SmackDown May Be Dropping Third Hour—Target Date Revealed

By AG

Posted on June 18, 2025

• SmackDown May Be Dropping Third Hour—Target Date Revealed

SmackDown is currently a 3-hour show that airs on the USA Network from 8 PM to 11 PM EST on Friday nights. However, it looks like SmackDown’s 3-hour run is going to end in August. John Grisham’s “The Rainmaker” show will premiere on the USA Network on Friday, August 15 at 10 PM EST, which is when the 3rd hour of SmackDown begins. This would suggest that SmackDown’s 3-hour run is going to end in a couple of months.

While USA Network officials might be happy with a 3-hour SmackDown, previous reports suggest that many within WWE’s production and creative teams are not pleased with the extended show. They feel the three-hour format makes the pacing weaker, adds filler content and causes creative burnout. Instead of showcasing new talent, the extra hour has been filled with less important segments. Some compare it to Monday Night RAW, which has faced similar complaints since it expanded to 3 hours in 2012.

• Goldust Is Retired

When a fan noted on X that he wants the Goldust character to return, Dustin Rhodes replied: “Goldust is retired. Sorry. Happy where I am at.” Another fan tweeted: “I’m glad you are being recognized now as the incredible wrestler you have always been. That character, despite being famous and providing you a great living, overshadowed what you could actually do in the ring. You, sir, are a great wrestler and a true pro.”

Dustin replied: “Thank you. I loved my time as Goldust. He just ran its course. Proud of what I did.” Dustin has been a part of AEW since 2019 and is currently a double champion in ROH (Tag Team Champion and 6-Man Tag Team Champion).

• Mercedes Mone Confirms & Comments On Dating The Beast Mortos

In 2024, TBS Women’s Champion Mercedes Moné divorced WWE costume designer Sarath Ton, also known as Mikaze. On her YouTube channel in August of last year, Mercedes said the following about her divorce: “Tomorrow finally, after a long, long time, I’ll be finally signing my divorce papers. And I’m excited, happy and for me I’m just ready to be free… of not being afraid. Sarath, my ex-husband now, we had such a great relationship, and he’s such an amazing, incredible guy, that I’m so thankful for, he’s another person that changed and saved my life.”

Almost a year later, Mercedes is dating fellow AEW wrestler The Beast Mortos. Mortos posted a photo with Mercedes on his Instagram story, where he wrote: “En tus brazos encuentro paz,” which translates to: “In your arms I find peace.” He also used the song “El amor de su vida,” which translates to: “The love of his life.”

Mercedes Mone Sasha Banks Dating The Beast Mortos

In an update, Mercedes confirmed to TMZ Sports that she is indeed dating Mortos and said the following: “A real beauty and the beast situation.”

LATEST: Mercedes Mone Wins Another Title (Photo)

• Dolph Ziggler Takes A Shot At Goldberg’s RAW Return

On this week’s RAW, Gunther came out and celebrated becoming the World Heavyweight Champion. Gunther said Jey Uso was better than him for just one night and he’s now back to being untouchable. Gunther said he doesn’t care about rumors, as fans chanted for Goldberg. Gunther shifted his attention to Mr. Money In The Bank Seth Rollins. However, Goldberg returned and said Gunther insulted him and his family in Atlanta last year, and he’s going to end this feud in Atlanta on July 12th at Saturday Night’s Main Event for the World Heavyweight Championship, as The Ring General is NEXT.

TNA star Nic Nemeth (fka Dolph Ziggler in WWE) tweeted the following about the return of the legend who squashed him at SummerSlam 2019: “It’s like smelling a smell that takes you back 30 years, to the playground, at recess… Then 30 seconds later; you remember the other 7 hours of the school day.”

• Rhea Ripley Calls Out Fans For “Disgusting Behavior”

On last night’s RAW, Liv Morgan got injured during a match against Kairi Sane. Sane was announced the winner. Michael Cole announced that Liv suffered a dislocated shoulder. Today, Liv broke her silence since getting injured and tweeted the following:

Dom’s best friend 💕✨ pic.twitter.com/SqZvXINVA4
— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) June 17, 2025

After RAW, Rhea Ripley called out those fans who were happy that Liv got injured: “PSA. Don’t celebrate an injury. Disgusting behavior. Don’t be like them.”

• Maven Reveals How WCW Veteran Ruined Kissing Torrie Wilson For Him

Former WWE Superstar Maven shared an uncomfortable memory from his time working with Torrie Wilson in the early 2000s. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he described how a scripted kiss with Torrie was made awkward by her then-husband, WCW Veteran Billy Kidman, who was present during the shoot. Maven and Torrie were part of WWE’s main roster between 2001 and 2005. In one storyline segment, they had to film a kiss. But behind the camera stood Kidman—Wilson’s real-life husband at the time.

“Torrie’s husband Billy, well, he was literally behind the camera while we were filming this,” Maven said. “I think we took three or four takes of this, but every time we would get down with the take, and they would yell cut, he would say, ‘Maven, how does my d**k taste?’”

“For anyone who thinks that even that was enjoyable,” Maven added, “that’s an easy way to ruin it.”

Torrie Wilson and Billy Kidman had been together since their WCW days and tied the knot in 2003. They eventually divorced in 2008.