There has been much speculation as to why NXT is not going to be a part of this year’s Survivor Series event.
NXT became featured in the event last year for the first time, and it appeared to be very successful overall. Dave Meltzer addressed who made the call not to use NXT for this year’s event on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio. The decision was said to have been made by the WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon.
The decision not to use the developmental brand at Survivor Series was “just a Vince [McMahon] decision”, as Meltzer stated.
Meltzer followed up with the following comment: “When I asked, there really wasn’t a reason. I mean, it’s just a Vince decision, so now you gotta go in Vince’s brain.”
Additionally, WWE had a mentality last year of “Beat AEW,” hence NXT being propped up for Survivor Series season and challenging RAW and SmackDown at the event.
However, NXT has been hammered by AEW so much in the ratings every week, this week notwithstanding, that WWE no longer wants to acknowledge the fight with AEW and put all their resources into fighting them.