WWE’s NXT Coming to Television, Will Directly Compete With AEW
The black and yellow brand is coming to television. Since 2014, NXT has aired exclusively on the WWE Network, but beginning this September, NXT will launch on the USA Network.
USA Network has been the home of WWE’s flagship shows Raw and Smackdown for years, becoming two of the highest rated and longest running television shows in history. Airing on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, Raw and Smackdown will now have a Wednesday companion in NXT.
“The move to USA Network provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with NBCUniversal and further build the NXT brand,” says Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “Over the long term, our goal is to develop a following that can be monetized to the same level as our flagship programs, Raw and Smackdown.”
“USA Network and WWE have one of the longest and most successful partnerships in television history,” adds USA President Chris McCumber. “As the No. 1 cable entertainment network, we’re excited to add NXT to our weekly lineup alongside powerhouse flagship Raw and to bring a new generation of Superstars to a wide audience.”
Just like Raw and Smackdown, NXT will be broadcast at 8PM ET. This directly clashes with All Elite Wrestling’s upcoming weekly show on TNT, which will also air from 8-10PM ET. TNT famously hosted World Championship Wrestling during the infamous Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW.
NXT will continue airing from Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla. and feature premier talent such as Adam Cole, Velveteen Dream, Shayna Baszler, Johnny Gargano, Matt Riddle, Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, Candice LeRae, Tommaso Ciampa, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish.
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