WWE NXT Recap 05.18.10

WWE NXT Recap from Ottawa, Canada:

NXT opened with highlights of last week, where Michael Tarver and Daniel Bryan were eliminated at the start of the show. Then at the end of the show a new pros poll revealed that Skip Sheffield was at the bottom and the third elimination of the night. Striker told the five remaining rookies that next week another is eliminated.

Striker introduced the WWE Pros Chris Jericho, Matt Hardy, Christian, CM Punk, William Regal and The Miz. They all took seats on chairs set up on the top of the stage. Striker reminded everyone that tonight another rookie will be eliminated. Striker asked the pros to explain what they're looking for from the next WWE star. Miz said "IT" factor, Regal said "adaptability" and CM Punk said he's lost his appetite and will to be in front of these people so he won't explain himself. Christian said he's looking for someone to capture the imagination of the WWE Universe and who will step up. Regal started talking trash to Christian. Hardy said they have to be a great athlete and be able to speak, as well as survive in the locker room. Jericho said he's looking for someone who would make him want to pay money to see them to wrestle. Striker said the first match happens now. Darren Young arrived out and Punk pretended to walk down the ramp with him then jogged back up to his seat.

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Darren Young vs. Wade Barrett

Highlights were shown of Darren Young and Barrett getting into it outside the ring last week. Chris Jericho was at ringside for the match while CM Punk was not. Young gained major momentum, after Barrett had put him up on the corner. He managed to go for a tornado DDT and land on the apron, then rammed into Barrett's gut. From there he yanked his throat across the top rope and got back into the ring. Young climbed back onto the corner but Barrett pulled his footing out and Young fell down on the corner. Barrett grabbed him up on his shoulders from there and then did his finisher for the win.

Winner: Wade Barrett wins via pinfall over Darren Young.

The commentators discussed how David "A-List" Otunga is trailing Wade Barrett on the Pros Poll. Most of the rookies believed he has the "IT' factor but a few said he needs to bring the in-ring talent up. CM Punk said he's the worst rookie of them all. Christian asked if he's married to Kelly Clarkson.

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Back from break, Striker had Michael Tarver and Daniel Bryan in the ring, both in street clothes. They replayed highlights once again of their eliminations last week including Tarver's tantrum and Bryan's emotional exit. Striker asked each guy their thoughts just one week later. Tarver said he was originally told he'd be judged by a pros poll. Tarver said he was eliminated by pencil pushers in the WWE HQ who are intimidated by him. Tarver said he stood out because he was different than the others. Tarver was still speaking when STriker said "thank you very much" and cut him off.

Daniel Bryan spoke next. He said he's a self-made man and not built by the WWE. Bryan said he's the best guy for this job. Striker asked Bryan to explain himself to his critics. Bryan went off on a tear saying that all the pros know how good he is. He said even though Miz doesn't admit it, he knows he's good and better than him. Miz stood up and began talking trash saying that Bryan's accomplished nothing while Miz was the first US champ and Unified tag champ. Bryan told Miz to come to the ring so he could shut him up. Striker interrupted, but Bryan said he's sick of Striker interrupting.

Bryan continued his speech, saying there's only one guy who won't admit how good he is, and that's the parrot, Michael Cole. Bryan kept jawing at Cole then went out of the ring towards him. Cole stood up and started to back away. He said Cole only repeats what McMahon tells him in his earpiece and he's a poor man's replacement for JR. Bryan attacked him, shoving the headset off Cole and eventually knocking him down, requiring Striker and some refs to pull him away. Bryan got several kicks in with his foot on Cole. Cole was down near the crowd barrier and yelling for the refs to get Bryan out of there. Bryan was smirking as the refs restrained him before a break.

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NXT returned with a replay of what just happened with Bryan and Cole. Afterwords they showed Cole checking his mouth for blood. Cole was visibly upset saying Bryan should be arrested for what just happened. He said Bryan can't take criticism and is beating up announcers, then what would he do in the locker room.

Heath Slater vs. Justin Gabriel

Christian and Matt Hardy were outside the ring to support their respective rookies. Cole kept talking about the incident with Daniel Bryan, then said he's had it and is going to press charges. Cole got up from the commentators table with the match in progress and walked up the ramp backstage. Josh Matthews was left to do commentary on his own.

Both NXT rookies had near falls in the match, trading momentum. At one point, Gabriel caught Slater with a kick from the apron to knock him down, then climbed the corner and hit his 450 splash for the victory.

Winner: Justin Gabriel wins via pinfall over Heath Slater.

Josh Matthews said despite Cole going to handle his business, the show will move on. They went backstage to Skip Sheffield to discuss his elimination. Skip said the Pros are intimidated by his size, physique and ability to be the best. Sheffield said they took out the biggest threat of the contest first.

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NXT returned with a preview of the Batista vs Cena I Quit match including highlights of their various run-ins and altercations over the past few weeks. Cena chose the stipulation for their OTL match, and it will be the final time they meet for the WWE title.

After the video was over, Michael Cole had returned to the commentators table. Cole said he isn't going to let "that creep" ruin things. Cole said it's a big week for the WWE with Over the Limit. Cole and Matthews ran down the lineup for OTL PPV including Jericho/Miz versus Hart Dynasty, Jack Swagger vs Big Show and Rey Mysterio vs CM Punk.

Cole and Matthews cut to a video of what the pros think about Darren Young. Punk said he's not his friend and never wants to be, but he's there to guide and teach the rookie. The Miz said there's something in Young, he just hasn't shown it quite yet. R-Truth said he can see him being a WWE Superstar one day if he gets out of his shell. They looked at a highlight reel of Young losing to Barrett earlier in the night.

Matt Striker was up on the ramp with the WWE Pros. Striker said it's time for them to convene during break and the next elimination will be up.

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After commercial, the five NXT rookies were down at ringside with Matt Striker to learn their fates. The new Pros Poll was unveiled with Barrett #1, Otunga #2, Heath Slater #3. Justin Gabriel and Darren Young remained. They revealed the final spots and Young was in last place, meaning he is eliminated.

Striker asked Young to give his parting words for the pros. Young took the mic and went up to where the Pros were at the top of the ramp. He said he's different than the other NXT rookies because he has respect. Young said he has respect for each of the pros, even CM Punk. He said he's not going to cry, but instead say "thank you", getting the crowd's applause. Young said NXT is over for him now. The crowd started singing "Na na na na, hey hey hey...goodbye" as Young looked around at the crowd. He finished on the mic saying this isn't the last of him in the WWE. Striker then said the competition is really heating up.

They showed highlights of the earlier attack by Daniel Bryan on Michael Cole. Cole said it was a ridiculous event and that Bryan's a coward for it. Matthews said nobody will forget tonight. Cole said we'll see another elimination next week, leaving just 3 rookies in the contest. NXT went off the air.

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