NXT scored a large audience for its debut on the CW Network featuring CM Punk appearing in his hometown of Chicago as part of the main event.
The October 1 debut from the Allstate Arena averaged 895,000 viewers and 354,000 viewers (0.26) in the 18-49 demographic, as reported by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.
It was a 44% increase in overall viewership from last week’s episode on the USA Network and a 36% increase in the core demographic.
This was the strongest performance for NXT since October 10, 2023, which included appearances by John Cena, The Undertaker, Cody Rhodes, and Paul Heyman.
WWE issued the following press release touting the success of the premiere:
Last night’s WWE NXT broadcast television debut The CW Network delivered the largest audience for the weekly program since October 2023, with 895,000 Total Viewers, up +44% compared to last week’s episode on cable TV. The premiere peaked at 965,000 total viewers from 8:15-8:30 p.m. and was the #1 telecast on The CW this year among adults 25-54 (406,000) and adults 18-49 (354,000).
Fans following WWE NXT’s move to The CW saw Trick Williams regain the NXT Championship and featured guest appearances by WWE Superstars CM Punk, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. The episode fueled triple digit increases compared to The CW’s Tuesday primetime season average, up +143% in total viewers, and delivered triple digit increases in total viewers for major markets including New York (WPIX-TV), Los Angeles (KTLA-TV), Dallas (KDAF-TV) and Detroit (WKBD-TV) versus last Tuesday’s primetime programming.
Close on the heels of The CW’s premiere of NASCAR Xfinity Series racing September 20, WWE NXT’s successful debut on The CW marks the second impressive premiere in as many weeks for The CW, again Demonstrating that viewers are increasingly turning into The CW for live sports.
The show aired at 11 p.m. ET on Sportsnet 360 in Canada and averaged 44,000 viewers and 11,000 in the 25-54 demographic, which didn’t rank among the top ten sports programs on Tuesday.
Next week’s episode of NXT featured Randy Orton vs. Je’Von Evans, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill teaming with Kelani Jordan against Fatal Influence, and Oba Femi vs. Tony D’Angelo and airs head-to-head against a Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite.
