Without curiosity about potential changes, NXT ratings tumble

The prevailing theory for why NXT’s numbers went up on Aug. 10 was that people tuned in to see if the show looked different after the previous Friday’s releases, and subsequent reports of a Vince McMahon-ordered change of direction.

Viewers didn’t see much evidence of change. And, if we follow through on last week’s theory, a bunch of them must have decided not to tune back in on Aug. 17.

Showbuzz Daily reports last night’s episode had an audience of 654,000. That’s an almost 13% drop from the Tuesday before. The rating in the 18 - 49 year old demographic fell to .15, a 21% week-to-week decline. While not too far outside their recent averages, they’re among the lowest numbers since the end of the Wednesday Night War (not counting the weeks they were bumped to SyFy by the Olympics).

Considering this was the final push to a TakeOver, that has to be disappointing.

Here’s a look at the black-and-gold brand’s viewership and 18 - 49 year old demo rating since they moved to Tuesdays after WrestleMania 37.

• Apr. 13: 805,000 / .22
• Apr. 20: 841,000 / .23
• Apr. 27: 744,000 / .22
• May 4: 761,000 / .18
• May 11 - 697K / .17
• May 18 - 700K / .15
• May 25 - 698K / .13
• June 1 - 668K / .19
• June 8 - 669K / .20
• June 15 - 695K / .19
• June 22 - 665K / .17
• June 29 - 636K / .13
• July 6 - 654K / .18
• July 13 - 705K / .19
• July 20 - 709K / .20
• July 27* - 520K / .12
• Aug. 3* - 520K / .10
• Aug. 10 - 751K / .19
• Aug. 17 - 654K / .15

For complete results and the live blog for NXT this week click here. To read a review of the night’s show click here. For a full playlist of the show click here.

* Pre-taped episode that aired on SyFy