WWE NXT Recap 04.20.10

WWE NXT recap from Uncasville, CT:

Matt Striker was ringside to start things off with the NXT rookies in the ring already. Striker introduced them one by one. Most guys got cheers but Tarver was audibly booed. Striker discussed the upcoming Pro's Poll in a few weeks. Whoever is ranked last is eliminated.

Tonight's competition tested out balance and striking ability with an American Gladiators competition "Rock Em Sock Em Rookies". The object was to knock your opponent off a pedestal with a joust stick. They competed against each other as follows:

Slater def. Otunga
Skip Sheffield def. Wade Barrett
Daniel Bryan def. Michael Tarver
Darren Young def. Justin Gabriel

During the Barrett Sheffield match, Barrett sort of launched himself shoulder first into Sheffield, and lost. The two got into it afterwords with a ref stepping in. Tarver just dropped his joust stick and Bryan kept jabbing at his head with his stick. Tarver dropped off on purpose to lose, then shoved Bryan after. Slater, Sheffield, Bryan and Young will compete in the semifinals. The winner gets a feature on WWE.com as of 12 midnight Tuesday night.

Also tonight, Heath Slater gets a one-on-one match with Chris Jericho.

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Cole and Matthews introduced the highlight reel to showcase the Batista Cena feud, starting with Batista losing the title at WM26. From there on, the two continued to attack each other on Raw. Batista delivered a Batista Bomb on Cena one night after he had lost a tag team title match, then announced they'd be fighting at Extreme Rules in a Last Man Standing match. A week later, Cena was able to get his revenge when he stormed the ring and put the STF on Batista. The two meet on Sunday to decide the WWE Title.

Cole and Matthews ran down the rest of the matches for this Sunday's Extreme Rules.

Next up was a promo video of Wade Barrett which featured highlights from his matches and interviews about Barrett given by the NXT pros.

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David Otunga vs. Justin Gabriel

R-Truth accompanied Otunga to the ring. Otunga put a hand up to wave Truth off for entering the ring as he was. Truth hopped onto the apron and gave a look at Otunga. Both Gabriel and Otunga had 4-2 records going into the match. During the match, Josh Matthews said from what he's heard Truth and Otunga aren't getting along lately.

In the closing moments, Gabriel was about to go for the 450 Splash but Otunga rolled out of the way. Gabriel went towards Otunga who yanked his shorts to toss him out of the ring. Gabriel got back in with a Sunset Flip. Otunga was falling back but was reaching both arms forward for some help from Truth. Truth shook his head, refusing to help. Gabriel got the pin and Otunga gave a dirty look to Truth who laughed about it with Matt Hardy.

Winner: Justin Gabriel wins via pinfall over David Otunga.

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Rock Em Sock Em Rookie Semifinals

Skip Sheffield def. Heath Slater
Darren Young def. Daniel Bryan

Skip Sheffield and Darren Young will compete in the finals later tonight. Josh Matthews started poking fun at Michael Cole for having a WWE Universe blog and talking about all his "Coal Miners".

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Carlito accompanied his rookie Michael Tarver to the ring who was getting booed as he got the mic. Tarver said he's done being overlooked in NXT and he doesn't play by everyone else's rules. Tarver said he didn't come to the show tonight to dance on a platform like a little monkey. Tarver said he's a pitbull dared anyone from NXT, rookie or pro to come stop him right now.

Regal's theme music hit, but Skip Sheffield arrived from backstage saying he's going to shut Tarver up. Sheffield said he's gonna do his mentor William Regal proud even though he's stuck in Europe right now. Just as Sheffield got to the ring, CM Punk arrived out to the ramp along with Luke Gallows, Serena and Darren Young. Punk said Young is looking for competition as well. Punk had them roll the highlights of Young defeating Gallows last week. Punk said he did what he did last week not for his own enjoyment, but to keep Young and Sheffield sharp. Punk said this match just became a Triple Threat, then pointed for Young to get down to the ring.

Skip Sheffield vs. Darren Young vs. Michael Tarver
Triple Threat Match

Tarver and Sheffield went for the doubleteam early, but Young made a comeback. He managed to dodge Sheffield near the ropes, then clotheslined Tarver outside before a commercial break.

As the match was winding down, it was Michael Tarver and Darren Young in the ring, after Young tossed Sheffield out. Tarver dominated for a bit, but then Young gained control. He got onto the corner for a high risk move, but Luke Gallows came over to shove him off. Young fell to the mat, then Luke jumped off the apron to take out Sheffield. Luke motioned for Tarver to pin Young. Young was able to get a flapjack on Tarver though and won it.

Winner: Darren Young wins via pinfall over Michael Tarver to win the Triple Threat match.

They did a video package on Heath Slater next. Various pros were interviewed and had a handful of comments. Miz said he's idiotic but he wants to see what Slater will do next. Christian had praise for his rookie.

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They showed highlights from last week when Christian was able to defeat Wade Barrett despite Jericho trying to interfere. Heath Slater reached into the ring to grab Wade Barrett's leg and helped Christian win.

Rock'Em Sock'Em Rookies Challenge

It was Darren Young against Skip Sheffield in the finals. Both men fell off at once with the ref at first awarding Sheffield the match. They had a rematch and Sheffield won this time to take it. Striker interviewed him on the win and he quoted Keanu Reeves from the movie Hardball. Sheffield's WWE.com exclusive will start as of midnight Tuesday.

Winner: Skip Sheffield defeats Darren Young in the finals of the Rock'Em Sock'Em rookies challenge.

Heath Slater vs. Chris Jericho

Jericho slapped the rookie to start the match, then began stomping away on him. Rookie Wade Barrett admired his mentor's work in the ring. Jericho used a chinlock for a bit. Slater was able to make a comeback about 3 minutes into the match. He had a pinfall on Jericho, but Jericho kicked out. Later, Jericho went for Walls of Jericho. Slater grabbed him by the neck though and then got him with a surprise roll up pin. Slater defeats pro Chris Jericho ahead of WWE's Extreme Rules.

Following the match, Slater celebrated his win, but made sure to get up the ramp away from harm's way. Jericho was enraged and went off on the ref for the decision, then tore apart the commentators' table, throwing a chair into the ring as well.

Winner: Heath Slater wins via pinfall over Chris Jericho.

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