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NXT FLASHBACK - WWE NXT debuts 5 yrs. ago today: Bryan & Miz, Barrett, Jericho vs. Bryan, more

Feb 23, 2015 - 3:33:34 AM
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KELLER'S WWE NXT REPORT
FEBRUARY 23, 2010
AIRED ON SYFY


-The show opened with cheesy music ("Wild & Young" by American Bang) introducing the broad concept that veterans would be teamed with WWE rookies. The screen showed each of the pairings one at a time. Then they went to all of the rookies awkwardly standing next to each other. I'm never a fan of wrestlers just standing in a row doing "their thing" (flexing, grimacing, etc.) as it always seems like a circus or a carnival show where everyone's acting like a cartoon character trying to get our attention. Daniel Bryan looks tiny compared to everyone else in that row, too.

-The Miz walked up to Bryan. He said he is one of eight NXT Pros, and he introduced Bryan as "an Internet darling." He said he traveled the world and earned his rep on the indy circuit. He said Internet bloggers say he's great. He told Bryan to learn to expect anything in WWE. He told him to go to the ring and introduce himself and tell everybody who he is and show personality and charisma. He said he wanted him to give viewers a reason to watch him every week. Miz said he can even go out to his music. Bryan said he's not sure that helps. Miz said he also needs a catchphrase. (2015 edit: just wait a few years. Yes!) Miz looked at the camera and said that compared to him, "Bryan's personality is as dry as the Mojave Desert." He said he's ready to slap some personality into him. Odd opening segment. It kind of dragged and lacked energy.

-They went to a wide shot of the arena and then to ringside with Josh Matthews and Michael Cole. They threw to Matt Striker backstage who said he'll be introducing viewers to the personalities of the rookies.

-They went to the ring where Bryan thanked the fans for cheering for him despite being mentored by The Miz. Bryan said to all of his fans that he wishes he was paired with William Regal, so he apologized for being aligned with The Miz. He said he finally has an opportunity in WWE after ten years. He said he looks forward to making the most of the opportunity. Miz's music interrupted. "I have my work cut out for me being your Pro," he said. He complained about his personality and charisma. Bryan told him to watch what he says or he'll submit him right now. Miz said he may be a submission machine, but how can he become a star. Bryan said he was thinking of staring on a reality TV show (2015 edit: just wait a few years. Total Divas), getting a faux-hawk, and acting like an idiot. "Oh wait, sorry. That's already been done, and it's been done by you."

Miz asked him what his catchphrase is. Miz repeated his. Daniel offered up, "You either tap or your snap. How is that, WWE Universe?" Miz asked the crowd if they think Bryan belongs in the same ring as him. Miz said he doesn't. He said he failed, then slapped him and left the ring. Bryan said, "You got nothing on me." Bryan then said, "Miz, there will be a time that I will slap you back." Bryan was good in this role, not acting the least bit subservient or intimidated by Miz. He had that signature grin that suggests he knows something nobody else does. [c]

Striker told Bryan that he was just embarrassed on TV by being slapped in the face. Bryan said he didn't consider that humiliating. He told Miz he slaps a lot harder than he does and at some point he'll get him back. Striker said Miz is his mentor "and WWE is all about respect." Huh?! Bryan said he's been wrestling twice as long as he has. Striker said he hasn't been in WWE a minute. He asked if he wants to be a star. Bryan, stumbling a bit over his words, said he wants to become a star on his own. Striker's delivery of the scripted questions is so stilted it doesn't help at all.

-Carlito walked onto the stage and introduced his rookie, Michael Tarver. He said with his mentoring, he'll be the next breakout star. What, he can dream of some day reaching the heights of Carlito's career, standing around backstage on Raw in street clothes and occasionally doing a one minute job? A video package aired on Tarver who said he's known as "1.9 Seconds" because that's how long it takes to knock out his opponents. He said his father was Mike Tyson's training partner when he was in high school. Oh good, a wrestler who uses a punch as a finisher. He said he strongly feels he has a lot of ability the world needs to see. He said other rookies need to bring their A-game. "I am Michael Tarver and this is my destiny and history is going to write itself," he closed. He packed more athlete cliches into that 90 seconds than I can remember ever hearing.

-After Christian and Health Slater began their ring intro, they cut to a video package on Slater. Slater said he's wanted to be a WWE Superstar since he "popped out of his mother's womb." He said he's a rock star without the instruments. He said he's always wanted to be a WWE Superstar. He reminds me of Stephen Bonnar, except with longer hair.

1 -- MICHAEL TARVER & CARLITO vs. HEALTH SLATER & CHRISTIAN

Cole talked about the respect that rookies must show their pros. It was clear early they were using different camera angles to give the show a more intimate feeling. Matthews said Bryan looked to be embarrassed being associated with The Miz. Cole said Tarver is well versed in Mixed Martial Arts. Christian finished Tarver with the Kill Switch after Slater yanked Carlito off the ring apron. As Slater danced in celebration, Cole said, "There's some of that charisma out of Slater." Uh, no. Dancing does not equal charisma. Charisma is intangible and exists or doesn't exist, it's not "evident" by merely dancing and waving one's arms.

WINNERS: Christian & Slater in 2:00.

-They showed C.M. Punk listening to his Rookie talk and then R-Truth elsewhere giving a pep-talk to his. [c]

-An inset interview aired with Punk saying he has no idea why he's even on this show. He said Young ought to accept the Straight Edge lifestyle into his life.

-A video package them aired on R-Truth's Rookie, David Otunga. He said, "Being from Hollywood makes me a touch above everyone else." He said his fiance is Jennifer Hudson. He said he's a busy person. He showed that he's been to the White House twice, posing with the President. He said his face and smooth and fresh. He said he's smarter than everybody else, spending three years at the Harvard Law School. He compared himself to Triple H, The Rock, and Batista. He said he doesn't care how the WWE Universe reacts to him. He said haters are just jealous of him. He said he's never failed at anything in his life. "If you don't know me, you should," he said. "Come on, man, Google me." He referred to himself in the third person quite often.

[Q3]

2 -- DARREN YOUNG (w/C.M. Punk, Luke Gallows, Sarita) vs. DAVID OTUNGA (w/R-Truth)

R-Truth sang his song on his way to the ring, leading Otunga. Cole referred to "Tough Enough," saying that Striker once participated on the show. Young got in early offense, but seconds later Otunga one-arm slammed Young for the quick clean win. Punk frowned at ringside, seemingly disgusted with his Rookie's performance.

WINNER: Otunga in 1:00. [c]

-A Raw Rebound video package aired.

-Cole and Matthews were then shown on camera. Cole explained the concept of the show being built around mentors and proteges.

-The ring intro took place for Chris Jericho. Cole hyped that he'd face Bryan in the main event next. [c]

-Matthews hyped that next week Matt Hardy would introduce his rookie, Justin Gabriel. They chose a terrible picture of Gabriel.

[Q4]

-Jericho asked his rookie, Wade Barrett, to introduce him. Barrett said he's Europe's number one bare-knuckle fighter. He said it's an honor to be paired with Jericho. As he complimented Jericho's star status, Jericho pulled the mic toward him and said he just wants him to introduce him. Barrett then did so. Bryan's ring intro then took place. [c]

3 -- CHRIS JERICHO (w/Wade Barrett) vs. DANIEL BRYAN (w/The Miz)

Bryan didn't look all that short standing face-to-face with Jericho at the start of the match. After some talking, Jericho slapped and shoved Bryan. Bryan slapped him back and attacked him in the corner. Matthews said all of the WWE Pros have heard of Bryan. Cole said he never heard of him until he showed up on NXT. Matthews said Cole is the Miz of WWE Universe in that everyone loathes him. Cole said the point he's trying to make is that it doesn't matter who you are, you have to show respect to the veterans. Striker stood at ringside and asked Barrett what he was learning from watching Jericho. Bryan side-stepped a charging Jericho in the corner. He threw three hard roundkicks to the chest and then went for a leg whip, but Jericho took the bump wrong. He scored a two count.

When Matthews said Bryan is "world renowned," Cole asked what world he's talking about. "It's the first time he's wrestled on television!" said Cole. Matthews said he should go on the Internet and learn all about him. "Because he's wrestled in a high school gym in front of 50 people, okay he was impressive there. But you're like the rest of these Internet guys, tweeting and blogging and believing what you read in the dirt sheets," Cole exclaimed. Bryan hit a running knee to Jericho's chin for another two count. He followed with a flying clothesline for another two count.

Bryan dove at Jericho through the ropes, but Jericho caught him and turned him back-first hard into the announce table. The camera showed a close-up of the resulting welts on Bryan's kidney area. Bryan springboarded at Jericho a minute later, but Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho. Bryan reversed Jericho into a leglock. Jericho screamed in pain and grabbed the bottom rope to stop what Cole said would have been "a monumental upset." They cut backstage to the rest of the rookies reacting cartoonishly to the action on a monitor. Jericho hit the Codebreaker and applied the Walls of Jericho and Bryan tapped out. Cole reveled in the Internet sensation losing in his WWE debut. Afterward, Miz stood over Bryan and stomped on him.

WINNER: Jericho in 6:00. Cole's strange turn as an anti-Internet guy could wear thin quickly since it's so patronizing, but WWE gets credit at least for trying some things to make this show feel different. This show is meant to embrace and exploit the passions of Internet fans. I wouldn't build a national cable show around that approach, but if it's kept in check and augments an otherwise good show, it's not necessarily bad.

-Backstage, Striker stood next to the other six NXT rookies (the ones not in the main event) and said, "This is the future, this is unique, this is NXT." A highlight package of the show then aired.


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