Smark Out Moment

The new season of NXT has arrived and we were able to get a better look at some of the personalities they'll be showcasing. Even though only 4 of them wrestled, I figured I'd share my first impressions evaluating the new group.

He didn't wrestle, so I can't judge that. He seems like he has character, though. Also, is it just me, or does he look like he could be the younger brother of the Miz? Riley is definitely someone to look out for as the potential winner, and sort of the David Otunga of this season. I don't think he'll win, though, seeing as how they went with two heels in the finals for NXT-1.

What a horrible name. What a horrible gut. The son of IRS could have gone by a Rotunda name but instead, he just sounds (and looks) like he should be one of the rapists in Deliverance. He has absolutely no shot at winning and is clearly the Skip Sheffield of this season, except Skip looks intimidating and can wrestle rather well for his size. I rather like Sheffield when he isn't a bumbling idiot with the "yip yip yip, what it do" phrase. Husky Harris seems like the fat version of that character. Here's an instance where a guy's look is going to kill any chance he has because he'll always be funny looking and comedic characters don't go on to be world champs often.

Another that didn't wrestle. His size is a detractor, but he's not horrible on the mic, so that's good. It's a shame he's paired with LayCool as they won't help in the slightest bit. Another disadvantage with that group is that he's just barely taller than Layla and he's shorter than Michelle. There goes any toughness factor right out the window. Still, I can't judge his in-ring work, and he's supposedly one of the people they're high on, so I wouldn't put it past him to win the season similar to how Daniel Bryan (another short, no-nonsense, technical wrestler paired with a conceited heel) seemed booked to win the first season.

You get your pornstar nickname by combining your first pet and the street you grew up on. Apparently you get your WWE ring name by either switching your first and middle names or in the case of Lucky Cannon, you just take whatever you've nicknamed your penis. No clue about his in-ring work but he didn't fuck up on the mic. He has the look of a midcarder. Who knows?

Big, so Vince loves him. I really hope they don't go the usual "big guy = monster heel" route. I'm so fucking tired of that. No chance at winning, in my opinion. He won't be the first eliminated, either.

If you're wondering why Joe Hennig isn't "Joe Hennig", despite being advertised as Curt's kid...then, well, you're in the same boat as me. I don't have the foggiest. Joe didn't wrestle, but if he's anything like his dad, he'll be great. He's also my #1 pick to win NXT. They cut him off almost immediately on the mic, but he's not coming off completely as a heel or as a face. Personally, I hope he's a face, as I'm tired of all the young 2nd or 3rd generation wrestlers coming in as heels. Cody, Primo, and Jesse are the only ones to have made their debut as faces, right? It's time for something new.

Um, well, he's a character...

A big muscular guy who struggles on the mic. Not too much of a surprise. He's a face, so that's a bit new, but I can't see him pulling out anything interesting enough to be a big star.

As far as the pros attacking the rookies at the end of the show, I didn't like it. These rookies didn't have anything to do with that, and in the PG Era, they're now saying it's ok to haze?