It's all about NXT this week as the team takes a look at the recently-launched Season 3, indy stars Daniel Bryan and Kaval, both of whom debuted on NXT, the Nexus, and the future of the NXT franchise.

Glad you could join us for this week's edition of Gimme Five.

1) Episode 1 of NXT Season 3 is in the bag. What did you make of it? Will you be tuning in next week?

Kirsty:
Actually I missed it. I had planned to set it to record on Sunday afternoon while I helped some friends clean up in the wake of the earthquake, but it slipped my mind, drat it all. I'm looking forward to tuning in this week.

Dion:
I'm all for giving things a chance, but that was God-awful. For the first time ever, I've deleted a WWE show from Series Link.

Luke:
I didn't get to see it but from the feedback the show has receieved, I don't think I will be wasting any time in tuning into it.

David:
I thought it was a really fun show. Granted, it was the sort of thing I wouldn't necessarily want people who weren't wrestling fans to see and form opinions of wrestling on, and I probably wouldn't have liked seeing male contestants doing things like dancing and capturing flags, but I found it very enjoyable. Cole, Chimel and Matthews were hilarious in the dance-off, and most of the Divas look like they've got something to offer the WWE landscape, so I'll be looking forward to the rest of the season.

Simon:
I haven't seen it but I'm already guessing it'll start in earnest with a bunch of former fitness models (that got fit and got implants so that they could replace the daddy they never had in their life) and then when no one cares about the pre-soft-porn they will turn to bikini matches and self-esteem-skewered-on-a-pole-matches...in short, I can't wait to have my TV reconnected so I can tune in to watch this mess.

Stevie:
I enjoyed it. I mean, I'm not thrilled at how the "smart, sexy and powerful" women have to do things like dancing competitions, but on the whole I'm pleased at more women getting the chance to shine. Naomi is obviously quite talented but my heart belongs to AJ Lee. She's a comic book fan and gamer!
 
*Marry me...*

Matt:
Didn't watch it... didn't miss it... don't have an opinion! Who knows, might surprise? If I hear any hype I'll make an effort to not be mowing the lawns this Saturday.

Scott:
It was horrible. I went in hoping that they’d pull this thing off, but, no. Sure there were some entertaining moments; parts of the dance off, and even if she’s a late minute replacement Kaitlyn immediately stands out in the charisma stakes. However, I doubt she can wrestle; and I share similar doubts for most of the other Rookies. Aside from A.J. and Naomi I doubt we’re going to see much actual wrestling on this NXT. It is going to be just another Diva search. For an hour a week. And I have to carry on watching it for the write ups. Oh dear.

By the end of this Goldust and Primo will probably have wrestled each other to near-death in a best of seventeen competition...

Steph:
I feel justified in my original worries but also relieved. Sure, the dance-off was horrid (though I am warming to Michael Cole with every self-humiliating costume he wears), but the flag race actually sold itself on athleticism. None of the rookies are Kelly-Kelly-levels-of-horrible in the ring and I am really excited to see what else Naomi can do.

2) Daniel Bryan's feud with The Miz is starting to really heat up. Are you buying in to Bryan as a WWE Superstar and do you think he can pull off the title change?

Kirsty:
I'm loving Daniel Bryan. He's a natural on the stick with a fabulous sense of humour. Miz is no lightweight either when it comes to talking, so the pair of them are producing some highly entertaining segments. Add to that their obvious in-ring chemistry and you've got a winner. Miz vs. Bryan is one of my favourite things about WWE at the moment.

I think that Bryan could carry the US title without difficulty, and be a very strong champion, but in the interests of watching this feud develop further I'd wait till the next ppv before putting the strap on him.

Dion:
Yeah, I am. And I think worries about Bryan's ability to work the entertainment side can be put to rest. He seems to be growing more confident by the outing. We all know he's great to watch in the ring. I'm hoping he pulls out the US title victory. I've no doubt he can pull it off.

Luke:
Definitely. Danielson has come a long, long way since he first stood out in front of a crowd of that size and has shown continuous improvement ever since. His storyline with The Miz is one of the hottest feuds in WWE at the moment and is making the US Championship more of a focal point compared to how it has been treated of late. I think that both The Miz and Danielson, if booked correctly, could both step up onto the top platform in unison as the company's biggest stars. All it takes is one hot storyline to get the burners going behind someone and you have yourself a superstar. Both Miz and Bryan are bringing out the best in each other right now and I hope that the 'E make this a storyline to remember.

David:
I sure am! Bryan's a bit weird on the microphone, laughing and stuff, but he's still got that killer edge in the ring with his LeBell Lock and it's that that lets him survive in WWE. I'm predicting a title change at Night of Champions, no doubt.

Simon:
I'm liking him, have done from day one. He deserves a good run with a mid-tier belt before the big belt. Him and the Miz should continue to work well together for most of the rest of this year.

Stevie:
Always been a fan of Bryan so I'm really enjoying this feud. It's pushing all the right buttons as far as a story should. I'm thinking Miz may retain this time around and Bryan will definitely get it the month after. I'm expecting to see a lot of awesome matches for the belt, against opponents that will think Bryan is an easy beat, while Miz goes off on his WWE title hunt. Win/win! I also think Bryan has really silenced critics of his mic skills.

He could do with a valet though. Perhaps AJ Lee.

Matt:
Sometimes the best angles stem from reality, and I think Daniel Bryan hit the nail on the head in the early part of his NXT run when he asked the question... who is The Miz compared to Danielson? A reality star who got a lucky break vs. a well-schooled craftsman of ten years plus in the business? Miz should be mentored by Bryan!

That work plus the nastiness behind "that punch" during NXT and there is the makings of a great gritty feud. Bryan is already a superstar. His skills outshone his NXT cohorts and The Miz. I think a title change is in order. Whether Vince thinks so is another story?

Scott:
He’s the everyman; one we haven’t seen a lot of in recent years from WWE. I hope to see a bit more aggression from him in his promos, but his casual approach and lack of flash really impresses me.

Steph:
I'm loving this feud. Definitely calling Bryan to take the belt and I think he'll give us a pretty good run as a champion.

3) Kaval debuted on SmackDown this week with a strong showing against Drew McIntyre. How would you like to see his first few weeks on the main roster progress?

Kirsty:
His match against Drew was stellar. They had great chemistry. Kaval's a stiff worker but he knows how to do it effectively. As much as I'm enjoying his interactions with LayCool, I'm hoping that he breaks free of them when they - inevitably - move into their own feud. From there I can see him working a very decent program with McIntyre, I think they'd both benefit from it.

Dion:
That was a great match Kaval had. He's somewhat in the same boat as Bryan. He's a great athlete, but arguably it's the entertainment side that will be the make or break of his WWE career. And like Bryan, he seems to be getting better and better. I'd definitely like to see Kaval progress as an underdog who pulls out the unlikely victories. It'd be good to see him in the Intercontinental Championship hunt by WrestleMania.

Luke:
I thought his match against McIntyre was great. I think that once Kaval, like Danielson, has found his niche in the entertainment side of things, he will be made. I hope to see him in the Intercontinental Championship scene soon. What I DON'T want to see is the guy get buried.

David:
I thought that was a good debut for Kaval. A few more competitive matches with established wrestlers, a bit more LayCool interaction, and I'll be happy.

Simon:
I have missed this; so can't really comment. I'll just say I do like Kaval. I hope he finds his place.

Stevie:
More of the same. I like the LayCool interaction and love that he got to go out there and have a competitive match. Mix up a few different opponents and the WWE Universe will see he's got the goods.
 
Perhaps they need to add another female to woo Kaval away from LayCool? Maybe AJ Lee.

Matt:
At the moment TNA's X Division is the benchmark for excitement and creativity in wrestling. I think WWE needs to counter that, and Kaval could be the catalyst to a reinvigorated WWE cruiserweight division if WWE ran with him. Said it weeks ago... Kaval kicking the crap out of Rey, Chavo, Danielson and Co. = ratings.

Scott:
A bit of reality check time; NXT gets very few viewers compared to SmackDown. So despite Kaval’s pre-WWE reputation and NXT victory, to most WWE viewers he’s this new, small, guy. His match against McIntyre would’ve impressed many, but he’ll need a while being built up with, then separating from Team Flawless (as well as a few more impressive in-ring performances) before Kaval should be let near any title scene.

Steph:
I was disappointed Kaval lost to the sinister Scotsman but his performance was great and I am seriously in love with his interactions with LayCool. I want to see him show off his ridiculous levels of talent and in a dream world they'd resurrect a cruiserweight belt just for him.

4) Do you have much interest in The Nexus still? Do you think the faction still has legs?

Kirsty:
Still loving the Nexus. But to be honest 95% of that is due to Wade Barrett, who is becoming a stronger character every week and a definite main event player in the future. They're not made up of equal parts, and once they implode - and they will - I don't really see any of them going far, with the obvious exception of Barrett and the possible exception of Justin Gabriel. But in the meantime I'm making the most of them. I still think there are a number of directions they can go, and I'm looking forward to seeing what those directions are.

Dion:
I'm a big Wade Barrett fan - not so much a big Nexus fan. As each week passes, it becomes more and more obvious that he's the only one that will still be working for the 'E in twelve months. Barrett is a future World Champ in training, no doubt.

Luke:
I love Wade Barrett. WWE are slowly building him up correctly, grooming him to be a marquee player in the future. I wish I could say the same about the rest of Nexus, but I cannot. Interest in the Nexus died off for me a few weeks ago (as I got sick and tired of the nWo-WCW styled endings to RAW) and I feel that most of the Nexus' fail to bring anything exciting to the table at this point in time to keep them in the main storylines. Jobber, low and mid card fodder.

David:
I'm a bit disappointed Skip Sheffield isn't around any more - I thought he had a lot to offer, and to gain, from Nexus. The rest of the group are still doing quite well though, with Justin Gabriel getting really close to Wade Barrett's level. I don't know how long they can go on, but for the moment The Nexus is doing nothing but good.

Simon:
I think it's good but it's a one-trick-pony idea and it relies on Wade riding that pony. He'll still be standing when the pony is pulled aside and packaged up Spirit-Squad-styles and shipped off to the glue factory. But it's been some real excitment for the programming, mostly.

Stevie:
I think they've got a few more months left in them. I really do miss Skip, he was one of my favourites in the group, so that has hurt them. But it's becoming obvious that Wade and Gabriel will come out of this just fine. The others... not so much. They should enjoy their borrowed time.

A female Nexus would be entertaining. Led by AJ Lee.

Matt:
I think their time has passed. Perhaps adding some of the Season Two cast-offs to their ranks would boost the angle? As would some more internal turmoil? Might be time for individuals to shine, and the group thing to die? Even The Spirit Squad died a death eventually.

Scott:
It’s been boring me for a while now. It either needs to be ramped up into a proper ‘schism’ storyline, or The Nexus needs to start falling apart. However, it’s done what it’s needed to: Wade Barrett is a genuine star, now, and Justin Gabriel has got everyone paying attention. The rest, well, they won’t be missed. Skip Sheffield’s injury was unfortunately timed, however, he could also have bounced off the storyline well, but now he may be out of the picture as the story begins to wind up.

Steph:
I'm interested in two-fifths of the Nexus and one of them is out. I think the faction will have legs as long as WWE management is desperate to keep David Otunga around for his Hollywood-cred but wise enough to not ever put him near singles competition.

5) Rumour has it NXT is on its last legs. With the fact that many of the company's major storylines have been a direct result of the show in mind, does NXT have a future?

Kirsty:
I'll tell you what needs to happen - whether it's possible or not is another story. Because this season features women, everyone automatically assumes that means the NXT well is drying up and they aren't expecting much. Because of this, ratings will fall and NXT will fade away after this season. But if the girls put on a helluva season - with solid, compelling writing behind them - then it could invigorate the franchise and give it new life. Following that, another season of male rookies could well benefit. It is possible. But I don't see it happening, because WWE never exploit the women to their full potential.

Dion:
I've always been of the opinion that less is more, so if NXT bites the bullet, that'd be just fine with me. It was an interesting concept, but now that the novelty has worn off, I don't know if it has legs.

Luke:
Like Dion said, the novelty has worn off. I would still love to see hybrid of Tough Enough and NXT merged together to create more of an authentic style of programming. Perhaps have the backstage/training side of things for half the show and then the NXT matches that take place in the arena for the ending. But that's fan fiction, the reality is that WWE has taken the dog out behind the shed and pulled the trigger with the disgrace that is Diva Search/season 3. I won't be surprised if it's canned soon.

David:
I think it does, I mean, I know it's getting dropped by SyFy and everyone here seems to hate it for some reason, but I had fun watching season three. They can't keep going on like season one, with everyone graduating to the main roster, but there's no reason NXT can't continue, giving the FCW guys a little more exposure and upgrading one to either Raw or SmackDown every ten weeks or so.

Simon:
These ideas always run their course pretty quickly. Sadly they keep getting repeated - Reality TV 101. I hope NXT is done. I've missed almost all of Season 2 and the start of Season 3. I loved Season 1. But they already have an overly full roster and limited places for spaces where the new kids can really truly try to shine.

Stevie:
I think it's a good option to keep around, as it furthers mid card storylines for established talent as well as bringing fresh faces. Hopefully it'll stick around for a while somehow.

...AJ Lee.

Matt:
The one trick pony has died... and been flogged... and hit with a 450 splash. Bury it and give us back a wrestling show. I'd love to see a show based purely around the cruisers. See what happens?

Scott:
Fact? Kane vs. Undertaker? Jericho’s “will-he-stay, will-he-go?” “Can anyone beat The Viper?” Yes, a lot of great stuff has come from NXT, but at the same time they’ve still brought along great new talent like Alberto Del Rio without having him anywhere near the show. NXT won’t be missed.

Steph:
I think NXT works really well to give the unknowns some screen time and test them out before unleashing them on the real shows (and figure out if you've got an Alberto del Rio or an Eric Escobar). The trick is to take cues from Survivor; any show however formulaic has a future as long as you keep shaking things up. How about tag-team NXT? Ridiculous Gimmick NXT? People-with-the-surnames-Hart-or-Dibiase NXT? Josh-Matthews-outclassing-Michael-Cole NXT?