2/8 Kester's WWE NXT Live Coverage Review: Darren Young vs. Percy Watson, Maxine vs. Kaitlyn, Heath Slater vs. Derrick Bateman, Trent Barreta vs. Tyson Kidd, and The Uso Brothers vs. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins
Feb 8, 2012 - 06:25 PM |
By Ryan Kester
NXT on WWE.com
Taped earlier in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The show opened with Matt Striker welcoming the audience to the show. Striker said that there was dissention in the locker room, and to appease them, he is giving every superstar on the NXT roster a match. "Four matches!" Striker exclaimed, "Are guaranteed tonight." Striker Sais the Uso Brothers would face Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks…
1. Heath Slater defeated Derrick Bateman in 3:25. Bateman took the advantage early, and he hit a flurry of offense before trying to hit a running double-knee in the corner. Slater moved, and Bateman went crashing to the mat.
Slater kept Bateman ground with a series of kicks and a rest hold. Bateman began to battle back and he hit what looked like a cross between a DDT and a reverse side-Russian legsweep. Interesting.
Slater hit his new running neckbreaker for the 1-2-3… [C]
Ryan's Rant: Good quick match. I like Slater's in-ring work, but he is in terrible need of repackaging.
Back from the break, Titus O'Neill joined William Regal and Josh Matthews on commentary.
2. Percy Watson defeated Darren Young in 4:22. Watson controlled the action early, but Young managed to catch him in the ring apron and followed with a neckbreaker. Young locked in a rest hold.
Young charged Watson in the corner, and Watson moved out of the way and gained control. Watson ran through his move set and hit the Showtime Splash. Moments later, Watson hit Percycution for the win.
After the match, O'Neill grabbed a mic and asked Watson if he thought he was going to attack him. O'Neill said when he is going to attack Watson, he won't see it coming…
Backstage, Johnny Curtis creeped on Kaitlyn. He said he has a secret no one knows. He said Derrick Bateman is infatuated with Kaitlyn… [C]
Ryan's Rant: Another solid match. O'Neill did well on commentary, but his story is coming off as sympathetic rather than anything heelish.
3. Tyson Kidd defeated Trent Barreta in 5:12. Kidd and Barreta battled to the floor early and Barreta hit his version of Whisper in the Wind off of the barricade. Barreta landed awkwardly, and Kidd tossed him into the ring.
Kidd ascended the ropes and flew only to eat a dropkick from Barreta. Barreta went for the Gobstopper but Kidd caught him and went for the Sharpshooter. Barreta reversed that into a roll-up for a near fall. Kidd hit a release German suplex.
Kidd put Barreta in the corner and went for a back superplex but Barreta rolled through for another near fall. Barreta went to the top rope and hit a dropkick for a near fall. Kidd battled back and the two men exchanged roll-up attempts. Kidd eventually came out on top, and Barreta was unable to kick out before three.
Kidd and Barreta shook hands after the match…
Backstage, Kaitlyn ran into Derrick Bateman. She flirted with him shamelessly until Maxine showed up. Maxine was annoyed with Derrick Bateman for losing. Kaitlyn and Maxine started to argue, and Curtis could be seen lurking around the corner, enjoying his handiwork... [C]
Ryan's Rant: Great back and forth match. Go out of your way to watch this. The dynamic between Maxine, Kaitlyn, Curtis, and Bateman has been entertaining thus far.
4. Maxine defeated Kaitlyn in 2:58. Kaitlyn took control early and locked in a submission hold I've never seen before. The closest I can get is a seated octopus hold, but that isn't quite right.
Maxine eventually battled out and locked in a dragon sleeper. Kaitlyn managed to make a comeback briefly, but Maxine rolled her up with a crucifix for the three-count… [C]
Ryan's Rant: Solid but very brief match. It made me want to see more from the two, though, so if that was the goal WWE was successful.
An advert for the Elimination PPV aired…
Trent Barreta and Tyson Kidd were talking backstage. Kidd said that Barreta takes him to his limit every time they are in the ring together, and he thinks they would make a good tag team. Barreta asked him if he was serious, and Kidd told him to take some time to think about it…
Ryan's Rant: Um, yes, please. Barreta and Kidd would make for a very good tag team, and the near-dead division could use any team it can get.
5. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins defeated The Uso Brothers in 7:27. The Uso Brothers took control early until Hawkins managed to trick Jey Uso into chasing him, and Reks kicked him with a big boot… [C]
Back from the break, Hawkins had Jey Uso in a rest hold. Hawkins and Reks worked quick tags to keep Jey Uso in their corner.
Jey eventually got the hot tag to Jimmy, and Jimmy quickly cleaned house. Jimmy hit Reks with a Samoan Drop and a wrecking ball. Jimmy had the three count but Hawkins broke the pin.
Jimmy went to the top rope for the Superfly Splash but Reks was able to get out of the way. Reks set up for his Burning Hammer, but Jimmy rolled off of his shoulders and rolled Reks up. Reks kicked Jimmy towards the rope and Hawkins struck Jimmy in the gut with his cane. Reks rolled Jimmy up and got the cheap pin.
Matt Striker ran out and started arguing with the referee. Hawkins promptly punched Striker in the jaw and Hawkins and Reks left to some good heat.
Ryan's Rant: Another solid match. I grow a bit tired of roll-up finishes, but that's just picking nits. This show came out of nowhere and was surprisingly solid. From top to bottom everyone involved in this week's NXT stepped up their game, and they delivered a very solid show. WWE cut out all of the commercials they normally pad the show with and it made for a well-paced and thoroughly entertaining show. I don't do this often, but I highly recommend going out of your way to see this edition of NXT.
If you have any questions or comments or just wish to chat with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter at @TheRyanKester.
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