WWE NXT’s CW Debut Hiccup: Zaria’s Arrival Cut Short

One big thing: Zaria’s WWE NXT debut missed by many viewers

Independent wrestling star DELTA, now known as Zaria, made her WWE NXT debut Tuesday night, but many fans missed it due to broadcast feed issues.

• The CW’s Orlando affiliate and other feeds were operating on a 20-second delay.
• This resulted in the show being cut off before Zaria’s show-closing arrival.
• WWE quickly posted the video on social media to compensate.

Behind the scenes

• NXT was set to run until 10 pm EST.
• Producers became aware of the delay issue during the broadcast.
• WWE officials had previously confirmed with satellite providers that the show would air until 10 pm exactly.

Reaction

“Everyone who runs or has a say in the show was pissed,” a source told Fightful Select.

Why it matters

This technical hiccup highlights the challenges WWE faces in transitioning NXT from USA Network to The CW:

• NXT had more flexibility with overruns on USA Network.
• The CW requires strict adherence to scheduled end times.
• Such problems were “anticipated” in the weeks leading up to the CW debut, according to sources.

What’s next

Zaria is set to make her in-ring debut at Halloween Havoc on Sunday, as teased in a video vignette aired by WWE.

How do you think WWE should handle potential broadcast issues in the future to ensure fans don’t miss crucial moments? Share your thoughts in the comments below.