WWE NXT Season 3 Preview: Scouting Reports and Power Rankings W/video
Controversy is the word that comes to mind as it pertains to the third season of WWE NXT.
Originally expected to be a half male/half female cast, with Tyler Black all but a lock to appear as a rookie, the WWE's decision to go with an all female cast of rookies was a direct result of non-PG behavior by many of the WWE divas during SummerSlam weekend.
To add further fuel to the fire, what presumably figured to be the WWE's biggest draw on the show, the 6-foot-9 Aloisa, was recently "fired" as part of a storyline on WWE.com.
The WWE's subsequent removal of all Aloisia's (known as Isis the Amazon on the independent circuit) pictures, and references has sparked questions as to whether or not this firing is real or fake.
I have three conspiracy theories on said firing.
1. A sponsor complained that Aloisia's tube top during her vignette was not TV-PG and the WWE had to make an example of her (no, seriously).
2. Desperate for ratings and some type of spark as a last-ditch effort for their hit or miss show to be picked up by another network, the WWE took to the Internet to manufacture a storyline involving its most talked-about signing within the past week or so (It's quite suspicious how WWE insists you tune in to find out who the replacement will be).
3. She's just too green No. I refuse to believe the WWE would ever fire such a potentially huge star because of his or her inexperience in the ring.
This is the same company that has featured Eli Cottonwood, David Otunga, John Cena, and Titus O'Neil. Since when did the WWE, who touts its 'performers' as 'sports entertainers,' give a damn about wrestling ability?
If she was that bad they would just use her in a different manner and work their way around it. Too green, don't make me laugh.
WWE NXT Season 3 is a novel concept. For once in its brief history, the show is actually delivering on its original mission statement of being different from regular WWE programming.
With such a unique concept (to the WWE) and the continued amount of controversy surrounding Season three, if the WWE plays its cards right:
A. WWE NXT could be picked up by a partner network of NBC Universal (i.e. Bravo, Syfy) or
B. The WWE could pull the trigger on an hour-long All Divas show on Tuesdays (no, seriously).
This will figure be a very (ahem) top heavy season of NXT as the majority of Divas who will be featured on this show are halfway decent workers or better.
I consider myself somewhat of an FCW aficionado, and scouting tomorrow's talent today has been something I've been doing since before NXT even began.
So it is only fitting that we take a preseason look (in order of talent) at the five Divas who will be competing to put your favorite Diva out of a job be the next breakout superstar.
Divas will be graded on a five-star scale as recruits (not wrestling matches) were meant to be assessed.
The grading scale will take into account physique, in ring work, and charisma (which is interchangeable with the hallowed "It Factor").
For all you math nerds out there, the overall rating is not an average of its three components, but rather a star rating based on my personal assessment of the prospect's overall talent.
Big Nasty is the editor of The Big Nasty Athletic Dept. Log on to twitter at twitter.com/bignasty247 and follow him until he presses charges!
5. Aksana
1 of 5Overall Rating: *
In ring Work: *
Physique: ***
Charisma: **
Similar Styles: Maryse, Tiffany
Signature Moves: Hip toss, arm drags
Strengths: At least she kind of looks like Maryse?
Weaknesses: As green as she is blond. Aksana can't sell and has limited athleticism in the ring.
Scouting Report: Aksana brings a foreign flavor to the WWE, which may be the WWE's way of keeping Maryse, one of the 'SummerSlam party girls,' on notice by telling her she can be replaced.
Aksana really isn't too much different from the average, run-of-the-mill Diva on RAW or Smackdown, as she is pretty much a model in tights. Sadly, this may bode well for Aksana, as WWE is inclined to push this type of Diva.
Aksana's promo work isn't bad, but her heavy accent makes things kind of awkward.
This Lithuanian [insert second alliterative word] may or may not have a future in the WWE depending on her attitude and whether or not she improves in the ring.
If the powers that be really want to send a message to Maryse, they would make Askana the Miz' valet.
4. Jamie Keyes
2 of 5Overall Rating: ***
In Ring Work: **
Physique: ****
Charisma: ***
Signature Moves: N/A
Similar Styles: Lilian Garcia, Alundra Blaze, Chyna
Strengths: Very unique look for a Diva, good athlete.
Weaknesses: Doesn't seem to have too much in-ring experience at the moment.
Scouting Report: Despite being blonde, Jamie Keyes stands out as something different as far as the WWE is concerned.
Keyes is built like a meathead barbie, yet she is still very ladylike and an extremely good-looking girl
You might have recognized Keyes as the announcer for WWE NXT this past season, but looking at those muscles, I would constantly ask myself why the WWE was not pushing her as an in-ring talent.
It appears as if my questions have been answered, and with time, I expect Jamie Keyes to be a mainstay in what may be a renaissance for the WWE Diva.
3. Maxine
3 of 5Overall Rating: ***
In Ring Work: ***
Physique: ***
Charisma: ***
Signature Moves: Running Bulldog, Running facebuster
Similar Styles: Layla El
Strengths: Good feel for the nuances of a pro wrestling character, solid worker with room for improvement.
Weaknesses: Promo work could use some improvement.
Scouting Report: Maxine, known as Liviana in FCW, is a very athletic worker who could develop into one of the better heel divas in the WWE.
She spent much of her time in FCW playing a "Million Dollar Woman" heel character with a sizable bank account.
While the character seems played out, Maxine did a good job working as a heel with what she was given as she had a firm understanding of how to get heat both in and outside of the ring.
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2. Naomi Night
4 of 5Overall Rating: ****
In Ring Work: ****
Physique: *****
Charisma: ****
Signature Moves: Flying butt bump, Enzugiri
Similar Styles: Jazz, Alicia Fox, Jacqueline, Gail Kim, Luna Vachon
Strengths: Excellent worker, possibly the best in the competition, great physique. Strong charisma.
Weaknesses: Skin color.
Scouting Report: Naomi Night is undoubtedly one of the two best workers in this entire crop of Divas.
After seeing her match with A.J. Lee, who figures to be her chief competition, I am convinced that she is No. 1.
However if her booking in FCW (as a "Ghetto Fabulous Sista' from the hood") is any indication of how she will be packaged in WWE, then Naomi Night may have an uphill battle to fight for her entire career
Naomi's in ring work is damn near flawless, especially for a WWE Diva, and her matches against the greener Divas in developmental (Green Diva in developmental? Now THAT'S GREEN!) have salvaged any potential talent that these Divas may have due to her expertise selling and ability to make her opponents look good.
Naomi Night's background as a former dancer for a professional basketball team will serve her well, as the athletic (and aesthetic) traits that come with being a good dancer/cheerleader often translate to being a WWE superstar.
Naomi has all the tools to be a breakout star in the WWE, it's just a matter of how she is booked.
1. A.J. Lee
5 of 5Overall Rating: *****
In Ring Work: ****
Physique: ****
Charisma: ****
Signature Moves: Shining Wizard, Shiranui (there's no way we see this in NXT)
Similar Styles: Gail Kim, Sarita, Taylor Wilde
Strengths: Good charisma, strong in ring work.
Weaknesses: The jury is still out on her promos.
Scouting Report: A.J. Lee goes into the NXT competition as the odds on favorite and perhaps the only Diva most Internet fans have a base knowledge of outside of Jamie Keyes.
There has been much talk of the reigning Queen of FCW getting called up to the main roster, and after this shortened season of NXT she will figure to be a major player as a WWE Diva.
Lee honed her craft during her year long stint in Wrestling Superstars Uncensored, and was trained by her boyfriend Jay Lethal (no, seriously).
Lee should have an immediate connection with the fans and her in-ring ability, star power, as well as agents being high on her talents, should be more than enough to win this competition.
Big Nasty is the editor of The Big Nasty Athletic Dept. Log on to twitter at twitter.com/bignasty247 and follow him until he presses charges!
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