Mark Henry & Lucky Cannon def. The Miz & Alex Riley
The Nexus won the 20-Man Over-the-Top Rope Battle Royal

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Nexus returned to their roots Tuesday night, wreaking havoc on WWE NXT. Wade Barrett led the pack of former NXT Rookies to victory in a 20-Man Over-the-Top Rope Battle Royal over the season two class and their WWE Pros, leaving an indelible mark on WWE NXT.

With the NXT Poll opening again next Wednesday on WWE.com, and the second elimination just two weeks away, The Nexus’ invasion of WWE NXT comes at a critical time in the NXT Rookies’ competition.

The Nexus won the 20-Man Over-the-Top Rope Battle Royal (PHOTOS | WATCH)
The Nexus has been sending shockwaves throughout Raw since banding together under the guidance of WWE NXT season one winner, Wade Barrett. Now, the former NXT Rookies have made their presence felt on season two of WWE NXT, winning a 20-Man Over-the-Top Rope Battle Royal against the current NXT Rookies and WWE Pros. The Nexus worked together as a perfect unit, using their strength in numbers to rid the ring of all of the current NXT Rookies. Then, they systematically eliminated the remaining WWE Pros – John Morrison, Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston and Cody Rhodes – after United States Champion The Miz cowardly took himself out of the match.

After the Battle Royal, The Nexus continued their assault on the WWE Pros, leaving a strong message for the WWE Universe. Barrett said the Nexus returned to prove they could make a difference in WWE, regardless if they were labeled NXT Rookies in season one. (WATCH)

“One thing’s for certain: You’re either Nexus or you’re against us,” Barrett warned.

The “'Showtime' Percy Watson Show” came to WWE NXT (PHOTOS | WATCH)
It’s “Showtime”! Thanks to his win in last week’s Talk the Talk Rookie Challenge, NXT Rookie “Showtime” Percy Watson earned the chance to host his own talk show on WWE NXT. The always-entertaining Watson invited MVP as his special guest and thanked him for being such a great WWE Pro. Determined to make an impact two weeks before the next elimination, “Showtime” also invited his fellow season two NXT Rookies to the ring. The WWE Pros soon followed, prompting a confrontation. Host Matt Striker declared the standoff to be settled in the ring with an Over-the-Top Rope Battle Royal. Feeling a bit left out, the Nexus interrupted, hoping to get in on the action, and Striker declared a 20-Man Over-the-Top Rope Battle Royal to take place immediately!

Mark Henry & Lucky Cannon def. The Miz & Alex Riley (PHOTOS | WATCH)
Still reeling from the aftermath of his No Contest decision on Raw against United States Champion The Miz, Mark Henry sought retribution against his fellow WWE Pro in a tag team match with their NXT Rookies. The World’s Strongest Man had his sights set on destroying The Miz, just five days before they’ll meet in the Raw Money in the Bank Ladder Match on pay-per-view Sunday. With the help of NXT Rookie Lucky Cannon, Henry earned the tag team victory, pinning Riley after a devastating World’s Strongest Slam. Afterward, The Miz backed up the ramp as Henry took out the trash on Riley, dumping a full garbage can on the bully of a Rookie, just as The Miz did to Henry the previous night. With his tag team win, Cannon’s record increased to 2-3, while Riley’s fell to 2-2. (WATCH: The WWE Pros discuss NXT Rookie Alex Riley)

The Nexus returned to WWE NXT (PHOTOS)
Wade Barrett led The Nexus back to WWE NXT, just one night after they defeated John Cena in a 6-on-1 Handicap Match and attacked several Superstars on Raw. The former season one NXT Rookies were met with plenty of hesitation, but Barrett wished the season two class all of the best, and urged the WWE Pros not to instigate any trouble.

In two weeks the second NXT Rookie will be eliminated from the competition. Who will impress the WWE Universe and the WWE Pros the most in the hopes of becoming WWE’s next breakout star? Return to WWE.com Wednesday, July 21 to vote in the NXT Poll. The WWE Universe’s votes count for 50 percent!
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WWE Next Generation S02E06