Report: Why WWE NXT Isn't Involved At Survivor Series 2020 Revealed
AEW affecting WWE's decision making...
Oct 30, 2020
WWE kicked off the build to Survivor Series earlier this week and the pay-per-view is set to be headlined by the traditional Survivor Series Elimination Matches and a Universal Champion vs. WWE Champion bout between Roman Reigns and Randy Orton.
There was one notable omission from the show this year, though, as NXT failed to return after they were victorious in the battle for brand supremacy in 2019. The black and gold brand was also not involved in the 2020 WWE Draft.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE decided not to involve NXT in Survivor Series for two reasons. Firstly, the company is trying to keep NXT and main roster talent apart as much as possible following the September COVID-19 outbreak. This is why Raw Underground was cancelled as NXT Superstars were used as extras and enhancement talent in the fight club.
WWE also reportedly does not want to portray NXT as a major brand on the same level as Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown because the Wednesday night show is being beaten in the ratings almost every week by AEW: Dynamite.