The latest episode of “WWE NXT” aired on Tuesday night, marking the first show following Sunday’s Battleground event at the UFC Apex. Despite featuring Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his announcement of an upcoming battle royal to determine the next contender for the NXT Championship, the episode saw a dip in viewership.
According to “Wrestlenomics,” “NXT” attracted 718,000 viewers overall, a 7% decline from the previous week’s show. The 18-49 demographic rating remained steady at 0.22, indicating that while the total audience shrank, the show maintained its appeal among younger viewers. This short-term dip might seem concerning, but looking at the broader picture, “NXT” has experienced a significant rise in its viewership over the past year. Since last June, the overall viewership is up by 15%, and the 18-49 demographic has seen a 22% increase. Additionally, over the past four weeks, “NXT” has enjoyed a 7% rise in overall viewership and a 10% increase in the key demographic.
The developmental brand has been buzzing with high-profile appearances recently. Besides Cody Rhodes, “NXT” welcomed TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace and popular recording artist Sexyy Red, who hosted the Battleground event despite facing legal issues the night before. The episode also saw the unexpected debut of Ethan Page, adding to the excitement.
This week’s main event featured a “State of The Women’s Division” address by champion Roxanne Perez. However, her speech was quickly interrupted by the entire women’s division, who expressed their dissatisfaction with Perez’s demeanor. The show also showcased the conclusion of a rivalry between Dante Chen and Lexis King, as well as a reunion of former AEW stars Rhodes, King, Page, and Shawn Spears.
Stephen’s Insight:
While the drop in viewership might be a cause for immediate concern, the overall trend for “NXT” is positive. The brand has shown significant growth in both total viewership and the crucial 18-49 demographic over the past year. The steady presence of high-profile guests and engaging storylines are likely to continue driving this upward trajectory.
The appearance of stars like Cody Rhodes and collaborations with talents from TNA underscore WWE’s strategic efforts to make “NXT” a more dynamic and must-watch show. This approach not only enriches the viewing experience but also broadens the audience base by introducing fresh and unexpected elements.
