WWE NXT TV Results
December 28, 2010 - Season 4, Week 4
Taped in Rochester, N.Y.
Aired on WWE's website
By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

The cast of Season Four of WWE NXT:

-- Rookie: Johnny Curtis. Pro: R-Truth.
-- Rookie: Byron Saxton Pro: Chris Masters.
-- Rookie: Brodus Clay. Pro: Ted DiBiase.
-- Rookie: Jacob Novak. Pro: Dolph Ziggler.
-- Rookie: Derrick Bateman. Pro: Daniel Bryan.
-- Rookie: Conor O'Brian. Pro: Alberto Del Rio.

Immunity Standings coming into this week:

Derrick Bateman: 3 points
Johnny Curtis: 2 points
Jacob Novak: 1 point
Byron Saxton: 1 point
Brodus Clay: 0 points
Conor O'Brian: 0 points

This week's show started with R-Truth's theme music to bring out the returning Truth along with his Rookie, Johnny Curtis. Truth got the cheap pop referencing the hometown crowd before Dolph Ziggler's music hit to bring out Ziggler, Vickie Guerrero, and Jacob Novak. They cut to the announcers where Todd Grisham and Josh Mathews set up the opening match as a big opportunity for Curtis against the IC champion, Ziggler.

1 -- IC champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero and Jacob Novak) vs. JOHNNY CURTIS (1-1) -- non-title match

Ziggler dominated early on, then Curtis made a comeback and frightened Vickie when he bounced off the ropes. Novak tried to protect Vickie on the outside, prompting a scolding from Ziggler for putting his hands on Vickie. The crowd chanted, "You suck," and Grisham quipped that the chant could be directed at a number of people. Ziggler then regained control and landed a neckbreaker for a two count. Ziggler attempted a flying corner attack, but airballed and sold Curt Hennig style. Curtis then fired off a round of clotheslines and grunted loudly, killing his heat. Curtis followed with a lift-up throw and looked for a top rope splash, but Ziggler moved and Curtis ate the mat. Ziggler followed right up with the Zig-Zag and it was good for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler in 6:00. Fine match continuing to invest time in Ziggler.

Still to come: Ted DiBiase vs. Byron Saxton.

[Break. The first promo spot for the Royal Rumble aired with rapid-fire close-up photos of each top star in WWE. The video ended with a shot of John Cena. Take it for what you will.]

2 -- DERRICK BATEMAN (0-2) (w/Kofi Kingston) vs. CONOR O'BRIAN (1-0) (w/Alberto Del Rio)

Kingston was replacing Daniel Bryan as his Pro this week. Bateman controlled the early proceedings before O'Brian landed a single arm DDT. Mathews noted next week's elimination voting begins tomorrow on WWE's website. Bateman and O'Brian went back and forth, then O'Brian hit his finisher for the win. Del Rio demanded his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez announce "Conan O'Brien" as the winner.

WINNER: O'Brian (2-0) in 3:00. Bateman is apparently saddled with the Daniel Bryan/Kaval "losing streak" gimmick on NXT. Okay, but not memorable.

Backstage: DiBiase wanted to talk about Maryse spending $20,000 at one store, but Maryse didn't want to talk about it. Brodus Clay interrupted and talked up DiBiase and said he has "the girls." Maryse took exception to that. DiBiase asked if Clay is trying to patronize him. Brodus denied this accusation. DiBiase told Brodus to bring a pen and paper to ringside to take notes on his match tonight. Brodus walked off, then DiBiase and Maryse resumed their argument on Maryse "having a disease" spending all his money. There's a Linda McMahon parallel somewhere in this promo.

[Break. Next Monday: Miz vs. Morrison in a no limits, anything goes, Falls Count Anywhere match for the WWE Title. "How far will each man go to stand alone as champion?"]

On-stage: Striker was with the NXT Rookies on the stage recapping the point standings thus far. Clay and O'Brian have zero Immunity Points. Striker noted if one of the Rookies can break the all-time record of 896 points on the Power of the Punch, he will receive a third point.

Bateman, fresh off a loss, was up first and scored 750. Johnny Curtis stepped up and scored 814 to take the lead. Bateman was sent to the back. Byron Saxton was up next and Striker killed time while the machine reset itself. Saxton eventually stepped up and scored a weak 625. "Ratface" O'Brian did not take the cheese scoring only a 531. Weak. Del Rio sold frustration as only he can.

Novak was up next and Ziggler told Novak to remove the jacket. Striker made a Brother Love joke, then Novak scored a 721. It was down to Brodus Clay, with the crowd firmly behind him. Clay only scored a 636, giving Curtis the win. Two points for Curtis to advance into first place.

Announcers: Mathews asked Grisham for his insight on what just happened. Mathews said there is analysis on punching an arcade game. Still to come: Byron Saxton vs. Ted DiBiase. Grisham said it's the biggest match of Saxton's...life.

[Break]

3 -- TED DIBIASE (w/Maryse and Brodus Clay) vs. BYRON SAXTON (1-1) (w/Chris Masters)

The bell sounded and the director decided to stay with a camera shot of Maryse and her claimed $3,000 purse. Clay did not bring pen and paper to ringside for the match, of note. DiBiase took an early arm drag and DiBiase yelled at the crowd to draw boos. DiBiase, angered, stomped Saxton into the corner with multiple boot strikes. Clay informed Saxton he's a clown as the camera focused on Maryse occupied with herself. DiBiase went to work on Saxton's mid-section before telling Clay this is how it's done. DiBiase landed a clothesline, but Saxton kicked out. Mathews started heeling on the show as DiBiase continued to work over Saxton.

DiBiase put a boot to Saxton's head taunting him as the camera focused on Maryse's purse again. DiBiase then choked Saxton in the corner and Brodus pie-faced Saxton. Saxton found himself on the ring apron and DiBiase dropped him with a neckbreaker across the top rope. Clay decided he couldn't control his aggression anymore and nailed Saxton with a running clothesline causing a DQ as the ref was applying a ten count.

Post-match: DiBiase berated Clay, who said he was trying to help. Maryse screamed at Brodus that he's an idiot. DiBiase then ordered Maryse to slap Clay and she obliged. "That's what you get! Do you understand me?" DiBiase shouted in Clay's face. The crowd wanted Clay to do something about it, but Clay smiled and suggested there will be another day. DiBiase and Maryse walked out of the ring celebrating the...loss. Clay continued to sell emotions welling up inside him about to explode before they cut to break.

WINNER: Saxton (2-1) via DQ in 6:00.

[Break]

Raw Rebound: A full recap of C.M. Punk and John Cena's interaction, then Punk revealed as the new leader of Nexus.

On-camera: Mathews, instead of selling the babyface's story looking for revenge, said he hasn't been this excited for an episode of Raw in a long time to hear C.M. Punk's story and why he's associated with Nexus next week.

Backstage: R-Truth and Johnny Curtis shared a conversation and Curtis blamed Truth for not being there for him the last few weeks. Truth told Curtis he can learn more from his losses than from his victories. Curtis wasn't buying it, so he stormed off.

Up next: Talent Show.

[Break]

In-ring: The Rookies were assembled with Matt Striker in some strange outfits. Striker noted the updated standings with Curtis leading with four points. Bateman was up first to read a poem called Cheap Pop. He simply made New York references and paused for comedy effect to end it. Curtis was next. He had a ribbon on a stick and did an interpretative dance. Mathews wanted the gong back.

Saxton was next to read a fairytale. There once was a Rookie in a land so grand...Saxton eventually cut a promo on Brodus Clay. This went on forever and drew boos from the crowd. O'Brian was next. He had jokes. O'Brian wanted to know what you call a deer with no eyes. "I have no idear," he said. Boos. O'Brian did another joke and said that takes the cheese. Grisham noted it's getting worse.

Novak was next. His talent is looking good. He asked for some room and pulled out a chair to pose and do some weird dance. Mathews heeled on the entire show again and said this is supposed to be an opportunity for the Rookies to stand out and earn a WWE roster spot. Brodus Clay was next. He asked for anyone from the back. Cue up Michael Cole. That's not who Clay had in mind. Cole heeled on Rochester and said he can't believe he had to sit in the locker room watching this garbage. "This show still stinks," he declared.

Cole made his way into the ring and told all of them they stink. He hid behind Clay and said Clay is his good friend. Clay gave Cole a beanie to wear. Cole plugged his Vintage Vinegar and said his condiment will be the top...well, condiment, in 2011. Cole told JR to take that. Cole then cut a promo on Kaval and asked the fans how that worked out voting for him as the Season 2 winner. Cole said they're looking for a mascot for his Cole Miners in 2011. (Surprising to hear a released WWE wrestler referenced on the show, but it was an easy way for Cole to get heel heat in his cameo.)

Striker then surveyed the crowd on who won the contest. Mix for Bateman, pop for Curtis, boos for everyone else. Striker said it's obvious Curtis and his ribbon stick won this contest. Curtis then waved the ribbon in Clay's face, prompting Clay to punch Curtis in the face. Clay eventually cleared the ring of everyone before leaving to the floor. Clay threw Curtis over the announce table before re-entering the ring to pose as the last man standing. Clay grunted as the show signed off.

Johnny Curtis: 5 points
Derrick Bateman: 3 points
Jacob Novak: 1 point
Byron Saxton: 1 point
Brodus Clay: 0 points
Conor O'Brian: 0 points

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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