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August 11, 2010

Quick hits on WWE NXT

• You know the old saying about how it’s better to be lucky than good? Well, it didn’t hold true on Tuesday night’s episode of WWE NXT, as Lucky Cannon was eliminated in the pros/fans voting. Cannon being sent home certainly wasn’t a surprise to anyone – including Cannon himself, judging by his facial expression when it was revealed that he and Alex Riley were the bottom two in the poll. Cannon has a good look and he showed some potential in the ring, but he just never connected with the audience. Fittingly, Cannon bombed when delivering his farewell address.

• Unlike Cannon’s elimination, Riley’s slip from third to fifth in the poll was a shock. Riley actually dropped one spot behind Husky Harris, which is absurd. Here are the complete poll results: 1. Kaval; 2. Michael McGillicutty; 3. Percy Watson; 4. Harris; 5. Riley; 6. Cannon. It was announced that there will be two eliminations next week.

• The main event was a good match between former tag team partners The Miz and John Morrison. My how times have changed. When The Miz beat Morrison clean at the Bragging Rights pay-per-view 10 months ago, I thought it was outrageous. I didn’t bat an eye, however, when Miz scored the clean win over Morrison on this show. Miz has really made Morrison look inferior on the past two NXT episodes. Last week, Miz clearly won a verbal exchange between the two, and then on Tuesday he made Morrison eat his words after Morrison challenged Miz to a match and said that he would prove that Team WWE didn’t need Miz at SummerSlam.

• The six-man tag team rematch from Raw (which pitted Kaval, Watson and Cannon against Riley, McGillicutty and Harris) had a lot of energy and the crowd was surprisingly into it. I was amazed that WWE actually booked Kaval to score the winning pinfall over McGillicutty. As far as in-ring ability, it’s obvious that Kaval is far above his fellow “rookies.”

• This week’s rookie challenge was pretty straight forward, as the competitors’ punching power was measured by hitting a speed bag that was connected to a machine. Riley won it with a mark of 890, beating out McGillicutty (863). Harris nearly missed the bag and finished with a score of 380, which was less than half of what commentator Josh Matthews got during a demonstration at the top of the show.

• While Cannon was cutting his painful-to-watch promo at the end of the show, Michael Cole said, “Will somebody please punch him in the mouth?” Hilarious.

Posted by Kevin Eck at 5:11 AM | | Comments (24)
        

Comments

Husky Harris has so much nothing. I will be happy to see anyone remaining win this competition except him. He had better get sent home in the double elimination next week.

Hey Kevin,

I just wanted to hear on what you think about what's left on NXT. With this final 5, as opposed to last season's final 5, I feel like all these guys have a shot of winning, and even if they don't, I feel like they could all be used on the main roster. What's your take? Could you see all 5 on the main roster after season 2 ends?

I just don't get the WWE voting Kaval #1 are you kidding me Huskie Harris has been the most impressive rookie . Alex Riley had the best line of the night even Josh Mathews was impressed .

Rileys comments to Matt Striker was hillarious. Riley makes you want to hear what he will say next.

Kevin, you're usually right on, but I think you're missing the boat on Husky Harris. While he needs more seasoning, he's got a compelling edge to him that separates him from the cookie cutter guys like Hennig, Cannon, and Riley. Riley's got to stop looking like he's playing a character. Once he gets that, he's got a shot.

And while the Miz has stepped up, the WWE is putting too many eggs in his basket. People don't tune in to see the Miz. He's decent, but nobody really takes him seriously, and he's a limited in-ring performer. He's like a poor man's Mr. Kennedy/Anderson - who you also overrate.

After last night's episode of NXT, my poll is this.

1.) Alex Riley
2.) Husky Harris
3.) Kaval
4.) Michael McGillicutty
5.) Showtime Percy Watson

Eliminate Percy, his in-ring ability is very mediocre, and his gig is very stupid. Eli Cottonwood had a better gig than him. At least Eli Cottonwood had the weird factor going for him.

I have to admit that I voted for Husky Harris on this week's pool, if only because I didn't think he should go before Lucky Cannon did. Lucky has a good look but I saw nothing from him when he was in the ring.

From next week onwards, I'm going for Kaval all the way.

@Ruzious: Miz is pretty much the only reason I turn on Raw anymore.

I like Husky Harris, although I think that his running senton should not be used as a finishing move, but rather a set up move to some other type of finisher.

Personally I think Percy Watson should have been voted off.

Hey Kev any news on Tyler Black and do you think we call Linda McMahon Congress Woman McMahon I wonder if Lay Cool is voting over and over and that is why Kaval in 1st place .

Dave: Why?

I have a hard time pinpointing McGillicutty's personality. He teamed with the heels, however, his pro is a face. I guess he's like a Randy Orton face, sorta.

After next week, Kaval, McGillicutty, and Riley should remain. Harris just isn't quite as good as those other guys and Watson is terrible when he actually has to say something.

When it comes to taking a beating from Nexus, I guess Mark Henry isn't as tough as Super Cena.

dear Ruzious, you are an ignorant d-bag. miz is pretty much the only source of charisma (or in his words "awesome"-ness) in wwe right now. i second David in saying that the miz is the only reason i watch raw anymore. even y2j, edge and orton fail to be exciting like they were before, and god knows for how long the rest of the roster has failed to deliver entertainment.

in short, miz DOES make people tune in.

1. Kaval 2. Alex Riley 3. Michael McGillicutty 4. Percy Watson 5. Husky Harris.....Harris is an awful wrestler and is just thoroughly unimpressive. Like Barrett and Bryan in Season 1, there are two guys worth keeping long-term: Kaval and Riley.

I like Harris...but both he and "Oh Noooo' Percy Watson should go home next week

@Ruzious: Because who except Miz has that much intensity and energy? I don't want to take away from Jericho, in particular, or some of the other guys at the top of the card, but there's an air of complacency in their performances. I don't feel like any of those guys are trying to prove themselves anymore, but Miz comes out and every time he's on screen he's making a point. I would imagine a lot of it has to do with his path into the business, and everytime he gets going you just feel the big middle finger he's holding up to everyone. Completely compelling to me.

Also, unrelated, but can I just mention how Harris just straight-up missed his finisher when he got the pin on raw? He simply did not land on the guy.

I honestly don't see what the big deal is in Michael McGillicutty. His character is bland, his promos are average and his in-ring work doesn't really stand out as anything special. In my opinion he's the weakest link in the remaining 5. Anyone wanna help me out in seeing what his appeal is and why he's always ranked so high?

Hey Kevin... I have to admit I am shocked by the way Kaval is being treated on NXT as he looks like the only one who has talent on the show. It's a bit like Danielson last season. Totally shocking man.

Anyway, on the John Morrison issue... I think the only way to get Morrison his heat back is to turn him heel. He just hasn't worked as a babyface and it's hurting him big time. I miss his arrogance when he was a heel. He was brilliant then and he actually outshone the Miz when he was a heel as well.

What do you think?

While the main event match between Miz and Morrison was good. Why are they booked to have a match on Nxt and not Raw? It just seems kind of stupid

When Savannah was the ring announcer, it seemed that the camera angles were purposely done to NOT show her on screen. Now they can't get the new generic blondie announcer on screen enough. What was their beef with Savannah, some litte topless scene she did in a movie that no one saw? They really traded down here.

Only reason i watch Raw is John Cena and Randy Orton the Miz is ok all he his just another Mr. Ken Anderson .

Hey Jason, There is one reason why McGillicutty is good..............................but I'm damned if I can remember what it is. In short: no charisma, bland skills, bland talent and stupid name. Quite agree with Ruzious - Miz is OK but really his only skill is his mic work. I do tune in to see Miz (hoping to see someone give him one almighty beating). Mostly I watch to see REAL wrestlers like Morrison, Orton, Edge, Jericho etc.

Riley being ranked second-to-last is a travesty!!!

Echoing many comments above: I like Husky a lot, but let's be honest, he and Showtime both get the axe next week.

Harris will overtake Watson next week, meaning a final 3 of Kaval, McGillicutty and Harris.

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About Kevin Eck
The Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck blogs about professional wrestling.
E-mail Kevin.
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