Tuesday marks a major milestone for WWE NXT, as the show makes its highly anticipated debut on broadcast television, shifting from its previous home on the USA Network to The CW. This move is part of WWEs ongoing reshuffling of media rights, and its expected to have significant implications for both NXT and The CW.
According to Wrestlenomics, The CWs reach extends into 18 million more homes than USA Network, thanks to its accessibility via over-the-air antennae. However, while this seems like a big leap in exposure, the increase might not be as significant as it sounds. USA Network was already in 70 million homes, and The CW has had challenges delivering ratings comparable to USA and other top cable networks.
Despite these concerns, there is optimism that NXT could become The CWs top-performing show, assuming it maintains its USA Network audience. The debut is expected to draw substantial viewership, much like when SmackDown first premiered on Fox with impressive ratings. Even if NXT eventually normalizes to its previous numbers, that could still be a huge boost for The CW, which has struggled with ratings.
This move comes at a pivotal time for WWEs media presence. While USA Network is losing NXT, it has gained SmackDown, following its departure from Fox in September. For a few months, USA will play home to both of WWEs flagship shows until Raw moves to Netflix in January 2025.
Adding to the excitement, WWE is bringing star power to The CWs NXT premiere, with CM Punk expected to play a major role, potentially driving viewership. Main roster stars like Randy Orton are also slated to appear on upcoming episodes, reinforcing WWEs intent to make the new era of NXT a resounding success.
Will the move to The CW elevate NXT's status in the wrestling world, or will the ratings struggle to meet expectations? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
