WWE NXT Recap 02.23.10 - Premiere

WWE NXT recap 02.23.10

WWE NXT kicked off with the 8 rookies backstage. The Miz arrived and looked them over one by one. Miz called forth the rookie he's mentoring Daniel Bryan. Miz began to boast about his accomplishments, and asked Bryan if he thinks he's ready. Miz said you have to expect anything when you're in WWE, so he told Bryan to go out to the ring and introduce himself. He suggested Bryan needs to let everyone know exactly who he is. Miz said he can use his theme music too. After Bryan left, Miz spoke directly to the camera, saying that if Bryan doesn't show any personality, then he'll slap him silly.

Josh Matthews and Michael Cole were the commentators on hand for WWE NXT. Backstage was the host of the show, Matt Striker. Striker said he jumped at the opportunity to take the host spot to showcase these 8 rookies and their talents.

Back in the ring, ring girl Savannah introduced Bryan. He apologized for Miz' remarks, and said he had wished William Regal was his mentor. Bryan spoke about wrestling all over the world and how finally he's got an opportunity in the WWE with NXT. Bryan's speech was interrupted by The Miz' theme music, as Miz arrived to the ring. Miz began to berate the speech Bryan was giving, so Bryan said maybe he should go on a reality TV show and get a fauxhawk, then said no wait that's been done by you. Bryan told Miz if he ever gets in the ring to fight with him, he either taps or snaps. The WWE Universe responded cheering Bryan. Miz asked if Bryan deserves to be in the same ring, then told Bryan he failed and slapped him in the face before leaving to go up the ramp. Bryan went up to the ropes staring out at Miz saying "you got nothing on me". They immediately showed a replay of the slap incident. Bryan got on the mic saying there will be a time when he slaps Miz back.

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NXT returned to showcase their theme song "Wild & Young" by American Bang which is currently available on iTunes.

Host Matt Striker interviewed Daniel Bryan backstage during the commercial break. Striker asked Bryan's thoughts after being slapped in the face. Bryan said he wanted Miz to know he slaps a lot harder than he does. Striker asked how Bryan can talk like that if Miz is his mentor. Bryan said he's been in the industrry twice as long as Miz, but Striker interrupted him to let him know he hasn't been in the WWE for a minute. Bryan said he can be a star on his own without Miz' help.

Cole and Matthews said Bryan doesn't realize that later tonight he's scheduled to fight World Champion Chris Jericho one-on-one.

Carlito came out with his rookie Michael Tarver from Akron, Ohio. Carlito announced that with his help Tarver will become next breakout WWE Superstar. They showed a highlight promo video of Tarver, who said they call him "Mr. 1.9 seconds" because he can knockout opponents that quickly. Tarver said he takes out the head to cause the body to fall. He said he wants to show what he's capable of so the world can see, and he hopes the other rookies bring their A-game to deal with him.

Carlito & Michael Tarver vs. Christian & Heath Slater

They showed an in-depth profile of Slater who is from West VA. Slater said he's wanted to be a WWE Superstar forever and likes to showboat a lot. Slater started off with Carlito and went for a quick rollup, then taunted Carlito. Carlito responded with a kick to the gut, then brought him to the corner to pound away. He tagged in his rookie Tarver to start punching away some more. The heels started to take control as they dominated Slater while Christian watched from the apron.

Christian finally got involved and had several near Killswitch attempts as well as a pinfall. Carlito tagged in Tarver who tried to slingshot Carlito towards Christian in the corner. Slater came over to take out Carlito. Christian hit a flying elbow off the corner, then the Killswitch on the rookie Tarver for the pinfall.

Winners: Christian and Heath Slater win via pinfall over Carlito and Michael Tarver.

They showed CM Punk with his rookie backstage as well as R-Truth coaching his. Both men will meet one-on-one next on NXT.

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David Otunga vs. Darren Young

Punk, Gallows and Serena came out to the ring and Punk kept giving strange looks to Young who is a South Beach party animal. They showed an earlier interview where Punk said he doesn't know why he's even there for NXT, because he mentors Gallows and Serena. He suggested Darren gets Straightedge into his life soon.

They also showed a David Otunga promo who is from Hollywood and with Jennifer Hudson. He talked about his good looks and the fact he went to Harvard Law School. He said he's got the confidence and charisma of The Rock, the attack of HHH and power of John Cena. Otunga said all the haters are jealous of him, but he doesn't plan on failing at NXT.

R-Truth came out doing the "What's Up?" song, then Otunga came out and posed at the top of the ramp. Truth kept rapping around the ring, then stopped himself before getting into the ring. The bell sounded with Young gaining the upperhand on Otunga, getting a near fall, but Otunga made a quick comeback with several moves and slammed Young down hard to the mat for a very fast pinfall. The move came after Otunga whipped Young to the ropes, then slammed him down as he came back.

Winner: David Otunga wins via pinfall over Darren Young.

They showed another replay of Miz slapping his rookie Daniel Bryan in the ring. Later tonight, Daniel Bryan faces World Champion Chris Jericho in the main event. Jericho is mentoring Wade Barrett.

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NXT returned to show Raw Rebound highlights of the Cena-Batista buildup. Cena won the Elimination Chamber and WWE Title, but Vince McMahon immediately ordered him to defend the title against Batista. Cena was worn and beaten down from the Chamber, which allowed Batista to win in about 30 seconds with a Batista Bomb. Batista became new WWE champion. The next night on Raw, Cena called for his rematch, but again Vince McMahon came out and told Cena that Batista won't defend until Wrestlemania. Instead, Vince gave Cena the opportunity to have his rematch, if he could defeat Batista in the main event. In that match, Batista ducked Cena several times in the early going, then kicked him in the groin to get DQ'd. After the bell, The Animal continuously attacked Cena, including using a steel chair repeatedly on his back.

Jericho came out from backstage with his rookie Wade Barrett walking behind him down the ramp. Barrett wore a long black coat with a white flower on it. Jericho and his rook got in the ring as NXT hit commercial break.

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Back from break, they announced that next week, Matt Hardy brings his rookie Justin Gabriel to NXT.

In the ring, Jericho told his rookie Wade Barrett to introduce him to the crowd instead of Savannah. Barrett introduced himself as the best bare knuckle fighter there is then said it's a privilege to work with a superstar like Chris Jericho. He kept talking up Chris Jericho, and finally Jericho grabbed the mic telling his rookie to just introduce him. Barrett said this is your world champion, Mr. Jericho, to which Jericho nodded approvingly saying "much better."

Miz came out next, leading Daniel Bryan to the ring. Bryan bumped Miz and walked by him, then rushed to the ring. Bryan posed in the ring as NXT went to yet another commercial break.

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Daniel Bryan vs. Chris Jericho

Bryan offered a handshake to start the match, but Jericho started to let him know he wasn't of the same caliber. Jericho shoved Bryan, and then hit a dropkick followed by some impressive corner moves. Soon after, Jericho responded by powering out of the corner, then hitting a dropkick and eventually a backwards slam to the mat. Jericho continued to pound away on the rookie, then applied a headlock on the mat as Wade Barrett watched from ringside.

Bryan came from against the ropes for a rollup pin which Jericho kicked out of. Jericho regained the upperhand and started to beat on Bryan some more.

As the match continued, Matt Striker interviewed Wade Barrett at ringside. Striker asked what insight he's gaining from watching, and Barrett said he's seeing the quality it takes to be a world class champion like Jericho. Meanwhile in the ring, Bryan was on a tear with a barrage of moves, including a jumping clothesline. He knocked Jericho out of the ring, then went for a suicide dive. Jericho was ready for it and grabbed Bryan from the air to slam him against the commentators' table.

Bryan recovered though and got back in control, tossing Jericho into the ring. Bryan went for the high risk move jumping from the corner, but Jericho caught him and set up Walls of Jericho. Bryan countered it and put on a Figure Four leglock, causing Jericho to writhe in pain. Jericho struggled but finally grabbed the bottom rope. The ref talked to Bryan, and as he walked back at Jericho, Jericho hit the Codebreaker. The rookies backstage were shown watching on a flatscreen. Jericho walked over and put Bryan into the Walls of Jericho, causing Bryan to quickly tap out.

The Miz got into the ring after the match and began to hammer away on Bryan, pounding his head into the mat. Cole said it appears Miz is trying to instill some respect into his rookie. Miz berated Bryant telling him "I'm the pro, you're the rookie!"

They showed a replay of Daniel Bryan and Jericho's match. Matthews said Bryan was impressive in the debut, nearly making Jericho tap. Cole said Miz set an example for all the rookies on NXT.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins via submission over Daniel Bryant.

Backstage, Matt Striker was with the other six NXT rookies. Striker said next week we'll continue to make history, with the unique future of NXT. They rolled an outro highlight video of tonight's show including the various moments and matches.

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