NXT Rankings & Evaluation
By George Chiverton, PWTorch NXT specialist

With exams done, I have returned and have a number of NXTs to catch up on as well as news relating to upcoming debuts and developments. All aboard the NX-Train!

Latest NXT Rankings

(1) Bray Wyatt (-)
(2) Paige (-)
(3) Kassius Ohno (-)
(4) Corey Graves (-)
(5) Luke Harper (-)
(6) Adrian Neville (-)
(7) Oliver Grey (-)
(8) Bronson (-)
(9) Jake Carter (-)
(10) Big E. Langston (-)
(11) Richie Steamboat (-)
(12) Rowan (-)
(13) Bo Dallas (-)
(14) Conor O'Brian (-)
(15) Jason Jordon (-)
(16) Leo Kruger (-)
Waiting List - Xavier Woods, Sasha Banks, El Local, Baron Corbin, Bayley, Scott Dawson, Garett Dylan

5/22 NXT Episode Analysis

- The first match was Sami Zayn (formerly El Generico) debuting against Curt Hawkins. Zayn was following a hugely natural interview the previous week which did nothing except endear me to the newly unmasked luchador. He came across as a gentleman who totally fulfilled every positive Canadian stereotype in existence. He was understated, friendly, and genuine. I was confident as a result going into the match.

In terms of sheer wrestling, Zayn was flawless, which was a given considering his extensive background on the indies. If I were to critique anything, I'd say his facial acting was not quite there. I think he may just be used to a mask. As a result, he tended to over-act. Still, a solid, quick match against Hawkins, who respectfully tweeted that he's always wanted to wrestle Zayn. Of note, Zayn kept the majority of his impressive offense under wraps.

- Zayn wrestled again later in the night, facing Antonio Cesaro. William Regal made a massive deal that this debutante not only beat an established wrestler in Hawkins but was accepting a challenge from another wrestler in the same night. The crowd was hot for it and the match that followed was as good as you'd expect from two former indie stars who clashed in the past.

More importantly, Sami got the win with a quick roll-up, while Antonio won the war with a post-match beat down. I smell a feud. A tasty, tasty feud.

- Out next was Enzo Amore, who in the evolution of Jersey Shore wrestlers is somewhere between Robbie E. and the Full Blooded Italians stable from ECW. He's unique and could be a solid lower-card jobber for years to come.

This was rapidly proved as Mason Ryan came out and won. There is very little else to say.

- It was main event time next with a match-up between two top talents from NXT: Bray Wyatt (more on him later) and Corey Graves. Bray wore a white mask for the first time, which only added to his terrifying aura. It had a practical application, though, as Chris Jericho "broke his nose" in their encounter. Unfortunately, there were a couple of awkward moments where Bray had to retreat to the outside to re-apply the mask after it slipped off. It didn't exactly aid momentum.

One thing that has bugged me with Wyatt is the 'Tank with a Ferrari engine' label commentators often bring up. It's ridiculous. The most powerful Ferrari engine ever was 848 horsepower while the first tank I found on Wikipedia (an Abrams) has an engine with 1,500 horsepower. Silly.

The reason for that spiel is that I needed something to do during the match, as it didn't deliver. They never hit second gear and there was something missing. Perhaps there was something in the future to add to the feud. As in, right after the match...

Kassius Ohno came out to go to town on The Family until the numbers caught up with him. It's good to see NXT establish both Graves and Ohno as clear faces. And, perhaps the developing match will deliver better than the first encounter.

5/29 NXT Episode Analysis

- Travis Tyler and Sawyer Fawlton were in the ring ready to take on the NXT Tag Champs, Luke Harper and Rowan. This was my first time seeing Fawlton wrestle and will likely be the last, as he has been released since. He took a lariat like a champ, though. A simple enhancement match for the champs following a couple of weeks where they've looked a tad weak.

- Stephanie McMahon turned up to debut the NXT Women's Championship, which I am a big fan of. The title is beautiful on first glance, too. Who will win? I'd suggest Paige based on Seth Rollins winning the NXT Title: a face star to establish the title from the jump. However, maybe this is a chance to pull a Chris Jericho and establish a new star. Paige certainly doesn't need the rub and will likely hit the main roster soon, so why not take a risk elsewhere?

- The next match saw Audrey Marie (who has been since released) taking on Emma, who boogied her way down to the ring in a typically awkward manner. The match started and Emma called for her music again and began to start dancing. Audrey wasn't a fan and the match was on. Emma showed some unique offense, including a modified tarantula and a cross-body into the corner before hitting a bridging Dragon Sleeper (as seen with Austin Aries) to win the match. She was better tonight than she ever has been on WWE TV.

- Backstage were two redneck-looking fellows who were then commanded by a man with a terrible French action to get to the ring. Odd?

- Jake Carter and Brandon Tavern were in the ring, and Tavern has been released. Carter was not in a good place next to him, as Carter had a great start to NXT, showed great promise, but now seems to be on the way down. Real shame.

The rednecks were identified as Garrett Dylan and Scott Dawson or "D-Squared," as they apparently like to be known. They have a little of Cade and Murdoch about them both in gimmick and style. As for Sylvester on the outside, I have no idea. This whole group makes no sense and each entity seems like an over-blown caricature. Not sure where they're going with it, but the match gave Dylan and Dawson a win.

- Up next was Derrick Bateman's final match in WWE against Big E. Langston. Bateman's haircut took something away from his image without adding a lot back, but it was all irrelevant by the time this aired.

I'l reiterate that I'm very much upset by Bateman's departure, as he had a tremendous upside that was displayed for about 30 seconds in this match. Hard offense and a willingness to take big hits from Big E. when he needed to were also part of the match. Overall, this was a typical Bateman loss to help establish Big E. ahead of facing a new #1 contender.

- Curtis Axel then beat John Cena. What? Of course it was a re-run, yes.

- Battle Royal time. There were special introductions for Corey Graves, Bray Wyatt, Kassius Ohno, Adrian Neville (who got a big pop), Bo Dallas, and Mason Ryan (in this order). I know there is time to work with, but I would have liked to have seen Sami Zayn get a full entrance to follow up on his debut. He looked out of place amongst the jobbers - a number of whom have since been cut.

Mason Ryan eliminated nine people in the span of about 30 seconds before press-slamming Zayn into the lot of them. Neville then hurricanrana-ed the big man out to leave the introduced wrestlers in the ring - a quick way to trim the fat and give Neville an impressive elimination.

Back from break, Conor O'Brian was running into people before Kassius almost decapitated him with a big knee. O'Brian was eliminated, but was soon followed by both Graves and Kassius Ohno, who were caught by Wyatt. Wyatt, though, was then taken out by Neville to a big ovation.

Neville left with former tag partner Bo Dallas. Dallas was thoroughly booed, while Neville was way over. Unfortunately, Bo got his knees up when Neville came off the top allowing an elimination. So, Bo won. There has to be a heel turn in this somewhere.

- On the Wyatt family, I've been touting their praises ever since their debut. In particular, Wyatt at the helm is a revelation. He's been tested over the past couple of weeks by being made to wrestle multiple times in one night of taping, not to mention a high-paced match against Jericho a few weeks ago. This supports the rumors that he was originally demoted by management for a lack of fitness. They've tested and found him able. Now, he will rock the main roster with The Family, who could make for credible opposition for The Shield. Interesting viewing is ahead.

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