WWE NXT TV Results
August 24, 2010 - Season 2, Week 12
Taped 8/18 in Fresno, Calif.
Aired on Syfy
By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Quick thoughts on Cody Rhodes on "Warehouse 13" as the NXT lead-in: thumbs up performance. Rhodes was good in a supporting role with limited dialogue and the producers tapped into his stage presence to add something to the show. Good showing.

Week 12 of WWE's NXT Season Two opened with a video package on last week's show when Percy Watson was canned, followed by Husky Harris. NXT is now left with Kaval, McGillicutty, and Riley on the next-to-last episode tonight. They showed the end of NXT last week when Cody Rhodes went nuts after Harris was eliminated, setting off a random brawl ringside.

Arena: After a blast of pyro, Michael Cole introduced the show from Fresno and plugged the season finale next week. Cole and Josh Mathews sent it to Jamie Keyes, who was in the ring. She introduced the WWE Pros, starting with Kofi Kingston. Zack Ryder was out next and Cole mockingly called him a "former #1 contender" to the WWE Title. Cody Rhodes, Lay-Cool, and MVP (in wrestling gear) rounded out the field. After the Pros were assembled on the stage, Keyes introduced the remaining Rookies, who came to the ring.

Kaval, Alex Riley, and Michael McGillicutty assembled in the ring and Matt Striker took over. Striker stretched things out noting next week is the season finale. He gave them each some mic time on reaching the finals of NXT. McGillicutty took the mic first and said he loves his job and these are truly the greatest days of his life. Audience of one speech here. McGillicutty said the fact that he gets to perform in the same ring as his father - he looked to the ceiling - makes it all worth it.

Alex Riley took the mic and they piped in some boos. Riley said he expected to be here from the beginning. Riley said the contest is about finding the next break-out star, which means the WWE total package. Riley said he is the total package. Oh no, are we getting Lex Luger vs. Riley at WrestleMania 27 in Atlanta? Anyways, Riley moved on to cut a promo on WWE champ Sheamus that either him (with the NXT victory and a PPV title shot) or The Miz (with a MITB briefcase) will get to him.

Kaval was next and Lay-Cool cheered for their Rookie. Kaval thanked the fans for their support. He said he was ready to celebrate his arrival at the finals last week, but one WWE Pro tried to ruin his moment. Kaval called out Cody Rhodes, who told Kaval from the stage to bite his tongue. Kaval cut him off and told Rhodes he didn't earn his way into WWE, but got here because of his father. Rhodes stood up and said Kaval is a bad promo. Kaval said he earned his way into this company and he earned his way to perform for WWE. Kaval told Rhodes to stop doing his talking on the stage and come into the ring.

Rhodes sneered and said he is just floored at his "originality." He said it's real original to bring up his father. Rhodes, slowly starting to walk to the ring, told Kaval he's the gum he scrapes off the bottom of his boots. He told Kaval he's a wee little Rookie and he is...a Pro. Rhodes then walked back up the ramp, looked back at Lay-Cool, and told all of them his answer is no.

MVP stepped up and said he can't stand by and let this go down. MVP said Kaval issued him a straight-up challenge like a man and he turned him down. He said he doesn't get that. Rhodes mocked MVP and Lay-Cool (calling them Kaval's babysitters). MVP gathered his thoughts and said he's tired of Rhodes acting like a - . Rhodes cut him off and told him to watch his tongue. MVP gave him a challenge of his own. Cody Rhodes vs. MVP. Tonight. Rhodes smirked and laughed at these developments. He vowed to shut everyone up and accept the match. Rhodes then stomped off to the back. Striker said the Rookies will be competing in a Trivia Challenge up next. Cole almost sarcastically said that's a real treat as they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

NXT Rookie Challenge: They returned with some cheesy game show music and the lights flashing. On stage, Striker was with the Rookies and Pros off to the side. Striker ran down the rules of 100 points per question in Round 1 and 200 points per question in Round 2. This will apparently be like the Trivia game at Axxess.

First Round: Who competed in the Iron Man Match at WrestleMania 12? They all kind of stared at the buzzer. McGillicutty responded with HBK and sold not knowing Bret Hart was also in the match before finally saying Bret Hart. Kaval knew Mean Street Posse. "You think you know me" went to McGillicutty. Donald Trump with a Billionaire reference went to Mike as well. Killswitch went to Kaval. Mike didn't know who plays Triple H's theme song, so Kaval entered with his third answer. Mike with 300, Kaval 300, Riley 0.

Second Round: First IC champion? Kaval picked Pat Patterson for the 200 points. Which current WWE Diva won the Diva Search in 2007? Mike guessed Eve and picked up points. Kofi nodded approvingly. The fans laughed at the announcement Riley has 0 points. Complete the lyric - Kaval knew Demolition's theme for another 200 points. How about a fun one - What did the Dynamic Dudes (Johnny Ace) use as transportation to the ring? As they all stared at the buzzer, Striker noted they will all be wished well in their future endeavors. They all got the wrong boards and Striker said it's skateboards. Next was which WWE wrestler holds the record for most WWE Title victories. Riley finally got one right, saying Triple H. And that's the end. Kaval with 700, Mike with 500, and Riley with 200. And cue up Lay-Cool celebrating with Kaval.

Tell 'em what he's won. Striker said starting tomorrow on WWE's website, the fans will see Kaval everywhere. He said Kaval's face will be all over WWE's website because there will be a huge feature on him. Lay-Cool hopped on his back and celebrated. Cole mockingly said the last thing they need is more Kaval on the Internet. He did try to sound objective saying Kaval had "a good promo" and won Trivia. Mathews plugged the Season Finale voting beginning tomorrow on WWE's website. What a train wreck of a show trying to mix in "shoot comments" in the format of an undefined, weirdly-scripted evaluation show. Still to come: MVP vs. Rhodes.

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Cole and Mathews were shown on-camera re-introducing the next-to-last episode of Season Two. Cole noted the winner of this season will earn a future PPV title shot. Cole then fed to the Raw Rebound.

[Q3]

Raw Rebound: They went back to last night's show where Sheamus sat on the throne watching a series of matches that ended up meaning nothing at the end of the show when Sheamus selected Zack Ryder as his opponent for a WWE Title match on Raw. "What a joke!" Cole was heard saying. They replayed that twice, with another hint or red herring that Cole...er...the Raw GM...was upset that Sheamus tried to go around his instructions. They showed Cole then announcing the stacked deck against Sheamus with the GM booking a Six Pack Challenge match at Night of Champions. After showing the rapid-fire series of finishers to conclude Raw, the Rebound showed Randy Orton standing tall.

Announcers: Cole said he cannot wait for the Six-Pack title match to take place at Night of Champions. Mathews then plugged MVP vs. Rhodes up next.

[Commercial Break]

This Friday on Smackdown: double main event with IC champ Ziggler vs. Kingston, Kane vs. Rey Mysterio, and The Undertaker returns.

WWE in China: More stretch with Cole and Mathews talking over still photos of the coverage WWE received from the trip to China over the weekend. Cole said they'll have more on the historic trip next week.

In-ring: Cody Rhodes came out to the ring and stared at himself in his Lex Luger-style mirror on the way to the ring. Rhodes took his time posing in the ring before MVP came out to the ring. The Pros were gone from the stage, so it's just MVP vs. Rhodes and no "NXT theme" to conclude the next-to-last episode of the season. Mathews said he can't believe they're a week away from the season finale next week.

1 -- MVP vs. CODY RHODES

The bell sounded 40 minutes into the show, giving them a good 25 minutes of total in-ring time to work with. Rhodes stalled for time early on by heeling it up with the crowd. Cole talked up Smackdown and said the thing he has in common with Grisham and Striker is they all have Slammy Awards. Mathews said the award must not mean much if that trio have trophies. Mathews then said he's heard MVP is still keeping touch with Percy Watson after Watson was eliminated next week and MVP gave him advice on how to "still be a Superstar in another venue." The match moved to the floor where MVP rammed Rhodes into the ringpost. Cole sent the show to break with Rhodes trying to scamper back into the ring.

[Q4] [Commercial Break]

Back from break, Rhodes was in control of the match working on MVP. MVP mounted a comeback and landed a clothesline for a two count before slapping on an arm bar. Mathews and Cole engaged in a discussion on the Internet, which prompted Cole to say people spend too much time going to "wrestling sites and dirt sheets that get information wrong." Cole said he "never told no one to go to WWE.com." Mathews should have called him on the horrible grammar, but opted to defend Kaval as getting himself over on his own and not being an Internet creation.

Rhodes regained control at 11:00 and slowed down the pace with a headlock center ring. Rhodes continued to maintain a slow pace as Cole plugged that every title will be on the line at Night of Champions next month. MVP teased a comeback, but Rhodes booted him in the face for a two count. Rhodes then smirked at the crowd and flashed his bright white teeth before catching MVP with an elbow. Rhodes then applied a Crossface, but without much conviction. It looked like a rest hold to wear down MVP rather than go for a submission victory. They cut to break with Rhodes in control.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Rhodes snapped off a dropkick to cut off MVP's latest comeback attempt. Rhodes tried a series of covers, but MVP kicked out. Cole plugged Raw's #900 episode celebration next Monday on Raw. They traded barbs at each other, with Cole mocking Mathews's sign-off line during his backstage interviews on Raw. MVP teased another comeback at 20:00 just before they hit the top of the hour.

[Q5 -- over-run] Mathews and Cole broke down the three remaining Rookies, with Mathews saying McGillicutty isn't entertaining enough to win. Cole said Riley has everything to win. Meanwhile, Rhodes took MVP up top and executed a textbook superplex. He couldn't make an immediate cover, though, allowing MVP to kick out. Rhodes then set up for the Curb Stomp, but transitioned into the rocking chair submission stretching MVP's neck. It didn't force a submission, then MVP made a comeback with a knock-down clothesline.

Neither man could follow up, then they came to their feet and traded right hand blows. MVP landed a series of clotheslines before hitting a knee drop and delivering the Ballin' elbow drop. Rhodes came to his feet and MVP wanted the Play of the Day, but Rhodes countered into the Alabama Slam. Rhodes was slow to make the cover, allowing MVP to kick out. They reset the action and MVP missed with a clothesline, allowing Rhodes to set up and connect with the Cross Rhodes. Rhodes with the cover for the win. Afterward, they replayed the finish, then Rhodes posed in the ring soaking in adoration only in his head. Cole and Mathews gave a final plug for the NXT voting.

WINNER: Rhodes in 24:00. Good conclusion to a match that dragged at times when it was clear the match wasn't going to end for a while. There were some unconvincing attempts to sell the idea that a finish could happen at any time. Overall, though, strong effort trying to stretch 25 minutes of TV time in the ring. The decision to give two Pros the last 30 minutes of the show (including ring intros) was really curious on the next-to-last episode. WWE was clearly strapped for ideas on the final day of a long four-day series of TV and PPV tapings. (**1/2)

Next week: They closed with a brief TV spot plugging the Live Season Finale next week. The final three Rookies are ready. Only one will win NXT and go on to earn a PPV title match. Who will it be? The Season Finale is next week.

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.

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