WWE NXT: Evaluations, Thoughts, and Predictions

So, this week, due to the fact that I’m still working on moving into my new place and had to do something to distract me while I built my new bookcase, I watched WWE NXT for the first time.

Yes, despite being a longtime pro-wrestling fan and watching RAW and (often) SmackDown! religiously, I’ve never tuned into the C-show that gave us the Nexus (whom I will discuss in a bit). But this week I figured, “Hey, why not?”

Now that I’ve gotten a chance to see what the show is about and who the guys are, allow me to share my thoughts on the remaining contestants:

Alex Riley

If it were purely up to the pros and WWE management this time around, Riley would win this thing by a country mile.

He’s got a good look, is awesome at promos, and can definitely get it done in the ring. Basically, he’s Wade Barrett 2.0.

However, since the fans are involved this time, a babyface is probably going to win, though we’ll be seeing plenty of Riley even if he doesn’t take it.

Eli Cottonwood

I’ve been watching a lot of the very funny It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia recently. If you’ve seen enough episodes of the show, you’ll probably know where I’m going here: Eli Cottonwood belongs in the McPoyle family.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, watch an episode or two that features the McPoyles, and you’ll see within about five minutes.

Other than that…I got nothing. Neither does Eli. Between his generic big man-ness and John Morrison’s depressing lack of promo skills, Eli is as much train-wreck TV as The Hills or something similar.

Seriously, why is he even here? Because he’s big and scares small children? If he makes it past the next two eliminations, then someone screwed up royally. Like, Sabu and RVD royally.

Husky Harris

So…he’s fat. And he smirks a lot. And he’s really awkward and doesn’t care about other people. I went to high school with pretty much this exact guy.

Nothing good can come of it. Apparently, though, the powers that be are high on him so we may see him around more often.

I guess I can see his appeal somewhat—if he improves in the ring and adds a little more creepiness (think “Randy Orton Viper creepy” and not “You’re a pretty girl and I want to smell your hair” creepy), then he might make some noise. Instead, forget it.

Kaval

Well, I mean, it makes sense in a way that he’s here—Morgan Freeman is getting up there and eventually someone else will need to take over the “Voice of God” role, so why not Kaval?

All kidding aside, though, I’ve heard a ton about this guy, and from what I’ve seen on YouTube and on NXT highlights from him, I can see why he’s probably the odds-on favorite to win.

Also, as much as I had trepidation about it at first, having LayCool as his pros actually works for me.

Maybe they’d make more sense as the pros for someone like Alex Riley, but Layla and Michelle are getting Kaval over nicely.

And to respond to his “Why I Should Win” promo last night…I would love to see him take on Rey or Evan Bourne.

Lucky Cannon

Wow, what a nonentity. There’s nothing particularly bad about him, per se, but there’s nothing that makes him stand out either.

Pretty good in-ring worker, cuts solid-but-unspectacular promos, wears bland ring gear…the only way he could get any more generic is if they named him Vanilla Cannon instead.

Though, admittedly, that makes him sound even more like a porn star than he already does.

Michael McGillicutty

And now, we come to our next second-generation performer.

Leaving aside the issue of him being billed as Curt Hennig’s kid and yet not being “Joe Hennig” that so many people are up in arms about, I think The Miz put it best: his dad was great, McGillicutty’s mediocre.

There’s a ton of potential, yeah, and if he keeps working at it, he’ll do well, but as of right now he’s just a slightly-more-interesting-than-average technical stud.

I only really caught the tail end of Curt Hennig’s career, but from what I remember, Hennig’s main selling point was that, despite being an undersized technical wrestler, he could deliver a promo to life like nobody’s business.

His son doesn’t have that, at least not yet. He may yet win this thing, and I wouldn’t be surprised or too upset if does, but he’s no Wade Barrett.

Oh, and, “McGillibuddies” is the most unintentionally hilarious/ridiculous thing I’ve heard since…well…John Morrison’s “he scares small children” promo. Make it go away.

Percy Watson

If I wanted to watch an over-the-top Eddie Murphy performance I’d put in my “Best of Eddie Murphy SNL” DVD or Shrek. Thanks.

If he improves his in-ring abilities he may be entertaining, but as of right now, he’s just a fairly amusing promo with limited ring skills.

So, then, who wins? Based on what I’ve seen, it’ll probably come down to Riley, Kaval, and McGillicutty (and, likely, all three will make it to the main roster anyway).

Since the fans are involved, it’s probably going to be Kaval or McG…really, I’m going with the obvious choice and saying that Kaval wins it.

Thoughts?