5 Ways WWE can boost NXT for USA Network premiere

This week WWE made the breaking announcement that the NXT brand has graduated to television, and will make its premiere on September 18th on USA Network.

While many people in WWE have expressed congratulations to NXT for taking the next step in the brand's evolution and transition to TV, some people feel the move was made to counter-program All Elite Wrestling which will be making its TV debut on October 2nd on TNT.

With NXT making the move to USA Network and expanding to a two-hour live show, let's take a look at five ways WWE can boost the NXT show before its big premiere on September 18th.

#5 Move 205 Live to NXT

The WWE 205 Live show, which airs immediately after SmackDown Live on WWE Network, showcases the Cruiserweight talents in WWE and often features some of the best in-ring action across WWE's numerous brands.

However, the show has struggled to gain an audience with mainstream viewers, and there are a few factors which might contribute to the sluggish viewership numbers. To begin with, 205 Live airs immediately after WWE SmackDown Live at 10 pm EST, which might be too late for younger viewers, or viewers who have to be up early the next day for work.

Secondly, 205 Live airs on WWE Network, which of course does not get as much exposure as a channel like USA Network.

Finally, 205 Live lost a solid amount of momentum when WWE stopped featuring the Cruiserweights on Raw, leaving the brand struggling to connect with audiences.

With NXT expanding to two hours, the roster will no doubt need to be filled out, and moving the Cruiserweight division to the show could add more star power and in-ring bravado which would fit the overall vibe of NXT.

#4 Move former NXT stars back to the brand

With NXT moving to USA Network, WWE might make the mistake of trying to load the show up with main roster stars such as Roman Reigns, which would be unwise from a brand-building perspective.

One of the main reasons why NXT has become so popular is that it remains a very unique brand, offering a very different product from that of Raw or SmackDown Live.

Should WWE start filling the NXT broadcasts with main roster stars such as Roman Reigns, the show might lose the important counter-culture feel it currently retains.

However, one move WWE could make is to bring former NXT talents who are currently underutilized on the main roster back to NXT in order to help strengthen the brand and the careers of underused talents.

Former top stars in NXT, such as Bobby Roode, Asuka, Shinsuke Nakamura, Apollo Crews, and Kairi Sane, could flourish with a move back to NXT, and help boost the brand in the same way they did when they began their careers.

The thought of matches such as Nakamura vs Adam Cole for the NXT title could reinvigorate the NXT brand as it looks to establish dominance on Wednesday nights.

#3 Create a television title

Should WWE opt to keep 205 Live as its own show exclusive to the WWE Network, it might be a good idea for NXT to introduce some type of television title.

As of now, the NXT brand boasts an NXT Champion, a North American Champion, a Women's Champion, and Tag Team Champions. With the show expanding to two hours, there might be room for a title which is only defended on the weekly television shows.

The idea of the TV title was popularized in WCW and gave fans more of an incentive to watch the weekly events as the TV title would be defended on shows such as Nitro and Thunder.

It would be wise to have NXT TV title defenses take place only on the weekly USA Network shows, and not feature any TV title matches on the Takeover events. This concept would allow NXT to promote a champion who defends the title on the weekly shows only, making NXT more of a must-watch show on a weekly basis. There are certainly numerous talents who could benefit from a TV title run, and the belt could be a solid complement to the established NXT titles.

#2 Present the show differently from Raw and SmackDown Live

One of the key differences between NXT and the other main roster WWE brands is the look and feel of the Wednesday night brand compared to the rest of the company.

NXT airs its weekly Network episodes from Full Sail University, and the rabid fanbase in Winter Park, FL brings a unique energy to each broadcast.

With NXT moving to a live format each week, it remains to be seen whether or not the show will continue to air each week from Full Sail University, or if the show will begin to tour like the other main roster brands.

It would be wise for WWE to take NXT on the road and book the show in bigger venues, or it might feel like a smaller show compared to All Elite Wrestling, which is selling out larger venues in its initial weeks on TNT.

WWE should focus on presenting NXT very differently from Raw and SmackDown Live each week so that the move to USA Network does not end up feeling like an extension of Raw and SmackDown on a weekly basis. Here's to hoping USA Network does not demand a similar look and feel for both Raw and NXT.

#1 Freshen up the roster with surprise debuts

The WWE NXT roster boasts tons of top tier talents and solid superstars, but the WWE developmental talents at the Performance Center are also abounding, and waiting to be called up to NXT TV.

With NXT moving to USA Network, the company could surprise the fans with a few developmental call ups, with the likes of Chelsea Green and other hidden gems popping up on the USA Network show.

Back in July, WWE debuted its newest giant, as 7'3" Jordan Omogbehin made his in-ring debut at an NXT live event in Lakeland, FL.

Omogbehin was flanked by Stokely Hathaway as his manager and defeated Team 3.0 in Omogbehin's debut. The big man could be a fun debut on the NXT USA Network premiere show and could let the fans know they are in for surprises and some roster additions as the show embarks on its new TV home.

Additionally, a few of the top stars from the NXT UK brand could make surprise appearances on the USA Network debut, and maybe a few of the talents, like the recently moved Pete Dunne, could make the permanent jump to NXT.

What other moves do you think WWE should make with NXT once the show debuts on USA Network? Let us know in the comment section!