I've been following Season 5 of NXT but not reviewing it. For the simple fact, it's been a bit of a time waster.
The idea this season, to let 6 Rookies earn a spot on season 6.
Yeah, they are not even fighting for a chance to be on Smackdown or Raw but to be the star of the next season. How stupid is that?
The upside, they get to pick their Pro in season 6.
The show is down to 3 Rookies. It started off this season by chancing it's name to NXT Redemption. Okay, I get that. And we saw the return of Conor O'Brian, Byron Saxton, Darren Young, Jacob Novak, Titus O'Neil and Lucky Cannon.
The remaining Rookies are Conor O'Brian, Darren Young and Titus O'Neil.
Jacob Novak's biggest weakness was not having a proper identity. They tried pairing him up with JTG and feuding him with William Regal, but even Regal could not keep Novak on air. He was the first eliminated.
Byron Saxton had been teamed up with Yoshi Tatsu. Which also failed to bring forth anything solid from Saxton in the identity area. It was painful to think that had the creative team stepped in with something better then having him slighted over Tatsu's distractions, Saxton might still be on air. But he was the next to be eliminated.
Lucky Cannon was teamed up with Tyson Kidd. He just got eliminated. Putting him squarely as a Heel was a brilliant move, as I could never look at him and think Face. Sorry, but if Lucky Cannon ever pops up on my screen again, I damn sure hope it's with about 5 inches of that stringy hair gone. { he just makes me think of Wickham from Pride and Prejudice not a good thing }
Titus O'Neil is teamed up with Hornswaggle. And it's truly his only saving grace. Brilliant move, as he's got the in house crowds full attention. Let's face it, and as much as I hate to say it, he's going to win. Not on talent, but on the fact his Pro is an over the top character.
Darren Young is teamed up with Chavo. Another brilliant move here. Young has already established himself from being part of Nexus last year, as a Heel. Teaming him with one of the heeliest of the classic Heels puts him in a solid spot in people's minds. The talent is there, the ring awareness is there, and now he's got a proper identity to cling to.
Conor O'Brian is teamed with Kozlov. Another brilliant move. He's dropped the extreme gimmicks and just seems to be having a chance to show more of his talents in the ring. I also like this version of his character because it's one that can establish him as either Face or Heel without too much of a shock down the road. I think it would give him enough fan backing to carry him through to land him on Smackdown. Just think of the feuds he could easily fit into if he were to make it. {against Wade Barrett, against Sheamus, against Johnny Curtis} The announce team keeps commenting each week how O'Brian has been able to physically prepare himself since teaming with Kozlov. They would make a fabulous tag team if the voters bother to go on talent and actually look at the win/lose side of things.
What I would like to see happen: I would like to see Conor O'Brian get a contract for Smackdown.
What I believe will happen: I believe that Titus O'Neil will get the season 6 pass by having been on Hornswaggle's coattails.
I'm not too sure if there are two episodes or only one left.
