What it felt like being the RUNNER UP on NXT

When I look back at the NXT Season 1 finale, I still remember exactly what it felt like to be the runner-up. That night was raw, emotional, and as real as it gets. I wanted to make sure my reaction wasn’t an act—it was me, genuinely disappointed but still proud of how far I’d come. After months of promos, challenges, and live matches, everything came down to that final moment. I saw my name on the screen, and for a split second, everything stopped. I didn’t win—but I made an impression I’ll never forget.

In this video, I break down what that night was really like. From designing my own character and standing out with my headphones and tearaway jeans, to going toe-to-toe with Wade Barrett in our promo battle, I share the behind-the-scenes details you never saw. You’ll hear about Vince McMahon’s promo classes, the so-called “Pro Polls,” and how the entire process felt more like a high-stakes audition than a competition.

I also talk about what went on in my head during that finale—the pressure, the uncertainty, and the rush of being live on national television while trying to prove I belonged. When Vince shook my hand afterward and said, “Great promo, kid,” that moment meant more than anything. But even with his praise, I still didn’t know if I had a future with WWE the next day.

This is the story of how I experienced NXT from the inside: the nerves, the politics, the real emotion, and the art behind it all. If you’ve ever wondered what it truly feels like to almost win, to come that close, and to have to keep fighting anyway—this video is for you.


00:00 What it felt like being the RUNNER UP on NXT
00:10 The Headphones/overall character
01:45 VKM Promo class with the WHOLE ROSTER
04:18 Daniel Bryan vs Michael Cole taking time off the show
04:51 Michael Cole an avatar for VKM
06:24 Daniel Bryan saying I Can’t Wrestle
08:04 Otunga over Heath Slater on episode 14 made Heath know he was out
09:19 Justin Gabriel over Wade Barrett had me thinking I WON the show
09:50 My first-ever three-participant match
11:03 Justin Gabriel gets the 450 on me and Wade Barrett gets the pin. Goes on to pin Gabriel, I am pretty sure I’m not going to win.
11:47 The “Pro Polls” were rigged after the pros submitted it. Punk kept putting me last So VKM must have altered them
12:39 Promo Battle between Otunga and Barrett, I felt like I beat him
14:36 People were “SHOOTING” on me
15:50 William Regal was told to fill time
15:50 ‌
17:18 How it feels when Wade Barrett wins
19:31 Vince’s reaction to the promo after I lost
20:59 I still felt like I could be gone tomorrow
23:04 My Flight Itinerary
23:59 Ronnie Coleman
25:57 NEXT VIDEO: The Formation of The NEXUS