WWE: Backstage Update on Plans for WWE SmackDown to Move Back to Being a Two-Hour Show, Zoey Stark Thanks Fans for Their Support Following Knee Injury, A&E WWE Ratings, More News

May 22, 2025

Backstage Update on WWE’s Plans for WWE SmackDown to Move Back to Being a Two-Hour Show

As noted, WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque had stated in an interview with The Pat McAfee Show this past January that Smackdown’s move to being a weekly three-hour show was not a permanent move. WWE had been considering plans for SmackDown to go back to being a two-hour weekly show starting on June 6th.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that recent internal listings at USA Network currently has WWE SmackDown running as a three-hour show into early June. Johnson reported that this would contradict earlier reports about the show going back to its prior two-hour format by June 6th.

Johnson reported that there has been no official word within WWE or USA Network on when SmackDown might be moving back to its former runtime length.

Zoey Stark Thanks Fans for Their Support Following Knee Injury

As noted before, Zoey Stark suffered a serious knee injury at this past Monday’s WWE RAW show in Greenville, South Carolina.

Stark provided an update on Wednesday on Twitter thanking fans and everyone for their support shown towards her. Stark also confirmed that she will be out of action for a while due to the severity of her injury.

“Wow the love and support means more to me than you’ll ever know! What hurts more than my knee is knowing I wont be able to perform for all of you for a while. I LOVE what I do and I’m blessed to do this. As the saying goes, the comeback is greater than the setback. Love you guys #StarkMarks“

Wow the love and support means more to me than you’ll ever know! What hurts more than my knee is knowing I wont be able to perform for all of you for a while. I LOVE what I do and I’m blessed to do this. As the saying goes, the comeback is greater than the setback. Love you guys…
— Zoey Stark (@ZoeyStarkWWE) May 21, 2025

A&E WWE Programming Ratings – May 18, 2025

This past Sunday’s WWE LFG season finale episode drew 156,000 viewers on A&E. This episode also drew a 0.03 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This was up compared to last week’s show’s 149,000 viewers but equal to its 18-49 demographic rating.

This past Sunday’s WWE Greatest Moments doubleheader first episode drew 90,000 viewers on A&E. This episode also drew a 0.02 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This was up compared to last week’s episode’s 89,000 viewers but equal to its 18-49 demographic rating. This episode focused on DX.

This past Sunday’s WWE Greatest Moments doubleheader second episode drew 117,000 viewers on A&E. This episode also drew a 0.04 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This episode focused on Money in the Bank Cash-Ins.

Source: Programming Insider

WWE News & Notes

Wednesday’s WWE Speed show on Twitter featured Ivy Nile defeating Kelani Jordan in the Finals of WWE’s newest #1 Contender’s tournament for the WWE Women’s Speed Championship. Nile will be facing off against Sol Ruca for the WWE Women’s Speed Championship at next week’s show on May 28th.

Cultaholic’s Aidan Gibbons reported that his sources stated that a WWE representative had approached United Arab Emirates wrestler Shaheen in recent weeks. Those spoken to reportedly stated that Shaheen has been invited to a future WWE tryout and he is currently in the process of sorting out a work visa for the United States. Gibbons reported that Shaheen is the first Emirati wrestler to represent the UAE overseas in pro wrestling.

As noted before, Rusev made his return to WWE at this past April’s WWE RAW After Mania show in Last Vegas, Nevada. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that WWE officials current plans is for Rusev’s first big program to be against Sheamus.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that former WWE wrestler Doug Basham is currently expected to return to the company this June for a guest coach role at their Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

As noted before, WWE had recently cancelled next week’s WWE NXT show on May 27th for the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida and will now be holding the show at their Performance Center instead. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that the reason for WWE officials decision was due to ticket sales for the show at the Yuengling Center were below their expectations for a venue of that size. WWE officials reportedly had decided that the show would present better on television if it were held at their Performance Center instead. Johnson reported that the close proximity of their PC from Tampa allows WWE to maintain production logistics for the show and ensuring a tighter and more energetic crowd for the broadcast.

WWE recently released one new video to their WCW Vault channel on YouTube. This new video was a WCW World Heavyweight Championship match of Sting vs. The Giant (c) at WCW Slamboree 1996.

WWE also recently released two new videos to their WWE Vault channel on YouTube. The first new video was a WWE Heavyweight Championship match of The Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar (c) from the June 12, 2003 episode of WWE SmackDown. The second new video was a “The story of the rise of The Great Khali (2006-07).”

WWE also recently released one new video to their NXT Vault channel on YouTube. This new video was the full June 10, 2015 episode of WWE NXT.

As noted before, Apollo Crews has been out of action for WWE since this past January due to a torn pectoral injury and surgery. Crews provided an update on Wednesday on Instagram stating that he has been “crushin” his rehab and doing well since his surgery. Crews stated “Been crushin the rehab. Feeling good. I never really had any physical pain, but it took a while to get my mental game right after the injury happened. I’m over that hump now. Just waking up taking it day by day and putting in the work.“