WWE NXT TV Results
May 17, 2011 - Season 5, Week 11
Taped in Corpus Christi, Tex.
Aired on WWE's website
By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

The cast of Season Five of WWE NXT (Pros):

-- Darren Young (Chavo Guerrero)
-- Jacob Novak (JTG)
-- Byron Saxton (Yoshi Tatsu)
-- Conor O'Brian (Kozlov)
-- Lucky Cannon (Tyson Kidd)
-- Titus O'Neil (Hornswoggle)

This week's WWE NXT episode opened with a video package on the six contestants growing into new identities after their struggles on previous seasons of NXT. But, tonight, for one Rookie, redemption is over. Cue up the standard NXT intro video.

Announcers: Todd Grisham said things are on edge tonight with the first elimination taking place tonight. Grisham introduced William Regal, who was not dressed to wrestle tonight. Regal said this week has been a bag of nerves for all of the Rookies.

Suddenly, the NXT music hit. Darren Young then stormed out from the back with something to say at the top of the show. In the ring, Young took the mic and recapped what happened last week: he gave Titus O'Neill his first loss of the season. Young recapped Titus's domination and said Titus's dog park makes him freakin' sick. He said he knows what Titus's weakness is, though. Young pointed to the key wrapped around his chain. He said Titus will never see Hornswoggle again and he will never beat him on NXT. Cue up the NXT theme music again to bring out Titus. Apparently they're having an impromptu re-match.

1 -- TITUS O'NEIL vs. TITUS YOUNG

Regal wanted to know where Young's Pro, Chavo, is. Meanwhile, Titus demanded Young tell him where Hornswoggle is. Titus continued to beat down Young. Suddenly, Chavo appeared on the Titantron. Apparently Hornswoggle was trapped inside a crate. Or, a sound effect indicated he was inside. Chavo went looking for some bolt cutters . Meanwhile, Titus retrieved Young's key necklace and bolted to the ring. Of course, this resulted in him being counted out.

Post-match: Titus found Hornswoggle in the crate backstage. Titus checked on Hornswoggle, then Chavo ran Titus into the crate. Chavo then sized up Hornswoggle, grabbed him by the beard, and told him he hasn't forgotten everything he did to him. Chavo said he has something real special for him. They cut to Young in the ring as Regal said he actually believed for weeks and weeks that Chavo had found some respect for Hornswoggle. Chavo dragged Horny to the ring, then pulled him up the ring steps into the ring. Once in the ring, Young and Chavo set up Hornswoggle for the frogsplash after tormenting him. Titus finally stormed the ring to make the save, then Chavo and Young bailed from the ring. Titus checked on the fallen Hornswoggle as they cut to break.

WINNER: Young via count-out at 3:11. Interesting twist on NXT's long-running storyline, but ugh on re-visiting the Hornswoggle vs. Chavo feud. Young showed good intensity as the high point of the segment.

[Break]

Moments Ago: Grisham and Regal recapped the previous events, noted Hornswoggle has been taken to a local emergency room, and said Titus has joined him despite there being an elimination tonight. The announcers then fed to a video package hyping Cena vs. Miz in an I Quit match at the PPV on Sunday.

Backstage: Yoshi Tatsu was shown warming up backstage. He faces his Rookie, Byron Saxton, up next.

[Break]

In-ring: Yoshi Tatsu came out first, then the NXT theme music hit for the third time on the show to bring out Byron Saxton. So odd to hear that as a wrestler's entrance theme.

2 -- YOSHI TATSU vs. BYRON SAXTON

The bell sounded and the two men locked up. Regal said he doesn't think Saxton is in trouble tonight. He said he'll keep it to himself who he thinks will be cut tonight. Yoshi ripped off a knife-edge chop, then another. Saxton then begged off in an opposite corner and Yoshi stood his ground in the ring subtly telling Saxton to come on and fight. Yoshi absorbed a kick to the gut, then Saxton took control of the match with a hard whip to the corner.

Yoshi fired back with a roundhouse kick to the gut, then brushed Saxton with a flying knee strike to the face for a two count. Yoshi then went up top and nailed his top-rope finisher for the pin and the win. Regal said he hopes Saxton will review the tape and listen to his Pro to learn from his mistakes.

WINNER: Yoshi at 3:28. Nice showcase match for Yoshi being able to control a match and look like a star juxtaposed against his Rookie. Saxton showed good fire, which he's improved the past few weeks.

[Break]

In-ring: Matt Striker was in the ring back from break. He welcomed out his NXT co-host, Maryse. Regal said he doesn't stand a chance with her. Maryse took the mic in the ring and said people seem to be happy to see her. She noted tonight is the first elimination, but they have some serious business to tend to. She called out Kozlov and his Pro, Conor O'Brian.

With them in the ring, Striker noted Kozlov and JTG have engaged in a gentleman's wager on molding their Rookie during NXT. Out came JTG and Jacob Novak, drawing out a strong promo from Regal. "Worthless," he called the unit. Maryse said they need a judge to decide which Rookie has been better molded. Striker decided it would be...the live crowd right here in Corpus Christi.

JTG then took the mic to introduce his boy, Jacob Novak. Jacob said the crowd sounds like a bunch of haters, just like that "stupid English commentator." They cut to a shot of Regal trying not to laugh. Novak rapped that he lost last week only because his back was hurt. Novak continued to rap about Kozlov needing to teach O'Brian how to wrestle. Novak told the crowd to get with the program because he's winning Redemption. JTG called them Bozos. Novak told them it's 6:30 because they have one hand down. Regal got quite the chuckle.

Next, Kozlov and O'Brian stepped up to center-ring in their wrestling trunks. Cue up Kozlov's music. Kozlov proceeded to do the electric slide before they stepped away from each other to do a robot walk to center-ring. Next was a worm into a double back-flip. Bow. Come to center. Arm drag. And another. O'Brian then grabbed a piece of wood and Kozlov broke it in-half. Kozlov wasn't done. O'Brian got his turn on the board. O'Brian broke the gimmicked wood over his head and Kozlov raised his arm triumphantly in the air.

Striker then polled the live crowd. Mixed boos and indifference for Novak. Loud cheers for Kozlov and O'Brian. So, Kozlov wins the bet, just in time for either Novak or O'Brian to likely be cut.

[Break]

3 -- KOZLOV (w/Conor O'Brian) vs. JTG (w/Jacob Novak)

They returned from break with Kozlov and JTG in the ring. Apparently now they're having a wrestling match. JTG slapped Kozlov, drawing a return blow from Kozlov. Kozlov then knocked JTG to the floor right at the feet of Novak. Regal caused them a bunch of morons. JTG then shouted at Regal, who told him not to worry about him. Kozlov proceeded to throw JTG back into the ring, but Novak provided a distraction that allowed JTG to bump Kozlov off the ring apron into the announce table.

Back in the ring, JTG wore down Kozlov for a while. JTG then hit the Mug Shot and made a cover, but Kozlov kicked out. JTG continued to wear down Kozlov as Regal noted Novak has no redeeming qualities. Kozlov then no-sold JTG's attack, made a comeback, and landed multiple headbutts to the sternum. JTG slipped out of a shoulderbreaker, though, and landed a neckbreaker for a two count.

JTG went back to wearing down Kozlov before cockily going up top and playing to the crowd. He then came off the top and ate a flying headbutt from Kozlov. Kozlov followed with his Iron Curtain finisher for the pin and the win. Kozlov scores another victory over JTG tonight.

WINNER: Kozlov at 5:14. Fine action. Regal's commentary was the highlight of the night.

Backstage: Maryse was in the make-up room when Yoshi excitedly walked in to see if she watched his match. Maryse nonchalantly said she missed it. Maryse raved about Lucky Cannon's purse gift last week, then Yoshi cut her off and noted she likes things more than people. Yoshi said it's time they break up. The crowd sold surprise at Yoshi's decisiveness as he walked off. Maryse took umbrage and said he can't break up with her because they're not even in a relationship. Lucky then walked in and vowed to send her on a shopping spree after he survives this elimination thing. It's a date.

[Break]

Ringside: The Rookies were assembled ringside. Maryse offered some non-thoughts, then Striker cued up the drumroll for this season's first elimination...Jacob Novak has been eliminated. Regal said he's very happy he's gone. Novak pounded the mat in mock anger, then Striker gave him some mic time.

Novak surveyed the arena and said that's twice now the people have shut him out. Novak said maybe NXT isn't the place he gets his redemption, but the bottom line is he will be in WWE and redemption will be he is. Novak said the day they don't flinch is the day he knocks them out. And that day is soon, he claimed.

Striker told him good-bye as Regal offered some parting words that that was the most charismatic and passionate he's seen him the entire time he's been here. Novak walked up to the stage, where JTG shouted at the crowd defending his Rookie. JTG called them all haters as the go-home music played. Grisham signed off with a farewell for Novak. Regal said it's been "not a pleasure knowing him."

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