Tonight's edition of WWE NXT featuring the Season 1 finale took place live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Below are full results:
The show opens with a video recapping season one. They had to open with taped footage as they were finishing up Smackdown just as the show went live on SyFy. I'm sure plenty of people are sweating backstage.
Opening Segment:
The pyros hit and we're live in the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Amazingly, the ring apron is changed and we're off. Matt Striker opens the show in the ring. He introduces the five eliminated Rookies - Michael Tarver, Daniel Bryan, Skip Sheffield, Darren Young and Heat Slater sitting ringside in street clothes. Striker calls out the WWE Pros - Chris Jericho, The Miz, Matt Hardy, WWE United States Champion R-Truth, William Regal, Christian and CM Punk (with mask).
Striker then introduces the three NXT finalists. Ranked #1 Wade Barrett, "A List" David Otunga (ranked #2) and Justin Gabriel (ranked #3). The Pros sit in chairs at the top of the ramp while the three finalists join Striker in the ring in their street clothes.
Striker congratulates the three of them for making it this far. He says they have cultivated a dream for the past 15 weeks. He says two will go home but only one will become the next breakout star and get a title match live on pay-per-view. Striker says since there are only three left there will be two Pros polls tonight. Essentially what that means, they will be double scrutinized by the Pros. It's announced they'll face off in a triple threat match up next.
Cameras go to Michael Cole and Josh Mathews. They recap what we just saw and talk up tonight's finale. Next week begins season 2 of WWE NXT and tonight they'll introduce the new Rookies. They introduce the first new Rookie - Husky Harris. His grandfather is Blackjack Mulligan and his father is Mike Rotunda (formerly known as IRS and current WWE producer). Harris' Pro is announced as Cody Rhodes.
- Commercial Break -
During the break, an ad for next week's edition of Raw reveals both brands will be involved in next week's three-hour show from Miami, Florida and the fans will control everything. The ad says to checkout the official WWE website for more details.
The next Pro for Season 2 is John Morrison. He introduces us to his Rookie who he compares to a giant redwood tree. Eli Cottonwood is his Rookie. He's 7'1 and 315 lbs.
Triple Threat Elimination Match
- Justin Gabriel vs. Wade Barrett vs. David Otunga
The start:
The bell rings and chaos ensues. Wade Barrett gets knocked to the outside as Otunga goes to work on Justin Gabriel. Otunga works him over in each corner. Gabriel tries to counter but eats a clothesline and is pinned for a two count.
Mid-match notes:
Wade Barrett gets back in the ring and goes after Otunga. The Rookies' Pros are at ringside, Chris Jericho the most vocal. The Pros of the eliminated talent remain at the top of the ramp. Otunga and Gabriel double team Barrett but he kicks out. Otunga throws out Barrett and goes after Gabriel in the ring.
Otunga is able to throw Gabriel out of the ring onto Barrett. Otunga goes outside to continue his attack on Gabriel. He rolls him into the ring and gets a two count. Scoop and a slam by Otunga. Barrett gets o the apron and attacks Otunga. He takes him down as Gabriel comes over and knocks him off the apron.
Gabriel hits the 450 splash on Otunga from the top rope. Barrett pulls him off for the pin and gets the pin on Otunga himself. David Otunga eliminated by Wade Barrett.
Gabriel is down on the outside as Barrett is left in the ring.
- Commercial Break -
During the break, a commercial for The Stranger starring Steve Austin on DVD aired.
Back on the season finale of WWE NXT, we're shown a shot of the eliminated Rookies sitting at ringside. Barrett and Gabriel are still going at it in the ring. We're shown a shot of the Pros of eliminated Rookies at the top of the ramp. During the commercial break, Barrett worked over the midsection of Gabriel. Barrett puts Gabriel in an abdominal stretch and points away at his stomach area.
The hold is finally broken as Barrett drops an elbow on his opponent. Whipped into the ropes but Gabriel gets out of the way and counters with kicks. Gabriel starts to mount offense with Matt Hardy shouting instructions at ringside. Gabriel fires up the crowd. He springboards off the ropes for a cross-body turned lateral press for a two count. Barrett counters, putting Gabriel over his head. Gabriel rolls through and gets a near fall.
The finish:
Gabriel mounts more offense and goes to the top for the 450 splash. He goes off, but Barrett gets his knees up. Small package and Barrett gets the victory.
Winner - Wade Barrett
Chris Jericho celebrates with Barrett in the ring. We got to the top of the ramp where Matt Striker instructs the Pros to cast their first poll of the show. While they huddle, we go to Mathews and Cole. Time for another introduction.
MVP is a Pro for Season 2. He introduces us to his Rookie from South Beach (not to be confused with Miami). MVP says hard work, dedication and sacrifice are what it takes to make it in WWE. His Rookie is the eccentric Percy Watson.
We go back to the American Airlines Center where we are shown the Pros huddling at the top of the ramp.
- Commercial Break -
This week in WWE history... This week in WWE History we celebrate the life of the Junkyard Dog.
We return from the break with Zack Ryder introducing his Rookie. He says he'll teach his Rookie how to dress, how to get girls and how to dress. His Rookie is Titus O'Neil.
Pro's Poll #1 Results
Matt Striker wants to hear from the eliminated Rookies as the three that remain are in the ring. He starts by interviewing Michael Tarver. Tarver says he is the product but if he had to choose anybody he would choose him. Daniel Bryan is next. Striker asks him who should win and why. Daniel says Otunga can't wrestle, Gabriel can't talk and Wade Barrett should win the competition. Skip Sheffield says he doesn't care who wins. Darren Young says his money is on Wade Barrett. He says he's built for this mentally and physically and he's going to prove the haters in Dallas, Texas wrong. Heath Slater is last. He says he has been in the ring with each one of the Rookies in the ring and Wade Barrett proved it tonight.
Striker says for one of them, the journey will come to an end. The Pro's Poll reveals Wade Barrett as #1, meaning he's safe from elimination. Striker tells Justin Gabriel and David Otunga to step forward. David Otunga is #2 and Justin Gabriel #3. Gabriel is eliminated from competition. Striker asks him for a quick comment.
Gabriel gets on the mic and says he's just a kid from South Africa living his dream. He says as Striker said the dream is over but it's not. Gabriel says he will keep coming back and keep coming back until he makes it in this company. Some competitions I won, some I ended up flat on my back but I kept coming back. Some day I will be a world champion. Gabriel is told to leave the arena by Striker. Gabriel hugs Matt Hardy at the top of the ramp. Hardy gets on the mic and says one thing he has seen and that is Gabriel is very much like him. Justin Gabriel may not have won NXT but he will not die. This door may have closed but another one will open. Hardy tells him it's been a pleasure.
Lay-Cool are announced as the first ever female Pros for Season 2. Their Rookie is Kaval, formerly Low-Ki and Senshi.
- Commercial Break -
WWE highlighted the fact NXT has been the number one show on SyFy since its debut 14 weeks ago in their Did You Know segment.
Mark Henry is the next Pro for Season 2. He says apparently his Rookie thinks he's lucky. Henry says he's lucky to have him as a pro. Lucky Cannon is introduced as his Rookie.
Matt Striker is in the ring with Wade Barrett and David Otunga. He tells the Rookies to face each other. He says in 60 seconds to tell the other Rookie why they should be eliminated and they should be crowned the WWE's next breakout star.
Otunga on the mic first. Let's be honest - brother your ugly. He hits him with a rap but it doesn't rhyme very well. Otunga says Barrett doesn't have the smile or body. He doesn't have his charisma or the "it" factor. He says Barrett knows a couple moves in the ring but that can be learned and mentored but he went to Harvard.
Wade Barrett berates Otunga for his promo. He tells Otunga he's got a great physique but doesn't have a clue how to use it. He says he's seen The Great Khali move around with more balance and power than him. He says Otunga has no tangible factor WWE can hang on to. It factor? Add two letters in front of that and that's what he thinks of them. Wade Barrett... and he's cut off.
When we come back from the break, we'll find out the results of the second Pro's Poll and the winner of Season 1 of WWE NXT.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston is a Pro for Season 2. His Rookie is son of WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Perfect. Kofi's Rookie is Michael McGillicutty (a/k/a Joe Hennig).
- Commercial Break -
We're back with Michael Cole and Josh Mathews talking about Season 2 coming up next week. They say it's a 50/50 split next season. The Pros have 50% while the fans have the other as they'll be able to vote on the official WWE website.
In the ring with Matt Striker, it's time for the results of the second Pro's Poll. The Miz says he has a very important announcement. He says you see everyone talking about their Season 2 Rookies. He'll be back for Season 2 and unlike this season he won't be burdened with an egotistical loser like Bryan. His Rookie is Alex Riley.
Pro's Poll #2 Results
Before the results are read, William Regal starts to congratulate Chris Jericho. He then congratulates Barrett for being an Englishmen. R-Truth cuts him off then gets in his face. Regal says he's been stuck on this show for 15 weeks without a live microphone and tells someone to do something. He takes off his coat and challenges Truth. Truth does a weird, creepy hip thrust. Jericho tells him to sit down he hasn't won a fight in a year. CM Punk says he's seen enough of everything NXT and goes to the back. Regal and Jericho argue as Jericho tells him to stop embarrassing himself. Jericho says it was him, as the Pro, that made Barrett a winner.
Regal tells Jericho he knows as everyone does Barrett would have won with any of them as his Pro. Striker interrupts and says anything can happen in WWE with live microphones.
In the poll, Barrett is ranked #1 and wins the competition. Otunga is eliminated.
Season 1 WWE NXT Champion - Wade Barrett
Striker asks Otunga for his thoughts. He says he doesn't know if Ashton is around here or what but obviously he's being punk'd. He says even Stevie Wonder could see he's the best. Otunga says he is the breakout star of NXT and to "Google that". Striker says he's obviously bitter... and rightfully so.
Striker congratulates Barrett and tells him to tell the world about himself. Wade Barrett - the next breakout star - that's got a good ring to it. He puts over Jericho then himself and says he's said since day one he was going to win the competition. He didn't come to WWE NXT for a pat on the back but to make a lot of coin. Now I've got a PPV title match and the big bucks are about to come. Barrett tells the other Pros it's time for the era of Wade Barrett. Jericho joins Barrett in the ring. Barrett says change is here and change is now and it is change that will take Wade Barrett to the WWE heavyweight title. Chris Jericho's music is played as the eliminated Rookies are shown giving him a mild applause.
The show ends with a recap of Season 1 of WWE NXT.
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