Thanks to Jay Tan & F4WOnline.com
NXT up was NXT. Opening segment has Striker in the ring, introing all the rookies. He debuts the Pros Poll, which ranks the rookies based on the Pro’s opinions. Ironically enough, Daniel Bryan is at #1, and Darren Young is ranked 8. They tease a confrontation between Brian and David Otunga, and Striker announces that next week, based on the Pros Poll, a rookie will be eliminated Some wiseass screams "TNA.". Striker also mentions the rookies appearing in a battle royal tonight, with the winner hosting RAW the following week. He also said something about someone getting a title shot at a future PPV for any title he wants.
Smackdown Pros vs Raw Pros: Carlito, William Regal, The Miz, & Christian vs R-Truth, Matt Hardy, CM Punk, and Wade Barrett (huh). Nice long match, in that I caught up on my report as this match took place. Light chants of "CM Punk" and "Regal Sucks." Jericho is on commentary. Finish is everyone getting their finishes on each other and clearing house for Punk, Barrett, and Christian. Jericho distracts Christian, allowing Barrett to get his front dump firemans carry finisher on Captain Charisma. Big pop for the heels.
Music video of Michaels’ retirement speech and highlights of his career. Good thing this song isn’t memorable, because it won’t be a musical step backwards for his second retirement.
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Josh Matthews narrates a video survey of fans signs. Even mentions the "American Dragon Bryan Danielson" sign. "The more you talk, the more I drink" got the biggest pop.
NXT Rookies Battle Royal – big pop for Justin Gabriel. I think its the theme music. Skip Sheffield, despite walking out as a face, is booed. Guilt by association, I guess. But of course, Daniel Brian gets a nice pop. Wade Barrett gets the "Giant in the Match" treatment with Santino-caliber immediacy, as the other rookies all gang up on him and toss him out with the quickness. Heath Slater & Daniel Bryan throw each other out, leaving Justin Gabrial and David Otunga in the middle (and guaranteeing Jennifer Hudson appears on Raw next week to up the female demo on the show). Sure enough, Otunga throws out Gabrial, wins the host spot, and makes 377 green M&Ms in his dressing room as his first demand.
