Vince to be involved creatively with NXT/NXT officially moves to the USA Network

[Evil Vito]

Per PWI:

And for those wondering, Vince McMahon is expected to be directly involved with NXT once it moves to USA Network. There has also already been talk about bringing main roster talent to the NXT brand to provide more “star power” and increase ratings. That obviously has a lot of people rolling their eyes.

Welp, it was fun while it lasted.

[Fignuts]

https://i.imgur.com/TN2vTkJ.png

[Jordan]

So then what will Triple H's job be?

[rez]

IS IS IS THAT TRIPLE H IN THE IMPACT ZONE?!!

[xrodmuc316]

Can't wait for Vince to give the NXT Championship to Tino Sabbatelli on the first episode...

[Tom Guycott]

It's a damn shame that we have more of a doomsong reaction to this news. How the mighty have fallen.

[Tom Guycott]

So then what will Triple H's job be?

To fuck off to the UK side of things and ensure they stay halfway decent while Vince burns the US side to ashes by arbitrarily changing everything that's working, prob'ly.

[Jordan]

Mike Jonson reporting Triple H to return to full time in ring action!

[WinterDecay]

So I assume that Austin Theory will be renamed Austin Georgia and have like a mad scientist gimmick

[slik]

Mike Jonson reporting Triple H to return to full time in ring action!

He is the first person you see in the ad for SD on FOX that debuted tonight!

[Mr. Nerfect]

The whole point of NXT is to secure that type of fan who would be interested in AEW, right? It should be alternative programming to Raw, not more of the same.

[KIRA]

It is a shame that the choice between NXT and AEW is about to become so easy

[slik]

How would everyone feel about Alexa Bliss defeating Shayna Baszler for the title?

[Jordan]

Not good. I like Bliss on Raw or Smackdown but I don't see her as a good hand. NXT should be the worker brand.

[Evil Vito]

It is a shame that the choice between NXT and AEW is about to become so easy

I'm assuming NXT will continue to go up on Hulu the day after it airs so it was always going to be an easier call for me.

[Sepholio]

I suggest we recruit a rather large group from the depths of the IWC and all go around to the darkest corners of the web spreading a story that Vince has a copy of Epsteins secret black book. Then we play the waiting game.

[Emperor Smeat]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/48bZaWHokJw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[xrodmuc316]

I wonder if there will be any kind of reset with the NXT roster.

I would be quite ok if they let too NXT alum but underused people move back to NXT.

Shinsuke, Roode, Asuka, and Ember Moon all come to mind. Maybe someone like Rusev who never really had a run in NXT before getting called up and getting the main roster push.

It would also be pretty cool if somebody who was never in NXT goes and is "pissed" and just destroys people. Bobby Lashley for example in NXT would be awesome.

[slik]

I wonder if Shane McMahon will be the 'heel authority figure' GM in NXT?

[ClockShot]

Thought this was appropriate.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rhKy6GpV0B8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Sepholio]

I suggest we recruit a rather large group from the depths of the IWC and all go around to the darkest corners of the web spreading a story that Vince has a copy of Epsteins secret black book. Then we play the waiting game.

Vince not at RAW tonight...didn't realize it would be this easy.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Post Wrestling's Review-A-RAW episode this week, NXT might have to constantly hit near a million or more to be considered a success by USA Network's standards.

Last week's 8PM show didn't rank in the Top 200 shows for the night but the 9PM show was a rerun of Suits that generated 950k for viewers.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Starting Sept. 18, <a href="https://twitter.com/WWENXT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWENXT</a> will air LIVE as a two-hour weekly show every Wednesday on <a href="https://twitter.com/USA_Network?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USA_Network</a>! <a href="https://t.co/Jk2crhv0Nx">https://t.co/Jk2crhv0Nx</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1163798690072596480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

How anticlimactic of an announcement. The show will replay 24 hrs later on the Network per WWE.

[xrodmuc316]

How anticlimactic of an announcement. The show will replay 24 hrs later on the Network per WWE.

For real, a tweet lol.

Glad to hear about the Thursday Network replay. That said, we all are gonna switch back and forth on Wednesdays, even if only during the commercials.

[xrodmuc316]

"The move to USA Network provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with NBCUniversal and further build the NXT brand," said WWE CEO Vince McMahon. "Over the long term, our goal is to develop a following that can be monetized to the same level as our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown."

And there it is, Old Carny Vince wants MORE money. Greedy bastard

[Jordan]

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR 205 LIVE

[Damian Rey 2.0]

RIP NXT. Was brilliant while it lasted

[XL]

"The move to USA Network provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with NBCUniversal and further build the NXT brand," said WWE CEO Vince McMahon. "Over the long term, our goal is to develop a following that can be monetized to the same level as our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown."

And there it is, Old Carny Vince wants MORE money. Greedy bastard

He’s hardly gonna come out and say “we’re sticking this on TV to try and run interference with AEW”.

[xrodmuc316]

He’s hardly gonna come out and say “we’re sticking this on TV to try and run interference with AEW”.

Sure that is the reason, but the goal is for Vince to line his pockets, same as ever.

Kudos to USA Network, getting 2 hours of NXT to replace the lost 2 hours of Smackdown for 1/5th the cost. That's a homerun for them.

[Malfeitor]

For real, a tweet lol.

Glad to hear about the Thursday Network replay. That said, we all are gonna switch back and forth on Wednesdays, even if only during the commercials.

I don’t even need to DVR NXT if it’s going to be on the Network the next day. AEW live for me.

[xrodmuc316]

I don’t even need to DVR NXT if it’s going to be on the Network the next day. AEW live for me.

It's easy to say that, but are you going to sit through 3 minutes of commercials every time AEW breaks instead of flipping over to USA to see what's happening?

As a wrestling fan, AEW will be in the main option with NXT being available the next day, but who isn't going to still be flipping back and forth?

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems WWE's locker room reaction to NXT's move to cable is a lot less enthusiastic than expected based on the feedback Fightful got.

Mixture of some not caring at all about NXT's move and others not even knowing about it until the news broke.

One person did have an interesting takeaway of this battle is going to be a lot tougher than WWE would want due to the massive upheaval on how NXT runs and believing NXT isn't strong enough to compete in terms of ticket sales.

[screech]

It's easy to say that, but are you going to sit through 3 minutes of commercials every time AEW breaks instead of flipping over to USA to see what's happening?

As a wrestling fan, AEW will be in the main option with NXT being available the next day, but who isn't going to still be flipping back and forth?

I will not be flipping back and forth. There's really no point to watch NXT live if it's going to be available the next day. I can deal with a few commercials.

[Malfeitor]

It's easy to say that, but are you going to sit through 3 minutes of commercials every time AEW breaks instead of flipping over to USA to see what's happening?

As a wrestling fan, AEW will be in the main option with NXT being available the next day, but who isn't going to still be flipping back and forth?

I could always have the TV in the bedroom playing NXT but since it’ll be on the Network the next day there’s really no sense of urgency. I’m the type of asshole who doesn’t want his viewing interrupted so trying to watch two shows at once is a bit pointless. Especially considering the times we live in where you can pretty much watch any show at your convenience.

[Evil Vito]

I don’t think WWE even cares about “winning” a Wednesday night war. They just want to take away enough viewers that AEW’s sponsors don’t think they got their money’s worth and don’t want to re-up as a result.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I don’t think WWE even cares about “winning” a Wednesday night war. They just want to take away enough viewers that AEW’s sponsors don’t think they got their money’s worth and don’t want to re-up as a result.

100 p makes sense. But if that's the goal, why the fuck does Vince need to be involved in creative?

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Post Wrestling's Review-A-RAW episode this week, NXT might have to constantly hit near a million or more to be considered a success by USA Network's standards.

Last week's 8PM show didn't rank in the Top 200 shows for the night but the 9PM show was a rerun of Suits that generated 950k for viewers.

John Pollock issued a correction on the shows NXT will be replacing and the high bar NXT will need to meet in order to please USA Network.

A correction from Rewind-A-Raw, the episode of “Suits” I reference was not a repeat but was part of the ongoing season on the USA Network. “Suits” airs from 9-10 pm Eastern on the USA Network and is averaging 995,800 viewers this season with two more episodes remaining. I would peg that average as a barometer of what they would hope NXT could come close to, if not exceed.

[xrodmuc316]

John Pollock issued a correction on the shows NXT will be replacing and the high bar NXT will need to meet in order to please USA Network.

It's just math.

They pay $250 million to get 2,500,000 viewers for Raw.
They pay $50 million for NXT, so they should be happy to get 500,000 viewers for NXT.


Ok not really, and of course they are hoping to get far more that 500k, but giving Vince $50 million more when they are "supposedly" not happy with the current Raw ratings certainly sends a mixed signal.

It's kind of funny, but NXT will be bringing in new money before the Raw and Smackdown deals even kick in.

[Evil Vito]

100 p makes sense. But if that's the goal, why the fuck does Vince need to be involved in creative?

Cause he’s convinced he’s the only person who can get eyes on the product.

[Frank Drebin]

They're going to "ECW" NXT for the sake of fucking with AEW. This also defeats the main (at least initial) reason for NXT which was to replace FCW and make their proving ground for green talent in house.

The only caveat for those disappointed in this is that it has the possibility to backfire horribly. The fan base for NXT is primarily those who are disinterested in the main brand product. If they take away the things that make NXT special, they aren't going to take fans away from AEW even if they get enough of their existing fans to make NXT a success. They could even tank the value of NXT entirely and drive more people to watch AEW just because there is another wrestling product on at the exact same time for those who already turned their TVs on to watch wrestling. Just a possibility.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's just math.

They pay $250 million to get 2,500,000 viewers for Raw.
They pay $50 million for NXT, so they should be happy to get 500,000 viewers for NXT.


Ok not really, and of course they are hoping to get far more that 500k, but giving Vince $50 million more when they are "supposedly" not happy with the current Raw ratings certainly sends a mixed signal.

It's kind of funny, but NXT will be bringing in new money before the Raw and Smackdown deals even kick in.

They’re going to want a trade-off for the numbers the current slot gets. They aren’t paying $200 million because it’s untested and they’re already throwing a shit-load of cash at them.

They're going to "ECW" NXT for the sake of fucking with AEW. This also defeats the main (at least initial) reason for NXT which was to replace FCW and make their proving ground for green talent in house.

The only caveat for those disappointed in this is that it has the possibility to backfire horribly. The fan base for NXT is primarily those who are disinterested in the main brand product. If they take away the things that make NXT special, they aren't going to take fans away from AEW even if they get enough of their existing fans to make NXT a success. They could even tank the value of NXT entirely and drive more people to watch AEW just because there is another wrestling product on at the exact same time for those who already turned their TVs on to watch wrestling. Just a possibility.

NXT hasn’t been developmental for a long time.

The audience is the reason I don’t buy Vince being that heavily involved. He won’t be making the trip to Full Sail every week. Well, maybe. Who knows with this company?

[Mr. Nerfect]

As far as talent going back, I think they will have guys do guest appearances like they used to do. Of guys that might get a prolonged return run there, I could see Bobby Roode going back. I’d love for Chad Gable to go, but I can’t see them moving too many. From SmackDown, maybe Aleister Black? They don’t seem that far into using him. I think Cesaro, Styles, Bryan, Zayn, Nakamura and Heavy Machinery will all do matches/guest spots.

[Frank Drebin]

They'll have 2 hours of live tv to fill every week. Vince and Kevin Dunn will be involved in some capacity where you'll see their fingerprints all over it.

Before it was "some shit for nerds on the internet". Now they have ads to sell.

[slik]

Drebin is correct

[Frank Drebin]

This is why Lock Jaw left.

[xrodmuc316]

They'll have 2 hours of live tv to fill every week. Vince and Kevin Dunn will be involved in some capacity where you'll see their fingerprints all over it.

Before it was "some shit for nerds on the internet". Now they have ads to sell.

I think the best thing about NXT is it doesn't have Kevin Dunn's epileptic camera shaking lol

[Frank Drebin]

Jesus Christ, that and unnecessarily added sound effects to otherwise cool theme music is coming to nxt.

[Frank Drebin]

I would even say that with the idea of some main roster guys being able to show up for a feud here and there, it's cool to think about an AJ Styles or Daniel Bryan showing up to fight an Adam Cole or Velveteen Dream, but those are going to get run into the ground like everything on Raw or Smackdown. It will basically be everyone getting called up at the same time and getting immediately shat on because "Vince doesn't get it"

[rez]

I don't know where to post for the XFL. Can we please get a dedicated forum for the XFL so I can make fun of their shitty generic names and shitty locations and hope they fail more than Creature could ever wish something to fail or die?

[rez]

or I guess..someone could make a thread. It's not gonna be me though. I don't need that neg rep

[Mr. Nerfect]

They are trying to capture that AEW audience though. If Vince is sitting in a war room, he knows the best way to out-AEW is to do AEW better than AEW. Surely? The two hour weekly thing is going to put Triple H to the test even if he gets it though.

[Bad News Gertner]

Vince and Kevin aren't involved with NXT and aren't going to be involved for the foreseeable future.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to this week's Observer Newsletter, WWE isn't getting $50 million per year for NXT's tv deal but its somewhere between $30-$50 million per year.

Also have to give around 15% to the CAA as a negotiation fee since they helped put the deal together on WWE's behalf.

[Evil Vito]

Apparently the talent that will be featured regularly on NXT had their developmental contracts converted to main roster contracts. So at least a whole lot of people got raises as a result of this.

[DaveWadding]

Welp, the line for weed in Matt Riddle's budget just tripled.