3 Ups And 7 Downs From WWE NXT 2.0 (Dec 28)

2. Von's Return To Winning Ways Doesn't Impress Robert Stone

First for the positives here. Von Wagner's display against Malik Blade last night definitely sits as his most convincing bell-to-bell display to date. Sure, most of his offence just devolves into staggered suplexes and big man thumping, but his butterfly spinning slam finisher was at least a nice enough climax to this glorified squash.

Once you take a step back, though, this entire attempt to build big Von into a credible monster still isn't landing in any way, shape or form. His backstage squabbling with Edris Enofe and Blade beforehand again felt unintentionally comedic, and his post-match attempt to beatdown his fallen foe was soon followed by an anything but threatening delivery of his challenge for round two with Enofe.

And what was with Robert Stone shaking his head at the aftermath? Having arguably the most tainted manager the brand has ever known look unimpressed by Wagner's display wasn't exactly the strongest of directions. All of this screams "thrown together" and more than earns the apathy its routinely met with.