New reports suggest that a new NXT show is coming closer to fruition; it has a working title and will include a championship.
Reports at the end of 2020 suggested that plans were underway for a new NXT show that would act as a ‘minor leagues’ for the black and gold brand. The show was to be run by Gabe Sapolsky who has previously worked with ECW and Ring Of Honor before founding EVOLVE. Further input would come from long-time IMPACT Wrestling producer Jeremy Borash who joined WWE in 2018.
The original idea for the show would reportedly be to run in smaller markets in Florida to allow the developmental talent a chance to perform in front of a crowd. The COVID-19 pandemic put paid to those plans so the idea is now to run it as a TV show.
Fightful Select has reported that the working title of this series will be NXT EVOLVE. Sapolsky’s EVOLVE company entered into a working relationship with WWE in 2015. WWE eventually purchased the company outright in the summer of 2020.
Reportedly some content has already been recorded for the series featuring NXT announcer Josiah Williams. Previous names for the series included ‘NXT Underground’ and it has been reported that the show has more of a ‘fight feel’ to it. ‘RAW Underground’ became a segment on WWE’s flagship show in 2020 fronted by Shane McMahon. Held in a backstage area with a no-rope ring, wrestlers would fight each other in ‘shoot-style contests.
No air date has yet been released and many things could still change regarding NXT EVOLVE. Another lingering question is if it will be part of the WWE Network and the Peacock streaming service when it airs.