WWE Raw is back to it’s normal time of 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm live on Netflix from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
The numbers are in, and they’ve got people talking across the wrestling world. With Nielsen officially rolling out its new “Big Data + Panel” system, both WWE and AEW have seen noticeable dips in their TV ratings this week — and that’s raising a few eyebrows inside the industry.
While streaming has become a major player for both promotions — “WWE Raw” now living on Netflix and AEW airing live through HBO Max — traditional Nielsen ratings still carry major weight for networks, advertisers, and executives. The new hybrid data method, designed to more accurately reflect viewing habits across devices, has reshuffled the deck, leaving wrestling shows looking weaker on paper than before.
According to Fightful Select, AEW is keeping a close eye on the situation. Sources say Tony Khan understands the new methodology inside and out thanks to his well-known love of numbers and analytics. While the updated system might make week-to-week trends look rough, AEW still benefits from its simulcasts on HBO Max — even if those exact streaming figures aren’t being publicly shared. Reports suggest about 500,000 viewers tune in weekly to stream “Dynamite” and “Collision.”
A contact within Warner Bros. Discovery (AEW’s media partner) downplayed any panic, noting it’s far too early to make judgments with such a small sample size. The source also pointed out that AEW and WWE both ran head-to-head with Major League Baseball this past week, a sport that — along with college football and the NFL — has actually benefited from Nielsen’s new approach.
When asked if this change could spark talk of cancellations, the WBD insider reportedly laughed off the idea, saying that topic always comes up but is “never actually on the table.”
Interestingly, the new data system has one upside for AEW — it’s expected to end the use of “fast national” ratings, those early estimates that often circulated within hours of broadcast. Because Nielsen’s new reporting adds another day’s delay, those quick-turn numbers will no longer offer an accurate read, potentially eliminating a common talking point in the ongoing WWE–AEW ratings rivalry.
Over in WWE’s corner, USA Network and The CW are also monitoring the changes. While Raw has made the jump to Netflix, “SmackDown” remains on USA and “NXT” airs weekly on The CW — both still reliant on traditional TV numbers.
A USA Network source told Fightful they’re discussing the new metrics internally, but they’re not alarmed. The feeling is that while the numbers might suggest wrestling isn’t as “hot” as it looked under the old system, the overall value of WWE programming remains undeniable. WWE content continues to deliver strong returns at relatively low costs — something USA has appreciated for decades.
The CW didn’t comment, but the network has reportedly been pleased with NXT’s performance since day one. The shift in ratings measurement isn’t expected to change that enthusiasm.
One WWE insider did note that the updated Nielsen process could make things tricky for TNA Wrestling, which is currently seeking a new television home. Even so, company president Carlos Silva told Fightful the issue hasn’t come up during negotiations, and discussions with potential partners are still moving forward.
Meanwhile, talent across the major promotions have reportedly felt little direct impact, aside from a few more tweaks to production and travel schedules than usual.
At the end of the day, Nielsen’s overhaul is shaking up how TV success is measured, but the wrestling industry has weathered plenty of changes before. Between the rise of streaming, shifting network priorities, and a fan base that consumes content in more ways than ever, the true picture of viewership might take months — if not years — to fully understand.
For now, one thing’s clear: both WWE and AEW are still drawing millions of passionate fans every week, no matter how the math gets crunched.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will air live on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
With WWE now officially owning AAA, several of the Mexican promotion’s top stars have already started finding their way onto WWE programming. But one name noticeably missing from the spotlight is Alberto El Patron — and his future remains very uncertain.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE inherited Patron’s AAA contract when they acquired the company. However, the former WWE Champion hasn’t been used on television, nor has he been featured in major AAA events like Worlds Collide or Triplemania.
Despite still having a strong fan following in Mexico — with crowds regularly chanting his name during AAA shows — WWE has no immediate creative plans for Patron. His history of personal controversies, combined with his rocky past relationship with WWE, has reportedly made the company hesitant about committing to him in any major capacity.
Patron most recently competed on September 26 at an AAA affiliate event, teaming with Mr. Iguana in a winning effort. But storyline-wise, he was written out of AAA after losing a “Loser Leaves Town” match, further fueling speculation about whether WWE will ever bring him back into the fold.
At this point, Patron’s future is up in the air. WWE may simply keep him under contract without using him, or they could look for a way to test the waters with a one-off appearance down the line. For now, though, fans hoping to see Alberto El Patron back on a big stage will have to keep waiting.
WWE made a quick change this week to the name of its highly-anticipated NXT and TNA crossover special. What was originally announced as “NXT vs. TNA: Invasion” will now go forward under a new title — “Showdown.”
The event, set for October 7, was still being promoted with the “Invasion” branding earlier in the day, but by the time NXT aired Tuesday night, the name had been officially swapped out. The change sparked plenty of conversation, and it wasn’t just about WWE’s history with the “Invasion” label from the 2001 WCW/ECW storyline.
The decision comes after backlash from Israeli fans and media outlets, who pointed out the sensitivity of branding the show “Invasion” on October 7. That date marks the second anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 people dead. Critics described WWE’s choice as “insensitive,” noting both the word itself and the accompanying logo — which featured a bold red “V” — unintentionally resembled imagery associated with Hamas.
One viral post on X (formerly Twitter) even highlighted the resemblance, questioning how WWE’s marketing team could miss the connection, even if it was unintentional.
Once the controversy began to circulate, WWE and TNA quietly pulled advertising for the event before reintroducing it on Tuesday’s NXT broadcast with its new name. On-screen, the change was woven into the storyline by TNA’s Director of Authority, Santino Marella, who lightheartedly reframed the show as more of a “showcase” than an “invasion,” ultimately dubbing it a “Showdown.”
Behind the scenes, WWE wasted no time moving forward with the rebrand — filing a trademark for “Showdown” almost immediately after the new name was announced.
The rebranding doesn’t change the fact that this crossover is a landmark moment for both NXT and TNA, as two promotions come together for a rare interpromotional showcase. With “Showdown” now locked in, fans can expect the focus to return to what matters most: the matches, the surprises, and the potential for new dream encounters between NXT and TNA’s top stars.
WWE NXT live tonight on The CW.
Bad news has hit Ridge Holland’s momentum. The NXT/EVOLVE standout, who has been a regular face in the ongoing WWE–TNA partnership, announced that he’s dealing with a significant injury that will put him on the shelf for the foreseeable future.
Holland was in action this past weekend at the TNA iMPACT tapings from the Edmonton Expo Centre in Alberta, Canada. On Friday, he wrestled at the Victory Road 2025 special, suffering a loss to Mike Santana. The next night, he stepped into the ring with Moose for matches taped to build toward TNA’s marquee event, Bound For Glory, scheduled for October 12 in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Unfortunately, things didn’t end well for Holland. On Monday, he took to Twitter to confirm the nature of his injury, writing:
“Lisfranc Injury. Surgery Friday. See ya in a bit.”
The Lisfranc injury — which affects the midfoot — is no small matter, often requiring surgery and months of recovery time. That means Holland will be missing a crucial stretch of TV, including Bound For Glory, at a time when WWE and TNA’s partnership has created some high-profile crossover opportunities.
It’s a tough setback for the powerhouse, who had been gaining traction by mixing it up with some of TNA’s biggest names. While no timetable has been given for his return, fans will no doubt be eager to see him bounce back once he’s cleared.
The Borden family legacy looks set to continue inside the squared circle. Steven Borden, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Sting, is reportedly preparing to make his in-ring debut this October.
Fans last saw Steven earlier this year at AEW Revolution 2024, where he and his brother Garrett paid tribute to their father during Sting’s emotional retirement match. Dressed in one of Sting’s classic looks, Steven even got physical, hitting the Young Bucks with his dad’s iconic Stinger Splashes in a memorable moment that had the wrestling world buzzing.
Now, according to PWInsider Elite, Steven is moving beyond cameos and stepping fully into the ring. His debut is scheduled for shows at New York’s 52 Walker gallery space on October 3 and October 10.
What makes this debut even more fitting is who’s helping Steven prepare — none other than Darby Allin, Sting’s final tag team partner and one of the men most influenced by The Icon’s legendary career.
Allin reportedly began working with Steven shortly after Revolution, easing him into wrestling after the younger Borden had been reluctant to follow in his father’s footsteps. Earlier this year, Allin noted that Steven “has big shoes to fill” but emphasized that their training journey has been about respect, legacy, and giving back to Sting, who became both a mentor and friend to him in AEW.
While Steven Borden made his mark as a football player at the University of Kentucky, his decision to step into the wrestling world is a significant moment. It’s not just about carrying the Sting name — it’s about seeing if the next generation can carve its own path.
With Darby Allin guiding him and the wrestling world watching closely, Steven’s debut this October will be one of the most intriguing stories to follow this fall.
The time and place are finally official—John Cena’s last match will go down in the nation’s capital. WWE confirmed Tuesday that Cena’s farewell bout is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The announcement puts to rest months of speculation. While many fans expected Cena’s final chapter to be written in Boston, near his hometown of West Newbury, Massachusetts, the venue shift had been rumored since early September. According to reports, D.C. landed the event after offering a sizable site fee, similar to the $7 million New Jersey paid for this year’s historic two-night SummerSlam.
Tickets for Saturday Night’s Main Event officially go on sale October 17 at 10 a.m. EST via Ticketmaster, with a presale opportunity starting October 15 for registered fans. Premium passes through On Location will also be available, giving diehard fans the chance to sit ringside for Cena’s last outing, enjoy all-inclusive pre-show hospitality, and mingle with WWE stars.
If you can’t make it to D.C., the show will stream live on Peacock, bringing Cena’s farewell to viewers around the world.
WWE is going all-out with the weekend festivities. On December 12, fans can catch a live edition of “Six Feet Under with The Undertaker” at The Howard Theatre. Meanwhile, The Gallery Space DC will transform into a WWE Superstore, packed with exclusive merchandise celebrating Cena’s final match.
Before his career curtain call, Cena still has five stops left on his farewell tour. His next big match is set for Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia on October 11, where he’ll face off against longtime rival AJ Styles.
The Capital One Arena showdown marks the end of an era. Cena has been the face of WWE for more than two decades, and his final match promises to be a historic night both for fans in attendance and those tuning in from home.
WWE Raw live tonight on Netflix at 7 PM ET from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.
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