it. There are a lot of people wondering why more talent isn’t being used—it’s three hours.”
Talent Utilization Under Scrutiny
Despite the extended runtime, a recurring criticism centers on the underutilization of WWE’s deep roster. The three-hour format theoretically should allow for more talent exposure and storyline development, yet many performers remain conspicuously absent from weekly programming.
Creative Leadership Changes
The recent appointment of Road Dogg as co-head writer has brought additional scrutiny to the show’s creative direction. While his previous tenure (2016-2019) saw several successful storylines, the current run has faced criticism from both fans and industry insiders.
Looking Ahead: WrestleMania Season Challenges
As WWE approaches its biggest annual showcase with WrestleMania 41, the pressure to improve SmackDown’s quality intensifies. The show’s current creative struggles could impact the build to wrestling’s premier event.
The Road Forward
With the WWE Universe and internal sources aligned in their assessment, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining SmackDown’s direction. Will we see meaningful changes to address these concerns, or will the blue brand continue its current course through WrestleMania season?
What specific changes would you implement to elevate SmackDown’s quality? Does the three-hour format help or hurt the show? Share your booking ideas in the comments below!
