WWE Celebrates NXT on CW Debut with a 44.4% Ratings Boost

WWE is pleased with the ratings and viewership for the NXT on CW debut episode, which aired on Tuesday night, October 1, 2024, at the AllState Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

The debut episode drew 895,000 viewers, a significant increase of 44.4%, or 275,000 more viewers, compared to the final NXT episode on USA, which aired on September 24, 2024, from the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, Florida, and attracted 620,000 viewers.

Following the release of the ratings for the NXT debut on The CW Network, WWE quickly issued a statement. Shawn Michaels, WWE Senior VP of Talent Development Creative and the key figure behind NXT, also took to social media to share his thoughts.

Shawn Michaels, shared the following on his official X account:

"895,000 viewers tuned in for the NXT debut on The CW – our highest numbers in a year. Great start. See you next week live from St. Louis!"

WWE.com released the following statement:

The CW Network delivers largest audience for WWE NXT in a year
 

BURBANK, CA (OCTOBER 2, 2024) – Last night’s WWE NXT broadcast television debut The CW Network delivered the largest audience for the weekly program since October 2023, with 895,000 Total Viewers, up +44% compared to last week’s episode on cable TV. The premiere peaked at 965,000 total viewers from 8:15-8:30 p.m. and was the #1 telecast on The CW this year among adults 25-54 (406,000) and adults 18-49 (354,000).

Fans following WWE NXT’s move to The CW saw Trick Williams regain the NXT Championship and featured guest appearances by WWE Superstars CM Punk, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. The episode fueled triple digit increases compared to The CW’s Tuesday primetime season average, up +143% in total viewers, and delivered triple digit increases in total viewers for major markets including New York (WPIX-TV), Los Angeles (KTLA-TV), Dallas (KDAF-TV) and Detroit (WKBD-TV) versus last Tuesday’s primetime programming.

Close on the heels of The CW’s premiere of NASCAR Xfinity Series racing September 20, WWE NXT’s successful debut on The CW marks the second impressive premiere in as many weeks for The CW, again Demonstrating that viewers are increasingly turning into The CW for live sports.

In November 2023, The CW Network and WWE announced a five-year agreement to bring NXT wrestling to broadcast television for the first time ever. As the exclusive home of NXT, The CW will air 52 live weekly events throughout the season. Launched by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, NXT has aired weekly since 2012 and features the brightest young talent in sports entertainment. Nearly 90 percent of the participants in last year’s WrestleMania were developed under the NXT banner. Led by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, NXT is extremely popular with younger audiences.

WWE NXT continues next Tuesday, October 8 (8:00-10:00pm ET/PT) on The CW with a special live event from St. Louis featuring a guest appearance by WWE Superstar Randy Orton.