The NXT Episode - 30th March 2010
30/03/2010
Hello and welcome the NXT Episode!
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On with the show!
Quick Links
Opening Segment: Striker’s Obligatory Introduction
Match 1: Raw Vs. Smackdown Match
Main Event: Rookie Battle Royal Match
Segment 1
Striker’s Obligatory Introduction
Striker kicks off the show, this time from in the ring rather than backstage.
He touts tonight as the most important in NXT history (yeah, all six weeks of it), then introduces all the rookies who make their way to the ring for the first ever ‘Pro Poll’.
As explained last week the candidates will be judged across the following four categories and ordered by the outcome:
- Wins and Losses
- Strength of opponent
- Work Ethic
- The IT Factor
The results were shown on the tron in an ‘American Idol’ style slow reveal, and were as follows:
- Daniel Bryan
- Wade Barrett
- Justin Gabriel
- Heath Slater
- David Otunga
- Skip Sheffield
- Michael Tarver
- Darren Young
Ok, so we’re supposed to believe that someone who has gone 0-5 has still come out on top?
Sure, he had tougher opponents, and put a lot of effort in, but he lost FIVE damn matches, I expected him to be 3rd or 4th.
Anyway, after the reveal Striker spoke to Darren Young who put his position down to his on/off relationship with C.M Punk.
He then spoke to Bryan who took a shot at Michael Cole, then some of his fellow competitors (David Otunga in particular) by saying that he might not have a famous wife or anything like that, but at least he knows how to wrestle.
Otunga, who was already fuming about coming 5th, took up the issue with Bryan moments later, telling him that while he might be the freshest in terms of wrestling ability, but he’s got the most charisma of anyone in the ring.
After a little more bickering Striker announces that in another 6 weeks the pros will vote again.
However, next time the person in #8 will be eliminated. Then each week the bottom Rookie will be kicked off until they are left with just one, who will get a WWE contract AND a PPV shot a championship of their choice .
He also revealed that there would be a Battle Royal main event with all the Rookies competing. The winner will be declared the guest host for next week’s Monday Night Raw.
Struggling for Guest Hosts much?
Match 1
Raw Vs. Smackdown Match
Team Raw
Christian, Carlito, William Regal & The Miz
Vs.
Team Smackdown
Wade Barrett, C.M Punk, R-Truth & Matt Hardy (w/ The Straight Edge Society)
This was supposed to be an ‘All Pro’ match, but due to an ‘injury’ Jericho suffered at WrestleMania his Rookie takes his spot in this one.
I have to say that I’m happy Heath Slater didn’t come top of the poll. In my opinion he’s practically devoid of personality, with arguably average skills and despite what his VT’s may say, not that much of an impressive ‘Superstar Look’.
Apparently Barrett and Sheffield had some sort of backstage brawl after failing to win as a tag team, which is why Regal wanted no part of Jericho’s rookie in this match, and tagged out as soon as Barrett got tagged in.
Cole kept up his annoying semi-heel role by arguing with Jericho during the match, this time by putting down Hockey.
He questioned whether anyone even watches hockey any-more, raising the ire of the proud Canadian Chris Jericho.
Due to all the Rookies being tied up in the main event the pro’s really had to spin this one out, but due to the number of Superstars involved they were able to keep it fresh.
Things broke down at the end of the match (don’t they always) leaving just Christian and C.M Punk in the ring and Barratt on the apron.
With Christian in control Barratt took the initiative to tag himself in, but immediately got hit with a reverse DDT by Christian.
While the referee tried to deal with the action on the outside Jericho left the announce position and distracted Christian, allowing Barratt to recover and hit his finisher to pick up a huge win for him and his team.
Team Smackdown win by Pinfall.
Main Event Match
Rookie Battle Royal Match
Entrants
Daniel Bryan
Wade Barrett
Justin Gabriel
Heath Slater
David Otunga
Skip Sheffield
Michael Tarver
Darren Young
I love Battle Royals, but this one hasn’t got much time to work with now, as a looooong HBK promo played in the middle of the show, covering his retirement speech from last night on Raw.
Otunga looks the likely winner due to his ‘celebrity’ status, but I guess we’ll see what happens.
Order of Elimination:
- Wade Barrett Eliminated by Everyone
- Skip Sheffield Eliminated by Darren Young
- Darren Young Eliminated by Daniel Bryan
- Michael Tarver Eliminated by Daniel Bryan
- Daniel Bryan Eliminated by Heath Slater
- Heath Slater Eliminated himself
- Justin Gabriel Eliminated by David Otunga
This match boiled down to a bout between Gabriel and Otunga pretty quickly, with 6 of the 7 eliminations taking place within the first couple of minutes of the match.
After hitting the 450 Splash Gabriel struggled to lift Otunga never mind dump him over the top rope.
Moments later Otunga displayed his brute strength by whipping his last opponent over the top to pick up the win and hosting duties.
After the match Striker hit the ring for an interview.
Otunga said that he just proved that he should have been #1 in the poll and this Monday he’ll be bringing V.I.P to Raw.
Nice and predictable then.
David Otunga wins the Battle Royal.
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