8 Things That Probably Led To Triple H's WWE Demotion
3. ...And The USA TV Show Has Not Adapted
NXT has not succeeded in its aim to damage AEW Dynamite's viewership.
It also hasn't succeeded in defeating the previous USA time slot, nor has it succeeded in convincing fans of RAW and SmackDown to tune in. NXT draws less than a third of the average RAW number, which itself is struggling. RAW is hitting similar numbers to those that displeased USA, necessitating RAW Reunion and the 24/7 Championship - ideas imposed on WWE by the network. NXT draws significantly fewer numbers, and is on the same station.
The wrestling on the show is phenomenal at its best, but the machinations plotted to get there are deeply basic and rarely inform a consistent, absorbing character arc. Consider how KUSHIDA is booked.
He steals a hat, gets a match, is forgotten about. He gets put into a bin, gets a match, loses a match, is forgotten about. He wrestles Raul Mendoza and wins, the purpose of which is a mere showcase/reminder of his talent, the likes of which he should be well beyond at this point. Those storylines aren't entertaining, emotive, funny, intense, nothing. They are functional, and even that is generous, because they don't serve one beyond getting him on the show.
Convoluted schemes, post-match beat-downs, post-match brawls, turn-taking brawls - there is no theme nor personality to much of NXT's storytelling. There are very few hooks that demand attention.
NXT on USA has unraveled the narrative that WWE fans prefer NXT's less soapy, action-oriented, A-to-B approach - and it has also unraveled the narrative that Triple H is the creative saviour.