WWE News: WWE To Make NXT A Bigger Brand To Counter All Elite Wrestling
Jul 29, 2019 at 12:31 PM
WWE will have to counter the threat from All Elite Wrestling in 2019 fall on TV. A rating war will commence once the rival brand also starts its broadcast on the TNT network. It’s the sole reason why WWE is taking precautionary steps to make NXT, Monday Night Raw and Smackdown Live compact than ever. Plus, the latter mentioned show will also move to FOX Sports demanding significant changes so to garner a more mainstream audience.
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But the real competition of All Elite Wrestling will ensue with the third and developmental brand of the WWE known as NXT. If reports are to go by then WWE is looking forward to using the younger talents of this brand to go all out in order to overshadow the talents hired by Tony Khan. NXT brand stars will also get support from FOX Sports who also want to host this show.
? @CandiceLeRae is sweet, but she AIN'T NOTHIN' TO MESS WITH!
Is @shirai_io officially in over her head? #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/0hV5XyUrzm
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2019
According to the reports of Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, NXT might move to FS1 when the new FOX deal kicks off in October. This will be an attempt to counter the AEW programming who’d come up with an acid-test for the biggest pro-wrestling promotion of the world. As per the source, talks between WWE and FOX Sports has recently become ‘serious’ to shift NXT to the new TV platform.
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There’s no update whether FOX Sports will broadcast NXT on a live format or in the current taped format. Main roster superstars may appear on NXT if this move happens but mainly the NXT talents will receive focus. College basketball might pose a big threat to WWE while airing NXT in the new slot but thankfully FOX does have a Wednesday scheduled available to air Big East Basketball games.
Here’s more from what Meltzer had to offer in this regard,
“The elite talent in NXT can at least be competitive with the elite talent in AEW when it comes to in-ring, with both groups having a strong top tier. While in-ring is usually not what drives ratings, it is more important now in a group’s popularity than at any time in history and if there is a Wednesday night battle, it will be a key part of it.”
There was speculation that AJ Styles and The OC might head towards NXT due to their comments towards Shawn Michaels and Triple H at WWE Raw reunion. But it’s not happening anytime soon. But if the plan changes in the future with more big names appearing on the show then it can find a 2-hour expansion instead of current 1-hour run. If FS1 can’t host the show then FS2 will be ready to broadcast confirming that the third brand of WWE will be getting a major shakeup during this year’s October.