NXT Report for Aug 10 - Another Elimination
The show began with another one of those endless contest segments. Matt Striker made mention that Mark Henry was not here because of the "injury" he suffered last night. It was pretty baffling to watch spots which normally pass for heat spots in lowcard tag team matches like throwing a guy into the steps suddenly become devastating injuries. Couldn't they have done something a little more credible? Striker then mentioned that the season finale is scheduled for three weeks and that the winner gets a championship match on pay-per-view. That got absolutlely no reaction from the crowd, not that you would expect it to, but I was shocked at it generating essentially silence. Anyway, this week's gimmick was a "power of the punch challenge." They had to hit a speed bag connected to a device which measured how hard they hit in units of, well they never mentioned that part. Where's William Regal when you need him? The winner gets an individual appearance next week on Raw, for whatever that's worth. The scores - however this was mentioned were: McGillicutty (863), Kaval was DQ'ed for kicking the bag, Watson (716), Cannon (744), Harris (380!) and Riley who won with 890. The hilarious thing was that they had Cole and Matthews attempt it before the show and Cole actually beat a couple of the guys' numbers. Another awful segment.
During the ensuing break, Miz wanted Morrison to ask him to join team WWE on Sunday. Morrison didn't answer him and challenged him to a match.
Lucky Cannon, Kaval & Percy Watson v. Husky Harris, Michael McGillicutty & Alex Riley
The faces all worked quick spots with Harris before the big man got the advantage over Watson. Riley tagged in and took a spinning kick (which missed by a lot) from Watson that set him over the top rope. Riley took his time selling on the floor before returning to be caught with a couple of arm drags. Cannon tagged in and worked a fireman's carry into an arm bar. Riley took another powder until Cannon hit a dive over the top rope. That led into a commercial break. After the break, the heels were working over Cannon in the corner. Harris hit an avalanche in the corner to lead to McGillicutty working a rest hold (in a six man match?). Eventually, Cannon caught McGillicutty with a big boot and a clothesline coming out of the corner. Kaval tagged in for the first time in the match and hit McGillicutty with a couple of clotheslines and kicks in rapid succession. He then did a very cool tilt-a-whirl type move into a dragon sleeper on McGillicutty. Harris made a save which brought all of the rookies into the ring. They cleared one another out of the ring in short order leading to Kaval sidestepping McGillicutty's attempt at his finisher. Kaval then hit the warrior's way (without direct contact) from the top rope to secure only his second victory of the season. Kaval was so much better than anyone else in the match.
Kaval, Cannon & Watson d. Harris, McGillicutty & Riley.
The announcers ran down the entire SummerSlam card, which is only five matches at this point. Though you would have to figure that the 7 v. 7 match would go forty minutes in order to have credible eliminations.
John Morrison v. The Miz
The match is non-title. They started with some basic, back-and-forth stuff until Morrison took the advantage with an arm drag, standing dropkick and a shooting star press which missed its mark (a recurring theme tonight). Miz tried to comeback with his charging clothesline in the corner but Morrison eluded him. Morrison got a near fall off of a backslide which prompted Miz to escape to the floor. Morrison followed him out with a corkscrew dive and, just as in the first match, that move led into a commercial break. After the break, Miz held the advantage and choked Morrison in the ropes. Miz did connect with his charging clothesline and got a near fall off of it. Miz worked a sleeper hold for a bit before Morrison fought his way out. Morrison came back with clotheslines and a flapjack. A head kick led to another near fall. Morrison then missed a knee lift and Miz followed up with a roundhouse kick. Morrison soon came right back with more kicks for yet another near fall. Morrison went up for his finisher but Miz got out of the way. Morrison managed to land on his feet going for the move. He then tried for an enzigiri, missed and connected with the turnbuckle. Morrison sold his ankle, which allowed Miz to measure Morrison for the skull crushing finale. Good TV match. They teased that Morrison may have to wrestle injured on Sunday.
Miz d. Morrison
Off-topic, but are these ads for the new John Cena move "Legendary" laugh out loud funny or is it just me? Matt Striker polled the six rookies as to who should be eliminated. McGillicutty and Kaval chose Lucky Cannon. Percy Watson waffled and chose Alex Riley. Cannon said anyone but him should be eliminated. Harris chose Cannon as well because he hasn't won a match (which isn't true). Alex Riley said that Striker was a nerd and that McGillicutty should go home. Here is the poll: 1) Kaval, 2) Michael McGillicutty, 3) Percy Watson, 4) Husky Harris, 5) Alex Riley and Lucky Cannon was eliminated. No surprise at all there. Cannon was greeted by the "hey, hey goodbye" chants as he tried to make lame comments about some of the verbal segments. Michael Cole asked for someone to punch him in the month. Of all the rookies in the first two seasons, Cannon may have been the worst (think about that) as he was the only babyface who couldn't get over in the least. As he was leaving, Kaval looked like he was giving him the middle finger. Striker asked Riley why he wasn't connecting with the WWE Universe. Riley then said he wasn't going to change anything to impress the fans. Matt Striker announced that two wrestlers are eliminated next week. And that was the show for this week.
