The nXt Episode - 23rd February 2010
23/02/2010
Hello and welcome the first edition of the nXt Episode!
Now we’re not quite sure what to expect from nXt, so this week’s edition is going to be a bit trial and error until we work out the best way to cover this.
Basically we’re going to see what we get and try and adapt it into something we can use here.
On with the show!
Quick Links
Segment 1: The Miz Makes a Challenge
Segment 2: Bryan Makes an Statement
Segment 3: Daniel Bryan Interviewed
Match 1: Carlito & Tarver Vs. Christian & Slater
Match 2: Darren Young Vs. David Otunga
Main Event: Chris Jericho Vs. Daniel Bryan
Pro’s and Rookies
To start off with here’s a list of the Pros and who they will mentor:
- Chris Jericho will mentor Wade Barrett
- Matt Hardy will mentor Justin Gabriel
- William Regal will mentor Skip Sheffield
- Carlito will mentor Michael Tarver
- The Miz will mentor Daniel Bryan
- Christian will mentor Heath Slater
- C.M Punk will mentor Darren Young
- R-Truth will mentor David Otunga
Segment 1
The Miz Makes a Challenge
The show begins with all the rookies lined up backstage.
The Miz enters and after looking up and down them, pulls his young charge Daniel Bryan to the front.
He describes him as an internet darling, and says that while the people sat behind blogs (such as myself) might love him, this is the WWE and he has to expect everything so he needs to get himself down to the ring right now and cut a promo letting everyone know who he is.
He tells him above all to get a good catchphrase.
Once Bryan leaves The Miz explains that unlike himself, his young Rookie has hardly any personality at all and if he doesn’t show enough to the crowd right now he’s going to head down to the ring and slap some into him.
Segment 2
Bryan Makes a Statement
As the young rookie makes his way to the ring the commentary team throw things backstage to nXt’s ‘host’ Matt Striker.
He explains the concept a little and says that it’s his job to meet the guys after segments like this to get their reaction, or if need be pick up the pieces.
Bryan thanks the crowd for a tremendous reaction despite his mentor being The Miz, then apologises to all his fans world-wide, claiming he’d much rather have had William Regal training him.
He stumbled over a few of his words, but he wasn’t too bad.
The Miz interrupts him and asks if ‘I’m sorry’ is really what he’s going to go for.
Bryan says if he doesn’t get out of his face he’ll tap him out right now.
The Miz asks him how he expects to cut it in the WWE without a personality, and Bryan responds by saying he’d hoped to go on a Reality TV Show, get a Fauxhawk and talk a load of crap in the ring, but unfortunately The Miz already has that angle covered.
The Miz tells him to come up with a catchphrase as good as ‘I’m The Miz… and I’m Awesome’.
Bryan says if they ever fought in the ring The Miz would have two options, he’d either ‘Tap, or he’d Snap’.
The Miz asks the crowd if they think Bryan deserves to be in the same ring as him and they generally cheer. He disagrees and tells the young rookie he failed, slapping him before leaving to the back.
Bryan says there will come a time where he’ll slap him back.
Segment 3
Daniel Bryan Interviewed
Backstage Matt Striker asks him about what just happened.
Bryan says he doesn’t consider it embarrassing, and guarantees that he’ll get The Miz back soon.
Striker says that the WWE is all about respect, so why does he think he can get away with saying things like that?
He responds by saying he’s been wrestling for twice as long as The Miz has, but Striker counters by saying he’s only been in the WWE minutes.
Bryan says he’ll do it all on his own if he has to, but Striker disagrees and tells him that he needs The Miz, however he respects his courage and determination.
Match 1
Tag Team Match
Carlito & Michael Tarver
Vs.
Christian & Heath Slater
I don’t know what I expected from nXt before the show began, but it certainly wasn’t this.
That said, I’m not in the least bit disappointed so far.
It was a lot of fun to see how these guys worked with their rookies, and what styles they look like developing.
Tarver seems to be your straight forward no-nonsense fighter, similar to Ezekiel Jackson, while Slater is more of a show-boat, demonstrating similar character traits to Brian Kendrick.
Christian and Slater picked up the win, but I was much more impressed with Tarver, who I didn’t expect to like but who showed (or at least was allowed to show) a lot more talent than his rookie opponent.
Christian & Heath Slater win by Pinfall.
Match 2
Singles Match
Darren Young (w/The Straight Edge Society)
Vs.
David Otunga (w/R-Truth)
This match didn’t last very long at all and saw Otunga get a huge push over Darren Young.
Before the match began Punk displayed his distaste towards his rookie, explaining that he mentors Luke Gallows and Serena, and if Young wants to get in on it he’ll have to accept Straight Edge into his life.
In Otunga’s profile video he portrayed himself as a cocky ‘don’t you know who I am’ celebrity, bragging about how he’d met the president and whatnot.
The fact is, he’s not the best wrestler in the world no matter how many of Obama’s tea parties he’s been to.
He’s got a monstrous physique and his promo delivery seems to be second to none, but his wrestling seemed to be a little rusty.
I didn’t see anything from Otunga, but no doubt in the coming weeks we’ll see better.
David Otunga wins by Pinfall.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
Chris Jericho (w/Wade Barrett)
Vs.
Daniel Bryan (w/The Miz)
Wade Barrett introduced Jericho for this match and did a little interview with Striker while the action continued.
He’s clearly got talent delivering promos, but I’ll reserve my judgement on the young Englishman until I see him in action.
Bryan looked great in this match, although he took a massive bump into the announce table which looked to me like it might put him out of action for at least a few weeks.
Although the rookie came close, as expected Jericho picked up the win with a classic version of the Walls of Jericho (knee in the back, on the head etc.)
After the bell The Miz slid into the ring and destroyed his own youngster, supposedly showing tough love.
I wouldn’t be surprised if The Miz didn’t trade guys with R-Truth before all is said and done.
It’s also worth noting that Michael Cole went totally heel during this match, refusing to accept that anyone outside the WWE is a worthy wrestler.
He said something along the lines of ‘So because Bryan has impressed 50 or so people in a gym hall he’s all of a sudden a pro?’
Needless to say this has raised the ire of a lot of the wrestling community.
Chris Jericho wins by Submission.
The End Bit
Well, I have to say I’m impressed with the concept.
We’ve seen 5 of the 8 guys in action to night and all of them look like they have the potential to be impressive week in/week out, albeit in different areas at the moment.
To find out a bit more on the rookies who wrestled tonight Click Here to check out my Suite 101 article.
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