WWE NXT on the Syfy Network
Taped earlier tonight in Raleigh, N.C..

A video recapped the beatdown that concluded last week's show... The opening video aired...

Matt Striker stood in the ring and introduced the NXT rookies one-by-one. Once the rookies were in the ring, Striker introduced the pros one-by-one. Striker discussed the beatdown from last week. He asked MVP to explain it.

MVP cut a long promo about wanting the NXT season two wrestlers to do things the right way. "Can we let bygones be bygones," MVP asked. "On behalf of all the NXT pros, are we cool?" Everyone made nice and either shook hands or hugged.

Striker said the first poll will take place in two weeks. He said the first elimination will actually take place in five weeks. Striker called for Alex Riley and Kaval to step forward. They complied. Striker said they would meet next. The Beautiful People, er, LayCool were excited... [C]

Powell's POV: Sorry for the late start, but Rich Twilling is MIA. If you see him on the street, please kick him in the ass for me. The opening segment was okay. MVP did the best he could to explain the attack last week. On commentary, Michael Cole and Josh Matthews asked whether things really are cool between the two sides, so I assume they'll play on this more throughout the season.

Michelle McCool and Layla introduced a Kaval video feature after referring to him as "cute and cuddly." Kaval talked about being raised on a military base in Brooklyn, N.Y. He said his father was stationed there in the military, and they watched pro wrestling together. He also talked about wrestling around the world in various countries, including in front of 40,000 people in Japan...

Powell's POV: Yes, Kaval has actually grown since childhood. All joking aside, I like the way they let him acknowledge his background and some of his history (without referring to any other promotions).

[Q2] 1. Alex Riley pinned Kaval in 8:30. McCool and Layla sat in on commentary. Riley got the early advantage. Kaval came back with some kicks similar to the ones I'd like to give Twilling right about now. A shot aired of the NXT pros sitting on the stage and writing on their notepads. I'm pretty sure Mark Henry was writing his dinner order, but that's unconfirmed. [C]

After the break, Kaval scored a flurry of offense. Kaval missed a foot stomp. Riley came back with an F5 and scored the clean pin...

After the match, Striker noted that Riley was shorthanded without his pro The Miz. Riley said Miz was partying in L.A. after winning the U.S. Title. Riley said he was invited, but he politely declined and told him he could handle this himself. LayCool said they can help Kaval.

Striker turned his attention to the judges. Morrison said The Miz is at a liposuction consultation today. Kofi backed up his story. Morrison said both wrestlers did well. Zack Ryder said he only cares about his rookie, but the new ring announcer is hot. "Call me," Ryder said...

Powell's POV: The Miz is actually in Los Angeles at E3 promoting the WWE video game. Here's hoping we never have to listen to LayCool on commentary ever again.

A video feature focussed on Eli Cottonwood. He said pro basketball wasn't physical enough for him. He described his in-ring style as "very dominating and dark." He said he likes to punish people. He said he's afraid of himself because he doesn't always know what he's going to do next...

The announcers hyped Kofi Kingston and Michael McGillicutty vs. Mark Henry and Lucky Cannon for later in the show...

[Q3] [C] A video recapped the NXT angle from Monday's Raw...

Powell's POV: Here's hoping that Rich Twilling is getting a Bret Hart-style limo ride as I write this. He did a hell of a job filling in while I was away on and off for a week. I'm actually happy he no-showed NXT coverage tonight, as it gives me an excuse to be mean to him again. Ahhhhhhhh, now I finally feel like things are back to normal around here.

Cole said it's been a frantic 24 hours. He said Bret Hart suffered "severe physical and emotional trauma." He said there's been no response from "Bret Hart's office" as to how he'll respond to the NXT season one rookies...

Powell's POV: Physical and emotional trauma? This doesn't sound very PG. They should really fire someone.

The announcers ran through the Fatal Four Way pay-per-view lineup.

Powell's POV: It didn't take them long to run through the lineup. Even Twilling would be able to count the number of matches on one hand even after I have one of his fingers removed for skipping the show tonight.

Backstage, hidden camera footage aired of Zack Ryder calmly telling his rookie Titus O'Neal that he needs to learn to control his temper. Ryder said he wants to make sure Titus wins the contest...

A Husky Harris vignette aired. He acknowledged his family's history in the business... Kofi Kingston and Curt McGillicutty's kid made their entrance for the tag match... [C]

Powell's POV: By the way, the announcers laughed at Ryder's line about the ring announcer and now they're showing him in nice guy mode backstage. Did I miss a babyface turn?

[Q4] 2. Kofi Kingston and Michael McGillicutty beat Mark Henry and Lucky Cannon in 11:55. Kofi was really over with the live crowd. Henry dominated McGillicutty in a power contest early. Before the break, McGillicutty threw a dropkick that brought back memories of his father. [C]

After the break, small lettering thanked the North Carolina film office. I wonder if those are the people they have filling seats in this small crowd. Maybe that's where Twilling is tonight. In the end, McGillicutty hit a cool spinning neckbreaker on Cannon and scored the pin...

After the match, Striker interviewed Kofi and McGillicutty in the ring. Kofi said McGillicutty took a step in the right direction. Striker turned his attention to Henry and Cannon. Henry said Lucky has potential. He said he has a long ways to go, but he thinks he can help get him there.

[Overrun] Striker asked the pros on the stage for their comments. Cody Rhodes cut a heel promo on Lucky Cannon. He asked if he realizes that winners make more money. He mocked Cannon's football background and said, "You're all style and no substance."

Henry took offense. Henry challenged Rhodes to put his money where his mouth is by facing Cannon. Striker took the mic and ran up to Cody, who was about to walk off. Striker asked he would accept the challenge. Cody said Lucky would be lucky to last five minutes with him. "I accept," Rhodes said. Cody said he wanted a week to get ready.

Striker asked what people could expect from Cody, who then took a cheap shot at Striker and knocked him off the stage Henry, Kofi, and their rookies walked toward the stage. Cody headed backstage while everyone checked on Striker...

Powell's POV: Well, if nothing else, it's fun to see Striker get his ass kicked again this week. Overall, the show features more talking from the pros than I was hoping for. Kofi is getting over, and Cody made the most of his time, but the rest just felt cliche. The first match should have been the main event, but I guess they wanted to save the Cody Rhodes stuff for the end of the night, which is logical. Check back on Wednesday, as either I or Husky Rich McGillicutty will have the WWE NXT Hitlist.

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