WWE NXT results
June 6, 2012
Taped 6/5 in Columbia, S.C.
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

Opening Thoughts: I went to the taping last night for this show, so there won't be any surprises for me. I have to say, Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel are electrifying in-person, and they can win over a crowd that barely remembers them with only a few minutes of their high-octane offense. Matt Striker and Josh Mathews have the call tonight. Also of note is NXT was posted online very late tonight.

1 - JEY USO vs. TYLER REKS

For some reason, Jimmy Uso did the war dance, but then disappeared for the whole match. Uso uses his speed to get early control, but Reks power puts him in charge. Reks goes into the ringpost and Uso lands sustained offense. Reks goes to the top and gets a side kick to the stomach for it. He crotches Uso up top, takes him off the ropes, and hits the Burning Hammer for the win.

WINNER: Tyler Reks in 5:00. Tyler Reks has a good look and agility for his size, but I think he needs to add some unique moves to stand out from a crowded pack.

2 - PERCY WATSON vs. JTG

JTG slows the match down with a chinlock out of the gate. Watson gets some fire and shows off his strength and agility, then JTG wails on Watson in the corner like a boxer. Watson comes back and looks a little cocky. JTG sends Watson out of the ring hard and shows off in the ropes. JTG with a new move, a jumping neckbreaker of sorts. JTG to the top rope, but Watson counters with a jumping knee lift to the face. Watson with the dropkicks and flying clotheslines, then an armdrag to set up the Highsman. JTG tries to make a comeback, but eats the Percycution for the loss.

WINNER: Percy Watson in 6:15. Right before the end of the match, the audience started booing Watson, and then took up a "JTG!" chant. This is why pre-match promos are so important, as the crowd had no idea who to cheer and who to boo, and were relying on a badly outdated understanding of JTG's character. JTG's in-ring continues to improve.

[ c - Raw Hype: Three Hours of McMahon Mania... ]

3 - TAMINA SNUKA vs. NATALYA

Natalya is sporting a new black lace over white outfit with a cape. Seeing it on TV, is looks even more like something Maryse would wear than it did live. She also got a very nice reception from the crowd.

Neither Diva can overpower the other. Lots of back-and-forth action here, and Natalya gets an opportunity to get a bit more fierce. She covers Snuka by sitting on her. Snuka's straps on her outfit get broken, and Striker makes a Jerry Lawler reference about "straps down." Natalya with a suplex - she wanted a delayed vertical suplex, but Snuka's height made it a bit unstable. Snuka is struggling to get traction. She finally gets her feet under her, and takes it to Natalya. She plants Natalya with a body slam and goes to the top, but Natalya rolls away before she leaps. Natalya wants the Sharpshooter, but Snuka kicks her out of the ring. Samoan Drop followed by the Superfly Splash for the win.

WINNER: Tamina Snuka in 6:30. They never really felt like they came out of second gear, and the crowd didn't know who to cheer or boo. Snuka has lacked TV time, and Natalya's been made out to be an incompetent chump in what little TV time she's received. I wonder if Natalya's new look indicates any changes going forwards for her character.

[ c - "ECW Unreleased Volume 1" DVD ad ]

Raw Rebound

[ c - WWE Magazine ]

4. TYSON KIDD & JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. HEATH SLATER & JOHNNY CURTIS - Tag Team match

Slater and Kidd start; Kidd and Gabriel work together as a team, and Gabriel tries ripping Slater's arm off. Slater gets Gabriel in the corner and gets Curtis in. Kidd's slick springboard reverse subset flip gets two. Curtis and Kidd with some technical wrestling. Kidd manages to outwit Slater and Curtis at the same time. Kidd and Gabriel hit high-flying moves from the ropes to Slater and Curtis at ringside to lead into the break.

[ c - Raw Hype ]

Curtis provides a distraction, allowing Slater to hit a snap powerslam to Kidd on the top turnbuckle. Kidd is isolated for a stretch. Kidd wants a tag badly, but Slater clears Gabriel from the apron, and he takes hard offense to Kidd. Slater goes nuts with frustration. Kidd dodges a knee drop from Slater, then a top-rope leg drop from Curtis and is finally able to tag Gabriel. Gabriel with piles of speed offense on Curtis. Slater breaks up the pin after a jumping Tornado DDT. Gabriel dodges a corner charge, Kidd tags in, and Gabriel sets up Curtis for a Hart Attack with a blockbuster instead of a clothesline from Kidd.

WINNERS: Kidd & Gabriel in 10:00. This was a great match live, and an excellent match with the benefits of commentary and good camera angles. I would love to see a lot more of this pairing... both teams, really.

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