WWE NXT on the Syfy Network
Taped earlier tonight in Las Vegas, Nev.

[Q1] Matt Striker narrated a video package that quickly introduced each rookie with their mentor. On screen graphics reminded us the four criteria each rookie will be judged on...

The opening video aired and fireworks lit up the stage. Michael Cole and Josh Mathews welcomed us to the show. They sent it to Striker in the middle of the ring. Striker welcomed us to the most important night in the history of NXT.

He said the first polls would be released tonight. He introduced each rookie and each of them came out. Their records accompanied their names on the on screen graphics. Justin Gabriel, David Otunga, and Daniel Bryan received the loudest pops.

All eight men stood shoulder to shoulder in the ring. Striker asked if we were ready to see the pro's poll. The Titantron listed them from the bottom up. Number eight was Darren Young, number seven was Michael Tarver, number six was Skip Sheffield, and number five was David Otunga.

Otunga did not seem happy with his rating. Heath Slater was number four, Justin Gabriel number three, Wade Barrett number two, and surprisingly, Daniel Bryan was number one. Darren Young said he has had a lot to deal with being paired with C.M. Punk and the universe will see what he is made of.

Daniel Bryan said Michael Cole does not think he is a star and someone in the ring was just married to someone famous. Otunga took exception to this and they went back and forth for a few moments. Striker then let us know exactly how the show would play out...

Twill's Two Cents: Bryan is the number one guy, but I'm surprised they put him at the top. This is the most interesting this show has ever been.

Striker said there would be another pro's poll in six weeks and the person ranked last would be eliminated. He then said the one person would be eliminated each week until they were down to one. The winner of the show would go to one of the brands and earn a championship match against a champion of his choice on a pay-per-view...

Twill's Two Cents: Wow, those are pretty high stakes. I wonder if those who do not win go back to Florida Championship Wrestling. I like that someone finally put some thought into this and gave the audience the information we've been wondering about. I like the pay-per-view stipulation. This is like the NXT version of Money in the Bank. Six weeks until an elimination? How will they fill the time.

It was announced that the Raw pros would face the Smackdown pros in an eight man tag team match tonight. The rookies will compete in a battle royal tonight and the winner will be the host of Raw this Monday... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: Loaded show tonight, especially by NXT standards. Hopefully someone took notice and people are actually watching it.

[Q2] The pros made their entrances as teams. Wade Barrett came down with the Smackdown pros and Chris Jericho was wearing a suit. Jericho joined the announce team and said Edge's spear at WrestleMania was why he was not wrestling tonight...

1. R-Truth, Matt Hardy, Wade Barrett, and C.M. Punk (with Luke Gallows and Serena) defeated Christian, Carlito, William Regal, and The Miz in 16:11. Jericho heavily put over his guy, Barrett, as a huge star to be. Jericho made Cole look like a goon. Jericho actually put over the pros in the ring, babyface or heel.

Miz and Hardy fought in the corner and tumbled to the floor. All of the pros nearly faced off in front of the announce table as Jericho expressed concern in anyone coming close to him... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: I thought maybe we would see a double turn with Jericho and Edge. Hearing him on commentary, I think he could be a Randy Orton type face that doesn't change his persona too much. He is still the best heel too.

Back from commercial, Carlito had the advantage on Hardy. Miz tagged in and Hardy hit a jawbreaker before tagging in Truth. Miz hit a backbreaker/neck breaker combination. The Raw team took over and made multiple tags. So far, there was no face/heel dissension.

[Q3] Jericho had the line of the night when he said, "I need to watch my guy Wade Barrett dominate the ringside." Awesome. Miz nearly pinned Truth after a suplex. Cole called Daniel Bryan "internet geeks." Funny that Cole calls anyone a geek.

Punk and Christian tagged in simultaneously. They had an impressive exchange and from there, everyone started hitting moves in mass succession. It ended up being Christian and Barrett in the ring. Jericho distracted Christian and Barrett hit his finisher (fireman's carry to a front slam) for the win...

Twill's Two Cents: Very entertaining match made even more entertaining with Jericho on commentary. He was great and I loved the way he came across as a heel but still put over everybody. I like that he got involved but Barrett still got the huge rub by pinning Christian for his team. They are finally getting something done on this show. By the way, Jericho said there would be rankings next week too, but I thought I heard Striker say six weeks from now. I'll have to go back and watch that part again.

Tonight's main event battle royal was hyped... [C]

Highlights of Shawn Michaels' farewell speech from Raw last night aired accompanied by a wonderful video package...

[Q4] The announcers showed the rankings again and argued about why Daniel Bryan was number one. They hyped the rookie battle royal... [C]

2. David Otunga won a battle royal that included Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett, Skip Sheffield, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, Michael Tarver, and Darren Young to become the next Raw guest host in 8:05. All seven men attacked and eliminated Barrett right when the match started... [C}

Dot Net reader Chris Newman just emailed me and said it will be six weeks until a rookie is eliminated, so I did hear that correctly. What I misheard is that Striker said they will stop eliminating once they get down to four rookies, so who knows what they will do at that point...

[Overrun] Skip Sheffield and Darren Young were eliminated during the break. Michael Tarver, Daniel Bryan, and Heath Slater all went out next. Otunga and Gabriel were the final two rookies remaining.

Gabriel hit a damn impressive 450 splash. He then did not know what to do next. He tried to pick up Otunga's dead weight. Otunga recovered and easily threw Gabriel out of the ring for the win. R-Truth came out and celebrated with his rookie. They hugged.

Striker entered the ring and interviewed Otunga. Otunga said he told us so. He should be the number one rookie and he is Mr. NXT. He said this Monday's Raw would have the A-list stamp all over the show, including 427 green M&Ms in his dressing room...

Twill's Two Cents: Once it was announced the winner would host Raw, I figured Otunga would be the host, since he is himself a D level celebrity already. Entertaining show tonight and by far, the best of the bunch. This is the first show that had something at stake and gave us a hint as to why everyone was involved.

What did you think of the show? Feel free to let me know by shooting an email to dotnetrich@gmail.com.

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