NXT Should Remain on the WWE Network

While former pro wrestler Taz feels WWE should move NXT to the USA Network, the development brand might be best to remain on the WWE Network.

I’m usually not the type of writer that likes to go against the opinion of someone who has quite a large following. Then again, I’m not usually writing these columns in a first-person tone of voice. But we’ll roll with it.

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, former WWE and ECW superstar Taz – who is also the host of the very successful Taz Radio show – spoke about having NXT as a one-hour lead-in show before Monday Night Raw. This would mean reducing Raw to the more traditional two hours while still giving WWE three hours on the USA Network.

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It’s not a bad idea for the reason that it allows the writers to focus on just two hours instead of having to force enough content to fill a three-hour show. However, I’m still under the belief that the NXT development system is one of the best things about the WWE Network and should be kept where it is.

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In terms of overall business, it’s better to keep such a popular show as an exclusive program to the WWE Network. Doing so make sure that people will have that much more of a reason to spend only $9.99 per month – including any taxes and all that legal mumbo jumbo – to subscribe to the network. If the WWE Network didn’t have the NXT brand on their exclusive lineup, it begins to lose its overall appeal.

Granted, the WWE Network is really designed to be able to watch thousands of hours of content with pretty much any episode of televised wrestling on demand. However, many hardcore wrestling fans will have to subscribe if they want to see matches with some of the newer talents that they’ve dreamed of seeing in WWE. For me, I don’t view things like Camp WWE as a good selling point to need to subscribe to the WWE Network.

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At the same time, I do believe that Raw does need to be reduced from three hours to only two. But because WWE wants to earn the money for having three hours of programming on Monday nights, so that one hour can still be dedicated to NXT without necessarily moving the actual episodes away from the WWE Network.

I have always been in favor of the WWE starting to broadcast a pre-event kickoff show to act similar to the pre-game shows for other major sporting events that are seen on television. Having this would be a perfect to have some type of NXT update where more casual WWE fans can have the opportunity to get highlights and commentary on the up-and-coming NXT talents that can be eligible for the next WWE Draft.

So while Taz has the right mindset, I feel it is better to have the NXT brand remain as an exclusive program for the WWE Network. However, having their presence felt on a weekly basis on the USA Network will only boost the popularity of the NXT brand and help make the newer stars’ debut feel that much more special – especially if they bring back vignettes that create hype around a future debut.