HeadLocker — Jay Shannon
The NXT Report for Week Seven

Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, runs down all the action and twists and turns in the WWE’s latest experiment, NXT.

WWE pushed NXT closer to the old Tough Enough program by throwing in a boring physical challenge. The Pros got the night off, for the most part, as the Rookie pushed to get more air time and to climb higher in the rankings. Michael Cole continued his irritating habit of constantly dissing Daniel Bryan. Danny needs to slap the Cattle Mutilation on Mr. JR-Wanna-Be.

Matt Striker brought out all eight of the Rookies, by their rankins, 8 to 1. Striker mentioned that whoever came in first would get the title shot of his choice against the champion of his choice at a live Pay-per-view. Striker talked with David Otunga about walking away from the tag team titles, on Monday. Otunga said he was the Guest Host and he could do what he wanted. Otunga said he could have taken the tag but Otunga doesn’t share the spotlight with anyone. Otunga said he did Miz a favor by handing the win to an NXT Pro. Striker then asked Daniel Bryan if he felt he should be number one. Daniel got shots in on Miz, Otunga and Michael Cole. Cole started again with his little shots on Daniel Bryan. Striker asked Michael Tarver if he felt Daniel deserved to be number one.

Tarver said he was taking the position from Daniel Bryan. Striker then announced weekly challenges. Striker introduced a keg weighing over 160 pounds. The challenge was to carry the keg around the ring and back in the fastest time. Striker called down Daniel Bryan to do the challenge first.

Daniel came down as Striker ran down the rules of this silly challenge. Daniel lifted the keg and started around the ring. Daniel stuck his tougue out at Cole as his passed him. Daniel’s time: 24.9 seconds. Wade Barrett was next to try his luck. The Brit lifted and jogged around the ring. Wade came in at 14.7 seconds. Cole grumbled about Daniel. Give it a freakin’ rest, Cole. Justin Gabriel tried next. He lifted it and took off around the ring at a fast speed. Gabriel clocked in at 13.7 Seconds. Heath Slater came down to try it next. Slater picked it up and ran like crazy around the ring. Slater hit at 12.0 seconds flat. Slater dropped the keg but after he crossed the line. David Otunga was next to give it a shot. THe Chi-Town crowd were massively hostile to the “A-List”. Otunga lifted it and strolled aorund the ring and got in at 14.1 Seconds. Skip Sheffield was the next to give it a shot. Skip lifted it onto his shoulder and took off running. He wasted just a little time hoisting it up onto his shoulder. Skip came in at 12.4 Seconds. Michael Tarver dropped the keg, several times. He was disqualified. The crowd busted out with a “You Suck” chant. Darrin Young was the last one to to try. He slowed down just before the line. He came in at 13.6.

Heath Slater won the event. Slater said he would blow the minds of the fans. Striker said Slater won the spot in the main event match against….Kane. Kane walked down and the two stared each other down. Kane set off his corner turnbuckle pyro. Heath looked big time nervous.

Segment Grade: D

Jay’s Thoughts: What a complete and total waste of time. Who cares who can lug a keg around the ring? Let’s get to some serious wrestling. This is the junk that killed Tough Enough and the Diva Search. History repeats itself.

NXT looked at David Otunga on Raw. He put himself in the Unified Tag Team Championship Match but bailed out on his partner, John Cena. Initially, Big and Awesome faced Cena and Batista. Batista also pulled a walkout on Cena. Batista returned after Big Show knocked out Cena and hit a Batista Bomb. Batista then demanded a Last Man Standing Match against Cena at Extreme Rules. (I thought they would have retired that name after retiring ECW).

Matt Striker talked with Skip Sheffield. Skip was upset that he lost the Keg Karry. Skip said that the thing was rigged. Skip said he wasn’t going to be a nice guy no more.

Darrin Young d Daniel Bryan

Young with a Kneelift. Young sent Daniel to the ropes and Shoulder Blocked him. Daniel hit a Baseball Slide after Young went to the outside. Daniel with a Flying Knee into Young. (Cole, there is a difference between a Flying Knee and a Dropkick). The two got back in the ring and did an Inverted Scissors. Daniel with a pair of Backslides. Young slammed Daniel into the corner. Daniel ran the corner as Cole continued to spray his venomous comments about Daniel. Daniel with a Sunset Flip for a two. The two went back and forth with Roll0ups. Young slapped Daniel. Daniel slapped back. Young did the Double Leg Trip and then threw all his weight on top of Daniel Bryan to take the win. Daniel goes to 0-7.

Grade: B

Jay’s Thoughts: And still Daniel Bryan gets ripped off. I have to think Desmoond Wolfe cackles everytime he sees his old ROH rival get lambasted by the NXT and WWE stars. I can only think that Daniel will finally come back and win this thing and take Miz’s US title.

Raw ran a promo for the new Hart and Soul DVD Collection. I’m getting that one on Saturday (My day off).

Justin Gabriel came out for the next match. He was still using Matt Hardy’s music and graphics. Gabriel talked about the advice the dad had given him about working harder to get to the top and keep going. Michael Tarver then came out to Carlito’s music.

Justin Gabriel d Michael Tarver

Tarver talked about being an unleashed PItbull. Gabriel with an Arm Drag. Tarver moved Gabriel ot the corner and Kneed the ribs. Tarver with an evil Power Whip. Tarver with a Jumping Stomp and Scoop Slam. Tarver slapped on an Abdominal Stretch and pounded the ribs. Gabriel went to the knee to get free. Gabriel with the Float Over and Kneelfit. Gabriel with a Spin Kick. Gabriel with a Crossbody and and then a Top Rope Crossbody. Gabriel went for the 450 Splash but Tarver caught him. Gabriel with a Savate Kick and the 450 Splash to take the win.

Grade: B+

Jay’s Thoughts: I like Gabriel. I really think he could be a top star. It’s a real shame that WWE doesn’t have it’s cruiserweight division, any more. This kid could have fantastic matches against so many of the smaller guys. If he ends up released by WWE, someone give Hulk Hogan this kid’s phone number to get him in the X-Division.

David Otunga walked out slowly to R-Truth’s music. David said his fifth place position was due to the Pros being afraid of him. Wade Barrett then arrived to battle. Wade talked, by insert video, about how second place just wasn’t good enough.

Wade Barrett d David Otunga

Otunga with a Side Headlock. Otunga started to work on the arm but Wade came back with a Fore-arm shot and a Headbutt. Wade with an Irish WHip and Running BIg Boot to the back of Otunga’s head. Wade stretched Otunga int the ropes and then worked over the A-List’s back. Otunga started fighting back. Wade pitched Otunga to the outside. Wade ran Otunga’s back intot he ring apron. Wade with a Bow and Arrow. Wade threw down Otunga but missed a Kneedrop. He also missed a Corner Splash. Otunga with an Inverted Atomic Drop and Shoulder Tackle. Otunga with a Scoop Slam. Otunga tried for a Roll-up but only got a two. Otunga with a Neckbreaker. Otunga went up top but Wade pulled him off. Wade with his Inverted Samoan Drop to take the win.

Grade: B-

Jay’s Thoughts: I just can’t stand Otunga. His “Hollywood A-List” character is just darn irritating. Barrett needs to decide if he wants to be British or Mafia. His clockwork character is just confusing. I don’t see either of these two winning the NXT show. I do think that they will both have careers in the WWE after this nightmare show ends.

In the back, Heath Slater warmed up for Kane.

Kane came out to challenge the rookie sensation, Heath Slater. Kane and Striker are the only two “Pros” that have shown up, this week. NXT looked at Kane’s battle against all eight Rookies on last week’s Smackdown. Slater then came out to Christian’s music.

Kane d Heath Slater

Slater dodged Kane. He got the knddes up in the corne. Slter tripped Kane and had the Big Red Monster falling into the top turnbuckle. Heath with a Top Rope Missile Dropkick and Top Rope Crossbody. Kane kicked out at one. Kane with the Big Boot after Heath came off the ropes. Kane tossed Heath out of the ring. Kane punched Heath and ran Slater into the ring apron. Kane roleld Heath back in the ring and Elbow Smashed and punched the One Man Rock Band in the corner. Kane with a Snap Mare into a Rear Chin Lock.

Slater with a Sunset Flip. Kane returned with a Side Slam. Slater kicked out at two. Knae looked confused by Slater’s escape. Kane choked Slater on the ropes. Kane with a Snap Mare and Low Dropkick. Kane kicked out, again, at two. Heath punched away but Knae floored the rookie with an Uppercut. Kane went to the Penthouse for the Kane Klothesline. Kane with another Uppercut. Kane with an Irish WHip and Corner Clothesline. Kane with another Irish Whip but Heath got his foot up. Kane with the Goozle. Kane planed him with the Chokeslam. Stick a fork in him…he’s done.

Grade: A-

Jay’s Thoughts: I don’t know if Slater will be the next John Cena or Bret Hart, but he will be a definite player in the future. He needs a little tweaking but he will be around after this show finishes.

Final Grade: C

Jay’s Thoughts: Had to pull the grade down due to that opening segment mess. The action seems so amateurish. No Pros with the Rookies, this week. The fans deserve something more than what they have, right now. The ratings are dropping like a stone. WWE really needs to scrap this experiment and pull up the FCW program and put it on Tuesday nights.

Peace

–Jay Shannon
Jade89512@yahoo.com
(4/07/10)