Last night’s episode of WWE NXT delivered a knockout punch in viewership and WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker had a hand in it. The blockbuster show in Houston hit 747,000 viewers, a 27% jump from last week’s 586K, marking its highest audience since February 25, 2025. Let’s break down why this episode earned a gold belt performing in the ratings game.
Massive Viewership Upswing
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747K total viewers on The CW, up from 586K the previous week
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Up 27%, and the highest since February’s 799K peak
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18–49 demo rating at 0.16, a 33% leap from the prior week’s 0.12
Compared to last summer’s same week, total viewership soared about 18%, though the key demo dipped roughly 16% year-over-year.
Why This Episode Stole the Show
Two prime reasons:
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Oba Femi’s Triple Threat Main Event
The new NXT Champion Oba Femi faced Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura in a thrilling three-way which Oba won via pin in a 9-minute slugfest. -
The Undertaker’s Surprise Stomp
The Phenom returned in-ring to chokeslam Trick Williams, shocking the crowd and leaving viewers buzzing . The Undertaker bump gave the show a headline-worthy pop.
Episode Highlights in Context
| Key Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Viewership (747K) | Up 27% strongest since Feb ’25 |
| Demo (18–49 at .16) | Tied highest since April; chunky 33% week-over-week gain |
| Oba Femi’s title defense | Solidified his reign and drew wrestling purists |
| Undertaker appearance | Major nostalgia factor, media magnet for casual fans |
| Last week’s slump (586K) | NXT rebounded swiftly after last drop |
What This Means for NXT Going Forward
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Momentum restored: After a dip last week, NXT is back on solid ground with compelling storylines and star power.
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Undertaker as ratings weapon: Even brief returns from legends still carry huge weight.
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Oba Femi established: Two strong performances in a row cement him as the new torch-bearer.
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Renewed advertiser interest: With a top-six finish on broadcast night, sponsors may circle.
NXT’s Tough Competition
The main rival in the evening was a WNBA broadcast that scored 1.175 million viewers and a demo rating of 0.20, topping NXT by a hair. Still, NXT held its own among male demographics and rode the Undertaker hype wave.
Conclusion
Tuesday’s NXT episode proves nostalgia and hot storytelling rarely miss. With Oba Femi’s thrilling title defense and Undertaker’s surprise cameo, WWE’s developmental brand smashed recent performance records. NXT has regained momentum and if they keep delivering showstoppers like this, those ratings will only climb.