NXT Results for 4/20/10

NXT Results for 4/20/2010

The NXT Rookies have the pressure continuously mounting on them week after week. With the eliminations beginning in 3 weeks, the Rookies are continuing to try to prove their worth in the WWE.

Justin Gabriel def. David "A-List" Otunga
Before this match, we saw the relationships between the Pros and Rookies in this match. While Otunga completely ignored R-Truth and disrespected his Pro, Gabriel was more than receptive of his Pro's advice. This ended up being a deciding factor in the match, as Justin Gabriel earned a victory, thanks in part to Otunga’s WWE Pro, R-Truth. Otunga reached for R-Truth, looking for help, but his WWE Pro refused, allowing Gabriel to roll up the “A-List” NXT Rookie for the win. Gabriel celebrated his win with his WWE Pro, Matt Hardy, while Otunga seethed over R-Truth’s reluctance to interfere.

Darren Young def. Skip Sheffield & Michael Tarver
Tired of being "overlooked", NXT Rookie Michael Tarver proclaimed himself a “bulldog off the leash” and offered an open challenge to anyone in the WWE NXT locker room. This came after an angry Tarver refused to compete in the weekly NXT Rookie Challenge, and “dance on a balloon like a little monkey for your entertainment.” Hoping to impress his WWE Pro, William Regal, who was stuck in Europe due to the Icelandic volcano eruption, NXT Rookie Skip Sheffield accepted the challenge. Then, WWE Pro CM Punk offered his NXT Rookie, Darren Young, who earned a huge victory over Luke Gallows last week. Gallows, however, was clearly still troubled by his loss to Young, as Gallows tried to interfere in the Triple Threat Match. His efforts to sabotage Young backfired, as the South Beach party boy pinned Tarver.

Skip Sheffield won the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Rookies Challenge
Last week, NXT Rookie Wade Barrett wowed the WWE Universe with his speaking skills in the Talk the Talk Challenge. This week, things got more physical as the NXT Rookies squared off against each other in the Rock ’em Sock ’em Rookies Challenge. After a three-round competition, Skip Sheffield was declared the winner after knocking fellow NXT Rookie, Darren Young, off his pedestal. “The Cornfed Meathead,” who finished second in the two previous Rookies’ Challenges, made a huge impression on the WWE Pros and the WWE Universe, and earned a special feature on WWE.com.

Heath Slater def. Chris Jericho
NXT Rookie Heath Slater earned the biggest victory of his career Tuesday night, besting six-time World Champion Chris Jericho! And he did it without the presence of his WWE Pro, Christian, who was still stranded in Europe due to the Icelandic volcano eruption. Slater showed no fear against his WWE Pro opponent, reversing Jericho’s attempts at the Walls of Jericho, and rolling him up for the pin for the monumental victory. Jericho and his NXT Rookie, Wade Barrett, were left stunned after the match, as Jericho argued the call with the WWE official: “There’s no way! I’m the best in the world at what I do!” With the win, Slater left a strong impact on the WWE Pros just three weeks before the next Pros’ Poll will reveal the Rookie Rankings.