Wednesday, March 24, 2010

NXT Results: 3/23/10 - Week 5, Rookies Team Up

Heath Slater Remains Undefeated

Next week, the pros will have the first official vote which will weigh in on Win/Loss record; Strength; Work Ethic; and "It" factor. Therefore, in week 5, the Rookies teamed up in 2 tag team main events. Heath Slater (3-0) teamed with Justin Gabriel (2-1) to take on the team of Skip Sheffield (0-2) and Wade Barrett (2-1).

In the standings now, Heath Slater is undefeated, having pinned Pro Carlito in week 3 to really escalate him in the ranks. However, Skip Sheffield is an example of what happens when you cannot get along with your mentor. Unlike Daniel Bryan and Darren Young who don't nessearrily need their mentors to succeed, Skip is possibly at the bottom of the ranks when it comes to all four ranking criterias.

Wade Barrett, who is impressive in strength, work ethic, and has that "it" factor, evened his win/loss score with another loss, because he accidently kicked his tag partner in the face, thus allowing Heath Slater to pick up the win.

The win/loss records are: Heath Slater (4-0); Justin Gabriel (3-1); Wade Barrett (2-2); and Skip Sheffield (0-3).

Daniel Bryan is the Best Loser

In the main event, David Otunga (2-1) teams with Darren Young (2-1) against Daniel Bryan (0-4) and Michael Tarver (1-1).

Otunga and Young are evenly matched when it comes to win/loss records unlike Daniel Bryan who hasn't won a single match since coming to NXT. Yet again, wins and losses are not going to be the only criteria when it comes to ranking these rookies. On his first day, Daniel Bryan went one on one with The World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho; and last week he took on The Great Khali. Daniel Bryan's ability to take on current and former World Champions speaks a lot about his work ethic, experience, and the overall "it" factor to one day main event WrestleMania.

David Otunga, a carbon copy of Ezekiel Jackson, which includes the same uranage finisher, has become known as the A-lister. Obviously a reference to his celebrity status, which in the WWE could mean everything. If WWE were to sign Otunga, then perhaps the ratings would boost, especially if assigned to RAW along with the Celebrity Guest Hosts angle. But what happens when it is time to release him?

When Michael Cole compared Daniel Bryan's plain personality along with the plain red trunks against the celeb status of Otunga, there was an indication of what WWE may be about nowadays. Does the fact that Daniel Bryan was trained by Shawn Michaels mean anything? How about being mentored by William Regal at the start of his 10-year indie wrestling career? Somewhere down this terrible mainstream road that WWE has undertaken, wrestling ability must stand for something.

As for his tag partner for the night, Mr. 1.9 is oblivious for the most part as his short temper towards Luke Gallows cost Daniel Bryan a tag, thus allowing Otunga to get the Uranage victory. Yet, Michael Tarver isn't all bad, since during his first dispute with Gallows, he side stepped a sneak attack attempt by Darren Young and managed to get the upper hand.

Darren Young, with his Dragon Ball Z hair style, has yet to gain the respect from his mentor C.M. Punk. But that has not stopped him from amounted victories. C.M. Punk's refusal to acknowledge his rookie just makes Young work that much harder to impress his mentor. Which is what Skip Sheffield should be doing instead of apologizing.

The win/loss records are: David Otunga (3-1); Darren Young (3-1); Daniel Bryan (0-5); and Michael Tarver (1-2).

Who will come out on top next week as the Pros have their first vote, ranking the rookies thus far.

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