WWE NXT Recap 06.01.10 - Season 1 finale

WWE NXT Recap from Dallas, TX:

Tonight was the live season finale of WWE NXT, where the next breakout star would be announced. The 3 finalists are: Justin Gabriel, Wade Barrett and David Otunga. NXT opened with highlights from the season of all the various challenges, matches, confrontations, eliminations and fights including footage of Daniel Bryan attacking Michael Cole.

Michael Cole said it all comes down to tonight. Host Matt Striker was already in the ring. Striker introduced the fans to the five eliminated NXT rookies. Michael Tarver, Daniel Bryan, Skip Sheffield, Darren Young and Heath Slater were all seated in the crowd for the show.

Striker introduced the WWE Pros who were still with the show, Chris Jericho, The Miz, Matt Hardy, R-Truth, William Regal, Christian, and CM Punk - with his new black mask on. Next up, Striker had the three final NXT rookies come to the ring: From last week's rankings #1 Wade Barrett, #2 David Otunga and #3 Justin Gabriel, each came down to the ring. Striker told the Pros they will have 2 polls tonight to determine the final winner. Striker said the three finalists will compete in a Triple Threat match next.

Cole and Matthews said next week starts Season 2 of NXT. They introduced the first rookie for season 2, Husky Harris, a third gen superstar whose father was Mike Rotunda, IRS, and his grandfather is BlackJack Mulligan. Husky Harris will be mentored by WWE Pro, Cody Rhodes. Jericho, Hardy and R-Truth headed down the ramp to ringside for the Triple Threat match.

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NXT returned with an outside shot of American Airlines Arena in Dallas. Matthews had it sent backstage to John Morrison to talk about his NXT rookie for Season 2, Eli Cottonwood. He's 7-1 and over 300lbs. He said his mission on NXT is to inflict pain and carnage on anyone in his path.

Justin Gabriel vs. David Otunga vs. Wade Barrett
Triple Threat elimination match

The rules of this match were as a rookie got pinned or submitted, they were eliminated, so it would come down to a 1-on-1 match. Cole asked Josh Matthews which rookie he'd eliminate out of the three, and he said Justin Gabriel because he's a one-trick pony. Chris Jericho came over to yell at Josh Matthews and Cole during the match, telling them to talk about Wade Barrett.

David Otunga had control in the ring of Gabriel, but saw Wade Barrett climbing back to the apron. Otunga went after him but got rammed in the gut. Otunga knocked Barrett off the apron, but then Gabriel knocked Otunga to the mat. Gabriel hit his 450 splash from the corner and took a pin, but Barrett yanked him out of the ring, then stole the pinfall to eliminate Otunga first. Gabriel was down outside the ring with Matt Hardy cheering him on as NXT hit commercial.

Barrett escaped a near fall, but Gabriel used a legsweep to slam Barrett back first to the mat. Gabriel climbed the corner for the 450 Splash. He went for it, but Barrett stuck both knees up to catch Gabriel in the ribs. Barrett grabbed Gabriel from there and put him in the small package pin for the second elimination.

Winner: Wade Barrett wins via pinfall over David Otunga and Justin Gabriel.

Striker was up on the ramp with the WWE Pros. He told them to huddle up and cast their votes for the first Pros Poll of the two for the night.

MVP was shown on camera as a WWE Pro for Season 2 of NXT. MVP said his rookie is from South Beach, a party location. MVP said his rookie needs to put in hard work, dedication and sacrifice. They showed Percy Watson, a flamboyant "sexy star", who Cole said is a self-professed ladies man. NXT went to commercial as the pros were talking over their decision for the first poll.

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NXT returned with another Pro for Season 2, Zack Ryder. Ryder said all that matters is what he'll teach his rookie like how to get girls and how to dress right. They rolled a video clip of Titus O'Neil, who said he's aggressive at doing what he needs to do in the ring. O'Neil is a former pro football player.

Striker had the 3 finalist rookies in the ring for the first Pros Poll. First, Striker interviewed the former contestants about who they would eliminate or who should win. Tarver said he should be eliminated. Daniel Bryan said Otunga can't wrestle, Justin's only got one big move and that leaves Wade Barrett as the winner. Fans weren't happy with his answer. Skip Sheffield looked around at the crowd then said into the mic "I don't care." Darren Young said his moneys on Wade Barrett because he's built for the competition and will prove all the haters in Dallas wrong. Heath Slater said Wade Barrett has proved himself tonight too.

Now it was time for the Pros Poll to reveal the first elimination of the evening. At the #1 spot was Wade Barrett yet again. Striker had Otunga and Gabriel step forward, because one of the two would be eliminated. Striker had them reveal the poll and David Otunga was still at #2. Justin Gabriel was the first elimination of the evening. Striker handed Gabriel the mic to talk. He said he'll keep coming back and keep getting back. Gabriel vowed to one day be a World Champion. Striker shook his hand and told him to leave the arena.

As Justin walked up the ramp, Matt Hardy was there to greet him. Hardy got on the mic and said he knows Justin's got a good future ahead of him because he will not die.

Michelle McCool and Layla were shown backstage as the first Diva Pros for season 2. They said they don't know much about their rookie, but he's competed all over the world and he'll love them. Their rookie is named Kaval, from Brooklyn NY. Kaval said he's usually an underdog due to his smaller size, but he fights tooth and nail to the end.

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NXT returned with Mark Henry on camera. He'll be another Pro mentor for NXT season 2. They showed video footage of Lucky Cannon. Lucky said he's named Lucky due to having a lot of close calls in life. He said he has a don't quit, "never say die" attitude. Cole said he's a former deputy sheriff.

Striker was in the ring with Wade Barrett and David Otunga. Striker said they'll need to prove themselves verbally now, with a rookie face-off. They each got 60 seconds to say why they should be the next breakout star. Otunga was first and called Barrett "ugly with a crooked nose and bad teeth." Otunga said the only PPV match he'd pay to see is a Triple Threat with Barrett against Aquafresh and Listerine. Otunga said Barrett doesn't have the "It factor" like he does. The crowd got on Otunga with the boos after he finished.

Barrett took over next, saying he's got a broken nose because he's a fighter. Barrett said Otunga's got the physique but it's too bad he doesn't know how to use it. He said Otunga doesn't have the "IT factor", but he'd add two letters in front of that to tell people what he really thinks of Otunga.

The Pros assembled to determine the final Pros Poll. They cut backstage to Kofi Kingston who will be the Pro mentor for the son of WWE Hall of Famer "Mr. Perfect". Michael McGillicutty was profiled in a brief highlight video. He said he's wrestling royalty based on his bloodline. He said "ruthless agression is back".

Josh Matthews told WWE fans to update their Facebooks and Twitters because the NXT winner will be announced next.

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NXT returned with Miz on the mic. He told everyone to get up out of their seats to see his Season 2 rookie's video package. Alex Riley's short clip was shown. Riley said call the show "Alex Riley and the 7 dorks". The Miz will be the only returning pro from season 1.

Now time for the final Pros Poll to determine the NXT winner. Striker paused in the ring with Wade Barrett and David Otunga to find out the results. Just then, Regal got up out of his seat and walked over saying to Jericho he had the best man in the competition, it's a shame Otunga was stuck with a bad pro. R-Truth jumped up to get in his face. Regal and Punk said the only reason Otunga's on the show is because of his wife Jennifer Hudson. Regal said congratulations to Barrett, he knew he'd win. Christian told him to shut up. Regal and Truth kept jawing at each other. Eventually the other rookies got involved. CM Punk walked backstage.

Jericho said the only reason Barrett is the winner is because he had the best pro. Regal said Barrett would have won this contest with any of the pros as his mentor. Striker finally interrupted and said let's see the Pros Poll. They revealed that Wade Barrett was #1 and David Otunga #2. Jericho was shown clapping with a sly grin on his face as he sat up in his stool on the ramp. Otunga looked dejected by the decision. Striker asked Otunga for his thoughts. Otunga said maybe Ashton's around because he must be getting Punk'd. Otunga said it doesn't matter, because he knows someone who lost American Idol and went on to become the biggest star of that show.

Striker handed the mic to Barrett with a congratulations. Barrett will get a future Pay-Per-View title match. Barrett started bragging and said he and Jericho knew this would be the end result. Barrett said he came to WWE to make major coin and a PPV title match will bring that in. Wade Barrett put the pros up on the ramp on Warning say this is the beginning of the era of Wade Barrett. Jericho got in the ring to join him. Barrett said he's going to take the WWE Title one day. They showed former contestants Daniel Bryan and Darren Young applauding for Barrett, but the others weren't. NXT closed with Jericho's theme music going and him and Barrett smiling it up.