Folks, let’s talk about big moves in the world of wrestling. WWE’s little engine that could, “NXT,” is packing its bags and heading to The CW, leaving its comfy home on USA Network behind like a washed-up tag team partner. Starting this Tuesday, The CW will be the new stomping grounds for NXT—and let me tell you, it’s going to be huge (or so we’re told).
Now, let’s break it down. According to Wrestlenomics (the kind of folks who read ratings the way I read polls—selectively), The CW is going to bring “NXT” to an additional 18 million homes. That’s 18 million more opportunities for people to sit on their couch and wonder what’s happening in developmental wrestling. Sure, USA Network already hit 70 million homes, so it’s not like they were struggling for viewers, but hey, more homes, more fans—right?
Here’s the kicker: The CW isn’t exactly known for pulling in cable-TV-level ratings. We’re talking about a channel that’s been struggling ever since it tried to get you to care about angsty teen vampires and overly dramatic superheroes. But NXT could change all that. Why? Because NXT could very well be the most-viewed show on The CW! Yes, folks, we’re talking about a development brand beating out reruns of “Riverdale” and, well, whatever else The CW airs these days.
Let’s not get too excited though. Just because they’ll have a flashy premiere with some main roster stars like Randy Orton, and the controversial CM Punk (because nothing says “must-see TV” like a return from wrestling’s favorite rabble-rouser), doesn’t mean the viewership will stick. After all, this isn’t “SmackDown” on Fox with the big lights and fancy set—it’s still NXT, folks. So, once the premiere hype dies down, the ratings might take a little breather, but even if they stay on par with what they pulled on USA Network, The CW will probably throw a parade in their honor.
In the grand scheme of WWE’s ever-complicated media rights shuffle, USA Network may have lost “NXT,” but they scored big with the return of “SmackDown” after its run on Fox. So now, USA gets both “Raw” and “SmackDown” until January, when “Raw” makes its Netflix debut. Yes, you read that right—”Raw” on Netflix. Because why wouldn’t we all want to binge-watch pro wrestling now?
Bottom line: The CW is in for a wrestling revival (or a ratings gamble), NXT fans are getting more accessibility, and CM Punk? Well, he’s just here to make sure everyone tunes in. Let the chaos begin!