NXT Call-Ups

On the August 8^th episode of NXT Jim Ross told viewers that he considers both Bo Dallas and Jinder Mahal to be future WWE champions. While that statement is clearly untrue and verges on insanity it’s true that future WWE champions do currently compete on the show. The company’s hiring system means that the vast majority of people who make it to RAW pass through the developmental league. World champions who haven’t had a stint in NXT will be a rarity in years to come.

That doesn’t mean Bo Dallas and Jinder Mahal are going to win world titles though.

The man who has to be considered the favourite to make an impact on the main roster is Seth Rollins. Look back at his work in Ring of Honor as Tyler Black and you’ll see that even early on in his career he was an energetic and charismatic worker. His promos may not be particularly great, but that’s a skill he can pick up in time. He has the look and the athleticism to be a smaller headline star in the mould of Shawn Michaels, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.

Rollins has been presented as one of the major stars of the rebooted NXT and the fact that he was chosen to be the programme’s inaugural champion indicates that the booking team think very highly of him. His ability to connect with audiences as a babyface shouldn’t be underestimated either. It’s a useful skill for a WWE newcomer to have.

The next guy I’d pick is Big E Langston. There are guys I like more but none of them have his mixture of muscular torso and impressive strength. These are not qualities I look for when watching a wrestling match but they are qualities Vince McMahon likes. As he’s the man in charge I’m pretty sure that sooner or later Langston will be given a chance to make his mark with a push on RAW.

I’ve not seen him wrestle much. It’s too early to say whether he has what it takes to succeed. But he’ll get the chance. If he plays his cards right he could make it big.

 

Vince McMahon is a fan of muscles...

 

I am a huge fan of Kassius Ohno. He has a great look, wrestles a realistic style and knows his way around a microphone. He’s not really changed anything about his act since his time in Ring of Honor (as Chris Hero), but then he didn’t need to. It’s a well-rounded gimmick perfect for WWE television.

I expect Ohno will get a cursory callup sooner or later. The writing team likely won’t put much into it but Ohno will be able to get himself over. Dolph Ziggler managed it and I think ‘The Young Knockout Kid’ will too. It may take a little longer for him to get somewhere than the other two men I’ve mentioned above but I think that once he gets a fair chance Ohno will find a spot for himself.

Reforming the Kings of Wrestling alongside Antonio Cesaro, probably under a different name, would be great to see. Don’t hold your breath for that though.

One man who I think could surprise a lot of people is Bray Wyatt. He was on our screens a couple of years ago as Husky Harris of the Nexus. He eventually got demoted back to FCW (WWE’s then-developmental territory) because he was deemed too green for the main roster. His weight was also an issue.

There’s something about the guy that makes him stand out. Perhaps it’s that elusive “it factor”. Since going back down to developmental he has created a new gimmick for himself. It’s essentially a southern preacher persona but mixed with the former Husky’s rough and ready ring style and surprisingly slick verbal skills it’s a hit.

Also worth noting is that Paul Heyman has stated on Twitter and in interviews that he sees something in the son of IRS. Heyman appears to be gaining influence on the creative direction of the company and has a noted eye for talent. A blessing from Heyman is a good thing for Wyatt.

Finally there’s Richie Steamboat. The son of Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat has managed to garner cheers during his appearances on the show so far, including pops for using the arm drags favoured by his father. If he’s introduced to WWE television in an underdog babyface role, and given a sustained push and some credible wins, I think Steamboat junior could become a huge star.

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

NXTweet 05.09.12

This week’s NXT was uncharacteristically headlined by an in-ring interview. Seasoned WWE commentator Jim Ross was joined by Seth Rollins, who won the NXT championship on last week’s show. He came to the ring wearing skin-tight jeans (which was weird) and pulled on a T-shirt before starting his interview (which was weirder).

We learnt that Rollins intends to be a fighting champion and that sooner or later everyone will get “Blacked Out”. We were also informed that Rollins has spent much of his career as the hunter and is now the hunted. Apparently nobody informed JR of Rollins’ seven month reign as ROH world champion.

 

This guy is proud to hold wrestling's ugliest belt

 

Despite hearing from the new champ the episode’s highlight was Kassius Ohno. He lost to Richie Steamboat in the first bout of the evening but pummelled the second generation star afterwards. The match itself was enjoyable but it was a backstage segment later in the show that really allowed Ohno to shine.

As Ricky Steamboat (Richie’s dad) made his way from the medical room to the trainers’ room he spotted Ohno and asked him if he felt tough for jumping someone from behind. Ohno stood up to ‘the Dragon’ with a believable, menacing performance before the two were separated by referees. It was a scene that clearly showed Ohno has the aura to merit a promotion to the main roster.

Also, he was wearing Eric Morecambe style glasses.

This week’s episode saw more effort given over to progressing acts. Aside from a frivolous Funkasaurus outing every match benefitted NXT wrestlers. Paige defeated Audrey Marie in a match better than anything the women on the central WWE roster will be allowed to produce anytime soon. The Ascension and the Usos had an enjoyable tussle which showed how enjoyable a tag team division could be if a little thought were given over to booking. And Leo Kruger debuted a new gimmick that has far more potential than his original did.

Overall it was yet another impressive show.

Recap of Seth Rollins’ title win

Tweet 1: NXTweet, The.

Tweet 2: YouTube deleted it apparently. Thankfully Daily Motion aren't that foolish.
Tweet 3: Love that shot of Rhodes looking shocked at the Block Out. It's a stomp to the back of the head, Dusty. You must've seen that before!
Tweet 4: Rollins' celebration courtesy of Shawn Michaels. #boyhooddream #WrestleManiaXII

Richie Steamboat v Kassius Ohno

Tweet 5: It's Kassius... OHNO!!

Tweet 6: This should be Ohno's best match on NXT so far. The crowd are chanting for him already. They recognise talent.
Tweet 7: Is it me or are these two calling spots REALLY loudly?
Tweet 8: Ohno's latest gimmick is to look like he sleeps rough.
Tweet 9: This referee really doesn't like to see eye gouging...
Tweet 10: When was the last time a match ended due to excessive eye gouging? I hope this ends to an eye patch match.
Tweet 11: I don't even know what an eye patch match is. I want to see one though.
Tweet 12: Ricky comes out to check on his son. Maybe they're going to turn 'The Dragon' heel and align him with Ohno.
Tweet 13: ... Probs not though.

Paige v Audrey Marie

Tweet 14: Audrey Marie swaggers out for a Divas match. He has a "tireless attitude" according to Byron.

Tweet 15: "It's like Texas versus England here" - Byron Saxton
Tweet 16: "If you like" - William Regal, in response
Tweet 17: Paige wins with a cradle DDT. Nice move. Fairly ridiculous for a finish though, considering how small she is.

Ricky Steamboat shouts at Kassius Ohno backstage

Tweet 18: Briley Pierce looks familiar... #Dolphsbrother

Tweet 19: What the HELL is with Ohno's hilarious glasses?!
Tweet 20: "What're you gonna do? Arm drag me?" - Kassius Ohno with the line of the night

Percy Watson v Leo Kruger

Tweet 21: I think Percy Watson is the one guy on the NXT roster that I dislike.

Tweet 22: South Africa is a wrestling hotbed? C'mon, Regal...
Tweet 23: If any country was a wrestling hotbed when Leo Kruger was growing up it was Japan.
Tweet 24: Percy Watson with his seventeenth drop kick of the match there.
Tweet 25: 'Mad Man' Leo Kruger wins via eerie smile.

Brodus Clay v Ryan Collins

Tweet 26: That's right, get Jim Ross out to call Brodus Clay's match.

Tweet 27: No pyro for 'The Funkasaurus'. He has both Cameron and Naomi though. #tapedelay
Tweet 28: A referee chucks children into the ring and Brodus beckons for more. NXT just got sinister.

The Usos v The Ascension

Tweet 29: Anyone else think Kenneth Cameron looks like Drew McIntyre?

Tweet 30: The Ascension use Total Elimination as a finisher. I'd like them to introduce Perry Saturn as their manager.
Tweet 31: And I want him wearing that furry hat.
Tweet 32: Want to know who I think Conor O'Brian looks like? Sean O'Haire.
Tweet 33: JR can't tell Jimmy and Jey apart. I'm just waiting for him to call one Matt... #Hardybrothersbotch
Tweet 34: Comparing Jimmy and Jey to The Rock doesn't do them many favours.
Tweet 35: Sean O'Haire and Drew McIntyre win a good tag match. No sign of Total Elimination, sadly.

Seth Rollins interview

Tweet 36: Seth Rollins wearing absurdly tight trousers and no shirt there.

Tweet 37: This guy used to get streamers thrown at him when he entered the ring. Now he just gets greeted by a bearded Jim Ross.
Tweet 38: Fairly generic babyface promo there. I'm still waiting for a heel to interrupt.
Tweet 39: Nope. No interruption. The show ended with Rollins swinging the belt around his head without a care in the world.

NXTweet 22.08.12

This week’s NXT differed from the norm in several ways. Firstly there were features on what’s been happening on the main roster, specifically all the fun and frolics that were had at SummerSlam Axxess. Videos were also aired to promote the importance of becoming the first NXT champion. Featuring the likes of Daniel Bryan, Santino, Ted Dibiase and John Cena, it was as though the people who’d put it together had gone out of their way to find as disparate bunch of stars as possible.

The show was also notable for two post-match run-ins. The first occurred after Tamina Snuka had beaten Sofia Cortez. The second was Richie Steamboat saving Vader junior from a beating at the hands of Kassius Ohno. Both were done to set up feuds, and there’s nothing wrong with a simple run-in.

The trouble was that they were booked to happen one after another. NXT is usually so tightly booked that the repetition was far more noticeable than it would have been on a more haphazard, anarchic show like RAW.

The final segment of the show was given over to an in-ring interview of the two Gold Rush tournament finalists. Hosted by NXT commentator Byron Saxton is was a predictable affair. Rollins spoke about how he’s always wanted to hold a WWE championship and guaranteed that he’ll accomplish his boyhood dream on next week’s show. He had presumably been watching some Shawn Michaels tapes form 1996.

Jinder Mahal sought and received some cheap heat by comparing Rollins to the underachieving fans. There was nothing fancy about this approach, but there didn’t need to be. It’s a simple feud for a simple show. That’s not intended to sound disparaging. NXT’s appeal lies in its basic approach to presenting wrestling.

The interview naturally descended into chaos, Jinder striking Rollins first so that the babyface could retaliate without looking unsportsmanlike. The two shouted and postured their way off the air. As an segment designed to heighten interest in the tournament finals it was very good. Yet another example of why sometimes a simple approach is the best.

Derrick Bateman v Antonio Cesaro

Tweet 1: NXTweet

Tweet 2: Did Regal just call Derrick Bateman "Dave" Bateman?
Tweet 3: Antonio Cesaro. Heeeey!! #veryEuropean
Tweet 4: They didn't acknowledge Cesaro's US title win at SummerSlam. He's not even wearing the belt. #tapedelay
Tweet 5: If you glance at Aksana and then look away quickly enough she kind of looks like Ricardo Rodriguez.
Tweet 6: I think William Regal is the only one who calls it the Gotch Style Neutralizer. Everyone else calls it a Neutralizer. Regal's great.
Tweet 7: A fan in the front row went NUTS for Cesaro's win. Probably an ROH fan...

Is that Aksana or Ricardo Rodriguez?

NXT championship video

Tweet 8: And now for a video hyping the NXT championship.

Tweet 9: Daniel Bryan, in full on face mode, believes that there are thousands of people who would like to be NXT champ.
Tweet 10: There's the obligatory Cena appearance. He doesn't even know what NXT is.
Tweet 11: It doesn't matter how much they talk up the championship, it's still a fugly belt.

Sofia Cortez v Tamina Snuka

Tweet 12: Anyway, it's time for a Divas match. The inexplicably over Sofia Cortez versus Tamina Snuka.

Tweet 13: Tamina looks like her dad. That's not a good thing.
Tweet 14: "The Samoans just love the physicality, they love to fight. They're a race of superpeople" - William Regal on Samoans
Tweet 15: "Was that not impressive or what?" - Byron Saxton with an attack on grammar
Tweet 16: Raquel Diaz looks like a cross between Beyonce, Lady Gaga and someone I can't quite put my finger on... #Eddiesdaughter
Tweet 17: That was a decent match. The prospect of a Diaz v Snuka match is less than appealing though.

How do you get heat in 2012? Use lipstick to draw an L on the head of a tepidly popular babyface

 

Jake Carter v Kassius Ohno

Tweet 18: It’s Kassius… OHNO!

Tweet 19: Jake Carter is Vader's son and still gets the "already in the ring" intro.
Tweet 20: I've assumed incorrectly regarding that intro on NXT before. I won't bet against Ohno though. He'll win. Hopefully via KO.
Tweet 21: Ohno matches always make me think of the ROH on HDNet show. Nobody agrees that this show feels the same. They're wrong. All of 'em...
Tweet 22: Ohno has borrowed Daniel Bryan's beard for the evening.
Tweet 23: Ohno won via the rolling elbow. Regal referred to it as the Dreamkiller. That's not a bad finisher name.
Tweet 24: A second post-match run-in? That's two matches in a row. Who's booking this?!

SummerSlam Axxess video

Tweet 25: Another hype video. This one for SummerSlam Axxess.

Tweet 26: Sheamus looks like like he's hiding something with that hat.
Tweet 27: Piers Morgan says he's a Lesnar fan. He's just sayign that to be cool.
Tweet 28: More from Be A Star. Naturally David Otunga is present.

Another NXT championship video

Tweet 29: More wrestlers talking about the NXT title. Cena says they need to rise to the occasion.

Tweet 30: And there's a random appearance by Ted Dibiase Jr.
Tweet 31: It's obvious from Cena's generic comments that he is unfamiliar with NXT.

Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel v Michael McGillicutty and Johnny Curtis

Tweet 32: Kidd and Gabriel were being presented as a regular team months ago but they're still getting separate ring entrances.

Tweet 33: Jim Ross calling this match is A Good Thing™.
Tweet 34: Breaking news (on a taped show): Steamboat challenges Ohno to a match! It's all kicking off!
Tweet 35: Curtis is very good. He should be on the main roster. Perhaps he could become the new tag partner of Curt Hawkins.
Tweet 36: Referee sliding along the mat like a shark there.
Tweet 37: Kidd well and truly messed that springboard up. I'm surprised the fans didn't get on him for it.
Tweet 38: Double team Blockbuster FTW! No mention of Buff Bagwell, sadly.

Briley Pierce interviews Kassius Ohno

Tweet 39: Briley Pierce looks familiar… #Dolphsbrother

Tweet 40: Kassius Ohno, throwing some elbows after his match. Fine, no... that's fine.
Tweet 41: Kassius accepts. He WILL face Richie Steamboat. I expected nothing else.

Interview segment with Jinder Mahal and Seth Rollins, hosted by Byron Saxton

Tweet 42: Byron Saxton is hosting an interview segment with Seth Rollins and Jinder Mahal about the NXT belt.

Tweet 43: I'd like JR doing it but it's nice to give someone else a chance. Byron needs to be groomed for a main roster commentary spot.
Tweet 44: Jinder Mahal is 'The Punjabi Nightmare'? I thought that was Khali.
Tweet 45: JINDER MAHAL’S PERSPEX BOX!!
Tweet 46: Just a warning: promos aren't Rollins' strong point.
Tweet 47: Will he put over the ROH title? Doubtful.
Tweet 48: Rollins has wanted a WWE belt since being a kid. #childhooddream
Tweet 49: Jinder is going for the traditional heel promo, insulting the audience and saying he deserves the belt because he’s better.
Tweet 50: Very camp body language followed by a punch to the face. Mahal can do it ALL.
Tweet 51: Show finishes with the two opponents shouting at one another, kept apart by referees. Decent build I think.

NXTweet 01.08.12

I’ve wanted to do a Twitter-centric article on an episode of NXT for weeks now. What better place to start than the show on which GM Dusty Rhodes  announces a Gold Rush tournament to crown the first NXT champion?

Since receiving an image overhaul and a new format a couple of months ago NXT has proven to be WWE’s most consistent show as far as wrestling quality is concerned. Almost all of the show’s time is dedicated to what wrestling fans like most: wrestling matches. Backstage skits are practically non-existent and even interviews are rare. This is a show that WWE fans can watch to see some solid wrestling action. If you’ve watched RAW or SmackDown over the last few years you’ll know how novel that is.

As you will read below the new NXT puts me in mind of the old ROH on HDNet show. It’s not just because of the running time or the use of a smaller venue or even that some of the men appearing on NXT also appeared on HDNet. It’s because it has the same feel: two or three matches that get a good amount of time with a couple of glorified squash matches thrown in for good measure, with everyone involved wanting to put on the best show possible.

My initial reaction when I read about the crowning of an NXT champion was that WWE is already overloaded with titles. It didn’t needed another. I have since reconsidered.

It’s become clear since it was announced that an NXT belt would become reality that the show exists within its own little bubble (think of it as a distant galaxy within the vastness that is the WWE Universe if it helps). The main roster is only ever mentioned fleetingly, usually in reference to the NXT grapplers working hard to earn a spot there. Any full-fledged WWE Superstars that happen to appear on the show are ones that are treated as jobbers on RAW and SmackDown.

Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre are perfect examples. On the rare occasions they appear on Monday night’s premier sports entertainment show they can be expected to get jobbed out in a matter of seconds. On NXT they are allowed to have lengthy, competitive matches and – gasp – sometimes get to win.

Seth Rollins gave Drew McIntyre his most competitive match in months on this week's NXT

 

NXT is not a show you watch for CM Punk or Daniel Bryan. It’s certainly not a show you watch for John Cena. It’s a show you watch to see wrestling matches featuring WWE’s young talent and the guys who haven’t managed to make the impact they likely would have wanted on the main roster but can still produce exciting bouts.

As it’s unlikely anyone recognised as NXT champion will ever appear on RAW or SmackDown during their reign I don’t see what harm the belt can do. Having a championship on the show creates a central focus, makes it easier to write storylines, and makes it easier to highlight stars about to be promoted. As the title is unlikely to be acknowledged, let alone seen, on WWE’s bigger shows where’s the harm in having it?
                                                                                                                  
Judging by the two matches we saw this week the wrestlers on the show actually want to make the title mean something. That’s commendable and is a promising sign for both the future of WWE and NXT itself. Leo Kruger v Richie Steamboat, while slow in places, was a good back and forth match, while McIntyre v Rollins is easily one of the best matches to grace WWE television over the last month.

If the rest of the tournament is as good as this the belt should mean something when the finals are aired in a few weeks’ time. If that’s the case then the viewers are more likely to care about the men battling for it.

The belt’s still ugly though.

Dusty Rhodes promo

Tweet 1: NXTweet.
Tweet 2: Opening strong with a 'Dream' promo! #eefyooweel #baybee
Tweet 3: Where is Dusty's office? I like to think he's in a bunker in the middle of a desert. Maybe a desert abroad.
Tweet 4: Gold Rush tournament. Various NXT guys involved along with Jinder Mahal. No Kassius. Oh no!!
Tweet 5: See what I did there?

Richie Steamboat v Leo Kruger

Tweet 6: That is one ugly belt.
Tweet 7: Richie Steamboat v Leo Kruger. I suspect this will be a slow match.
Tweet 8: "How fitting is it that Leo Kruger and Richie Steamboat are facing each other in this quarter final match?" asks Byron Saxton. Very, Byron.
Tweet 9: Very.
Tweet 10: Kruger using the old heel trick of running round the ring and then attacking his opponent when they roll back in.
Tweet 11: JR laughably refers to this as a strategy. Gott love 'im.
Tweet 12: Kruger would look much better with short hair. His current haircut makes him look like a WCW mid-carder.
Tweet 13: NXT, where even the refs are new.
Tweet 14: Judging by Saxton's reaction I think Kruger's finish may be a sleeper. That’s almost as bad as using the Full Nelson. #Masterpiece
Tweet 15: Does Kruger have "FUDGE" written on his trunks? Oh no, it says "KRUGER". That makes sense I suppose.
Tweet 16: Junior Dragon got a surprise win with a strange swinging DDT/back breaker. Good. He's better than Kruger.

Note the sash

Adam Mercer v Big E Langston

Tweet 17: Big E Langston. He's called that because... well, he's big.
Tweet 18: He can squat 750lbs and bench press 600lbs apparently. I assume these are impressive numbers.
Tweet 19: Regal says Langston can deadlift 700lbs. Great. Good for him. He's intelligent because he has a presence about him when he talks. Also great.
Tweet 20: The commentary team should prep more for debuting talent.
Tweet 21: "He throws sandbags around that weigh 200lbs... He plays with them" - William Regal on Big E Langston
Tweet 22: Langston has one of the worst finishing moves I've ever seen. Still, he's tall and muscular so he's probably a future world champion.
Tweet 23: McIntyre v Rollins in a "quarter final" match. Why not say first round? Or opening round?

Raquel Diaz v Audrey Marie

Tweet 24: Raquel Diaz looks familiar... #Eddiesdaughter
Tweet 25: Diaz has a really annoying voice. In fairness it's probably part of the gimmick. She's still a more interesting character than Alicia Fox.
Tweet 26: Sloppy exchanges and blown spots galore. Now the crowd are chanting "You can't wrestle!" Oh dear...
Tweet 27: Despite her inability to wrestle Diaz wins with the Gory Bomb. She's a good promo and I still think she'd be good on the main roster.

Briley Pierce backstage with Paige

Tweet 28: Briley Pierce looks familiar… #Dolphsbrother
Tweet 29: Are we meant to be excited at the prospect of a feud between Paige and Raquel? Mission: failed.

Hunico and Camacho v Jason Jordan and Mike Dalton

Tweet 30: Jason Jordan and Mike Dalton. Hey, that rhymes! They got introduced while standing in the ring. Hunico and Camacho to go over then?
Tweet 31: Hunico should come out dressed as Sin Cara Negro one week. Just for the lols.
Tweet 32: The NXT booking team should spend six months building up a Camacho v Big E Langston match. #rawpower
Tweet 33: Dalton pins Camacho?! SAYWHAAAAAT?! I'm going to stop making assumptions with NXT. It is a different beast to RAW and SmackDown.

Seth Rollins v Drew McIntyre

Tweet 34: How much time needs to be dedicated to Drew McIntyre's entrance? Not this much, surely?

Tweet 35: Rollins seems VERY excited by that NXT belt. He must have forgotten the ROH belt he used to have. That was much better looking.
Tweet 36: The NXT championship is what every wrestler on the indies wants. Davey Richards would happily trade his ROH career for an NXT title match.
Tweet 37: The reason Samoa Joe went to TNA is that he knew he wouldn't have a chance at capturing the NXT strap.
Tweet 38: In fairness I actually think NXT is the best weekly show available to wrestling fans. It reminds me of ROH on HDNet.
Tweet 39: That show was hugely underrated. Even some ROH fans seemed to dislike it. I thought it was better than what they have now.
Tweet 40: Back to McIntyre v Rollins. I have just noticed the referee is wearing what appears to be an oven glove.
Tweet 41: Is that the CHIKARA logo on McIntyre's trunks?
Tweet 42: McIntyre is leading a CHIKARA invasion! What an angle! He will soon be appearing in CHIKARA as 'Scotmask'.
Tweet 43: Actually... that appears to be a picture of a dragon. It's not a very big one though. Perhaps McIntyre made those trunks himself.
Tweet 44: Painted them up in his garage...
Tweet 45: Rollins sold that clothesline really nicely. I've not really mentioned it before now but this is a really good match.
Tweet 46: "Outstanding matchup!" - Jim Ross, overselling
Tweet 47: Redoing the finish of their match last week was a nice touch. I'm pleased Rollins went over. He should be on the main roster. Great talent.

New Direction

NXT’s sixth season was a long time coming but it finally started airing on Wednesday 20^th June. The fifth season, dubbed Redemption, seemed at many points as though it would never end and will forever be remembered as the season in which the focus of the show changed. It started out under the old rookie-pro dynamic and finished up as pretty much another “weekend show” (in the style of Heat, Velocity and Superstars) that could easily be missed, safe in the knowledge that nothing important would be shown.

There were positive things about the programme but essentially it was not performing its core function: namely, introducing new names and faces to WWE television. A core roster of performers were used as regulars on the show, which was a good thing, but they were methodically jobbed out on the rare occasions they made an appearance on SmackDown or, even more rarely, RAW. There was no feeling that you were watching the future stars of the company at work.

The show’s relaunch has brought with it a fresh feel and a different focus focus. Debuting wrestlers are being booked to look like stars during their matches and are being introduced with the tried and tested video package formula.

Two approaches were used during last week’s show. Leo Kruger and Richie Steamboat were highlighted in videos that spliced in-ring footage from FCW with specially recorded sitdown interviews with the men in question, in which they talked about their hopes for their WWE careers and their love of wrestling. It was refreshing to see this on WWE programming, as was seeing wrestlers wearing something other than their own merchandise.

Bray Wyatt was the recipient of the second approach, a traditional vignette which introduced the man and his gimmick. We heard a promo from him and caught brief glimpses of him preaching to a small crowd along with random shots of street signs and woods. It accomplished the same thing as the sitdown interviews (introducing a new talent) but also gave us variety so there was no chance of boredom.

Truth be told any wrestling fan, no matter their feelings on WWE, would be hard pressed to be bored by NXT. The show set a frenetic pace from the start and kept it up until the end. In a show that lasted less than forty-five minutes without ads we saw an impressive seven matches. True there were several squash matches in the mix but those matches were clearly designed to introduce one new regular star that is going to be a featured performer on NXT.

Jim Ross was predictably superb on commentary. He enhanced the product with his knowledgeable comments and was clearly doing everything he could to make the wrestlers appear as stars, just as he would with the established names on RAW or SmackDown. Byron Saxton and William Regal were both enjoyable too, and worked nicely alongside the veteran play-by-play man.

Seth Rollins (formerly Tyler Black in Ring of Honor), Leo Kruger, and Richie Steamboat were treated as the stars of the episode. All three should develop into talents who can be depended upon to generate the desired reaction if they are used in this fashion every week. In time I could easily see all three appearing on RAW and SmackDown. Rollins in particular is someone I can see achieving great success in WWE, mainly because I saw how good he was during his time in ROH.

I think Seth Rollins will benefit from the NXT revamp

Elsewhere on the show we were treated to matches featuring main roster performers the Usos, Antonio Cesaro and, wait for it, Jinder Mahal (sadly there was no sign of his perspex box). While they don’t benefit from an NXT appearance as much as the newcomers do it’s nice to see WWE dedicating time to wrestlers who have yet to solidify their position in the organisation.

The Derrick Bateman v Johnny Curtis main event was a good note to finish on. Both men have been regulars on NXT for over a year and have earned the right to wrestle in the show’s headline match. While it was nothing memorable the contest they put on was enjoyable and showed that both warrant a promotion to the main roster. They’ve done all they can on show and deserve the same chance that fellow NXT veterans Darren Young and Titus O’Neil have received.

The emphasis on wrestling matches, lack of backstage silliness and plethora of fresh faces are great to see, and a promising sign that WWE is serious about using NXT as a platform for its next generation of stars to begin making names for themselves. This enjoyable approach, along with the NXT debut of Kassius Ohno (also known as Chris Hero), should be enough to convince you to give the show a try next week. You won’t regret it if you do.