WWE NXT: Power Ranking the Season 4 Combatants

The fourth season of NXT will begin its second week tonight, as six more rookies hope to become the next breakout star in WWE.

But if you don't take the time to watch the show on WWE.com and want to know if there are any reasons to watch, here are the power rankings for the six prospective superstars at this early point in the competition.

#6: Conor O'Brian

This is Conor O'Brian, who believes himself to be very similar to a rat.

What a riveting gimmick, man.

In reality, his name is Ryan Parmeter and he was likely on his way to being on the roster a few years ago. Back in 2007, Parmeter appeared on ECW as an enforcer with Paul Heyman and was working house shows. However, he sought his release to deal with personal matters, including his father having a stroke.

Now, Parmeter is looking to become WWE's next breakout star, but his pro, Alberto Del Rio, hasn't helped him out that much. Don't be surprised to see an early exit from this guy. Also, don't be surprised if you see him again someday down the line.

#5: Brodus Clay

Brodus Clay is a big dude. At 6'8" and 360 pounds, he is easily the biggest man in this season. However, big men have not fared too well; just ask Eli Cottonwood and his mustache.

Clay's real name is George Murdoch and is a former bodyguard for Snoop Dogg. In fact, his wrestling name is based off on Snoop Dogg's real name, Cordozar Calvin Broadus.

Clay's pro is Ted DiBiase and, while we all keep hoping for his own push, it's hard to believe that a guy as self-absorbed and unsuccessful in singles competition as DiBiase will be able to guide Clay to victory.

However, Clay is only 26 and, as you look around the super heavyweights in WWE, they are all mostly on their way out age-wise (Mark Henry, Big Show, Kane, Undertaker, just to name a few). There looks to be a place for the big man who calls himself "The Mastodon of Mayhem."

The nickname needs a little work. Then again, we all got used to calling Umaga "The Samoan Bulldozer."

#4: Byron Saxton

Former ECW commentator Byron Saxton returns to WWE programming on Tuesday nights, this time as a competitor. We all saw how he did calling matches at the end of ECW's run, which was replaced by NXT.

Saxton has the best mic skills of any of the six men this season. We are yet to see his wrestling chops, though.

Saxton's pro is Chris Masters. While Saxton would likely only learn how to oil up his pecs (the only thing we saw him doing in the first episode) and learning how to make his pecs dance (please, don't do it), there doesn't seem to be much more that Masters could teach, or that Saxton would listen to.

He is cocky and brash, but so much that they made him purposely take his time in the first competition, taking last place.

Saxton also did some commentating in FCW, which may be a good-luck charm. The last time there was a commentator from FCW who competed in NXT, he won. His name was Wade Barrett.

#3: Jacob Novak

Apparently, Curt Hawkins can't stand wrestling Trent Barreta every episode of Superstars that he is trying to be an NXT rookie.

In all seriousness, Jacob Novak is an intriguing character, at least based on what we are told from commentary. He looks pretty good in his lone match so far and I look to see what else he can show us. 

Novak's pro is Dolph Ziggler, which explains why Novak is so bland and generic so far.

#2: Johnny Curtis

From watching some episodes of FCW online, Johnny Curtis was the only rookie that I knew I had seen wrestle before. A member of the original crop of FCW prospects, Curtis has worked house shows and dark matches.

On the cusp of coming up on his own merit, Curtis was placed into NXT to try and get more buzz about him. So far, it has worked well, defeating Jacob Novak last week in his debut.

With R-Truth as his pro, we can see how much Curtis can learn. R-Truth was pretty good with David Otunga in the first season, leading him to the runner-up slot. So far, that's where I have Curtis.

#1: Derrick Bateman

Derrick Bateman is the early favorite to win NXT. Bateman has been with WWE for a long time, even competing in an episode of Heat in 2006. Bateman may have lost in the main event last week in a tag match against Alberto Del Rio and Conor O'Brian, but Bateman impressed.

Bateman hit some fantastic moves in the match in his home state of Ohio. The simple fact that he was booked well, but not booked to win in front of the hometown crowd has to speak for something, right?

We have seen barriers broken each season by the winning pros. Season one saw Chris Jericho help Wade Barrett win. Jericho was the only world champion at the time of being a rookie (The Miz won it after his stints on NXT).

Season two brought us Lay-Cool aiding Kaval to the crown. Lay-Cool were the first Diva pros in the show's history, as well as the first dual pros. Last season saw Vickie Guerrero's rookie, Kaitlyn, win the Diva version of NXT. Vickie is the first non-wrestler pro to win.

What better way to keep that going then to have Derrick Bateman's pro, Season 1 rookie Daniel Bryan, be the first NXT graduate to be a pro and win the season?