WWE have been loading up NXT with stars to increase their TV rights valuation.
In the last few months, WWE have been having main roster stars work NXT. From the likes of Becky Lynch currently to The Judgement Day previously to several free agents calling NXT home, there have been several draws placed on the NXT brand.
Fightful Select now reports that the intention is for NXT to increase its TV rights value with higher ratings.
Fightful Select spoke to a number of WWE sources who indicated to us that there has been a recent increased importance put on the NXT viewership numbers on Tuesday nights. We’re told this is a big reason why Judgment Day, Becky Lynch and others have started to regularly appear on NXT. WWE sources said that the reason is simple, and financially motivated – WWE wants to increase their television viewership numbers on Tuesdays to better leverage a rights fee deal or package. Showing potential suitors that slight adjustments can increase those ratings benefits that. This came ahead of WWE’s announcement that Smackdown would be moving to USA Network. Of particular note, WWE were ecstatic about the huge numbers relatively speaking that Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton drew for their September 12 NXT Title match. It was the largest number in almost three years, and the first time they peaked at over one million viewers in even longer than that.
Fightful Select
We will have to wait and see how much the TV rights for NXT end up selling for in the coming months.
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