WWE NXT TV Results
May 24, 2011 - Season 5, Week 12
Live in Spokane, Wash.
Aired on WWE's website
By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

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

-- Darren Young (Chavo Guerrero)
-- Byron Saxton (Yoshi Tatsu)
-- Conor O'Brian (Kozlov)
-- Lucky Cannon (Tyson Kidd)
-- Titus O'Neil (Hornswoggle)
-- Jacob Novak (JTG) - eliminated Week 11

This week's rare live WWE NXT episode opened with the standard NXT intro video before a live shot inside the arena. Todd Grisham plugged a No DQ match tonight on NXT between Titus O'Neil and Darren Young. Grisham and William Regal then talked on-camera about the "heartbreaking" elimination of Novak last week.

Cue up the NXT theme music and Byron Saxton strutted out to the ring, cutting off Regal, who was talking about how he's been weeping for a week about Novak. In the ring, Saxton said he's been doing a lot of thinking lately. He realizes he doesn't need his Pro, Yoshi Tatsu. Now, granted, he's loved by the fans for his child-like attitude and lack of common sense. "And you guys can relate to that, right?!" Saxton heeled on the crowd. Saxton said he can't relate to a guy like Yoshi trying to hold him back all because of a Diva. Saxton told Yoshi he's infatuated with taking control of his career and winning NXT all by himself.

In fact, he's making the announcement right here that on this day, he is officially breaking free of Saxton and declaring his independence. Saxton said the problem is he's bigger than the Rookies and Pros on this show. He said from now, he will be addressed as Big League. Saxton paused for the boos and said he is "Big League...Byrrrrrrrrrrron Saxxxxxxxton." Grisham noted Big League is chewing gum.

Suddenly, Maryse interrupted on-stage. Maryse noted she's kind of a big deal, not just any old Diva. Maryse said she's the host of this here show and Saxton is a Rookie. She noted he does not make the rules and needs to listen. Maryse then announced a match for tonight that Saxton will be teaming with his Pro, Yoshi Tatsu. Saxton shot back it's Big League, then Maryse told him to shut up. Maryse noted Saxton would be selling popcorn in the crowd if it weren't for this show. So, as for tonight, Saxton & Yoshi vs. Kidd & Cannon in a tag match. She told Saxton to remember next week is the second elimination. Well, that was the first announcement of the next cut, so it's hard to remember something that hadn't been announced yet.

Cue up Tyson Kidd's theme music to bring out Kidd and Lucky Cannon, who planted a big kiss on Maryse's cheek. Cannon strutted to the ring in his robe behind Kidd, who was sans Michael Hayes, as expected on NXT. Regal said he's very concerned about Saxton ignoring his mentor. Yoshi Tatsu then came out, walked up to Maryse, bowed to her, shook his head, and Maryse flashed the hand in his face. Maryse strutted off and Yoshi fired himself up on the way to the ring.

1 -- BYRON SAXTON & YOSHI TATSU vs. LUCKY CANNON & TYSON KIDD

Yoshi and Cannon picked up their feud starting this match off. Yoshi scored a few early nearfalls, then Kidd tagged in for Lucky to work on Yoshi. Kidd eventually knocked Yoshi to the floor and Cannon landed a cheap shot. Saxton was dismayed with his Pro's performance as they cut to break.

[Break]

Back live, Section 106 got some airtime over Saxton's shoulder as he awaited a tag. It wasn't coming, as the heels continued to work over Yoshi, who tried to fight out of the heel corner. This went on for a good number of minutes before Yoshi shoved Cannon to the mat from the top turnbuckle and landed a top-rope spinning heel kick. Saxton acted as if he were begging for a tag, but pulled his hand away at the last second and stared down Yoshi.

Kidd tagged in during the subsequent stare-down and Kidd and Yoshi went to work on each other. Yoshi, fired up, cleaned house and nailed a spin kick for the apparent win, but Kidd kicked out in time. Saxton suddenly blind-tagged himself into the match and Yoshi shoved him down. That put Saxton right in the Sharpshooter from Kidd. Yoshi stood on the floor and watched as Saxton begged for help, but Yoshi remained on the floor and Saxton was forced to tap out.

Post-match: Yoshi continued to stare at Saxton with hands-on-hips as Saxton sold frustration with the turn of events. Regal said Saxton needs to learn a lesson here. After a replay of the finish, Saxton screamed at Yoshi, telling him he ruined his career. Saxton slapped Yoshi, who responded with a KO roundhouse kick to the head. "Yoshi, Yoshi" chant as Saxton sold being knocked out in the ring. Regal made it sound like Saxton is in trouble next week for the elimination.

WINNERS: Kidd & Cannon at 8:53. Quite possibly the most intriguing match this season. Yoshi is really adding another layer of depth to his character and Saxton showed good fire on the mic and in his limited role. Well done.

[Break]

Raw Rebound: A look back to last night's show focused on...Big Show & Kane's issues with Del Rio, Show & Kane dropping the Tag Titles, and Show being run over by Del Rio's car. Although important, that seemed like item #4 on the agenda last night. Big focus on Del Rio vs. Show to apparently set up a singles feud going forward.

Announcers: Back live, Grisham said they hope to have an update on Show this Friday on Smackdown. Grisham then fed to a video package on Darren Young focusing on his issues with Hornswoggle & Titus O'Neil lately.

Backstage: Matt Striker brought in Chavo Guerrero and Young. Striker said there are so many ways to prove his worth as an NXT Rookie, so why choose deplorable actions - Young cut him off and said it was genius. Chavo stroked his beard and said he told Young to trust him early in this season. Chavo said there's always a method to the madness and now Young is the frontrunner to win NXT. Chavo told him they found Titus's weakness - Hornswoggle - and exploited it.

In-ring: JTG's music hit, which disturbed Regal since JTG's Rookie was eliminated last week. Regal said he doesn't want to see his face at all. He has Conor O'Brian up next.

[Break]

2 -- JTG vs. CONOR O'BRIAN (w/Kozlov)

Before the match, they replayed last week's dance-off routine by Kozlov and O'Brian. Regal said it reminded him of hanging out with Arn Anderson at a night club in Chicago. JTG was not amused having to watch a replay of last week's shenanigans. O'Brian quickly went to work on JTG as Regal continued to ask why he's even here. Grisham said he has no idea why; he just does an average job calling the matches. JTG then knocked O'Brian to the floor and followed with a baseball slide kick through the ropes.

JTG continued to wear down O'Brian while playing to the crowd and Kozlov. And a little for Regal. That one cost JTG, who suddenly walked into a small package from O'Brian for the win. Grisham noted JTG dominated the entire time, but took his eye off the ball. After the match, JTG cleaned O'Brian's clock, but Kozlov headbutted him to the outside. JTG continued to sell shock ringside before they went to a replay of the events.

WINNER: O'Brian at 3:53. O'Brian continues to just take up space in the ring, while JTG showed a little fire in the post-match to warrant giving him a spot in the ring on this show.

Backstage: Titus O'Neil was in the locker room looking around for Hornswoggle. O'Neil spotted a talking piece of luggage and stooped down to console Hornswoggle. Titus said Young and Chavo are bullies, so tonight, he wants Swoggle to watch the monitor to see what he does to them.

[Break]

In-ring: Chavo's music brought out Darren Young and Chavo for the No DQ match up next. Cue up the NXT theme music to bring out Titus O'Neil to face Young, who sold a bit of trepidation mixed with false bravado. Cue the bell.

3 -- TITUS O'NEIL vs. DARREN YOUNG (w/Chavo Guerrero) -- No DQ match

Grisham said it's the first-ever No DQ match on NXT. Young tried to run away once the bell hit, but Titus dragged him back into the ring. "You wanna be a bully?!" Titus shouted in Young's face while working on him in the corner. Titus then slapped on an abdominal stretch center-ring and tried to choke the life out of him. Young fought out, but Titus knocked him over the top rope to the floor. On the outside, Young got up-close-and-personal with Regal taking multiple blows into the announce table. Titus chucked Young back into the ring, but Chavo kicked Titus from behind to attack the ribs. They suddenly cut to break.

[Break]

Back live, Young rammed Titus into the ring apron to focus on the ribs. Young threw Titus back into the ring and Chavo shouted some instructions his way. They cut back to the locker room where Hornswoggle didn't like what he was seeing. Young got too cocky and ate the ring ropes when Titus ducked an attack. Titus then mounted a comeback until Chavo hit the ring to beat down Titus. The crowd was into this, wanting Hornswoggle to make the save. Chavo then went under the ring and retrieved a chain. They cut back to the locker room where Hornswoggle saw the chain, had enough, put on his fighting gear, and left the locker room.

Back live in the ring, Chavo teased some chain shots on Titus until Hornswoggle charged the ring and distracted the heels to set up Titus's comeback. Titus used Hornswoggle as a battering room, then dropped Young with his Clash of Titus big sky-high bomb. Titus wasn't done and put Young in the corner to take a Tadpole Splash from Hornwoggle. Titus with the pin and the win. Regal said even an old villain like him has a smile seeing Chavo and Young get their comeuppance. Grisham said even a cold heart like his can be warmed. They replayed the finish of the match, including a slow-motion replay of the Tadpole Splash. Titus and Swoggle celebrated in the ring as Young retreated up the ramp selling disdain for their existence. Grisham noted next week's elimination as the show wrapped up.

WINNER: Titus at 8:19. The anti-bullying message lives on...according to how WWE defines it. Fine payoff to last week's storyline and it sets up Young to potentially be eliminated next week, although I still believe O'Brian should be the next to go.

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