WWE NXT
July 13, 2010
Season 2, Week 6
results thanks to pwtorch.com
onight's sixth week of WWE NXT
Season Two started with the reworked WWE TV intro with the new voice-overs,
removal of Jim Ross's voice, and insertion of Michael Cole's voice. From a
stylistic perspective, Cole's voice doesn't fit in the series of signature
catchphrases.
Video opening: They aired an ominous video package posing questions on what the
Nexus group has in mind for the show as they return home to NXT tonight.
In-ring: Michael Cole introduced the show from ringside before sending it to
Matt Striker and Ashley Valence in the ring. Striker and Ashley took turns
introducing the NXT Season Two Pros, starting with Mark Henry, then John
Morrison (who was selling his Nexus beating on Raw the previous night), then
Cody Rhodes. Zack Ryder, MVP, and The Miz rounded out the field. Cole with a
Denny Crum reference on Miz to play up his "greatest coach ever" gimmick on NXT.
So Lay-Cool here.
The Nexus group was then introduced and they assembled on the other side of the
stage opposite the Pros. Striker and Valence introduced them by name, which
seemed to take away some of their "rebellious" steam. Wade Barrett took the mic
and said he's looking forward to seeing the Season 2 Rookies in action tonight.
He turned his attention to the Season 2 Pros and said he hopes they don't plan
on any funny business tonight because they're just here to watch.
In-ring: Cue up The Miz's theme music for the opening match. Miz walked down
from the stage with Alex Riley for an opening tag match. Cue up Mark Henry's
theme music to bring out his Rookie, Lucky Cannon. Henry stomped down to the
ring with Lucky as Henry sold disdain with Miz over his attack on Raw the
previous night. Plenty of combustible elements in play following Raw.
1 -- MARK HENRY & LUCKY CANNON vs. U.S. champion THE MIZ & ALEX RILEY
Henry started the match for the babyface tandem and Miz declined to start
opposite Henry. Henry then manhandled Riley and flung him to the outside,
showing aggression after Miz's attack on Raw. Miz berated Riley for screwing up,
then Henry went back to work on Riley and told Miz to tag in. Miz backed away,
so Henry tagged in Lucky Cannon. Cannon and Riley went back and forth before
Cannon knocked Riley to the outside. Cannon tried a plancha on the floor, but
airballed and ate the ring steps. Both Rookies sold on the outside as they cut
to break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Miz finally entered the match and tagged in and out with Riley
to work over Cannon. Miz continued to avoid Henry in the process. Mathews then
referenced Cole's voice being in the WWE TV opening now, so he must think he's a
big shot talking tag team strategy. The announcers continued to talk up Miz's
new aggressiveness heading into the Money in the Bank PPV.
[Q2] Miz lost control of Cannon and Henry tagged in to finally get a piece of
Miz. Henry beat down Miz until Miz fell into his corner to tag in Riley. Poor
Riley was scooped up into the air by Henry, who dropped him center-ring with the
World's Strongest Slam. There's the pin and the win. Post-match: Henry wasn't
done, as he went to ringside to retrieve a strategically-placed trashcan. Henry
then dumped the contents of the trashcan over Riley's fallen body. Miz simply
backed away from ringside and opted to pick up the battle Sunday at the PPV. To
add insult to injury, WWE kept the cameras focused on the ring for a while
showing Riley covered in trash before they went to a video package on Riley.
WINNERS: Henry & Cannon in 12:00. We know Henry won't be winning MITB now. Fine
tag match with a good story carrying over from Raw. (*1/4)
NXT Rookie Video: In the sit-down evaluation interviews, the Pros started by
laughing as they broke down Alex Riley's cocky character. Zack Ryder quietly
said Riley needs to get over being cool in high school. Cody Rhodes mocked his
attire with the letterman jacket. There's a Varsity Club joke in here somewhere.
Coincidentally, Rhodes's Rookie is the son of Rotunda. Henry said he's all show
and no go. Rhodes said he thinks Riley is playing a character rather than being
a character. Miz put over his mic skills. Kofi said at least the crowd is
reacting. Miz then closed by saying he knows Riley will be the next breakout
star.
Still to come: The Showtime Percy Watson Show.
[Commercial Break]
MITB video: They went back to WrestleMania 26 just a few months ago to recap the
latest installment of the MITB match, showing Jack Swagger win the briefcase.
This was followed by a recap of Swagger cashing in on Chris Jericho the
Smackdown after WM26 to become new World Hvt. champion.
Announcers: Cole and Mathews broke down the MITB PPV line-up, promising
something historic will happen on Sunday. It's similar to that "anything can
happen" tagline for last month's Fatal Four-Way PPV.
On-stage: Cole said the main reason for the cage match between John Cena and
Sheamus is because of the Nexus group, which they showed on the stage. ... Raw
recap: Cole and Mathews recapped the end of Raw when the Nexus group hit
finishers on Cena to win the handicap match before Cena no-sold everything and
cleared Nexus with Sheamus's help. Cole and Mathews tried to sell the PPV with
Cena and Sheamus supposed to be opposite each other while being aligned on Raw.
"It's all about the WWE Championship," Cole said, trying to convince anyone,
someone that it's about the title on Sunday. Too many mixed signals on the final
PPV sales pitch from the Raw brand.
Up next: Percy Watson's talk show.
[Q3]
[Commercial Break]
Video package: WWE sold the audience on the Elimination Chamber PPV coming up on
Sunday...oh wait, it's MITB on Sunday and the EC DVD out now. Triple H had a
voice-over, as did Jim Ross. The DVD has every EC match in WWE history. Too many
gimmicks being thrown at the audience.
In-ring: Percy Watson was in the ring with some couches and a red carpet for his
talk show segment. They had a great "talk show" graphic of Watson's silhouette
doing the "Oh Yeah" gesture inside an exclamation mark. Watson then brought out
MVP as his guest for the show. They took seats on the couches before Watson
asked if he could borrow $20. MVP said they'll talk later. Watson put over MVP,
who told Watson to listen and execute what he tells him. MVP told the audience
to give Watson a round of applause for applying his advice. Watson has great
timing with his little mannerisms. Watson said he's going to seize the moment
right now.
Suddenly, the rest of the Season 2 Rookies stomped out to the ring looking for a
fight. "Sorry it has to be like this, P," Watson said. MVP said he never goes to
a party alone. Out came the NXT Season 2 Pros for a big stand-off. Matt Striker
then walked out and played booker declaring an over-the-top-rope battle royal.
Nexus's Wade Barrett interrupted to tell Striker he forget the best part, the
Nexus. Barrett said Darren Young isn't here tonight, but they want to be part of
the party. Barrett said there will be one winner of the battle royal, Wade
Barrett. Striker made it official: 20-man battle royal next. Nexus stomped out
to the ring as they cut to break.
[Commercial Break. Yes, jackwagon!]
[Q4]
2 -- BATTLE ROYAL
The involved participants are the seven make NXT Pros (no Lay-Cool), the seven
remaining NXT Rookies (Titus O'Neil eliminated two weeks ago), and the six
available Nexus members to bring the total to 20. They came back from the break
with Mark Henry in the middle of a giant circle. The bell rang and Nexus
collectively bailed out of the ring to watch the proceedings. Apparently Striker
can make matches, but can't reinforce rules of matches. It's like Hertz taking a
reservation, but being unable to deliver the actual car reserved. Anyways, the
Rookies ganged up on Henry to eliminate him. Nexus then jumped Henry to beat him
down. Eli Cottonwood was eliminated next and Nexus beat him down ringside. They
proceeded to feed him to Skip Sheffield for a signature clothesline on the
floor. NXT cut to break with Nexus standing off on the outside as the Pros
challenged them to get on in the ring.
[Commercial Break. "The Other Guys" movie spot starring "The Rock" Dwayne
Johnson.]
Back from break, Nexus hit the ring to escalate the fight. Otunga dumped Percy
over the top rope as they started to clean house on Rookies and Pros. Barrett
proceeded to dump McGillicutty out of the ring before Nexus regrouped in one
corner. Rookies and Pros went after each other. Meanwhile, Riley was dumped to
the floor with a big gash on the back of his head. It came down to a six on five
match-up. Riley, Rhodes, Miz, Kofi, and Morrison were the remaining Pros with
the entire cast of Rookies gone. Miz then eliminated Ryder, which drew
complaints from Morrison. Miz tried to talk to Nexus about making them on Season
One. "You're an idiot," Morrison told Miz. Nexus then slowly surrounded Miz, who
decided to throw himself over the top rope.
So, it's Nexus vs. Rhodes, Morrison, and Kingston. Barrett provided instructions
and a fight was on. Rhodes, the star of Season 2, then hopped onto the top
turnbuckle to simply watch the proceedings as the two babyface Pros were beat
down by Nexus. Cole said John Cena is watching every second of this right now.
Kofi and Morrison teased spirited comebacks at various times as the beatings
continued. Gabriel then kicked Morrison out of the ring after Morrison tried to
hang onto the ropes. Kingston tried to fight all six Nexus members by himself,
but they beat him down. Cody continued to watch in the background as Nexus
simply stood over Kingston's fallen body before finally dumping him to the
outside.
Cody was left alone in a corner of the ring. Nexus slowly approached him and
Cody tried a handshake to Gabriel, who simply glared at him. Otunga wanted no
part of a shake either. He finally approached the boss, Barrett, who instructed
Nexus to beat him down too. Cody was then tossed out of the ring and the bell
rang. Apparently it's not really every man for himself as Nexus was declared the
winner(s).
WINNERS: Nexus in 16:00. They broke virtually every unwritten and written battle
royal rule here, but the main point was accomplished reinforcing Nexus as a
major force in WWE storylines. Nexus's methodical, calculating pace works very
well for the group. (n/a)
[Q5 -- over-run] Post-match: Nexus hopped to the outside and beat down the Pros
who were eliminated during the match. They dragged Kingston back into the ring
where Barrett dropped him with his big slam finisher. Otunga then dropped Rhodes
with a uranage center ring. Gabriel followed by going up top and nailing the 450
Splash on Rhodes. Striker unflinchingly entered the ring as the crowd chanted,
"Nexus sucks." He asked Barrett for his reaction to the crowd chant. Barrett
told Striker it's not a good idea to be in the ring them. He told Striker to
back up before things get ugly.
Barrett took the mic and said they have returned to NXT as the Nexus to prove
you can make a difference in WWE regardless of being labeled Rookies. He said
what they're doing is part of a much, much bigger picture. Striker interrupted
and asked Barrett if he's proud of what he did to Cena on Raw. Barrett said he's
proud of everything he's ever done in this ring and he's proud of these men with
him. "You're either Nexus or you're against us," Barrett declared. That's
Biblical. They replayed the beating Nexus delivered to the Rookies and Pros
tonight on NXT. Cole gave a final sales pitch for MITB on Sunday with an ominous
cloud hanging over the PPV because of what Nexus is capable of.