WWE NXT Recap 05.04.10

WW recap from Charlestown, SC:

The show opened with the NXT opening video showcasing the 8 rookies and their pro mentors. Josh Matthews opened up on commentary reminding fans that David Otunga won last week's rookie challenge so he got to pick a main event match against any of the Pro's. Otunga chose his own mentor, R-Truth, and they'll fight tonight.

Striker was ringside with the 8 NXT rookies and reminded them that next week is the latest Pro's poll and the first NXT rookie elimination. Daniel Bryan was shown with taped ribs, most likely from his match against Batista last night on Raw. Tonight's challenge was the "Obstacle course challenge". The rookies each had to start on monkey bars, climb a suspended ladder to ring a bell, go around the ring area up the audience stands, go out to the concession stands, drink a concession beverage, juggle, come back to ringside and get dizzy with a baseball bat and eventually cross a finish line. The winner of the challenge gets immunity. If they are voted 8th in next week's poll, then they will not be eliminated but the one above them will be.

Daniel Bryan was first, but was favoring his ribs as he did the obstacle course. Bryan told the ref "I don't drink soda" and took his time chugging it down slowly. Michael Cole made jokes saying "Bryan's a weirdo." Next he would have to go back into the arena, into the ring and juggle. He finally crossed the finish line at 2:45.5 for the first time to beat.

The Miz' theme music came on and out came Miz to berate his rookie. He told him you don't use injuries as excuses ever, after Miz did so last night to get out of the match against Batista last night. Miz said Bryan will fight against the winless Michael Tarver tonight. Miz said if he loses, he can't see how Bryan will stay in this competition. Miz told him to get to the ring for the match, now.

Daniel Bryan vs. Michael Tarver

They showed highlights from last night's match with Bryan vs Batista in a Beat the Clock Challenge, which The Animal won eventually. After winning he delivered several more Batista Bombs on Bryan.

Tonight the 0-9 Daniel Bryan faced the 0-7 Michael Tarver. One of the two competitors would score their first victory. Miz and Carlito were both at ringside to watch their rooks battle.

Tarver targeted Bryan's ribs, whipping him hard to the corners. He charged at Bryan, but this time ate a boot to the chin. Bryan ran and delivered a flying kick to take Tarver down momentarily. Tarver responded by slamming Bryan for a near fall. After a commercial break, Bryan gained momentum with a series of kicks to Tarver who was down on his knees. He ran and landed a hard clothesline in the corner, then a DDT for a near fall.

Bryan put on an armbar submission hold but Tarver countered it and lifted Bryan up to toss him down. From there, Tarver picked up Bryan for a scoop slam and scored the pinfall. Tarver was ecstatic to get his first win, he's now 1-7. Carlito got into the ring and instructed Tarver to do something. Tarver got Bryan to his feet. Carlito went up behind him and hit the Backstabber on him.

Winner: Michael Tarver wins via pinfall over Daniel Bryan.

They showed Darren Young in the selling programs contest from last week saying "who wants to see Darren Young vs CM Punk..I'm sick of this!" They cut to Darren Young along with the SES back in the locker room watching a flatscreen TV. Punk called out Young for what he said, asking if he wants to fight him. Young said he's trying to make a name for himself. Punk told Young he needs to figure out who he wants to be, and he needs to start by winning the obstacle course.

Next obstacle course participant was Heath Slater. It seemed to take Slater a bit of time to drink the soda too. Slater shattered Bryan's time, with his new time to beat of 1:36.9. Darren Young came out quickly as the next competitor. He fell off the monkey bars, losing 5 seconds, then had trouble drinking soda. He also fell when jumping over the crowd barrier. Darren Young had a time of 2:07.8 so he didn't beat Slater.

---

After a commercial break, Justin Gabriel was up for the obstacle course. Gabriel chugged the soda down faster than anyone else did. He did one handed juggling as well. Gabriel was able to establish a new time to beat of 1:29 even.

David "A-List" Otunga went next. He yelled "this ain't diet" when he drank the soda down. Otunga was ahead of Gabriel's pace, but ended up at 1:35 just 6 seconds behind Gabriel. Right after Otunga had finished, Matt Striker informed him he would have his match against his pro R-Truth.

David Otunga vs. R-Truth

Truth came down to the ring doing his rap song entrance, while Otunga stayed in the corner looking like he wanted Truth to hurry it up.

Early on, Truth smacked Otunga in the face. Later on, Truth had Otunga in the corner, but Otunga kicked him, then threw him shoulder first into the ringpost. Otunga had a near fall, and then continued to knee Truth in the midsection. NXT went to commercial.

Otunga stayed in control after the break, using an abdominal stretch. Truth managed to reverse it and put his own stretch on Otunga, then dropped him. He kicked Otunga in the gut. Otunga reverse whipped Truth to the corner. Truth managed to jump out of the corner. He dropped down with his split move to duck Otunga's clothesline. He hit a leg kick to take Otunga down. Truth eventually hit the Lie Detector spinning take down for the pinfall win.

Winner: R-Truth wins via pinfall over David Otunga.

Michael Cole started acting hyped up that R-Truth is part of Raw saying he can't wait to hang out with Truth and say "Whats up whats up!" Matthews told Cole "you're pathetic, you really are."

Next obstacle course participant was Wade Barrett. Barrett fell off the monkey bars twice, then finally said the heck with it and walked backstage. Skip Sheffield came out next. Sheffield had a time of 1:31.2. Matt Striker said "Congratulations Skip Sheffield!" causing the commentators to question what clock Striker was looking at. Justin Gabriel still owns the time to beat. Michael Tarver is the final rookie of the challenge.

---

After break, Tarver started the obstacle course but fell off the monkey bars twice. Matthews noted at least Tarver is competing in tonight's event. Tarver hit 1:29 while he was still drinking the beverage. He began to hold his gut while trying to drink the soda. Cole said to Matthews "that looked like you the other night!" Tarver finally said he had enough, and the ref disqualified him.

Justin Gabriel was tonight's winner. He said he's happy that David Otunga didn't win because he's sick of him. Gabriel said Otunga's ego is a lot bigger than his talent. Otunga and Gabriel got in each others faces. Striker interviewed each of the rookies asking who should be eliminated. Michael Tarver actually said he should be eliminated. Many of the other rookies agreed when asked, except for Daniel Bryan who humbly said he has yet to win a match so he should be. Next week is the big elimination as the WWE NXT Pro's poll is revealed.

---