WWE NXT Rankings & Evaluation
By George Chiverton, PWTorch specialist

Episode - May 16, 2012

Wrestler: Tyson Kidd
In-Ring Performance: 10 (9.5)
Out of Ring Performance: - (6)
Last Week's Rank: #1
Rank: #1

Comment: Brilliant, brilliant main event in which Kidd was the key catalyst to the quality. He was just superb and thoroughly deserving of his spotlight at Over the Limit. I can't help but feel that the tide of WWE's opinion is beginning to turn on Kidd, which can only be a fantastic thing. A mid-card is going to be essential for three-hour Raws and hopefully Kidd will be one of many beneficiaries.

***

Wrestler: Johnny Curtis
In-Ring Performance: 7 (8)
Out of Ring Performance: - (6.5)
Last Week's Rank: #2
Rank: #2

Comment: He didn't have as good a week this week, but he was still pretty strong. There is little to say beyond "solid," apart from how excellently he executed his finisher.

***

Wrestler: Derrick Bateman
In-Ring Performance: 9 (8.5)
Out of Ring Performance: - (5.5)
Last Week's Rank: #5
Rank: #3

Comments: Bateman, welcome home. He was great and although he certainly benefitted from being in the ring with Kidd, there is very little that I can take away from his performance. Perhaps the only negativity was his slightly awkward timing compared to the ultra-slick Kidd, but he was overall fantastic.

***

Wrestler: JTG
In-Ring Performance: - (7)
Out of Ring Performance: - (-)
Last Week's Rank: #3
Rank: #4

Comments: A no-show this week, but fond memories of JTG last week and in the Over The Limit Battle Royal keeps him strong in fourth.

***

Wrestler: Kaitlyn
In-Ring Performance: 7 (7)
Out of Ring Performance: - (6.5)
Last Week's Rank:#7
Rank: #5

Comments: She had a good match that lasted a lot longer than most Divas matches, which moved her right up the ranks.

***

Wrestler: Tyler Reks
In-Ring Performance: 6.5 (6.5)
Out of Ring Performance: -9 (-9)
Last Week's Rank: -
Rank: #6

Comment: Reks is so tricky to rank and evaluate as I literally don't know what to think of him. He has decent in-ring skills, but I tend to get the impression that both Reks and Hawkins are the ones backstage who complain more than any other. I'm basing this purely on Twitter and a couple of interviews, but his arrogance annoys me. It makes evaluating things difficult. Still, in his match this week, he was fairly decent and came in just behind a resurgent Kaitlyn. One problem I have with Reks in the ring is that his moves lack impact and intensity. A training session with Finlay could be worth a million dollars for Tyler, in my opinion.

***

Wrestler: Maxine
In-Ring Performance: 7 (6.5)
Out of Ring Performance: - (6)
Last Week's Rank: #6
Rank: #7

Comments: Maxine again improved in the ring this week. She is great at locking in submission holds and making them look more painful by simply screaming out while wrenching back. Good work.

***

Wrestler: Curt Hawkins
In-Ring Performance: 7 (7)
Out of Ring Performance: - (-)
Last Week's Rank: -
Rank: #8

Comment: Everything I said about Reks, just a lot more. However, I think he's a better wrestler with a much broader moveset than Reks, which makes him marginally more exciting to watch.

***

Wrestler: Percy Watson
In-Ring Performance: 6 (6)
Out of Ring Performance: - (6)
Last Week's Rank: #8
Rank: #9

Comments: Watson keeps frustrating me. Although he's clearly talented, I can't get behind Percy. His matches never exceed more than "fine" due to the predictability. Either he hits all his signature offense and wins the match, or hits all except one move before losing. NXT is the home of unpredictable outcomes to matches, which gives the show part of its edge. Having Watson's matches on the show simply doesn't improve the show. This needs work.

***

Wrestler: Michael McGillicutty
In-Ring Performance: 9 (5.5)
Out of Ring Performance: - (3)
Last Week's Rank: #9
Rank: #10

Comments: Again, a great match this week, but again, with Kidd. His poor matches elsewhere are not yet excused.

***

Other Comments: John Laurinaitis, hate him or love him, has the best theme music of anyone on the roster. Everyone hates him and having such arrogant and pompous music is such a genius move by WWE.

[Torch photo (c) PWTorch.com]

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