James Caldwell, Torch Assistant Editor (4.5)

WWE put in the effort this week trying to explain the NXT format, voting, and competition aspect, but the audience was still left in the dark on the how the "seasonal competition" aspect is going to function. Meanwhile, the biggest concern is that NXT often-times feels like ECW TV on Tuesday nights, just with a formal method to introduce new talent with a contrived "reality TV" concept.

That said, WWE introduced the audience to Justin Gabriel, who looks like the babyface of the future after introducing the "next great babyface wrestler" Daniel Bryan (Danielson) last week. The issue going forward is trying to retain an audience when the show feels like another version of ECW at times. When WWE advertised "innovative, never-before-seen TV," but the audience wasn't anticipating forgettable tag matches.

Overall, I'm disappointed with the show, as WWE advertising "innovative, never-before-seen TV" sure sounded like it would actually be innovative, never-before-seen-TV. At the end of the day, though, it's a new platform to introduce the WWE audience one way or another to the likes of Daniel Bryan, David Otunga, and Justin Gabriel, who has babyface star written all over him. NXT deserves a chance to find its niche after just two weeks, but this episode felt like a regular episode of WWE's vision for ECW at times.

Dominick Mayer, PWTorch.com Contributor (7.0)

I'm still willing to give time to the format of this show, because WWE is at least trying to explain the voting rules, even if I'm now pretty sure they're making it up as they go. This having been said, last night was a big boom for a couple reasons. You can already see who they're favoring, as Daniel Bryan's program with Miz is possibly the best thing on the show right now and David Otunga could make for an awesome spin on MVP's original heel character. The matches are good; when you televise FCW more or less, there's bound to be an occasional miscommunication.

The main event bugged me a little bit, because Sheffield and Gabriel weren't on the show at any point last week and only got one match at the end of this week's show. It's a shame because I see a LOT of upside in both. Gabriel just has the kind of look that's going to draw a crowd to him, kind of like CM Punk when he made his WWE debut. And it could get obnoxious once WWE writers get their hands on him, but I love Sheffield's character at the moment. Overall, solid week two.

Greg Parks, Torch Columnist (5.0)

While on one hand it makes sense for the mentors not to be able to vote yay or nay for their rookie, it also seems to defeat the purpose of them keeping a "watchful eye" on their talent. What's in it for the mentor if his rookie wins? When are these votes taking place? Simple things like that really need to be explained for me to enjoy this show as something more than an episode of FCW Superstars.

The rise of Daniel Bryan continued on the second episode, even though he lost to Wade Barrett. Barrett looked good in the ring and he's already got the mic work to make it. The opening match did nothing for me; felt like there were too many rest periods in that one. Finally, as most people have said, I can see Justin Gabriel as a top babyface of the future. Skip Sheffield is another story, however.

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