NXTweet 17.10.12

One of the things I like about NXT is that it gives us the chance to see WWE’s developmental crew wrestle. Because of this I tend to be disappointed with instalments that rely heavily on members of the main roster. Unfortunately this week presented us with one of those episodes.

The opening contest saw improbably over Alex Riley lose to Three Man Band founding member Jinder Mahal. Sighting of the Perspex box aside it was a disappointing way to start off a show that is supposed to showcase wrestlers trying to get themselves onto the main roster. Mahal v Riley would have been more appropriate booked on an episode of Superstars.

The Jake Carter versus Trent Barreta match was an improvement from a showcasing point of view but it wasn’t exactly an electrifying contest. Barreta has been featured on SmackDown and Superstars before now and Carter appears to be little more than a jobber-in-the-making. Both men would have benefitted from different opponents.

The appearance of ‘The Intellectual Saviour of the Masses’ Damien Sandow improved things considerably. Sandow received a big cheer when his music hit but by the time he reached the ring he’d managed to convince the fans to boo him with an effective promo.

You need only watch his performance here to see why he’ll be a regular on WWE television for years to come: he understands the character he’s portraying and how to make people dislike him. Touches like refusing to perform a victory cartwheel (because the fans were chanting for one) and pulling a smug pose while getting the winning pinfall are the sort of thing that too many WWE guys overlook.

 

That thick, lustrous beard and winning smile will be on WWE television for a long time to come

 

The six man tag team main event was the show’s saving grace. The inclusion of the Usos may have stopped it from being the all-developmental match it should have been but seeing Richie Steamboat, Kassius Ohno and The Ascension more than made up for that. The six men put on a lengthy and entertaining match with a very nice finish: Steamboat hit the ropes to build up steam for a dive to the outside and got caught with Ohno’s One Behind the Ear elbow smash finisher.

NXT needs to stick to matches like the main event if it is to retain its appeal. Too many main roster stars will cause the show to lose its uniqueness.

Opening recap video

Tweet 1: NXTweet.

Tweet 2: Briley Pierce looks familiar... #Dolphsbrother
Tweet 3: The CM Punk recap was nice and all but where's it going to lead?

Alex Riley v Jiner Mahal

Tweet 4: They're starting off with an Alex Riley match. Not a good sign.

Tweet 5: JINDER MAHAL'S PERSPEX BOX!!
Tweet 6: I think this is the first time I've wanted to skip a match on NXT.
Tweet 7: You can tell this was filmed before the 3MB idea. Jinder's still wearing his purple and turquoise trunks.
Tweet 8: This referee looks like Sheldon Cooper.
Tweet 9: Riley wins a generic match with a generic rollup. I feel cheap having watched this.
Tweet 10: Post-match camel clutch there. The babyfaces of the locker room either fear Mahal or hate Riley because nobody made the save.
Tweet 11: I like to think they all hate A-Ry.

Jake Carter v Trent Barreta

Tweet 12: It’s Carter time!

Tweet 13: Regal is telling a story about Vader refusing to take Jake to the park unless he did 1000 push-ups. Nonsense yes, but funny nonsense.
Tweet 14: Don't try and get Barreta over as a striker. You're doomed to fail.
Tweet 15: Nice belly to belly suplex.
Tweet 16: Carter has two watches on his trunks. One says "It's" and the other says "Time". Oh dear.
Tweet 17: Surprised Carter lost that to be honest.

Brandon Traven v Damien Sandow

Tweet 18: The NXT Arena pops for Sandow. They love an intellectual savior.

Tweet 19: "Don't boo me, I'm simply asking questions" - Damien Sandow
Tweet 20: Brandon Traven was trained by Harley Race. According to Saxton that's all that needs to be said.
Tweet 21: It doesn't matter who trained him, Traven isn't going to beat Sandow.
Tweet 22: Those rumours of a confrontation between Race and Vader at a wrestling convention should be used as the basis for a Traven v Carter feud.
Tweet 23: I won't lie, I'm a bit creeped out by Regal talking about Sandow's hip action.
Tweet 24: Since when do audiences react to a drop kick so loudly?!
Tweet 25: No cartwheel for that audience. Solid bit of heat there.

The Ascension and Kassius Ohno v The Usos and Richie Steamboat

Tweet 26: Remember when Conor O'Brian was a babyface who likened himself to a rat? I do.

Tweet 27: It's Kassius... OHNO!
Tweet 28: The Usos need to work on their choreography.
Tweet 29: From a distance Richie Steamboat looks a little like Paul London.
Tweet 30: I miss the Kings of Wrestling.
Tweet 31: #kravat
Tweet 32: JR couldn't tell the Hardys apart, what chance does he have with actual twins?
Tweet 33: OBE from the outside was a nice finish.

NXTweet 26.09.12

I'm usually pretty quick to heap praise on NXT. In fact I don't recall ever writing that an episode has been bad. While I'm not going to break that habit here I will say that this week’s episode was far below average.
 
Excellent main event between Richie Steamboat and Kassius Ohno aside this week's instalment felt weak. Leo Kruger's lopsided encounter with Jake Carter did little for either man and seemed to have been included in order to get the South African's mentally unhinged gimmick some screen time. It feels forced and directionless at the moment. I compared Kruger to the Bushwhackers when watching. That's not flattering.

Careful, he's mad you know...

 
The opening match between Bo 'Big Hands' Dallas and Michael McGillicutty started out nicely but was lagging by the time it finished. I like Hennig junior but he was wasted here. I've yet to be amazed by Dallas. He wrestles well but looks like an indy star who has yet to grow into his face. Look at a picture of Bryan Danielson from 2002 to see what this means.
 
On the plus side the audience were supportive of him and hinted at a gimmick that could help Dallas distinguish himself were he to be called to the main roster. That gimmick is the tried and tested shout-as-the-babyface-lands-a-punch routine. It's a gimmick that many wrestlers have used (or been gifted by fans) over the years, notably Hack Myers and Balls Mahoney in ECW. The practice could easily be encouraged by having Dallas shout out "Bo!" every time he lands a punch. It wouldn't take long for crowds to start joining in.
 
Ryback's bout was enjoyable for what it was, which was namely Ryback pummelling two skinny guys with stiff punches and power moves. The bout will be remembered only for the former Nexus member botching wearing a singlet. That’s okay. Nobody watches Ryback for smooth wrestling.
 
As I said above the Ohno v Steamboat match was easily the best thing on the show. They were given a good amount of time and produced a match that proves they're ready for bigger and better things. That Steamboat won with a desperation small package leaves plenty of room for their feud to continue. A rematch or two would be most welcome.

Opening moments

Tweet 1: NXTweet.

Tweet 2: Starting with a Kassius Ohno video package. Strong.
Tweet 3: In the land of NXT the kravat is a finisher. A deadly finisher.
Tweet 4: Here's Byron 'Joey Styles' Saxton welcoming us to the show. I'm half expecting Cyrus to interrupt. #Network

Bo Dallas v Michael McGillicutty

Tweet 5: Michael McGillicutty's entrance music sounds like the theme tune to an American teen drama.

Tweet 6: Bo Dallas's isn't much better...
Tweet 7: The grandfathers of these two fought each other in the territories and now here they are battling away on... um... NXT.
Tweet 8: I want McGillicutty to wear a singlet and use the Perfectplex.
Tweet 9: If this match were on RAW the commentators would be talking about the latest GM-centric storyline.
Tweet 10: McGillicutty wins what was a pretty generic match with a neckbreaker. I am unencumbered by enthusiasm.
Tweet 11: Right. The commentary team is saying that McGillicutty could be the man to beat Rollins. That means he won't be.

Paige video package

Tweet 12: Paige with her dulcet East Midlands tones there.

Jake Carter v Leo Kruger

Tweet 13: Jake Carter looks like a dapper young lad. Lucky for him he doesn't resemble his dad... #itsCartertime

Tweet 14: Entering in a denim jacket is weird. That'd not going to get him to the heady heights of Monday Night RAW.
Tweet 15: I hope Leo Kruger does his racist Indian accent again this week. It was a highlight of the show last week.
Tweet 16: Leo Kruger's new gimmick reminds me of the Bushwhackers. Don't ask why. I don't know.
Tweet 17: 'Sheepherder' Leo Kruger.
Tweet 18: What this match needs is a Mark Henry waddle-in. NXT is the perfect place for his comeback.
Tweet 19: "The impact to the face will knock any man out" - William Regal on a move that is directed at the back of the neck

Ryback v Aiden English and Francis Rene Dorian

Tweet 20: It doesn't bode well for your wrestling show when Ryback is one of the in-ring highlights.

Tweet 21: I want him to cut one of his Ultimate Warrior style promos after the match.
Tweet 22: Aiden English and Francis Rene Dorian are, according to Regal, this week's designated jobbers.
Tweet 23: #singletbotch
Tweet 24: "Stan Hansen lariat!" - William Regal
Tweet 25: "He's just going to have his way with everybody" - William Regal, possibly implying that Ryback is a serial rapist

Kassius Ohno v Richie Steamboat

Tweet 26: It's Kassius... OHNO!!

Tweet 27: Richie Steamboat has engaged Shouty Babyface Mode.
Tweet 28: The crowd's support is split. If I were there I'd be cheering for Ohno. #heelsdoitbetter
Tweet 29: Look at this referee! Actually look at him! He looks like a creepy little goblin with pastey skin.

Strange looking referee, no?

Tweet 30: Steamboat is no-selling those chops like a trooper.
Tweet 31: Steamboat goes over by small package. Great match. Best I've seen from Junior Dragon. Best I've seen from Ohno since he left ROH.
Tweet 32: And now Ohno is ramping up his heel heat by applying a post-match kravat!
Tweet 33: "Ohno has lost his mind!" - Byron Saxton on a man applying a generic rest hold