Last week WWE premièred it's latest concept in Sports Entertainment; NXT.
Promoted as 'Wrestling meets Reality TV', NXT gives the viewer the chance to see what WWE hopefuls go through in an effort to make it into the company, as experienced wrestlers such as Chris Jericho and William Regal mentor them in an attempt to create a well rounded Superstar.
5 of the 8 Rookies competed in a selection of matches that took place on the début show (for more information on them Click Here) while the following three stepped into the ring on the 2nd March edition.
Rookie Wade Barrett mentored by Chris Jericho
Hailing from: Manchester, England
While Barrett and William Regal would have seemed like a more obvious pairing than Barrett and Jericho, the move to keep the two separate might be a master-stroke by the WWE Creative team, as they portray essentially the same persona.
Barrett started fighting on the streets of England and claims to be a former European Bareknuckle Fighting Champion, but has stepped up to the wrestling 'big leagues' to earn more money.
Being the only English Wrestler in the competition made a heel character almost a certainty for Wade, and seems to have been pushed into the William Regal template as it's tried and tested.
Barrett picked up a very impressive victory in his first match and seems to have great presence when delivering promos as well, making him a strong contender in the NXT competition.
Rookie Skip Sheffield mentored by William Regal
Hailing From: College Station, TX
Originally pencilled in to be mentored by M.V.P, the 'Cornfed Meathead' Skip Sheffield inexplicably had his Pro changed to William Regal in the week leading up to the début NXT show.
Sheffield appears to be the stereotypical Texan, although whether that is a character or just a magnification of his own personality remains to be seen.
Sheffield describes himself, amongst other things, as 'Muscle with Hustle' and has wanted to be a WWE Superstar since he was around 12 years old.
Skip also thinks his catchphrase 'Yip, Yip, Yip, What it do?' will be his claim to fame, but in truth will be more likely to serve as a catalyst between himself and his well-spoken mentor William Regal.
It seemed to be this lack of cohesion that cost Sheffield in his first match, as he failed to make the save when his loud-mouthed partner got hit with a pair of finishers and covered for the 3.
Rookie Justin Gabriel mentored by Matt Hardy
Hailing From: Cape Town, South Africa
Along with Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel is the only other non-US participant in the NXT program.
Matt Hardy said that his rookie displayed very similar traits to him as a youngster, and this appears to be the closest relationship in the competition at the minute, perhaps only rivalled by that of Carlito and Michael Tarver, depending on which way his character develops.
Gabriel picked up a victory in his first match, claiming a pinfall over veteran William Regal with a very impressive 450 Splash.
NXT Rookies to Face Axe Soon
It was revealed on the second episode of NXT that Rookies will eventually be eliminated one by one as the 8 'Pro' mentors vote for whoever impresses them the most, however they will not be allowed to vote for their own would-be Superstar.
While a date has yet to be set for when the voting process will begin, now that all the Rookies have been given the chance to show what they can do in the ring, fans may start to see the hopefuls eliminated sooner rather than later.
To read more about NXT's show on the 2nd March Click Here.
Jay Davies - Jay Davies is a 25 year old graduate of the University of Lincoln's School of Journalism, currently residing in South Yorkshire, ...
