Chris Jericho vs Daniel Bryan (WWE, 2-23-2010)

WWE NXT, Milwaukee, WI

This is from the first-ever episode of WWE’s NXT, back before that was the rebooted new name for developmental and was just another dumb WWE TV show. It’s also one of only two televised singles matches between Jericho and Bryan, the other coming on the February 11, 2013 edition of RAW.

Jericho is world heavyweight champion, and he’s accompanied by his NXT rookie, Wade Barrett. Bryan has his WWE pro, The Miz, with him.

Bryan offers a handshake, following the Code of Honor, and Jericho slaps his hand away. Jericho talks trash in Bryan’s face about being the champion, then gives him a little shove. Piefaces Bryan, who fires back with a slap and a dropkick. Running forearm in the corner, some stomps, Jericho sneaks in a right hand and a dropkick.

Basement dropkick from Jericho. Back suplex. Forearm to the back, clubbing style. Snapmare, chinlock. Back elbow and some right hands from Bryan to get out, and he rolls up a kneelift attempt for two. Enzuigiri from Jericho for two.

Jericho slapping Bryan in the back of the head. Shoulders in the corner from Jericho. Running to the other side and Jericho misses a shoulder, posting himself. Kicks to the chest from Bryan, off the ropes, slide through the legs, and a dragon screw from Bryan. Running knee! Two count.

Running clothesline from Bryan as I attempt to get through Michael Cole’s NXT character. Forearm from Bryan, and then a running forearm with Jericho against the ropes. Jericho to the floor. WILD tope suicida where Bryan smashes himself kidney first on the commentator desk. Cole keeps yelling about a great counter by Jericho even though it’s not at all what Jericho and Bryan are going with, as Bryan is up first and not selling the ribs.

Bryan springboards back into the ring, caught, and he reverses a Walls of Jericho attempt into a leglock, but Jericho gets the ropes. Cole admits he’s impressed by Bryan. Codebreaker from Jericho! Jericho grabs the Walls of Jericho, Bryan taps out. Miz attacks Bryan after the match.

Rating: 3.5/5. If you watched this you might have expected WWE NXT to be good! It was a fun, six-minute showcase for Bryan and Jericho getting to wrestle the guy who had become the best in the world on the indies.