Deadspin’s David Bixenspan has posted a story looking at the WWE NXT vs. AEW Wednesday Night War that is only a few weeks away from happening.
In this article, there is a statement from WWE that addresses claims that the move of NXT to the USA Network is a way to counter-program against AEW.
A WWE spokesman made it known in an email that he NXT move to USA has nothing to do with AEW.
“The premise to your story is wrong,” the WWE spokesman said. He added, “NXT has been on Wednesday nights since 2015 [sic] as I’m sure you know.”
The spokesman continued, “It isn’t called counter-programming if you continue to air a series on the same day/time as it has been on for nearly five years.” The email closed out with “Perhaps you’ll ask AEW about counter-programming NXT?”
NXT Contracts Expected To Be Converted To Main Roster Deals
Bixenspan reached out to All Elite Wrestling for a comment but an AEW spokesperson declined the request.
It’s been reported that WWE’s original plans were to air NXT on FOX Sports 1 but with FS1 airing Big East Basketball on Wednesday nights would have prevented them from starting until after October.
Thus, Vince McMahon decided the USA Network was a better home for NXT as USA is available in more homes than FS1.
WWE NXT on the USA Network will be starting September 18th and expanding to two hours that will fill in the 8 pm ET – 10 pm ET time slot on Wednesday nights. This will be a head-to-head competition as AEW will air in the same time slot on TNT starting October 2nd.
It should be noted that AEW made the announcement of their weekly show on TNT in this timeslot before WWE although WWE has been airing NXT on their streaming service, WWE Network, on Wednesday nights for years now.