WWE NXT TV Report
March 9, 2010 - Season 1, Episode 3
Taped in Seattle, Wash.
By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The third week of WWE's NXT show started with a video package on the NXT rookies and a shot of Carlito spitting apple in Heath Slater's face at the end of last week's show. They rolled more footage from last week, focusing in on C.M. Punk helping Darren Young win and R-Truth and Otunga having a little fisticuffs. Cue up the standard NXT intro theme.

In-ring: R-Truth's music hit and out came Truth rapping to the ring followed from a distance by David Otunga. Michael Cole and Josh Mathews were shown on-camera to introduce the show and talk about the "competition" being wide open. Backstage, Matt Striker welcomed us to Week 3 of the competition. The Rookies are competing against each other and looking for votes. Will they ever explain what "the competition" is? Goodness. Back in the ring, Truth addressed Seattle, inquiring on what's up. The Miz's music then hit to bring out Daniel Bryan ahead of U.S. champion The Miz. Cole referenced Bryan in his home state tonight as Miz got his shine in the ring with three belts covering his upper body.

Before the match started, Miz took the mic and offered a pep talk to Bryan. He said Daniel is 0-2 right now and he hasn't proved anything to anyone. Miz told Bryan this match is very important and if he lets him down tonight, he will personally make sure Bryan never achieves his goal of becoming a WWE star. And, he will have Bryan thrown off NXT. Bryan, who was sporting a scruffier look in the facial hair department, grimaced and took the "advice" before starting the match.

1 -- U.S. champion THE MIZ & DANIEL BRYAN vs. R-TRUTH & DAVID OTUNGA

Bryan's ribs are apparently healed, as he wasn't sported the taped ribs this week. Truth and Bryan started things off with Truth dominating early on. Mathews said Truth and Otunga are on the same page now after having a chat during the week. Otunga then tagged in and helped Truth continue to dominate Bryan. Truth then knocked Bryan to the outside before chucking Miz to the floor. Truth then hit a flip splash onto both Miz and Bryan on the floor before they cut to break with Bryan's "career on the line."

[Commercial Break]

Back to the action, Bryan was taking another beating as Cole said Bryan has been trying to get to WWE for ten years. I don't know about that. Miz then tagged in and worked over Truth to hype their Unified tag title match at WrestleMania. Bryan then blind-tagged himself into the match and hit a double foot stomp from the top on Otunga. He then hit rapid fire kick strikes in the corner and fired up the crowd. Bryan then followed through with a heel hook center ring. Bryan applied the hold and Otunga sold the hold. "Tap, tap, tap" the crowd chanted.

[Q2] Suddenly, Miz blind-tagged himself into the match with Bryan having the hold locked in. Miz and Bryan then went at each other. In the background, Truth smashed Miz with a kick strike and Otunga gave Miz a lift-up slam for the pin and the win. Post-match: Bryan grimaced from the ring apron as Team Truth celebrated the victory. Bryan then walked away staring down Miz, who sold the effects in the ring. Bryan got some shine on the entranceramp raising his fist in the air for the crowd. After WWE replayed the high points, Miz grabbed Bryan on the floor and yelled at him to show respect. He vowed to get rid of Bryan from NXT. Bryan then reared back and feigned a big slap. Miz flinched and Bryan pulled back before pointing at Miz. Nice focus on Bryan here.

WINNERS: Truth & Otunga in 11:00. Nice storyline progression with Miz and Bryan. There's a lot they can do with the tension going forward. Bryan definitely had his best outing on NXT thus far. Well done all around here. (*1/2)

Earlier today: In a sit-down interview setting, Heath Slater talked about Carlito surprising him with the apple at the end of last week's show. Slater said that's not cool to him. He said he was mad and on NXT tonight, Carlito will get his. He really stood out there talking about what happened, with his personality coming off the screen. Tonight, it's Slater vs. Carlito. Yes, a video package adding fuel to the fire on the issue to be played out in the ring!

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Matt Striker caught up with The Miz and asked Miz if he really let Daniel Bryan down tonight. Bryan then walked into the shot and told Miz that every single tag partner he's had has always carried him. Miz told Bryan he's the Pro and he calls the shots. Bryan said if Miz is so talented, then why did he lose tonight? Bryan shoved Miz in the chest and walked off, leaving Miz looking upset.

Announcers: Cole and Mathews continued to play up the tension between Miz and Bryan, asking whether the relationship can be repaired. This show is hitting on all cylinders tonight.

Justin Gabriel video: They rolled a sit-down interview/highlight video on Justin Gabriel, who talked about his background and visualizing himself being a top star in WWE. Well done.

Backstage: Matt Hardy was with Justin Gabriel, who was sporting a Matt Hardy t-shirt. Hardy talked him up for being the first Rookie to beat a Pro on NXT. Gabriel said he has a great sensei, so would he do anything different tonight? Hardy said Gabriel has Wade Barrett tonight, so stick to the gameplan. In walked Chris Jericho in a suit and Wade Barrett smiling in the background. Jericho sized up Mr. Barrett and told Gabriel to be on top of his game tonight. Gabriel said he respects Jericho, but he's not intimidated by Barrett. Barrett, with his deep voice, said he destroyed the fan favorite last week and it'll go down again tonight. Gabriel said they'll see. Gabriel needs more polish in his promos. Hardy then stared down Jericho as the heel duo walked away.

In-ring: Christian's music hit to bring out Heath Slater dressed to compete with Christian following behind in street clothes. Cue up Carlito's music to bring out Carlito followed by Michael Tarver. Carlito had mic in hand here. Carlito slowly said Slater's name and addressed what Slater had to say about him last week. Tarver, by the way, is sporting a t-shirt that just read "1.9." Carlito told Slater he should be begging him to spit in his face again. Carlito then slowly walked into the ring and stared down Slater before spitting in his face again. They had a brief exchange with fists flying before WWE cut to break. Match up next.

[Q3]

[Commercial Break]

2 -- HEATH SLATER (w/Christian) vs. CARLITO (w/Michael Tarver)

Back from break, Carlito was working on Slater as the announcers continued to put over the apple. Slater suddenly no-sold Carlito's offense and told him to bring it on. Slater then chucked Carlito over the top rope. Slater got some shine and Carlito regrouped on the outside before shooting a look back into the ring. Carlito and Tarver talked things over, then Carlito re-entered the ring and pounded on Slater in the corner. Carlito missed with a corner attack, then Slater fired off with right hand blows and a kick to the chin. Carlito then stopped Slater with a boot to the face to cut off Slater and begin working over Christian v.2.

Carlito then airballed a corner attack and crotched himself on the middle rope. Slater made his comeback and slammed Carlito with a facebuster for a two count. Slater tried to charge Carlito off the ropes, but Carlito caught him with a sit-out slam. Carlito started smiling, then went looking for his apple, but Christian stole it and tossed it to Tarver. Carlito then grabbed Slater for a backstabber, but Slater blocked and jack-knife covered Carlito for a two count. Moments later, Slater rolled up Carlito and scored a quick three count for the win. Slater celebrated with Christian post-match as Carlito stared off into space looking embarrassed.

WINNER: Slater in 9:00 (6:00 aired on TV). Nice match based on a conflict played out in the ring. Amazing how that works. Slater looked solid here, especially the spot early on where he no-sold and told Carlito to bring it harder. Live crowds still need time to buy into the new stars, but they're getting there. Well done. (*1/2)

Darren Young video: They showed Darren Young in the sit-down/highlight video introducing him. He said he believed in Shawn Michaels and Ricky Steamboat growing up as a wrestling fan. Lots of good clips on Young having a good time as a character and high-flying in the ring.

Backstage: C.M. Punk was with Straight Edge Society recapping Young's first two weeks. He wanted to know if Young recognizes their help yet. Young then walked in and asked why he can't just live his lifestyle. Punk turned to Young and said he can lead a horse to water, but he can't make him drink. He said straight-edge can make anyone a winner, or Young can do things his way and see how it turns out. They walked off, leaving Young to contemplate things.

Up next: Justin Gabriel vs. Wade Barrett with Matt Hardy and World Hvt. champ Chris Jericho ringside.

Video package: Shawn Michaels. His Career. The Undertaker. His Streak. WrestleMania 26. Johnny Cash. Nothing else needs to be said.

[Q4]

[Commercial Break]

Raw Rebound: They focused on Batista hating on John Cena because he's the centerpiece of WWE. This led to a recap of last night's Raw with Cena running Vince McMahon's gauntlet in the main event. A little different video here with a slow-motion, slow-music march through the events leading to a fast pace recap of Cena making a spirited comeback that was cut short by Batista.

In-ring: Chris Jericho led Wade Barrett to the ring for the main event. Cole announced that Jericho is bringing back the Highlight Reel for the first time in two years. Yeah, it's almost been that long since he smashed Shawn Michaels through the Jeritron 3000. Main event up next.

[Commercial Break]

Raw preview: After all those lame guests, it's finally time for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to guest host Raw two weeks before WrestleMania. They plugged the three big WrestleMania rewind matches and Austin officiating the Bret Hart and Vince McMahon contract signing.

In-ring: Back live in the arena, Jericho was smugly looking into the crowd before Matt Hardy's music hit to bring out Justin Gabriel, accompanied by Hardy. Torch reader Lane Harwood is live in Seattle and says a fan hit Jericho with a beer during his commercial break promo for the live crowd.

[Q5 -- over-run]

3 -- WADE BARRETT (w/World Hvt. champion Chris Jericho) vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL (w/Matt Hardy)

The bell sounded right at the top of the hour with England's Barrett vs. South Africa's Gabriel exchanging holds to begin the match. Gabriel with an odd garter belt of sorts around his left thigh. Barrett worked over Gabriel early on as Jericho grabbed some airtime shouting into Matthew's headset about his influence on Barrett wearing down Gabriel. Gabriel teased a comeback, but Barrett cut him off and Jericho began yelling again about influencing Barrett's in-ring work. "Why don't you just join us on commentary?" Cole said before cackling to himself. Cole actually letting his hair down a little bit on the show. Better Cole than robotic Cole on Raw. Out of nowhere, Gabriel crotched Barrett up top and knocked him to the corner. Gabriel then came off the top with a 450 splash out of nowhere for the sudden pin and the win.

Post-match: Hardy helped up Gabriel, who was selling the work from Barrett and the 450 splash. Jericho then jumped Hardy from behind and knocked him to the floor. Jericho gave Gabriel the codebreaker before slapping on the Walls of Jericho to stretch the Rookie a little bit. Gabriel tapped and Barrett raised both of their arms in victory. Gabriel was shown face-down on the mat with Jericho standing tall to close the show.

WINNER: Gabriel in 4:00. Fine little match. Jericho was awesome screaming into Mathews's headset randomly. The post-match attack was good too in order to get heat on the heels with Barrett taking the loss. WWE putting Hardy in the same spotlight as the World champ on NXT can only help his career on Smackdown. Nice conclusion to a very strong episode with WWE finding its way here in Week 3. (*)

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for an "NXT TV Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on NXT, email to pwtorch@gmail.com using our Feedback form.

We suggest these recent related articles...

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 10/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Roman Reigns & Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman

METZGER'S ROH TV REPORT 10/4 & 10/7: IWGP World champ Okada vs. Roderick Strong main event, plus Briscoes vs. Time Splitters, more from "Field of Honor," Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 10/7: TNA Title Series kicks off, Bound for Glory fall-out, more; Overall Reax