WWE failed in its attempt to use NXT to stop AEW from establishing itself as a rival, and it is understood an overhaul of the brand is upcoming. The company recently taped three weeks of NXT television in order to give them time to make the necessary amends to freshen up the brand, including a new set.
Prior to SmackDown, rapper and wrestling fan Wale would tease a brand new NXT logo. The video, which can be watched below, featured music from his song “Down South,” indicating it is set to be the show’s new theme music and displayed a multicolored logo. This clearly, but somewhat surprising shows the brand is moving away from its black and gold color scheme. The logo would later make an appearance during SmackDown, making the change official.
NXT launched in 2010 as a type of reality show featuring rookies aligned with current WWE stars attempting to make it to the main roster. This version ran for five seasons and featured wrestlers such as Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett, Bray Wyatt (as Husky Harris), and Naomi. Then in 2012, NXT replaced Florida Championship Wrestling as WWE’s developmental territory, with their weekly show becoming one of the big selling points of the WWE Network when it launched in 2014. With AEW Dynamite launching on TNT, NXT would move to the USA Network in September 2018 to be counterprogramming. However, what would be known as the Wednesday Night Wars were very one-sided, with Dynamite winning 63 times, NXT 10 times, and two ties.
