Summary

Sol Ruca believes NXT Stand & Deliver landing two weeks before WrestleMania 42 could work in the brand's favor rather than against it.

This year's event breaks from the usual WrestleMania week placement. Ruca said the separate date may make the trip easier on fans who would otherwise be trying to fit several shows into the same stretch, while still giving NXT talent a chance to be part of the larger WrestleMania atmosphere through WWE World appearances.

Stand & Deliver is set for Saturday, April 4. The card has continued to fill out in recent days, including the announcement that the show will stream live on YouTube.

Quote from Sol Ruca

Speaking with Fox News Digital, Ruca said:

"I think it’s pretty cool. I think a lot of us would love to be involved in the whole WrestleMania weekend, but I do think this gives us an opportunity to potentially draw a bigger crowd now that we’re separate because having to go to multiple shows in the same weekend – it can be a lot for the fans. I think us having it a little bit separate from everything else and still having our own moment can also be beneficial. I know a lot of us are gonna be at WWE World anyway, so it’ll be kind of like having the two little WrestleMania moments. I think some of us are a little bummed about it, but I think it’ll be a good thing for us."

NXT Stand & Deliver gets its own lane

NXT Stand & Deliver moving off WrestleMania week could give the show a clearer identity, because fans no longer have to choose between packing this card into an already crowded weekend or skipping it altogether.

Ruca's comments also speak to a balancing act for the brand. WWE still wants NXT talent connected to the WrestleMania season experience, but a separate Stand & Deliver date gives the event more room to stand on its own instead of being one stop in a packed run of shows.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.