5 Changes that WWE have been forced to make since AEW's launch

#3 Keeping top talent in NXT

He's baaaaaaaack!@FinnBalor. IS. NXT. #WWENXT #NXTonUSA #WeAreNXT pic.twitter.com/gcU9Fn1SCv

— WWE (@WWE) October 3, 2019

One of WWE's initial acts on the first episode of NXT that went head-to-head with AEW Dynamite was to move Finn Balor back to the Black & Gold brand. This switch was made solely with the intent of bolstering the level of star power on NXT.

More than just a WWE developmental brand

It is hard to say that this was not a necessary decision. With NXT now featuring on prime time television opposite AEW, the brand could no longer serve as just a developmental platform for Superstars of the future. WWE needs to keep enough top names on the brand to ensure that NXT can be competitive with AEW Dynamite in the ratings - and this has likely changed the career paths of several NXT performers.

If it were not for the existence of AEW, it is hard to argue that Superstars such as Velveteen Dream, Adam Cole, and Keith Lee (amongst others) would not have already been called up to the WWE main roster by now.

#WWENXT Women's Champion @RheaRipley_WWE is firing on ALL CYLINDERS as she looks to battle back against #TheQueen @MsCharlotteWWE at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/c9IRVRdzvs

— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2020

NXT is a bigger stage than it once was, though, and its talent now regularly features on some of WWE's largest annual shows. Rhea Ripley even appeared on this year's WrestleMania card to defend her NXT Women's Championship.

NXT has been pushed firmly into the spotlight ever since the birth of AEW. The emergence of a rival promotion has forced WWE to fully utilize a brand that was once seen as simply a developmental territory.