NXT Weekly Rankings & Evaluation
By George Chiverton, PWTorch specialist

April 4, 2012 - NXT Week 57

I'm choosing to shake up the formula slightly by changing the catagories to "In-Ring Performance" and "Out of Ring Performance" to make clearer my feelings on each wrestler's technical ability and character. I will also include an indication of where my scores were in the previous week in brackets, so there is some sense of continuation in my articles.

Rookie: Derrick Bateman
In-Ring Performance: 8 (+1)
Out of Ring Performance: 8 (+1)
Last Week's Rank: #1
Rank: #1

Comments: Another good showing for Bateman, who, despite not having great chemistry with Michael McGillicutty, rallied a slightly tired audience and won them over with his high energy and high intensity offense. He even got some "Yes!" chants going, which was fun. He was great backstage as well, and I really enjoy the banter he shares with Johnny Curtis. I sense they are permanently trying to make each other laugh, which reflects well in the audience. Unfortunately, Bateman still has not won over the great authoritative voice on the show in William Regal, which is certainly not doing him any favors. I hope Regal gets onside soon, as, personally, I grow more and more in favour of Bateman by the week.

***

Rookie: Titus O'Neil
In-Ring Performance: 3 (No match)
Out of Ring Performance: 4 (+2)
Last Week's Rank: #2
Rank: #2

Comments: Titus was funny this week in his backstage segment with Darren Young and I'm curious to see where his character goes. Perhaps this is the start of something much better for Titus, as recent weeks have been a real slump for the big man. I also appreciated his hoodie. But, yeah. Things are looking up, but he has a long way to come. Oh, and his match? Fine. No more, no less.

***

Rookie: Darren Young
In-Ring Performance: 5 (-1)
Out of Ring Performance: 5 (+3)
Last Week's Rank: #3
Rank: #3

Comments: Darren was also part of the "fine" match alongside Titus, but he put in a marginally better performance, in my opinion. It still wasn't great, but I'd say I "enjoyed" it rather than "watched" it. More interestingly is that out of the ring Darren seems to be turning face, which I'm starting to see as the best possible way out for Young. Young is a genuinely goofy guy, constantly talking in cliches and generally coming off as slightly forced and awkward. As a heel this has undermined pretty much everything he's done, but as a face perhaps this could be endearing? His exchange with Tamina was especially true of this and perhaps puppy dog Darren will win me over more than he has up to now. That'd be nice.

***

Other Comments: So, isn't everyone excited for the biggest return in WWE in years: Jamie Noble is back! Seriously, go back and watch it, he was restraining Brock Lesnar in the corner on Raw. Brilliant. I can't wait for his main event slot at Summerslam.

Otherwise, I've never been that interested in Damien Sandow, as his in-ring work has never quite matched up to his promos (the Miz Factor, as I like to call it), but his promo on Smackdown was so excellent that I am more than invested for his semi-debut on Smackdown in the coming weeks. He's something fresh. How many other upper class heels have a beard? Exactly.

I'm also itching to see who else FCW will send from their roster and I'm absolutely pining for Castagnoli/Cesaro to be called up and to win everything. Gosh darn I love that man. This has become especially true over the last couple of days where I have been "Revising," which means "Watching everything on YouTube" in my house. Countless battles between Hero, Castagnoli, and the Wolves have been on replay on my laptop and I am loving it. I really cannot wait to see what a new generation of expert strikers and athletes bring to WWE. I just hope they're not watered down before being presented on the main roster.

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt