Well, I felt the first edition of NXT was a total and complete waste of time. So much so that I couldn’t stand to watch it other than the first time I did, and then the finale to pick the winner. The competitions were ridiculous, the people involved didn’t stir any interest in me at all.
I tuned in to see the first episode of “Season Two” just to see the list of people involved this time around. I was happily surprised. They realized they needed to put some people in the competition that people might have a bit of an interest in. How did they do that with a bunch of rookie nobodies?
Well first off they have a former CBA and IBA basketball player, a former NFL player, and the son of a former New York Jet and sportscaster. If that however doesn’t peak your interest enough to watch how about a former TNA champion being on the roster? No, nothing yet? Well then, what about two third generation professional wrestlers?
Eli Cottonwood who is being mentored by John Morrison played basketball in the International Basketball Association, and the Continental Basketball Association. He also attended a camp for the Milwaukee Bucks as well as playing in a summer league for the Dallas Mavericks. He has been part of Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) since 2008.
Percy Watson has played for the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Washington Redskins in the NFL. His mentor is M.V.P., and he has wrestling in FCW since September, 2009.
Alex Riley whose real name is Kevin Kiley, Jr. is the son of former New York Jet and ESPN host Kevin Kiley. Junior played football and basketball at Boston College. He is the current FCW Champion after beating NXT season one competitor Justin Gabriel and winner Wade Barrett in a Triple Threat match. He is paired up with The Miz, and amazingly it might be the best matched pair of the bunch. Their attitudes are very similar.
TNA fans will recognize Kaval as 3-time TNA/NWA Tag Team Champion, and 2-Time X-Division Champion Low-Ki or more recently Senshi. Good to see him getting a shot in the WWE, even if it is about 12 years after the start of his wrestling career. Unfortunately he has Lay-Cool as his co-mentors. They seem to just want to use him as their valet thus far.
Now, this is where it really takes a turn to the interesting for me.
Husky Harris who is being mentored by Cody Rhodes is a third generation wrestler with a deep wrestling heritage. His real name is Windham Rotunda. 1980′s wrestling fans will realized right away why that name has history. You see, Windham Rotunda apart from being a great tag team of the 80s is also the son of wrestling great Mike Rotunda (aka I.R.S), and is named for his dad’s former tag team partner who just happens to also be his uncle. You see Mike Rotunda married Stephanie Windham, the sister of wrestlers Barry and Kendall Windham. For those that still haven’t caught on to how deep his bloodline goes let me remind you who Stephanie, Barry, and Kendall called daddy… That would be WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan! It will be great to see him as he develops into a WWE Superstar. Unfortunately he has more of his grandfather’s body than his dad or uncle’s.
Husky Harris isn’t even the biggest reason for me to watch NXT season two. The biggest reason is being called Michael McGillicutty. It really makes no sense to me WHY he is being called Michael McGillicutty. Well other than the McMahon thing where he has to own the wrestlers name and likeness whenever possible. That name however might be the biggest/only reason he doesn’t catch on fast as a WWE Superstar. You see Michael McGillicutty’s real name might sound “perfectly” familiar… Joe Hennig. That’s right his grandfather is none other than Larry The Axe Hennig, and more importantly his father is Mr. Perfect, Curt Hennig.
Joe Hennig’s pro debut was in Iowa’s World League Wrestling in a tag match with another WWE third generation Superstar, Ted DiBiase, Jr. He has been in FCW since early 2008. HE has held the FCW title once, and the FCW Tag Team Titles twice. Once with first season NXT star Heath Miller, and again with third generation wrestler Brett DiBiase. He has also won the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year award in 2008. Of course with a name like Hennig you pretty much have that award half won when you lace up your boots. One of the best things about Joe, he uses his dad;s Perfect-Plex finishing move. Also the fact that they let him talk about his dad is great too.
Just to give the two rookies I haven’t mentioned yet some time…
Titus O’Neil is actually one of the more impressive rookies. O’Neil played football for the Florida Gators, and in the Arena Football League. Unfortunately his pro is Zack Ryder. However, Woo woo woo, I am betting he turns out to be one of the best rookies of the second season of NXT. Granted he has a long way to go before becoming a WWE Superstar, but he has already come a long way considering his TV debut in FCW wasn’t until January, 2010.
The last NXT Rookie that I have yet to mention is Lucky Cannon. His pro is Mark Henry, and he has been in FCW since July 2008. Just a hunch, but if I were to bet on who will be eliminated first…my choice would be Lucky Cannon.
Another good thing about this season of NXT, the fans vote will count for 50% of the decision making as to who is eliminated.
My prediction for the winner of NXT Season 2 – Michael McGillicutty aka Joe Hennig with Titus O’Neil and Alex Riley rounding out the top three. Of course Husky Harris and Kaval should catch on in the WWE regardless of the outcome (as with the top 3 I think.).
