By Jon Mezzera, Torch Specialist

NXT HITS

Opening Segment: NXT got off to a pretty good start this week. I had a few problems with the start of the show, but on the whole it was strong enough to get a marginal Hit. The mic work from four of the five rookies was strong. Percy Watson delivered a good babyface promo. He has been entertaining this season. Alex Riley was in the middle of what could have been a good promo if he had been a little more focused. He definitely showed more of the promise on the mic that we've seen from him. As far as I'm concerned, Michael McGillicutty did the best mic work in his young WWE career. Hopefully WWE recognizes the fact that he is a natural heel. Kaval is not known for his talking ability, but was stronger than usual. His rap was actually quite amusing, and I did a double take when he said "total non-stop action." The only rookie who didn't do a good job was Husky Harris. I have become a fan of his as this season has progressed, so I was disappointed by his speech about his cowboy boots. That is one of the negatives for the opening. The other is that last week, the rankings had Alex Riley in the bottom of the field of the remaining rookies. There was zero content between that result and this week's first elimination. So, how did Riley jump over Watson to avoid elimination? I don't think we are supposed to think of these things. WWE doesn't think we are smart enough to think of these things. What could have happened in that week to have Riley suddenly move up the rankings? Are we supposed to believe that the WWE Universe gave him more votes this week than last? That would make no sense. I don't mind that Percy Watson went home first, but something should have happened to give Riley the edge in this case. But, the mic work was still strong enough, and Watson gave a nice go home promo, so it is still a marginal Hit.

McGillicutty vs. Ryder: I have complained in the past about McGillicutty's matches being too short to see what he can do in the ring. This week's match against Zack Ryder wasn't long, but at 5 minutes, was longer than usual. It was also a good match while it lasted. It was a simple match, but allowed McGillicutty a chance to look good before taking the loss. The announcers did a nice job of making it seem that McGillicutty might be better off after the match despite taking the loss, because of how well he competed.

Kaval vs. Harris: This was another good match. At only 4 minutes, I would have liked to see it go longer, but like the previous match, it was good while it lasted. Kaval is really getting over with the audience with his unique offensive style. Harris has shown improvement in the ring since his snoozer with Montel Vontavious Porter several weeks ago. There was one awkward spot when there seemed to be some miscommunication between Kaval and Harris. I don't want to lay blame on anyone, but it does show that these are still rookies (at least in terms of WWE) and that they need more experience to continue to develop their in ring skills. Other than that slight gaffe, it was a good match with Kaval getting the much-needed win to stay in the competition while Harris' loss set up his ultimate elimination.

End of the Show: Often, the best part of an episode of NXT is after the announced elimination of a rookie. That was the case here after a good over all show (not quite as good as last week). I loved the mic work from Cody Rhodes as he went nuts after his rookie Husky Harris was eliminated. Harris did a good job of trying to get the mic from Rhodes saying that it was his time to talk, but Rhodes wouldn't let him. They worked well together this season, but ended with that bit of tension which was interesting. Rhodes has done his best work lately in WWE, and much of it has been on NXT. The brawl that followed with MVP and Kofi Kingston coming to Kaval's aid was well done. Kaval got the final word (so to speak) in with the leaping Warrior's Way from the top turnbuckle onto Harris on the outside. It was a strong ending to another strong show.

NXT MISSES

Riley vs. Kingston: I didn't understand the point of this match at all. McGillicutty got a chance to look strong despite the loss in a 5 minute match against Ryder earlier in the show. In this case, Alex Riley lost to Kofi Kingston in a 3 minute match that was basically a squash. He got in very little offense. This is the type of match that a new WWE Superstar should have against a regional jobber when establishing his moves with the WWE Universe. The worst part about it was that Michael Cole acted like it was the same situation as McGillicutty vs. Ryder. It wasn't. For him to ask if this loss would help or hurt Riley was one of the most idiotic comments from a WWE announcer in a long time. If you hold your own verses a pro and barely lose, then you might help yourself. How can it possibly help to get squashed?

Announcers' Opinions: I thought it was interesting to have Cole and Josh Mathews in the ring to give their opinions on who should be cut and who should ultimately win NXT. In terms of Cole's character, his opinion that Kaval should be cut and Riley should be the winner made sense. The real problem here is that Mathews lost all of his credibility (however much he had) when he agreed 100% with Cole that Kaval should be eliminated and Riley should win. Kaval was the only rookie who won a match this week. He looked better in the ring than any other rookie. He showed improvement on the mic. He gave a better promo than Harris whom he also beat in their match. Harris was eliminated, and I was sorry to see him go. However, based on what happened with his poor mic work and his loss to Kaval, it made sense for him to be eliminated. However, for both announcers to claim that Kaval should go home, and for both to say that Riley should win after his mic work wasn't that good and after he got squashed in his match, made no sense at all.

Jon Mezzera is PWTorch.com's WWE Hits & Misses Specialist, providing his point of view for Raw, Smackdown, NXT, and Superstars each week. s him at jmezz-torch@sbcglobal.net.

For another view from the original Hitlist author, compare Jason Powell's views to mine by visiting prowrestling.NET's "Hitlist" section here.

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

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