WWE Vs AEW: Update On NXT Coming To Fox Sports 1, WWE Tried To Buy Fite Network?

According to a new report, WWE may be intensifying efforts to possibly stifle All Elite Wrestling before it makes its TV debut.

The newest report comes from the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which reports that WWE is indeed planning on bringing NXT to Fox Sport 1 in the fall. This is in line with previous reports, which had been stating that WWE wants to bring the show to TV as a way of competing with AEW’s upcoming Wednesday night show.

While there’s still no update as to when it could possibly debut or an announcement, the report does say the current plan is for the show to run from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. NXT could also transition to being a live show. The feeling within WWE is that NXT in its current form, which is taped, wouldn’t be a suitable way of competing.

And while these plans have been on the books for some time, WWE was allegedly waiting for AEW and TNT to finalize their TV deal and schedule. There’s also no news about when WWE could make an official announcement regarding NXT going to Fox Sports 1.

“Contrary to what I've heard, because you hear people speculate and I've seen the conversations around FS1 or whatever it is with NXT and all that stuff, and then immediately, people come in with counter-programming talk,” Triple H said during a media call ahead of Saturday’s NXT TakeOver: Toronto. “We have content all over the place, and if people want to talk about counter-programming and bring that up in the conversation - like, Wednesday has been the home of NXT forever. Right? That's where it's sat; it's been on our network on a Wednesday's time slot now forever.”

Also coming from the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter was WWE possibly making moves to purchase Fite Network.

For anyone unfamiliar, Fite is a pay-per-view and live streaming provider that streams combat sports, including boxing and MMA. In the world of pro wrestling, Fite also serves as the pay-per-view home for Ring of Honor, MLW, Impact Wrestling and many more. And while AEW has gone through B/R Live for distribution in the U.S., Fite has provided all AEW shows to international audiences thus far.

The report suggested that there were overtures made by WWE about a possible purchase, though there was no indication of how far along talks were. However, these were quickly shot down by Fite itself, who took to twitter to assure fans and users that it was not currently in talks with WWE about a possible merger.