WWE NXT saw a noticeable decline in viewership and ratings on the August 26, 2025 episode, despite an eventful show and high expectations after the recent Heatwave special. The program drew an average of 616,000 viewers on The CW, dropping approximately 8.7% from the previous week’s 675,000 audience. The key 18-49 demographic rating slid from 0.15 to 0.12, marking a concerning numerical drop for WWE’s developmental brand as summer draws to a close[1][2][3].
Viewership Figures in Context
This recent dip places NXT’s ratings near six-week lows and continues a subtle downward trend from earlier in the year. For 2025 so far, NXT has averaged a 0.160 rating in the demo with 707,000 viewers per episode, which is slightly lower than 2024’s comparative performance of 0.187 and 635,000 viewers, respectively[5].
The August 26 episode aired against competitive sports broadcasts, including the U.S. Open Tennis first-round matches, which attracted well over a million viewers on ESPN, likely diverting some of NXT’s typical audience[2]. Despite these headwinds, WWE still hopes for a rebound.
Highlights From the August 26 Episode
The show opened with Ricky Saints delivering a compelling in-ring promo, calling out Oba Femi, only to be met by Josh Briggs. This interaction led to a singles match later in the night where Saints overcame Briggs, positioning himself as a top contender. The ensuing promo battle between Saints and Femi built intrigue around the next challenger for NXT’s title scene[1][3].
Lexis King captured attention by using underhanded tactics to defeat Myles Borne in a blindfold match, adding dramatic flair to the midcard segment. The night culminated in a six-woman tag main event with Lola Vice, Zaria, and Sol Ruca defeating the faction Fatal Influence, a match that entertained but did not significantly boost ratings[1].
Behind the Scenes Perspective
According to a WWE insider familiar with the brand’s performance, “NXT’s dip this week was disappointing, especially following the momentum built by Heatwave. Fans are hungry for fresh storylines and breakout stars, but the inconsistent pacing in recent episodes may have contributed to the falloff. The company is actively evaluating new creative directions to stabilize viewership going forward.”
This suggests WWE recognizes the need for dynamic changes to reengage core fans and compete more effectively with major sports broadcasts during peak seasons.
What’s Next for NXT?
With summer ending, WWE NXT faces the challenge of regaining lost viewers and improving its appeal during Tuesday nights on The CW. Creative efforts are reportedly focusing on elevating emerging talent like Ricky Saints and enhancing character development to create must-watch moments.
Fan response to the August 26 edition highlighted the Ricky Saints-Oba Femi storyline as a bright spot, indicating that deepening those rivalries could help reverse ratings slumps as the brand heads into the fall season.
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Overall, while the August 26 episode delivered solid in-ring action and storyline progression, it failed to maintain last week’s audience levels, amid stiff sports competition and possibly creative fatigue. WWE insiders indicate changes are on the horizon to help NXT regain upward momentum in the coming weeks[1][2][3].