"WWE NXT" 6-1-10 Season One Finale Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

Tonight, live on Syfy, the first season of NXT will come to an end. We started with eight Rookies and are now down to three. Will it be Wade Barrett, David Otunga or Justin Gabriel?


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/wwe.jpghttp://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/Shadow0285/NXT3.jpgWWE NXT #15 - Season One Finale
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on Syfy

THREE'S COMPANY
After the elimination of Heath Slater last week, there are just three NXT Rookies left – David "A-List" Otunga, Justin Gabriel and Wade Barrett. Whose dream of becoming the next breakout WWE Superstar will come true on the LIVE season finale of WWE NXT?


Please remember that not everyone reads spoilers for taped programs and direct or side comments about WWE shows that have yet to air are not acceptable in this thread.

[Azrayel]

Is this really a live episode tonight, like the commercial says?

Well, anyways I am going to predict on who I think will win, I think its going to be Justin Gabriel. Even though this guy doesn't have the greatest mic skills he's got everything else. He even has the best win/loss record compared to Otunga and Barret. Gabriel and Barret both have 7 wins BUT Barret has 4 or 5 (don't remember which) losses compared to Gabriel's three. There's also the fact that Barret seems to be too focused on in the competition.

Now I'm not sure if tonight NXT will announce the next 8 rookies or pros or anything for that matter, but I'd like to see Kaval in the competition, and Finlay as a pro because isn't he the guy that teaches the talent in the back? Kofi Kingston and John Morrison are another two I'd like to see as pros (but morrison is hurt)

[Jin Kazama]

Sweet crap. People complained about Dragon being with Miz, but people are going to be livid with Laycool being with Low Ki.

[RedNinja84]

Why did they give Joe Henning a stupid ring name?

[KJ Styles]

Sweet crap. People complained about Dragon being with Miz, but people are going to be livid with Laycool being with Low Ki.


NXT is a JOKE!!! They pair Low-Ki/Senshi/Kaval with LayCool???? That's idiotic. At least with Bryan/Miz you got to see them go at it. You won't have that opportunity with Low-Ki when LayCool pisses him off.

[PTurkey]

Whoever's booking NXT just loves trolling the internet and it is hilarious. LayCool with Low Ki is gonna be THE BEST ever! Must-see TV! It had me LMAOing until they announced Joe Hennig's new name. That's a terrible name for a guy who's legacy, Michael McGuilicutty. Just totally killed my buzz, man.

Low Ki's going to come out to McCool's music, isn't he. :anime: Can't wait for nxt week

[Kenny E. McCall]

At least Low-Ki could give Michelle the low down, while he could also give Layla the low blow in his low-rider! Know what I mean, Vern?

But, who is this Reggie Mantle wannabe, Alex Riley?

[Mesousa]

No reference to Percy Jackson?

No reference to the that random shoot segment at the end?

And what about LUCKY CANNON?!

[Azrayel]

Is this really a live episode tonight, like the commercial says?

Well, anyways I am going to predict on who I think will win, I think its going to be Justin Gabriel. Even though this guy doesn't have the greatest mic skills he's got everything else. He even has the best win/loss record compared to Otunga and Barret. Gabriel and Barret both have 7 wins BUT Barret has 4 or 5 (don't remember which) losses compared to Gabriel's three. There's also the fact that Barret seems to be too focused on in the competition.

Now I'm not sure if tonight NXT will announce the next 8 rookies or pros or anything for that matter, but I'd like to see Kaval in the competition, and Finlay as a pro because isn't he the guy that teaches the talent in the back? Kofi Kingston and John Morrison are another two I'd like to see as pros (but morrison is hurt)

I was right on the money with Morrison, and Kingston as new pros, and a new rookie. i should have also known better to have chosen Barret as he was my favorite throughout NXT.

Poor Low-Ki has to be teamed with Laycool, seriously what are women going to teach a male wrestle? How to stylize?

I was suprised to see Zack Ryder as a pro, but is rookie shown last night seemed so boring (I could be wrong)

Alex Riley who I think is The Miz's partner has an ego to match? A jock attire was kinda weird for Mr. Riley.

I think Mark Henry got Lucky Cannon and I can't wait to see him wrestle, his look to me seemed cool kinda like how Barret was to me

John Morrision's partner looks exactly like The Great Khali just kid form.

[hobbyfan]

Ok, Wade Barrett winning was expected. Regal started talking him up at the end, and it made me think of a possible swerve, even though Barrett had won the 3-way eliminator earlier. I even voted for Barrett on Meltzer's site, that's how sure I was he had locked it up.

Now, as for season 2:

Eli Cottonwood w/John Morrison. They teased using Shad Gaspard in this role as he'd attacked Cottonwood at a recent FCW taping, but that was obviously a means of fooling the scoopers. I'm not feeling this at all.

Husky Harris (Windham Rotunda) w/Cody Rhodes. I didn't see this as I was flipping between NXT & Mets-Padres, but after reading about it, I think this makes the most sense. A 2nd generation star (Rhodes) mentoring a 3rd generation guy who happens to be around the same age. Good spot for Cody to be in, eef yew weeel.

Michael McGillicutty (Joe Hennig) w/Zack Ryder.
Kaval (Low-Ki/Senshi) w/Team LayMe-O.

I'm lumping these two together because it is more of the same cosmic joke that was played when Bryan Danielson was morphed into Daniel Bryan and paired with Miz. Kaval has more experience than Me-Chelle & Laymela combined. As for Zack w/ "McGillicutty"? It's season 2's answer to Carlito & Michael Tarver. Anyone want to take bets on Ryder being future endeavored, just like Carlito, before the end?

Percy Watson w/MVP. Montel Porter was supposed to be a pro in season 1, but was bumped at the last minute for William Regal as Skip Sheffield's mentor. MVP said Watson's another South Beach guy, but as has been noted, he's supposed to be a cross between Steve Urkel & Little Richard, leaning more on the Richard side of things.

Alex Riley (FCW champ, supposedly the masked SES recruit) w/ Mike "The Miz" Mizanin. Reggie Mantle wannabe? HA! More like Biff from the Back to the Future movies, if you ask me. Justin Gabriel entered NXT as the FCW champ, but lost the title to Riley during the season. Riley, IMPO, actually fits better with Team LayMe-O. Again, the writers just don't get it.

Titus O'Neil (ex-football player) & Lucky Cooper w/Mark Henry & Kofi Kingston, respectively (I think--I may have that scrambled). I'm liking these combos. Kinda like Gabriel/Matt Hardy and Christian/Heath Slater from season 1, in my view.

Physically, Cottonwood would be the man to beat because of size, a la Barrett, but I don't think they want to go in that direction again. They're saying the vote will be split between pros and the audience this time, which is the way it should've been all along. In that case, on prospective potential alone heading into next week, I'd say I'd rank Kaval & "McGillicutty" 1-2, followed by Harris & O'Neil. Cottonwood would be in the 5 hole, followed by Watson, Cooper, & Riley, but we'll soon see.

[RedNinja84]

Overall I think season 1 was a mixed bag for WWE. It started out as a cool concept but quickly got mired down in backstage politics and useless segments. In the end though I'm happy they made the right decision with Barrett. And being on Raw he will have both Jericho and Regal mentoring him. As for the others on the show, I'm sure we havn't seen the last of Otunga since he has the look that Vince loves and his celeb status. I also see Gabrielle being called up since he is pretty over with kids and women. Slater will also probably get a call up down the road. As for Young, Sheffield and Tarver, I see them getting cut from the company. That leaves Brian Danielson who may have been the biggest winner of all. His feud with Miz and Cole has gotten him over and will probably offered a "contract" to Raw though I'd like to see him on SD too. As for next season, I'm hoping WWE learns the lessons form the first season and make the changes it needs to keep in interesting throughout the season. I'll hold off judgement on the rookies until I see them in action. Still though, why does WWE give guys from ROH a hard time? Low Ki is going to have go through hell like Bryan did this season.

[SirLemming]

Wade Barrett was definitely the right choice. I initially thought David Otunga had enough charisma to carry him until he developed better ring skills, but his actual mic skills were quite lacking as well, and they seemed to just get worse with time. You have to love how he insulted Wade Barrett's teeth based solely on the fact that he's British, despite the fact that he pretty clearly has fine teeth. And... that was basically the entire focus of his promo. Meanwhile, Wade just ripped him to pieces. My smarky self loved the Great Khali jab he worked in there. Smarkiness aside, Barrett definitely has what it takes to go far. Whereas David Otunga spent his last gasp on a decades-old Stevie Wonder joke.

The "Regal live mic" segment near the end was confusing and disorganized, but overall it was pretty entertaining as well. I was laughing at him calling Matt Hardy "Eugene", and R-Truth's attempt to dissuade him with the power of dancing, and R-Truth countering CM Punk's words with "Be quiet, you got a mask on!", and Punk just leaving when he got tired of being there. Even though none of this really had anything to do with the rookies, I like how NXT gives all wrestlers involved a chance to be more "themselves" and less scripted. Even if the ratings haven't been what they wanted, I hope WWE sees the good aspects of this experiment and allows more freedom in promos across the board in the future.

The next batch of rookies looks interesting. I love the fact that they're pairing LayCool (who counts as one person I guess) with Kaval. The worst that can happen is they just ignore the rookie/pro relationship if it doesn't work out too well; the best that can happen is that the ensuing conflict and banter helps develop Kaval as a character, the way it did with some of the rookies this season. I mean, Darren Young didn't exactly soar, but he would've been far less interesting if he hadn't been butting heads with CM Punk. Meanwhile, I have no idea where the name "Michael McGillicuddy" is coming from. Is he Mr. Perfect's son or a minor character from a Marx Bros. movie? Somehow, "Lucky Cannon" is better.


Overall, I liked NXT season 1 a lot, and even though the show apparently won't be around much longer, I hope they learn from the experience and refine season 2 into the really consistently entertaining product it has the potential to be. Maybe they can even manage to turn the ratings around (even though the changeover to Smackdown is probably already set in stone).

[The Penguin]

I think it makes it a bit simpler to split the show into in-arena action and season two preview so that's what I'll do. It might have made it tougher (it already seemed tough) to fill out this hour of TV, but I think WWE would have been better served to take a one week break and do a "season two casting special" if you will in between season one and two. No show on television that I am aware of goes from one season to the next immediately. WWE has their "season premieres" of RAW and especially SmackDown, but they don't have finales first.

I liked the opening video with the rundown of the eliminations over the course of the season and then the eliminated Rookies at ringside with the Pros and remaining Rookies coming out.

My feeling was the featured contest had to be a triple threat match so I was pleased to see. I was pretty happy with it being an elimination match too. Barrett did himself a lot of good by taking the pin on Otunga away from Gabriel and then of course beating Gabriel to win the match. As the saying goes, that why they call it high-risk.

I found it interesting how except for the always baffling Michael Tarver (though I believe Striker asked him the wrong question) and the very bitter Skip Sheffield, all the Rookies picked Barrett to win. None of them were pleased to answer, but I liked that they did that.

I liked Justin Gabriel saying that he will keep coming back. I think he has enough talent in the ring to be given at least a temporary pass on not being a great talker. Giving him a tag partner or a good buddy could help.

The talk of Otunga the whole time is that he has the charisma and the "It" factor, but if the Pros were really casting votes, "A-List" would have given the competition to Barrett with that horrendous promo he cut in the 60-second face-off. All he had were old British jokes and Barrett owned him with "I've seen The Great Khali move around in this ring with more balance and poise that you." :lol:

To me, the Pros arguing at the end was someone telling them that the show was going to run short and they needed them to stall for time. Being the professionals that they are, they rose to the challenge. Doesn't mean I didn't like it (Punk walking was great), but it was to random to be sketched out as part of the show earlier in the day.

Obviously I was happy to see Barrett get the win and I think it will be of greater benefit to him that if Daniel Bryan had beaten everyone. And after that horrible promo earlier, Otunga went out with a whimper with that Stevie Wonder (alleged) joke that's older than he is. WWE dragged him to the end, got as much "Access Extratainment Tonight" coverage as they could, now I hope it's at least a year before we see him again and his stupid red headphones. Barrett's promo was a good way to end the show with the recap video following.


Season Two: NXT Rookies and WWE Pros photo gallery (http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/photos/14631720/seasontwopairings/)

I hope there's a good reason Cody Rhodes didn't introduce Husky Harris. He was the only season two Pro not to appear on screen. I'm not overly bothered by Windham/Duke Rotundo being renamed because his father is much, much better known as I.R.S. than Mike Rotundo. Just by his FCW picture, I had no idea how big he is. I have to say, I would have expected him to debut as a team with his brother Taylor/Bo Rotundo though.

Eli Cottonwood just looks huge. I'm kind of interested to see what he can do in the ring. I highly doubt he will be doing many of the moves we see John Morrison do.

Sometimes I look at the FCW roster page just to see who could be coming and see what WWE Superstars are still listed as part of the roster and every time I say to myself, "Who is this goober Percy Watson?" He does look like he could be an interesting character though. I find it notable that MVP is on the Pros roster after he was replace last minute last time (as already mentioned).

Titus O'Neil looks like a big bruiser. I am very much a fan of Zack Ryder, but season has more questionable Pros than the last one did. Seems to me the focus should be on semi-underutilized veterans (like Hardy and Regal).

Speaking of Pros that don't make much sense, what on earth are Lay-Cool doing here?!! On a personal note, I don't need any more of them in a week and as they are all male Rookies, all the Pros should be too (straight up, if you call me sexist, I won't believe you). I like and respect Beth Phoenix, but I wouldn't support her being here either. I am a big fan of Low Ki/Senshi/Kaval and I am very upset that he is already starting at a disadvantage. I've been waiting for him to show up on the main roster since he signed with WWE and was always the highlight of TNA for me while he was there.

I had opened the previously mentioned FCW talent page before it could be updated with the new NXT names and Lucky Cannon was Johnny Prime during his time down there. I liked what we saw of his personality and I'll be interested to see what he can do with Mark Henry.

If you believe what he says on his newly renamed Twitter page (http://twitter.com/McGillicuttyNXT), the man now known as Michael McGillicutty (also written just "Mike" various places) says the name change will allow him to make his mark by himself and not with his dad's name. I'm not a sports entertainment executive, but this is where I feel the need to trademark everything goes to far. Curt Hennig was of course better known as Mr. Perfect, but I think a decent amount of fans know his actual name that his son Joe having the Hennig name would mean something. If you go around saying you're Perfect's son, you're not really escaping the name anyway. It makes me think Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase were lucky to debut when they did or who knows what they would be called. If Chris Jericho, Steve Austin or Rey Mysterio were to debut today, what would their names be? *breathes* I'm excited to see Kofi Kingston on the show. Like many of these guys, the extra exposure should be good for them (regardless of experience level).

I certainly did not expect The Miz to be back again. I don't think he's bad for the show, but if a Pro was going to return I would expect it be someone like a William Regal who has very strong "mentor" credentials. Alex Riley looks be a much better fit for Miz than Bryan was and he was one of the few new Rookies where his personality just jumped off the screen.



Overall, I liked NXT season 1 a lot, and even though the show apparently won't be around much longer, I hope they learn from the experience and refine season 2 into the really consistently entertaining product it has the potential to be. Maybe they can even manage to turn the ratings around (even though the changeover to Smackdown is probably already set in stone).I don't know if they will succeed, but I'm fairly sure WWE is trying to find a new home for it. There will be a season three if they have anything to say about it.

[EinBebop]

I hope there's a good reason Cody Rhodes didn't introduce Husky Harris. He was the only season two Pro not to appear on screen. I'm not overly bothered by Windham/Duke Rotundo being renamed because his father is much, much better known as I.R.S. than Mike Rotundo.
And who wants to hear the "Is it Rotundo or Rotunda?" questions start all over again?:p

Interesting group of rookies this time... the only ones that really didn't do much for me were Titus O'Neil and Lucky Cannon. And even those guys seem a rung above Skip Sheffield and a couple of the others from this season.

Clearly Vince McMahon comes up with the names for wrestlers... he's the only person that wouldn't be laughed out of the room for coming up with names this lame.

[hobbyfan]

The talk of Otunga the whole time is that he has the charisma and the "It" factor, but if the Pros were really casting votes, "A-List" would have given the competition to Barrett with that horrendous promo he cut in the 60-second face-off. All he had were old British jokes and Barrett owned him with "I've seen The Great Khali move around in this ring with more balance and poise that you." :lol:

That did have a feel like it was a round of the dozens, but you're right, Otunga was pwned. End of story. ;) :p


Obviously I was happy to see Barrett get the win and I think it will be of greater benefit to him that if Daniel Bryan had beaten everyone. And after that horrible promo earlier, Otunga went out with a whimper with that Stevie Wonder (alleged) joke that's older than he is. WWE dragged him to the end, got as much "Access Extratainment Tonight" coverage as they could, now I hope it's at least a year before we see him again and his stupid red headphones. Barrett's promo was a good way to end the show with the recap video following.

At least now you know why they didn't debut Barrett's entrance music. They wanted to wait until the competition had ended, because once Daniel Bryan was eliminated, the path was clear for Barrett.



I hope there's a good reason Cody Rhodes didn't introduce Husky Harris. He was the only season two Pro not to appear on screen. I'm not overly bothered by Windham/Duke Rotundo being renamed because his father is much, much better known as I.R.S. than Mike Rotundo. Just by his FCW picture, I had no idea how big he is. I have to say, I would have expected him to debut as a team with his brother Taylor/Bo Rotundo though.

Ok, so I didn't miss anything at all. Apparently, Cody was cut for time constraints.


Eli Cottonwood just looks huge. I'm kind of interested to see what he can do in the ring. I highly doubt he will be doing many of the moves we see John Morrison do.

Sometimes I look at the FCW roster page just to see who could be coming and see what WWE Superstars are still listed as part of the roster and every time I say to myself, "Who is this goober Percy Watson?" He does look like he could be an interesting character though. I find it notable that MVP is on the Pros roster after he was replace last minute last time (as already mentioned).

Titus O'Neil looks like a big bruiser. I am very much a fan of Zack Ryder, but season has more questionable Pros than the last one did. Seems to me the focus should be on semi-underutilized veterans (like Hardy and Regal).

Speaking of Pros that don't make much sense, what on earth are Lay-Cool doing here?!! On a personal note, I don't need any more of them in a week and as they are all male Rookies, all the Pros should be too (straight up, if you call me sexist, I won't believe you). I like and respect Beth Phoenix, but I wouldn't support her being here either. I am a big fan of Low Ki/Senshi/Kaval and I am very upset that he is already starting at a disadvantage. I've been waiting for him to show up on the main roster since he signed with WWE and was always the highlight of TNA for me while he was there.

I had opened the previously mentioned FCW talent page before it could be updated with the new NXT names and Lucky Cannon was Johnny Prime during his time down there. I liked what we saw of his personality and I'll be interested to see what he can do with Mark Henry.

If you believe what he says on his newly renamed Twitter page (http://twitter.com/McGillicuttyNXT), the man now known as Michael McGillicutty (also written just "Mike" various places) says the name change will allow him to make his mark by himself and not with his dad's name. I'm not a sports entertainment executive, but this where I feel the need to trademark everything goes to far. Curt Hennig was of course better known as Mr. Perfect, but I think a decent amount of fans know his actual name that his son Joe having the Hennig name would mean something. If you go around saying you're Perfect's son, you're not really escaping the name anyway. It makes me think Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase were lucky to debut when they did or who knows what they would be called. If Chris Jericho, Steve Austin or Rey Mysterio were to debut today, what would their names be? *breathes* I'm excited to see Kofi Kingston on the show. Like many of these guys, the extra exposure should be good for them (regardless of experience level).

I certainly did not expect The Miz to be back again. I don't think he's bad for the show, but if a Pro was going to return I would expect it be someone like a William Regal who has very strong "mentor" credentials. Alex Riley looks be a much better fit for Miz than Bryan was and he was one of the few new Rookies where his personality just jumped off the screen.


I don't know if they will succeed, but I'm fairly sure WWE is trying to find a new home for it. There will be a season three if they have anything to say about it.

Agreed on Regal returning instead of Miz, but we all know that Miz is a reality TV vet, and that's why he's sticking around. Probably a consultant behind the scenes, for all we know. Riley fits better with Miz than Daniel Bryan did or ever hoped to. LayCool-Kaval is Miz-Bryan 2.0 as others have said, but Ryder-McGillicutty is a close second.

Of the 9 pros in season 2, Mark Henry has the most experience (13 1/2 years with WWE). Miz & Morrison, of course, came through Tough Enough, which, coupled with Miz's other reality TV experience (Real World, etc.) gives them some cred to offset the less experience in the ring. But stop and think about it:

Morrison: Won TE3 in 2003 as John Hennegan, has been with WWE in some form since, so, counting TE3, has been with the company 7 1/2 years, making him 2nd in tenure to Henry.

McCool--6 years.
Miz--5 1/2.
Layla-nearly 4.
MVP--nearly 5.
Kofi Kingston & Cody Rhodes-3 years each with the big club.
Ryder--3 (started as one of the Major Bros.).

I would sub the girls out and replace them with someone like Dolph Ziggler, whose college credentials, coupled with 5 years' tenure with the big club, would make him more qualified. Team LayMe-O is a square peg in a round hole, meant to make Kaval look bad. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. ;) :p

[EinBebop]

Team LayMe-O http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9423/18874864.jpg

Leia Meow???


Edit: and speak of the devil, that's Mike Rotunda right behind her

[hobbyfan]

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9423/18874864.jpg

Leia Meow???


Edit: and speak of the devil, that's Mike Rotunda right behind her

Whatever happened to her, anyway?

[EinBebop]

Whatever happened to her, anyway?According to wikipedia, she went to XWF after WCW and then retired after they folded.

[The Penguin]

I had to re-watch it and document some more of Barrett's promo on Otunga for posterity (or at least me)...

"...Let's look at your physique; great physique—body-builder. It's just a shame that you haven't got the first clue on how to use it. I've seen The Great Khali move around in this ring with more balance and poise that you.

And you wanna talk about the 'It' factor, Otunga? I'll tell you why they say you've got the 'It' factor; it's because you have no tangible quality whatsoever that WWE can hang onto. 'It' factor? I think we need to add two more letters in front of that and you'll get a very good idea of what I think of you."

:evil:


And who wants to hear the "Is it Rotundo or Rotunda?" questions start all over again?:pI don't think anyone wants that. It makes my head hurt just thinking about it.


Ok, so I didn't miss anything at all. Apparently, Cody was cut for time constraints.I find that hard to believe as it makes such little sense. A Cody introduction vs. a Cole introduction would be a difference in seconds, not minutes.