Shawn Michaels Reveals Edict From Vince McMahon About NXT Ratings

WWE

Shawn Michaels has shared the specific demographic that he was told to target by Vince McMahon for WWE NXT when he took over the brand.

On the media call for this Saturday’s upcoming premium live event, WWE NXT No Mercy, Shawn Michaels opened up about getting a clear edict from Vince McMahon.

Explaining that he isn’t really a number guy but took a clear direction from Vince McMahon, Michaels said:

“I think at the beginning, you look at those ratings every week. I’ll say this, I’m not a numbers guy by any stretch, but I’ve learned more about numbers.

“Two times I was focused on ratings, the one time you’re the champion holding the title for this company, and then when you’re the guy running the show that has to get those ratings.

“So at the beginning, I did. I focused on them quite a bit. Now, I understand the long game, I understand the goal.

“Obviously, we’re always thrilled when they go up. That’s the thing, right now we have been trending up and trending up in those demographics that everybody speaks of, significantly.

“We’re talking 26 percent in the 18-49 and probably 61 percent in the 18-34.

“When I first had to step in for Hunter and then eventually took over here in NXT, the conversation I had with Vince is him wanting me to focus on that 18-34.

“I will say this despite other stories that have been out there, it was never being compared to anybody else.

“It was just him wanting us to focus on the 18-34 because he wanted us to have a younger demographic.

“That’s the one that has grown significantly in these last two years, so we’re very proud of that.”

As the WWE NXT ratings continue to trend up, so do the integrations between the third brand and the main roster.

Elsewhere in the same chat, Michaels described main roster stars appearing on NXT as ‘Trojan Horses’ in that viewers may tune in to see a main roster name but then are met with the rest of the engaging NXT content.

You can keep up with all the latest news from around WWE including this Saturday’s NXT No Mercy by clicking this link. 

Transcription via WrestleZone

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• Vince McMahon
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