WWE’s (former) developmental brand is now live on the USA network on Wednesdays starting at 8, and it’s serving notice. A mainstay on the WWE Network, NXT has developed a loyal following for his harder edged wrestling and storylines, and in many fans eyes, is superior to the promotions mainstream brands Raw and Smackdown Live.
A standalone
Started as a developmental brand in 2010, it’s given us some of the WWE’s top talent like Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch among many others. It’s also grown into a brand of its own that many of its superstars reportedly don’t want to go to Raw or Smackdown. If those reports are to be believed, it speaks wonders to what Triple H has built as a product for its parent company.
In fact, following its inaugural airing on USA, Vince McMahon is reportedly very pleased with the show and the numbers it generated. He should be, especially when he worked to have it air across from AEW’s flagship show, Dynamite, that’ll air live on TNT from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting October 2.
Despite the WWE’s recent failings, doing this was a stroke of genius from McMahon as it puts his best program against his main competition. Once again, it’s a testament to Triple H’s and his superstars’ hard work.
A throwback
The show itself started off with a bang as the opening match was a fatal four way for the number one contender’s position for the women’s title. The match was incredible, and show why NXT is a step ahead of Raw and Smackdown. The styles were aggressive and believable as the women were on par with the men, and that’s not something we hear about often in wrestling. At least, not in the WWE.
The gritty aggressiveness continued throughout the night, and was reminiscent of other promotions that are working to make a name for themselves once again like Impact. The superstars know this is their opportunity, and they fully intend to take advantage of it.
As a fan through the Golden and Attitude Eras, this is a throwback to those time periods and the old NWA matches with the Road Warriors, Four Horsemen, and Dusty Rhodes.
It’s full of superstars that want to do everything in their power to put on a great show, and it comes across.
War is on
We’ve all pretty much knew it was going to be a war between the WWE and AEW, and with the first shots fired, there’s no doubt this is going to be a good one. With any luck, we’ll look back as fondly on the Wednesday Night Wars like we do the Monday Night Wars.
Whatever different opinions we may have about this, more alternatives are good for us as wrestling fans.
