WWE NXT, often referred to simply as NXT, is a professional wrestling promotion and a division of the American professional wrestling company WWE. It is based in Winter Park, Florida.
While its primary purpose is to serve as a developmental division for WWE, NXT has come to be viewed by wrestling writers and fans as its own distinct entityâ€"effectively serving as a third brand complementing Raw and SmackDown.
Originally holding its shows primarily in the Orlando, Florida, area, NXT expanded its reach as time has gone on, having embarked on national and international tours, being praised for its high quality of wrestling, and captivating storylines.
History
Beginnings
In June 2012, WWE ceased operating Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), its developmental promotion in Tampa, Florida, and began running all of its developmental events and operations at Full Sail University under the "WWE NXT" banner. WWE had been using the NXT name for a television program featuring rookies from FCW competing to become WWE main roster members, though the reality television aspects of the show had been dropped earlier in 2012; WWE NXT now serves as the primary television program for the promotion.
On February 27, 2014, NXT held its first live two hour special event called NXT Arrival, which was also the first live in-ring program broadcast on the WWE Network. Eventually, WWE scheduled more live two-hour special events, which have since become a regular fixture on WWE Network.
Expansion
In 2015, NXT promoted its first live events outside of Florida, with an event that was held in March in Columbus, Ohio. In August of that year, NXT held their first TakeOver show outside of Full Sail with NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and in December, held their first international TakeOver event with NXT TakeOver: London. By 2016, NXT was running approximately 200 shows per year between the U.S. and overseas.
Controversies
In late February and March 2015, several former NXT trainees previously working within WWE developmental system alleged misconduct by head trainer Bill DeMott, with Judas Devlin and Brandon Traven publicizing complaints which they claimed they had submitted to WWE management about DeMott back in March 2013 when they were still employed with WWE. Meanwhile, other ex-trainees like Briley Pierce, Derrick Bateman, and independent wrestler Terra Calaway also made allegations in 2015, while previous allegations made in 2013 by Chad Baxter and Chase Donovan were also noted. They accused DeMott of making trainees perform dangerous drills, physically assaulting and bullying trainees, using homophobic and racial slurs amongst other derogatory terms, and condoning sexual harassment. WWE released statements regarding some of the claims that came to light in 2013 and 2015 saying that investigations were done and no wrongdoing was found. On March 6, 2015, DeMott denied the allegations but resigned from WWE "to avoid any embarrassment or damage" to the company.
Championships and accomplishments
Current championships
Other accomplishment(s)
Roster
Television
Male wrestlers
Female wrestlers
Other on-air personnel
Live events/Yet to debut
Male wrestlers
Female wrestlers
Referees
Off-screen personnel
Backstage personnel
On-air personalities
Authority figures
- Notes
- ^ Michael Cole acted as Interim General Manager of NXT while William Regal recovered from neck surgery.
Commentators
- Notes
- ^ Jim Ross largely only called the main event.
- ^ The pairings of Dawson and Regal and Phillips and Maddox commentated on alternate shows. Riley replaced Maddox in August 2013 after Maddox became General Manager of Raw.
- ^ Tony Luftman and Tony Dawson were the same commentator. Scott Stanford serves as narrator.
Ring announcers
Television show
The WWE Network broadcasts NXT's eponymous television program in the United States. The show features wrestlers from NXT and WWE. From 2010 to 2012, WWE aired previous version of NXT which consisted of pairing "Rookies" with WWE main-roster members (known as "Pros"), with the pairs competing in challenges until one sole winner remained. The winners of the shows were - Wade Barrett (Season 1), Kaval (Season 2), Kaitlyn (Season 3) and Johnny Curtis (Season 4). After NXT Redemption (Season 5), the current developmental program replaced the previous show.
Production
NXT, in its original format, was taped in large venues before the SmackDown tapings from 2010â€"2012. When WWE revamped the show they moved the tapings to Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida, with the venue known as "Full Sail Live". WWE started taping NXT in Florida on May 17, 2012. Tickets are available free for Full Sail students; general admission for non-students costs $10.
NXT began airing on the WWE Network on February 27, 2014 with a live event called NXT Arrival. Regular episodes are one-hour and are pre-taped. Live two-hour episodes are produced periodically as part of the NXT TakeOver series.
NXT TakeOver specials
Scheduled upcoming events
See also
- NXT Year-End Award
- WWE Performance Center
References
External links
- Official website
- WWE NXT on IMDb
- WWE NXT at TV.com