WWE NXT Results
May 23, 2012
Taped 5/22 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

Apparently, NXT: Redemption will continue to live, even though last week's show pretty much forgot about most of the on-going storylines. Now, I just need to whip up the cash to get to the taping in June here in South Carolina. I wonder if I can get a half-price ticket and just leave after NXT and Superstars? One thing that has me baffled lately is that the premise of NXT: Redemption lately has been that the "Rookies" are eager to move off NXT and get to Smackdown or Raw. Why? Nearly everyone that's moved from NXT to the "main roster" has disappeared. If I were an NXT Rookie, I'd be begging Matt Striker or William Regal or whoever "makes the decisions" to keep me there.

[Q1] Again, there is no Matt Striker to start the show, and instead Jinder Mahal makes his way to the ring. He's facing Derrick Bateman.

1 - DERRICK BATEMAN vs. JINDER MAHAL

Bateman plays to a "U-S-A!" chant and takes Mahal down. After some back-and-forth, Bateman goes on sustained offense. Mahal regains control. The crowd is really behind Bateman, but it is more xenophobic than anything else. Bateman counters a suplex with a lateral press and he turns up the pace. Running neckbreaker from Bateman for a two count. Big corner splash and a missing dropkick gets a nearfall for Bateman. Mahal with a variety of knees, then the Camel Clutch and Bateman taps.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal in 6:30. The pacing of this match was just off. I feel like it didn't get moving until Bateman's final comeback and the ending seemed to come from nowhere.

The advertised main event is Khali and Jackson against Johnny Curtis and Drew McIntyre. That's not a good sign.

[ c - "Don't Try this at Home" ]

2 - PERCY WATSON vs. HEATH SLATER

Slater shoves Watson, then runs to the ropes to start the match. Watson shows off his speed and power, and it looks like he has a couple of new moves in his skillset.

[Q2] Slater has a stretch of offense, but he can't put Watson away. Watson gets his boots up on a top rope move from Slater to turn things around. Percy fires up the crowd and lands the Highsman for a nearfall. Watson lands on his feet after a suplex, and scores the Percycution for the win.

WINNER: Percy Watson in 6:30. Another match that didn't really get in gear until the very end. I've seen much better from both. The format of this show has fallen apart in the last two weeks, and they didn't mention one word about the "Percy Watson ambushing people" story in the slightest.

[ c - "The Best of WCW Clash of the Champions" ]

3 - ALICIA FOX vs. MAXINE

Maxine overpowers the much-taller Fox at the beginning, but Fox returns the favor. Fox shoves Maxine down, so Maxine tries a Thesz Press Press, but Fox forgets to fall backwards, and then remembers. Maxine's offense draws a crowd reaction. Fox can't get traction. Fox begs Maxine to leave her hair alone. Fox elbows out of a chinlock and starts a comeback, but Maxine cuts her off. Maxine wants a running crossbody, but Fox hits a dropkick. Fox with a bridging suplex for a nearfall. Fox with a roll-up for two, then Maxine slips through and puts on the Dragon Sleeper with scissors on the mat. Fox taps out.

WINNER: Maxine in 6:15. Not only was that long by Divas match standards, but the trite "booking 101" formula was broken, as the person who had the bulk of the offense actually won. Maxine has her in-ring psychology down well, and carries her character nicely in the ring - you really get a sense of who she is. The size difference made the win impressive, too. I very much want to see Maxine spend some time with Natalya or Beth Phoenix.

[ c - WWE Magazine ad ]

[Q3] Raw Rebound.

Drew McIntyre and Johnny Curtis come out to get squashed.

[ c - WWE on YouTube ad ]

4 - GREAT KHALI & EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. DREW MCINTYRE & JOHNNY CURTIS

Curtis and Khali to start, vintage Khali offense. The two teams go back-and-forth for a few minutes. Jackson dumps McIntyre and Curtis outside.

[ c - Smackdown hype, Christian as Intercontinental Champion ]

Jackson is still controlling the action out of the break with a series of bodyslams on Curtis. McIntyre chopblocks Jackson on the apron, and they isolate Jackson for a bit. Jackson bodyslams his way to freedom and Khali comes in. Khali sends McIntyre out of the ring and a Punjabi Plunge on Curtis ends the match.

WINNER: Great Khali & Ezekiel Jackson in 9:15. Does anything need to be said other than "it was a 9-minute match with Ezekiel Jackson and The Great Khali?"

Final Reax: That wasn't "NXT," that was an episode of "Superstars." All of the things that made NXT so enjoyable to watch over the last few months are gone. NXT is clearly in a holding pattern until they figure out what is going on, and the match quality reflected it.

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