WWE NXT was first introduced in 2010, as a hybrid-expansion of WWE’s scripted live event shows and reality television. The show introduced developing WWE talent from the Florida Wrestling Championship (FCW) to the ring, in order to find the next breakout star for WWE, under the mentorship of stars from other WWE brands, Raw and SmackDown. This version ran for five seasons, from 2010 till 2012. The show was revamped in 2012, with NXT now becoming an entire brand in itself, and the show moved to WWE’s network. NXT began airing on WWE Network from February, 2014.
What’s next for NXT?
NXT returned to cable television in December, 2017. A one hour special was aired on USA Network. The show made the permanent move to USA’s network in August, 2019. It was again revamped, with the episodes now being two hours long. The replays of the episodes would be available on WWE Network the following day. NXT now airs as a weekly two hour program on USA on Wednesday nights. However, the previous two episodes of NXT have both aired on a Tuesday night, due to the coverage of the NHL Playoffs.
The show, ever since it began airing on USA Network, has seen tough competition from AEW Dynamite, with the latter consistently getting better ratings and viewership numbers. WWE and USA are reportedly unhappy about that, with a move to a different night being considered in order to revive the ratings. And the previous two episodes, which have both aired on a Tuesday night, might just be the impetus that WWE need in order to make the move permanent.
Without the competition from AEW, NXT has shown better ratings for the first episode that aired on Tuesday, September 1. The ratings for last night’s episode (September 8) will be out later. These ratings might decide the future of NXT on USA Network. As of now, until the NHL playoffs are going on, WWE NXT will air on Tuesday nights. If the ratings improve, the move might just be made permanent.