By Jason Powell

WWE NXT on WWE.com
Taped earlier tonight in Tucson, Ariz.

The show opened with a recap video that concluded with a teaser for the first elimination... The horrible "Wild and Young" theme played... Todd Grisham checked in on commentary with Josh Mathews from ringside. Grisham turned it over to Matt Striker, who was onstage with the rookies, while the pros were seated.

Striker shared the news that the rookies are competing for a shot at the WWE Tag Titles. The winner of the contest and his pro will earn the shot. Striker said there will be a battle royal between the pros. The winner can trade his rookie...

Powell's POV: A shot at the tag titles? Most guys on the active roster would see that as punishment, but I suppose it's a reward for the rookies.

1. Dolph Ziggler won a Pro Battle Royal in 3:50. Ricardo Rodriguez volunteered to fill in for Alberto Del Rio, who gave his blessing. Daniel Bryan performed an airplane spin on Ricardo before dumping him over the top rope. Dolph Ziggler eliminated Bryan at 2:30. In the end, Dolph eliminated a pair of opponents to get the win.

After the match, Ziggler said he's never liked Jacob Novack. He said he doesn't have that "it" or anything else going for him. Ziggler said he wanted Byron Saxton to be his rookie instead. Novack protested. Striker booked Novack vs. Saxton in a match...

Powell's POV: Novack might be the first guy eliminated, as I can't really argue with Ziggler's comments about him. I wonder if they had the battle royal to make sure one of the pros remained on the show if his rookie gets the boot tonight.

The announcers spoke at ringside... [C]

2. Byron Saxton (w/Dolph Ziggler) defeated Jacob Novack (w/Chris Masters) in 5:45. Ziggler yelled while standing on the ring apron throughout the match. Saxton ended up getting the clan pin...

Powell's POV: Dolph pulled off the first great trade of 2011.

Backstage, R-Truth gave Johnny Curtis a pep talk. Curtis said they were a two-man wolfpack traveling through the desert. Truth said he has no idea what that means. Curtis said he doesn't know either... [C]

Powell's POV: I know what that joke meant. It means someone from the creative team is just now getting around to borrowing and twisting jokes from The Hangover.

Backstage, Dolph Ziggler and Byron Saxton had a conversation. Dolph gave him a polite warning to stay away from his girlfriend...

The announcers hyped the Battle of the Mic contest... [C]

Powell's POV: I may have missed a segment. I stepped out of the room for a moment and forgot that I don't have the DVR rewind luxury. I'm sure you're devastated.

In the ring, Strike hosted the mic contest. It started with Brodus Clay vs. Johnny Curtis. Clay talked about how funny it was to hear Curtis squeal when he put him through a table. "It was hilarious," Clay said. "And you do know that." Um, okay.

Curtis said it was funny because he was thinking about the time he punched Clay in the mouth. Clay said Curtis never punched him. Clay punched him. They were quickly separated. Striker put it to a fan vote. Clay was eliminated.

Powell's POV: Clay was lousy on the mic, but at least he tried. The heels will lose every contest.

Derrick Bateman went head-to-head with Byron Saxton. Batemen referred to his opponent as Carlton Banks. Saxton had a generic, but well deliver comeback. Shockingly, the fans cheered for the babyface, so Saxton was eliminated.

Jacob Novack squared off with Conor O'Brian. Novack seemed out to prove that everything Ziggler said about him was true. O'Brian was better and the crowd gave him the nod.

Curtis started a promo by saying, "Derrick, Derrick, Derrick (insert a few more)." He mocked Bateman's hair. Bateman said Curtis is a mustache away from being featured on "To Catch a Predator." He also said O'Brian has a lot in common with Conan O'Brien. Finally, O'Brian told "you're momma is so fat" and "you're so stupid" jokes.

Curtis was booed. Bateman had slightly more boos than cheers. O'Brian was cheered and received four immunity points... The announcers hyped something...

Powell's POV: I'm fairly certain that O'Brian can cash in his immunity points at the EA Store to unlock the 49ers throwback jerseys.

3. Brodus Clay (w/Ted DiBiase) defeated Johnny Curtis (w/R-Truth). The replayed footage of Curtis sucker punching Clay during the mic challenge. Curtis put up a fight, but was distracted by DiBiase. Clay took advantage of the distraction with a chokeslam for the win.

After the match, Striker asked Clay what motivates his aggression. He said something about years of being pushed aside. He's an angry man... The announcers said the elimination was coming up next... [C]

The rookies gathered at ringside for the elimination. Jacob Novack was eliminated. He said it was a crushing blow. Ziggler mocked him from the stage and even rolled around on the ground at one point. Funny. No one in the live crowd seemed to care when Novack left.

Ziggler said he was a genius for making the trade to get rid of Novack. Chris Masters took offense and went for the Master Lock, but Ziggler snuck away and ran backstage... The rookies teased a fight at ringside...


Powell's POV: They made the right call tonight. Novack didn't stand out in any way. That doesn't mean he can't learn from the experience and improve, but he was at the bottom of this class of rookies. Thanks for watching along with me tonight. I'd once again like to sincerely thank WWE for wrapping up the show with over ten minutes until the top of the hour.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: