A day after it was announced that NXT premium live events found a permanent home on The CW, a new development in the sports media landscape will see those PLEs and NXT’s weekly TV show available on ESPN Unlimited for domestic subscribers.
Announced on Wednesday, ESPN and The CW have struck a deal that will see all of the current live sports that air on The CW available to Unlimited subscribers within the ESPN app. That includes WWE NXT, college football and basketball, auto racing, and more.
Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
It’s unclear if The CW will continue to make their live sports available through their own app as they had been doing. Programming will continue to be seen on their broadcast network in over 120 million homes.
The current five-year WWE/CW partnership began in October 2024 and now calls for 20 total PLEs including Stand and Deliver, Deadline, and Vengeance Day.
Count The CW among those frustrated about the new way that Nielsen is measuring TV ratings, especially when it comes to WWE NXT.
The outlet released a statement to Wrestlenomics that was in a feature piece Thursday regarding the new “Big Panel + Data” approach Nielsen rolled out in September. That new method has seen WWE NXT ratings dip noticeably in addition to other pro wrestling shows that air on traditional cable TV.
In the statement, a spokesperson said they have expressed to Nielsen “our deep frustration with the way it handled the process, communication, and methodology behind its Big Data rollout.”
Wrestlenomics noted that according to sources, NXT has measured 9% lower in total viewership on average under the new method with demo dips of 27% in 18-49 and 29% in 25-54.
From The CW statement:
“The sudden and substantial discrepancy in WWE NXT viewership reported by Big Data, relative to long-established viewing patterns, is inexplicable and lacks credibility. Further, a comparison with data from all other measurement products (including others from Nielsen itself) exposes a fundamentally flawed methodology in Big Data. We are disappointed by Nielsen’s lack of cooperation, transparency, and accountability with its network partners as we work to resolve this issue.”
As noted on this site and elsewhere, weekly viewership numbers for WWE SmackDown (USA on Fridays) and both AEW Dynamite (TBS on Wednesdays) and AEW Collision (TNT on Saturdays) have also seen significant dips with the new method while other sports programming has not, leaving analysts confused as to why. The changes have not affected major sports like the NFL and Major League Baseball which saw huge spikes during this year’s playoffs.
From Wrestlenomics’ viewership data, SmackDown has been down 14% under the new way with Dynamite down 9% and Collision down 6% in total viewers. Both Dynamite and SmackDown have also experienced double digit demo drops while Collision’s are in the 2-7% range.
“Nielsen now combines data from its traditional panel homes with information from internet-connected smart TVs, set-top boxes, and other devices. The updated methodology also accounts for viewing in public settings like bars and restaurants, which was a significant factor that was previously difficult to measure. Formerly, most of the data came from 40,000 to 45,000 Nielsen homes. Now there is data coming from more than 45 million homes and 75 million devices and will provide far more data.”
Brad Schwartz, president of The CW Network, is a big fan of the WWE NXT women’s division.
Appearing at the 2025 Sports Business Journal Media Innovators conference on Tuesday, Schwartz discussed the addition of NXT to The CW’s portfolio. NXT joined the station in 2024 as part of a new strategy by The CW to increase the amount of live sports it offers. A highlight for Schwartz has been the female talent, who he believes are stronger than their male counterparts.
“I think the women of NXT are better than the men,” Schwartz said. “The women’s division of NXT is probably the strongest in all of WWE wrestling.”
Schwartz noted that adding sports to The CW was a way for the channel to bring in simultaneous live audiences. NXT in particular has the benefit of being a year-round program that airs every week.
“What NXT offered us was the opportunity to have live-event programming 52 weeks a year on a Tuesday night,” Schwartz said. “And so that was a really, really big move for us. We can try and turn these wrestlers into stars, we can market it, we can promote it, we can put the whole machine of Nexstar [the media group that owns The CW] behind getting people to watch it and know that the value of that growth comes back to us for the next five years.”
NXT is in New York City tonight for the start of its Gold Rush 2025 special. The show is airing as a two-week TV event.
In a surprising break-up, WWE announced on 2/7 that Smackdown would finish on the CW Network at the end of the current television season, with the final episode on 9/12.
The company sent out a press release late that night which read, “After a successful decade of Smackdown on both UPN and the CW, World Wrestling Entertainment and The CW have agreed to conclude our partnership. Since the CW’s exclusive negotiation period ran out as of last Thursday, January 31, we have been contacted and have been in negotiations with other networks. WWE Smackdown will continue to air on The CW until the conclusion of the 2007-08 broadcast season. We are grateful to Les Moonves, Dawn Ostroff, and their entire organization for bringing WWE Smackdown to millions of viewers for so many years.”
The press release sent out at around midnight on a Thursday was because CW was starting to inform its affiliates that Smackdown would not be renewed, leaving it as a lame duck show on the network.
After adding NXT to its programming in 2024, The CW has interest in airing more pro wrestling.
Dave Meltzer first reported earlier this month that The CW and A&E have been rumored as potential landing spots for TNA Wrestling as the promotion pursues a new media rights deal for its weekly TV show Impact. Both of those networks already have relationships with WWE, which itself has a close working relationship with TNA.
Jon Alba of The Takedown on SI provided an update on the situation today, confirming that there has at least been discussions regarding TNA moving to a WWE-affiliated network. The report notes that TNA Impact could move off its current night (Thursday) and onto Wednesday, where the show would serve as competition for AEW Dynamite.
“Multiple independent sources tell The Takedown on SI that there have at least been discussions of TNA moving to a WWE-associated network, and that the company is even open to shifting from Thursday to Wednesday nights to go head-to-head with AEW Dynamite,” Alba wrote.
“While it was not directly indicated that the destination would be The CW, it was expressed to The Takedown on SI that The CW’s interest in the promotion is legitimate, and that some WWE stakeholders would like TNA to be a part of the network.”
Alba writes that nothing has been signed yet and it’s not clear how far the discussions have progressed.
“When asked directly about the rumors on Wednesday, [TNA President Carlos Silva] acknowledged the ongoing nature of the media rights discussions, saying that more meetings would be held later this month and that no deals have been completed at this time. He did not, however, deny the rumor of the conversations to run against AEW.”
Silva did note that any decision TNA makes “is not done on the basis of competition, but rather, it would be about what is in the company’s best interests.”
TNA is targeting a new media rights deal of around $10 million per year, which could allow Impact to air live every week. The hope is that a deal will be agreed to within the next couple of months.
While an agreement has not been reached with any potential new broadcast partner yet, Silva told The Takedown that there is “positive momentum” in negotiations.
Impact currently airs on AXS TV in the United States as well as being broadcast on TNA+. AXS TV is owned by TNA’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment.
Silva recently told Daily Star that the partnership with WWE has opened doors everywhere for TNA and has been a big benefit for the company.
CW president Brad Schwartz is very pleased with the relationship his network has formed with WWE.
While speaking to Variety on Tuesday, Schwartz praised NXT as an “absolute game changer” for The CW. He believes it’s a mutually beneficial relationship where WWE has also benefitted by having NXT on the channel.
“It’s been an absolute game changer for the CW, and I think it’s been a game changer for WWE,” Schwartz said. “This last quarter that just ended was the highest rated NXT quarter in five years. It’s up 19 percent year-over-year.”
Variety’s interview with Schwartz was published during TV upfronts week, where networks unveil their upcoming schedule and promote their programming to advertisers. He hyped that NXT is beating Fox’s network programming in the key advertising demos some Tuesdays.
“In adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54, we’re regularly beating Fox on Tuesday nights. It’s unheard of,” Schwartz told Variety. “So it’s been absolutely crushing for us. It’s one of the big reasons why our network as a whole is up 40 percent season-over-season…Besides animation on Fox, [NXT] has the highest concentration of 18-49 and 25-54 on all broadcast.”
After previously airing on USA Network, NXT moved to The CW in October 2024. It’s a five-year deal for NXT to air on the station, with The CW adding NXT as part of its strategy to have more live sports programming on the network.
In the Variety interview, Schwartz said The CW is always in contact with WWE about expanding their partnership.
“Schwartz also said that WWE and CW are ‘constantly’ discussing new ways to expand their relationship, including additional WWE programming on the network,” Variety wrote. “CW has already moved to get NXT talent involved in other programming across their slate, including Tony D’Angelo appearing on the procedural ‘Wild Cards’ and Trick Williams making an appearance on ‘All American.'”
Former two-time WWE NXT Champion Trick Williams is heading to a different place but on the same network.
Announced by Variety on Thursday, Williams will make a guest appearance on the seventh season finale of All American, a scripted football drama on The CW. The episode will air on April 28th.
It will be Williams’ third appearance on the show, but his first as a recognized cast member. He was an extra for his first two appearances, playing a kicker four years ago. In a quote to Variety, he said he was even given his own trailer and was treated like “royalty.”
The outlet reported Williams will play Eddie Blair, athletic director of South Crenshaw High School (seen above).
The show hits close to home for the 30-year-old as he was a college football player for both Hampton and South Carolina. He unsuccessfully tried out for the Philadelphia Eagles and after failing to make it into the XFL, WWE suggested he try wrestling. Within a few years, he was signed to a developmental contract.
Promoting synergy across their new television home, WWE NXT wrestlers are set to appear on a CW game show this week.
It was announced last night that NXT Champion Trick Williams, NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez, Lola Vice, and Wes Lee will be appearing on a new episode of Trivial Pursuit airing on The CW Network at 9 p.m. Eastern this Thursday (November 14). Hosted by Levar Burton of Star Trek fame, this new version of Trivial Pursuit launched on The CW last month.
Here’s how The CW describes the game show:
The beloved trivia game is reimagined in a question-packed entertainment format. Gameplay takes place on a giant version of the iconic Trivial Pursuit game board, as contestants battle it out over a range of play-along question categories to win wedges and beat each other to the center. The victor then takes on a dramatic finale against the clock to claim the big money jackpot.
NXT began airing on The CW at the start of October, kicking off a new five-year TV deal. The show had aired on USA Network before moving to The CW.
Inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion Kelani Jordan was doing media rounds ahead of Tuesday’s premiere on The CW, talking about making NXT history at Battleground, her in-ring chemistry with Sol Ruca, and the new era of NXT.
Jordan, 25, has only been wrestling for two years and has already made history in NXT. The former gymnast, was crowned the first-ever NXT North American Women’s Champion at NXT Battleground after she defeated five other women in a ladder to match, including; Sol Ruca, Michin, Fallon Henley, Lash Legend, and Jaida Parker.
Prior to becoming the inaugural NXT North American Women’s Champion, Jordan had never held gold. I asked her about her big win at Battleground, and she described the moment
“Honestly, when I was in Vegas on top of the ladder, I was shaking. Not only because I was on top of the ladder but, honestly, the moment was so surreal. I don’t feel like words can fully explain how I felt because, one, it’s an honor to be champion in general, but to be the first and be the one that has to create the importance of the title, the one who’s creating the legacy of the title, it means the world, and sometimes I still get shaken up about it. Sometimes I just go back and, like, I have a picture in my other room of me when I won the title and every time when I am leaving to go to training, I am just reminding myself it’s all worth it. It all pays off just to keep me going. Honestly, it’s an honor to be the first ever women’s NXT North American Champion and I’m loving defending it against the top talent here in NXT,” she said.
After winning the the title, Jordan has already successfully defended her title against Michin, Sol Ruca, Tatum Paxley, Wendy Choo and Wren Sinclair.
The Ruca encounter was one of the most unique matches, taking place on this year’s Heatwave card. Similar to Jordan, Ruca also has a background in gymnastics. This made the match different because they both showcased their respective acrobatic backgrounds.
“I was super happy with how I performed and how we just meshed together. Me and Sol are good friends, and we come from the same background so we kinda knew what each other was gonna go for, which I think made it a good, friendly, but competitive match. Super high-flying. But I have to give it to Sol, she’s definitely a freak athlete. She gave me a run for my money, and she made me have to pull out some tricks that I’ve never done before. I felt super proud going to the back and just proud of the moment. Seeing how people received the match was super, I don’t know, I just felt great about it. It was one of my favorite matches I’ve done,” she said.
Jordan said she and the locker room are pumped about the brand’s move to The CW because they are part of a historic move for the company.
“We’re making history. This is the first time NXT is going to a broadcast network in history. So not only did I get to make history one time with the championship, but now I get to be a part of history again.”
📽️ | WWE NXT is premiering on @TheCW Network on October 1st!
A Women’s Championship match will be the first thing WWE NXT viewers see on The CW Network.
WWE announced today that the NXT Women’s Championship match between Roxanne Perez and Giulia will kick off NXT’s premiere episode on The CW next Tuesday (October 1). The show is taking place from Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
A top wrestler in Japan before signing with WWE, this will be Giulia’s second televised match since arriving in NXT. Her first was a victory over Chelsea Green earlier this month.
Another new WWE signee — former CMLL star Stephanie Vaquer — has issued a warning that she’ll be waiting for the Perez vs. Giulia winner.
Perez has been NXT Women’s Champion since April. It’s her second reign with the title.
The announcement that Perez vs. Giulia will be kicking off NXT’s CW premiere should mean that Ethan Page vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Championship will be the main event. In his hometown, CM Punk will serve as the special guest referee for that match.
WWE NXT (Tuesday, October 1) —
NXT Champion Ethan Page defends against Trick Williams with CM Punk as guest referee
Street fight: Wes Lee vs. Zachary Wentz
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill appear
The Miz hosts Miz TV with guests NXT North American Champion Oba Femi and Tony D’Angelo
Jaida Parker & Lola Vice vs. two members of Fatal Influence
NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez defends against Giulia
There will be some changes to WWE NXT’s presentation on The CW Network.
NXT makes its move to The CW starting with next Tuesday’s premiere. While speaking with the Chicago Tribune in advance of the episode, Shawn Michaels confirmed that — from a look and physical standpoint — WWE has some changes in store for NXT.
“Certainly we want to make a big splash on the CW Network,” Michaels said. “We’ll have some big changes, but I think more of that will be from a look and physical standpoint. We will still be what NXT is, which is bringing some of the most talented, young, diverse athletes in all of the nation, and developing them into the WWE superstars of tomorrow… The hunger, the passion that’s always been the core value of NXT is always going to be there. But certainly we’ll try to put on some pretty cool bells and whistles for the CW launch.”
The Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois is hosting NXT’s CW premiere next Tuesday (October 1). An appearance by hometown hero CM Punk is set for the show, with Punk serving as special guest referee for the NXT Championship match between Ethan Page and Trick Williams.
“We have numerous fantastic legends and coaches here on NXT, but it is always fantastic when you have a current main roster WWE and global superstar like CM Punk come visit,” Michaels told the Chicago Tribune. “He has come down here on various occasions. He’s been very supportive of NXT, the talent and the system that we have here.”
NXT is moving to The CW in a new five-year TV deal. The show had aired on USA Network since 2019.
Michaels oversees NXT with the job title of Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative.
The WWE NXT era on The CW begins in just a few months and the network has officially begun to get the word out.
On Saturday, the network released the first ad spot on social media for the impending arrival featuring several of the key young NXT stars like Trick Williams, Roxanne Perez, Kelani Jordan and others. It’s a rapid fire 30-second ad spot with lots of moves:
NXT debuts on the broadcast network on Tuesday, October 1st after a multi-year run on USA Network in the United States, remaining in its traditional 8-10 PM Eastern slot.
The five-year deal was announced in November of last year with TKO head Ari Emanuel telling investors it was a 70% increase over the previous contract with NBCUniversal, estimated at between $20-$25 million annually.
The move is one of many for WWE programming this fall as SmackDown will move to USA after their run with Fox comes to an end in September, and Raw will move to Netflix starting in January 2025 after decades on USA.
A date has officially been set for WWE NXT’s arrival on The CW Network.
The CW revealed its fall premiere schedule today, confirming that NXT will make its debut on the channel on October 1. NXT is staying on Tuesday nights and will remain in its 8-10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific time slot.
Last year, WWE announced that it had agreed to a five-year deal to bring NXT to The CW starting in October 2024. USA Network had been the show’s television home since 2019. NXT will finish out its run on USA over the next few months until starting on The CW.
Acquiring the rights to NXT is part of The CW’s strategy to add live programming and enhance its sports portfolio. In an interview with Variety last month, CW President Dennis Miller explained why he felt NXT was a fit for the network.
“We knew that Raw and SmackDown were a little bit beyond our budget here,” Miller said. “Then if you look, we have a lot of sports where we have kind of that next tier moving into the first tier here, whether it’s the Xfinity races leading into the Cup, or it’s NXT leading into Raw and SmackDown. So it just started to fit. Then over the course of a couple of months, we went back and forth and got the deal done.”
For The CW Network, acquiring broadcast rights for WWE NXT was a more realistic option than Raw or SmackDown.
WWE announced in November 2023 that it had agreed to a five-year deal to bring NXT to The CW. The deal begins this October with NXT moving over from USA Network. Today, it was confirmed that NXT will remain on Tuesday nights on The CW, airing live from 8-10 p.m. Eastern time.
Variety published an interview on Thursday with CW executives Dennis Miller and Brad Schwartz speaking about the network’s fall schedule. Miller, who is president of The CW, said Raw and SmackDown were a bit beyond The CW’s budget, but NXT was a fit both monetarily and with the network’s increased focus on sports properties.
We knew that Raw and SmackDown were a little bit beyond our budget here. Then if you look, we have a lot of sports where we have kind of that next tier moving into the first tier here, whether it’s the Xfinity races leading into the Cup, or it’s NXT leading into Raw and SmackDown. So it just started to fit. Then over the course of a couple of months, we went back and forth and got the deal done.
NXT has aired on USA Network since 2019 and will be on the channel until moving to The CW in October.
Raw and SmackDown are also moving to new television homes in their next TV deals. Raw will begin airing on Netflix in January 2025. SmackDown moves back to USA Network this September.
WWE NXT won’t be changing nights when the show moves to The CW this fall.
In November 2023, WWE announced that it had agreed to a five-year deal with The CW to bring NXT to the station. NXT will begin airing on The CW this October.
The CW unveiled its fall schedule today, officially confirming that NXT will remain on Tuesdays. It will stay in its 8-10 p.m. Eastern time slot. The CW wrote in a press release:
The next generation of WWE Superstars take to the ring when WWE NXT airs live every Tuesday (8:00-10:00pm ET).
Acquiring the rights to NXT is part of The CW’s strategy to increase its live sports portfolio.
“We’ll also have more live sports than ever before with the addition of WWE NXT, the NASCAR XFINITY SERIES and Pac-12 football alongside second seasons of LIV Golf, INSIDE THE NFL, ACC football and ACC basketball,” said Brad Schwartz, President of Entertainment at The CW. “Anchored by 500 hours of sports in 2025, we continue to get bigger and broader while reaching and growing our audience across broadcast, streaming and local.”
The move from USA Network to The CW brings NXT from a cable channel to a broadcast network. NXT has aired on USA since 2019 and will remain on the channel until moving to The CW.
USA Network is losing both NXT and WWE Raw, but SmackDown will return to USA starting this September. Raw will continue airing on USA until its new deal with Netflix starts in January 2025.
