USA Network Reportedly Decided On Key WWE NXT Change

Over the last few weeks, WWE has put on the NXT Great American Bash show to go head-to-head with AEW Fyter Fest. This came after Triple H said that he doesn’t book NXT to counter-program Tony Khan’s promotion.

Over the Great American Bash episodes of TV, we have seen limited commercial interruptions. This has given NXT a more pay-per-view style feel as opposed to an episode of TV, where matches are sometimes hurt by commercials.

When this was first announced, many people speculated that WWE higher-ups had somehow convinced the USA Network to put on limited commercials, but we now know that it was actually a call made by USA.

According to Dave Meltzer on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, USA Network made the calling to prioritise ratings over profit by having limited commercial breaks during the last two week’s worth of shows:

“This was a lot less commercials than the last week even. I mean it was very clear that this show from the NXT side was all about winning and not about making money you know as far as — I shouldn’t say NXT. It’s USA Network that makes that call. So USA Network really wanted a win.”

This tactic seemingly worked for week one, as NXT defeated AEW in the ratings by a margin of 44,000 viewers. This was the second consecutive week that NXT has defeated AEW, and the black and gold brand will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce this week.

• usa network
• AEW
• nxt
• wwe

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