Reviewing the season 4 premier of NXT!

(Maryse is appearing on the show with Ted DiBiase, who is a Pro this season.  Thus my excuse for having a picture of a woman during an all male season.)

We are wild and young yet again.  Back to the manly yellow colors.  The Rookies and Pros are introduced very quickly and hopefully all the following information is correct.  R-Truth with Johnny Curtis.  Ted DiBiase (and Maryse) with Brodus Clay.  Brodus is a former bodyguard for Snoop Dogg, and near 400 pounds.  Chris Masters with Byron Saxton.  Saxton seems familiar, as he was a commentator in the later days of WWE ECW.  Dolph Ziggler with Jacob Novak.  Jacob looks like Chris Nowinski and The Brian Kendrick mated.  Daniel Bryan with Derrick Bateman.  Bryan and Ziggler as Pros this year could lead to more great matches.  Alberto Del Rio with Conor O’Brian.  Conor lists Johnny Ace as his number one inspiration.  O’Brian has now become the biggest ass kisser in the history of ass kissing.  Add an image of pompous heel Chris Hero to the description of Jacob.

Johnny Curtis is first to cut a promo in the introduce yourself portion of the show.  Curtis gives shout outs to his gym coach.  “A vote for me is a vote for freedom.”  What the hell was that.  Clay could be the next One Man Gang and has the potential to surpass that legend in the annals of wrestling history.  Saxton cuts an excited but ultimately generic promo.  Novak is a natural heel and knows when he’s on camera.  Bateman goes for the cheap pop.  Conor says he looks like a rat, embraces it, and cuts a promo straight out of Looney Tunes.  Del Rio tells O’Brian to do a better job and thus begins to replicate Vickie Guerrero’s role from the previous season.  Del Rio and Bryan talk trash and tonight’s main event is made.

In depth look at Byron Saxton.  Old footage of Saxton pretending to be a wrestler.  Saxton also has experience as a news reporter and WWE announcer.  In theory this means he’ll be good on the mic and good at improv.

Johnny Curtis (with R-Truth) vs. Jacob Novak (with Dolph Ziggler).

As is the tradition on NXT the Pros stand in the tag partner spot to give advice to their Rookies.  Curtis hits a top rope leg drop for the pin.  Not a spectacular match, and a lot of missed moves.  Not great screw ups but just a step off at times.  No doubt due to nervousness.

In depth look at Brodus Clay.  Six foot 8 and 400 pounds?!  He looks like Donkey Kong, and its on.

Back with the first Rookie challenge, and its Capture the Flag.  The flag is hanging above the ring and a ladder must be brought in to grab it.  Curtis is first.  Curtis has a very interesting running style.  And that’s the nicest thing that can be said about it.  His time is 28.6 seconds.  O’Brian takes far too long to set up things yet somehow gets the better time with 28.2 seconds.  Clay moves fast for his size but wasn’t fast enough to get the lead at 33.5 seconds.  Saxton takes forever to set up the ladder, get it in position, and then falls off the ladder.  Which means he has to climb down the ladder again.  Byron clocks in at 56.8 seconds.   Novak is next and smokes it at 26.9 seconds.  Bateman says he will beat that time by replicating Saxton’s actions.  Bryan gets the crowd cheering Bateman and it  damn near works as he crosses at 27.3 seconds.  Novak wins but Josh Matthews says the clock may have been slightly off.

Ted DiBiase and Maryse argue.  Then they debate on how to help Brodus Clay to win NXT.  Chris Masters and Byron Saxton discuss how to properly show off their pectorals.  Saxton says he’s the master of the P90X workout.  Byron is going to either be annoying or amazing.

Daniel Bryan (United States Champion) and Derrick Bateman vs. Alberto Del Rio and Conor O’Brian.

Derrick and Conor start the match off.  Nothing bad, nothing great.  Del Rio applies his usual heel work.  Alberto is so new he should be on NXT as a Rookie, not a Pro.  Bateman uses an airplane spin?!  And is the worst for wear because of it.  Bryan spins O’Brian for an hour, and appears fine afterwards.  If you’re going to do an airplane spin in 2010, do it like that.  Bateman hits a plancha onto the opposing team.  Big room for a Rookie’s first match.  Del Rio pulls Conor out of the corner before Bryan can drives his knees into O’Brian.  Puts the heel team back in control.  Dolph gets on the mic to say this match sucks.  That seemed odd.  With everything so pre planned in WWE, this stuck out as random.  Del Rio bumps like a champ for Bateman, making the goofy Rookie look that good.  Bryan and O’Brian take the fight to the outside when Daniel dives over the top rope.  There’s no one left to save Bateman when Del Rio locks on an arm bar.  Bateman taps out and the heels get the win.

Announce team is Todd Grisham and Josh Matthews.  Maybe without Michael Cole this can be a good show.