Last week, “WWE NXT” attracted nearly 650,000 viewers ahead of Saturday Night’s main event, showcasing three of its top rising stars going up against top-tier main roster talent. Although John Cena’s NXT stars delivered an impressive performance on the final night of his career, Tuesday’s episode did not match the previous week’s viewership numbers.
According to Wrestlenomics and Programming Insider, “NXT” averaged 607,000 viewers and achieved a 0.08 rating in the key 18-49 demographic. Compared to last week, total viewership dropped by 6%, and the 18-49 age group declined by 11%. While “NXT” has been less impacted by Nielsen’s new “Big Data + Panel” measurement system, aiming to provide more accurate ratings across cable and broadcast, its average viewership has fallen by 70,000 since December 2024. The more alarming trend is its 18-49 demo, which has plummeted 47% from this time last year.
Although attendance was down, “NXT” faced strong competition Tuesday night from the NBA Cup finals, seven NHL games, and a college football matchup between the Troy Trojans and Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Viewers who tuned in early witnessed a major upset as Thea Hale unexpectedly defeated Blake Monroe to win the North American Women’s Championship. Reports indicate Monroe was originally planned to retain, but this error prompted changes in storyline directions for several wrestlers.
Looking ahead, there is hope that “NXT” will rebound in viewership with the upcoming New Year’s Evil special, which is expected to be one of the year’s most buzzworthy events.
Fan Take: This ratings dip highlights the challenges “NXT” faces in capturing the key demographic amid intense sports competition, but it also signals fresh storytelling potential sparked by title surprises like Thea Hale’s win. For WWE fans, these shifts hint at evolving narratives and opportunities that could redefine the future of the sport’s developmental brand.
