WWE and Syfy issued the following press release:
WWE NXT? DEBUTS ON SYFY,
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, AT 10PM (ET/PT)
Stamford, Connecticut ? February 22, 2010 – Syfy and World Wrestling Entertainment? today announced the competitors on WWE NXT, a new hybrid live event/reality show featuring eight popular WWE Superstars (?Pros?) mentoring eight WWE ?Rookies,? premiering on Syfy Tuesday, February 23, at 10PM (ET/PT). The winning NXT Rookie will receive a WWE roster spot. Among the NXT Rookies are the fianc? of Academy Award? winner Jennifer Hudson, a firefighter in training from New Jersey, a food eating dynamo and a former college basketball player.
NXT is a unique combination of heart-stopping entertainment and gritty behind-the-scenes reality. The Rookie stars of the series take the challenge of the Syfy tagline ?Imagine Greater? to heart as they embark on their ultimate dream quest to join the next generation of WWE revered heroes and champions.
These Rookies, who are learning the ropes, are athletes who epitomize pop culture and personify strong attributes ? they are opinionated and aggressive ? which means inherent conflict between Rookies and other Rookies, conflict between Rookies and Pros, as well as, conflict between Pros and Pros. The trials and tribulations of the WWE NXT cast ensure action-packed, innovative entertainment ? WWE style.
The WWE Pros and NXT Rookies will be:
WWE Pro R-Truth with NXT Rookie David ?A-List? Otunga
WWE Pro The Miz with NXT Rookie Daniel Bryan
WWE Pro Matt Hardy with NXT Rookie Justin Gabriel
WWE Pro Chris Jericho with NXT Rookie Wade Barrett
WWE Pro William Regal with NXT Rookie Skip Sheffield
WWE Pro CM Punk with NXT Rookie Darren Young
WWE Pro Christian with NXT Rookie Heath Slater
WWE Pro Carlito with NXT Rookie Michael Tarver
The NXT Rookies come from around the world with diverse and interesting backgrounds: David Otunga is a Harvard Law graduate engaged to Academy Award winning actress and Grammy Award? winning recording artist Jennifer Hudson; Daniel Bryan is a former champion on the independent scene; Justin Gabriel and Wade Barrett traveled all the way from Cape Town and England respectively to make their WWE dreams come true; Skip Sheffield loves to challenge people to eating contests; Darren Young learned to be tough while training to become a firefighter in New Jersey; as a former college basketball player, Heath Slater, is looking to move from the basketball court to the squared circle; and Michael Tarver knows what it takes to be a force in the ring after growing up watching his father be the sparing partner of Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson. Theses eight NXT Rookies are looking to see if they have what it takes to become a WWE Superstar.