The NXT Episode Series Finale - 1st June 2010
01/06/2010
Hello and welcome the Final NXT Episode of Series 1!
Let us know what you think of the NXT Episode, or NXT in general by using our Contact Us page or by dropping a few words to any of the usual e-mail addresses.
On with the show!
Quick Links
Opening Segment: Striker’s Introduction
Match 1: David Otunga Vs. Wade Barrett Vs. Justin Gabriel
Closing Segment: And the NXT Champion is…
Segment 1
Striker’s Introduction
That’s right WWEBloggers, tonight is the FINAL of NXT and as usual we’re kicking off with Matt Striker.
He starts by introducing the five ‘fallen’ competitors, who are sat at ringside tonight, then brings the Pro’s out onto the ramp (minus Carlito obviously.)
I’ve talked quite a lot about the NXT final with Anthony Mango of Smark Out Moment, and we eventually came to the conclusion that tonight’s result was actually ‘too tough to call’.
The only thing we decided that was Justin Gabriel didn’t stand a promo’s chance in the hands of Vladimir Kozlov, so naturally he has to be the favourite.
Barrett, Otunga and Young make their way to the ring and Striker does the usual ‘only 1 Rookie will win NXT and get a shot on PPV’ spiel, then made the groundbreaking announcement that there would be two pro’s polls tonight and the three remaining Rookies will battle it out in a triple threat match.
Sorry, did I say Groundbreaking? I meant predictable.
What I didn’t predict however, was that Season 2 of NXT starts… next week!
Come on! I thought I’d at least get a week off!
Furthermore, we’re getting acquainted with the new rookies tonight, via those introductory promo videos.
Rather than having lots of little segments about them, I’ll be putting up a link to a specific article very soon, watch this space!
Match 1
Triple Threat Elimination Match
David Otunga (w/R-Truth)
Vs.
Wade Barratt (w/Chris Jericho)
Vs.
Justin Gabriel (w/Matt Hardy)
So, despite being ’suspended’ on Smackdown, Matt Hardy is still allowed to show up on NXT, go figure.
During this match Michael Cole revealed (eventually) that in Season 2 of NXT the WWE Universe will have 50% of the votes, rather than it all being in the hands of the pros.
Hmm, wonder how long before those votes are being rigged like the Taboo Tuesday ones allegedly were.
David Otunga was first to be eliminated from this match, being pinned by Barrett after Gabriel had hit him with the 450 Splash.
Gabriel looked for a second 450 at the end of the bout, this time on Wade Barrett, but the Englishman got his knees up and rolled through to pick up the 3 and win the final match of season 1.
Very good match that showed why these 3 are in the final, I’d have rather it came down to Barrett/Otunga, but there you go.
Still no theme music for Barrett I noticed.
Wade Barrett wins by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Pros Poll #1
Directly after the last match the pros huddled up and began to cast their vote.
After some commercials Striker went down the line of former Rookies and asked them who they think should be eliminated.
Tarver said he’d choose himself, leading me to believe he should have been asked who should win and not who should be voted off.
Striker asked Bryan who should WIN and he said Barrett, because Otunga can’t wrestle and Gabriel can’t speak.
Skip Sheffield said he couldn’t care and Darren Young said Wade Barrett, drawing the ire of the crowd by calling them a bunch of haters.
Finally Heath Slater picked Wade Barrett too, saying it was obvious after his win tonight that he should take the show.
Here are the results of the penultimate pro’s poll:
- Wade Barrett
- David Otunga
- Justin Gabriel
No surprises there then, although someone should have told that to the attending audience as they booed the hell out of the decision.
Afterwards Gabriel delivered the usual garb about coming back stronger, further proving what Bryan said when he told him that he couldn’t speak.
At the top of the ramp ’suspended’ Matt Hardy told Gabriel that he was just like him and that he ‘will not die’.
After some more S2 Rookie introductions Striker gave both guys a minute or two on the microphone.
Otunga proved that he had ‘the goods’ on the microphone, telling Barrett that he doesn’t have his charisma and although he might be better in the ring, that is something that can be learned.
Barrett’s monotonous drone of a voice could start to annoy me eventually, but for now I’m enjoying his promos.
He said that Otunga might have the body but he has no clue how to use it, claiming that Khali has more poise and grace in the ring.
Closing Segment
And the NXT Champion is…
After yet more S2 NXT Rookies we’re here at the end of Season 1!
However, before Striker can get to the results of the Pro’s Poll The Miz jumps in and makes the shocking announcement that he’ll be back for Season 2, to mentor Alex Riley (more on him further down.)
Just as Striker is about to announce the winner William Regal jumps up and begins to congratulate Jericho, which upsets the US Champ R-Truth, who begins to defend his own Rookie, saying the winner hasn’t been announced yet.
Regal says it’s a shame Barrett didn’t have him as his mentor, then tells Truth his Rookie’s only attribute is that he married well, and after seeing his other half it’s clear he didn’t marry THAT well.
Punk chips in, agreeing with Regal, then tells Striker to get on with it.
Regal continues to congratulate Wade and the whole situation breaks down, leading to Regal snapping about having to spend 15 weeks on NXT, before begging that one of the other Pro’s steps up and do something to him.
R-Truth, encouraged by the crowd, dances at Regal and Christian tells the Englishman that he should sit down because he hasn’t won a match in a year.
Punk left at this point and Jericho tried to calm Regal down, before taking all the credit for Barrett’s win.
Things broke down almost completely at this point, with pretty hilarious consequences, and eventually Striker pulled control back to announce… the winner of NXT… is… (I’m building as much tension as they did, although I haven’t dragged it out quite as long)…
WADE BARRETT!
Afterwards David Otunga said that even Stevie Wonder could see he should have won, and said that just like before he’d become more famous than everyone else on a reality show that he didn’t win.
Barrett delivers a pretty good, if not a little long winded acceptance speech then celebrates as Jericho’s music plays.
Wonder if he’ll get his own music that he earned now that he’s won the competition?
