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WWE NXT – July 6, 2010
Season 2 Premiere
NXT is the perfect opportunity for eight men to live their dream. Since the end of Season 1, we have seen all eight participants make their respective marks on WWE programming. For the NXT Rookies of Season 2, their foot is now in the door. Who will be able to kick that door wide open?
Matt Striker explains the Rules
The track to becoming WWE’s next breakout star is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. As such, the length of this season of NXT has been significantly expanded. After six weeks, the first Pros Poll will be revealed. Rookies will be scored based on four factors: Win/Loss record on NXT, quality of opponents, work ethic, and the “it factor”
Six weeks after that, another Pros Poll will be conducted, with the Rookie coming in last being eliminated from competition. Elimination-bearing Pros Polls will then take place every other week until it’s down to the final two. Those two men will compete one-on-one on December 14th to determine the winner. The winner will receive a title match of their choosing live on PPV.
Alex Riley issues an open challenge
After the introductory video and pyrotechnic display, out walked World Heavyweight champion Jack Swagger along with his rookie, Alex Riley, wearing a letterman’s jacket. Swagger boasted that his rookie is the perfect fit for him – an All-American wrestler. Swagger said that his rookie was ready to make an impact, starting right now. He then whispered something in Riley’s ear while handing over the microphone.
Riley validated all of Swagger’s statements – he was an All-American wrestler from American University in Washington, DC. And with the guidance of a great role model like Swagger, there is no way he isn’t going straight to the top. He then boldly issued a challenge to any of the other seven NXT rookies.
Eli Cottonwood (1-0) def. Alex Riley (0-1)
A wall of flames illuminated the arena, and out walked one of Swagger’s opponents at Money in the Bank, Kane. Coming along with Kane was an absolute monster of a man – he stood a couple of inches taller than Kane with long hair, a goatee, and a jacket reading “Kelloggs Sanitarium”. This was Eli Cottonwood, Kane’s menacing rookie.
Perhaps Riley will think better of issuing open challenges next time, as Cottonwood threw him around like a rag doll. Cottonwood seemingly enjoyed inflicting pain on Riley, his twisted smile matched only by that of Kane at ringside. Cottonwood finished off the damage with a huge chokeslam before getting the first victory of NXT Season 2. A horrified Swagger pulled his rookie out of the ring as Cottonwood and Kane simply exchanged nods of approval.
Sheamus def. Donny Marlow (0-1)
Having the opportunity to face a former WWE champion in your first match in the company is a fantastic opportunity, and Donny Marlow took it to heart. Sheamus almost appeared unprepared for the amount of fight that Marlow brought to the table, and very nearly lost the matchup. But Sheamus was able to right the ship and pin Marlow following the Irish Curse, setting a good example for rookie Titus O’Neill at ringside. Marlow’s WWE Pro MVP helped his rookie to his feet and patted him on the back for his fantastic effort against “The Celtic Warrior”.
Kaval (1-0) & Ted DiBiase def. Joe Hennig (0-1) & John Morrison
Last week, United States champion Ted DiBiase quipped that he had the “best rookie that money can buy”. That statement may very well be true as Kaval electrified the WWE Universe with his insane hybrid of high-flying and martial arts. The most impressive maneuver he pulled off was also the move responsible for netting his first victory. With Joe Hennig laying face-up on the mat, Kaval landed an excruciating double-stomp from the top turnbuckle. First impressions are key in WWE, and Kaval has left a great one tonight.
Not to be lost in all of this was the great effort by Joe Hennig. The son of Mr. Perfect showed some excellent poise and possesses a wrestling style very reminiscent of his father. He was able to go toe-to-toe with fellow second-generation star Ted DiBiase, and may very well have been the first WWE Pro to lose to a Rookie this season if he didn’t reach the ropes and tag in Kaval. John Morrison seemed quite pleased with Hennig’s performance, so look for further development from him in the coming weeks.
NXT is back, and it’s better than ever. Tune in next week as we will see more action from these young men trying to make a statement, including the in-ring debuts of Drake Brewer, Titus O’Neill, and Johnny Prime.
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