WWEs decision to expand SmackDown back to three hours has already stirred up plenty of discussionbut now the company is catching heat from one of its former stars. Baron Corbin is openly accusing WWE of trying to take over Braun Strowmans TV time slot on USA Network.
The controversy began after WrestleVotes reported that SmackDown will return to a three-hour format starting January 2nd, with the first extended show broadcasting live from Buffalo, New York. The move caught fans off guard, especially since WWE only recently trimmed the show back down to two hours over the summer.
Shortly after the news broke, Corbin jumped on Twitter and fired off a jab that immediately grabbed attention. He suggested WWEs real motivation wasnt creative directionit was competition. Before delivering his punchline, Corbin framed it as the obvious conclusion to WWEs timing. Then he dropped the accusation:
Corbins comment refers to Braun Strowmans new series, Everything On The Menu, which airs Friday nights on USA Network and debuted with strong viewership. The premiere episode pulled 481,000 viewers with a 0.12 demo ratingnumbers that reportedly impressed the network. With the show airing directly after SmackDown, Corbin is implying WWE wants that slot back under its own control.
While theres been no official confirmation about whether WWEs expanded runtime will affect Strowmans show, Corbins accusation suggests a behind-the-scenes tug-of-war could be brewing. If USA Network decides to prioritize WWE programming in that window, Strowmans series may face scheduling changesor worse.
WWE hasnt commented, and neither has Braun, but Corbins accusation has already kicked up debate among fans who wonder whether WWE is positioning itself to reclaim Friday nights entirely.
Do you think Baron Corbin is rightdoes WWE want Braun Strowmans time slot back? Or is he stirring the pot for no reason? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
