Possible Reasons for Lack of NXT Involvement for Survivor Series

Unlike last year’s Survivor Series, NXT will not be involved and the event will only feature wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there are two possible reasons for the lack of NXT’s involvement.

The first is related to the coronavirus pandemic and the company’s recent outbreaks at the Performance Center. Meltzer reported that Vince McMahon currently wants to keep the brands as separate as possible to prevent any potential outbreak from spreading to multiple brands. This reportedly was the reason why WWE’s 205 Live brand no longer holds tapings on Fridays in order to keep NXT talent away from SmackDown talent.

The other is related to the company’s current mentality towards their NXT brand. Meltzer reported that WWE officials likely no longer view NXT as a major brand on the same level of RAW and SmackDown, possibly due to them losing to AEW in the ratings most weeks.