James Caldwell, Torch Assistant Editor (1.0)

I'm being drastic with my score to make a point. (A) NXT needs to be completely retooled with a completely different vision if there is a second season. (B) WWE is pandering the audience with their "insider references" on the show and the mix of "we're trying to evaluate the show and characters within the show" with pre-determined wrestling matches that are being sold to the audience as real bouts is a complete mess.

The Daniel Bryan vs. Michael Cole feud needs to get to where it's going and in a hurry. Cole playing a cowardly heel on NXT is the wrong decision if Cole is going to be kept on as Raw announcer trying to sell the audience on the Raw storylines and PPVs. When the pitchman becomes a loathsome individual the audience is conditioned to discredit, laugh at, and boo like Batista, why would anyone buy a PPV the same pitchman is trying to sell the audience on? Cole is not and should not be a "character in the show." WWE should be using Cole to get over the talent on the show, not the other way around. WWE needs to quickly move away from this feud and get to the point of Bryan being a regularly featured act on Raw or Smackdown.

WWE has put the bait out there for viewers to get riled up and excited about watching Daniel Bryan beat up Michael Cole, but it's counter-productive to the purpose of the show. At least The Miz became involved this week to presumably set up a Bryan vs. Miz (wrestler vs. wrestler!) feud on Raw. This first season of NXT and experiment with trying to create a "shoot within the work" basically tells the audience it's all b.s. That's not the right message to send and it creates baggage the NXT Rookies have to carry with them and try to shed going forward on Raw or Smackdown.

Dominick Mayer, PWTorch.com Contributor (5.5)

Week one of my predictions came true. Heath Slater is now out, leaving future winner Wade Barrett, David Otunga and Justin Gabriel in the running for the victory of the illustrious first season of NXT. I think it's pretty telling that more time on this show went to the Danielson-Cole angle than any of the remaining competitors. The in-ring action was pretty good this week, as Barrett can hold his own, and those who need work (Otunga, Otunga and Otunga) were paired with their pros. This should have been happening from week one, but better late than never I suppose. I'm still not really behind this wrestler vs. announcer angle, but I guess enough people despise Cole that it'll be a boon for Danielson later on. I just think it indicates that this show needs to end, and they're going to cling to their one hot angle for all it's worth until then. Only one more week...

Greg Parks, Torch Columnist (5.5)

An OK show this week, but I can't wait 'til season one is over. Michael Cole cut a pretty good promo, but is that what he should be doing at this point? I mean, it's nice to see they haven't forgotten about Daniel Bryan, and he's still in a pretty good spot all things considered, but I really don't know what this is supposed to lead to. Speaking of good promos, Heath Slater cut a nice one on his way out, too. I didn't think he had that in him.

The pros gathering on the stage, as they've done the past few weeks, gives more of a sense of importance to what happens in the ring. But this season has just been a hodge-podge of trying things out, making up rules as they go along, breaking them, and making up new ones, it just tells the viewer that WWE has little interest in this programming. The two matches tonight were fine, but we're going to need more than that next season.

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