NXT 11-7-2012 Review

Original Airdate: Wednesday, November 7th, 2012
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida

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Kassius Ohno vs. Trent Barreta

No complaints from me on a rematch between these two. Barreta goes for a sunset flip bomb over the top rope, but Ohno pulls the apron over Barreta's face in a smart spot. The crowd surprisingly isn't very into this match. Barreta hits a really nice jumping DDT and follows it up with an elbow, but Ohno is right back with a knee to the midsection. Barreta almost gets a small package victory. Barreta fights Ohno off the top rope and then hits a missile dropkick. He goes for the knee, but Ohno avoids it and then hits him with the spinning forearm for the victory. The lack of crowd interest hurt it a little bit, but it was still solid.

Match Rating: ** (out of 5)

After the match, Ohno tries to attack and then Barreta is able to fight him off.

We get a Corey Graves vignette.

Big E Langston vs. Memo Montenegro

Big E steamrolls Memo and just like that hits the Big Finish for the victory, but the ref only counts to 3. Big E demands a 5 count and the crowd is chanting for him. He hits the Big Ending again and counts to 5 on his own. Big E continues to be a bright spot in a mediocre time for their developmental. Big E is about to go for another one, but Vickie Guerrero interrupts on the big screen. She announces it is open season for Big E and she has offered $5,000 to anyone who can put him on the shelf. Big E is about to go back to Memo, but Chad Baxter attacks Big E from behind. It doesn't work and Big E hits the Big Ending and counts to 5 on him.

Match Rating: 1/4*

Jason Jordan vs. Luke Harper

Bray Wyatt comes out preaching his nonsense in a much more fun way than the majority of the last few years. Jordan interrupts and says that all Bray does is talk and he wants to have a match with Bray now. Bray says that he doesn't want anything to do with him because he is a monster, but he is never alone and out comes Luke Harper. Apparently, Jordan was supposed to fight Aiden English. Harper attacks Jordan and immediately begins manhandling Jordan as Bray watches on from the stage. The announcers are unaware of who Harper is. Jordan is able to kick out of a big clothesline and ducks a big boot, but Harper hits his spinning suplex for the victory. This was a solid little debut for Harper and Wyatt did a nice job. Wyatt then announces Luke Harper as the first son of the Wyatt family.

Match Rating: *1/4

They show clips of Roman Reigns' match last week and he is out on the stage to join Byron Saxton. Reigns takes the mic away from Saxton and sends him to the back. It seems as if Reigns is trying to talk like Dusty Rhodes. He says he is the man and it doesn't matter if you are with him or against him. Not the character I expected him to play here.

Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match To Determine The #1 Contender For The NXT Championship
Justin Gabriel vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Bo Dallas

The action quickly moves outside the ring and Gabriel hits a somersault dive over the top rope on all three men. When we come back from commercial, it's Gabriel and McIntyre in the ring until Bo comes in and clotheslines McIntyre. This match feels like it's in slow motion. Gabriel goes up top, but Mahal trips him up. JR says that Mahal can do a lot of things well, but I can't think of one. Gabriel hits a 450 splash on Mahal, but then out of nowhere Bo eliminates McIntyre and then Gabriel. Um, sure? So the two least interesting guys in the match are the two left. Seth Rollins has come to the stage to do some scouting. Mahal hits a high knee that may have accidentally hit him a little harder than intended. Dallas goes for a spear, but Mahal avoids it and Dallas runs his throat into the ropes. Mahal immediately puts on the Camel Clutch and Dallas taps out. Mahal will face Rollins next week. I'm not really sure why they are so in love with Mahal. This match looked like a beginner's course in WWE style wrestling. Very disappointing.

Match Rating: 1/2*

I was looking forward to this show, but it just wasn't to be. The main event just didn't deliver and the crowd was pretty flat throughout. Let's hope that Seth can help bring a good match out of Mahal.

Overall Rating: 32%