-- 2/23 NXT TV Reax

Max Laughton of Melbourne, Australia, journalism student (9.5): Best Match: Bryan vs. Jericho. Worst Match: Otunga vs. Young. I was more excited for this show than I've been for anything else in wrestling pretty much ever, and yet the show still was still good enough that I wasn't disappointed. I've probably watched one full Bryan Danielson match before tonight, but the fact that he was the clear star of the show and that he wrestled CHRIS JERICHO, the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, just excited me so much. It was just incredible to see that from a concept level, plus it was very well-done. Every single interaction between Rookie and Pro that we saw tonight was multi-layered and well thought-out. Punk's disapproval of Darren Young before and after his match against David Otunga was brilliant, just like everything Punk's been doing lately. David Otunga was brilliant up until the finish of his match, but it seemed to me like he was going for a one-arm spinebuster and that Young didn't sell it properly. Also, it seems like most people became flipped out on Michael Cole's commentary: it was brilliant! The commentary was both nicely heelish and a brilliant way to continue to promote Danielson's gimmick of being the Internet darling who needs to make it in the big leagues. A half-point off for Heath Slater's hair, but apart from that, this was the best thing I've seen WWE do in a long time.

Josh Macala of Houston, Tex. (n/a): Does it matter how this "competition" works? It's pretty obvious now this is just a vehicle to get Danielson over, with everyone else an afterthought. Barrett can be the next Sheamus, Otunga the next Batista (complete with botches), and for some reason, Tarver wants to be the next Ernest Miller. This whole show just showed me that Austin Aries is right - WWE doesn't care what you do prior to getting there and that's just a shame. AmDrag-Y2J could main event WrestleMania one day.

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (8.0): Best: Jericho vs. Bryan. Worst: Young vs. Otunga. If the show finishes like it started, I'm going to like this show. This was less "Tough Enough" and more like "Pros vs. Joes." I know WrestleMania is coming up, but unless any or all of the NXT guys make their way to Phoenix, I would have foregone the Cena-Batista chapter via the Raw Rebound to give Matt Hardy and his rookie an introduction. The video packages did a much better job introducing each competitor than the first pre-show attempts did. The closer, more intimate camera views were a double-edged sword when certain moves were missed. At the same time, these closer views can be treated as a better analytical tool for the Pros dissecting their Rookies's moves. This might come in handy for whatever it was that Otunga seemed to finish Young with. That finishing move was pretty sloppy-looking. Daniel Bryan is being pushed big as "the Internet darling" and independent background, while Otunga has Hollywood to namedrop. Of the others, Tarver and Slater were decent in the ring in their debut, though I would do more than have Tarver be a limited "striker." Young reminds me of Orlando Jordan, and not necessarily in a good way. Wade Barrett makes me think of the stuffy William Regal on the mic, and definitely in a good way. And who woulda thunk of the nicest surprise of all: Michael Cole as a heel commentator? Dude, I like it! Anything to keep Cole from saying that dreaded V-word again, I'm all for it. For the first time in seemingly forever, Cole sounded genuinely passionate, not painfully fake in his words. Could we please have this Cole on Raw, too?

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. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on NXT, click here.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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