WWE To Make Changes To NXT As CW Network Switch Nears

WWE has big plans for NXT.

On August 6th it was announced that NXT will premiere on the CW Network on October 1st. The show currently airs on the USA Network which is the home of Raw, although the red brand will leave for Netflix in January 2025. SmackDown is due to leave FOX and join USA on September 13th, 2024.

To celebrate the move, NXT will come live from the All State Arena in Chicago on October 1st with a special appearance from CM Punk. Seven days later, WWE’s third brand will head to the Enterprise Center in St. Louis with Randy Orton.

Interestingly, the show will also go head-to-head with AEW Dynamite on October 8th.

WWE Looking For NXT Boost

As reported by Mike Johnson of PWInsider, there has been talk within WWE of holding shows outside of the Performance Center on a more regular basis. While the company believes its deal with the CW Network will help raise NXT’s prestige.

On a similar theme, there’s hope that NXT can serve as an introduction point to WWE for younger fans leading to the next generation of fans to Raw and SmackDown.

There are also plans to utilise more main roster stars as both regulars and special guests. This is something the company has successfully exploited in the past with the likes of Judgment Day, Becky Lynch, and Seth Rollins all wrestling on the developmental brand.