WWE NXT’s Major Network Shift: Will The CW Boost Ratings or Spell Disaster for WWE?

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 WWE’s ongoing reshuffling of media rights, and it’s expected to have significant implications for both NXT and The CW.

According to Wrestlenomics, The CW’s 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 CW’s 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 WWE’s 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 WWE’s flagship shows until Raw moves to Netflix in January 2025.

Adding to the excitement, WWE is bringing star power to The CW’s 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 WWE’s intent to make the new era of NXT a resounding success.