So what�s the actual format for this show? How long before / how often will we see them wrestle?

Moaning that Kaval and DiBiase aren�t on this show is like moaning that Stu Hart isn�t in the hall of fame. Yes he deserves to be there already, and it sucks that others less deserving are there before him, but he�ll be there one day � so just be patient. If they�re only going to use FCW guys, I assume FCW isn�t overflowing with �debut them right now� talent; so they have half of the ready guys now, half next cycle. Do we even know how long this lasts? In 8-10 weeks do we get a new cycle of guys? Can a guy eliminated in this round be used again in the next round?

I assume the small stupid name change for Danielson is to stop people casual wwe fans googling him and finding all his awesome old stuff / other company profiles. Same with Kaval � it also gives the WWE copyright over the name (something I imagine Ki isn�t willing to give up, hence being Senshi in his second TNA run).

quote:

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Originally posted by DevilSoprano
"That one ho."

Yup, you're a winner.

---

All I want to know: Is C.M. Punk gonna shave his rookie's head and make him join the Straight Edge Society?

Gooker, they should do that on the debut show next week. Welcome to WWE bitch!

quote:

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Originally posted by Gobshite
Do we even know how long this lasts? In 8-10 weeks do we get a new cycle of guys? Can a guy eliminated in this round be used again in the next round?

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Psycho Penguin
I do think they are saving guys like Hennig, Kaval, etc. for when this batch of guys are done.. you can't blow your load immediately and then have the show suck in six months.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Is Good517
I don't want to be a negative nellie about this, but is anybody else starting to worry about roster overcrowding? They're moving 8 or 9 people from the ECW onto the Raw-SD roster where they have problems using everybody to begin with, now they're bringing another batch of kids up into this NXT limbo where I figure almost all of them will end up on the main roster within 12 months, pushing even more guys off of TV (or being pushed off themselves).

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quote:

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Originally posted by Psycho Penguin
Who the fuck asked you?

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Just tossing out something crazy here, but if SyFy wants 52 weeks of programming or whatever, how about as someone suggested, that NXT - The Mentoring only last until July ( roughly 24 episodes to coincide with the rest of television where your typical season lasts anywhere between 10 and 24 episodes) You got your guys acclimated to the WWE, but you still can't just throw them to the wolves on SmackDown and Raw just yet. Season 2 could be these guys honing their skills in actual feuds for contracts/spots whatever and then you occassionally introduce a midcarder from the other two brands and you have to beat him to get a spot on their respective roster. Something like that could be interesting, while making sure they don't burn through their developmentals too fast.

quote:

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Originally posted by C.MontgomeryPunk
I guess it's meant for instant friction

---

When is this going to be taped? At the Raw/SD tapings? But there is Raw and SD! "Pros" so will the pros have to work both sets of tapings?

With wrestling be treated as real as in "you have to try and win your match, but still be entertaining to the fans" or show behind the curtain?

After being on the fence about this concept, I think I'll now start leaning towards the pessimistic. Without having seen one second of the show. As is the wont of an internet wanker, such as myself.

The obviously orchestrated-for-drama mentor/rookie pairings speak for themselves. Oh noes, the reality star who nobody took seriously as a wrestler and who skated by on being a mouthy douche is going to be learning The Best Wrestler On The Planet how to rassle~!

I wish Dave Meltzer's head would explode upon hearing this, but I doubt he'll do us that service.

There's just no way for that "tension" to be interesting or entertaining. It can't be really real, or else the rooks will dig themselves holes they can't ever escape so long as the fraternity mentality rules. And if they just play off certain elements of reality while "on-stage," while cooperating "off-stage" for the good of the product, it'll be like every other reality lamefest on TV: phoney, and little more than a display of people purposely acting like douchebags in order to get noticed.

Sadly: there is a track record for people being willing to tune in to watch douchebags act like even bigger douchebags than they really are on a reality show. Probably because there's a track record of 90% of people being fuckwits, and douchebags on TV really are more interesting than them, so they're capable of being entertained by the spectacle.

I digress. Point is, I don't see how this can't either end in (a) fakey reality TV phoneyness or (b) career suicide for rookies.

Hell, probably the most "real" thing they could do if they really wanted to show what it takes to get a full time gig in WWE is re-hire Bradshaw to be the lead trainer. Soap rapings for all~! And then just wait as the WWE audience recoils in horror at finally knowing, with certainty, just what a bunch of bullying, self-serving dicklickers wrestlers are in real life.

Everybody wins?

The "three seasons per year" thing is the other red flag to me.

I much preferred my idea of a constantly rolling-over roster of rookies, and a more organic flow-chart to success/failure. Some guys may be prodigies who "make it" quickly; others may show perpetual promise, but it takes months or years to crack the real roster; and still others may obviously lack what it takes, and flame out along the way to be replaced by another prospect. You'd have 8 rookies going at a given time, but never need more than 12-15 in a calendar year.

Which is way better than this new deal where they'll either need 24 warm bodies per year, or need to start recycling past failures. Tooly McButtinjector is 0-for-2 in past NXT seasons... will the third time FINALLY be the charm? Who the fuck cares?

Oh wait: I know. Idiots will care. Especially if they script it that Tooly got a jerkface trainer the first two times and was totally screwed, and oh noes, he's back for the third time, and the luck of the draw landed him with Bob Holly as a mentor. Will the drama never start?!!???!!!???

It's soooooooooo REAL.

Also, by doing the seasons, you fall into another obvious trap: fans now know roughly when it "ends," and can start playing along at home figuring out the HOW it ends part, too. I don't see this being a "people vote at home"/"guys are eliminated on a set schedule" thing, because you need all 8 at the end (you can't do a whole 1 hour weekly show based on 2 guys), and so it'll be sold on the interpersonal drama. You know: the drama that will all conveniently come to a head after X number of weeks. Whee?

If they'd just stayed away from the "seasons" thing, I'd have signed off on the trainer/rookie pairings. You could have set it up as a deal where the show is a blend of:

(1) training footage in FCW or at WWE's gym/facility in CT
(2) backstage footage of the rookies accompanying their mentors to RAW/SD tapings to learn the backstage side of the bidness
(3) and finally, 2 actual matches per week featuring the rookies; this could lead to feuds among the trainers and tag matches, which would be NXT bigger drawing cards, probably (maybe even some crossovers onto RAW/SD where the rookies can make cameos as over-zealous students getting involved in an opposing trainers shit, or something like that)

I could maybe have been OK with that, if it was with a constantly rolling-over/episodic feel, instead of the hokey/ham-handed "seasonal" thing.

And instead of the levels/big-boss theory I'd proposed, the method of promotion/demotion would be simple: you go along, you train, you learn, and when you think you're ready, you challenge your Mentor to a match. It's one and done, do or die. If you win, welcome to the RAW or SD roster. If you lose: you're eliminated from NXT, and replaced by the next guy in the FCW queue. Some guys will hit that make-or-break match in six week; others, it might take 18 months. Just whatever it takes to give new stars a proper chance while also weeding out the deadweight on a semi-regular basis. That would have worked for me, too.

Maybe they should still keep the "you advance to the main roster if you can beat your mentor" thing, and make a big splash with NXT's first show. That dude who's being mentored by CM Punk is BEGGING for a haircut. Show footage of Punk brainwashing him over the course of a week, then cut to however they're going to do the "live"/in-arena part of the show (there's gotta be SOME element of that, don't you think? or else it really is just Tough Enough v2.0, and it'll suck even harder than I'm thinking it will), and do the head-shaving, and then PUNK challenges ROOKIE to his advancement match, and just lies down and lets himself be pinned.

You know, sacrificing himself for the good of his Flock. Like any good Jesus would do.

Punk's an even bigger jerk than before, Luke has a new partner, and people (sort of) have a reason to give a shit about NXT.

Sort of.

Maybe.

Kinda.

We'll see....



Rick

Miz is the perfect choice for Danielson. I mean really, look at the eight 'mentors'. Could any one of them teach Danielson anything about in ring skills? Nope. Danielson has no need to be mentored by a technically skilled wrestler because he already is one.

A guy who knows how to work the mic in the style WWE likes, though? That's a great choice for Danielson.

Color me intrigued.

I'll be tuning in next week to see the first trainwreck happen. After that, all bets are off.

I can't wait to see Danielson wrestle while Miz stands at ringside and yells "boring." Because that has worked for every other "boring" workrate guy. Just ask Lance Storm.

I'm now convinced that DJ Gabriel was recently released just to give Justin Angel a new last name*. Really though, Justin Angel sounds way better than Justin Gabriel, so I don't get that at all. And like flammable said earlier-- Daniel Bryan? Seriously? Fucking ridiculous.

I still wish the mentors would have been guys who aren't really doing anything at the moment like Chavo, Haas, Burchill, Finlay, etc. But I guess I'll reserve too much judgment until after the show actually airs, and see how it all plays out.

*I'm joking. I know he was released because he sucks.

So what does this mean for FCW if they just lost their best 8 guys? Or will NXT be filming them wrestling in FCW instead of the main shows?

quote:

---

Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
I can't wait to see Danielson wrestle while Miz stands at ringside and yells "boring."

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quote:

---

Originally posted by punkerhardcore
I still wish the mentors would have been guys who aren't really doing anything at the moment like Chavo, Haas, Burchill, Finlay, etc.

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quote:

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Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
So what does this mean for FCW if they just lost their best 8 guys? Or will NXT be filming them wrestling in FCW instead of the main shows?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Capellan
Miz is the perfect choice for Danielson. I mean really, look at the eight 'mentors'. Could any one of them teach Danielson anything about in ring skills? Nope. Danielson has no need to be mentored by a technically skilled wrestler because he already is one.

A guy who knows how to work the mic in the style WWE likes, though? That's a great choice for Danielson.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by Jheaton
Heres the thing, I dont think any of the rookies are going to mentored in the since that the vetrans will be teaching them mic skills or wrestling moves. I think it all be scripted and totaly in charecter.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Is Good517
Comparing Miz to the worst QB in the modern NFL era? Get the fuck out of here man.

---

Or Ryan Leaf?

I think the comparison was just bad all around. Miz is as far from Jamarcus as Daniels is from Elway.

If we want a good comparison why don't we go with a guy who has some personality, is probably more famous then his on field (or in ring) talent merit, and has never won a big one.

Miz you are Tony Romo.

As for Daniel Bryanson Daniels or whatever his new name is... from all accounts, excellent on field guy who has no charisma and is only famous to the 5% of people who pay way more attention then they probably should.

Daniels... you are Matt Schaub.

Romo and Schaub seems a little more on point then Russell and Elway.

---

I would also like to add that I am interested in NXT mostly because I am a clean slate on all of these guys other then Daniels. Actually what I know about Daniels is only from most of you all any way so if he stinks I'm blaiming Lucky Lopez for setting my expectations too high. Haha.

Ok, I think I can agree with Miz as Romo, but I think a better on for Danielson would be pre-personality Peyton Manning. His first couple years in the league before he did any funny commercials or his highlarious SNL gig I'm pretty sure the majority of fans pretty much had Peyton pegged as a robot. At least I did.

So that would make him Eli?

quote:

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Originally posted by DKBroiler
So that would make him Eli?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Columbo
C'mon man! Only deluded Giants fans such as myself think Eli is any good.

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OMG REALITY CONFLICT!

quote:

---

There has been a lot of controversy this week about me mentoring Daniel Bryan on WWE's new show, WWE NXT.

I've read a lot of interviews, blogs, ect. about the matter and they all seem to be asking the same thing. "Why is The Miz mentoring Daniel Bryan when Daniel Bryan has wrestled all over the world for 10 years plus?"

It's come to my knowledge that some members of the WWE Universe think they know everything about WWE and what it takes to be a WWE Superstar. They think that if a guy does well in the independent minor leagues, then all of a sudden he should be in the WWE.

They think that if a guy can main event in front of a hundred people at a bingo hall, then he's ready to main event at WrestleMania. Just because fans on the Internet say you�re ready doesn't mean you really are.

Just because a fat guy with no teeth who sits in the front row, buys your T-shirt and says you're the king of wrestling, doesn't mean you really are.

What the WWE Universe doesn't understand is there is so much more then I can describe in a single blog involved in being successful in the WWE.

My job is to make Daniel Bryan a star in the WWE, because let's face it, if you look at a picture of him right now, do you think STAR?

No, Daniel Bryan looks like my accountant ... ordinary and bland.

Maybe if he had The Miz's charisma and look, he would have been in the WWE by now. Don't hate on me because it didn't take me a decade to get a WWE contract and go down in WWE history to be the first Superstar to win the United States Title and Unified Tag Team Titles.

Don't get me wrong, Daniel Bryan has all the talent in the world, but every wrestler has weaknesses. And that's what my job is, to find his weakness and make him the biggest star possible.

I just hope Daniel Bryan doesn't believe himself what these ignorant members of the WWE Universe believe about him, or WWE NXT is going to be a nightmare for him.

MIZ

---

I'm sure Miz is reacting largely in character and all, but still... I can't help but think he's a giant douchebag. It probably doesn't help that Jim Ross all but called him out as one the other day in his blog.

Ultimately I have no idea if Miz is smart using this opportunity to advance his giant douchebag character or silly for wading into a hornet's nest where the truth is that people think its a bad pairing because they believe Danielson > Miz and being petulant won't change that. In the end I guess as long as you're a heel there's no harm in pissing people off.

[Edited on 2-19-2010 by LuckyLopez]

quote:

---

Originally posted by LuckyLopez
I'm sure Miz is reacting largely in character and all, but still... I can't help but think he's a giant douchebag. It probably doesn't help that Jim Ross all but called him out as one the other day in his blog.

Ultimately I have no idea if Miz is smart using this opportunity to advance his giant douchebag character or silly for wading into a hornet's nest where the truth is that people think its a bad pairing because they believe Danielson > Miz and being petulant won't change that. In the end I guess as long as you're a heel there's no harm in pissing people off.

[Edited on 2-19-2010 by LuckyLopez]

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quote:

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Don't hate on me because it didn't take me a decade to get a WWE contract and go down in WWE history to be the first Superstar to win the United States Title and Unified Tag Team Titles.

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quote:

---

Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
Oh please, that's clearly all in character

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quote:

---

Originally posted by LuckyLopez
I'm sure Miz is reacting largely in character

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That blog was also posted on WWE.com so he was probably told to do it.

By the way, what did JR say about Miz in the blog?

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/129867/Jim-Ross-Comments-on-The-Miz-Being-Kicked-Out-of-the-Locker-Room.htm

quote:

---

Jim Ross Comments on The Miz Being Kicked Out of the Locker Room
Posted by Chris Lansdell on 02.13.2010

What did he have to say?

A few weeks ago on Raw, The Miz cut a great promo in which he said he had been kicked out of the WWE locker room. Yesterday JR had this to say about the incident on his Twitter feed:

Read where Miz was kicked out of wwe locker room 4 eatin chicken over anothers bag. Poor Miz. Attitude had nothing 2 do w/ it. Right.

---

You guys are really going to make me split the thread, aren't you?

That's why I apologized.

Also, to further confuse things, here's my two cents on the Miz/Danielson issue: Miz will be awesome as a mentor in character. I hope he mocks Danielson for being bland, but hides behind Show after Danielson looks ready to kill him a few weeks in.

I worry a bit about the show being completely kayfabed out, especially given that every mentor/mentee relationship announcement included a description of the mentee's present character. However, I think the kayfabe element could really help out some of the pairings. I think this could be especially true with Miz berating Danielson, since many of us know that he could destroy Miz.

Those descriptions were hilarious. Something like:

"Heath Slater lives a rock star lifestyle with a carefree attitude and sunkissed blonde hair"

and of course

"Otunga is dating Jennifer Hudson...that is all"

[Edited on 2-19-2010 by theflammablemanimal]

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/130345/John-Morrison-Talks-ECW,-The-Miz-and-Daniel-Bryan,-More.htm

quote:

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In a recent interview with John Morrison:

On Miz mentoring Daniel Bryan: Yeah, when I saw that, I was at the ECW taping, and I actually saw Miz. He didn't know either until he saw the graphic on the screen. That he was the "Pro" and Bryan Danielson was the student. I walked by and said, "Pssh, he knows more that you do." And that's pretty much what everyone thinks. It's gonna be interesting and I think that's the point of it.

---

Just a shot in the dark here, but maybe WWE hopes that partnership will benefit both parties.

I'll say this, though: as great as Miz's on screen character has become, you can't deny how much he's stepped up and improved in the ring from where he started. Watch a match of his from like 2007 and watch him today. It's like watching two completely different wrestlers. For a guy who came into the business as a complete outsider he really is one of the all-around best out there today. Maybe not one of the best wrestlers, but his wrestling is plenty good enough to consider him a well-rounded package.

Still, Danielson could learn him a thing or two about wrestling (behind the scenes, of course, because I doubt that'll be shown on TV) and Miz can help him work on personality. It really could be a successful two-way street.

*lol*...My apologies for an innocent comparison in order to make a point leading to the derailment of an entire thread.

I would assume this whole NXT thing will have to be kayfabed. As a long time fan I don't want the curtain to be pulled back TOO much so that we can't even suspend our disbelief and enjoy the show anymore.

Ah hell, what am I talking about.....Vince is already doing his best to destroy our enjoyment of the show.

If you're looking for a debate about NFL quarterback rankings and want to weigh in on the always polarizing "he ain't won anything" debate you can do so over in the sports forum.

http://www.oowrestling.com/OOForums/viewthread.php?tid=22848

If you head on over to WWE.com you'll find that MVP has taken out of this and William Regal is now the Pro for Rookie Skip Sheffield. Which will be either comic gold or a trainwreck if you've ever seen Sheffield and know Regal's history as the straightman.

Regal is a much better candidate for Skip to work off of. Skip is a lame ass gimmick, but Regal gives is a chance.

Regal with Stu Bennett or Regal with Daniel Bryan would have made more natural pairings, obviously they're going for the odd couple comedic pairing.

Only two pairings that won't have drama are Bennett/Jericho and Gabriel/Hardy.

wwe.com has an NXT subsite up now with the rookies having their own pages.
http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwenxt/

The dressed up pics are sort of amusing.

I hope Stu Bennett wears that cape to the ring.

Darren Young looks like an over-tanned Jersey Shore Guido with that hair cut.

David Otunga should just be introduced as Mr. Jennifer Hudson.

Heath Slater is a "southern rocker" Edge.

I get the Adam Lambert comparison for Justin "Angel" Gabriel, but where is the Johnny Damon comparison coming from? Is Damon really that big a name? I don't get it and I know who Damon is.

Danielson looks like a cross between a high school football coach dressed up at graduation and Christian Bale in "American Psycho".

I didn't know Otunga was a Harvard graduate. That made me think of Chris Nowinski, which makes me miss Chris Nowinski. That kid should have been something.

I think Daniel Bryan is solid name choice for Danielson. We knew they would change it so they could copyright his name and by keeping it close they still have a chance of capitalizing on a few recognizing it. And it's a better name then some of the shitty names they go with.

quote:

---

Originally posted by TownOfDalem
I think Daniel Bryan is solid name choice for Danielson. We knew they would change it so they could copyright his name and by keeping it close they still have a chance of capitalizing on a few recognizing it. And it's a better name then some of the shitty names they go with.

---

You are correct CiG. The Tarver guy is a great example of the stupid athlete names. And they are hyping his ability to KO people? Real subtle morons.

Let us not forget the badass name of Braden Walker as well. To be fair Chris Harris setting the stage for the current incarnations of Scott Hall and Tomko didn't help matters. But Braden is just not a badass name.

I like Evan Bourne though. If only because the air bourne pun works for me.

Daniel Bryan is unoffensive. It's really not bad in that it doesn't scream gimmicked name. Dan Bryan is a pretty regular sounding name and Danielson is a pretty regular looking guy.

Eventually he'll need to pick up a nickname or something though. "Dangerous" Dan Bryan or something, anything.

I like the Tarver name. You would have doubly hated it before as he was Tyson Tarver until Tyson Kidd debuted and poached it.

I still hate Tyson Kidd's new name. Sometimes I get why WWE changes certain guys names. Sometimes. But there was nothing wrong with TJ Wilson and Tyson Kidd was the opposite of an improvement.

I can't tell if Darren Young is part black or if he's spent more time in a tanning booth than Hulk Hogan.

quote:

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Originally posted by C.MontgomeryPunk
I get the Adam Lambert comparison for Justin "Angel" Gabriel, but where is the Johnny Damon comparison coming from? Is Damon really that big a name? I don't get it and I know who Damon is.

---

Yeah, I kind of see it. I still think he looks more like Adam Lambert but I can definitely see the Johnny Damon comparison now

Darren Young should be re-named H Thomas Cowell. An aspiring wrestling lawyer, he should be managed by his Harvard Law Professor J.E. Jones and accompanied to the ring by his valet, Cay Rawn Dong. Guess who's coming to SyFy!!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by LuckyLopez

I've been trying to figure out who Angel reminds me of by appearance.

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quote:

---

Originally posted by salmonjunkie
I can't tell if Darren Young is part black or if he's spent more time in a tanning booth than Hulk Hogan.

---

I dunno - he kinda reminds me (in that pic, at least) of an emo DH Smith - or even Davey Boy, for that matter.

quote:

---

Originally posted by salmonjunkie
I can't tell if Darren Young is part black or if he's spent more time in a tanning booth than Hulk Hogan.

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Funny to see Colt Cabana taking pot shots at the WWE NXT concept....by posting this on his Twitter page. Great Mentor...lol

Darren Young stole Orlando Jones' look! Black dude with spiked hair. I wonder if he also fucks men.

quote:

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Originally posted by punkerhardcore
Darren Young stole Orlando Jones' look! Black dude with spiked hair. I wonder if he also fucks men.

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Stu
Or he's a Super Saiyan

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quote:

---

Originally posted by punkerhardcore
Darren Young stole Orlando Jones' look! Black dude with spiked hair. I wonder if he also fucks men.

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quote:

---

Originally posted by C.MontgomeryPunk
Riley/Young match

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quote:

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Originally posted by C.MontgomeryPunk
Highly disturbing picture of three Jersey Shore cast rejects

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quote:

---

Originally posted by DrBoz
Is it just me, or does he actually look like John Cena in this pic?

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quote:

---

Young just appears to be flashy and pimptastic (sorta). The other guy though (Percy Watson I think)? He's definitely leaning towards

---

quote:

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Originally posted by C.MontgomeryPunk

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quote:

---

Originally posted by DrBoz
I'd never looked at anything FCW related until just recently. I like that Alex Riley kid a lot, or at least his dickhead character. Young does not entertain me at all. His spiky hair is the most fascinating thing about him.

---

Something I brought up to Tommy in IM (and he stole for the ECW thread ) is that if you look at the guys at WWE;NXT as trainers, it's entirely possible that many of them are tired of the 300+ travel days a year, but want to stay involved in the business somehow.

Jericho, Christian, Killings, Hardy, Regal are all in their late 30s/early 40s.

(Jericho may have another incentive, with Mrs. Jericho maybe wanting him to stay home and out of trouble).

Anyway, it's possible that they may not see this as a demotion (if they are on NXT and nothing else), but just a way to pass on to the next generation of wrestlers.

The only one this doesn't quite work as well for is Miz, but given his resume as a reality star, he fits here nicely.

ETA: I forgot about Carlito and Punk, although it might still hold true for Carlito.

[Edited on 2-20-2010 by firewoman]

I don't see how being a trainer would mean less travel. Unless the trainers aren't going to be on any other shows, but many of the trainers are involved in major storylines (Miz is even a champion, though the reality show connection could make him an exception).

Edit: I guess this is already covered in more detail by others in the ECW thread.

[Edited on 2-21-2010 by TownOfDalem]

Well, if they're training them in one location, and not having them go all over the place that would significantly reduce travel.

Even if not, there would be less wear and tear in ring on the trainers.

But you are right. Lots of them are involved in major storylines, so it all may be irrelevant.

Well I think the key is that "trainers" is probably a 99% kayfabe idea. That seems especially true after seeing the pairings that seem designed for character interaction and friction instead of pairings that would make natural sense as trainers, or a structure by which Regal or Jericho would offer their training skills to everyone, not just one dude.

I doubt Danielson is REALLY going to be trained by Miz. Which is what makes the smark reaction kind of silly, not the idea that Miz theoretically has something to share with Danielson as a sports entertainer. I sincerely doubt CM Punk will be truly training Darren Young or William Regal will be truly teaching Skip Sheffield how to wrestle. Rather we're going to watch a flashy and flamboyant dude with crazy hair interact with an arrogant cult leader known for shaving heads. And a non-nonsense English stretcher will interact with a goofy meathead cowboy.

I have no idea what the actual format of this show will be and 3 days before its debut no news has hit that they're even filming anything. But I'd be surprised if its anything more than the guys maybe traveling together as they do their RAW, SD, and FCW duties.

quote:

---

Originally posted by firewoman
Well, if they're training them in one location, and not having them go all over the place that would significantly reduce travel.

Even if not, there would be less wear and tear in ring on the trainers.

But you are right. Lots of them are involved in major storylines, so it all may be irrelevant.

---

You're probably right about that, but since nothing's come out yet, speculation reigns supreme.

I think I was trying to see a more positive spin on being assigned to NXT, rather than just being on the less-than C show.

I'm sure this is so NOT the right place for this, but in a thread that's predicated on WWE's NXT Generation and has specifically name-dropped various Steamboats, Hennigs, Rotundos, DiBiases, and maybe even Snukas (hasn't Lucky gone to bat for the Superfly-ette?), I figure it's worth mentioning....

In Jim Ross' latest blog, he reveals that Jesse White -- son of Leon -- has taken up training with Harley Race after injuries and whatnot finished up his football career at Oklahoma. After completing his degree, Jesse will debut in a tag match alongside his father in Japan later this year.

It might help you to know: Leon White is The Man They Called Vader.

He's an inch or two (and 100 lbs. or so) smaller than his dad, but "Baby Vader" has got WWE-size, and won't be repackaged as a "Skywalker" just for a cheap Star Wars joke any time soon.

I guess I'll wait till I can review the video of his first forays into the ring, but if he's got his daddy's genes, and can actually get famous before age 40 (and thus, retire before age-whatever-it-was-where-Vader-made-a-drunken-ass-of-himself-on-RAW-a-few-years-ago), this could be interesting. Color me more intrigued by Jesse White as I am for any "known quantity" among WWE's NXT Generation prospects not named Steamboat or Hennig, anyway....



Rick

In similar off topic news Dory Funk IV debuts within the next month or so in a tag match with his grandfather Dory Funk Jr. in some indy fed. He's going as Dr. Dory Funk Jr as his dad is Dr. Dory Funk III. So there's yet another legacy who will probably pique WWE's interest down the line if he amounts to anything and isn't a giant headcase. On my long list of complete mystery prospects like El Hijo de Rey Mysterio, El Nieto del Santo, and Amy Hennig (although she's supposed to suck).

And in similar news Sarona Snuka (or "Superflyette" as Rick put it) will debut in FCW sometime in March at a show titled Family Tradition and rumored to include nothing but 2nd and 3rd gen talent. A really cool idea, IMO. FCW has Hennig, Dibiase, Jimmy & Jules Uso (Rikishi's kids), Danny Marlow (Meng's kid), Wes Brisco (Jerry's kid), Ricky Steamboat Jr, Alberto Banderas (Dos Caras Jr), and Bo & Duke Rotundo. In addition FCW often gets loans of WWE talent as Ted Dibiase Jr just did an appearance subbing for his brother so you can probably count on some mix of Legacy, the Hart Dynasty, Carlito & Primo, Jesse (Terry Gordy's kid), Chavo Guerrero, and Rey Mysterio Jr..

And hey, since its now "random 2nd gen" thread did you know former WWE Tag Champion Rene Dupree now looks like this?



[Edited on 2-21-2010 by LuckyLopez]

Sandman's kid also recently debuted under the name "Twisted Sand". I don't know if he really has any future, but considering he'd debuted as a 7yr old in the famous Raven/Sandman ECW angle he could be considered a grizzled veteran.

I don't know that he's got a real career since he seems to be limited to one garbage fed that seems to have been defunct for at least 6 months. But apparently he was active there for the better part of a year. Either way here he is, since it is kind of surreal to see Tyler Fullington all grown up after watching him as a kid back in '96 or so.



And since I'm sharing visuals here's Vader's kid from a couple of years ago with his pap. Its kind of worth watching just because its really nice to see Vader because as he talks up his kid he's got such a huge and goofy smile on his face as the proud father. Something I never really imagined seeing from Big Van Vader.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lCOUTDkKsQ

[Edited on 2-21-2010 by LuckyLopez]

Is Reid Flair ever going to get into the biz? That kid looked like a freaking beast a decade ago and he definitely can't be any worse than his brother

Wasn't Reid's future sort of brought to a shuddering halt by a heroin arrest or something similiar?

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Is Good517
Is Reid Flair ever going to get into the biz? That kid looked like a freaking beast a decade ago and he definitely can't be any worse than his brother

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by DrBoz
DWI's were within two months of each other. Kid needs to figure some shit out before even thinking about going into the family business.

---

I always thought this was Vader's kid.



[Edited on 2-21-2010 by Columbo]

Re: Rene Dupree picture, I didn't know Ali G got into wrestling.

Daniel Bryan? Really?

They've already mentioned him being king of the indies...Name change just to keep from giving "wwe" credibility to bryan danielson, incase he jumps ship?

Cabana is awesome.

quote:

---

Originally posted by kiez
Daniel Bryan? Really?

They've already mentioned him being king of the indies...Name change just to keep from giving "wwe" credibility to bryan danielson, incase he jumps ship?

---

Daniel Bryan / Bryan Danielson... pfft. Who cares? The real question is, will they continue his nickname The American Dragon?

quote:

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Originally posted by salmonjunkie
Daniel Bryan / Bryan Danielson... pfft. Who cares? The real question is, will they continue his nickname The American Dragon?

---

Yes, it is/was and WWE called him the American Dragon back when he faced banana pants Cena.

quote:

---

Originally posted by DrBoz
Heroin possession, possession of paraphernalia, two DWI's, and an assault/battery charge. All occurred in the last three years (since turning 18). DWI's were within two months of each other. Kid needs to figure some shit out before even thinking about going into the family business.

---

Linky

quote:

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WWE confirmed in a new press release today that the winner of the first NXT season will "receive a WWE contract" putting them on the main roster.

Here's how the NXT roster is going to be broke down by heels and faces:

* R-Truth (face) and David Otunga (heel)

* Chris Jericho (heel) and Wade Barrett (heel)

* Carlito (heel) and Michael Tarver (heel)

* Christian (face) and Heath Slater (heel)

* CM Punk (heel) and Darren Young (face)

* William Regal (heel) and Skip Sheffield (face)

* Matt Hardy (face) and Justin Gabriel (face)

* The Miz (heel) and Daniel Bryan (face)

---

Well its what I expected because its what they all were in FCW.

Otunga plays a cocky asshole who boasts about being on TV and eating dinner with the President. Really, he's a pretty nothing wrestler and pedestrian talker and all he really has going for him is the fact that Entertainment Tonight and Perez Hilton will say "Jennifer Hudson with husband WWE wrestler David Otunga", so it just makes sense to play that character up as a heel.

quote:

---

Originally posted by LuckyLopez
Well its what I expected because its what they all were in FCW.

Otunga plays a cocky asshole who boasts about being on TV and eating dinner with the President. Really, he's a pretty nothing wrestler and pedestrian talker and all he really has going for him is the fact that Entertainment Tonight and Perez Hilton will say "Jennifer Hudson with husband WWE wrestler David Otunga", so it just makes sense to play that character up as a heel.

---

Do you think "Daniel Bryan" will still wrestle his style? How long before him and Regal mix it up?

How is this show actually going to work? Will there be matches between the rookies? Will their mentor be at ringside to manage them? Will there be backstage "reality" segments? Is it taped at the SD! arena taping in front of the live audience? Will there be training segments? Will Miz make Danielson do stupid shit to work on "entertaining people"?

I'm interested to see how they plan to put this together but I just can't see how the wwe can get 16 weeks out of this.

I guess they have more talent than ECW did - 16 active wrestlers and have better talent to work with. Will we get three matches a week? Will Raw and SD talent be brought in to freshen things up?

I'd have to imagine the first few weeks will be training/reality show and then incorporate matches in there, bringing in SD/RAW guys to have matches with eventually, then matches with each other, then matches vs the mentors. I'm sure they could get 16 weeks out of it if thats the plan.

Thinking about this a bit, basically NXT combines everything the wwe did in the past to get debuting talent over. Pre-debut promos, pairing them up with a mouthpiece/manager and/or putting them in a tagteam with a veteran. It takes it a step further and gives the rookies their own show to ensure regular television time which is essential. If any of the NXT talent debuted cold on Raw or SD! (ensuring no reaction or match interest) lost their first match and then wasn't on television for a few weeks, they're basically fighting a steep uphill battle. I wonder if the wwe in a bout of revisionist history thinks "Hey that worked for Cena" and figures that's the way to find superstars.

How many top guys were in a tag team and/or had a manager early in their careers? Most of them.

quote:

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Originally posted by C.MontgomeryPunk
How many top guys were in a tag team and/or had a manager early in their careers? Most of them.

---

Don't forget:

SCSA - Dibiase
Rock - Nation of Domination, then the Corporation
Undertaker - Dibiase (hey, Dibiase was pretty good)
Christian - Brood
Booker - Harlem Heat
Benoit/Eddie - The Radicalz

And other guys who didn't have managers but became WWE champ:

Sheamus

quote:

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Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
And other guys who didn't have managers but became WWE champ:

Sheamus

---

You guys forget a little guy I like to call the Great Khali - managed by Daivari and the Ranjin Singh.

quote:

---

Originally posted by punkerhardcore

quote:

---

Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
And other guys who didn't have managers but became WWE champ:
Sheamus

---

And Kurt Angle.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
I was kidding. But to be fair, I'm pretty sure that Angle had a coach and team when he won Olympic Gold.

---

I think it was after. Angle won his first World Title pretty fast - right at about a year after his debut. It's crazy to think that back then we thought that was a monster push and then you get Brock winning in five months and Sheamus in what 4?

I'm pretty sure Bob Backlund sort of managed Angle in the beginning too.

quote:

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Originally posted by blackdragon
I'm pretty sure Bob Backlund sort of managed Angle in the beginning too.

---

Mick Foley had Christian wearing a chicken suit during an episode of Heat so he could lose a pound or so in order to qualify for a Light-Heavyweight Title Shot.

Mick Foley had Christian in a chickensuit during Foley's run as commissioner

Daniel Bryan answers The Miz' criticisms (From a radio interview recapped at prowrestling.net):

quote:

---

I asked him about the blog that The Miz posted where he said "Daniel Bryan looks like my accountant ... ordinary and bland." Daniel had this to say in response to that: "So the deal with The Miz is that that�s how he�s gotten by. He�s very charismatic, he�s gone out there, he�s really good at making people hate him. How I�ve gotten by is a little bit different. I�ve been doing this for over ten years now and what I�ve gotten by and how I made my name is by being excellent in the ring, but that doesn�t mean what he�s saying isn�t partially correct, you know what I mean?

"There is this huge aspect there where for me it�s always been what goes on in the ring. And with the WWE...that�s a big part of it, it�s presenting yourself as a superstar. And when he said I look like an accountant, I kinda do! I don�t watch television, I don�t e-mail. He was asking me, 'What do you do with yourself?' and I said, 'Well, I read!' (Miz responded) 'What? Who reads?' It�s just one of those things where there�s going to be a learning curb there because it�s completely different then anything I�ve every done."

---

Danielson looks puny even next to Miz. Man, I don't have a good feeling about Bryan. I wonder if Miz wore lifts in his shoes or something. He was more than 3 inches taller. Imagine Danielson next to Batista or HHH.

ME will go a long way I guess.

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by C.MontgomeryPunk]

I have a feeling they're trying to subtly bury Bryan by having him be so stubborn about his ways and continually saying it's not gonna work in WWE.

Tarver came off pretty good in his package promo piece. Slater wasn't bad either.

Match was distracting as there seemed to be a few different camera angles.

I think Slater and Tarver came off better than Bryan. Bryan can't cut a serious promo, in the backstage interview with Striker (who was bigger than Bryan) he always seemed to have a smirk and almost like he was fighting back from laughing.

Jericho vs Bryan is the main event - it will be big for Bryan, as non indie fans must think he's shit right now.

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by C.MontgomeryPunk]

Black Cena, *errrrr* Darren Young's skin color freaks me out about as much as Sheamus' does.

... or maybe we should just call him "Snooki".

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by budpaul]

David "A-List" Otunga came off very comfortable in front of the camera in his vid package. Kid has charisma and the body, I guess the wrestling can come later.

Darren Young looks like a very tanned white guy. Can't really judge the guy on the squash, but I don't expect him to catch on. Why didn't Young get get the debut sit-down promo treatment?

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by C.MontgomeryPunk]

Otunga has "it". If he learns to wrestle, he could be very big. He's got an aura. Heath Slater should die. Tarver fucking sucks. Black Cena is a joke but that's good because Punk looking like he hates life is going to make it worthwhile. Bryan, as much as I want him to make it and I think he's looked comfortable, I just don't think it's going to happen.

And here I thought Cole couldn't get any more annoying as an announcer - now he's playing a heel?! Or maybe in Vince's mind, it's not heelish at all, it's about "respect," which I'm already completely tired of hearing about. Perhaps JBL can make a guest appearance a soap-rape Bryan next. That'll teach him!

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by budpaul]

Well, that wasn't a terrible opening. It has potential.

And there was no Legacy.


[Edited on 2-24-2010 by firewoman]

Cole is just playing the role of the WWE veteran sniping at the rookies. I wouldn't get all bent out of shape over it in the end.

That table spot of the plancha looked like it broke some ribs (at least). That spot will actually help Bryan get over. Camera angles were brutal again for this match - took away from it for me.

Cole is horrid as the heel commentator. Stryker is silly as the backstage interviewer. Is Striker surprising the rookies with the questions? Barrett seemed to be caught off guard.

Overall I think Otunga and Tarver came off the best characterwise, however Otunga can't really wrestle for shit yet. Heath Slater was just there and rather forgettable.

Bryan needs to get much less camera aware. Match was fine, but the kid is smaller than his listed 5'10". I'd say he'd closer to 5'7"-5'8".

I assume Barrett, Sheffield and Gabriel will wrestle next week.

I think Lucky said it right in chat when he said this was FCW with better production (and, of course, wrestlers we all know).

We'll see if it keeps up. One thing is fo sho, Cole is garbage.

I'd say it's neither better nor worse than what ECW has been over the last year. It's got some potential.

Also, thankfully, there was no fucking Legacy there.

I like that Cole hated Miz on RAW then suddenly likes him. That's a realistic character because I know sometimes I dislike people's actions and other times don't have a problem with those same people's actions.

I like it. Its got potential. Enough wrestling to keep us interested. Its not a reality show, its a wrestling show. Its like some weird half way point between FCW and WWE that could really stand to help introduce and test these guys in a very effective way.

I don't think I'd have much to say that I haven't said in the FCW thread. I don't have Tarver but I don't love him. Otunga's got some presence but no skill whatsoever. Young sucks. Slater is kinda bush but I like him. Tarver could be a solid bodyguard for Carlito if Carlito wasn't a jobber and Killings leading out Otunga gave me real Pac Man flashbacks. That's not really an insult as in general I think some of these pairings could work out well in the long term like Jericho/Barrett.

Danielson/Jericho was a nice little match. Nothing special but Danielson looked good against the World Champ without Jericho having to look like he was going down to anyone. And the Miz/Danielson stuff definitely has potential. That one episode actually made me think Danielson might actually win the US title off Miz some day relatively soon.

And no Skip Sheffield, the worst part of this show.

And I think the show will warrant a rating thread next week. I'd probably give it something somewhere around a 3.0 if we had one this week.

I actually kind of enjoyed the show. Perhaps it was the idea of Jericho/Danielson in the "main event" that made it so appealing. But overall, I'm thinking this might actually turn out to be a fairly entertaining "brand." It's a different way to introduce new talent. Integrating established stars, particularly some who are integral to the WWE as a whole (more so than Christian, Regal, Golddust, Benjamin, and so on in ECW), might give these newer guys a better chance to show what they can do.

Danielson did himself well in his match. Nearly severing himself in half on the announce table could be milked for a while, kind of like Bob Holly with the table a couple years ago. While Danielson wasn't so hot backstage with Striker, when he was with Miz during the opening segment he was MUCH better than I expected. But MAN is he fucking small.

Black Cena is awful. The only redeeming part with him is being paired with Punk. I have no idea how that dynamic resolves itself without Young shaving his head. Like I said earlier, his hair is the only interesting thing about him, so I'm not sure I want that gone.

Barrett will be good. For those that know of him, how will he be in the ring? His presence is definitely solid. Plus I like how his trunks have those lines that pretty much encourage you to look at his junk.

The main complaint I have is with the camera angles. I felt like they were constantly zoomed too close. I had to double check to make sure I was on the HD channel and not the non-HD one. They need to fix that.

Overall I'm pleased. I think this has potential to be a pretty positive show. Anything that finds a way to build new stars is a plus in my book.

You know, I enjoyed the show pretty well tonight. Other than not knowing who the hell anybody was outside of Daniel Bryan (might as well get used to calling him that), I stayed tuned in for the entire hour.

On the subject of Bryan, I have mixed feelings. If I didn't know who he was (and his reputation), I'll be the first to admit my first thought would probably be "Who the fuck is this guy?" I don't think his ring attire and that robe really do him any favors. At the same time, I do think he has a chance to get over and it appears the WWE sees something in him, since out of all the rookies, he got the most spotlight and has definitely been given the most interesting relationship with his mentor. Would WrestleMania be way too soon for a Miz/Bryan US title match?

CM Punk's reaction to Darren Young in their pre-match backstage bit was fucking priceless. Hell, his reaction (along with Gallows' and Serena's) during the match was great as well. With the way Young jobbed so quickly, and Punk having nothing but disdain for him, I'm wondering if this might eventually lead to Young shaving his head and joining the Straight Edge Society.

Good main event between Jericho and Bryan, though I really would have liked to have seen it get more time (though it's understandable why it didn't). And that table spot was fucking sick. And I have no idea how Wade Barret is in the ring, but he's got a good look and was good on the mic (plus I like him being paired with Jericho).

In a rare rating-related agreement with Lucky, I'd probably go around a 3.0 as well if we were rating tonight. Nothing was horrible, the main event was good, and the show at least felt like something kind of new and different. Now, if it can sustain this, who the hell knows. But I liked what I saw enough tonight to tune in next week.

I have no idea how Barrett is in the ring. In the months of watching FCW I've never once seen him wrestle. He's been injured and doing color commentary, doing the MVP "holding out for the right deal" gimmick. He's a decent talker and he's very comfortable on camera. He's got the build and some presence. I think he fits with Jericho very nicely. But I have no idea if he can wrestle for squat.

quote:

---

Originally posted by the goon

CM Punk's reaction to Darren Young in their pre-match backstage bit was fucking priceless.

---

Well... that wasn't what I expected. Or rather: it wasn't what I'd dreaded. I assumed much, much worse; and instead, I'll be back again next week. Maybe just on DVR/FF-vision (much like I was with ECW), but back nonetheless...

About Cole: it's retarded that he's raping his own crediblity even worse than it already has been by being unable to maintain a cogent POV for 2 nights in a row. You just can't take people like that seriously. But it's also odd that the more "personality" Cole shows, the more I can tolerate him. He's probably just as much a phony/mouthpiece tonight as he is on RAW, but somehow, it's different... still: it'd be WAAAYY better for the overall product if you plugged somebody else into the spot of "veteran-loving rookie hater," who didn't have to go on the "real" shows and be the babyface PBP guy.

This would seriously be the perfect show I'd bring JBL back to commentate for, just so he could be a douche about the kids, and for once, it'd fit in with the actual mission instead of being counter-productive. Soap rapings: optional.

About Danielson: it's about fucking time people go "Oh, I didn't know he was that small" and "I didn't know he was that bland." I'VE BEEN BEATING THE DRUM FOR AGES. The blandness thing is, admittedly, a matter of taste, and if you likes you some workrate, it doesn't matter. Fine. But size is an objective matter of fact, and I remember a few years ago making a snarky comment about Danielson being "Mysterio sized, but without an even remotely marketable look." And a phalanx of people took exception to that, saying "Hey fucko, Danielson is 5'9", which is the same as Eddie Guerrero, who is a world champ, so shut up!" To which I responded that they were comparing Danielsons BILLED height to Eddie's REAL height (billed as 5'11" pretty much as far as I know), and that had nothing to do with anything, cuz Danielson was a midget.

But to a bunch of knobs who reside in Meltzer's Wanker Dojo, doing nothing but watching tapes (or now: youtubes) in order to increase their appreciation of Five Star Work Ethic, my argument didn't matter, because 5'9" is what Danielson is. Forget actually going out in public, leaving the safety of the Dojo, and being forced to interact with Other Human Beings at a Wrestling Event... the tapes tell the story of Danielson's awesomeness. And his height, which is COMPLETELY AVERAGE AND NORMAL. So long as he's only working against other indie midgets.

I gave up on that fight. I, alas, DO go out in public and interact with the other humans, and have stood in the vicinity of Danielson, and knew he was maybe 5'7". Tops. An inch or two bigger than Rey, maybe. Which is gonna be an issue when you don't have the look of Rey. I'm not a Vince-esque male physique enthusiast who insists that 6'2" is the bare minimum for manhood, but I am a realist.

I'm not glad a guy as good as Danielson probably doesn't have much of a chance if even the Internet Crowd is now dismissing him in favor of Jennifer Hudson's husband... but I'm glad that you can all go back and retroactively see I was probably right, and not just playing the role of Indie-Hating Dick way back when.

Success in this business is a tricky equation, and the calculus was working against Danielson from the get-go... apparently, tonight was a wash, and he's now down to just 15 more weeks to change that in his favor.

On the upside, like I said: at least I'll probably be watching, which is more than I would have guessed about NXT as recently as this afternoon.


Rick


PS: that flubbed plancha spot where Danielson ate table was handled well by Cole, though the wrestlers didn't adapt on the fly as well as he did. Cole sold it as Jericho countering the plancha, the two guys kept working as if Danielson hit the move. I'm almost wondering, now: would it maybe be a good move to get Danielson OFF this show (for this "season"), saying he got unfortunately injured by that table spot (and Miz's post-match attack exacerbated that), and can't continue... let him work up some underdog sympathy with fans (who will not take him seriously as an actual WWE caliber wrestler just yet)... let him come back in Season Two, healthy and with a bit of an actual hook/character to help him overcome his obvious shortcomings... beats the hell out of sticking him out there every week, backhand-mentioning his indie/international success, but then having him look out-classed by real WWE wrestlers, to the point where he's pre-destined to fail... get him out of there, and as the cliche says, perhaps Distance Will Make The Hearts Grow Fonder...

Wwe.com is already milking the injury - http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/photos/13610194/danielbryaninjury/

That will look much nastier tomorrow when the black and blue starts coming out.

Here is Wade Barrett (as Lawrence Knight) against Primo Colon about a year and a half ago.


Here is Barrett (as Stu Sanders) teaming with McIntyre against Primo and Eric Escobar(as Eric Perez).



[Edited on 2-24-2010 by C.MontgomeryPunk]

I also loved the Straight Edge Society doing their entrance pose to Punk's music while Darren Young jumped around like Yoshitatsu.

Danielson should have stayed under the mask all those years ago.



I believe the story is that the wwe suggested he take it off because selling on television was about facial expressions and wrestling under a mask was very limiting in that regard.

When Punk chose wwe and Samoa Joe chose TNA I thought that was the right choice for both. However this time I think Nigel would have been better off in wwe and Dragon would have been better off in TNA.

Let me preface this by saying I'm one of the biggest Bryan Danielson marks in the entire known universe but I thought everything that involved him in that show fucking owned. His opening promo was way better than I dared to hope for and I don't get where the word "bland" is coming from because I thought he showed more personality and charisma in one hour than guys like Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Chris Masters, and Drew McIntyre have shown in their entire respective WWE tenures. He's not exactly Santino but I predicted in the FCW thread that his dorky charisma would be enough to win over most fans and I think when all is said and done I'll be right. Miz helped out a lot by playing off of him pretty well but Danielson isn't the Benoit-esque black hole of persona that everyone was frightened he would be. Nice stiff match with the World Champ, too, where he got just enough offense to look like a credible threat. That table bump was sick and I hope he didn't injure his ribs or kidney or anything. Anyway, I was really pleased at how well Danielson came off.

The rest of the show was pretty good, too. Otunga could be a big star if he could wrestle for shit but he couldn't even work a 30 second squash without fucking up a spinebuster (I'm guessing it was supposed to be a spinebuster, at least). Still, plenty of guys skate by with either a look or charisma without being able to wrestle and Otunga has both so he's at least on even ground with, say, Zeke.

I liked what I saw of Slater. He's different. I've liked what I've seen of Tarver in FCW. Orangey-brown Cena is meh but like everything else he touches, Punk turned that business to gold.

It was a good show. Again, I'm an unapologetic mark for Danielson so I probably would have given it in the neighborhood of 3.75 were we rating it.

One final parting question: how many dicks does Michael Cole have to eat in a day to be fully satiated?

It made me think that NXT is the WWE giving ECW the XFL treatment. Where they kept having random 'interviews' in the middle of other things, horrible camera angles, and decent pre-taped promos. It all seemed horribly unplanned, and honestly, I can't say it sucked.

But then again, I'm one of the few people who actually liked the XFL and missed it when it was gone.

quote:

---

Originally posted by C.MontgomeryPunk
When Punk chose wwe and Samoa Joe chose TNA I thought that was the right choice for both. However this time I think Nigel would have been better off in wwe and Dragon would have been better off in TNA.

---

Rey is 5'2 tops and I have no idea what kind of anti-indy wanker bullshit Rick is trying to sell this week, but is Danielson undersized for WWE...possibly, but he's a lot bigger then Rey and he's also bigger than the current TNA champ.

I thought the show was good enough. It certainly passed my expectations. I liked most of the stuff involving Bryan. I also decided that I would call him Bryan like NFL announcers call Ben Roethlisberger 'Ben' and his name change wouldn't matter to me. Didn't we all know he was a midget before? He was small in ROH where everyone is small.

Jericho stands out too much on the show. It seems weird having the World Champ fighting a rookie, and potentially fighting rookies every few weeks. I think he should big time the show, and make his rookie get his dry cleaning or something.

The one concern I have is how the show is viewed in the WWE. Say Bryan beat Carlito. Would that be something Christian made fun of him about on RAW?

Also, the camera view pissed me off. Zoom should not be abused

I know we're not rating the show this week, and I've never actually provided a rating, but 4.0. Seriously.

I know I'm a big ROH supporter around here (for more reasons than you know), but I disagree with the general sentiment and think the show did Daniel Bryan a ton of favors. Sure he fumbled over his words a few times, but that fits in with him being a "rookie." When he was rolling cuting back at The Miz, it flowed well and got over with the crowd. His reaction to being slaped by The Miz was exactly what it needed to be for his character, and his performance against Jericho was spot on. I was shocked at how much offense he got in, but since the show is supposed to showcase the rookies, it made sense. I didn't like his tapout, though. I'm sure that will be corrected right away. But he got over in the ring, which most WWE performers don't do anymore. Sure, he'll never be a world champion, but I think he'll go farther then most of us expect him to.

I'm torn on both Otunga and Slater. For Slater, I thought his natural personality came out in the backstage package, but he came off loke a poser in the ring. Otunga was outstanding doing anything but wrestling...I mean c'mon, it's a freakin' spine buster! Wade Barrett impressed me so far, as well.

I love Matt Stryker on commentary, but didn't like his sideline reporter/host gig tonight. I really think the rookies aren't prepped for that at all, either. And Stryker's too smart to let them slide by (as evidenced by his simply repeating the question to Barrett when he didn't answer it).

I'd imagine it's really hard to do a fake reality show, and this is essentially that. They did as well as they could have done.

So far, I think the show is helping CM Punk (who was gold in his reactions to Bronze Cena), The Miz, Daniel Bryan, Wade Barrett, David Otunga and Josh Matthews (who settled into his role of sticking up for the rookies nicely--can't say as much for Cole's role...I think Stryker would have been a better fit). I think it could help R-Truth and Carlito once we start to see more interactions with them and their rookies.

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by G-B]

Danielson looked SMALL compared to Miz. But I'm reserving judgment. Miz was in civvies and he's the sort of tool who would wear lifts or heels. I didn't think Danielson looked out of place wrestling Jericho or standing with the other rookies. Its always hard for me to judge wrestlers when you have the different sized places like ROH, TNA, and WWE. Nigel looked bigger than I expected when he got to TNA. Danielson looked smaller than I expected when he got to NXT. But I'll wait to see him with a few more guys and next to Miz in his wrestling gear before I call him a "midget" or something. Right now I think he'd probably fall on the short end of the spectrum but not comically so or to Rey or even Noble levels.

As for "bland", I dunno. I don't think he was great or anything but I think he was fairly natural. He seemed a bit nervous and I've seen that "can't stop smiling" thing from him before. Once again, I'll give him a little time before I make a judgment. See if he can work out the nerves and get something better than "go introduce yourself." That wasn't exactly a great setup to work with. The dude excels when he's in the middle of big competition and the "fighting spirit" takes over or when he's in an intense feud. Not in a WWE/Sports Entertainment "go out and entertain the fans" kinda way. That's the handicap he has in WWE but luckily he's being set up for his strengths early with a match with Jericho and a genuine fighting issue with Miz.

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Originally posted by DevilSoprano
Rey is 5'2 tops and I have no idea what kind of anti-indy wanker bullshit Rick is trying to sell this week, but is Danielson undersized for WWE...possibly, but he's a lot bigger then Rey and he's also bigger than the current TNA champ.

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I think there's something be said about basic aesthetics. If Danielson ends up having guys like Miz tower over him that's not terribly intimidating. But yeah, in the end I rather watch Danielson than Zeke 10 out of 10 times no matter how impressive Zeke looks when he's standing still.

Michael Cole sounds like a total cock on this show.

Otherwise, glad they made Danielson look good on this show. But he looks small even compared to Jericho. His arms are tiny, and I wouldn't call Jericho beefy at all.

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by salmonjunkie]

I've only watched the Danielson/ Jericho match, but I agree that Cole is an idiot. He sounds "wrong".

It was a decent match and a sick landing by Danielson. It was also nice to see Jericho use the LionTamer instead of the usual Boston Crab style Walls of Jericho.

It shows on thursdays over here after the Raw re-run, so I have it set to record.

From that match and even with Coles attitude/announcing, it seems like an ok show.

I've only watched the very beginning and the very end so far (DVR'd the rest) but my complaint against Bryan isn't his size, it's his ring attire. That was about the blandest shit I've seen in some time. He should've worn something cool like Evan Bourne or the Motor City Machine Guns. Instead, he was dressed like a wrestler from the 1950's.

That said, I think he more than held his own on the mic and showed a lot of charisma, so at least he's got that going for him.

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Originally posted by TheDemko
It made me think that NXT is the WWE giving ECW the XFL treatment. Where they kept having random 'interviews' in the middle of other things, horrible camera angles, and decent pre-taped promos. It all seemed horribly unplanned, and honestly, I can't say it sucked.

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I know that Cole's heelishness has been mentioned above, but I wanted to hit on it a bit more. It's not just that he's putting over WWE as the "big leagues," since that makes sense in the notion of the show. The really frustrating thing, especially regarding Danielson, was that Cole acted like he was completely unaware of his body of work. Now, it's one thing to say that indy feds are the "minors" and that WWE is the big time, but it's another to appear for a commentating gig completely unprepared.

In kayfabe terms, Cole acted like he went out of his way to ignore Danielson's body of work and then denigrate it. It's a little thing, but Cole acting like he'd never watched a Danielson match, even though he's going to be commenting on Danielson's work, just comes off ridiculous. That's not just being pro-WWE, it's being willfully stupid and unprepared. I hope that they make an appropriate adjustment to his announcing so that the pro-WWE comes out more than the willfully ignorant.

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by atothej]

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Originally posted by gobbledygooker
... but my complaint against Bryan isn't his size, it's his ring attire ...

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Originally posted by G-B

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Originally posted by gobbledygooker
... but my complaint against Bryan isn't his size, it's his ring attire ...

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I agree about his attire. I wonder as the 16 (or 8? I can't remember) weeks roll on, if we'll see a few of the guys who are excelling start to "evolve" a little, like getting different attire, etc.

I could totally see someone like Otunga turning on R-Truth if the WWE feels like they'll keep him around...Punk's guy keeps losing and eventually joins the SES...and of course the eventual win by Daniel Bryan over The Miz.

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Dude - you just double-quoted (partly yourself, even) while double-posting three minutes apart?


Is that a record?

Quick notes from last night via 411

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- Playing off of his heel persona during last night's WWE NXT, the following was posted on the WWE Universe Twitter feed�

"Michael Cole has requested his @WWE Universe profile be removed from our site, not wanting to associate with 'online fans" any longer."

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quote:

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- Daniel Bryan was checked out by WWE trainers last night and isn't expected to miss any time.

- Daniel Bryan was a top trending topic on Twitter last night.

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I like the idea of having unscripted segments/interviews with the rookies, just to test their mic skills and see what they can come up with off the top. It's fun to see how quickly they can think, and to watch them struggle a little.

Pleasantly surprised by what I saw last night. The only downer of the night was having to listen to Michael Cole for an hour. Never heard of Daniel Bryan...really fuck face? Give the WWE credit for taking the Miz/Bryan controversy and running with it. I thought Bryan came off better than expected and that bump he took was absolutely sick.

My first impression of the guys we saw in the ring was mixed. Michael Tarver didn't show me a thing and Heath Slater makes me want to slap him around. Darren Young played off really well with SES. His transformation has to be just around the corner. Was it really necessary the he get squashed in 30 seconds flat?....yes it was. Otunga seems to have something and a betrayal of R-Truth might be the medicine he needs to start getting him over. If Wade Barrett can wrestle as good as he looks and sounds, they might have something with him.

The ME was beautifully done and all the post match shenanigans with Miz and Bryan leave me wanting more.

Final Score: 3.0

Oh yeah, I'm all for watching them struggle....

(two, three, four)...

I actually kind of liked the show, what I saw of it, but both chat and my spouse kept me from actually watching it, so I may rewatch it.

Jericho/Bryan was good, and that was a nasty bump. Glad to hear it's not a serious injury, although good for them if that's why the ending of the match seemed rushed. I thought Jericho botched a couple of spots though.

Anyone know why they kept calling what I thought was the Liontamer the Walls of Jericho? I thought Liontamer was the knee to the back move, and the Walls was more a traditional Boston Crab thingy....?

I think the main problem with Cole's heel announcing is that fans don't expect him to be the heel. It's not like guys like JBL/Heenan/Heel Lawler where you know that they're spewing a bunch of crap. Also, those guys were smart enough to at least do a little bit to put over the guy they were bashing. There's enough truth to what he's saying that it may turn some people against Danielson. I also hated how Cole shat on "world renowned" by harping on the independents. Are the Japanese feds considered independents?

By the way, is there anyone in WWE besides Rey, Punk and Jericho who came up the ranks by working in Japan, Mexico, ECW etc?

As for Danielson, I'd think this episode should calm down everyone who was crying about Miz "training" Danielson. It seems pretty clear that WWE is higher on him than anyone else. Danielson got the most face time of anybody, a very good showing against the world champ (kudos to Jericho for selling his butt off) and already has a nice feud going. I'd say that debut ranks right between Cena's and Orton's, although obviously lower since it's on a C-show.

As for his size, I know Mysterio has a cool look but I think that only took him so far. Rey's unique style is what got him over and hopefully WWE will give Danielson the chance to do the same. He showed a nice mix of his agility, striking and submission ability so hopefully that keeps up. Too bad Cole was too busy shouting to mention any of it.

Also, is it just me or is Heath Slater a male version of Christy Hemme?

quote:

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Originally posted by firewoman
Anyone know why they kept calling what I thought was the Liontamer the Walls of Jericho? I thought Liontamer was the knee to the back move, and the Walls was more a traditional Boston Crab thingy....?

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quote:

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Originally posted by firewomanAnyone know why they kept calling what I thought was the Liontamer the Walls of Jericho? I thought Liontamer was the knee to the back move, and the Walls was more a traditional Boston Crab thingy....?

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Just watched episode #1 of NXT ... gotta say I like it so far

I'm betting there will be an NXT match at WM ... maybe an 8 man battle royal?

OR THIS ...

UNIFIED TAG TITLE MATCH

ShowMiz vs. MVP/Mark Henry
Mark Henry is too injured to compete
MVP's surprise partner ... Daniel Bryan!
Back and forth match lots of near falls ...

Bryan has Miz locked in a submission, the ref is distracted and who comes to make the save for ShowMiz ... Michael Cole -

Cole smacks Bryan with a chair shot, Miz rolls on top of Bryan and gets the 3 count ...

Michael Cole hates the internet -

I LOVE IT!!

This leads to Miz sabotaging Bryan on NXT, letting some other rookie 'win' the show (Bryan doesn't need to win this show to get over)
Bryan ends up on RAW anyway and hunts down Cole and makes him tap - and starts a feud with Miz

^^^^^^

I don't entirely hate that idea at all but I really don't know if it's a good idea to get Cole that involved with everything. Unless it leads to Cole leaving the announce table to become a heel manager/mouthpiece for somebody to go against Bryan for him, which I think would be a role he'd be much better suited for and would be a nice compromise to make everybody watching Raw much happier.

I hate Heel Michael Cole even more than I hate Vintage Michael Cole.

And I think Michael Tarver should be renamed Balrog.

(Aside: I'm not sure if Balrog is more or less cool now that I realize he's named after a Lord of the Rings monster)

Joey styles twitter made me laugh.

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There are now several I hate Michael Cole threads in the NXT forums on wweuniverse.com. Vintage hatred for Michael. Oh My. Josh is a hero.

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It's too bad Cole is JUST as convincing as a color commentator as he is as a face. But I suppose this scenario is better bc at least now Cole and WWE can pretend that THIS is the reason everyone hates him. And, I know this is kayfabe and all, but did he REALLY criticize someone for not having a personality?

Overall, I thought it was pretty decent. The main event was really good. They've already done more to try and establish a star than they have with pretty much anyone else in the last few months. Great debut night for him.

Otunga, at least so far, is definitely all sports entertainment without the wrestling. Guy is clearly a natural as a personality (given his stint on a show where he had to fake feelings for New York, it was a given he could act), but in the ring? Meh. Unless they purposely kept it short, or if he's just not that good and progresses some more in the ring, I think I'd rather see him as a manager who gets in the ring occasionally.

I hate to be pessimistic and assume WWE will find a way to ruin this concept a in a few short weeks...so since that's CLEARLY how I feel about it, I'll just try my best to stay positive and hope that they prove me wrong and continue this momentum. At least for the time being, they have a regular viewer out of me.

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Originally posted by theflammablemanimalAlso, is it just me or is Heath Slater a male version of Christy Hemme?

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I think I can see where flammable's coming from with the Hemme/Slater thing, given that he looks like...well..a spaz. He can't seem to hold still, he's always shaking his hair around (I say always, I've seen him wrestle all of once) and he's got that...ENERGYYYYYYY(TANTRUM!) vibe that Christy had going for her.

Exactly. He just seems like a spaz who thinks charisma is sticking out his tongue and whipping his hair.

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Originally posted by Matte
I like the idea of having unscripted segments/interviews with the rookies, just to test their mic skills and see what they can come up with off the top. It's fun to see how quickly they can think, and to watch them struggle a little.

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Anyone else think WWE did this on purpose?

Watched the full episode over lunch -

That David Otunga guy, in addition to being Jennifer Hudson's husband, was also on "I Love New York." He went by the name Punk (strangely enough) and he cried when she eliminated him.

Heath Slater already annoys the everloving shit out of me.

I'm gonna say no but ask me if I think the weird camera angles and production differences on NXT are reminiscent of the XFL like some suggested or if its a very cunning way to take TNA's production style and expose it to the WWE audience 2 weeks before TNA moves to Monday nights, thus undercutting them. I'm not going to draw total conspiracy theories... but I think WWE are like veteran politicians... they can play dirty better than anyone when they want to.


I don't object to the IDEA of Cole's behavior. I think Miz did it really well. Cole just did it poorly. He was less obnoxious and condescending and more delusional nutbag. It was listening to Lawler scream about Extremely Crappy Wrestling, only without the basic credibility Lawler lends to it. Cole was a poor choice to do this because its against type and because he's not good at it. The same gimmick on Striker or Lawler would have worked much better.

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Originally posted by theflammablemanimal
By the way, is there anyone in WWE besides Rey, Punk and Jericho who came up the ranks by working in Japan, Mexico, ECW etc?

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Originally posted by gobbledygooker
That David Otunga guy, in addition to being Jennifer Hudson's husband, was also on "I Love New York." He went by the name Punk (strangely enough) and he cried when she eliminated him.

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quote:

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Originally posted by LuckyLopezI think this said more about you than him.

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quote:

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Originally posted by LuckyLopez
I don't object to the IDEA of Cole's behavior. I think Miz did it really well. Cole just did it poorly. He was less obnoxious and condescending and more delusional nutbag. It was listening to Lawler scream about Extremely Crappy Wrestling, only without the basic credibility Lawler lends to it. Cole was a poor choice to do this because its against type and because he's not good at it. The same gimmick on Striker or Lawler would have worked much better.

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RE: Pun's "Making an Impact" pic

When Jeff Hardy left TNA and returned on RAW, Ross & Lawler kept talking about him "making an impact." So, yes, I think it was on purpose.

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Originally posted by MayhemNX
I think I can see where flammable's coming from with the Hemme/Slater thing, given that he looks like...well..a spaz.

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quote:

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Originally posted by atothej
Lawler demonstrated familiarity breeding contempt; Cole claims absolute ignorance while denigrating that about which he admits he has no clue. That's poor execution in real terms, it's idiotic in kayfabe terms, and it undermines the idea of the role in both terms.

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quote:

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Originally posted by LuckyLopez
You know, I was all set to give you a long list and then I realized... damn, there really isn't anyone else.

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Here's the only thing I'd have done differently, and I believe it shows why there are downsides to Miz being Dragons trainer.

The way they kept mentioning that Miz was "Embarassed" by Daniel I'd have had Miz come into the ring exactly as he did after the Jericho match and start beating on Daniel, but without realising he's in the perfect postion for some awesome looking submission hold. Then whilst Daniel isn't quite able to lock in the hold from the grueling match & Liontamer have Miz punch him in the Ribs then leaving him laid out.

It plays up BOTH Miz & Daniels strengths but also shows to the audience that given an opportunity Daniel IS able to compete with "big boys"

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Originally posted by LuckyLopez
words about Cole

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quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Is Good517
I don't think that Cole has very much credibility as an announcer even to the non-IWC fans, as I've noticed that various wrestlers and divas who occassionally sit at the announce table seem to go out of their way to undermine, embarass, and emasculate him. DX did the best job of this in recent memory but I recall Maryse taking some shots at him recently as well.

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Via Rajah...

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Vince McMahon was reportedly pleased with Daniel Bryan's performance on last night's premiere episode of WWE NXT as he felt they made him "a star" in one night as a result of his interaction with The Miz and match with Chris Jericho.

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Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson is the next Bret Hart. I downloaded a package of his matches during his title reign a couple months ago when I heard he was signed to the WWE. What I saw impressed me. I think this guy does have world champion in him. His promo last night was awesome and he looked like a contender in his debut match.

Someone suggested in this thread that they felt WWE was trying to subtly bury Daniel Bryan. Seriously? Seriously? He gets the opening segment AND the main event on the debut episode of the new show WWE is hyping the hell out of and they're trying to bury him? The crowd was reacting to him when he was cutting up The Miz and when he almost made Chris Jericho tap and people can read into that burying him? Oh, and Otunga is clearly the better guy because he came off well in a video package edited by one of the best production teams in the planet. It's clear some people forgotten about how far Sean O'Haire got after his awesome video packages hyping his debut.

Haven't seen the show yet as it's on tonight in the UK, but just in case we haven't spoken about cole enough already...

Styles said he "lives in the WWE bubble." Thats perfectly acceptable to me, and his apparent attitude fits his character perfectly: he came from nowhere (wrestling wise) straight into WWE, and has worked his way from 'the bottom' up to being lead play by play guy on the flagship show. He's probably also become a millionaire doing it. Yet he is still compared unfavourably to guys like JR, who is judged partially on outside WWE experience. Cole doesn't like that, which would explain his cheap shots at the slammys. Now he sees guys coming in with a reputation for stuff accomplished outside WWE, and he feels it doesn't matter, because he's seen Indy success not transfer over, and people who never left the WWE development places become main eventers. So in his head, it's a perfectly logical standpoint.

Makes him a jackass still, but it would be consistent. It MAY also pave the way for the return of JR, who I imagine would want to be back on Raw with the King when he returns.

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It MAY also pave the way for the return of JR, who I imagine would want to be back on Raw with the King when he returns.

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I thought NXT was pretty good. More interesting than ECW, at least, but not by as much as I'd hoped.

Most of the guys still seem like the developmental generidouches that would turn up on ECW anyway, and the video packages didn't do much to make them more interesting. I really like the dynamic between Punk and his guy, where Punk just doesn't give a shit. Regal's guy looks like an absolute idiot meathead, he only appeared in those backstage group shots and I was cracking up every time. I can't imagine ever being interested in Michael Tarver, David Otunga, Heath Slater or Wade Barrett, but they could surprise me. It's only been one show so far.

One of the two highlights of the show for me was Daniel Bryan. Bryan looked way smaller than I was expecting. Evan Bourne doesn't look anywhere near that small when standing with normal-sized wrestlers. Bryan looks Mysterio-sized at best (I'd guess he's maybe a touch taller than Rey?). But on the other side of that coin, he also showed way more personality than I was expecting. I'm digging his story with Miz, and given the exposure it's getting, I wouldn't be too surprised if they fight for the US title or tag titles at WrestleMania. I wasn't too impressed with the Bryan-Jericho match, but it was alright. I easily see Bryan as the standout of the group.

And the other hightlight was Michael Cole being fucking awesome. It's amazing how much better he was on NXT than he is on Raw every week. I laughed out loud when he went absolutely nuts at Josh Matthews calling Bryan "world-renowned." I'd love it if Cole spends every episode of NXT baiting the stereotypes, not only because it's fun to watch but it guarantees fun Wednesday-morning rants to read online from the angry mob. It's also slyly productive in establishing a fanbase for Josh Matthews, since he is the guy arguing against Cole. So in theory, the hardcore wrestling fanbase starts supporting Matthews. "Fuck yeah, you tell 'im, Josh! High school gym wrestling in front of 50 people is important!" and so on.

Good stuff.

quote:

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Someone suggested in this thread that they felt WWE was trying to subtly bury Daniel Bryan. Seriously? Seriously? He gets the opening segment AND the main event on the debut episode of the new show WWE is hyping the hell out of and they're trying to bury him? The crowd was reacting to him when he was cutting up The Miz and when he almost made Chris Jericho tap and people can read into that burying him? Oh, and Otunga is clearly the better guy because he came off well in a video package edited by one of the best production teams in the planet. It's clear some people forgotten about how far Sean O'Haire got after his awesome video packages hyping his debut.

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I'm hoping that they start demoting people to NXT. Otherwise, Swagger and some other talents are going to be future endeavored.

Then again, Swagger on TNA with Angle, Wolfe etc would be pretty awesome.

I caught some of this online, and it seems like they're making an honest-to-God effort to make Danielson the next CM Punk. Though I couldn't tell through the crowd reactions how he was actually received, everything I've read and seen so far makes NXT look like it's the "Daniel Bryan Show". I'm not saying they'll make him world champ anytime soon (they probably will, not in the next two years, but sooner rather than later), but giving a guy basically a quarter of a show that is basically a vehicle for himself is pretty good.

I kinda feel bad for the other guys, though, because they may wind up being afterthoughts. Also, if this is elimination based, I totally expect Danielson to not win based on Miz-assisted tomfoolery.

I got around to watching last night. For the most part, I liked it - even if it wasn't all top-notch wrestling and seemed a little disjointed in places. Everything I'd say has already been mentioned, so I won't beat a dead horse.

However, I'm going to guess that each week will "feature" one of the rookies, while including many (if not all) of the others. This week, it was Bryan - next week, I don't know. Maybe Barrett? Just a thought.

I will definitely keep it on the DVR schedule unless it just flat out starts sucking or something. I don't know - I know we're not rating these things (yet), but I think somewhere between 2.5-3.0 would be in order, as I liked it, even with a few glaring flaws.

quote:

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Originally posted by nOOb
I caught some of this online, and it seems like they're making an honest-to-God effort to make Danielson the next CM Punk. Though I couldn't tell through the crowd reactions how he was actually received, everything I've read and seen so far makes NXT look like it's the "Daniel Bryan Show". I'm not saying they'll make him world champ anytime soon (they probably will, not in the next two years, but sooner rather than later), but giving a guy basically a quarter of a show that is basically a vehicle for himself is pretty good.

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In Otunga's promo package he said he's going to "win" NXT. So will there be fan voting after week 7-8 that will begin to eliminate wrestlers, one a week sorta deal? Or will it be kayfabed with a wrestling tournament deciding the eventual winner?

They seemed to make it clear that there is one "winner" at the "end" of NXT, and the prize is a RAW/SD contract...

What was not made remotely clear is how any of that works. How the winner is determined, how long till the "end," any of that...

That's why I said I had such an issue with the discrete/distinct "season" concept... you can't really do fan voting in the traditional sense, since you canNOT build weekly one-hour shows upon 2 or 3 guys at the end of the "season." You need most of the guys to hang around till the bitter end, otherwise the show would just be monotonous.

Rolling around in my brain the past two days, the best idea I had: go three months with all eight guys, then have a fan vote. Vote 4 of the guys off the island; halve the field. Then with the "Final Four," you expand the NXT Cast by adding "Expert Voters/Judges" (this will augment the loss of 4 rookies, and ideally would be bigger WWE stars/HoF'ers/legends who could help fill in TV time by interacting with the remaining rookies, who are trying to impress them). Then: conduct a 3 week Round Robin, everybody gets one singles match against every other rookie.

On the fourth week, some (highly secretive) blend of Winning Percentage in the Round Robin, Expert Judges Votes, and Fan Voting will give us the One True Winner of NXT. Whee.

Of course, just like "Tough Enough" and Diva Searches, WWE is more than within their rights to sign losers to contract, too... either that, or make it a gimmick where losers can "re-apply" for NXT in the future, hoping to impove their game or get a better trainer or whatever.



Rick

Brett Favre's press conferences to announce other press conferences support The Rick's thread to anounce another thread. Other supporters include bosses who make meetings to establish other meetings, especially bosses in the department of redundancy department.

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Originally posted by OORick
They seemed to make it clear that there is one "winner" at the "end" of NXT, and the prize is a RAW/SD contract...

Of course, just like "Tough Enough" and Diva Searches, WWE is more than within their rights to sign losers to contract, too... either that, or make it a gimmick where losers can "re-apply" for NXT in the future, hoping to impove their game or get a better trainer or whatever.Rick

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quote:

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Originally posted by FistHiccups
And the other hightlight was Michael Cole being fucking awesome. It's amazing how much better he was on NXT than he is on Raw every week. I laughed out loud when he went absolutely nuts at Josh Matthews calling Bryan "world-renowned." I'd love it if Cole spends every episode of NXT baiting the stereotypes, not only because it's fun to watch but it guarantees fun Wednesday-morning rants to read online from the angry mob. It's also slyly productive in establishing a fanbase for Josh Matthews, since he is the guy arguing against Cole. So in theory, the hardcore wrestling fanbase starts supporting Matthews. "Fuck yeah, you tell 'im, Josh! High school gym wrestling in front of 50 people is important!" and so on.

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I didn�t watch the whole show, but from what I saw the WWE did Dan Bryan a HUGE favor pairing him with The Miz. I had my doubts whether Bryan would have what it takes to get over in the E, but for the time being I�m cautiously optimistic.*

*Although with the way he tapped so quick, maybe someone should have told him he wasn't wrestling Cena.

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Originally posted by Columbo
*Although with the way he tapped so quick, maybe someone should have told him he wasn't wrestling Cena.

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This is the way I see it:

-Bryan makes it to like one of the last four or five guys.
-Through some sort of screwjob, Miz winds up costing Bryan the show, eliminating him and upsetting the internet at the fact that he didn't win.
-Maybe a few weeks later or a month later, Miz defends a title, Bryan comes out of crowd, costs Miz title, and gets dragged away by security.
-Miz agrees to match with Bryan where, if he wins, he gets a contract. Match happens, Bryan wins, gets contract, and is used according to however Vince feels.

Or Bryan loses the contest, winds up showing up on Superstars, and proceeds to become the jobber to the stars most of the internet expects him to be. But regardless, he probably doesn't win the show.

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Originally posted by FistHiccups
Bryan looked way smaller than I was expecting. Evan Bourne doesn't look anywhere near that small when standing with normal-sized wrestlers. Bryan looks Mysterio-sized at best (I'd guess he's maybe a touch taller than Rey?).

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He's a little shorter than Paul London and can't do the flippy shit that smaller wrestlers usually need...

Isn't this going to be a kind of ultimate fighter situation, where the winner just gets a better contract than the rest?

Danielson wins, and gets a �250,000 a year contract, and a guaranteed title shot on the cycle 2 finale (against the guy of his choice). He doesn't HAVE to go for a world title.

Others who impress and are deemed ready get signed up to less lucrative deals (Hi, Josh Koscheck!) and start lower on the card.

simples.

Here is something I don't get with this concept of a show. To have the show have any merit WWE has to get rid of some of these guys...giving them this type of of air time seems to me helps them get over in any future rosters they happen to be on ...with WWE or not. Its kinda a weird business choice unless the plan is to let the ones they don't want rot in FCW till such time as they aren't relevant.

wow, you barely notice the size difference in that Cena match, although Cena seems considerably smaller than he is now. STill, around 3:18 Danielson catches Cena with a brutal kick to the "gut" that could take out anyone.

Yeah, the losers will probably just get Haased in FCW forever.

How would that be any different from cutting Charlie Haas now? They've had a small amount of exposure, and they're still green in most cases. The guys that get cut will go back to FCW, or sit out a no-compete clause. Then they'll work indies or ring of honour, because I can't see TNA picking any of them up.

Pretty sure WWE don't care about firing guys they've given exposure too the moment vince falls out of favour with them. See 3 minute warning, kennedy, kendrick etc.

Just watched the show on Hulu and I'm with the people that thought the show did a great job with Bryan. He was decent on the mic (though he did slip up a few times) and looked good in the Jericho match. That smirk he has makes me think he could be a decent heel some day but he obviously has to be a face right now. Having a submission finisher is not a good thing in current wwe, but that is easily fixable.

Both Bryan and Jericho did blow a few spots in the match. Obviously they should of adjusted to the suicide dive better, but also Bryan sold Jericho's enziguri weird and same for Jericho with Bryan's dragon screw leg whip.

Overall I was pretty happy with NXT and will watch again next week.

Edit: I'm surprised they didn't mention Bryan being part of HBK's school. Then again they never did that for any of the other graduates either. It just seemed to make sense within the NXT concept

[Edited on 2-26-2010 by TownOfDalem]

I've never watched a single Daniel Bryan match before NXT, so I'm basically getting him as a clean slate. I was impressed enough that I'm ready to see more. WWE seems to be going out of their way to make him succeed. And while he's by far the most advanced wrestler, it's the WWEness that he severely needs to work on, and it seems they are ready to do that with him. His opening promo was alright, but kind of awkward, but they put him in a match with Jericho, and you really can't do better than facing the World Champion on your TV debut.

That being said, am I the only one that finds it a little stupid to have him even come close to making the World Champion tap? It's nothing against Daniel Bryan, but I don't think any of these Rookies should be coming close to beating any of the veterans until Miz gets upset by Bryan. These guys aren't being portrayed as even first time guys on Raw or Smackdown...they are being portrayed as guys that seem to be in the minor leagues still. I dunno, maybe that's just my problem. I think there needs to be some sort of "levels" that need to be maintained. It's fun for him to get offense on Jericho...but it's another thing for him "close" to a win. At least he quickly succumbed to the Codebreaker/Walls in rookie fashion.

I'd also have to say...as a submission specialist as it seems, I'd think he'd be much more intimidating, even at his smaller size, if he had a mask on. I guess that's a problem on a show like this. If you're going to have these guys in a reality show format, you can't do that. But a masked guy who can make a guy submit in a second, that could be really cool. I look forward to more of this guys matches...we'll see if he winds up being open to growing a bit in the ways he needs to.

Otherwise, I think I was impressed by Otunga [EDIT: not at all by his ring skills though] and Barrett. Not much different than anyone else said. Ready to see if Barrett can do anything in the ring, but he seems a natural tag partner for Regal if he wins this thing. I can see that I can do without Heath Slater. He annoys me. I hope he looks much better in the ring.

Black Cena just terrifies me. But I've already covered this in the FCW thread. Gotta love Punk though.

I guess the rest we'll see next week. I'm interested in Justin Gabriel, and I'll keep watching NXT....not that that's a shocker, considering I'm one of the last 5 people watching Superstars every week...but at least by taking a new perspective on this stuff, NXT has made Tuesdays more interesting for the time being.

And really, for those that didn't like it or parts of it...we should remember as Lucky stated at the beginning of this thread (I think it was Lucky), they basically resurrected this idea in a couple of weeks. I think with more time, and more reps, they'll figure out what works and doesn't work with this concept, and hopefully find ways to make it different week to week; along with maybe giving us some sort of rules for this competition. Then again, the longer they wait that out, the longer they can stretch this season.

[Edited on 2-26-2010 by S Kid J E T S 48]

Finally rewatched it today. I think Jericho was supposed to flip Danielson up onto the announce table and missed somehow. If that's the case, and they had to sort of string together some stuff to get back in the ring and back on track, they both did a pretty good job, really.

I didn't see anyone that I thought "what the hell is this guy doing in the ring."

Otunga and Black Cena was weird, but for me the ending was the weirdest, with the sloppy power slam before the pin. But I liked Punk's reaction.

quote:

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Originally posted by S Kid J E T S 48
That being said, am I the only one that finds it a little stupid to have him even come close to making the World Champion tap?

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quote:

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Originally posted by S Kid J E T S 48
That being said, am I the only one that finds it a little stupid to have him even come close to making the World Champion tap? It's nothing against Daniel Bryan, but I don't think any of these Rookies should be coming close to beating any of the veterans until Miz gets upset by Bryan. These guys aren't being portrayed as even first time guys on Raw or Smackdown...they are being portrayed as guys that seem to be in the minor leagues still. I dunno, maybe that's just my problem. I think there needs to be some sort of "levels" that need to be maintained. It's fun for him to get offense on Jericho...but it's another thing for him "close" to a win. At least he quickly succumbed to the Codebreaker/Walls in rookie fashion.

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Anyone else find it kinda weird that both the Bryan/Jericho match and the Cena/Angle match were both around 10 minutes in length? Maybe Bryan can rap?

quote:

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Originally posted by nOOb
Anyone else find it kinda weird that both the Bryan/Jericho match and the Cena/Angle match were both around 10 minutes in length? Maybe Bryan can rap?

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