WWE NXT Report – April 20th, 2010
Report by Richard Trionfo, PWInsider
We are live on tape from Uncasville, Connecticut and your announcers are Michael Cole and Josh Mathews. Your host is Matt Striker.
The rookies are in the ring and there is a jousting pit by the entrance. Matt welcomes everyone to the show and he introduces the rookies. Matt reminds us that the second poll will be in three weeks, but the person in eighth place will be eliminated. Matt reminds us about last week’s Talk the Talk Challenge that was won by Wade Barrett. This week’s challenge will deal with balance and striking ability. It is called Rockem Sockem Rookies. The winner will have a feature on wwe.com that starts tonight at midnight.
The first two rookies are Heath Slater and David Otunga. Slater knocks Otunga off the pedestal to win the first match up. The next match up is Wade Barrett and Skip Sheffield. Barrett with a shoulder as he knocks Sheffield off. They push each other and Sheffield is declared the winner. Michael Tarver and Daniel Bryan are in heat number three. Tarver drops his kudgel stick and then Tarver walks off the pedestal. Tarver pushes Bryan while he celebrates and he leaves the pit. The final first round match up is Justin Gabriel and Darren Young. Darren Young wins this match up.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about Extreme Rules and we go to the John Cena/Batista video package for their match. We run through the rest of the card for Extreme Rules.
Josh talks about the Pro Polls and we go to a Wade Barrett video package. Miz says that he is a fan of Wade Barrett. Matt Hardy says that Wade is the most complete package of the NXT guy. Christian says that he is physically impressive. William Regal says that he has everything cosmetically and physically that a human would want. Miz says that he can talk and entertain. Carlito likes the way Barrett projects himself. Regal says that he has a dignity and manner that nobody else on NXT has. Miz says that you want to see what he does next. Christian says that he has Jericho in his ear and they are similar people. Chris Jericho says that Barrett is a great protégé because he listens to what he says. He says that Barrett is tough as nails, but needs some more experience but all of them need that. He says that Barrett is delivering and he mentions Barrett’s win in the eight man tag and how he fit in with the pros. Jericho says that if Barrett continues to listen, he will be a star in a short time.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: David Otunga with R Truth versus Justin Gabriel with Matt Hardy
They lock up and Otunga with a waist lock take down and then he poses. They lock up again and Gabriel with a take down. Otunga with a kick and side head lock. Otunga with a shoulder tackle and Gabriel is a bit shaken up. Gabriel with an arm drag and drop kick. Gabriel with a drop toe hold and Otunga rolls to the apron. Otunga with a kick to Gabriel followed by an elbow to the head. Otunga with an arm bar and chin lock and then he takes Gabriel back to the mat. Otunga with a front face lock and neck breaker for a near fall. Otunga with a chin lock and he adds extra pressure with a knee in Gabriel’s back. Gabriel moves when Otunga tries for an elbow drop. Otunga with an Irish whip and Gabriel floats over and sends Otunga to the floor with a head scissors. Gabriel with a somersault plancha onto the floor. Gabriel with a cross body for a two count. Gabriel with a side Russian leg sweep and then he goes up top for the 450 Splash but Otunga is able to get out of the way. Otunga sends Gabriel to the floor. Gabriel with a kick from the apron. Gabriel tries for a sunset flip and Otunga tries to stay on his feet but Otunga eventually goes down despite pleas for help from R Truth and Gabriel gets the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
After the match R Truth does not appear to be happy with his rookie’s performance.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the semi-finals of Rockem Sockem Rookies. The first semi-final is Heath Slater and Skip Sheffield. Slater falls off his pedestal and Sheffield advances to the finals. The second semi-final is Darren Young and Daniel Bryan. Young escapes some early balance problems and knocks Bryan off to advance to the finals.
Michael Tarver comes to the ring with Carlito and he says that if silence is golden, then his words are invaluable. That is why he said that he is done being overlooked in NXT. He says that he does not play by their rules. He says that he did not come here to dance on a balloon like a monkey. Tarver says that he dares any of the rookies or pros to come out and stop him.
Skip Sheffield comes out and he says that he wants Tarver to turn his upper lip south and shut his mouth. Sheffield says that he is going to make his pro proud by taking on the Nitwit of Negativity tonight.
CM Punk’s music plays and he comes out with the Straight Edge Society and Darren Young. Punk says that they aren’t the only ones looking for competition. Punk says that Darren Young is looking for competition. Last week, Darren made a lovely demonstration of what competition is when he did what we are about to see on the TitanTron. Punk looks at Luke and he says that he believes in the law of the jungle and survival of the fittest. Punk says that he would not do this just for his own sick kicks. He does it to his rookie and Luke Gallows to keep them sharp and on the edge, where they need to be. Punk says that Darren is also in the finals of the little stick fighting thing. First, he will compete in a Triple Threat Match.
Match Number Two: Michael Tarver with Carlito versus Skip Sheffield versus Darren Young
Tarver and Sheffield look like they are joining forces to go after Young. Sheffield misses a charge and goes to the floor. Tarver hits Young but Young with a kick and then he clotheslines Tarver over the top rope to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Tarver holds Young for Sheffield to kick Darren. Skip with a punch to Young followed by a forearm to the back. Tarver with a boot to Young. Sheffield with shoulders to Young in the corner. Tarver takes his turn with the shoulders. Tarver with an Irish whip to Young and then Tarver sends Sheffield into the corner with a clothesline. He follows that with a forearm and then Tarver with a suplex to Young. Tarver yells at Young and says that he isn’t Luke Gallows. Sheffield with a belly-to-belly suplex to Young but Tarver pulls Sheffield off. Tarver covers Young and Sheffield pulls him off. Sheffield and Tarver argue and Young with a near fall on a rollup. Young is sent into the apron and Tarver with a punch to Sheffield but Sheffield with a punch and a snap mare followed by a chop. Sheffield with a clothesline in the corner followed by a splash but Young makes the save. Young sends Sheffield to the floor. Tarver with a punch but Young with a discus forearm. Young with a flying shoulder tackle and a back body drop and a near fall. Luke Gallows pushes Young off the top turnbuckle and Gallows tells Tarver to finish him. Tarver misses a clothesline and Young gets the win with a full nelson flap jack.
Winner: Darren Young
It is time for a Heath Slater video package. Christian says that he is the one man rock band. He says that he didn’t know how they would get along but they have bonded. Hardy says that Heath is a hard worker who needs to refine his game. Regal says that his persona is a bit mystifying. Carlito says that he doesn’t really like Slater. Miz says that Slater is over the top and maybe too much. Christian says that he doesn’t try to boss him around and he makes suggestions. Chris Jericho says that he can’t stand Slater the more he sees him. When he drops the glad handing, he is going to make people angry and that will put him at a different level. Miz says that Slater has something that could get him into the WWE. Miz suggests that people might think that he is idiotic, but they still want to see what he is going to do. Christian says that he told Slater it is not going to be easy and he is going to have to scrap and claw for it.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Christian defeating Wade Barrett with help from Heath Slater.
It is time for the Rockem Sockem Rookies Finals between Skip Sheffield and Darren Young. They try to get position and they both go down at the same time. The referee declares Skip Sheffield the winner of the competition.
Cole and Mathews look at the video tape.
Matt says that they are going to have a rematch because the replay was inconclusive.
Sheffield gets a clear victory this time when Young goes to the mat and Sheffield stays on the platform.
Matt asks Skip how he feels. Sheffield says that it is about time. Skip says that he is going to show up and do what he does best for everyone in the crowd. Sheffield throws out his catch phrases and leaves.
Match Number Three: Chris Jericho with Wade Barrett versus Heath Slater with Christian
Jericho has a few words for Slater and then he slaps Slater. Slater with punches to Jericho but Jericho with another slap and a forearm. Jericho with a kick to Slater followed by a belly-to-back suplex. Slater punches Jericho but Jericho with a kick. Jericho with a back elbow and he slingshots Slater’s throat into the bottom rope. Jericho with a snap mare and a chin lock but Slater does not give up. Slater gets to his feet and he punches Jericho but Jericho with a drop kick as he continues to work over Slater. Jericho misses a Lionsault and Slater with a clothesline and forearm followed by a running forearm into the corner. Slater punches Jericho but Jericho with a kick. Slater with a neck breaker for a near fall. Jericho uses the referee and he pokes Slater in the eyes. Jericho gets too cocky as he sets for the Walls of Jericho and Slater gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Heath Slater
After the match, Jericho freaks out and pleads his case to the referee. Since the referee won’t listen, he tries to plead his case to the announce table, the ring steps and a chair. Jericho then calls the referee stupid as we go to credits.
