Hola, bonjour, and hello, friends of the yellow brand. We’re stepping into the pre-Rumble episode of NXT, and following the elimination of cheese-lover Conor O’Brian, it’s intriguing to see who’s going to be next on the chopping block. Ah well. Monkeys in the truck! Play the theme song!
Fireworks. And Stryker introduces the four remaining rookies, all five standing in the ring. Stryker says that Derrick Bateman was caught cheating, and we get video footage of Bateman giving Daniel Bryan the answers from last week’s challenge. And for that, he gets penalized. Haha, Stryker said “penalâ€.
We’ve got the Fink out for the next challenge, and now we see where all that weight Vickie’s lost has gone. So, basically, timed trivia. And the rookies have to beat the Fink’s score of 2 correct answers. Can’t be too hard, right? Apparently, Johnny Curtis and Derrick Bateman think it is. Daniel Bryan points out Stryker’s asking the question too slowly. Huh. Everybody only gets one. No immunity points for anybody. Ah well.
We’ve got a Fatal 4-Way elimination coming up tonight between the remaining rookies. Stipulations? Of course! The winner has the opportunity to switch their pro.
Commercial.
Ted DiBiase vs. Daniel Bryan
Wow, a quality match being shown on the web show? Pleasant surprise? No thanks. Already got one. We relive Bryan and Gail Kim tongue wrestling. Imagine the offspring. A serious second generation star in the works?
We start with a few lock-ups, which leads to Bryan using a hammerlock to roll it into a nearfall. Bryan gets a hip toss and an armlock. We apparently take a camera break from the action to see Maryse and Josh Matthews flirting. Seriously, screw the production crew. We’re back on Bryan getting another nearfall. DiBiase has an advantage as he picks up a few nearfalls, but gets monkey flipped for his troubles. Bryan attempts a LaBelle lock, but DiBiase rolls out of the ring.
Commercial.
We’re back to Bryan hitting some knees to DiBiase’s face in the corner. He misses a running kick in the corner, and DiBiase capitalizes with punches and kicks. A nearfall later, and DiBiase locks in a modified sleeper.
Ziggler: “You know he’s a vegan, right?â€
DiBiase hits a dropkick for a nearfall. DiBiase follows with a neckbreaker and another nearfall. Bryan gets thrown out of the ring. Brodus Clay teases interference, while DiBiase hits an axe handle. He rams Bryan into the barricade, then knocks his head on the announce table. Both roll into the ring, while DiBiase follows with a few stomps. Bryan fights back with some European uppercuts, but gets reverse-whipped hard into the corner. Nearfall.
Ziggler: “Maybe if he didn’t eat just plants, he’d have more strength.â€
Headlock on Bryan. He fights out with elbows. Gets whipped, but backflips over DiBiase. Damn, that was awesome. Clothesline on DiBiase. Nearfall. Bryan hits a kick, goes to the top rope, and hits a dropkick for the….nearfall? Nice.
Ziggler: “You’re really good at almost winning, Bryan.â€
Bryan hits some hard kicks to the chest, but DiBiase rolls up Bryan for the nearfall. School boy by DiBiase, but reversed by Bryan. DiBiase wants Dream Streak, but Bryan arm drags, but DiBiase hits Sky High for the nearfall. Damn, this is rather exciting. Bryan gets up and almost locks in the LaBelle, but DiBiase is too close to the ropes. DiBiase gets hit with a dropkick to the outside. Bryan gets caught with a punch and DiBiase finally hits Dream Streak to get the pin.
Winner: Ted DiBiase via pinfall
Now, that was a damn good match. Seriously, catch this one, ladies and gents.
Commercial.
We’re back to that Royal Rumble promo that’s all about the numbers that you probably haven’t seen. At all. Not once. The big thing I got from this is shame for, at one point, actually cheering for the Bushwackers.
Backstage antics with DiBiase, Brodus Clay, and Maryse.
Commercial.
Brodus Clay vs. Derrick Bateman vs. Johnny Curtis vs. Byron Saxton
So, everybody’s just talking, and Bateman gets jumped by the other three for cheating last week. And he’s eliminated after a splash by Brodus Clay. Clay then gets double-teamed. He gets double-suplexed by Saxton and Curtis. Clay rolls out, and Saxton gets rolled up for a nearfall. Curtis gets launched by Saxton outside, colliding with Clay. Saxton is in the ring, gloating.
Commercial.
Back to Clay clotheslining Saxton. Curtis is still outside, writhing. Saxton gets suplexed. Curtis gets in and guillotines Clay. Saxton knocks Clay down and, while Curtis is on the top rope, knocks him down as well. Finally, Curtis hits a leg drop from the top rope on Saxton to eliminate him. Curtis hits some European uppercuts on Clay before the latter eventually dominates. A squash and a thump in the corner by Clay. He gets a nerve hold on Curtis’s shoulder. Curtis eventually tries to fight out, only to get knocked down. Clay hits a few forearms on Curtis in the corner before choking him with the boot. Curtis turns it around, and hits a few shoulder thrusts. Curtis attempts a flying forearm, only for Clay to hit a Book End for the pin.
Winner: Brodus Clay via pinfall
So, Brodus basically bashes DiBiase for being “the brokest rich dude†he’s ever met and trades up to Alberto Del Rio. Good choice, Brodus.
And as the new couple shake hands, we fade to black.
