WWE NXT TV Results
June 21, 2011 - Season 5, Week 16
Taped in Hershey, Pa.
Aired on WWE's website
By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

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

-- Darren Young (Chavo Guerrero)
-- Conor O'Brian (Kozlov)
-- Titus O'Neil (Hornswoggle)
-- Jacob Novak (JTG) - eliminated Week 11
-- Byron Saxton (Yoshi Tatsu) - eliminated Week 13
-- Lucky Cannon (Tyson Kidd) - eliminated Week 15

This week's WWE NXT episode opened with a video package on last week's show that saw Lucky Cannon given the boot from the show and Maryse slapping him off the show.

Announcers: Todd Grisham and William Regal were shown on-camera to announce next week's elimination. Grisham said polls open at 12:00 p.m. EST Wednesday to vote for the remaining three Rookies.

In-ring: Out first to start the show were Titus O'Neil and Hornswoggle. Grisham noted Titus is leading the Redemption Points standings right now. In the ring, Hornswoggle did some muttering and grunts into the mic. Titus translated that Hornswoggle has some unfinished business with Maryse and he would like for her to come on out here. After a pause, Maryse's music hit to bring out the NXT co-host. She was not happy being called out to the ring.

Once in the ring, Maryse asked Hornswoggle what he wants. Titus asked for silence so Swoggle could gather his thoughts. Apparently he wanted a date with Maryse. Titus translated it's actually a surprise and he wants her to close her eyes and open her hand. Titus lifted Horny into the air to drop a ring box in Maryse's hand. "Get it?" Grisham asked Regal. "No," Regal dryly replied. Maryse opened up the box to reveal a ring pop. Maryse said it's so sweet. She sarcastically asked Hornswoggle if he really thinks she would go for something like that. Maryse offered some stereotypes on little people before indignantly dropping the ring pop at Hornswoggle's feet and bailing from the ring.

Suddenly, Zack Ryder's music hit to a reaction. Ryder walked past Maryse, then asked Titus if he's serious hanging around Hornswoggle. Titus and Ryder had a back-and-forth about Ryder being Titus's Pro on Season 4 of NXT. He vowed to win this season of NXT, unlike last season when he was the first Rookie eliminated. Titus mocked Ryder's catchphrases before vowing to fist-pump Titus's face, which drew a reaction. For the buzzkill, Matt Striker strolled out to book a match tonight: Ryder one-night-only in the main event against Titus O'Neil. Grisham dryly said there isn't a problem Striker can't solve.

Up next: Six-man tag with Yoshi & Conor O'Brian & Kozlov vs. JTG & Chavo & Darren Young.

[Break]

In-ring: Kozlov and Conor O'Brian were out first to kick off the in-ring portion of the show. Yoshi Tatsu then came out before WWE went to a replay of events on last week's show when Chavo helped Young defeat Tatsu. Back on NXT, Chavo's music brought out Chavo and Darren Young. JTG was out last and Yoshi stared him down, wanting a piece of JTG.

1 -- YOSHI TATSU & KOZLOV & CONOR O'BRIAN vs. CHAVO GUERRERO & JTG & DARREN YOUNG

Methodical start to the match with the teams feeling each other out and getting over their personalities. They built to Kozlov tagging in at 4:45 to smash Chavo with power offense. Young smashed Kozlov from the ring apron, then Kozlov dumped Chavo over the top rope. The faces cleared the heels from the ring, then the heels regrouped and they cut to break.

[Break. Very new "WWE All-Stars" video game plug that included old-school WWF Hulk Hogan interview footage. That was different.]

Back from break, Chavo and Kozlov were working out their issues in the ring. The heels isolated O'Brian as Grisham and Regal discussed whether he would survive next week's elimination. Conor tried to escape the heel corner, but Chavo cut him off with a low dropkick and the heels went back to work. Grisham equated Conor to a piñata because everyone was getting a swing at him. Conor finally broke free and the worst hot tag ever was executed to Yoshi. All that build-up and they still screwed up the hot tag.

Yoshi built his own momentum and cleaned house on the heels before smashing JTG with a Shining Wizard. The action broke down when Yoshi attempted a pin, then Yoshi and JTG found themselves alone in the ring once the dust settled. On cue, Yoshi delivered a KO kick to the head and made the cover for the win. Grisham tried to give Conor a complement on his performance in the match: absorbing punishment.

WINNER: Team Yoshi at 15:24.

Still to come tonight: Zack Ryder vs. Titus O'Neil.

[Break]

Raw plug: Shawn Michaels on Raw next week. Regal talked him up as the greatest WWE Superstar of all-time. Grisham brought up the "voting irregularities" on Raw last night and plugged Evan Bourne vs. Sin Cara happening next week. They even had a graphic ready to go. Grisham then fed to a Raw Rebound on last night's show focused on C.M. Punk's title quest to hold the belt hostage upon leaving WWE.

Announcers: Back on NXT, Regal looked down at the announce table selling grave concern with this potential development. "Money, money, money" played in the background as Grisham and Regal officially plugged the Cena vs. Punk match at the Money in the Bank PPV.

Backstage: Tyson Kidd was on the phone talking to Lucky Cannon. Interesting look at Kidd in street clothes. Plus, he shaved his crown hair. Kidd walked up to Yoshi Tatsu's locker and Yoshi shouted at him from behind not to touch. Kidd smirked and said he'll leave him alone with his doll. Kidd then placed a Hershey's chocolate bar in front of his Yoshi figure and bowed. Live in the arena, the crowd popped for the Hershey reference.

[Break]

In-ring: Hornswoggle's music hit to bring out Titus O'Neil and Hornswoggle. After a plug for the MITB PPV, Zack Ryder's music hit to bring out Ryder for the main event. Hornswoggle sold concern and tried to give Titus some advice as Ryder completed his ring intro.

2 -- ZACK RYDER vs. TITUS O'NEIL (w/Hornswoggle)

Regal said he doesn't get the whole fist-pumping and Long Island thing, but they have something in common: Ryder was trained by old tag partner, Dave Taylor. Titus took it to Ryder early on as the vocal males in the crowd chanted, "Let's go Ryder." Hornswoggle tried to talk them down as Ryder bailed from the ring to get a breather. Grisham plugged Ryder's YouTube show and Regal said, "Good for him getting himself over." Grisham said it's all about what happens between the ropes and Regal said he can back it up in the ring.

Back in the ring, Titus knocked down Ryder before Hornswoggle tried to take a bite out of Ryder's behind. The distraction allowed Titus to roll up Ryder from behind for a nearfall. Ryder had enough and bailed from the ring. "Are you serious?!" Ryder shouted as they cut to break.

[Break]

Back on NXT, Titus booted Ryder in the gut before landing an uppercut. "Let's go Ryder" chant from the few fans interested in the proceedings. Ryder then cut off Titus and started taunting his former Rookie. Ryder maintained control with a double sledgehammer before applying a reverse chinlock. Horny tried to warm up the crowd and Titus teased a comeback, but Ryder booted Titus in the chest and followed with the Broski Boot for a nearfall.

Titus then mounted a comeback and landed a big flying clothesline. Titus followed with a fallaway slam before Ryder bailed from the ring. Ryder taunted Horny, gave him a fright, and then returned to the ring. Titus took some time to check on Horny, then found a boot from Ryder once he returned to the ring. Ryder followed with the Rough Ryder and it was good for the win.

Post-match: Hornswoggle shook his head in disbelief as Regal suggested Hornswoggle distracted his Rookie. Horny continued to sell frustration with the outcome as Ryder celebrated in the ring. Ryder, satisfied with the win, left the ring as they went to a replay of the finish. After the replay, they showed Ryder celebrating while Titus sold frustration as Hornswoggle tried consoling him. Horny waved off Ryder's taunts from a distance and smiled for Titus, who continued to sell frustration as they called it a night.

WINNER: Ryder at 8:29. Interesting developments to close the show. Titus was not over as a face with the Hershey crowd in the opening segment or in the match, and WWE planted seeds for a potential heel turn on Hornswoggle, which would actually mean something for NXT after 15+ weeks of Horny and Titus hanging out as best buds. As for Ryder, he was solid in the ring leading the match with the inexperienced Titus. A strong conclusion to a typically forgettable NXT episode.

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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