Scouting Developmental - aka the WWE NXT Thread

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

This thread is to discuss all things WWE NXT. It is the best TV the WWE has going right now. Basic, simple wrestling stories. Easy to identify wrestlers. Matches are given time.

For fun, I'm going to be giving little scouting reports on the NXT talents randomly, along the way. Could possibly give us all something to discuss in regards to who will become a star and who won't.

We'll be scaling each wrestler on a modified Bret Hart scale:

1. Look/Physical Presence
2. Promo ability, being able to sell yourself on the microphone
3. Pure in-ring ability

Instead of Bret's 10-10-10 model, we'll be working with a 5-5-5 model...because...well...fuck you, that's why.

If you aren't watching NXT, you should be. It is just basic wrestling TV, and sometimes, that stuff can be worthwhile...with the over-the-top product the WWE and even TNA give us week in and week out, you forget about just sitting back and watching some old WCW Main Event where its just a basic wrestling program. NXT gives me that, so, I tune in weekly.

Without further adieu.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Seth Rollins​

What He's Up To - Rollins, the former Tyler Black of ROH-fame, is the reigning...defending, NXT Champion...the first and only champion of NXT for that matter...he won the title by defeating Jinder Mahal in the initial Gold Rush Tournament to crown the first NXT Champion. Since, he has defended against the token number one contender of the month. He's pushed as the #1 babyface and gets the desired reaction.

Look/Physical Presence: 3*
-I guess I'll set a baseline with Rollins, I guess...he's got a look that can be successful in the WWE's midcard...as we've seen these alternative-look wrestlers like CM Punk and Jeff Hardy, although, he is a bland version of. Not physically imposing, but not a midget either.

*I initially set his line as the base for my scoring, but feel the need to bump him up a bit in this regard.

Promo Ability/Charisma: 3*
- Again, I guess I'm setting a baseline with Rollins, and I may be overrating him a bit in this category as a result. His promos, like in ROH, bland, and at times a bit awkward. But, he's got a certain charisma to him that people can get behind.

*Bumped up to a 3 based on improved promos with The Shield.

In-ring Ability: 3.5
- He's been improving in the ring since his Ring of Honor days. He's asked to work 15m+ and the matches have strong, clean finishes and everyone is put over in some way. A testament to the booking, for sure, but Rollins has been able to work in that bubble. He's not going to give you that WWE four or five star match, however, but he can give you some solid mid-card work.

Overall: 8.5/15.
-I think Seth Rollins is the very definition of WWE midcard...and that isn't a bad thing. I think he could develop into a fine midcard worker for a long time. He is going to be able to capture a sect of the audience and hopefully he can carry that into a midcard career. He just needs to catch on with the right gimmick. As is, the alternative type smash dancing gets over like a fart in church with me, but the NXT Crowd gets behind him.

Is He Ready? He is as ready as he'll ever be.

*In a non-scored category...but a very important category, the name "Seth Rollins" is pretty bland, but not insultingly bad either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jE4...8[/MEDIA] [media=youtube]lp9mw2aqUb0[/media]

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Roman Reigns​

What He's Up To - If you aren't aware, Roman Reigns is the former Leakee (for those that watched FCW) or Joe Anoa'i if you watched Georgia Tech football. He just recently re-debuted on NXT with the Roman Reigns name and squashed some jobbers. Fantastic. He's Rosey's brother, son of Sika, FWIW.

Look/Physical Presence: 5
- He looks like a million bucks. Rocks a suit like a champ, too.


Promo Ability/Charisma: 3.5+
- For a guy that was just given permission to talk three weeks ago, in the limited times I've seen him talk, its not bad. Natural heel. He isn't good either yet, but I give him the bump on this score not for his talking, but for his natural charisma...oozes the million bucks he looks. Carries himself like what Vince and Mr. H's envision a top guy to carry himself like.


In-ring Ability: 1.5+
- I haven't seen the guy in anything but squash matches...and, while he isn't a dynamo yet, he's pretty damn athletic and pretty smooth in the limited jobber squashes I've seen. I'll give him a pretty low score here for now, but he's got some upside here to be a serviable main event big man.


Overall: 10+/15
- Sky is the limit for this guy. He could become a complete DUD like a lot of the wrestlers that look the part, or he could be a future main eventer. I've only seen him for a few weeks along with a few clips as Leakee back in his FCW days, but he's got what they look for at the top of the card in the WWE, for sure. He just needs something to sink his teeth into and flesh out a real character other than being the cocky young upstart heel that squashes jobbers. A lot of folks will think the name "Roman Reigns" is another corny WWE name...but, fuck it, I dig it.


Is He Ready? Not yet. He needs to flesh out a character, and harness that natural ability.

(Oh, and for future references +'s mean "upside")

 

[JimLeavy59]

I like Roman he has a nice look but not that roided out look like Ryback.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Dean Ambrose​

What He's Up To - In NXT? Nothing. He's been MIA from developmental for a while now, despite only being under the WWE umbrella for a year and a half. But, he was a mainstay in FCW before it molded into NXT. Last year, had a very good, well publicized and received feud with William Regal. Also had a feud with current NXT Champion, Seth Rollins in FCW. Ambrose is the former Jon Moxley, who ran the streets with Sami Callihan on the American Indy scene.

Look/Physical Presence: 3
- A pretty bland look at first, but he's got some depth considering his character.


Promo Ability/Charisma: 4.5+
- He pulls off a heel like a million bucks. Many have compared him, potentially, to a Roddy Piper-esque heel. I don't quite see that upside, but he can talk. He's had a few super awesome promos already. This could be bumped up, but, there is a chance Ambrose's current character or direction doesn't get over with the WWE Universe on that stage. It is very "Indy" in that regard. He's got the 2-4m crazy person backstage promo down as well as anyone in developmental.


In-ring Ability: 4
- His work in WWE Developmental had been much better than his work on the Indy scene. He put together some very solid matches versus William Regal, Seth Rollins, Damien Sandow, among others.


Overall: 11.5/15
- He projects as a potential heel FOIL for top faces at the top of the card. It will take a slow build to get there, but he's got some very strong potential in that regard. Also, in the very important name category...not insulting.


Is He Ready? Yup.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

btw - for those that want to watch NXT...it comes out on hulu every Thursday morning at like 2am. I am sure you can find it around the 'net for free, too.

 

[s@ppisgod]

I think you're a little hard on Black's physique, though that's probably because he's in the land of the giants promotion. Black is long and lean, and has a solid build. Solid looking dude (no homo), shades of a young Randy Orton. His charisma is next to non-existant though. I don't understand the two grades being the same, and it shows the flaw in your choice to go from a more varying 1-10 scale to a far inferior 1-5 scale. The entire Hart family laughs in your general direction.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I'll get it out of the way...there is only one chick in NXT worth talking about...

Her name is Paige, a limey British cunt...

I would fuck the ever loving shit out of her for days on end. Insanely hot and in a dirty, perverse way, too.

She looks like you'd bring her back to your high-rise apartment...you know, the one with your mattress on the floor and ever-dirty, with boxes of empty Cookie Crisp strewn around...and just go on a bender for a week while you just fuck the shit out of this Paige broad and veg out on some sort of narcotics. And, during a moment of sober-ness, she just kind of gets up and leaves finally, after like...2 weeks of living at your place. That kind of hot.

/End Review.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I think you're a little hard on Black's physique, though that's probably because he's in the land of the giants promotion. Black is long and lean, and has a solid build. Solid looking dude (no homo), shades of a young Randy Orton. His charisma is next to non-existant though. I don't understand the two grades being the same, and it shows the flaw in your choice to go from a more varying 1-10 scale to a far inferior 1-5 scale. The entire Hart family laughs in your general direction.

He's basically mid-card for life. His charisma has gotten better since his ROH days, perhaps, more of a charm to him (maybe, because the Full Sail crowd doesn't shit on him every show, perhaps?)...and, his physique is just mid-card for life...Randy Orton is like 6'3"-6'4" and torn to shreds. Black is pushing 6'0" with lifts in his shoes.

 

[s@ppisgod]

He's basically mid-card for life. His charisma has gotten better since his ROH days, perhaps, more of a charm to him (maybe, because the Full Sail crowd doesn't shit on him every show, perhaps?)...and, his physique is just mid-card for life...Randy Orton is like 6'3"-6'4" and torn to shreds. Black is pushing 6'0" with lifts in his shoes.

I thought he was like 6'3. Goddamn wrestling inflated measurables!

Also, I said young Randy Orton. Orton has always been in great shape, but he wasn't the juiced freak he has been the last 6-7 year's back in 02-ish.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I thought he was like 6'3. Goddamn wrestling inflated measurables!

I'd buy Rollins at 6'1" is that is what you were selling. Joe Hennig is like 6'2" and he's noticeably shorter than him. IMO, he's around 6'0"...not insultingly small or anything, just not a big dude.

 

[JimLeavy59]

Rollins is the same height as CM Punk, Which I think Punk is about 5'11''

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Great thread.

I've seen Rollins in person have ****+ matches. He can go if given the chance. He will never ever never ever ever be a good promo. Some guys have it, some guys don't, and some never will. He never will. Take it to the bank. He can't talk. A guy like Eddie Guerrero who one day wakes up and is an elite all time promo is once per generation.

I was not a fan of Jon Moxley on the indy scene. I never "got" him. With that said, much like Colt Cabana, another guy I never "got", I think he is tailor made for WWE and I think he will do very well.

Roman Reigns is Vince McMahons wet dream. If he learns to talk and can work at a serviceable level, he has the most WWE upside of the three.

And if you guys haven't figured it out, these are the same three guys who killed Ryback tonight.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Big E Langston​

What He's Up To - He recently re-debuted in NXT. His gimmick is "Validation of Domination" where he has his jobber opponents down for a FIVE count. Vickie Guerrerro was recently down for a taping and during it, Big E remained face, humiliated Vickie by throwing baby powder in her face and the result was Vickie issuing an old school "bounty" on his head.

Look/Physical Presence: 4
- Normally, guys like this would get a 5. He's yolked up beyond recognition. BUT, he's short. Billed at only 5'11"...so, he's more like 5'9" or less. Short and stout.

Promo Ability/Charisma: 2.5
- He has no ability to cut a promo. He just kind of yells "FIVE...FIVE...FIVE" ala The Berzerker yelling "HUSS!"...when he calms down, its a slow, old AWA style promo that really comes off awkward in 2012. BUT, he just connects with the crowd, they eat him up and he oozes a certain charisma. Perhaps it'll be a DUD at the big show, but at Full Sail, the minute he steps out from behind the curtain the crowd eats him up.

In-ring Ability: 2
- So far, we've all I've seen him do is squash jobbers. BUT, he moves with a crispness, and shows his athleticism and confidence in his limited moveset that works...so far. still though, very green in the ring, and lord knows how he'll work in a match with extended time.

*I've seen some improvement in his in-ring ability since being given the opportunity in the main event of NXT AND on the main roster.

Overall: 8.5/15
- A lot of people will think Big E is destined for big things. He looks great, has a connection with the fans, and he looks good in his limited moveset. Unfortunately, I'm seeing more Ezekial Jackson than Monty Brown. He will surely get his time to shine with a mid-card push with a title to see how it gets him over. He's got some upside, but he's kind of short and he can't talk. I do think he can avoid the Michael Tarver path, fortunately.

Is He Ready? Nope.

MEMO MONTENEGRO!!!!

 

[JimLeavy59]

You gotta do Bray Wyatt.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Kassius Ohno​

What He's Up To - The former Chris Hero has been in the mix at the top of the card since he debuted in FCW. He's been in feuds with Seth Rollins and now in the premier feud in NXT against Richie Steamboat.

Look/Physical Presence: 3*
- First off, he's got an epic beard. secondly, he looks like the Uni-bomber. Thirdly, he has fluctuated quite a bit in regards to body composition so this grade will range depending on his testosterone levels. Before he entered FCW, he got busted on a steroid test. And, to be fair, his last days in the Indy scene saw him with his best physique. Now, he's a bit more frail and pretty soft looking, but, it works with the Uni-bomber look.

*Bumped down to a 3, just because after months, there has been no improvement to his physique.

Promo Ability/Charisma: 4.5+
- Easily the best promo in FCW. I always dug his indy promos. I'm going to dock a half point simply because I'm intrigued to see how a live promo, in front of a live camera on RAW goes over. Also, very charismatic.

In-ring Ability: 4.5+
- He's better in the ring than 95% of the WWE roster and has been since he was in his early 20's. I've seen him have quite a few 4*+ quality matches in his day. He can go in the ring, and as a part of a tag team, he's great. It should go without saying, he can put on the best matches in NXT.

Overall: 13/15
- Ohno is the best NXT has to offer right now. He was at the top of the Indy scene for a decade. Much like the likes of CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Claudio...Ohno is unfuckable. He's good enough where he'll make whatever dumb shit the WWE has him do, work. He's also got a love for the business that should get him over with the boys in the back. If there is one critique, its that he still needs to adapt fully to the WWE style in the ring (there is an obvious learning curve all of the Indy talent the WWE signs needs to go through) and he still needs to get a grasp on the Ohno character. Minor critiques, really...he's good enough where he'll "get it" on the fly.

Is He Ready? Yup.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Richie Steamboat​

What He's Up To - A member of developmental since 2009, Steamboat has worked with the gamut of talent FCW and NXT has had to offer. Currently, he is in NXT's top feud, versus Kassius Ohno, to which he has a decisive victory over.


Look/Physical Presence: 3
- He's pretty bland, but he's got the requisite size.

Promo Ability/Charisma: 2
- Can't cut a great promo. Pretty dull as a character, too...especially in the WWE where you have tons of shades of gray characters. But, he's just your classic "I'm gonna do the right thing" white meat babyface, and in another time, that would get over like a million bucks, in the WWE bubble...not sure how that'll get over.


In-ring Ability: 4
- very polished and crisp with a load of potential still. Just needs to work with top talent to bring better out of him.


Overall: 9/15
- If this were a classic territory, you could pretty much put the rocket on Richie Steamboat and book him as your white meat baby face and ride him for a while against your top heels, especially if you ran him along the Atlantic coast, and get good payoffs. To me, Richie is the definition of white meat babyface. So much so, I can't see him ever deviating from it. But, he is an ever improving wrestler in all aspects. He would benefit from working with guys on the main roster...it is naturally the next step in his evolution as a talent. At bare minimum, Richie Steamboat could work Superstars, the Main Event, Smackdown, and house shows with Tyson Kidd as a workhorse and put on an infinite amount of solid matches. At best, I think he's got a bit of a ceiling in the WWE bubble, but he'll have a ton of people behind him to be the best he can, especially with all of his dad's buddies in the back.


Is He Ready? In the ring, yes. As a character...if you are rolling with the token babyface to run house shows and curtain jerk...sure.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

If BxB Hulk can go from effeminate lady boy to evil wine spitting heel, Steamboat can surely pull it off, right?

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Bo Dallas​

What He's Up To - The son of Mike Rotunda and brother of Husky Harris/Bray Wyatt has worked in developmental since 2008 and has faced pretty much everyone over the years. A constant upper mid-carder at the developmental level, he is currently feuding with no one in particular, just jockeying around to get a title shot against currently champion, Seth Rollins.


Look/Physical Presence: 2
- He's not a midget, but he's kind of small and pretty non-discript. Doesn't standout.


Promo Ability/Charisma: 2
- He is pretty bland on the mic, especially as a token babyface. He's that "Yeaaaaaaaaah, I'm fired up, and I'm coming to get you, bad guy!!!" babyface. It works with a crowd that is constant, but it gets over like a DUD in the WWE.


In-ring Ability: 2.5
- He's certainly capable of holding up his end of the bargain in a main event level match at this level, and a natural, as would an athletic second generation guy that has been around the business all of his life. He's good as that classic comeback style babyface. The crowd gets behind it at the Florida level.


Overall: 6.5/15
- Much like the recently scouted Richie Steamboat, Bo Dallas would be your classic second generation territory babyface and he'd get over great running Florida. Unfortunately, on a national scale, I just don't see a guy that will get over at this stage and he doesn't do much in the ring to set himself up as a curtain jerking, house show running, workhorse. And, it should be noted that he has the worst name possible. Brutal name. Bo Dallas sounds like a female porn star.

Is He Ready? No.

 

[s@ppisgod]

Best pic ever of Richie Steamboat.