NXT'S FINAL THREE: David Otunga, Wade Barrett, and Justin Gabriel

[D-Man]

I've unstuck the [OFFICIAL] threads on each of these individuals, since the first season is coming to a close and there are only these three rookies remaining in the competition. It looks to me as if their pros really aren't their deciding factors anymore, so it's safe to discuss this final matchup in its own thread.

Also, PLEASE do not discuss Daniel Bryan in here. He is no longer a part of the NXT contest.

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The way I see it, this is a one-on-one matchup with an added member.

First off, I honestly feel that Wade Barrett and David Otunga have been the front-runners in this competition since day one. Both men have shown their impressive microphone skills, impressive looks, and great gimmicks, but only one man is superior in the ring. That man is easily Wade Barrett. He's the most balanced rookie by a landslide, and with his overwhelming size, the guy is destined for greatness and the obvious front-runner in this competition. Otunga, while impressive in all other aspects, hasn't really shown us that he can really go in the ring, and even the writing on the NXT show has been pointing it out (as we witnessed for the second week in a row on last night's show).

Justin Gabriel, while impressive in the ring, really has nothing else going for him. Sure, he's a good looking guy and hails from a territory of the globe that has more or less been "untapped" by wrestling promotions around the world, but the man is really disappointing on the microphone. And without the gift of the gab, you're as good as dead in this modern era of the business.

The most intriguing part of the final three competitors is that the two front-runners are full-blown heels. Both men haven't shown a shred of babyface antics, which basically tells me that heels are what sell these days. The WWE knows it and the fans know it. So, during a PG Era where Vince has been primarily backing his superhero-type babyfaces, now we can possibly see a heel taking the prize of the next WWE breakout star. It's quite ironic how in this pro-babyface era, NXT's biggest babyface was one of the first stars that were eliminated and it's two biggest heels are leading the pack in the show.

Who's going to win it all??? Let's keep all of the discussion in here.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

Meh, Gabriel isnt THAT shit on the mic, and the accent helps out a ton. Winning this competition wont help him, anyway.

I still think its going to Otunga. Why? Barrett doesn't need it. This entire thing has been scripted from the beginning, to give these guys some shine. THey have all had defined roles, and have had this flow a certain way for them.

Barrett is clearly the cream of the crop, as far as being a pro wrestler. He is going to rise to the top regardless of winning this or not. Otunga lacks ring skill, so they need other things to put him over with. R-Truth also just won the US title, on the flagship show. Clearly that is were Otunga is headed. Plain as day for me. That is why he will win NXT.

 

[The Doctor]

Yeah, pretty much what NorCal said. Wade Barrett is the total package and while I would like to see him win, he doesn't need it. He can get over with his good mic and ring skills.

Otunga has already been on RAW several times and he has had problems with R-Truth documented on the show. He is going to go after Truth because of the problems them. The match will be used to get Otunga more over, since Truth is one of the most popular faces on the roster.

Another possibility is him challenging Cena. They have history, after all, and if you could challenge any champion, wouldn't you pick the top prize?

 

[Sean Valjean]

I'm torn between Barrett and Otunga. While NorCal definitely has valid point as to why Otunga could win, I wouldn't totally count Barrett out yet. Otunga could easily lose and still find his way to Raw and challenge Truth.

Still though, I may have to lean towards Big Dave 2.0. The winner gets a guaranteed title shot and Otunga's mentor, who he's been having problems with, holds a title. Seems pretty obvious. If Barrett won, I have no idea who he'd face and I doubt creative does either. And as previously stated, Barrett is a made man; he doesn't need to win NXT

Either way, if the winner challenges for anything less than a world title, it's going to seem just a tad bit silly. The IC/US belts are great and all, but why waste a guaranteed shot on a mid-card belt when you could be world champion?

 

[The Con Volt]

Screw it. Give it to Gabriel. Like posters before me have uttered, he's really not terrible on the stick (NO pun intended). He doesn't get tripped up, he's a good enough speaker to provide insight. I could actually see him being vaguely similar to Matt Striker. He's kind of got a commentator's voice; albeit a foreign one. But he's impressive in the ring. at least more talented than Evan Bourne. On the surface, he may not compare to Barrett or (Someone who I just don't understand getting praise for this) Otunga in mic skills, But he has a more energetic repertoire of moves than both, and he gets the Cena/Morrison teenie bopper screams. Good enough for me.

 

[Remix]

I maintain that Barrett is going to win. Not because he needs it (he doesn't), but because he's the best candidate by a significant margin. Otunga, as great as he looks and talks is simply not ready yet. He's only been in the buisness for a year. He needs seasoning time, but he will be great (depending on your definition of great, I suppose). Just not this year.

Gabriel isn't on the same level as Otunga or Barrett. Which should be a real kick in the teeth for him because he's been wrestling for longer than Bryan Danielson. He's got a spectacular 450 splash, a few kicks and that's it. He'll get the chick cheer and the OMFGDIDYOUSEETHAT pop but that's it. He's got some sort of charisma, but I dont think he'll ever make it big. WWE would be foolish to give him the NXT win because he's not going to benefit from it. He'll either be the next Evan Bourne (high flying jabroni), or the next Jeff Hardy (insanely over flip flop flier). If it's the latter, niether of which will be helped by giving him the NXT win.

Barrett is simply the best choice, and that's why he should win NXT.

 

[Ferbian]

I agree with Doc and Norcal, while I would absolutely love to see Wade Barrett winning it, it's obvious that he wouldn't need it to make it to the main roster, WWE would be bringing him up there immediately or very soon after, unless they're planning on screwing up.

Otunga would definitely benefit mostly from winning this whole thing, and it would be the next choice to Wade Barrett if it was to make any sense at all, giving it to Gabriel would be fine, but it wouldn't make sense to have him winning it above the two better talents (or well Justin may very well be a better talent than Otunga, but we want to see someone who could actually win a world championship right?)

So I'm guessing Otunga is gonna win it, if it was to make the most out of the show, because Wade is gonna be up there anyway, and Justin may very well be up there as well.

But I wouldn't be surprised if Wade Barrett won the whole thing, and I would be stupid to be upset about it as well, Wade is the future of those 3 people.

 

[Siege27]

Although it would be great to see Barrett win, Otunga will win this as it would give him big time bragging rights that he won NXT. His ego needs it and it would take him a long way.

Barrett has enough mic skills and in - ring skills to make it to the top, he is an amazing athlete and a great accent to boot.

Gabriel is definitely the next Evan Bourne, but give him a couple of years, I see him being the next Jeff Hardy or Rey Mysterio type character, give him a few decent feuds, and he's a star.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

As has been said, Wade Barrett doesn't really need to win NXT. I've gotta feeling that they'll ultimately make room for him on the roster. He's got the look, the mic skills and pretty good in-ring ability as well.

I'd say it'll ultimately wind up being David Otunga. Otunga has a good look, he's good on the mic but he's not all that great in the ring. He's far from terrible, but he's not as good as either Barrett or Gabriel. Also, having Otunga on the WWE roster will generate interest among the "mainstream entertainment" press about the WWE in general as Otunga is engaged to Jennifer Hudson.

Justin Gabriel has shown himself to be entertaining to watch inside the ring, but he's certainly lacking on the mic and I've yet to see any real personality from him. However, he has just as much personality going for him as Matt Hardy does. If Gabriel is able to improve on his talking and actually develop a persona, he might be able to go far in wrestling. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see TNA become interested in him when it's all said and done.

 

[RVDgurl]

Wade Barrett has been the obvious choice from the beginning. The guy is good. He is the total package and like previous posters have already stated, he doesn't need this. Barrett is going to be just fine on whichever roster he ends up. Otunga has shown a tremendous amount of personality, but he struggles to make a simple headlock look good. He in ring skills are probably the worst of all the NXT rookies. However, he's got a great look and cuts a good promo which means Vince will make him work.

I'm a Justin Gabriel fan. Ok, so the guy's hot and he's got a great accent (both of which are a plus for future success) but aside from the obvious, I really feel like he's got alot more to offer than what's been tapped into on NXT. Let's face it, he really hasn't had any moments that were really his. Sure- he won a challenge, but I can't even remember which one it was. Gabriel has the potential to be a fantastic performer if he is given his own platform. He is exciting to watch in the ring and he's decent on the mic. And while he is currently working as a babyface, I think he could make a fairly smooth transition and work the other side as a cocky heel. Gabriel will benefit the most from winning this show.

 

[3/4 Facelock]

Otunga sucks. Real bad. I forgot which pro said it, I think it was Punk, when he said to Otunga that he's so bad at wrestling he's going to injure someone or himself in the ring.

Because that is going to happen.

Otunga's character has no appeal. None. His moveset is super dull. His finisher? Bitch please.

He is being pushed as #2 because he's a junk wrestler that the crowd hates. Heat. It draws.

I'm pushing for Wade Barrett. He's got the mic skills, the mat ability, and a dope finisher. As for Gabriel, I like him too. I do not think he'll win, but if he does, well...Evan Bourne's future tag partner. If Otunga wins, I'll faint from the bullshittyness.

 

[APeep2780]

Although IMO it's obv who is going to win NXT. Otunga because why else would they put the US title round Truths waist. made little sense to me. Otunga already has feuds brewing with Truth and John Cena. So would make sense to me. However I feel Gabriel will need it more than the other two. Also he reminds me of RVD with his in ring abilities now if he could couple that with RVD's awesome mic work then hey presto new Superstar been made.

 

[Daniel]

So it looked like Wade Barrett was going to take the competition from the start. Why wouldn't he? He is solid in the ring and exceptional on the mic. He has the look and demeanour to succeed in the company for a long, long time. He has also been 2nd in the pro's poll and then 1st when Daniel Bryan went out. But this is WWE we're talking about, they won't pick someone so expected to win.

So that leaves David Otunga and Justin Gabriel. I'm not a fan of Otunga. Truly awful in the ring (from what he has shown) and overrated on the stick. Sure he's OK, but not great. With R-Truth winning the US title, it looks like it has been set up for Otunga to challenge for it. However, it would fit in with his personality to challenge for the big one, the WWE Championship.

I like Justin Gabriel. He has been called the new Evan Bourne but I think Gabriel can acheive more than Bourne. Matt Hardy called him the new Jeff Hardy. I think that is more fitting. Quite decent on the mic and probably the best wrestler out of the final three. He is certainly the most entertaining in the ring. The only problem I see is in which title he would go for. Definitely not the heavyweight ones, but the secondary titles are, in their current state, held by faces.

I'm expecting a shock from the final. If not, then it will be David 'wrestles like Batista but worse' Otunga who wins.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

First off, Gabriel isn't going to win. I expect him to possibly take second place but that's it. NXT was always geared towards three people: Daniel Bryan, David Otunga, Wade Barrett. Since day one it's obviously been about these three. With Bryan off and involving himself with Michael Cole and the Miz, it left the two big men you see in the final today.

As a lot of people have already said, I'd like to see Barrett win. The man has promo skills, power, size and in ring ability (plus Jericho is his mentor), but I don't see him taking it. Otunga's got all of what Barrett has apart from one thing; in-ring ability. He's okay but that's it. He also has two things working in his favour against Barrett. His partner is a celebrity and a full blown one at that and his mentor is R-Truth. Truth is very much over as a face and him winning the US Belt on Raw this past Monday only cements the prospect of Otunga winning further. If the winner is getting a championship match on PPV, then Otunga will most likely go after the US champion, R-Truth. With history between them, it's logical.

Otunga will win but Barrett will be the bigger of the two.

 

[Storm316]

So I was looking at who's left now in NXT. You have Gabriel, Barrett, and Otunga. Maybe it's just me, but doesn't it seem obvious that Otunga is going to be eliminated next?

Here is my reasoning. Barrett and Gabriel are the only two rookies that actually have official finishing moves. Maybe i've missed some others, but Barrets fireman type slam and Gabriel's 450 splash seem to be the only true finishers out there.

If my theory holds true, Otunga will be eliminated next leaving the only two rookies with finishing moves left to battle for the contract.

thoughts?

 

[The Doctor]

Absolutely not. I think that Barrett and Otunga both have an equal chance of winning due to their good mic skills and look, and Gabriel is a good dark horse pick since he gets some good pops and would benefit the most from a win. I think your wondering about finishing moves is just overthinking it. Besides, Otunga has his uranage finisher, so your argument is shot.

 

[Ferbian]

You've obviously missed something.

Otunga has the Uranage finisher, the Spinebuster like move, and has the looks and charisma to be a future star, which is what WWE is obviously hyped on, if they didn't want him to be a star, they wouldn't have placed him on number 2 2-3 weeks in a row right now.

So your theory doesn't really hold any water, I would say that Otunga and Wade Barrett are the two that will be left over in this competition.

 

[Remix]

...Otunga has a finisher it's a sloppy urunage/spinebuster thing.

And that reasoning is absolutely terrible. WWE doesn't care if you've got a finisher. It cares if you're marketable and over. Finishing moves do not determine overness or marketability. Unless, like Bourne and Gabriel you are a one trick pony and the fancy flippy is the only reason you're getting over in the first place.

 

[Wolfdemon]

I'm not sure to post this in here or start a new thread on it but i will post it here just to be safe. What title will the winner go after when they win?

Otunga If he does win i see him losing to cena in a 5 minute squash match. If you remember back when he guest hosted RAW he attacked Cena which could lead to a future feud.

Barrett Now this is where I am struck. I could see him break out and go on his own but I also see Jericho and the Miz losing and asking him if they could have his title shot to get one final match against the Harts.

Gabrial IC title simply just because Matt Hardy and the whole thing going on over the title and witht Drew over there.

Now to avoid me getting a warning for spam I think that Otunga will win. As said about Barrett is the total package and already has a big time chance in the E without winning the show. Gabrial was a big shocker to even making it to the final 3 I really thought that Heath would make it to the finale.

 

[Dr. Stinger A. Zoidberg]

It can go anybody's way right now. With the season finale tomorrow, everyone has the same chance of winning.

Wade Barrett
He has the mic skills, the look, and the wrestling ability, but when I see Wade, I think of another british guy who is going to be mis-used by the WWE somewhere down the line. However, hopefully that is not the case because I really do like Wade, and I hope he wins. He outmatches Otunga and somewhat Gabriel when it comes to pure wrestling ability. Now, his mic skills are no where near as good as Otunga's but he definitely comes close, and outdoes Gabriel.

Justin Gabriel
I think it was Heath Slater who said it best, he's a one trick pony. All he is really known for is that 480 splash. Now I'm not saying he isnt good, but to me, he seems the least likely to win at the moment, due to the fact that I can easily zone out of his matches. When is comes to likeability, I tend to think he is more likeable by the fans than Wade Barrett is, but that's probably because he is a face.

David Otunga
Everyone is right when they say that he has the best "It" factor out of everybody. But, I dont think that that will get him to win on itself. He has the worst wrestling ability out of all three rookies. But, I feel that even if he does win, he will be wasted. Why? Because Vince dislikes black people. I mean, we havent seen a black world champion since Booker T back in 2006, since then, there have been many great Afican American superstars, but Vince refuses to push them. That's why even if Otunga wins, he will probably be confined to a mid-carder's role.

So, it' really not that obvious. Yes, it may look a little one sided after I looked at each of the superstars, but remember, this is the WWE, and anything can happen.

 

[MoneyMack]

I personally think its been VERY predictable ever since Daniel Bryan was eliminated. Wade Barrett is your NXT winner. Gabriel has very little mic skills & is good in the ring. Otunga is pretty good on the mic, but totally lacks skills in the ring. Barrett is good at both- therefore IMO...he wins NXT.

A bit OFF TOPIC:

This Vince doesnt like black people shit- makes me laugh. Cuz I always think of Kanye "GayFish" West talking about George W. I think its a buncha shit! Who are these black guys that Vince hates so much? Dont bother saying any names of guys with flaws in thier 'wrestling games' either! Everyone says VKM hates black guys cuz he doesnt make them WORLD champ. Well- IMO...the reason for this is just because the black guys that have worked in the WWE most recently have had very visalble flaws in thier game. Shelton could wrestle his ASS off! No doubt about it! Problem is- he cant cut a good face or heel promo if his life depended on it! Keep in mind there are white guys with flaws in thier games that VKM doesnt push to WORLD title satus either. It isnt just black guys!

Just because a black guy can win tag-team gold & US or IC gold...but cant win WORLD titles...doesnt mean VKM hates them. It just means thier not top level talent I guess. By the way- the US & IC titles are currently held by black guys.

I guess VKM musta hated these guys too huh?
ricky steamboat
curt hennig
tito santana
kerry von erich
scott hall
greg valentine
honky tonk man
rick martel
rick rude
british bulldog
owen hart
roddy piper

Cuz im 99% sure none of these guys ever won a WORLD title under VKM either. I could be wrong on a couple, I guess. I just went off the top of my head.

Get over it! Vince doesnt hate black guys! If Mark Henry had 30% of the mic skills that the Miz has...he'd of been World Champ by now. So go ahead "vince hates black guys" guy....tell me who it is he hates. I'll most likely show you a guy thats not world championship material.

 

[ICTimer]

Wade Barrett SHOULD win NXT, hands down. He is the best of the crop by far. He has the look, the talent, and the charisma to make it work. He will be a great monster heel with the ability to manipulate situations to his advantage. As I've said to others: Regal, Barrett, McIntyre, Sheamus. Put them together and you have a very good heel stable.

Otunga needs time in FCW. He's a walking disaster. He will hurt himself or someone else, and he doesn't seem to get that. I would hope that the WWE guys realize that you can't put someone on a main show who is that much of a liability. He does need to be humbled - someone take him to the Iron Sheik, have Sheik give him the B. Bryan Blair treatment.

Justin Gabriel could be fine as a face, and I think he's got potential. I would be very interested in putting Evan Bourne and Justin Gabriel together as a tag team. The fans would LOVE the high flying antics. They could pump some life into the tag team division as well.

If they go that way, I think NXT will end correctly. I have a funny feeling that we're going to get a super-swerve though.