NXT 2.0 Leaning Into Edgier Product At The Urging Of Vince McMahon

If some internal WWE discussions are any indication, even more huge changes could be in store for NXT. Based on the late September episodes of NXT, it seems that’s already the case.

Fightful has learned of discussions within the company about some plans for NXT 2.0 that are purportedly directly from WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. When reaching out to contacts at USA Network, there were some with knowledge of such, as well, and they were said to be in support.

Among the points Fightful heard that were brought up included NXT 2.0 targeting more of a P18-34 demographic, including everything from in-ring work and aggression to harsher language and the like. Another point that we haven’t verified was more lenience on female character gear, though it wasn’t specified what exactly that means. “Keep up with current affairs with promos and character verbiage” was another point said to be brought up.

We haven’t heard much more outside of a brief internal acknowledgement that this has been discussed. We’ve not learned that it has been implemented thus far. One talent went as far as to say they’d believe it when they see it when we asked if they’d been made aware, which they’d not. The day we reported this, language on NXT 2.0 was more colorful, and featured a Joe Gacy segment that lined up with some of the things that we’d heard. We’ve been told that even character points like that of Josh Briggs were shot down in the past to refrain from bar or alcohol imagery

However, there were some plans that did change ahead of the show. We’re told several newer female recruits were planned for a backstage segment that was eventually nixed.

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