WWE: Indies Partnership Interest Update, Amari Miller Suffers ACL Injury, More on NXT Feb. 7, 2023 Viewership

More on ROW’s Partnership Deal with WWE & WWE’s Interest in Working with Other Indies

As noted before, NXT talent Ivy Nile is currently scheduled to make an appearance for Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling promotion tonight in Texas City, Texas. Nile’s appearance is currently expected to be a one-off type deal and not the start of a new partnership between WWE and ROW based on recent comments made by NXT head booker Shawn Michaels.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that one source spoken to stated that WWE had made a deal with Booker T to allow Nile to work at his ROW event but the company currently has no plans to work with other indie promotions.

Meltzer reported that WWE did have recent talks with other indie promotions who were told that if Nile’s appearance for ROW works out, they might also be able to book NXT talents for their events in the future. WWE’s Gabe Sapolsky reportedly had recently visited several indie promotions with at least two who were mentioned that currently use AEW talents for their events.

One top talent from WWE’s main roster reportedly had requested permission to work at a recent event for Pro Wrestling Guerilla but nothing came from it in the end. Meltzer reported that this request was made prior to Chris Jericho’s deal with PWG for an appearance at their Battle of Los Angeles 2023 event this past January.

Meltzer also reported that WWE’s current plans for any potential new partnership deals could later change due to it being entirely dependent on who becomes the new owner of the company and their view on working with other promotions.

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Amari Miller Suffered Torn ACL Injury

NXT talent Amari Miller announced on Twitter that she recently suffered a torn ACL injury and will be undergoing surgery next week to repair her knee.

I have torn my ACL and getting surgery next week

Life happens in the CRAZIEST way. Everything happens for a reason and I totally think everything lately has been a blessing in disguise for a powerful future.

I will keep u all updated, minor setback for major COMEBACK

Love u💚 pic.twitter.com/IvpaYzhvel

— Amari Miller (@Amari_MillerWWE) February 10, 2023

Miller last wrestled for WWE’s NXT brand at the January 10th episode of NXT.

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More on NXT Week 174 Viewership – Feb. 7, 2023

The February 7th episode of WWE NXT saw NXT suffer a very large decline in key demographic rankings, a small decline in overall viewership, and a slight decline in key demographic ratings.

NXT drew 562,000 viewers and a 0.11 key demographic rating on USA Network. NXT’s key demographic ranking for that night was 50th place.

Detailed viewership and key demographic breakdowns were not available in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported that the main reason for NXT’s declines this week was due to very stiff competition from news programming coverage of the 2023 State of the Union Address, which drew a combined viewership of 24,171,000 on network and cable television and a 3.10 rating in the key demographic. Another reason reportedly was due to the very large decline from their older key demographic viewership group, which was down 27.8% compared to last week’s show. This reportedly offset the gain from their younger key demographic viewership group, which was up 12.5% compared to last week’s show. Meltzer reported that NXT’s key demographic viewership was its lowest since the May 10, 2022 show.

In terms of head-to-head competition, the NBA game pf Phoenix Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets drew 1,206,000 viewers on TNT, the College basketball game of North Carolina vs. Wake Forest drew 699,000 viewers on ESPN, the College basketball game of Arkansas vs. Kentucky drew 831,000 viewers on ESPN, the College basketball game of Maryland vs. Michigan State drew 298,000 viewers on ESPN2, Bering Sea Gold drew 603,000 viewers on Discovery Channel, Curse of Oak Island drew 2,235,000 viewers on History Channel, and 1000-lb Sisters drew 1,001,000 viewers on TLC.

In terms of key demographic viewership, NXT had 142,000 viewers.

In terms of yearly comparisons, NXT was up 40.5% in overall viewership and up 46.4% in key demographic viewership. Meltzer reported that NXT’s 18-34 viewership was up 209.1% compared to the same week last year. Meltzer also reported that the reason for NXT’s very large increases was due to last year’s show aired on SyFy network.