The history of the NXT brand in WWE is an incredibly interesting topic. From it’s roots as a game show style show which saw the WWE debut of Bryan Danielson, to being viewed as the hottest brand in professional wrestling during it’s peak years led by Triple H, to going head to head with AEW Dynamite in the Wednesday Night Wars.
The switch to NXT 2.0 in 2021 would stunt the progress of the brand, with it returning to it’s roots as a developmental system for WWE. Since then, there’s been a slow rise in quality – with NXT Battleground being one of the best shows of the year, regardless of company – leading WWE CEO Nick Khan to look at the brand in a new light in 2023.
Nick Khan Feels NXT Could Stand On It’s Own When The Time Is Right
While speaking with Hollywood Reporter, Nick Khan would discuss WWE’s third brand. Khan had the following to say, nothing how it’s healthy enough to be it’s own standalone brand
“Initially, NXT was on WWE Network. And then when the pandemic hit, USA/NBCU needed content, we did not miss a week of production. … So we went with Tuesday nights NXT on USA from 8 to 10 p.m. Eastern time. NXT ratings are also trending up … so that is going in the right direction.
We think NXT has the viability to be its own standalone brand instead of just being a developmental system – a third brand, if you will, where you can see cross-over from our superstars on Raw and SmackDown to NXT while our young talent develops there. Once we get all of that situated, then we will look at other nights of the week to develop new content as well.”
Right now, NXT is playing host to several main roster stars. Baron Corbin & Mustafa Ali have started runs on NXT, and an appearance for WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins is expected in the coming weeks.
Do you think NXT is ready to be a standalone brand? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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