WWE NXT Recap - Gold Rush Semi-Finals, Heath Slater Vs. Scotty 2 Hotty

Welcome to the WrestlingInc.com WWE NXT Recap.

Earlier Today: Richie Steamboat is asked backstage about his semi-final match tonight against Jinder Mahal in the Gold Rush Tournament. He says it is a dream of his to be a champion and he's ready. Jinder Mahal shows up and speaks in his native tongue, and then he says Steamboat's dream will become a nightmare.

-opening video (Sofia Cortez hasn't yet been removed)

-We are down to four competitors in the Gold Rush Tournament; both semi-final matches will take place tonight.

-Jim Ross is on commentary with William Regal and Byron Saxon.

Gold Rush Semi-Final: Jinder Mahal vs. Richie Steamboat

Mahal picks up the NXT Championship Belt, set-up on the stage, and bows to it. Steamboat looks over at the NXT Championship Belt also, as he makes his way to the ring. Mahal takes the early lead and starts to dominate Steamboat. Steamboat fights out of the corner and hits a dropkick for 2. Steamboat hits an armdrag and proceeds with a chop to the chest but Mahal counters back by dropping him across the top rope and hitting a high knee for 2.

Steamboat fights off the mat and hits a flurry of quick clotheslines. Steamboat counters a Camel Clutch attempt and gets 2. Mahal reverses a backslide and hits a swinging neckbreaker; Steamboat gets the shoulder up. Mahal sets Steamboat on the top turnbuckle but Steamboat pushes him off and comes off but Mahal ducks and Steamboat hits the mat hard. Mahal quickly applies the Camel Clutch and Steamboat taps after several seconds.

Winner by submission: Jinder Mahal

Leo Kruger comments on his loss in the Gold Rush Tournament. First he speaks in his native tongue, then he removes his fake tooth and says something has been brewing inside of him as he smiles maniacally.

Heath Slater come down to the ring and puts himself over. He makes an open challenge to ANYBODY in the back.

(Break)

Slater is still waiting for a challenger in the ring. Scotty 2 Hotty's music hits to very-little-to-no reaction.

Heath Slater vs. Scotty 2 Hotty

The reaction gets slightly better once he come out and does his shtick. They actually start chanting his name a little. Scotty plays to them and gets them to clap, in unison. (Random Fact: Scotty was Steve Austin's first opponent in WWF). Scotty knocks Slater down and shows some nice agility. Scotty "raises the roof" for the crowd. Slater takes advantage and hits him with a clothesline. Slater mocks Scotty's actions and puts the boots to him for a 2.

Slater continues with a neckbreaker for another 2. Slater tries to toss Scotty out of the ring but he hangs on between the ropes like a spider in a web. Slater turns his back and Scotty hits a faceplant from behind, setting up the Worm. Most of the crowd seems to remember the routine and Scotty nails it for the pin.

Winner by pin: Scotty 2 Hotty

(Break)

The Ascension (Conor O'Brian & Kenneth Cameron) vs. The Uso's

The Ascension make their Brood-like entrance, followed by The Uso's. Jey and Cameron go at it hard and Cameron hits several head-butts as Jey brings him in the corner and tags Jimmy. They do some double-teaming and Jimmy goes to work. Regal reminds us of the link between the Uso's and Scotty 2 Hotty via their dad, Rikishi. Cameron takes control and drops Jimmy on his neck in the corner. Cameron and O'Brian take turns stomping Jimmy in their corner with quick tags. O'Brian drops a big elbow and only gets 2. Cameron tags in and drops his own impressive elbow for another near-fall. Jimmy tries to fight out of the corner but The Ascension keeps the pressure on and the ring cut-off.

Jimmy kicks out of a Flapjack and O'Brian makes all kinds of animalistic growls and facial expressions. Jimmy counters and hits a Samoan Drop on O'Brian. Jimmy makes the hot-tag and Cameron tags in also. Jey hits a flurry and gets the crowd chanting "Uso." Jey hits a running Stinkface in the corner but the pin is broken-up by O'Brian. Jimmy comes in and takes care of O'Brian with a kick to the gut that sends him out of the ring. Jey hits a Superkick to Cameron and goes up top but he is pushed off by O'Brian from the apron. The ref sees it and calls for the bell.

Winners by disqualification: The Uso's

Jey is hurt on the outside as Cameron and O'Brian stalk Jimmy in the corner. He tries to fight them off but they beat him down. They do a nice double-team leg-sweep/spinning heel-kick. The lights go out as The Ascension stand over their prey.

-Richie Steamboat is approached for an interview backstage but he doesn't want to talk.

Matt Striker interviews Hunico & Camacho in the locker room about their loss last week. Hunico says he had a stomach virus and a 107 degree temperature. He says Mike Dalton and Jason Jordan got lucky.

-Raquel Diaz cuts a promo on the Divas in front of a mirror. She says her "make-over" in the Exfoliating Ugliness Tour is for their benefit and we can't have NXT looking like a zoo.

(Break)

Gold Rush Semi-Final: Michael McGillicutty vs. Seth Rollins

They put on a clinic of reversals as the ref separates them. Rollins applies a headlock and the ref has to break them up again. McGillicutty slaps Rollins and gets clotheslined out of the ring. Rollins follows-up with a big splash to the outside. Rollins sends him back in but McGillicutty catches him with a big right hand for 2. McGillicutty hits an Irish Whip into the corner.

(Break)

Rollins is in control as we return to action. He loads his boot and rushes in but McGillicutty ducks out of the way and hits a Saito suplex for 2. McGillicutty ducks a kick to the head and hits another beautiful suplex but Rollins kicks out again. McGillicutty counter a backslide attempt and hits a clubbing blow to the face and puts Rollins up top in the corner. Rollins fights the Superplex with several headbutts and executes a sunset flip but McGillicutty resists the powerbomb.

McGillicutty picks Rollins up by his hair and Rollins gets into position to deliver a running powerbomb/Last Ride across the ring and drops McGillicutty on the opposite turnbuckles. Wow! Rollins follows-up with the Blackout curb stomp for the win.

Winner by pin: Seth Rollins

Jinder Mahal comes out to ringside and before anything cam happen Dusty Rhodes comes out on the stage as well. He says the match is set for the finals and "may the best man win." Mahal enters the ring with a cheap shot to Rollins who fights back and clotheslines Mahal out of the ring.