The NXT Episode – 11th May 2010
11/05/2010
Hello and welcome the NXT Episode!
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On with the show!
Quick Links
Opening Segment: Elimination Night Drama
Match 1: Wade Barratt Vs. Heath Slater
Segment 2: Michael Tarver Interviewed
Match 2: Skip Sheffield Vs. Darren Young
Segment 3: Daniel Bryan Brian Danielson Interviewed
Main Event: David Otunga Vs. Justin Gabriel
Closing Segment: The Elimination
Segment 1
Elimination Night Drama
That’s right, tonight we see the exit of the very first NXT Rookie!
While Matt Striker introduces the contenders I’ll take the opportunity to bring you yet another tid-bit from the ever elusive WWEBlog Informant, this time regarding NXT… obviously:
Rumour has been rife regarding who will eventually be crowned the winner of NXT, but I can now reveal that things might not be as simple as they first seemed.
Initially it looked like Brian Danielson, aka Daniel Bryan was a shoe in for the win, with his ‘title shot’ being against his mentor The Miz at the next available PPV following the finale.
However, after a couple of luke-warm receptions for Bryan and a few head turning performances from the other Rookies, things now seem to be up in the air.
One Rookie who has made more of an impression than expected is David Otunga.
My sources inform me that Otunga was originally set for an early ‘shock’ elimination, and that he had no interest in becoming a full-time Superstar.
But after showing a marked improvement in the ring, WWE’s top brass are reportedly scrambling to get a long-term signature from the A-List.
Read into this what you will, but the fact of the matter is this one is actually too close to call, and it seems not even those on the inside are 100% sure who will end up winning the competition.
- The Informant
Anyway, after all the introductions had been made Striker congratulated the Rookies on their big win on Raw, showing a clip of Daniel Bryan picking up the win over Santino (to be honest, he’d have earned more credibility by pinning one of the other Rookies, the way Santino has been mis-used recently.)
Striker then shows a clip of Michael Tarver saying he should be the one eliminated, before informing him that he has been eliminated as the WWE Management don’t want someone in the contest that doesn’t believe in themselves.
Striker asked him to leave and he did, but only after bellowing about how he has been held back, NXT is still his show and the fans are to blame for his exit.
Next Striker goes to Daniel Bryan and shows the clip of him also saying he should be the first to go. Striker tells him that he has also been eliminated from NXT for not having enough self-belief.
Wow, I didn’t see that coming. This is either a HUGE twist, or The Informant was really onto something.
After Bryan made his exit Striker revealed that there will STILL be a Pro’s Poll tonight and another elimination will be made.
This is strange, it’s as if they are trying to rush the show through, despite it being a relative success and in line for another series.
Match 1
Singles Match
Wade Barrett
Vs.
Heath Slater
To be honest I’m still in shock.
The FAVOURITE for this competition is gone, as is a personal favourite of mine in Michael Tarver.
This was a good match, but I tend not to enjoy anything with Heath Slater in it, even if it is him losing to The Bareknuckle Brit Wade Barratt.
Barratt picked up the 1..2..3 with the Fireman’s Slam thing he’s been doing for the past few weeks, then celebrated as Jericho’s music played.
Note, that’s Jericho’s music, not his personal theme that he won in the second Rookie Challenge and has never been mentioned since.
Wade Barratt wins by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Michael Tarver Interviewed
Backstage Matt Striker asked eliminated Michael Tarver if he thought the decision was a fair one.
Tarver talked about all the dedication he had given to becoming a wrestler, then said that he agreed the ruling was fair, but the contest was not.
Striker asked if his constant ducking out of the rookie challenges was his strategy for getting noticed, but Tarver said he didn’t need a gimmick to be noticed.
Finally Striker asked what was next for the son of a prize fighter, but Tarver just walked away without answering.
Hmm, dropping the word ‘Son’ in there makes me wonder, could Tarver be the ‘Fortunate Son’ that Ted DiBiase has been looking for to take up the ‘Virgil’ role?
Match 2
Singles Match
Skip Sheffield (w/ William Regal)
Vs.
Darren Young
Sheffield is apparently listening to William Regal now, so we should see a more brutal side to him.
I’m still convinced he was the one that initially attacked Rey Mysterio at Extreme Rules, although whether this will turn out to be someone else is anyone’s guess.
Sheffield looked good in this match against the distinctly average Darren Young, who I wouldn’t be sorry to see go at the top of the show.
Sheffield picked up the win and left with a very pleased Pro in William Regal.
Skip Sheffield wins by Pinfall.
Segment 3
Daniel Bryan Brian Danielson Interviewed
Backstage Matt Striker asked Bryan if he thought his elimination was fair.
Bryan said that he did and he’s never made excuses, so he’ll find another way to make an impact.
Striker asked Bryan if he regretted leaving the Independent circuit where he was a big fish in a small pond to come and drown in the ocean that is the WWE.
He replied by saying that no one called Daniel Bryan had ever wrestled on the Independent circuit, but there was this one guy who people thought was the best wrestler in the world, who had won championships in Europe, Mexico and Japan; Brian Danielson.
Striker asked him what was next for him, and he said Daniel Bryan is probably done, but there’s no saying what’s in store for Brian Danielson.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
David Otunga
Vs.
Justin Gabriel
Another good outing from Otunga here.
I won’t go into detail as I want to get to the BIG elimination, but Otunga has to have moved into contention for the NXT crown now Danielson is out of the picture.
David Otunga wins by Pinfall.
Closing Segment
The Elimination
In order to spin out the show a little Striker asked all the Rookies who they thought should be eliminated.
The general opinion from most of the rookies was that Otunga should leave as he ‘doesn’t belong’ in the competition.
Darren Young said that Wade Barratt should be eliminated and Otunga chose ‘The One Man Hick Band’ Heath Slater.
I’m starting to like the A-List more and more.
The new Pro’s Poll was revealed as follows:
- Wade Barratt
- David Otunga
- Justin Gabriel
- Heath Slater
- Darren Young
- Skip Sheffield
When it came down to the final two candidates Striker asked both to step forward, then revealed the first elimination in a ‘X-Factor’ slow outcome.
Sheffield (who I think deserved to stay a bit longer) blamed himself for not listening to William Regal earlier. He said that he’d be back before storming up the ramp as the show came to an end.
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