WWE NXT destroy AEW Dynamite ratings for back-to-back weeks

WWE NXT destroyed AEW in viewership

WWE NXT easily smashed AEW Dynamite for the second straight year in the annual Tuesday Night Wars. Dynamite’s “Title Tuesday” special garnered a dismal 329,000 viewers (down 53% from last week) and 128,000 in 18-49, while WWE NXT drew 874,000 total viewers (down 2% from last week) and 318,000 in 18-49. NXT has now surpassed Dynamite in overall viewership (895,000 to 702,000 last week) and 18-49 (0.26 to 0.20 last week) for the second week in a row, after AEW’s five-year anniversary the next night.

Every year in October, the MLB Playoffs take precedence over AEW Dynamite, laying the door for a head-to-head fight with NXT. AEW’s viewership has declined in recent years, and after defeating WWE’s developmental brand on Wednesday nights during its early years, Dynamite has not defeated NXT since October of 2022.

How did AEW do compared to WWE NXT?

AEW’s viewing difficulties conclude a prolonged weekend of record-low ratings for all main programs. This previous Friday, AEW Rampage got 216,000 viewers with only a .07 rating in 18-49, the show’s second-lowest 18-49 rating ever. In a head-to-head death match versus WWE Bad Blood, AEW Collision earned 269,000 viewers on Saturday with a .05 rating in 18-49.

This was Collision’s lowest 18-49 rating in its normal time slot. AEW should be celebrating in the fourth quarter of 2024 after signing a hefty new television agreement with WBD. Unfortunately, the news is bittersweet, since AEW’s income growth contrasts sharply with its weak key performance indicators (KPI) in viewing and ticket sales.

Though AEW programming has recently faced severe competition, audiences have avoided the promotion for years, with or without explanation. AEW’s ticket sales continue to struggle, and Dynamite’s attendance at last night’s Title Tuesday was the lowest in its history outside of Daily’s Place.

Willow Nightingale was named the new No. 1 Contender for Mariah May’s AEW Women’s World Championship during the AEW Dynamite go-home event on Title Tuesday. Jay White confronted Hangman Adam Page, while Bryan Danielson brawled with the Blackpool Combat Club before what may be his farewell encounter as a full-time professional on Saturday at AEW WrestleDream.

WWE NXT in St. Louis, which likewise sold under 2,000 tickets, albeit in a smaller auditorium, boasted a star-studded lineup that included main brand performers Jey Uso, Randy Orton, A-Town Down Under, Bianca Belair, and Jade Cargill.

NXT also featured a performance by Sexxy Red and other shocks, including Stephanie Vaquer’s debut and an unexpected title change when underdog Tony D’Angelo defeated the mighty Oba Femi for the NXT North American championship.

When confronted with WWE, AEW used to be unbeatable. In 2021, AEW Rampage shocked WWE SmackDown by dominating the latter for 30 minutes. It seems like a long time since Rampage is scheduled to leave with a whimper as part of AEW’s new television partnership with WBD.

Aside from Dynamite, which is now stumbling, AEW has not been able to build a great B-show. Both AEW Dark and AEW Elevation were discontinued in 2023 to make room for Collision, but Collision’s Saturday night schedule has proven to be a ratings trap owing to a mix of competition from WWE PLEs, mainstream sports, and, most significantly, its blatant irrelevance. Given the erosion of KPIs, the rumored inclusion of AEW Shockwave should be reason for concern, as AEW continues to suffer from declining marginal returns.

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