Absent star, former World Champion waiting to return - 6 stars who could benefit from WWE SmackDown's move to three hours

WWE has been undergoing major changes and looks to continue to do so in the coming months. For example, NXT is moving to The CW and RAW is moving to Netflix, which dramatically changes both brands.

Friday Night SmackDown might be going through more changes than any other show, however. The blue brand just left the FOX Network in favor of the USA Network, but another big change is allegedly on the horizon.

According to reports, Triple H's Friday Night SmackDown will be going from being a two-hour long show to being a three-hour long show beginning in January. There has been speculation that the move may just be for six months, but it could also be a permanent move.

Until the company announces more information, nothing is clear. If the move does happen, however, many stars are who struggling for television time would absolutely benefit from the decision. This article will take a look at some names who could benefit from SmackDown becoming a three-hour show.

Below are six stars who could benefit from WWE SmackDown's move to three hours.

---

#6. Baron Corbin & #5. Apollo Crews, one of the newest teams could get steady time

Baron Corbin is a former United States Champion, NXT Tag Team Champion, and Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner. While his character grew stale, Corbin went to NXT for a while and it allowed him to refresh his persona.

Apollo Crews is a former US Champion too. Much like Baron, he went back to NXT to try to refresh his career in WWE. Crews ultimately had less success than The Lone Wolf, but it was a solid run nonetheless.

Now, Crews and Corbin have formed a unique team on Friday Night SmackDown that works far better than anyone anticipated. They do suffer from limited TV time, however, and it is difficult for them to get their characters over with the fans. If SmackDown moves to three hours, they could have more segments to flesh out their personalities moving forward.

---

#4. AJ Styles has been absent from WWE television for seemingly no reason

AJ Styles is a legendary professional wrestler. Even prior to joining WWE, he had a Hall of Fame-level career. Since joining the biggest wrestling promotion on Earth, however, he has solidified himself as a major star in wrestling.

The Phenomenal One hasn't been seen on WWE television since losing to Cody Rhodes at Clash at the Castle Scotland. According to reports, AJ isn't battling any kind of health issues and he just simply isn't being booked on television.

Not having time to book a talent like AJ Styles seems absurd, that is apparently the case. That shouldn't be a factor when SmackDown moves to three hours, however. Who knows, Styles could even help Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson get more television time too.

---

#3. Candice LeRae & #2. Indi Hartwell, The Way needs consistent booking

The Way was a faction on WWE NXT. It consisted of Candice LeRae, Johnny Gargano, Indi Hartwell, Austin Theory, and Dexter Lumis. While not official, the group showed signs of reuniting on RAW in the past.

Today, Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell still work together as a tag team on WWE Friday Night SmackDown and are seen with Johnny Wrestling at times. Despite getting a feud or two this year, Candice and Indi are still highly underutilized.

The two need consistency. They can't keep wrestling for a few weeks before getting taken off of television. If SmackDown does indeed move to three hours, this allows for the pair and the women's division as a whole to get more consistent television time moving forward.

---

#1. Tegan Nox could finally get an opportunity

Speaking of the women's division, no female star in WWE deserves an opportunity more than Tegan Nox. Almost everybody has had some kind of story or push in the past six months or so, but Nox has been largely absent.

Her last bout took place on the RAW prior to WrestleMania back in April. All of these months later she has moved to WWE SmackDown but isn't being booked. It is a shame, as she is far too talented to sit on the sidelines.

SmackDown moving to three hours would provide an opportunity for Tegan to return to television and hopefully get booked in a major role. She could work with the likes of Bayley, Nia Jax, Michin, and Bianca Belair, which would be huge for her career.