WWE NXT is set to make a highly anticipated return to Madison Square Garden as part of a special event on November 18, 2023, highlighting the ongoing excitement within the WWE NXT Madison Square Garden scene. This event marks a rare appearance in the iconic venue‘s theater, known for housing historic wrestling moments, while John Cena continues his farewell tour with the company.
Madison Square Garden has long held a significant place in WWE’s history, once considered the company’s home base. Over the years, MSG has hosted legendary events including the first, tenth, and twentieth WrestleManias, alongside numerous premium live events, TV tapings, and exclusive shows. Beyond WWE, the venue’s theater section has welcomed wrestling promotions such as NJPW, ROH, WCW, AAA, and TNA throughout its storied past.
The Theater at Madison Square Garden, known for its intimate 5,600-seat capacity, has been the setting for unforgettable wrestling moments like Ken Shamrock’s victory over Owen Hart at SummerSlam 1998 inside the Lion’s Den. WCW made its NYC debut there in 1993 and returned in 1996, while WWE’s NXT took the theater stage in late 2016 for a non-televised live event. More recently, AAA and TNA showcased their talents at the same venue in 2019.
Earlier this year in March, WWE once again brought NXT to The Theater for the fourth annual Roadblock special, marking a memorable milestone. Now, as John Cena approaches the end of his in-ring career, the brand is heading back to this historic setting. Cena previously made a high-profile NXT debut on October 10, 2023, during a star-studded episode that competed with AEW Dynamite. Although not officially confirmed, rumors suggest Cena may make another appearance during this NXT special event.
Details of the Upcoming WWE NXT Show at The Theater
WWE revealed that the NXT brand will present a live episode from The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 18, 2023, airing at 8 p.m. ET on The CW network. This event is being promoted as part of John Cena’s ongoing farewell tour, though his involvement in the broadcast has yet to be confirmed. Cena is scheduled to appear on Monday night’s RAW at Madison Square Garden, making the full week’s activities at the venue a point of interest for fans.
The officially released statement highlights the participation of several major NXT stars.
“The event will feature the biggest Superstars from NXT, including NXT Champion Ricky Saints, NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, NXT North American Champion Ethan Page, NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca, Trick Williams and more,”
it states, underscoring the importance of this gathering for WWE’s developmental brand.
Ticket Information and What Fans Can Expect
Tickets for this special NXT event will become available through a WWEVIP presale on Monday, October 6, starting at 10 a.m. ET, with a general public sale following on Wednesday, October 8, also at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster. This provides fans with an opportunity to witness some of the brightest talents in WWE’s roster competing within a legendary venue that has hosted countless historic matches and events.
Madison Square Garden remains a symbol of wrestling prestige, and the return of WWE NXT to this iconic site is a reflection of the brand’s growing prominence. John Cena’s farewell tour adds further anticipation and emotional weight to the event, potentially featuring memorable appearances that honor his legacy. As WWE continues to build momentum in the TKO era, events like this serve both to celebrate past accomplishments and set the stage for future stars.
