WWE NXT Report
May 2, 2012
Taped 5/1 in Toledo, Ohio
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

Opening Thoughts: This week has been interesting for NXT members and alumni. Who would believe that not one, but two former NXT talents would be the focus of a PPV poster? Or, that Daniel Bryan would go from a WrestleMania slot to a long two-out-of-three falls match at Extreme Rules to yet another title match at Over the Limit? Brodus Clay is continuing to pick up squashes, and JTG has actually re-appeared on WWE TV. A.J. has been all over the place and is getting more mic and face time than any Diva in recent history. There are also some hints on the latest "Z!" that Trent Baretta will be coming back soon, which I look forwards= to.

On NXT itself, there should be follow-up to the "firing" of Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins, both of whom continue to appear on "WWE Inbox" quite a bit. Derrick Bateman is currently the only "Rookie" on the show (never mind that he's had more minutes in and out of the ring than probably 80 percent of the main roster in the last 12 months), with the promise of more talent coming up. I'm putting my money on Dean Ambrose, Kassius Ohno, Seth Rollins, and perhaps the recently re-packaged Husky Harris.

[Q1] Matt Striker and William Regal are in the ring to start the show. Striker is wearing a suit, and Josh Mathews is back in the booth. Regal provides an update on the talent scouting, but he says he can't talk about it, but they will be showing up in the next few weeks. Johnny Curtis and Maxine come out to interrupt (handcuffed still). He asks if Regal's warned the new talent that they may end up handcuffed to a "she-devil." Maxine yanks the mic and says that it's clear that no one on NXT can handle a real woman. She protests her situation, both being stuck with Curtis and still being on NXT. They struggle to get in the ring.

Regal says that their losses last week will be taken into account as he restructures. JTG interrupts and says that he is Regal's number one problem. He demands to know why Regal's "hatin'" and ignoring him. The crowd pops, because no one has seen NXT or Superstars and knows he's a heel and has been for a year now. Regal has Striker undo the handcuffs. Curtis is being partnered with JTG, and Regal calls for a team to face them. Tyson Kidd comes out to challenge them, and his partner is Alex Riley. What happened to Percy Watson? I guess Riley is about to suffer a major injury. Maxine will be on commentary.

[ c - "You Think You Know Me? The Story of Edge" DVD ad ]

1 - TYSON KIDD & ALEX RILEY vs. JTG & JOHNNY CURTIS (w/Maxine) - Tag Team Match

Kidd tries a quick schoolboy on Curtis for one. Regal pretends to be concerned about Maxine, and she complains that her wrist hurts and she's been putting Vaseline on it every day. Regal says that he's passing on the obvious joke there. Kidd shows off his technical acumen, and Maxine is acting miserable. Kidd is insanely phenomenal, as he puts on a 3-plus-star match every time he enters the ring. Riley tags in, but Curtis is able to get JTG in. JTG eats a huge hip toss for two.

JTG takes over as Maxine tries to sweet-talk Regal. Mathews reminds her of her history as Riley lands a spinebuster on JTG and clears Curtis from the ring. Riley to the top rope, but Curtis provides a distraction for JTG to throw Riley to the mat for two.

[ c - Be a S.T.A.R. ]

Curtis is controlling Riley out of the break, and JTG tags in. Riley gets some separation, but Curtis tags in before Riley gets Kidd in the game.

[Q2] There's some inconsistency on commentary, as Maxine acts like she has to be with Curtis all day long, but last week it was said that they only need to be chained together on NXT. Curtis and JTG continue to isolate Riley, then Riley with a sunset flip on Curtis, and we hear someone calling spots. The crowd is rallying behind Riley, but they can't get him out of the corner. Maxine ticks off a list of Curtis's flaws, and JTG lands the Mugshot for two. Regal lauds JTG for showing Curtis how to work in a tag team. Riley fights off a superplex from Curtis, then plants him with a top-rope clothesline.

Double tag and Kidd goes nuts on JTG. Side Russian legsweep from the second rope gets two for Kidd. So nice. Curtis interferes, but Riley helps him clear the field, then Kidd lands a dive over the top on JTG and Curtis. Kidd locks on the "Dungeon Lock" (Kidd's new submission finisher) and JTG's tapping like mad.

WINNERS: Tyson Kidd & Alex Riley in 12:30. (Asst. Editor's Note: This ends Alex Riley's 14-match losing streak in TV/online matches.) Curtis and JTG managed to not bore despite a very long beat down on Riley; the commentary enhanced the match by giving the audience something to sink their teeth into during what would normally be the bathroom break portion of the match. Also, Maxine is doing an outstanding job with her sulkin;, she actually sounded almost exactly like my sister when she's upset, both in tone and in content. Brilliant. If NXT was still on TV, Maxine would be getting an Emmy.

Backstage, Michael McGillicutty finds a boot and mocks it, then Percy Watson tells him to leave his stuff alone. McGillicutty brings up the mystery attack on Watson, and says it might have been Tyler Reks or Curt Hawkins, then he says that it may have been Alex Riley. Watson says that Regal's given him a match against McGillicutty for revenge. McGillicutty says he didn't do it, because then Watson wouldn't still be walking around.

[ c - WrestleMania 28 DVD ad ]

Raw Rebound, all about the opening to Raw.

As the announcers discuss the situation on Raw, Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins appear in the audience. Regal calls for security to haul them away.

[ c - WWEShop.com ad ]

[Q3] There's an issue in the back area according to Mathews, so they cut to JTG raging down the hallway. Alicia Fox stops him, and asks him what his issue is. He gets mad, and she says that he needs to update his look because he looks dated. She offers to give him a makeover, to help change his attitude and his chances. He turns it down, then decides to accept.

Cut to Derrick Bateman and Kaitlyn, who asks him how excited he is to finally get his Smackdown match. They hear a disturbance, and it is Alex Riley saying that he got attacked and his knee is messed up. Bateman carries him to get help. The Tyson Kidd Curse continues. I'm starting to think that it is one of the new Rookies.

Percy Watson hits the ring, followed by Michael McGillicutty.

2. PERCY WATSON vs. MICHAEL MCGILLICUTTY

Watson takes it to McGillicutty, playing up his anger. Watson has changed up his offense a bit, with a series of jumping knee strikes. McGillicutty turns it around, and focuses on Watson's taped knee. McGillicutty takes Watson down hard by the leg and the ref insists on checking Watson.

[ c - Raw hype, Cena - Laurenitis ]

Watson is struggling to stay alive out of the break. Mathews has been criticizing Regal's decisions all match. McGillicutty locks in a figure-four for a lengthy submission hold fight. Watson finally is able to punch his way out, but hobbles to the corner. Watson gets fired up and tees off on McGillicutty, but McGillicutty reverses a whip and goes back to work on the knee. Watson kicks McGillicutty through the ropes to get some space.

[Q4] McGillicutty re-enters, and Watson is finally able to get some offense in. Watson with a knee-lift into a jumping neckbreaker for two. Watson wants the Percycution, but McGillicutty slips out and lands the Turning Heads neckbreaker for the win.

WINNER: Michael McGillicutty in 11:30. I don't think it makes McGillicutty look good to take so long to put away an already-injured Watson.

Post-match, Striker brings the tassels from Watson's boots to Regal. Regal gets on the mic, and asks Regal if the tassel is indeed from Watson's boots. Regal says it was found next to Riley when he was attacked, and security wants to talk to Watson. Regal and Striker seem apologetic. McGillicutty mocks him on the way out, but Regal refuses to speculate.

Final Reax: Only two matches, but both were far longer than anything on Raw than involved "wrestling" and probably Smackdown and Superstars, too. Nice to see NXT being used to give extended length matches to folks to get them ready for the future. The angle of McGillicutty framing Watson for the attack on Riley feels a bit forced, coming on the heels of the whole Matt Striker kidnapping angle from a few weeks ago. They are clearly resetting the show to pave the way for the new folks coming in. JTG getting continued opportunities is baffling; many with far more potential have been cut after far fewer chances.

[Torch art credit Neal Obermeyer (c) PWTorch.com]

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