NXT Weekly Rankings & Evaluation
By George Chiverton, PWTorch specialist

January 25, 2012 - Week 47

Rookie: Derrick Bateman
This Week's Performance: 7
Gimmick: 7
Last Week's Rank: #1
Rank: #1

Comments: Bateman could really benefit from a match next week (didn't happen), as his in-ring style is missed, but, again, he was excellent in his non-wrestling role. The Maxine-Curtis-Bateman promo fell fairly flat this week, but that could have been fixed with a slightly better video promo to introduce that Bateman is face and Curtis is heel. Maxine's timing was also slightly off, but that can be forgiven. She's awesome after all. Overall, another solid week for Bateman.

***

Rookie: Titus O'Neil
This Week's Performance: 7
Gimmick: 6
Last Week's Rank: #2
Rank: #2

Comments: In his opening address to the arena, there was no denying Titus was pretty excellent, which I'm very pleased to be writing. He was especially good at baiting the audience before turning on his heel vibes and drawing some pretty genuine heat. The match, though, was a slight disappointment, as, despite Titus clearly suiting a heel persona, he was fairly dull for the long spells that he had control. Pacing does need to be worked on, but other than that, I have few complaints.

***

Rookie: Darren Young
This Week's Performance: -
Gimmick: -
Last Week's Rank: #3
Rank: #3

Comments: Did he even feature? Well, he was either absent or forgettable, both of which don't bode well for his future.

***

Other Comments: I feel so sorry for both the Usos and A-Ry, as they are both so excellent and deserve much better than NXT. Alex Riley in particular manages to draw a more-than-substantial reaction despite hardly making it to TV. Also, the Usos have one of the best ring entrances at the moment, and are also fantastic in the ring. Jimmy and Jey, despite being twins, have started developing slightly more distinctive styles while not losing their chemistry as a tag team. A meaningful feud with the almost-but-not-quite-Carlitos would benefit both tag teams and WWE's tag division.


Also, on a slightly unrelated note, I enjoyed the Usos's YouTube show with their anecdotes about cooking for the Warlord, Rikishi (their father if no ones told you), and Yokozuna (who hilariously they were only allowed to suggest was Samoan). It made me both laugh and pity them. After all, that must have been an exceptionally protein-oriented party, especially with the likes of Yokozuna around.

Having said that, there was an amazing moment at the Rumble when Jey went for his signature dance and elbow drop on Road Dogg, who was very good, by the way. Road Dogg, who clearly wasn't that well-versed in this, popped up while Jey was dancing and basically walked off. Jey tried to play it off in the same way you would if you'd been left hanging from a high five. Unfortunately for Jey, though, the camera's focus was absolutely spot-on to capture the awkwardness. Poor fellow.

[Torch photo (c) PWTorch.com]

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