Will NXT Be Treated As A Third Main Roster Brand On USA Network?

Speculation states that NXT call-ups may soon be done away with.

by Andy H Murray
Raw SmackDown NXT
WWE

WWE NXT is about to hit one of the most interesting periods in the developmental brand's storied history, with the show moving from a 60-minute WWE Network broadcast to a full-on, two-hour beast going out live on USA Network from Wednesday, 18 September, battling head-to-head with AEW's new TV show.

This has led to speculation that NXT could be treated as a third main roster brand on par with Raw and SmackDown, with some talk suggesting that WWE might scrap the idea of call-ups to and from the black-and-gold brand.

Is there any truth to this?

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Not according to Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who writes that WWE have no plans to instil parity between Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, and that the hierarchy will largely remain as it is right now.

In addition, WWE plan to keep calling wrestlers up from NXT after the USA Network debut, but there's no word on whether or not they'll bring any wrestlers up prior to 18 September. There has, however, been talk that NXT wrestlers might be part of the next WWE draft, which is set to take place in October.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.