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WWE NXT NEWS AND NOTES FROM LAST NIGHT

The WWE NXT show in San Jose, CA last night was an excellent "coming out to party" sort of show as it allowed the WWE developmental talents to really show the world (and Vince McMahon in person) that there is a dedicated audience that is not only willing to support the brand but that there's an audience that wants to see that brand primarily. There was an energy at that show that reminded me of the crowd in the old days of ECW, where they just kept feeding off of the athleticism and great wrestling. What's pretty amazing to see is that many of the things that NXT are doing (and doing right) are things that Shane McMahon and Tommy Dreamer wanted to do with the new ECW when they first mapped out plans for it in 2005 before the decision was made to make it a larger-scale brand. Last night was Miramax to WWE's Disney. The company really has something special there.

The show was a legitimate sellout with 4,500-5,000 fans in attendance. There were a lot of NXT performers on a high last night of feeling like they had been part of building something that meant something. Sami Zayn cut a promo last night about how developmental used to be a dirty word and a terrible place you hoped you were plucked out of for the main roster but now they have changed that and that echoed how a lot of talents were feeling before the show.

In a correction from last night, there was a hard cam set up at the top of the building. I didn't catch it as it was actually behind where I was, and over to my left. So there were 2-3 cameras at the event. How they intend to use the footage, if at all, remains to be seen. I was told they did not tape anything to use as a complete "TV episode" but I'd be shocked if they didn't at least do a video feature about the show.

Last night's show ran longer than originally planned. The original plan was to do a two hour show and be out of the venue by 12 AM but at some point, that changed because the show ran about three hours, including an intermission, ending at 1 AM. The only downside was that for fans using public transportation, the VTA shut down at 12 AM. Whoops!

Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, Seth Rollins and Cesaro were all backstage, as were a ton of other names. I was told that Vince was really enjoying the show and got a big crack out of some of the chants. If I could have had one wish last night, it would have been to have seen his face as the "Better Than Mania" chant started during the main event.

As noted, Jim Ross was there. He received a huge ovation when he showed up and then a pop that rivaled everyone on the show when HHH put over he was sitting in the front row.

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