WWE NXT, also simply called NXT, is a professional wrestling television program that is produced by WWE and is broadcast on the USA Network.
NXT initially debuted in 2010 as a seasonal show which was presented as a hybrid between WWE's scripted live event shows and reality television, in which talent from WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) participated in a competition to become WWE's next "breakout star", with the help of mentors from WWE's Raw and SmackDown brands.[1] Five seasons of this iteration were broadcast, with Wade Barrett, Kaval, Kaitlyn, and Johnny Curtis being announced as winners.[note 1]
In June 2012, WWE ended the seasonal competition format and opted to revamp the show. WWE NXTbecame the flagship television show of the NXTbrand,[1][2][3] and has since received universally positive critical reception and high viewership, with praise directed toward the high quality of wrestling[4][5] and captivating storylines. Many consider NXT to be superior to WWE's flagship shows.[6][7]
The initial version of the show made its debut on Syfy on February 23, 2010, replacing ECW, but was replaced by SmackDown in October.[8][9] It then aired as an hourly webcast on WWE.com on the United States until June 13, 2012, before it was expanded to international markets on the WWE Network in 2014.[10] In 2019, NXT expanded into a live two-hour program on USA Network.