The process of seriously attaching NXT to the main roster has started with the World Heavyweight Championship match announcement. For the very first time, a title from WWE’s main roster will be defended on NXT programming which indicates that WWE could be over, seeing NXT as the developmental brand but the legit standalone third brand after Raw and Smackdown.
Being a fighting champion, Seth Rollins is putting the World Heavyweight Championship on the line on an almost weekly basis and across the brands. He currently has three title defenses on his plate, as of this writing.
NXT Gold Rush 2023: Multiple Championship Matches Announced By WWE
Before he goes up against Finn Balor at Money in the Bank on July 1st, he will go through an Open Challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship on this upcoming episode of Raw. Besides, he will also have to face Bron Breakker for the title at NXT Gold Rush on the June 20th episode. This big match is expected to boost things up for the NXT brand as part of the company’s current strategy.
WWE planned ahead for World Heavyweight Championship match on NXT
Ringside News further reached out to learn more about this unique cross-brand World Heavyweight Championship match and when the company decided to make the match happen on NXT. The announcement was made close to Money in the Bank when the champion has a lot on his plate.
The source was told by a tenured member of the WWE team that those plans for Seth Rollins in NXT were set, “ever since the decision was made that there would be major integration with NXT and main roster.” It was further noted that the match isn’t happening as a result of quick planning but rather “several weeks” worth of planning.
World Heavyweight Championship program could stretch beyond NXT Gold Rush
It will be interesting to see how WWE eventually books Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship defense on NXT. With Bron Breakker rumored to quickly make his debut on the main roster, a program between these two could be stretched.
A recent report also claimed that the Great American Bash in late July could also have a World Heavyweight Championship match on the card between Breakker and Rollins. Time will tell whether Rollins has enough time to swing along between Raw and NXT, moving forward.
