The third season of WWE NXT was so painful to watch that commentators Michael Cole and Josh Matthews would openly bury the show on a seemingly weekly basis. It also set back the development of women's wrestling as a legitimate part of WWE programming by five years, fans openly mocking the poor excuse for ring work the show typically produced. No matter how bad the booking, or how disappointing the format of the show was, it was hard not to watch Naomi and see the raw potential that she possessed. Her athleticism alone was enough to catch the eye of the viewer but she also had a charisma about her that, even some five years later, has never been fully explored. She made it through countless eliminations, always one of the top performers on the show, and to the finals. To emerge victorious, she would have to overcome Kaitlyn, a last-minute addition to the show who captivated fans with her fun personality more than her lack of wrestling ability. Unfortunately, she fell just short and was forced back to developmental, where she toiled for another year or so before returning to television as a Funkadactyl.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
