By Rich Twilling

WWE NXT on the Syfy Network
Taped earlier tonight in North Charleston, S.C.

[Q1] The opening video aired. Josh Matthews and Michael Cole welcomed us to the show and hyped the main event of R-Truth vs. David Otunga. Matt Striker introduced the rookies, who stood lined up on the floor in front of the ring facing the stage...

Striker reminded everyone that a rookie would be eliminated next week. Tonight's competition is an obstacle course that ran through the entire arena. The winner will get immunity next week and thus, the person ranked seventh will get eliminated.

Daniel Bryan was up first. The obstacle course began with monkey bars, followed by a suspended ladder to ring a bell, running through the crowd and up the stairs to drink a cup full of soda, Bryan took about a minute just to drink the soda. Then it was back down the stairs and into the ring to juggle for five seconds. Then the baseball bat spin on the nose, and concluding with pushing a cart up the ramp...

Bryan had trouble with the course due to his injured ribs at the hands of Batista last night. The Miz's music hit. He came out to the stage and berated Bryan for his less than stellar time. He said he was facing Michael Tarver tonight... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: I have to admit, it was funny watching him drink a soda for a minute, but he really sold the rib injury, so I have to wonder if even the competitions are works. By the way, Jason Powell is discussing tonight's show with Dot Net Members in the Members' Forum.

Bryan stood in the ring and awaited his match. Footage was shown of Batista defeating Bryan on Raw last night because Miz pulled out of the match with a "doctor's note." Tarver and Carlito made their entrance...

[Q2] 1. Michael Tarver (with Carlito) defeated Daniel Bryan (with The Miz) in 6:47. Tarver went after Bryan's taped up ribs right away but Bryan came back and kicked Tarver in the face going to commercial... [C]

Tarver was in control coming back from the break. Bryan kicked Tarver in the back and chest about eight straight times. Even Carlito had a painful look on his face. Tarver used his power to come back and hit his reverse slam finisher for the win...

After the match, Tarver picked up Bryan so Carlito could hit the Backstabber...

Twill's Two Cents: That was disappointing. That would have been a nice opportunity for Bryan to score his first victory on the show. I just don't see much in Tarver.

Backstage, Darren Young told C.M. Punk and the Straight Edge Society he was here to make an impact and a name for himself. Punk said if Young did not win the obstacle course tonight, Punk would make that decision for him...

Heath Slater was up next in the obstacle course and he finished it in 1:36, which was over a minute better than Bryan's time. Darren Young was up next and he did not beat Slater's time. There is just too much soda in those cups.

[Q3] Young continued the course even after he did not beat Slater's time. He tripped all over himself and Mathews wondered if there was something other than soda in the cups. Truth vs. Otunga was hyped... [C]

Justin Gabriel did the course in 1:29 to take the lead. He drank that soda like a pro. Otunga was up next. He complained the soda was not diet. For some reason, Striker made him start over on the juggling, so he finished six seconds behind Gabriel. Striker said his match with Truth was right now...

2. R-Truth defeated David Otunga in 5:44. Truth did his complete entrance and the crowd ate it up. Otunga whipped Truth into the corner shoulder first. He scored a one count as a result... [C]

[Q4] Otunga earned a nearfall coming back from the break. Otunga locked in an abdominal stretch. Haven't seen that in awhile. Truth countered and applied one of his own. Truth hit the spinning flying forearm for the win...

Twill's Two Cents: I could be wrong, but I think they rushed to the finish there because they are short on time because of how long the obstacle course is taking. Otunga looked okay but nothing too memorable about the match. Cole thought he was being funny after the match; I give him credit for poking fun at himself at least.

Wade Barrett could not master the monkey bars, so he quit and walked off. Skip Sheffield was up next and finished just two seconds behind Gabriel. Mathews awkwardly took us to commercial break... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: What's up with the timing of the show tonight?

Michael Tarver was the last one up and he fell off the monkey bars twice. Tarver was still drinking soda when the time ran past. He almost vomited. He was disqualified because he could not finish the soda...

Justin Gabriel won the competition and said he was glad Otunga did not win. He turned to Otunga and said, "Your ego outweighs your talent." Otunga was pissed that he had to compete in a match right after the obstacle course.

[Overrun] Michael Tarver said he should be the one that is eliminated because he is the most dangerous man in the competition. Sheffield and Slater both said Tarver would be eliminated. Gabriel and Otunga continued to bicker.

Wade Barrett said he was the only man in the competition and since Tarver requested it, he said Tarver should be eliminated. Bryan admitted he should go home since he hasn't won a match. Young said he wanted it more than everyone one by one and was pie faced by Barrett. They brawled as referees had to pull them apart...

Twill's Two Cents: Well, at least they ended with the best part of the show. Tarver's reasoning made zero sense but I agree he is the one who should be eliminated. The brawl between Young and Barrett was well done.

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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