NXT (WWE brand)

NXT was formed in 2010, following the dissolution of the ECW brand. Initially, the NXT trademark was disputed between WWE and Scotland's Scottish Wrestling Alliance (SWA), whose developmental division was also called NXT.[11] WWE worked with SWA to secure the NXT trademark for their new series with SWA's developmental branch being renamed "SWA: Source."[12] In February 2010, WWE debuted the NXT television program, the program featured rookies from WWE's Tampa, Florida-based developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) competing to become members of WWE's main roster. In June 2012, WWE ceased operating FCW, instead running all of its developmental events and operations at Full Sail University under the WWE NXT banner.[13] The television show would also be revamped the same month to focus exclusively on developmental talent.

On February 27, 2014, NXT held a live, two-hour event, NXT ArRIVAL, serving as the first live wrestling event for the newly-launched WWE Network service.[14][15] After the second live event in May 2014, NXT TakeOver, the "TakeOver" name would be used for future live NXT events airing on WWE Network. In March 2015, NXT promoted its first live event outside of Florida with an event in Columbus, Ohio.[16] On August 22, 2015, NXT held its first TakeOver event outside of Full Sail University, with NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn at New York City's Barclays Center—acting as a support event for SummerSlam. In December of the same year, NXT held its first TakeOver event outside of the United States with NXT TakeOver: London. By 2016, NXT was running approximately 200 shows per year between the United States and overseas.[17]

On August 20, 2019, it was announced that the NXT television series would move to USA Network—the current broadcaster of WWE's flagship Monday Night Raw—and expand into a two-hour, live broadcast on Wednesday nights beginning September 18, 2019. The timing of the premiere coincided with SmackDown's move to FOX in October. As a result of the move, the show would compete with All Elite Wrestling (AEW)'s weekly show, Dynamite, on TNT; marking the beginning of the "Wednesday Night Wars".[18][19][5]

On October 18, 2019, Drake Maverick – who himself was drafted to SmackDown but remained the General Manager of the 205 Live brand – announced that following the 2019 WWE Draft, he had made a talent exchange agreement with NXT General Manager William Regal, whereby NXT wrestlers (who are within the 205 pound weight limit) could also wrestle on 205 Live.[20][21]

On October 31, 2019 during the Crown Jewel pay-per-view, it was announced that at Survivor Series, NXT would be included, competing directly with Raw and SmackDown as part of that event's traditional brand competition theme, confirming NXT's place as WWE's third main brand.[22] On subsequent episodes of Raw and SmackDown, the NXT roster "invaded" both shows, engaging in matches and brawls with members of those respective rosters. During the main events of the November 1 and 4 episodes of SmackDown and Raw, respectively, the NXT Championship was defended, with champion Adam Cole defeating Daniel Bryan in the former, and losing by disqualification to Seth Rollins (the inaugural NXT Champion) in the latter. At Survivor Series, Cole successfully defended the NXT Championship against Pete Dunne, marking the first time the title was contested on a traditional WWE pay-per-view event. NXT also won four out of the seven interbrand matches at Survivor Series, thus winning brand supremacy.

In 2020, after winning that year's women's Royal Rumble match, Charlotte Flair chose to challenge Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36, establishing that NXT Championships are now also options for Rumble winners to choose as they are guaranteed a championship match of their choice at WrestleMania.

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.[23][24] Meanwhile, other ex trainees like Briley Pierce, Derrick Bateman and independent wrestler Terra Calaway also made allegations in 2015,[23][24][25][26] while previous allegations made in 2013 by Chad Baxter and Chase Donovan were also noted.[27] They accused DeMott of making trainees perform dangerous drills,[23] physically assaulting and bullying trainees,[23][24] using homophobic and racial slurs amongst other derogatory terms[24][27] and condoning sexual harassment.[25] 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.[23][27] On March 6, 2015, DeMott denied the allegations, but resigned from WWE "to avoid any embarrassment or damage" to the company.[25]

• Notes

The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship and the WWE 24/7 Championship can also be defended on NXT as they are shared among the brands.[28][29]

The NXT Cruiserweight Championship is shared between NXT, NXT UK, and 205 Live.