Post by Dave at the Movies on Dec 22, 2011 13:29:42 GMT -5
I'm doing results and reviews over on my new Wrestling Dirt Sheet site/blog and this is the first one. I put the full text results in the spoiler tag if you want to know what happened. I'm going to try and do this for Superstars, RAW, and Smackdown as well. I haven't decided on IMpact because I haven't been watching it lately.
Opening Segment and Match Number One: Derrick Bateman and Johnny Curtis versus The Usos
The opening segment was good and I genuinley laughed at Bateman making the Curt Cobain/Courney Love and Bonnie and Clyde reference. A little over a month ago Bateman and Curtis teamed together and defeated Percy Watson and Titus O'Neil. They didn't do too many double team maneuvers but they did do a big double team finishing move for the win. In this match both Bateman and Curtis and The Usos looked good and I think they all have bright futures. I wouldn't mind seeing Bateman and Curtis become a creepy Brian Pillman-style loose cannon tag team. That may be where they are going with all of this.
Match Number Two: Trent Barreta versus Curt Hawkins with Tyler Reks
Solid match by two guys who I believed trained together back in Long Island. Hawkins and Reks make a decent tag team but like most of the regular tag teams on NXT they need more of a tag team gimmick overall. Barreta in my opinion is one of the most underrated guys on the WWE roster and I think he has a lot of potential. The only hang up on this I had was that they had Hawkins and Reks lock Yoshi into a closet backstage and they showed it on camera. This is one of the reasons for why I really hate the way WWE does their backstage segments. I think they need to go back to doing more backstage interview promos rather than these ridiculous backstage segments that make no sense. Hell why didn't the camera guy just unlock Yoshi? For all we know he could still be in there!
Match Number Three: Maxine versus Kaitlyn
Back in season 3 of NXT these two had one of the worse matches I've ever seen on NXT. In this match you can clearly see that they have both come a long ways. Most people don't know this but when Kaitlyn was put on NXT she had only been hired for about two to three months by WWE meaning she had very little experience in the ring. This match was easily better than any of the bore-fest Diva matches we have seen on RAW and Smackdown lately. I don't blame the Divas though. I'm sure there is some idiot backstage making the decision to just have them go out there and get it over with. They need to give the Divas more time so that people can see that they can have good matches such as this one between Kaitlyn and Maxine. I also liked how they kept the Batemen/Curtis/Maxine storyline going in this match.
Match Number Four: Percy Watson versus Tyson Kidd
Pretty decent match by these two. Percy has been getting better and better. I remember first seeing him team with Darren Young as the South Beach Party Boys down in FCW about two years ago. Tyson Kidd as always was good in this match. I still can't believe they broke up The Hart Dynasty. Now I think Tyson Kidd is being held down due to his size and is kind of in the old Evan Bourne role only as a heel.
Match Number Five: Titus O’Neil versus JTG with Tamina
I had no complaints with this match. Titus showed a lot of power and JTG knew his role and put over Titus. I don't think Titus is as good as Percy Watson but he is another guy who has improved a lot. I don't see him as a future main eventer or anything like that but I think in a legit tag team with Percy with a gimmick they could do great. JTG is another guy I think like Tyson Kidd is being held down. The guy is decent on the mic and he can work in the ring. They have been teaming him and Darren Young up lately and I like like that pairing. They could be another decent tag team added to the tag team division. I'm not sure why but I like Tamina in the role she is in with JTG although I think she deserves better. She should be having great matches with someone like Natalya on RAW or Smackdown but I guess WWE management just doesn't care about the Divas division anymore which is sad and ridiculous.
Overall Rating and Final Thoughts
I'm giving this episode 8 out of 10. They have some decent storylines going right now and I hope they actually have a payoff for all of them. At this point I wish they would just drop the NXT as a Contest concept because it makes no sense to even make reference to it anymore. This episode reminded me a lot of the old ECW On Syfy show. They need to take it into that direction and let some guys from developmental come up through that way.
{Spoiler}Before our first match, we hear Maxine’s comments from last week and Derrick’s reaction to what she had to say.
Derrick says that he has been back on NXT for 127 weeks and he is here to win. Derrick talks about how he debuted on Smackdown and won a match to get back on Smackdown. He also found true love. He says that it is on the rocks right now, but he vows to win back the Bonnie to his Clyde, the Courtney to his Kurt, the Max to his Beta.
Johnny Curtis comes to the ring and he has something to say. Derrick asks Johnny if he wants another punch in the face. Curtis says that Matt Striker has the same sick mind as him and they are tag team partners tonight.
Matt says that they have nothing in common but he tells Johnny and Derrick that they have to learn to work together.
Johnny talks about how Derrick has been conflicted because Johnny kissed Derrick’s ex and we see a photo. Johnny tells Derrick to put that behind them and have a good Christmas. He wants to let bygones be bygones and he wants Derrick to shake hands. Derrick does not shake hands with Johnny.
Match Number One: Derrick Bateman and Johnny Curtis versus The Usos
Bateman and Jimmy start off and he clotheslines Bateman. Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow and a double elbow drop and Jey gets a near fall. Jimmy tags in and they hit a double head butt. Jimmy with an uppercut followed by an Irish whip but Bateman with a drop kick out of the corner.
Curtis tags in and Bateman does not appreciate it. Jimmy with an uppercut to Curtis followed by an Irish whip and Jey with a drop kick. Jey with a corkscrew forearm but he misses a drop kick when Curtis blocks it and Johnny with a clothesline for a near fall.
Curtis with a clothesline and he gets another near fall. Curtis with a punch to Jey and then he wants to tag in Derrick but Derrick refuses and goes to the floor. They argue and that allows Jey to recover and while Derrick walks away. Jey with a savate kick to the midsection followed by an uppercut. Jimmy tags in and Jimmy gets Irish whipped into a running butt splash. Jey tags back in and Jey goes up top for a superfly splash and the three count.
Winners: The Usos
Yoshi Tatsu is in the back and Trent Barreta asks for Yoshi to watch his back and watch out for Tyler. Reks and Hawkins ambush Yoshi and lock him in a closet as we go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Trent Barreta versus Curt Hawkins with Tyler Reks
They lock up and go to a stalemate. They lock up again and Curt with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Trent with a running back elbow for a near fall. Trent with a forearm but Curt with a back elbow and a clothesline that sends Trent over the top rope to the floor. Hawkins goes to the floor and he sends Trent into the apron.
Hawkins with a kick to the back and a reverse chin lock. Hawkins with a slam for a near fall. Hawkins with a knee to the back followed by a rear chin lock. Trent with forearms but Hawkins trips Trent while he goes to the floor. Trent kicks Hawkins in the chest when he gets back into the ring and Trent with a running drop kick.
Trent with forearms but Hawkins with a knee to stop Trent’s momentum. Tretn with chops followed by an enzuigiri. Trent with a flying back elbow into the corner and then he hits the flying Yakuza kick for a near fall. Trent with a head butt but Hawkins with an Irish whip. Curt charges into the corner and Trent turns it into a double stomp.
Trent goes up top and Tyler distracts Trent and Trent goes after Reks on the apron. Hawkins drops Trent across the turnbuckles and Hawkins hits a hangman facebuster for the three count.
Winner: Curt Hawkins
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Maxine versus Kaitlyn
They lock up and Kaitlyn sends Maxine to the mat followed by an arm drag and kick to the midsection. Kaitlyn with a slam followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Maxine with a forearm and then she climbs on Kaitlyns’s back for a chin lock. Kaitlyn turns it into a back breaker and she gets a near fall.
Maxine sends Kaitlyn into the turnbuckles and then she chokes Kaitlyn in the ropes. Maxine gets a near fall and she shows some frustration. Maxine with a reverse chin lock and she follows that with forearms across the chest. Maxine returns to the chin lock and Kaitlyn gets to her feet. Maxine with a guillotine choke on Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn runs Maxine into the turnbuckles to get out of the hold.
Kaitlyn with a back elbow followed by a drop kick. Maxine with a knee to the midsection and then she sends Kaitlyn to the mat.
Derrick Bateman comes out and the distraction allows Kaitlyn to get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Kaitlyn
After the match, Derrick apologizes to Maxine. He tells Maxine that he doesn’t want her to lose that loving feeling. Derrick does a spoken word of You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling. Maxine wonders why she is now in a remake of Top Gun and Johnny Curtis attacks Derrick from behind. Johnny says that nobody walks out on him and Maxine walks past and says that she is walking out on him. Johnny follows Maxine to the back.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Percy Watson versus Tyson Kidd
They lock up and Kidd backs Watson into the corner. Kidd tries for a kick but Watson blocks it. Watson sends Kidd into the turnbuckles and he punches Kidd. Kidd with an Irish whip but Watson floats over and he hits a reverse atomic drop followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Watson with a knee to the midsection followed by an elbow to the head. Watson with an Irish whip and a side slam for a near fall.
Kidd goes to the apron and Kidd drops Watson’s arm on the top rope and Kidd kicks Watson in the head. Kidd with an enzuigiri and then he gets a near fall. Kidd with a kick to the back and chest followed by a choke with his boot. Kidd with a snap mare and kick to the back for a near fall.
Kidd with a Dragon Sleeper but Watson is able to get back onto his feet. Kidd with a front face lock but Watson sends Kidd into the air and Kidd lands on his chest. Watson with a drop kick or two followed by a slam. Kidd rolls into the corner and Kidd with a kick but Watson with a butterfly throw for a near fall.
Watson puts Tyson on the turnbuckles and he punches Tyson. Watson sets for a superplex but Kidd is able to drop Watson on the top rope followed by a springboard elbow drop for the three count.
Winner: Tyson Kidd
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at the Tribute to the Troops show from last week.
Matt Striker has gone to the back to deal with Johnny Curtis, Derrick Bateman, and Maxine. Matt wants to know why this is going on in his office. Matt says that this is NXT, not the Young and Promiscuous. Next week, Derrick will face Johnny and they will settle things like men and it will be over.
Matt tells Johnny to go the other way from Derrick.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Josh and Matt are joined by Darren Young at the announce table. Darren’s arm is in a sling but he is here to watch the match. We see footage from last week when he got injured by Titus.
Match Number Five: Titus O’Neil versus JTG with Tamina
JTG wants Titus to get back and the referee obliges. JTG with forearms and punches but Titus with an Irish whip and clothesline. Titus sends JTG into the corner and he kicks JTG. JTG with a kick to Titus and he comes off the turnbuckles but Titus catches JTG and hits a back breaker followed by a fallaway slam. JTG charges at Titus but Titus sends JTG to the floor and it is time to bark.
Titus goes to the apron and JTG trips Titus and crotches Titus on the ring skirt and JTG with kicks. They return to the ring and JTG gets a near fall. JTG with punches to Titus. JTG gets another near fall and he applies a reverse chin lock. Titus backs JTG into the corner to escape the chin lock. Titus with a snap mare and he punches JTG followed by a running shoulder tackle or two. Titus with a flying clothesline and he barks again. Titus with a power slam for a near fall. JTG with the sliding uppercut and then he rolls up Titus for a near fall.
Titus with Clash of the Titus for the three count.
Winner: Titus O’Neil
After the match, Titus celebrates in the ring and Darren Young gets onto the apron and he has something to say to Titus. JTG comes from behind and grabs Titus’ ankle. Darren removes the sling and he kicks Titus and connects with a knee drop. Young with the alley oop gutbuster.
Young gets on the mic and he tells Titus if you are going to take someone out, you finish the job. He calls Titus an NXT failure as we go to credits.
Derrick says that he has been back on NXT for 127 weeks and he is here to win. Derrick talks about how he debuted on Smackdown and won a match to get back on Smackdown. He also found true love. He says that it is on the rocks right now, but he vows to win back the Bonnie to his Clyde, the Courtney to his Kurt, the Max to his Beta.
Johnny Curtis comes to the ring and he has something to say. Derrick asks Johnny if he wants another punch in the face. Curtis says that Matt Striker has the same sick mind as him and they are tag team partners tonight.
Matt says that they have nothing in common but he tells Johnny and Derrick that they have to learn to work together.
Johnny talks about how Derrick has been conflicted because Johnny kissed Derrick’s ex and we see a photo. Johnny tells Derrick to put that behind them and have a good Christmas. He wants to let bygones be bygones and he wants Derrick to shake hands. Derrick does not shake hands with Johnny.
Match Number One: Derrick Bateman and Johnny Curtis versus The Usos
Bateman and Jimmy start off and he clotheslines Bateman. Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow and a double elbow drop and Jey gets a near fall. Jimmy tags in and they hit a double head butt. Jimmy with an uppercut followed by an Irish whip but Bateman with a drop kick out of the corner.
Curtis tags in and Bateman does not appreciate it. Jimmy with an uppercut to Curtis followed by an Irish whip and Jey with a drop kick. Jey with a corkscrew forearm but he misses a drop kick when Curtis blocks it and Johnny with a clothesline for a near fall.
Curtis with a clothesline and he gets another near fall. Curtis with a punch to Jey and then he wants to tag in Derrick but Derrick refuses and goes to the floor. They argue and that allows Jey to recover and while Derrick walks away. Jey with a savate kick to the midsection followed by an uppercut. Jimmy tags in and Jimmy gets Irish whipped into a running butt splash. Jey tags back in and Jey goes up top for a superfly splash and the three count.
Winners: The Usos
Yoshi Tatsu is in the back and Trent Barreta asks for Yoshi to watch his back and watch out for Tyler. Reks and Hawkins ambush Yoshi and lock him in a closet as we go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Trent Barreta versus Curt Hawkins with Tyler Reks
They lock up and go to a stalemate. They lock up again and Curt with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Trent with a running back elbow for a near fall. Trent with a forearm but Curt with a back elbow and a clothesline that sends Trent over the top rope to the floor. Hawkins goes to the floor and he sends Trent into the apron.
Hawkins with a kick to the back and a reverse chin lock. Hawkins with a slam for a near fall. Hawkins with a knee to the back followed by a rear chin lock. Trent with forearms but Hawkins trips Trent while he goes to the floor. Trent kicks Hawkins in the chest when he gets back into the ring and Trent with a running drop kick.
Trent with forearms but Hawkins with a knee to stop Trent’s momentum. Tretn with chops followed by an enzuigiri. Trent with a flying back elbow into the corner and then he hits the flying Yakuza kick for a near fall. Trent with a head butt but Hawkins with an Irish whip. Curt charges into the corner and Trent turns it into a double stomp.
Trent goes up top and Tyler distracts Trent and Trent goes after Reks on the apron. Hawkins drops Trent across the turnbuckles and Hawkins hits a hangman facebuster for the three count.
Winner: Curt Hawkins
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Maxine versus Kaitlyn
They lock up and Kaitlyn sends Maxine to the mat followed by an arm drag and kick to the midsection. Kaitlyn with a slam followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Maxine with a forearm and then she climbs on Kaitlyns’s back for a chin lock. Kaitlyn turns it into a back breaker and she gets a near fall.
Maxine sends Kaitlyn into the turnbuckles and then she chokes Kaitlyn in the ropes. Maxine gets a near fall and she shows some frustration. Maxine with a reverse chin lock and she follows that with forearms across the chest. Maxine returns to the chin lock and Kaitlyn gets to her feet. Maxine with a guillotine choke on Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn runs Maxine into the turnbuckles to get out of the hold.
Kaitlyn with a back elbow followed by a drop kick. Maxine with a knee to the midsection and then she sends Kaitlyn to the mat.
Derrick Bateman comes out and the distraction allows Kaitlyn to get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Kaitlyn
After the match, Derrick apologizes to Maxine. He tells Maxine that he doesn’t want her to lose that loving feeling. Derrick does a spoken word of You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling. Maxine wonders why she is now in a remake of Top Gun and Johnny Curtis attacks Derrick from behind. Johnny says that nobody walks out on him and Maxine walks past and says that she is walking out on him. Johnny follows Maxine to the back.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Percy Watson versus Tyson Kidd
They lock up and Kidd backs Watson into the corner. Kidd tries for a kick but Watson blocks it. Watson sends Kidd into the turnbuckles and he punches Kidd. Kidd with an Irish whip but Watson floats over and he hits a reverse atomic drop followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Watson with a knee to the midsection followed by an elbow to the head. Watson with an Irish whip and a side slam for a near fall.
Kidd goes to the apron and Kidd drops Watson’s arm on the top rope and Kidd kicks Watson in the head. Kidd with an enzuigiri and then he gets a near fall. Kidd with a kick to the back and chest followed by a choke with his boot. Kidd with a snap mare and kick to the back for a near fall.
Kidd with a Dragon Sleeper but Watson is able to get back onto his feet. Kidd with a front face lock but Watson sends Kidd into the air and Kidd lands on his chest. Watson with a drop kick or two followed by a slam. Kidd rolls into the corner and Kidd with a kick but Watson with a butterfly throw for a near fall.
Watson puts Tyson on the turnbuckles and he punches Tyson. Watson sets for a superplex but Kidd is able to drop Watson on the top rope followed by a springboard elbow drop for the three count.
Winner: Tyson Kidd
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at the Tribute to the Troops show from last week.
Matt Striker has gone to the back to deal with Johnny Curtis, Derrick Bateman, and Maxine. Matt wants to know why this is going on in his office. Matt says that this is NXT, not the Young and Promiscuous. Next week, Derrick will face Johnny and they will settle things like men and it will be over.
Matt tells Johnny to go the other way from Derrick.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Josh and Matt are joined by Darren Young at the announce table. Darren’s arm is in a sling but he is here to watch the match. We see footage from last week when he got injured by Titus.
Match Number Five: Titus O’Neil versus JTG with Tamina
JTG wants Titus to get back and the referee obliges. JTG with forearms and punches but Titus with an Irish whip and clothesline. Titus sends JTG into the corner and he kicks JTG. JTG with a kick to Titus and he comes off the turnbuckles but Titus catches JTG and hits a back breaker followed by a fallaway slam. JTG charges at Titus but Titus sends JTG to the floor and it is time to bark.
Titus goes to the apron and JTG trips Titus and crotches Titus on the ring skirt and JTG with kicks. They return to the ring and JTG gets a near fall. JTG with punches to Titus. JTG gets another near fall and he applies a reverse chin lock. Titus backs JTG into the corner to escape the chin lock. Titus with a snap mare and he punches JTG followed by a running shoulder tackle or two. Titus with a flying clothesline and he barks again. Titus with a power slam for a near fall. JTG with the sliding uppercut and then he rolls up Titus for a near fall.
Titus with Clash of the Titus for the three count.
Winner: Titus O’Neil
After the match, Titus celebrates in the ring and Darren Young gets onto the apron and he has something to say to Titus. JTG comes from behind and grabs Titus’ ankle. Darren removes the sling and he kicks Titus and connects with a knee drop. Young with the alley oop gutbuster.
Young gets on the mic and he tells Titus if you are going to take someone out, you finish the job. He calls Titus an NXT failure as we go to credits.
Opening Segment and Match Number One: Derrick Bateman and Johnny Curtis versus The Usos
The opening segment was good and I genuinley laughed at Bateman making the Curt Cobain/Courney Love and Bonnie and Clyde reference. A little over a month ago Bateman and Curtis teamed together and defeated Percy Watson and Titus O'Neil. They didn't do too many double team maneuvers but they did do a big double team finishing move for the win. In this match both Bateman and Curtis and The Usos looked good and I think they all have bright futures. I wouldn't mind seeing Bateman and Curtis become a creepy Brian Pillman-style loose cannon tag team. That may be where they are going with all of this.
Match Number Two: Trent Barreta versus Curt Hawkins with Tyler Reks
Solid match by two guys who I believed trained together back in Long Island. Hawkins and Reks make a decent tag team but like most of the regular tag teams on NXT they need more of a tag team gimmick overall. Barreta in my opinion is one of the most underrated guys on the WWE roster and I think he has a lot of potential. The only hang up on this I had was that they had Hawkins and Reks lock Yoshi into a closet backstage and they showed it on camera. This is one of the reasons for why I really hate the way WWE does their backstage segments. I think they need to go back to doing more backstage interview promos rather than these ridiculous backstage segments that make no sense. Hell why didn't the camera guy just unlock Yoshi? For all we know he could still be in there!
Match Number Three: Maxine versus Kaitlyn
Back in season 3 of NXT these two had one of the worse matches I've ever seen on NXT. In this match you can clearly see that they have both come a long ways. Most people don't know this but when Kaitlyn was put on NXT she had only been hired for about two to three months by WWE meaning she had very little experience in the ring. This match was easily better than any of the bore-fest Diva matches we have seen on RAW and Smackdown lately. I don't blame the Divas though. I'm sure there is some idiot backstage making the decision to just have them go out there and get it over with. They need to give the Divas more time so that people can see that they can have good matches such as this one between Kaitlyn and Maxine. I also liked how they kept the Batemen/Curtis/Maxine storyline going in this match.
Match Number Four: Percy Watson versus Tyson Kidd
Pretty decent match by these two. Percy has been getting better and better. I remember first seeing him team with Darren Young as the South Beach Party Boys down in FCW about two years ago. Tyson Kidd as always was good in this match. I still can't believe they broke up The Hart Dynasty. Now I think Tyson Kidd is being held down due to his size and is kind of in the old Evan Bourne role only as a heel.
Match Number Five: Titus O’Neil versus JTG with Tamina
I had no complaints with this match. Titus showed a lot of power and JTG knew his role and put over Titus. I don't think Titus is as good as Percy Watson but he is another guy who has improved a lot. I don't see him as a future main eventer or anything like that but I think in a legit tag team with Percy with a gimmick they could do great. JTG is another guy I think like Tyson Kidd is being held down. The guy is decent on the mic and he can work in the ring. They have been teaming him and Darren Young up lately and I like like that pairing. They could be another decent tag team added to the tag team division. I'm not sure why but I like Tamina in the role she is in with JTG although I think she deserves better. She should be having great matches with someone like Natalya on RAW or Smackdown but I guess WWE management just doesn't care about the Divas division anymore which is sad and ridiculous.
Overall Rating and Final Thoughts
I'm giving this episode 8 out of 10. They have some decent storylines going right now and I hope they actually have a payoff for all of them. At this point I wish they would just drop the NXT as a Contest concept because it makes no sense to even make reference to it anymore. This episode reminded me a lot of the old ECW On Syfy show. They need to take it into that direction and let some guys from developmental come up through that way.