Action-packed episode tonight, so let's get to it.
Ashley Valence is in the ring to make the intros, and the pros trot out to take their chairs on the stage.
The Miz and "Varsity Villain" Alex Riley vs. MVP and "Showtime" Percy Watson: Two interesting rookies here: Riley has the ability to turn the crowd against him immediately -- dude is SUCH a DOUCHE -- while Watson has the audience rooting for him as soon as he comes out.
Michael Cole cannot not stop talking about how wonderful the Miz is. "What a coach! What a leader!" Miz and Riley have an argument after Riley gets tossed out of the ring -- Cole says it's "tough love," and I buy that.
Not a bad little match, with Watson playing face in peril much of the time. He has a nice dropkick and another move that starts like a dropkick and ends with a splash on the supine opponent -- Miz, in this case, but Riley breaks up the pinfall.
MVP comes in and takes Riley out to the floor, and Miz hits the Skull-Crushing Finale on Watson for the win.
Video package on Titus O'Neil. He talks about how he's always been told he couldn't do things -- go to college, graduate from college -- and he went ahead and did them. They show a newspaper headline about him, which is funny because they've changed his name, of course.
Titus O'Neil vs. Michael McGillicutty: O'Neil looks great, but he's having trouble getting it together in the ring. Dull match with two notable spots: 1) They totally blow a -- what? Back body drop, maybe? -- with McGillicutty just crashing to the mat; 2) McGillicutty's FANTASTIC neckbreaker, which gets him his second straight win.
Kaval vs. Eli Cottonwood: Cottonwood is like a foot-and-a-third taller than Kaval. Kaval gets in a lick or two, but when Cottonwood gets a hold of him things go downhill and Kaval gets tossed around like a ragdoll. Kaval rallies briefly with a kick to the face and then -- SWEETNESS -- a springboard double footstomp to the back of a bent-over Cottonwood's neck. That gets only two, and then Cottonwood retaliates with a sort of face-first chokeslam for the pin.
Promo package for "Lucky" Cannon, in which he talks about being in a coma and how lucky he is to be here at all.
Kaval is backstage selling his ribs when Lay-Cool show up -- with a present for him! It's -- it's a PINK SLEEVELESS POLO SHIRT! And it says "PROPERTY OF LAY-COOL" AND THE "LAY-COOL" IS SPARKLY. Kaval: "It's...wonderful." Lay-Cool push up the corners of Kaval's mouth with their fingers! "Turn that frown upside down!"
Replay of The Nexus' attack on Vince McMahon on RAW. David Otunga must be really excited about the new Devo album; I think he's wearing a plastic hair wig.
"Lucky" Cannon vs. Cody Rhodes: This is a "5 Minute Challenge" and I thought for sure Lucky would make it the full five minutes, but no -- Cross Rhodes finishes it in four. Mark Henry -- in an "i GOT LUCKY" t-shirt -- is still supportive.
Finally, each Rookie gets 45 seconds in the ring to cut a promo telling us -- the WWE Universe -- why we should vote for him. (Voting starts next Tuesday at 10pm Eastern Time, and ends I assume by the end of the show, when the results will be announced.) Our Host Matt Striker brings the mic around.
Alex Riley: He shouldn't need to do this, he's won both his matches. Instead of shaking down kids on the bus for lunch money, he's being paid to beat them up in WWE.
Kaval (wearing the shirt -- popped collar and all): Ten years ago WWE told him he was too small, and yet here he is. He tries to get in his catchphrase but he's out of time.
Titus O'Neil: He's had to fight for everything, and he's a working guy like us fans. He will...make it a win! (Much better than he was on the first episode.)
Michael McGillicutty: He has no flaws.
Eli Cottonwood: He's more patient than anyone else, and he will lie in the weeds (?), and his actions speak louder than words.
Percy Watson (the crowd pops when Striker says his name!): He likes to have a good time, just like we do! He's a heavy hitter and not a quitter. He has two words for us: *strikes a pose* "OH YEAH!"
"Lucky" Cannon: He's lucky! (He seems like a nice guy but he's soooo bland.)
Husky Harris: He doesn't need 45 seconds...FOREARM TO MATT STRIKER'S HEAD ORQUIOLA THIS ONE'S FOR YOU and Harris heads up the ramp where he's joined by a pleased Cody Rhodes. The other Rookies and Pros alike are shocked!
-----
My personal ranking:
1. Percy Watson 2. Kaval 3. Alex Riley 4. Eli Cottonwood 5. Michael McGillicutty 6. Titus O'Neil 7. Husky Harris 8. "Lucky" Cannon
--K
(edited by Karlos the Jackal on 23.6.10 0208) Last 5 movies seen: Iron Man 2 ***1/2 - The Book of Eli *** - Mermaid *** - Youth in Revolt **1/2 - Shutter Island ***1/2
Originally posted by Karlos the Jackal Not a bad little match, with Watson playing face in peril much of the time. He has a nice dropkick and another move that starts like a dropkick and ends with a splash on the supine opponent -- Miz, in this case, but Riley breaks up the pinfall.
That second move sounds suspiciously like the Dropsault. Is that what it is? Because that would be awesome and a life point for ole Percy. I found him supremely annoying, but I guess that's just me. The audience certainly seems to be into him.
Forfeit the game, before somebody else takes you outta the game, and puts your name to shame Cover up your face, you can't run the race The pace is too fast, you just won't last - "Points Of Authority" - Linkin Park
I have not seen all that much of season two but from what I've seen Riley has really stood out as has Watson. Kaval is pretty great too. A few weeks of being featured on NXT has done more in developing Cody Rhodes' character and getting him over than a year in Legacy did. It says how botched the Legacy storyline was and how well he's been booked on NXT.
Originally posted by Karlos the JackalHusky Harris: He doesn't need 45 seconds...FOREARM TO MATT STRIKER'S HEAD ORQUIOLA THIS ONE'S FOR YOU and Harris heads up the ramp where he's joined by a pleased Cody Rhodes.
I can't believe my DVR STOPPED RECORDING when Junior Perfect started talking and I missed another strike on Striker!
I'm in agreement with your personal rankings, K.
Mark Henry wearing an "I Got Lucky" shirt has to constitute an FCC violation. That image does not belong on television.
I agree about Rhodes, he seems more relevant now than he ever did in Legacy. I don' think they are going for Legacy 2.0 but as a tag team or as his flunky Harris fits the bill.
Watsons movements outside the ring weird me out. He looks like a character out of a Capcom fighting game when he does his pose (he looks like he's missing a few frames of animation).
Riley is a jock Chris Nowinski and a far bigger tool than his Harvard counterpart.
The BFF Champs are infinitely better than The Beautiful People and Kaval's respectful acceptance of their "coaching" is endearing. He needs a big win though.
Don't know where they are going with Stryker's beatings though.
Originally posted by CaptaincubaI agree about Rhodes, he seems more relevant now than he ever did in Legacy.
In his first SD match after this year's trade, he busted out a running springboard enziguri and a moonsault. I have yet to see any followup to that advanced moveset. He can apparently do much more than he was allowed in legacy.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by used2bcoolThat second move sounds suspiciously like the Dropsault. Is that what it is? Because that would be awesome and a life point for ole Percy. I found him supremely annoying, but I guess that's just me. The audience certainly seems to be into him.
If it's any consolation, it's not just you. I find him irritating in numerous ways, many of which I couldn't justify with what you'd call "reasons", but still. Alas it does seem we're in the minority, so boo to that.
Originally posted by CaptainCubaDon't know where they are going with Stryker's beatings though.
But on the other hand, who cares? I'm with John O on this - let's just enjoy the journey and whatever pain it may bring young Striker :)
Originally posted by Karlos the Jackal 1) They totally blow a -- what? Back body drop, maybe? -- with McGillicutty just crashing to the mat
It looked to me like it was supposed to be a Samoan Drop but O'Neil didn't get a good grip on McGillicutty and he slipped off. But at least they get credit for immediately going into a pin attempt rather than stand there wondering what happened or trying to redo the spot.
Husky Harris: He doesn't need 45 seconds...FOREARM TO MATT STRIKER'S HEAD ORQUIOLA THIS ONE'S FOR YOU and Harris heads up the ramp where he's joined by a pleased Cody Rhodes.
You left out that Harris crushed Striker with his senton splash. They switched the angle this week so it was hard to tell how well it was executed but I watched the one he did in week one in slow motion and it was absolutely perfect. He landed ass first on the other side of his opponent but simultaneously leaned backwards in such a way that it looked like he legitimately pancaked the guy in real time.
Originally posted by lotjxI am not sure what the point of NXT is now that all of last season's rookies just got contracts. Why wouldn't this crop of rookies do the same thing?
Because they're better than that! Because they all want to prove individually that they can do what the first class had to do as a unit. Because they're all afraid that they'll end up being the Daniel Bryan of the group!
Originally posted by used2bcool
Originally posted by Karlos the Jackal Not a bad little match, with Watson playing face in peril much of the time. He has a nice dropkick and another move that starts like a dropkick and ends with a splash on the supine opponent -- Miz, in this case, but Riley breaks up the pinfall.
That second move sounds suspiciously like the Dropsault. Is that what it is? Because that would be awesome and a life point for ole Percy. I found him supremely annoying, but I guess that's just me. The audience certainly seems to be into him.
Definitely not a dropsault. It was more like a standing, twisting frog splash. He went up as if for a dropkick, rotated cylindrically so that he was in splash position and doubled up as if it were a frog splash.
Great start for the new ring announcer. According to her, the Miz & Alex Riley "weigh-in at a combined 243lbs" and MVP and Percy Watson weigh a "combined 248 lbs".
Watson's glasses flew off twice in his match. The first time, he put them back on after tagging out, the second time the referee wisely threw them out the opposite side of the ring.
Alex Riley may play his character well but can anyone actually see that character going anywhere in the WWE? They're looking for the next breakout star, not the next top notch mid-carder. As good as the character may be now, it seems that it would be a burden in the long run. If he can successfully switch characters midstream, he might have a shot but that remains to be seen.
That was a nice arm bar Kaval put on Cottonwood while in the ropes, almost a modified Iron Octopus. He put it on so quickly that I originally thought he'd fall off the turnbuckle until I realized he was hanging on the top rope and Cottonwood was screaming in pain.
Is Michael McGuillicutty a heel or face? Does he even know?
As far as mic work goes, some were certainly better than others but none blatantly sucked. Titus O'Neil sounded like he was capable of going into full blown preacher mode, given the right circumstances.
Thus far, I would probably vote for Kaval and Husky Harris just to see more of their pros. I haven't taken a liking or disliking to any of the rookies yet.
Originally posted by InVerseGreat start for the new ring announcer. According to her, the Miz & Alex Riley "weigh-in at a combined 243lbs" and MVP and Percy Watson weigh a "combined 248 lbs".
That was amazing. Lillian-esque. But there seems to be a lot of confusion about the two chicks on NXT (not LayCool). Jamie Keyes (blonde) from FCW is still the actual NXT ring announcer. The new girl Ashley Valence (brunette) who opened the show last night and introduced the NXT Rookies was introduced as "the newest member of the broadcast team." Though she handled some of Matt Striker's host duties in her segment, I guess Striker is still the official host.
PWInsider's story on who Ashley Valence is (with typical shoddy reporting also calling her the new ring announcer):
I only caught about half the show, but damn one move from Kaval to Cottonwood looked ugly. It was the double-leg-stomp from the top rope onto the back of Cottonwood's neck. It looked like he almost landed right on his neck as well. I wonder if it was supposed to be to the neck or lower on the back. Did not look good at all.
I'm impressed somewhat with the mike work of everyone but Cottonwood. He just didn't seem all that convincing on the mike to me.
Originally posted by HokienauticI only caught about half the show, but damn one move from Kaval to Cottonwood looked ugly. It was the double-leg-stomp from the top rope onto the back of Cottonwood's neck. It looked like he almost landed right on his neck as well. I wonder if it was supposed to be to the neck or lower on the back. Did not look good at all.
I'm impressed somewhat with the mike work of everyone but Cottonwood. He just didn't seem all that convincing on the mike to me.
I think it was supposed to be the back of his neck. The point being that Cottonwood is so huge that Kaval coulnd't knock him down so he saw an opportunity to perform a modified Warrior's Way. That's the impression I got.
Originally posted by Karlos the Jackal Not a bad little match, with Watson playing face in peril much of the time. He has a nice dropkick and another move that starts like a dropkick and ends with a splash on the supine opponent -- Miz, in this case, but Riley breaks up the pinfall.
That second move sounds suspiciously like the Dropsault. Is that what it is? Because that would be awesome and a life point for ole Percy. I found him supremely annoying, but I guess that's just me. The audience certainly seems to be into him.
Definitely not a dropsault. It was more like a standing, twisting frog splash. He went up as if for a dropkick, rotated cylindrically so that he was in splash position and doubled up as if it were a frog splash.
Here's a gif:
Twisting frog spalsh seems accurate to me.
It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects. "Well. Shit." -hansen9j
Originally posted by It's FalseIf every episode ends with Stryker getting hurt, this goes right back to my DVR queue.
Somewhere It's False is smiling.
I wonder if they can up the "Striker gets punked" streak to three episodes?
I'll admit that Percy Watson has grown on me, but purely in the sense that he could potentially fill the E's quota for "comedy curtain jerker" for a long time to come. Sorry, Santino.
I'm fully on the Alex Riley bandwagon right now. He reminds me a lot of Miz and Morrison during their early heel runs.
Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me.
I honestly think this is a stronger field then Season 1. Percy has grown on me as well. His antics are over the top, but not so over the top they're annoying (like Heath Slater's bouncing around)
Titus and Lucky I think are at the bottom of the pack for me, but I'd put them ahead of Skip Sheffield and Michael Tarver.
My favorites right now are Kaval and Michael McGillicutty. I'm still on the fence about Husky Harris. I think I still need another week or two to see what he does.
Eli is a nice slim big man, and I've actually liked his mic work.
Alex Riley has the charisma and that 'it factor', but I agree that his current character will only get him so far, and it'll be interesting to see how he would handle a different character.
Titus O'Neill and Kaval are now 0-2, while Percy Watson has the best record of the non-white guys at 1-1.
Subtle racism...or coincidence? You decide!
Seriously though, I hate that NXT is the new WCW Nitro in that it goes longer and longer every week. I had the same situation as John O as NXT went over FIVE minutes over the alloted time. Are you kidding me?
I do admit that I can't wait for DinoCroc vs. SharkGator!
"Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
Originally posted by Captaincuba Watsons movements outside the ring weird me out. He looks like a character out of a Capcom fighting game when he does his pose (he looks like he's missing a few frames of animation).
No no, he's actually the living incarnation of The Disco Kid (strategywiki.org) ...
"All RAW is these days is a cheap version of Saturday Night Live, so if you wanna tune in to watch the amazing star power of Al Sharpton and Nancy O'Dell, go ahead! Who's gonna host next week, Big Bird? Wow, that's must-see TV!" - John Morrison (10/16/09 Smackdown!)