Written by: Bob Colling
NXT
Date: 6/21/2012
From: Orlando, FL
Matches:
1.) Bo Dallas defeated Rick Victor
2.) The Ascension defeated CJ Parker & Mike Dalton
3.) Tyson Kidd defeated Curtis Axel
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) This is the first episode of NXT under the current banner and format that fans are raving about. So, lets see how NXT came about starting from the beginning.
2.) Jim Ross interviewed interim general manager Dusty Rhodes on the entrance way. Rhodes hypes up the program and the main event between Kidd and Axel.
3.) A video promoting the debut of Bo Dallas is aired. He is ready to rock and roll and notes he is a third generation superstar. He always knew he would become a WWE superstar. He is ready to go in NXT.
4.) Bo Dallas is interviewed following his victory. Dallas tells everyone that he just showed off his game plan and says this is just the beginning. Bo says to remember his smile because it won’t be the last time you see it.
5.) A video promoting the debut of Seth Rollins next week on NXT is shown. Rollins is the change that the fans have been waiting for.
6.) Damien Sandow was supposed to wrestle Jason Jordan, but decides against competing and insults Jordan in the process. Sandow claims to have done that for the fans in attendance.
7.) A video promoting the debut of Bray Wyatt is aired. Wyatt assures us that monsters, like himself, are real.
8.) Backstage, Derrick Bateman is walking and heads to the bathroom looking for Johnny Curtis. Curtis apparently wanted him to meet him there. They leave the bathroom to chat in the hallway. Curtis tells Bateman that he is sick to his stomach. Bateman thinks that Curtis trying to get out of their match. Johnny is getting sick because he has to be near him again. Johnny got sad and nervous about what he is going to do to Bateman next week. Curtis tells Bateman to not enter the restroom and wipes his hands off on Bateman’s shirt.
9.) Kidd takes control with a hammerlock but Curtis reached the ropes to break the hold. Axel comes off the ropes to drop Kidd with a shoulder block. Kidd gets a few kicks in and takes Curtis down to the canvas looking for a leg submission but Axel quickly reaches the ropes. Kidd takes Axel over with a springboard arm drag and keeps control of the arm. Curtis gets control following a snap suplex for a near fall. Kidd kicks Axel and follows up with a clothesline to the floor. Kidd takes Axel out with a suicide dive! Kidd works over Axel in the corner with stomps and hits a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Axel knee lifts Tyson while not he apron and hits an elevated neck breaker for a two count. Axel continues to work over Kidd in the corner and taunts the fans. Axel sends Kidd chest first into the corner but can’t put him away. Kidd nearly wins with a rollup but is stopped by Curtis with a clothesline to the back of the head.
Axel puts Kidd in the tree of woe in the corner and delivers several strikes to his chest before choking Tyson while he is upside down. Axel puts Kidd in the tree of woe a second time but misses a baseball slide and goes groin first into the ring post. Kidd kicks Axel several times and comes off the ropes to hit a dropkick for a near fall. Tyson kicks Axel from the apron and attempts a springboard but is met with a dropkick in midair by Curtis who gets a two count on a cover. Kidd head butts Axel off the top and hits a springboard moonsault but Axel kicks out at two! Kidd goes for the Sharpshooter but Axel quickly gets to the ropes and kicks Kidd away. Axel hits a quick side suplex and gets a near fall again. Axel locks in the Sharpshooter but Kidd reaches the bottom rope to break the hold. Kidd counters a Perfect Plex with an inside cradle for a near fall. Kidd locks in the Dungeon Lock and gets the submission victory. (***. A good match between these two guys as Kidd had some really good explosive/high energy offense that worked well with Axel hitting more power oriented moves. Axel is capable of being a fine in-ring worker if given the chance to be one.)
Final Thoughts:
Largely the episode introduced viewers to the new talent that is coming up in the company. At this point, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, The Ascension and Damien Sandow are on the program among others that will be introduced. That should make this a pleasure viewing experience especially if Tyson Kidd remains on the program long-term. A fine debut episode with a good main event this week.
Thanks for reading.