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43-498: The main event was a White Castle of Fear Strap match between Big Van Vader and Sting . Vader's WCW World Heavyweight Championship was not on the line in the main event as the match was not sanctioned by WCW. This event marked the return of Ric Flair to WCW and Davey Boy Smith 's WCW debut. The event also featured The Great Muta versus Barry Windham for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship . This

86-452: A developmental brand for Raw and SmackDown , which are WWE's primary brands considered as the main roster. Due to its developmental status, NXT operates regardless if there is a brand extension in effect or not. In its original incarnation , NXT was a reality -based television show in which rookies competed to become a star in WWE. In 2012, NXT was relaunched as a separate brand and replaced

129-524: A "complete revamp" overseen by Levesque. However, due to undergoing heart surgery in September, Levesque stepped away from the brand and Shawn Michaels stepped in to oversee the creative aspect of the brand. Dubbed NXT 2.0 , the revamp began on the September 14 episode of NXT . WWE NXT and 205 Live would emanate from a fully redesigned venue at the WWE Performance Center to coincide with

172-485: A "dream fight" and multiple title defenses. NXT (WWE brand) NXT is a brand of the American professional wrestling promotion WWE that was introduced on February 23, 2010. Brands are divisions of WWE's roster where wrestlers are assigned to perform on a weekly basis when a brand extension is in effect. Wrestlers assigned to NXT primarily appear on the brand's weekly television program, NXT . It serves as

215-563: A "small ocean", while "when you get to the main roster you are in the ocean". Reflecting on the Wednesday Night Wars in a 2022 interview, Levesque said, "People put so much pressure on [this] 'competitive war'...it never was that. ... they beat our developmental system, good for them". This effectively retracted the view that NXT was one of their top three brands during that time. The Wednesday Night Wars came to an end in April 2021 when NXT

258-516: A lead-up towards the centrepiece tournaments, such as physical disability rugby league , masters (over 35, typically retired professional players), university , police teams, and armed forces teams. The opening act is a similar concept in non-sports entertainment. A main event usually takes place as the final match of a title-match-system sporting event. The term occurs primarily with reference to combat sports such as boxing, professional wrestling and mixed martial arts . The main event, generally

301-1273: A support event for SummerSlam . In December of the same year, NXT held its first TakeOver event outside of the United States with NXT TakeOver: London . By 2016, NXT was running approximately 200 shows per year between the United States and overseas. In late February and March 2015, several former NXT trainees previously working within WWE developmental system alleged misconduct by head trainer Bill DeMott , with Judas Devlin and Brandon Traven publicizing complaints which they claimed they had submitted to WWE management about DeMott back in March 2013 when they were still employed with WWE. Meanwhile, other ex trainees like Briley Pierce , Derrick Bateman and independent wrestler Terra Calaway also made allegations in 2015, while previous allegations made in 2013 by Chad Baxter and Chase Donovan were also noted. They accused DeMott of making trainees perform dangerous drills, physically assaulting and bullying trainees, using homophobic and racial slurs amongst other derogatory terms and condoning sexual harassment . WWE released statements regarding some of

344-726: A wider talent exchange with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Several TNA wrestlers would make appearances on NXT's weekly television series and livestreaming events. The colors and symbols indicate the brand of the champions (if they are not part of the NXT roster ). The WWE Network was the main broadcaster of NXT's eponymous television program in the United States from 2014 to 2019. Regular episodes ran for one-hour and aired on tape delay, while live NXT TakeOver events were produced periodically. Beginning on May 17, 2012, WWE began filming NXT at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida , with

387-517: Is also praised for its increased focus on women's wrestling as its women's division is presented as legitimate wrestlers and not as eye candy in the past, eventually giving way to the WWE Women's Evolution . In September 2019, NXT's weekly television series was expanded to a two-hour format and moved to USA Network . The brand faced direct Nielsen ratings competition from All Elite Wrestling 's flagship show, Dynamite , during this period as part of

430-645: Is no support race on the day of the feature (as in the case of the Cup Series, where all support races are held on days leading to the feature, although it can be run on feature day if inclement weather forces such). Since 2008, the Rugby League World Cup has been aggregated with the World Cup competitions for women's and wheelchair rugby league in an arrangement known as the " Festival of World Cups ". The festival includes support tournaments that are held as

473-498: The NXT television program - it featured rookies from WWE's Tampa, Florida -based developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) competing to become members of WWE's main roster. In June 2012, WWE ceased operating FCW, and instead started running all of its developmental events and operations at Full Sail University under the NXT banner. The television show would also be revamped

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516-652: The Formula One World Championships , although the latter is considered to be a feeder series (for young drivers who desire to make the final step to Formula One). The Indy Lights series supports the IndyCar Series , and the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series effectively support the top-tier NASCAR Cup Series . In some series (most notably on oval tracks), the support races take place on both practice and qualifying days, and there

559-523: The NXT Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36 , establishing that NXT championships were also options for Rumble winners to choose as they are guaranteed a world championship match of their choice at WrestleMania . During this time period, some at NXT referred to the promotion as WWE's 'third brand', although many journalists still referred to NXT as developmental, with Raw and SmackDown viewed as WWE's "main roster". WWE wrestler Matt Riddle called NXT

602-464: The matches taking place in a title match combat-sport event. Cards include a main event match and the undercard listing the rest of the matches. The undercard may be divided into a midcard and a lower card , according to the perceived importance of the matches. Promoters schedule matches to occur in ascending order of importance. The undercard, or preliminary matches (sometimes preliminary card), consists of preliminary bouts that occur before

645-624: The " Wednesday Night Wars ". In April 2021, NXT's television series moved to Tuesday nights, and the brand would relaunch under the "NXT 2.0" banner later that September, reinstituting its original function as a developmental brand. A year later, the brand would revert to its original "NXT" name. In addition to NXT's main television program, the brand's wrestlers also appear on the supplementary show, Level Up ; some NXT wrestlers also occasionally appear on Raw's supplementary program, Main Event , typically when they are in consideration to being promoted to

688-430: The "NXT 2.0" title and adopting a gold color scheme reminiscent of the original NXT branding. In late-2022, after Triple H became chief content officer of WWE, NXT wrestlers began to increasingly make appearances on WWE's mid-card program Main Event . These crossovers came as part of efforts to increase the profile of NXT's talent, and evaluate their performances with members of WWE's main roster. In 2024, WWE began

731-419: The 205 Live and NXT UK brands would essentially be subsidiaries to NXT, with their respective talents and personnel falling under the NXT banner. On October 31, 2019, it was announced that NXT would take part in that year's Survivor Series , competing directly against Raw and SmackDown . In 2020, after winning that year's women's Royal Rumble match, Charlotte Flair chose to challenge Rhea Ripley for

774-775: The Champions . Promotions outside the United States also run annual supercards. The two largest lucha libre promotions in Mexico, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), respectively run the CMLL Anniversary Show and Triplemanía . New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) runs the January 4 Dome Show (branded since 2007 as Wrestle Kingdom) at the Tokyo Dome . In other sports, such as boxing and mixed martial arts, supercards occur more rarely. They usually involve

817-457: The USA Network. In September 2022, Michaels was promoted to Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, responsible for both creative and development at NXT, and for the expansion of NXT UK into NXT Europe at a later time. At the conclusion of the September 13, 2022 episode of NXT— which marked the one-year anniversary of the revamp—an updated logo for the brand was unveiled, dropping

860-500: The advanced level but not participating in a championship match. If an undercard match is a championship match (less popular weight class or regional championship), the undercard match is also twelve rounds, owing to regulations. In professional wrestling, undercard matches usually last for five to ten minutes: the audience does not have to wait too long for the main event and the promoters often have to fulfill contractual television agreements. Professional wrestling unofficially subdivides

903-593: The advisor to Yokozuna (along with Mr. Fuji ), and SMW wrestlers appeared on WWF's pay per view programs. Barry Windham and Ric Flair would begin a feud over the NWA World title, which would culminate in Flair winning his 10th (and last) NWA World title in July 1993 at Beach Blast; WCW would leave the NWA permanently in September. Card (sports)#Main event In sports, a card lists

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946-458: The claims that came to light in 2013 and 2015, saying that investigations were done and no wrongdoing was found. On March 6, 2015, DeMott denied the allegations, but resigned from WWE. On August 20, 2019, it was announced that the NXT television series would move to USA Network —the current broadcaster of WWE's flagship Monday Night Raw —and expand into a two-hour, live broadcast on Wednesday nights beginning September 18, 2019. The timing of

989-605: The day prior to the PPV, and typically shared the same venue (or, at the very least, host city) as the corresponding main roster event. In auto racing, support races occur not just before the feature race, they occur on qualifying day where attendances are typically low and after the completion of the feature race, purposely to lessen the effect of traffic congestion outside venues common in major championship rounds, as spectators make their way home. Examples of notable support races include Porsche Supercup and FIA Formula 2 , both supporting

1032-469: The end in succession. This can be billed as a "double main event" or "double-header" or (rarely) as a "triple main event" or "triple-header". Advertising for sporting bouts focuses primarily on their main events. A supercard consists of a title match combat sport event which comprises multiple high-level matches and/or special attractions. Promoters advertise supercards heavily, and tickets typically cost more than at standard-card events. Supercards serve as

1075-404: The focal point of professional wrestling promotions and can function as a primary source of revenue for such promotions. Mainstream American pro wrestling holds supercards at least annually and broadcasts them on pay-per-view (PPV) television. The largest company, WWE , runs PPV events every month. Alternatively the second-largest, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) initially ran 4 annual PPV's over

1118-436: The headline or "main event" of a particular boxing , professional wrestling , horse racing, or other sports event. Typically, promoters intend the undercard to provide fans with an opportunity to see up-and-coming fighters or fighters not so well known and popular as their counterparts in the main event. The undercard also ensures that if the main event ends quickly fans will still feel that they received sufficient value for

1161-445: The level of WrestleMania. With TNA's 2013 change to running only four PPVs a year, all four are now considered supercards: Genesis (not a supercard before 2013), Lockdown , Slammiversary , and Bound for Glory . All four events were first held in 2005, and all have taken place annually since then except for Genesis, which was not held in 2008. Examples of non-pay-per-view supercards include Saturday Night's Main Event and Clash of

1204-623: The main roster. From 2014 to 2021, the brand held its major events under the NXT TakeOver series, but this event series was discontinued with the rebranding to NXT 2.0. WWE also operated a subsidiary brand under NXT called NXT UK , which was based in and produced for wrestlers in the United Kingdom; the brand is currently on hiatus and will relaunch at a later time as NXT Europe to become a Pan-European brand. Another subsidiary brand, 205 Live , existed under NXT from 2019 until 2022 when 205 Live

1247-432: The most prestigious match on the card, has the most promotion behind it. The match commonly involves a contest for a top championship , but may feature another special attraction. The headliner is a similar concept in non-sports entertainment. Sometimes, multiple matches of equally high importance take place on a card, occasionally at intervals throughout (to sustain spectator interest for its duration), but generally at

1290-494: The now-defunct Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) as WWE's developmental territory. Primarily holding its events in the Orlando, Florida area since its relaunch, the brand would be expanded upon over time, having embarked on national and international tours. Wrestling critics and fans came to view NXT as its own distinct entity during this period, with the brand's shows being praised for their high-quality matches and storylines. It

1333-568: The premiere coincided with SmackDown ' s move to FOX in October. As a result of the move, the show would compete with All Elite Wrestling (AEW)'s weekly show, Dynamite , on TNT ; marking the beginning of the " Wednesday Night Wars ". On October 18, 2019, it was announced by Drake Maverick that NXT and the 205 Live brand and NXT would begin a talent exchange. In an interview with VultureHound Magazine on September 12, executive producer Paul "Triple H" Levesque would confirm that both

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1376-401: The price of their admission. In boxing , undercard matches usually last between four and eight rounds, depending on the experience of the boxers in those matches (entry-level boxers, often making professional debuts, have four rounds, while boxers at the intermediate level are given between six and eight rounds), with some undercards on major championship cards being ten rounds if the boxer is at

1419-763: The revamp, dropping the "Capitol Wrestling Center" name. The NXT TakeOver series would also be discontinued, with that year's WarGames event being the brand's first PPV to not be held under the "TakeOver" name. Since its revamp, many of the NXT wrestlers were released en masse in November 2021 due to budget cuts and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that involved administrative staff, plant and wrestlers. This fractured further in January 2022, several backstage workers were released, most of them known for their work with Levesque, including NXT General Manager William Regal and writer Ryan Katz . On February 15, PWInsider reported that WWE

1462-733: The same month to focus exclusively on developmental talent. On February 27, 2014, NXT held a live, two-hour event, NXT Arrival , serving as the first live wrestling event for the newly launched WWE Network service. After the second live event in May 2014, NXT TakeOver , the "TakeOver" name would be used for future live NXT events airing on WWE Network. In March 2015, NXT promoted its first live event outside of Florida with an event in Columbus, Ohio . On August 22, 2015, NXT held its first TakeOver event outside of Full Sail University, with NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn at New York City 's Barclays Center —acting as

1505-558: The top rope. Payne replaced the injured Ron Simmons . After Barry Windham 's victory over The Great Muta , Ric Flair attempted to place the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt around Windham's waist, but Windham refused to let him. After Bill Watts left WCW, the working agreement between Smoky Mountain Wrestling and WCW ended, SMW would begin working with the WWF in talent exchanges, Jim Cornette would begin appearing on WWF programming as

1548-495: The undercard into uppercard, midcard and lower card matches, which roughly correlate to the fame and quality of performance of the wrestlers involved. WWE's NXT brand (which was originally positioned as a feeder for its main Raw and SmackDown rosters) previously held events in its " TakeOver " series as support for its flagship pay-per-views ( Royal Rumble , WrestleMania , SummerSlam , and Survivor Series ); these events were held on

1591-588: The venue being billed on air as "Full Sail Live". In its original format from 2010 to 2012, the series was a seasonally -broadcast competition series that was filmed in large venues during the SmackDown tapings. The series saw "NXT Rookies" paired with "WWE Pros", with the pairs competing in challenges until one sole winner remained. As with WWE's main programming, the series followed scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes , villains , or less distinguishable characters that built tension and culminated in

1634-554: The year ( Revolution , Double or Nothing , All Out and Full Gear ), though added Forbidden Door as a fifth annual PPV in 2022 in collaboration with Japanese company New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Elsewhere, Impact Wrestling (formally TNA), formerly ran monthly PPVs, but now only runs four a year. Wrestling supercards often recur annually; WWE's WrestleMania , arguably the most famous of these, has run since 1985. WWE runs three other supercards per year ( Royal Rumble , SummerSlam and Survivor Series ), but does not promote these at

1677-521: Was ceasing the production of 205 Live episodes, replacing the series with a new supplementary show for NXT called Level Up , which premiered on Peacock and the WWE Network on February 18. Briefly in 2022, talents from NXT appeared on Monday Night Raw similar to the ECW talent exchange in 2007. Meltzer reported that Raw-NXT crossovers were a way to help boost the programs' ratings, since they both air on

1720-455: Was dissolved. NXT formed in 2010, following the dissolution of the ECW brand . Initially, a dispute occurred over the "NXT" trademark between WWE and Scotland 's Scottish Wrestling Alliance (SWA), whose developmental division was called "NXT". WWE worked with SWA to secure the NXT trademark for their new series, and SWA renamed its developmental branch to "SWA: Source". In February 2010, WWE debuted

1763-632: Was moved to Tuesday nights. After 12 NXT wrestlers were released from their contracts that August, Dave Scherer and Mike Johnson of Pro Wrestling Insider reported there had been internal talks of major changes to the brand, such as: "a new logo, new lighting, a focus on younger talents and a different format to the TV shows." Dave Meltzer reported that NXT would likely go back to its developmental roots, with "talent that are [sic] younger, bigger and that could someday main event at WrestleMania". WWE President Nick Khan subsequently confirmed that NXT would undergo

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1806-463: Was not on the line, making it a non-title match. Watts quit before the event so there was no mention of him and the only mention of his successor was in the closing credits. Chris Benoit and 2 Cold Scorpio fought to draws in January 1993. Maxx Payne was disqualified in his match against Dustin Rhodes after he pulled the referee into Rhodes to attempt to break an abdominal stretch and throwing Rhodes over

1849-643: Was the first WCW pay-per-view with Eric Bischoff as executive producer , though he continued to operate as an announcer on television and his new role was only mentioned in the closing credits of the show. The event featured wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines . The Heavenly Bodies ( Tom Prichard and Stan Lane ) replaced the Wrecking Crew due to an agreement by WCW Executive Vice President Bill Watts and Smoky Mountain Wrestling commissioner Bob Armstrong on an earlier episode of Main Event . The Heavenly Bodies' SMW Tag Team Championship

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