NXT 6/22/10

So I was feeling lazy again, and I’m not going to review RAW this week.

NXT opens with The Miz and Alex Riley taking on MVP and “Showtime” Percy Watson. Riley wants to start out in this match and Miz lets him. Riley wants to face Watson and MVP asks Watson if he wants in. Watson answers in the affirmative and MVP tags him in. Riley gets control early and hits a shoulder block to Watson. Watson soon fights back with a pair of well placed dropkicks. Watson hits a drop toe hold and locks in a headlock. He brings Riley to his corner and MVP tags in. MVP and Watson hit a double hip toss and MVP tosses Riley out of the ring. Riley gets back into the ring and tags in Miz. MVP tags Watson back in and Miz attacks Watson before he’s fully in the ring. Miz hits a snap suplex and hits a series of shots to Watson. Miz tags Riley back in and Riley sends Watson into the corner. Riley follows up with a splash and while the referee is distracted with Riley, Miz chokes Watson on the ropes. Riley locks in a chin lock on Watson. Riley moves to a side headlock to maintain control. Watson hits a variation of a jawbreaker and tags in MVP. MVP hits his belly to belly throw and follows up with a series of shots. He hits his knee facebuster and follows up with the Ballin’ Elbow. Riley avoids the Play of the Day and pushes MVP away. Watson tags in, but Riley makes the tag to Miz. Watson hits a flying clothesline to Miz and hits a unique jumping splash variation for a 2 count, but Riley breaks it up. MVP takes out Riley with a cactus clothesline. Miz hangs Watson up on the ropes and hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the 3 count and the win.

Move of the Match: I’m going to give this to Watson’s unique splash variation.

They play a promo for Titus O’Neil. He talks about having to fight for everything and having overcome odds his whole life.

Titus O’Neil vs. Michael McGillicutty is next. McGillicutty gets the first advantage, but O’Neil answers by overpowering him. McGillicutty fights back, but gets caught by O’Neil and tossed into the corner. O’Neil sends McGillicutty into both corners and covers for a 2 count. O’Neil hits a big clothesline on McGillicutty for another 2 count. McGillicutty fights back and O’Neil tries to catch him, but McGillicutty tries to float over, but falls to the mat. O’Neil takes advantage to cover for 1. O’Neil hits a scoop slam and goes for a big splash, but McGillicutty gets his knees up. McGillicutty follows up with his running swing neckbreaker and gets the 3 count.

Move of the Match: O’Neil impressed in this match, but this has to go to McGillicutty’s vicious neckbreaker.

Up next is Kaval taking on Eli Cottonwood. Kaval goes after Cottonwood with a kick, but Cottonwood pushes him into the corner. Kaval goes up in the corner and hits a mule kick to Cottonwood. Kaval hits his rolling kick, but gets caught by Cottonwood who sends him face first into the top turnbuckle. Cottonwood stomps on Kaval and steps on his midsection. Cottonwood picks Kaval up in a bear hug. Cottonwood puts Kaval on the top rope and grabs him by the throat. Kaval fights back with an armbar on the ropes. Kaval follows up with a kick to Cottonwood. Cottonwood tosses Kaval, but he lands on his feet. Kaval hits a springboard roundhouse kick. Cottonwood tosses Kaval again, but Kaval lands on the apron. Kaval hits a roundhouse from the apron and follows up with a springboard double foot stomp to the back of Cottonwood’s head. Kaval covers, but Cottonwood tosses him off at 2. Kaval goes springboard again, but Cottonwood catches him. Cottonwood hits a reverse chokeslam and covers for the 3 count and the win.

Move of the Match: There were a number of good moves in this match. I like Cottonwood’s reverse chokeslam, but I’m going to give this to Kaval’s double foot stomp to the back of Cottonwood’s head.

They play a promo for Lucky Cannon. He says he was severely injured when hit in the back of the head with a lead pipe and was in a coma for a few weeks. He says that when he came out of the coma he had to learn everything over. He says his biggest asset is his heart.

Kaval is in the back. LayCool gives him a pink sleeveless polo that says “Property of LayCool” on it. They tell Kaval he should wear it all the time.

They replay Mark Henry challenging Rhodes on behalf of Lucky Cannon and Rhodes attacking Striker last week. They follow up with a replay of the NXT attack on Mr. McMahon on RAW.

Cody Rhodes vs. Lucky Cannon is next. Rhodes says that last week he said Lucky would be “lucky” to last 5 minutes with him, so this will be a 5 minute challenge. Rhodes gets control early. Rhodes hits a pair of knees to Lucky and they trade blows. Rhodes hits a side headlock. Lucky counters with a rollup for 1. Rhodes maintains the side headlock on Lucky. Lucky fights back and locks in a head leg scissors. Rhodes fights out and hits a dropkick. Lucky rolls out of the ring, but Rhodes goes after him. Rhodes hits a knee on Lucky on the outside. Back in the ring, Lucky gets a takedown. Rhodes locks in a half nelson headlock and after releasing it, follows up with a knee face rake. He hits a pair of elbows to Lucky and locks in a unique submission hold (resembles an inverted Gory Special). Lucky manages to fight out and rolls up Rhodes for a 2 count. Lucky continues the offense with a series of strikes and a flapjack for another 2 count. Rhodes fights back with a kick, but Lucky hits a big boot. Lucky floats over in the corner, but Rhodes hits his enzuigiri out of the corner. Rhodes follows up with the Cross Rhodes and covers to win the match with 1:02 left on the clock.

Move of the Match: The enzuigiri is impressive and the Cross Rhodes is a great move, but I have to give this to the unique submission used by Rhodes on Lucky.

Up next, Matt Striker is giving the Rookies their chance to plead their case before next weeks first vote. He tells them they will each have 45 seconds to tell why they will be WWE’s Next Breakout Star.
Alex Riley says that 10 years ago he was stuffing guys like the other Rookies in lockers and stealing their lunch money. Riley says he shouldn’t have to tell anyone that he’s a superstar.
Kaval says that 10 years ago, WWE wouldn’t take him because they said he was too small. Kaval says he’s here now and he will prove that size doesn’t matter.
Titus O’Neil says he’s had to work his whole life for everything. He lists the accomplishments he had to fight for. He says that in the end he will make it a win.
Michael McGillicutty says he possesses no weakness and so far he is undefeated.
Eli Cottonwood says he’s patient and when he strikes, he’ll strike with vengeance. Cottonwood says his actions will speak louder than any of his words.
Percy Watson says he’s a heavy hitter and not a quitter.
Lucky Cannon says he’s lucky because he gets to do what he loves to do. Lucky says he knows what he has and he appreciates it and that sets him apart from the rest of the guys.
Husky Harris says he doesn’t need 45 seconds. Harris then proceeds to hit Striker with a clothesline to the back of the head and follows up with his running senton. Harris leaves and joins his Pro, Cody Rhodes while the Rookies check on Striker.