WWE NXT – 7/20/10

After The Nexus came back to NXT last week, would the new season of rookies bounce back from their disappointing showing in the battle royal.  They’ve got one week to show their stuff because next week is another WWE Poll.  Find out what happened here:

Video Package: Earlier today, Matt Striker is running the obstacle course that the rookies will face tonight in their challenge.

MVP is in the ring for his VIP Lounge segment.  He’s got an issue with his guest tonight, “Showtime” Percy Watson.  MVP calls him out on last week’s incident.  He tells him that while it wasn’t cool, it did take initiative… He asks Percy if he’s learned a lesson from the whole situation.

• Percy says that he has, and he’s apologizes for the whole thing.  They shake hands, and are cool.
• Matt Striker comes out to the ramp and asks MVP why he thinks Percy Watson should be ranked #1 in next week’s poll… MVP answers that Percy is the total package.  Percy gets a chance to comment and he says that he’s a go-getter and not a quitter.
• Interrupted by Cody Rhodes & Husky Harris.  Since they came out, Striker poses the same question to them.  Rhodes says that Harris is like an army tank with a Ferrari engine.  Harris adds he’s not a body builder with a 6-pack, and that he’s real.

Video Package: What the pros think of Lucky Cannon.

MVP & Percy Watson vs. Cody Rhodes & Husky Harris
WINNERS: Rhodes/Harris via pin fall after Harris hit MVP with a Senton Splash

Video Package: What the pros think of Michael McGillicutty.

Matt Striker is in the ring with Lucky Cannon (Mark Henry is out injured), The Miz & Alex Riley.  Striker asks Cannon to plead his case to the WWE Universe.  He says that he’s enjoyed being here and he doesn’t want the dream to end.  Striker then turns to Miz & Riley.  Riley says that if you care, you should do the right thing and vote for him.  Miz adds that they should listen to him, a future WWE Champion, and vote for Alex Riley.

Alex Riley with The Miz vs. Lucky Cannon
WINNER: Riley via pin after hitting a TKO

• Post match, Miz attacks Cannon with the MITB case and then hits him with a Skull Crushing Finale right on the case.

Striker on the stage gives John Morrison & Eli Cottonwood a chance to address the crowd.  JoMo says that Eli could be a long term investment that could pay off big.  Eli threatens Striker to vote for him.

• Striker then turns to Lay Cool & Kaval.  They think he’s got the passion to go far in WWE.  Kaval says that he’s got the ability to compete with the WWE’s biggest stars.
• Striker talks with Kofi Kingston & Michael McGillicutty.  Kofi says that his rookie is the hungriest person on this roster and that he was born to do this.  McGillicutty asks the fans to make “The Perfect Choice.”

Matt Striker introduces the Obstacle Course Challenge.  Each competitor will have to run the course, and the one that has the quickest time, they’ll get immunity from next week’s WWE Poll.

WINNER: Michael McGillicutty

QUICK THOUGHTS:

Every week, I’m more and more impressed with Husky Harris.  I hope that WWE doesn’t hold his poor look against him.  He’s got that swagger to him where you know he’s right on the edge and is about to snap on someone.  He seems pretty good in the ring to me, and has held his own against the WWE Pros.

When it comes down to who has to go next week, my bottom two choices would be Lucky Cannon and Eli Cottonwood.  Cannon just bores me, and I might’ve said it before, but Cannon reminds me of Stevie Richards without charisma.  Cottonwood on the other hand, even though he’s a giant, doesn’t have that it factor.  In my book, I see his future in the range of a Kurrgan or Giant Gonzales, and I don’t ever think he’ll grow further than that.

I fully expect Kaval, McGillicutty & Watson to be in the top three again.