NXT opens with the rookies in the ring. Matt Striker says that this week’s contest will test their balance and striking ability. Two rookies will be on the pedestal and they must knock their opponent off using pugil sticks. Striker says this is called “Rock em Sock em Rookies” and the winner will get a special feature on WWE.com. The first round will start out with Heath Slater and David Otunga. Slater quickly knocks Otunga off to advance. Next is Skip Sheffield facing off against Wade Barrett. The two go at it and Barrett launches himself at Sheffield. The referee rules Sheffield the winner as Barrett’s feet left the pedestal first. Up next is Daniel Bryan vs. Michael Tarver. Tarver drops his pugil stick immediately and lets Bryan push him off. Darren Young and Justin Gabriel face off next and Young quickly knocks Gabriel off the pedestal.
The first match is David Otunga taking on Justin Gabriel. Otunga starts out with a go behind, but Gabriel answers with a take down and they distance themselves. Some back and forth action with Otunga primarily in control until Gabriel catches him with an arm drag followed by a dropkick. Drop toe hold from Gabriel and Otunga slides under the ropes. Gabriel goes after him, but Otunga rakes the eye of Gabriel. Otunga gets a half nelson chinlock locked in on Gabriel. Gabriel starts to fight back, but Otunga answers with a neckbreaker. Otunga locks in a chinlock with a knee to Gabriel’s back. Otunga goes for an elbow drop to Gabriel’s back, but Gabriel moves. Otunga tries to send Gabriel off into the corner, but Gabriel springs up and catches Otunga with his legs. Gabriel hits a head scissors take down sending Otunga out of the ring. Gabriel comes out of the ring onto Otunga. He rolls Otunga back in and performs a springboard crossbody for a 2 count. Gabriel hits a Russian legsweep and goes up top for the 450 Splash, but Otunga rolls away. Gabriel goes after Otunga and Otunga tosses him out of the ring. Gabriel comes back with a sunset flip attempt. Otunga tries to hold onto the ropes and looks to have R-Truth help him, but R-Truth won’t get involved and Gabriel successfully pulls him off, and rolls him up for the 3 count.
Move of the Match: Due to the fact that Gabriel didn’t get the opportunity to hit the 450 Splash, I’ll have to give this to his springboard cross body.
Time for the “Rock em Sock em Rookies” semifinals. First is Skip Sheffield taking on Heath Slater. Slater goes after Sheffield, but Sheffield repeatedly nails Slater with the pugil stick causing Slater to fall off first. Darren Young and Daniel Bryan are up next. Young looks like he’s going to lose his balance first, but he manages to maintain his position and knock Daniel Bryan off.
Tarver comes out to the ring and issues a challenge. Skip Sheffield comes out to the ramp. Sheffield calls Tarver a “Nitwit of Negativity” and says that if Tarver wants a fight, he’s got one. Punk comes out and says Darren Young also needs competition. Punk adds Young to the match making it a triple threat. Sheffield and Tarver start out by double teaming Young. Sheffield goes after Young who pulls down on the ropes sending Sheffield out of the ring. Tarver goes after Young, but ends up getting clotheslined out of the ring. Back from break, Sheffield and Tarver are again double teaming Young. Tarver whips Young into the corner, and follows up by whipping Sheffield after him with a clothesline. Snap suplex on Young from Tarver. Belly to belly slam from Sheffield and he covers, but Tarver pull him off. Tarver and Sheffield argue and Young takes advantage to roll up Tarver, but Sheffield breaks up the count. Sheffield sends young into the ring post. Tarver attacks Sheffield from behind. Sheffield fights back with a snapmare followed by a slap to the back of the head. Young comes back in and tosses Sheffield out of the ring. Tarver goes after him, but Young is able to hit Tarver with a discuss forearm. Flying shoulder block and a back body drop gain Young a 2 count. Young goes up top. Gallows pushes him off, then takes out Sheffield with a flying clothesline to the outside. Tarver goes after Young, but Young counters and hits his full nelson flapjack and covers for the 3 count.
Move of the Match: This has to go to the full nelson flapjack.
Now it is time for the finals of “Rock em Sock em Rookies.” Darren Young and Skip Sheffield will compete for a special feature on WWE.com. Both men go off nearly simultaneously and both men claim victory. The referee gives the victory to Sheffield, but following a replay, Matt Striker says it was too close to call and they’re going to go again. They start the rematch and Sheffield quickly knocks Young off the pedestal. Striker asks Sheffield how he feels. Sheffield says each week he’s going to do what he does best and give it his all in the ring.
Chris Jericho taking on Heath Slater is up next. Jericho starts the match by slapping Slater. Slater gets mad and fights back. Jericho regains control and hits Slater with a back suplex. Jericho gets a half nelson choke on Slater. Slater begins to fight back, but is taken down again with a dropkick from Jericho. Jericho goes for the Lionsault, but Slater moves. Slater fights back dropping Jericho with a clothesline. Slater sets Jericho up and hits a forearm in the corner. Jericho catches Slater with a kick, but Slater dodges the follow up clothesline and catches Jericho with a neckbreaker. Slater gets a 2 count on Jericho. With the referee between him and Slater, Jericho pokes Slater in the eye. Jericho goes to set up for the walls of Jericho, but Slater counters with a small package and gets the 3 count on Jericho.
Move of the Match: This has to go to the neckbreaker Slater used to counter the clothesline from Jericho.
After the match Jericho has a meltdown and tears up the ringside area. The show ends with Jericho still ranting about his loss.
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