The Aug. 15 episode of NXT featuring a number one contender match for the NXT Championship averaged 680,000 views and did a 0.19 rating (P18-49).

This was down from the previous week (776,000 viewers,0.23 rating), which featured Dominik Mysterio defending the North American Championship against Dragon Lee. However, it also indicates fans have gotten more interested in the brand, as NXT had episodes earlier this year that averaged less than 600,000 viewers.


This week's episode was the final show to build towards the developmental brand's following TV special, Heatwave, on Aug. 22. On the show, Wes Lee defeated Dijak to be the next title challenger for NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes.

Dijak looked to have Lee in trouble in the match, but Eddy Thorpe came to ringside to distract him. The one moment of distraction was enough for Lee to get back into the match and ultimately defeat his opponent with a Corkscrew Senton from the top rope.


Later in the show, Lee and Hayes had an in-ring contract signing segment to hype up their match next week. Lee delivered a passionate promo about overcoming doubt from his peers who didn't believe in him and that he would pull off the upset victory at NXT Heatwave. From the match with Dijak to his promo with Hayes, WWE made a push to allow Lee to shine and get fans excited for the NXT title match.

Another star that NXT is building is Trick Williams. He will have the biggest match of his career against Ilja Dragunov at Heatwave. To build Williams up for his match next week, he defeated Drew Gulak this week. His match against Dragunov will be his true test, as he hopes to show that he can star without Hayes by his side.


NXT Heatwave has five matches announced for the show, but more could be added. Besides the usual NXT talent, The Judgement Day's Mysterio & Rhea Ripley will compete on the TV special against Dragon Lee & Lyra Valkyria. The match was made official on this week's episode after the main roster talent appeared in a pre-taped segment to issue the challenge.

Free agents Baron Corbin and Von Wagner will also face each other at NXT Heatwave. In the recent episode, Wagner challenged Corbin to the match, and then they got into a brawl before security stopped the fight.

NXT Heatwave has matches and exciting storylines that fans of the brand will want to watch. It's an impressive card that could see a new high in average viewers this year for the developmental brand.


NXT Heatwave Matches

(Match Card Is Subject To Change)

  • (C) Nathan Frazer vs. Noam Dar (w/Jakara Jackson, Lash Legend & Oro Mensah)-WWE NXT Heritage Cup Match
  • Dragon Lee & Lyra Valkyria vs. The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio & Rhea Ripley)-Mixed Tag Team Match
  • Baron Corbin vs. Von Wagner (w/Mr. Stone)
  • Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams
  • (C) Carmelo Hayes vs. Wes Lee- NXT Championship Match