NXT
Date: August 31, 2010
Location: Times Union Center, Albany, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Josh Matthews
This is the season finale for the second season and probably the introduction for the third batch of rookies, which I’d bet on Tyler Black being in. The final three are Michael McGillicutty, Alex Riley and Kaval. Let’s get to it.
We open with the eliminations throughout this season, followed by quick packages on all three finalists.
The pros are brought out and Miz gets his own entrance music and mic. Ah never mind as all of the remaining pros have their own music in. The other rookies are in the front row. All standard stuff so far but Michelle keeps waving and smiling at the Miz. Triple threat match next. Kaval shoves Miz down and they start before we go to the break.
With the guys in the ring, we’re told we’re going to have all Divas for the third season. Kelly Kelly has Naomi Night, who is a big deal in FCW I think. She likes purple and pink a lot too.
Michael McGillicutty vs. Kaval vs. Alex Riley
The break happens just before the bell rings which is a bit different than usual actually. I like the fact that these shows have been live at least some of the time as it forces them to showcase themselves live like they would have to do on Raw potentially. Everyone stays in the ring here which is a rarity in WWE matches like these.
Matthews and Cole announcing continues to be one of the most exciting things about these matches and shows. If they want this to be interesting they need to have Kaval not win as he’s by far the favorite coming into the finals. Riley clears the ring and we take our second break in about 5 minutes.
Back from a break and Miz tells Riley what to do. He gives Cole a high five and it’s a good thing Cole is under a table so the stain doesn’t show on his pants. Kaval does a bunch of flips and spins to take out Riley. If it makes Laycool dance and cheer I’m happy.
Forearm smash to the back of the head of Kaval gets two for Michael. Kaval gets that modified Dragon Sleeper on Michael but ropes are grabbed. McGillicutty busts out the Fisherman’s (screw that it’s a Perfectplex) suplex for two but Riley makes the save.
Kaval blocks the McGillicutter with a Liger Kick. Riley steals the pin as that was a DEVASTATING Liger kick I guess as Michael was down for about 15 seconds before the cover.
Rating: B-. Different kind of triple threat here but it worked pretty well. Giving Riley the win is smart here as it takes away the obviousness of Kaval winning. He likely will, but they take away the
Alicia Fox is a pro and she looks rather different here. Her pro is Maxine and she apparently has champagne tastes and a champagne budget. Just make the shirt already I guess. She’s a rich girl or something like that and it didn’t work at all for me.
If they’re going to do 8 rookies then they need to hurry up as it’s 10:30 and they’ve only introduced two so far.
Goldust is a pro with the rookie named Aksana. She’s Lithuanian, which makes me think she’s related to Nikolai Volkoff (a 300lb Lithuanian according to Bobby Heenan if that joke makes no sense). She’s an attractive blonde.
Titus says Riley should win. Cottonwood agrees because he’s the most likeable. Cannon says it doesn’t matter because the show hasn’t been good since he was eliminated. Percy says McGillicutty due to the ability and hard work. Harris says Michael also because he’s a second generation guy and born better.
Time for our first elimination, and Riley is gone. That surprises me a bit but at the same time it doesn’t if that makes sense. He’s probably the weakest of the three, but after winning the triple threat that’s kind of surprising. Riley bets on himself to be the future of the company.
The Bellas have a pro named Jamie, who is the announcer on NXT. Could be worse I guess. Her abs could rival Morrison’s.
Same China video from last night on Raw.
Primo is a pro, which shows you the level of talent they have here. AJ is his pro, who is apparently a geek. She’s another big deal in FCW and less than a year older than me. That never stops sounding weird to me.
The two finalists get to talk to each other once last time. McGillicutty makes fun of Kaval and does a REALLY bad job of it. No reaction at all, but we do get to learn that Kaval means flute. Kaval isn’t great but he’s FAR better than McGillicutty. He mentions Eddy Guerrero and walks away from Striker when Striker tries to take the mic which is amusing.
Vickie Guerrero is a pro and her girl is named Aloisia, who is 6’9. She’s about to fall out of her top on the video. Looks like there are only going to be six girls unless they do two more really fast.
With very limited introduction, the winner is Kaval. He deserved it so I can’t really complain. Michael can barely talk but looks at Kaval and says “him?” Total dick promo from him here as he talks about how great he is. He talks about the Genesis of McGillicutty, making him sound stupider than he usually does.
Kaval tries to celebrate but the season 2 rookies jump him, led by Lucky freaking Cannon. The Pros run in and get beaten down…kind of. Just at first I guess as the Pros fight back and almost clear the ring. Riley and McGillicutty come out and beat up Watson of all people.
The rookies beat up Kaval, including Watson who is apparently fine with Riley about 40 seconds after Riley beat him up. Titus hits a very fast version of a Sky High (D’Lo Brown’s powerbomb move) to end it. We finish up with a montage of the challenges and eliminations.
Overall Rating: C-. This was a hard one to grade. The first half was rather good with a solid triple threat and then Riley stealing the win. After that though it was clear they had nothing to fill in the time with as the last thirty minutes just dragged on. I did not like the ending at all as it was just sloppy beyond belief. Why would Riley beat up Watson and then 20 seconds later work with him?
I’d assume this is the group for Smackdown now, which really isn’t all that interesting. It’s ok I guess, but it really isn’t good. Overall it’s an ok show, but not by much and definitely not above that. The right guy won though, which is a good sign. As for the third season, thankfully there are only six girls instead of the far too many 8 of them. I’m not looking forward to it, but at least it should be short.
) then to turn around and get voted off of NXT. I believe this just added to reasons why the whole WWE Universe knew Kaval was going to win before it was even announced. 