WWE NXT Recap 05.11.10

WWE NXT Recap from Buffalo, NY:

NXT opened with highlights from the past weeks of NXT showcasing the various rookies, the competitions, matches and storylines. Tonight, the first WWE NXT rookie will be eliminated when the new Pro's Poll is unveiled.

Matt Striker was at ringside to start the show. They brought out the eight NXT rookies who each came to the ring area one by one. Otunga came down to the ring wearing some funky red headphones listening to music. Striker had highlights of last night's 8 NXT rookies against 4 Raw Pro's on Raw. The NXT rookies won as Daniel Bryan pinned Santino Marella. Striker shook Bryan's hand and asked the audience to give some applause. Matt Striker singled out Michael Tarver and asked if he remembered what he said last week. They showed the replay of Tarver answering "who should be eliminated first?" Tarver told Striker "Me". Striker then informed him that WWE management doesn't know how a WWE Superstar can be part of their organization if that superstar doesn't believe in himself. Striker told Tarver he was eliminated.

Tarver smirked a bit and shook Striker's hand. He turned to stare at the NXT rookies, with Striker instructing him to head backstage. Tarver started up the ramp, then tore off his shirt, throwing a tantrum and yelling at the crowd. Finally, he went backstage. From there, Striker singled out Daniel Bryan. He asked if he remembered what he said last week. Bryan answered the "who should be eliminated" question by saying himself because he hasn't won any matches. In a shocking moment, Striker told Bryan he was eliminated from NXT. Cole even admitted he was surprised by that. Striker then dropped another bombshell. Tarver and Bryan were eliminated by WWE management. The Pro's are reconvening to determine the PRo's Poll, and there will be another possible elimination tonight.

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Heath Slater vs. Wade Barrett

In the lates stages, Barrett got Slater on his shoulders. Slater fought out and hit a neckbreaker to capture a near fall. He was frustrated by it and got up on the corner for the high risk move. Slater jumped off at Barrett who caught him mid air, put him on his shoulders, then slammed him to the mat for the pin.

After the win, Wade Barrett looked as if he had busted his bottom lip up a bit.

Winner: Wade Barrett wins via pinfall over Heath Slater.

NXT host Matt Striker was backstage asking Michael Tarver if he felt the elimination decision was fair. Tarver asked Striker if he knows what its like to sleep in a car or not know how you're going to feed your kids. Tarver said he felt the decision was fair, but not the competition. Striker asked if Tarver's approach to the competition was to try to get noticed. Next Striker asked Tarver what's Next for him. He stared at Striker, then walked off set.

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Darren Young vs. Skip Sheffield

Sheffield missed on a big splash attempt with Young taking advantage from there. He hit a series of Atomic drops on Sheffield then leveled Skip with a clothesline. Young was reverse whipped to the ropes and came back with the flying shoulder to take Sheffield down. He failed at the pin attempt. Sheffield put Darren Young up and then dropped down to the mat with a seated move like a neckbreaker. Regal nodded his head a bit looking semi-impressed.

Winner: Skip Sheffield wins via pinfall over Darren Young.

Josh Matthews reminded fans that one more NXT rookie gets eliminated later tonight. Michael Cole asked if Josh Matthews could be eliminated.

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The Raw Rebound showed the events of Friday's Smackdown when Drew McIntyre repeatedly attacked Matt Hardy at the start of the show. GM Teddy Long finally arrived to ringside and ordered McIntyre to stop. Drew refused to listen, so Teddy suspended him, then stripped him of the IC title, then finally fired him. McIntyre was escorted out of the arena by several WWE officials and Ricky Steamboat. Now this Friday on Smackdown, Christian will face Kofi Kingston for the vacant Intercontinental Title.

The official theme song for Over the Limit is "Crash" by Fit for Rivals. Josh Matthews and Michael Cole ran down the full card for Over the Limit so far.

They replayed the earlier eliminations of Michael Tarver and Daniel Bryan from NXT. Matt Striker was backstage with Daniel Bryan. Bryan started to hint at the fact his real name is Bryan Danielson, and how that guy was kicking people's heads in on YouTube and all over the place. He told Striker Daniel Bryan may be done, but you might see Bryan Danielson someday soon. Striker wished him luck.

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David Otunga vs. Justin Gabriel

They showed highlights of last week's match where R-Truth defeated Otunga in singles action. Late in the match, Gabriel had a near fall on Otunga, but Otunga kicked out and rolled onto the apron. Gabriel went for a suplex, but Otunga blocked him and then dropped Gabriel gut first onto the top rope. Back in the ring, Otunga did a one arm slam put down move to finally pin Justin Gabriel.

Winner: David Otunga wins via pinfall over Justin Gabriel.

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Matt Striker was down at ringside again with the remaining 6 NXT rookies standing in front of the ring. Striker said one rookie will go on to become the next WWE Superstar with a championship match live on PPV. Darren Young told Striker he feels Wade Barrett should be the first elimination. Slater told Striker that David Otunga doesn't belong there. Striker reminded Gabriel he has immunity but asked him who should be eliminated. Gabriel wouldn't answer at first, then said he's getting irritated by David Otunga. Skip Sheffield said Otunga doesn't belong there with the rest of them. Striker asked Otunga his thoughts. He said all of them should be eliminated but to pick one he'd choose Heath Slater. Wade Barrett also chose David Otunga. Finally, time for the Pros Poll results.

Here's the Pros Poll rankings & results:

1. Wade Barrett
2. David Otunga
3. Justin Gabriel
4. Heath Slater
5. Darren Young
6. Skip Sheffield

With that, Skip Sheffield becomes the first "official" elimination on NXT by the Pros vote, however he's the third guy eliminated on the show. Good luck to Skip Sheffield in all future endeavors. It's down to just five now!