WWE NXT
May 25, 2010
results thanks to pwtorch.com
Week 14 of WWE's NXT show started
with a video package recapping the "dream to become a WWE star" slowly drawing
to a close. They recapped the eliminations thus far, including Michael Tarver,
Daniel Bryan, Skip Sheffield, and Darren Young. Now, the WWE Rookies left are #1
Wade Barrett, #2 David Otunga, #3 Heath Slater, and #4 Justin Gabriel.
In-ring: Matt Striker annoyingly introduced the show and the Pros, starting with
Chris Jeriiiiiiiiicho, Theeeeeee Miiiiiiiz, Matt Haaaaaaaardy, William
Reeeeeeeeeegal, Christiaaaaaaaaan, Seeeee Emmmmm Punk (no show due to Over the
Limit happenings with Rey Mysterio), and the new U.S. champion R-Truuuuuuth.
Carlito is gone from WWE, so he's not involved in the proceedings here. Six Pros
(Jericho, Miz, Hardy, Regal, Christian, and Truth) will be doing the voting.
Striker then welcomed out the remaining Rookies of Barrett, Gabriel, Otunga, and
Slater. Striker recapped half the field being eliminated, then said next week is
the NXT Season Finale. He said one of the Rookies will not make it to next week
and one of them is going home. Striker gave the four remaining Rookies a chance
to talk to the Pros and Universe. Barrett started and said Gabriel isn't man
enough, Otunga reminds him of an episode of the Benny Hill show every time he
steps in the ring, and he can't stand the "ginger ninja." Gabriel said Otunga
needs to go. He said in the ring, he doesn't really know what he's doing, but
he's okay on the mic. (Ya know, because WWE is trying to present this as a
shoot. Ugh.)
Otunga cut a promo on Gabriel being an acrobat and lacking mic skills. Slater
said Barrett should go because he has an ugly mug with a nose as crooked as the
road. Striker then announced the Pros and Rookies are going to be in action
tonight. ... R-Truth started rapping and dancing to the ring to team up with his
Rookie, Otunga. The opening match is up next.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Christian was out to the ring to join Slater for the opening tag match.
The Pros watched intently from the stage as Truth played to the crowd to begin
the match.
1 -- CHRISTIAN & HEATH SLATER vs. U.S. champion R-TRUTH & DAVID OTUNGA
Truth and Slater started things off with Truth landing early offense on the
Rookie opposition. Otunga then tagged in and Slater took control working over
Otunga's shoulder. Christian then tagged in and landed an axehandle smash to
continue working the shoulder. Michael Cole put over Otunga's charisma as
Christian slapped Otunga across the face and landed a dropkick for a two count.
Cole said perhaps Otunga's in-ring ability is lacking, while Mathews said he's
impressed the Pros with his "mic skills." It's just plain pandering to the
audience at this point.
[Q2] Otunga cut off Christian and worked him over as Cole put over Otunga having
the "it factor." He said Otunga is "flashy" and he sees him on the cover of
magazines all the time. In the ring, Christian started slapping Otunga around
before landing a flying European Uppercut. He then made a tag to Slater, who
came in hot on Otunga. Slater landed a flying forearm, then a dropkick on Otunga
for a two count. Mathews and Cole discussed the Daniel Bryan bit and Cole said
he's going to call him out next. Back in the ring, Slater went up top and landed
a cross-body, but Otunga rolled through and scored a three count for the win.
Post-match: Otunga's nose was noticeably bright red, apparently from taking a
blow earlier in the match. Otunga celebrated his victory as Truth stood behind
him not really approving or excited.
WINNERS: Truth & Otunga in 6:00. Okay, basic match. Exactly what you would
expect from a match on NXT looking like a basic run-through-the-motions type of
exhibition. (*)
Backstage: Daniel Bryan was shown standing backstage contemplating how to
address the Michael Cole situation. He looked like a social studies teacher
waiting in the hallway for his student to come out of the principal's office.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Michael Cole was standing in the ring backed by four "security guards."
It looked like one of them was Johnny Gargano. Cole said he doesn't want to take
up too much time, but he was traumatized by what happened last week. Cue up a
video package on Cole ripping Daniel Bryan throughout the NXT season before
Bryan scrapped with Cole and "cut a shoot promo" on Cole. Back in the arena, the
audience cheered after watching the footage. Cole said he still has problems
watching that. He said it's been traumatic, which drew boos. Cole said his
attorneys advised him to have his own personal security. Cole said he could sue
Daniel Bryan for everything he's worth (boos), but he's going to be more of a
man than Bryan and give him the opportunity to publicly apologize (boos). Cole
said if Bryan doesn't do that, he's taking him to court. Cole asked Bryan to let
him know what he's going to do. No sign of Bryan.
Cue up the NXT theme music to bring out Bryan to cheers. Bryan looked determined
as he walked to the ring, while Cole hid behind his security. They showed Miz
looking intently from the stage as Bryan began his promo. Bryan said being in
WWE is his dream, and right now he doesn't have a job. He said if this is what
it's going to take to make this right, he'll do it, so get rid of the security.
Cole took the bait and said he would be a man about this. He dismissed security
to the outside to wait just in case. Cole then approached Bryan, who said,
"Michael, I just want to say I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I'm truly
sorry." Cole extended his hand and shook. Bryan said he's sorry...that you are
by far the worst announcer in WWE history. Bryan pulled Cole in tight and said
Cole is so weak that he can't even escape a handshake.
[Q3] Bryan began a promo on WWE management sandbagging him by putting him with
the worst Pro of them all, The Miz. Cole tried to interrupt, but Bryan kept
ripping Cole for getting the announcer job when he didn't deserve it. Cole said
he ripped Bryan because he didn't deserve it. Bryan said he has more heart than
anyone else in the locker room. Cole told Bryan to look at himself in the mirror
and stop blaming everyone else. He said Bryan didn't have what it takes to be
here in WWE. Cole said Bryan talks a big game about being a submission
specialist, but he tapped out of this competition. Cole stepped back and told
Bryan he's a loser. "You tapped out because losers have no heart," he said.
Bryan then tried to jump Cole, but security held him back. Bryan then escaped
security and tackled Cole on the floor. A scrap was on with Cole shouting,
"Apologize!" Cole sold a head injury as Bryan was pulled back by security and
dragged up the ramp.
Bryan then walked up the ramp and Miz got in his face, telling Bryan he just
needs to leave because he doesn't deserve to be here. Bryan answered with a
forearm straight to the face. A big ol' brawl broke out on the stage with bodies
flying everywhere. The crowd was cheering along for the fight going on and
causing mass chaos. Miz and Bryan were restrained by security before Bryan was
pulled to the back. They cut back to Cole, who shouted, "He's a maniac!" while
selling a blow to his head.
[Commercial Break. A spot for Half Pint Brawlers on Spike aired. Then, a UFC
video game clip.]
Announcers: Matt Striker joined Josh Mathews to sit in for Michael Cole coming
back from break. Striker said you can't question Daniel Bryan's heart, but it's
about a lack of respect for the people who came before him. They rolled footage
from the Cole-Bryan scrap, including Cole flailing on the floor ringside. Cue up
the footage of Bryan blasting Miz with a forearm on the way out. Striker said
that's a way to get fired or kicked out of the locker room. Mathews said Bryan
respects what they do here in WWE more than any other Rookie and he doesn't
believe what Cole is saying.
In-ring: Chris Jericho's music hit to bring out Wade Barrett. Barrett still
doesn't have his own theme music. Striker said he would like to see Daniel Bryan
eliminated again, which would make for "solid television." Again, pandering to
the audience. Cue up Matt Hardy's music to bring out Justin Gabriel to face
Barrett. Mathews said he sees Gabriel as a pop culture icon. It's more pandering
trying to "evaluate how the public will receive what WWE is presenting" rather
than putting over the characteristics of the individual as tough, fast,
athletic, etc., which the public will then evaluate.
2 -- JUSTIN GABRIEL (w/Matt Hardy) vs. WADE BARRETT (w/Chris Jericho)
Barrett started on the offensive as Jericho shouted at the announcers to talk up
Barrett. Gabriel then made a comeback with a spin kick that showed light before
hitting a corner elbow smash. Gabriel then hit a sunset flip powerbomb. He
started climbing up top and Hardy encouraged him to keep climbing. Gabriel then
hit the 450 splash on Barrett for the pin and the win. Jericho had a great
post-match reaction nibbling on the side of his mouth selling discontent. The
Pros were shown evaluating the happenings as the announcers sold the match
outcome as Gabriel possibly making it to the finals with that victory. They
replayed the finish with Striker doing a good job pointing out flaws in what
Barrett did in the ring that cost him the match. That was good.
WINNER: Gabriel in 4:00. Decent match with a rare sense of purpose to what was
happening in the ring on NXT, as the storyline was the match had potential to
influence who goes home, especially with Gabriel just missing the cut last week.
(*1/4)
[Q4]
[Commercial Break]
Ringside: The band behind he torturous "Wild & Young" NXT theme song for the
last 14 weeks, American Band, was shown ringside. Striker disingenuously said,
"Thanks for coming!" and said he has the song as his ring tone.
Raw Rebound: They focused on Batista's show-opening promo complaining about
wanting another re-match with WWE champion John Cena. His performance was so
great even on the second viewing. They showed Bret Hart being introduced as the
new Raw GM and the WWE Title match at the Fatal Four-Way PPV set up. The video
package closed with Batista announcing that he's quitting.
Fatal Four-Way PPV plug: Cena vs. Sheamus vs. Orton vs. Edge for the WWE Title
at the PPV next month. ... Stage: Matt Striker was with the NXT Pros instructing
them to tally up the results and come to a decision on who should be eliminated.
[Commercial Break]
Raw plug for next Monday: WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart takes the reigns as new
Raw GM (he already did), plus the field for Fatal Four-Way has been set. And,
Ashton Kutcher guest-hosts the show.
[Q5 -- over-run]
In-ring: Matt Striker was with Barrett, Gabriel, Otunga, and Slater to reveal
the new Pros Poll.
#1 is Wade Barrett still.
#2 is David Otunga still.
Striker then asked Gabriel to step forward, followed by Slater. Striker said
they've come so close and one of them will be going home while the other one
will make it to the season finale next week.
#3 is Justin Gabriel. That means Heath Slater is #4 and he's gone. Slater shook
Gabriel's hand, then Striker asked Christian why his Rookie was eliminated.
Christian took the mic and said to be honest, he thought the cards were stacked
against Heath from the start. Christian said his peeps felt Slater could have
done it, but when you have guys like Chris Jericho biased toward Wade Barrett,
it messes with the voting. Christian said he thinks Heath has a big future and
he's proud of him.
Striker asked Miz, if his jaw is okay, to explain why he voted Slater off NXT.
Miz said he feels Slater was voted off because he never showed the "wow" or
showed passion from his heart. He said Slater needed to show it every single
time. "If you have one minute, you bring it out here no matter what," he said.
Miz said he felt Slater was on some weeks and off some weeks. R-Truth then took
the mic. He told Slater it's survival of the fittest in WWE, so best luck next
time.
Jericho took the mic to boos and he slowly sauntered over to the middle of the
stage like everyone needed to be on his time. Great heat-generating move.
Jericho said it's axiomatic Slater would be eliminated. He said Otunga will be
eliminated, Gabriel will be eliminated, and Barrett will win NXT to become the
next WWE Superstar. He cut a promo on Barrett to get his head out of his rear
end and stop losing to "clowns" like Gabriel. Jericho asked Barrett if he gets
it and Barrett nodded along.
Striker gave Slater the last word. Slater said all good things must come to an
end, but he's done far too much to be going anywhere. He said he was the first
Rookie to beat a Pro and the first Rookie to win a challenge. Slater told Miz
that he was most impressive according to WWE Magazine. Slater addressed Jericho,
saying that man beat "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock in one night, yet he
beat him. Slater said the Pros might have pulled the plug on the One-Man Rock
Band, but he's about to blow their minds in the encore. Striker then plugged the
Season Finale of NXT next week to find out who's winning this. Mathews signed
off as Otunga posed and Barrett and Gabriel stood in the ring with their hands
on hips.