Sat May 03 23:10:00 UTC 2025: ## SmackDown Suffers from a Lackluster Show; Orton’s Return Highlights a Three-Hour Time Slot Issue
**[City, State] –** Friday Night SmackDown’s latest episode disappointed viewers, leaving many wondering if the three-hour runtime is sustainable. While the return of Randy Orton, dubbed “The Legend Killer,” provided a highlight, the rest of the show lacked substantial storylines and compelling matches, according to live coverage.
Orton’s promo hyping his upcoming WWE Championship match against John Cena at Backlash was praised for its intensity and ability to generate excitement. However, the remainder of the show fell flat, with matches deemed overly long and a notable absence of engaging segments. The general consensus was that the show simply dragged on, failing to justify its three-hour length. Rumours that SmackDown will be reverting to a two-hour format in the coming month were cited as potentially addressing this issue. The show’s overall lack of momentum leaves fans hoping for a significant improvement in upcoming episodes.
First Piper 