WWE NXT on SyFy
Taped earlier in Wichita, Ks.

[Q1] A video package recapped last week’s show…The opening video aired, followed by R-Truth’s music. Truth made his lame as entrance with David Otunga, who ripped his jeans off as Truth danced around. Michael Cole and Josh Matthews welcomed us to NXT and sent it over to Matt Striker…

Shore’s Slant: I whipped Twilling’s ass and took this show from him. Actually, he’s on vacation, but whatever. Also, the head cheese himself, Jason Powell, is in the Dot Net forums tonight. He’s discussing the show while we watch.

Striker was backstage, and explained the concept of the show. He said that the eight pros would vote on the rookies, but they could not vote for or against their rookie. CM Punk’s music htri, and he, the Straight Edge Society, and Darren Young made their entrance. Punk looked as unhappy as last week…

1. Darren Young (w/The Straight Edge Society) defeated David Otunga (w/R-Truth) at 9:43. Otunga started in control. He worked power on Young, but missed a clothesline in the corner for Young to take control. Young called for the crowd to cheer, and they booed. Truth got the crowd behind Otunga, and he hit a back suplex. Otunga tried to attack from the apron, but Young hit a hangman and Otunga fell to the floor. He recovered into the break…[C]

Back at 5:56. Young had a neck lock on. Otunga escaped, but Young hit a suplex and went back to the neck lock. Otunga escaped, but Young hit a clothesline for two. Young used the chinlock this time. Young tried for a neckbreaker, but Otunga pushed off and spilled Young to the floor. Gallows ran over and so did Truth. The ref dealt with them as the wrestlers got back in the ring. Otunga hit the ropes, and Punk grabbed the leg. Otunga stared at Punk, and Young hit a full nelson lift into a flapjack type finisher for the win.

[Q2] Post match, Punk and company just left. Young called after them. Truth got in the ring and checked on Otunga. Otunga pushed Truth and left the ring while staring at him…A Daniel Bryan video aired. He talked about working in the industry for the last 10 years and said he would win NXT…

Ringside, Cole and Matthews discussed Bryan. Cole once again heeled it up, talking about Matthews and his “Twitter Geeks.” Cole said he stood by what he said last week. He put over the Miz’s actions again, and said Jericho almost lost because he was over-confident. Matthews said he stood by what he said that Bryan had impressed everyone. They setup a video that showed Bryan’s crash into the table…

Backstage, a trainer checked on Bryan. He said he was fine. Miz came up and said that Bryan’s next lesson was that even if you have a “boo-boo,” you have to compete. He said he had booked him in a match with Jericho’s rookie, Wade Barrett, and that match was next. He wished Bryan luck and slapped the bruise. Ow. The trainer taped Bryan up…[C]

Shore’s Slant: A pretty good match. These guys are obviously green, but they entertained for the full time. The Truth/Otunga swerve intrigues me as much as why Punk would help Young. I expect a head shave in his future. Otunga, not real sure where his story goes next.

Back from commercial, a video showed Striker asking Otunga what happened during the break. Otunga said he got jumped by Punk and company. Truth ran up and got in his face. He pushed Otunga back and they brawled until the ref broke them up…

Chris Jericho was introduced. He walked onto the stage and introduced Wade Barrett. A video package gave more information on Barrett. Miz’s music hit and Bryan made his entrance alone as Jericho joined the announcers…

2. Wade Barrett (w/Chris Jericho) defeated Daniel Bryan at 2:14. Barrett attacked the ribs immediately and went to work. He worked strikes, slams, and back breakers. Carlito and The Miz were shown backstage watching on a monitor. Barrett charged at Bryan. Bryan moved and Barrett fell to the floor. Bryan hit a flying knee from the apron, and sold the rib injury afterwards. He rolled Barrett in the ring and went for a springboard something, but he fell instead and Barrett covered for one. Barrett hit a fireman’s carry slam for the win.

[Q3] Post match, put over the botched springboard as proof of the injuries from the beating he gave Bryan last week. Jericho slid in the ring and stomped Bryan. He locked in the old school Liontamer (Walls of Jericho) and held it for a few moments before he and Barrett left the ring. Cole put it over as more respect lessons for Bryan…The announce team hyped the main event debuts of Sheffield and Gabriel…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Quick match that made Barrett look good, and does a ton to build a story for Bryan. WWE is putting high stock in him by letting him play the sympathy angle, making it easier to cheer him. That said, I hope that botch was planned, otherwise he could be up a creek without a paddle.

Back from commercial, the Raw Rebound video recapped the DX happenings last night...The announce team setup a video that recapped Christian and Heath Slater winning last week. Another video showed Slater bragging about last week. Christian cut him off and said he did well last week, and then put him back in his place. He had Slater start doing pull downs…

Matt Striker interviewed Matt Hardy and Justin Gabriel. Gabriel said he called Matt sensei, Hardy said Gabriel passed one test, and it was time to pass another…

[Q4] Back ringside, Regal and Sheffield made their entrance…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Can Slater look any more like a tool. First there was the little flip behind the ear, then it was his general sillyness last week, and now this terrible thing he just tried to do with Christian? I feel bad for him.

Back from commercial, a video package hyped the “Cornfed Meathead” Skip Sheffield. I swear to God…Hardy and Gabriel made their ring entrance. What the hell is Gabriel wearing?...

3. Matt Hardy and Justin Gabriel defeated William Regal and Skip Sheffield11:15. Sheffield and Gabriel started. Sheffield worked power on Gabriel. Gabriel ducked a clothesline and hit a drop kick and tagged in Hardy. Hardy hooked an arm bar and tagged Gabriel right back in. Hardy whipped Sheffield to the corner, hit a clothesline, and then let Gabriel jump off of him for a splash…[C]

Back at 5:45, Regal worked his stiff offense on Gabriel. Welcome to the big leagues, son. Regal mouthed at Sheffield, and Hardy tagged himself in. Regal ran over and took Matt out with a knee, and rolled him to the floor. Regal and Sheffield argued some more. Regal yelled the Sheffield was a moron to the announce team. Matt rolled back in, and Sheffield tagged in. He hit a splash for two, and then a slam. He tagged Regal back in.

[Overrun] Hardy tried to fight away from Regal, but he drove him back to the corner and tagged in Sheffield. Somebody stay in the damn ring, or at least work double team moves. Sheffield lifted Hardy. Hardy slipped out and hit a neckbreaker. Sheffield made it to Regal first. Regal slammed Hardy and then yelled at Sheffield. Hardy hit a chin buster on Regal and tagged in Gabriel. Gabriel hit a 450 splash for the win…

Backstage, Matt Striker was with the other size rookies. He put over that someone would be a breakout star. Carlito walked up and chewed his apple. He looked at all the rookies, and then spit in Slater’s face. He said, “That’s cool,” and walked off. Slater sold like a bitch, and Striker said, “That’s NXT,” to close the show…[C]

Shore’s Slant: A pretty good match to close the show. It was nice to see the rookies get the bulk of the work, and for a rookie to get the pin, unlike last week when Christian ran roughshod. Gabriel looks like a tool, and Sheffield…well, Sheffield looks like Stone Cold if Stone Cold had been inbred. I’ll have more to say tomorrow on the hitlist. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you then.

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