The Wednesday Night War

A few weeks ago, I wrote about All Elite Wrestling's television deal with TNT in which the new wrestling brand will be broadcasted live every Wednesday night. I mentioned that while not the start of a new Monday Night War, it was definitely the beginning of a television battle in the professional wrestling industry with AEW having fired the first shots. World Wrestling Entertainment did not take long to retaliate by announcing that NXT will move to the USA Network from the WWE Network on September 18. 

What was a staple of the WWE Network, and in my opinion one of its biggest selling points, was NXT as it showcased some of the best future stars WWE had to offer. Wrestlers such as Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Beat Wyatt, Kevin Owens, Becky Lynch, Sami Zayn, and Alexa Bliss among others spent time in NXT before being called up to the main WWE roster. It is literally a who's who of current WWE talent that were developed in NXT. 

Aside from changing networks, the run time and taped format will change as well. The show will be expanded to two hours and will be live every week. It will then be made available for on-demand viewing the next day on the WWE Network. 

NXT has long been considered the best WWE television show for hardcore wrestling fans as it generally does away with goofy segments and instead focuses on the action that takes place in the ring. That idea also appears to be the main focus of AEW so it makes sense that WWE would position NXT in a head to head competition with AEW. Whether or not the expanded run time or change to a live show every week has an effect on NXT remains to be seen. Hopefully Triple H remains in charge of NXT and focuses on the in ring product. If not, AEW might grapple NXT into submission. 

If you are a fan of pro wrestling, this is easily the most exciting time in the industry since the late 1990s and early 2000s when the battle between WWE's Monday Nigh Raw and WCW's Monday Nitro was at its peak. AEW is real completion for WWE. NXT could be a viable threat to AEW. The Wednesday Night War is about to begin, and I cannot wait to sit back, relax, and enjoy it.