Predicting How The AEW Vs. NXT Wednesday Night War Will End

by Michael Sidgwick
Triple H is PISSED
WWE

Greed pulses through everything.

USA's resolve to not shift NXT to a different night will surely be tested, the longer NXT fails to chart in the top 50 - especially considering that it is demonstrably more popular when unopposed. Vince could in theory use the relative popularity of RAW to, in effect, extort the network to bend to his campaign. It's a fascinating push/pull scenario.

USA will argue that it's in the best interest of both parties. There's more commercial revenue to be gained with such a move, and if NXT is the feeder, RAW should in theory benefit from the increased exposure. In theory.

Vince will argue that suppressing the competition is of greater importance long-term in order to preserve the numbers generated by the flagship.

Here's the prediction, not the scoop: analysing these varying factors, it seems likely that NXT will in the next two years move to a new permanent slot on a different weeknight, allowing USA to invest in two potential growth products - 'Suits'-sized hits - using the freed-up real estate.

It's more about the suits than the wrestling, after all.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!