Picks 71-80 showed Jonah's and my differing strategies. I went for the most wrestling talent, and Jonah went for the most, whether it be height, youth, or starting off with the most daughter of a manager. Let's get to it.
71. Jonah selects Rachael Evers
Jonah: The daughter of Hall of Famer Paul Ellering, Rachael Evers is a really good women’s prospect. She’s been on TV a few times in losing efforts, but I really liked the skills she displayed. She got good genetics, is a good wrestler, has a good look and is a former powerlifter. She’s a strong prospect and someone I expect to break out in the next year or so.
Joe: Good genetics? Her Dad was a manager. That’s like saying Little Judy Heyman will make a great pro wrestler down the line. Also, her look is very middle of the road, she’s not super skinny like many of the women’s stars, but she’s also not a monster either. That isn’t exactly a build that has seen a lot of success in women’s wrestling. She’s going to have to be a great wrestler to find success.
Jonah: As a future WWE Hall Of Fame manager, I know my kids will be awesome at wrestling. Also, Rachael Evers is an attractive woman, nothing wrong with being a little thick Joe.
72. Joe selects Joe Coffey
Joe: He was good enough to main event the first NXT UK Takeover, and his name is Joe. That’s my name too. Even crazier is that his last name is Coffey, which some people call Joe. Well, that’s all for now on Joe Coffey who is very solid.
Jonah: This guy is only going to be in NXT UK for a cup of coffee, boom. Coffey has a good look, good size, and good in ring skills. He did get completely bitched out by WALTER during his debut, but he’s a good all around guy.
73. Joe selects Piper Niven
Joe: Piper Niven is big and kicks ass. On top of that, her name used to be Viper. Hell yeah, get it girl.
Jonah: Honestly, another solid pick. Though I am happier to have Jazzy Gabert as a monster female, Niven should do well for herself too. The problem is if she ever makes it to the WWE, they will turn her into a joke.
74. Jonah selects Xia Brookside
Jonah: She’s Robbie Brookside’s daughter, that’s great genetics to start out with. Though NXT UK hasn’t given her any kind of a push yet, she’s already been in the ring with some high ranking female wrestlers. She’s cute and has different colored hair which is always awesome. And Joe take another shot because she’s 20 years old.
Joe: (slurring) Xia Brookside isn’t even old enough to play this drinking game with me.
I would say right now she has good energy, but she is very young so plenty of time to develop. Again, you were willing to go earlier on a lot of female talent than I was. Instead of LL Cool J, I guess we’ve got Cool J(onah) L(oves) L(adies).
75. Jonah selects Cal Bloom
Jonah: Cal Bloom is a big boy from Minnesota. He played college football for UCF, which is pretty impressive and means he’s a good athlete. He’s also a second generation wrestler as his dad was in both WCW and the WWE. He’s a big potential pick, and I think he will succeed.
Joe: The guy is a loser, plain and simple, hence he was on a UCF team that went 0-12. Cal Bloom could be fine, but I had a lot of developmental people above him on my list, although picking these guys out without seeing anything is, admittedly, a crapshoot.
Jonah: He was clearly the reason UCF turned it around.
76. Joe selects Travis Banks
Joe: A smaller guy but one that is very talented and can put on fun matches. He’s more of a great worker than a future star, but having guys who can put on great wrestling matches seems to be a good thing to get this late in the draft.
Jonah: Travis Banks is a good wrestler from New Zealand which is a pretty cool country. He was also a finalist in the second UK Tournament. It’s kind of like Joe said, it’s not a super exciting pick but he’s a good wrestler so good job.
77. Joe selects Garza Jr. Angel Garza
Joe: Did you know that Angel Garza is cousins with Humberto Carrillo? That’s what Wikipedia told me at least. Also, he wrestled in Impact yet Jonah somehow did not draft him. I saw him wrestle live at a MLW show, and he was good, but I’m pretty sure he was recovering from an injury since he had all of those weird suction cup marks near his shoulder. Anyway, this is a guy with good potential who I am happy to snag this late in the process.
Jonah: I thought about drafting Angel Garza, but man I hate his face. I guess that means I should have drafted him and made him a heel. He’s a good small wrestler which means he will probably make it to 205 Live.
78. Jonah selects Ariya Daivari
Jonah: Daivari has already wrestled for ROH, TNA, and is now in the big show the WWE. The guy is way too experienced and talented to fall this far. He’s also the current number one contender for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. He will probably never become a star, but he’s valuable to have on a roster. He’s a solid hand in the ring and he’s Irianian, meaning I have wrestlers from even more countries now.
Joe: I had very little interest in Daivari. I understand he’s wrestled a while, but there is a reason he fell this far, and that is because he offers nothing that stands out and doesn’t look like he has the potential to stand out among the talent around him. It’s hard to see great value in a guy like that.
79. Jonah selects Jordan Omogbehin
Jonah: This boy big, he’s 7’3” 291 pounds. He’s a basketball player who played at Morgan State which is a real basketball school. He’s also Nigerian and I’ve already come up with a couple of great gimmicks for him. One, NXT needs a dude who hangs out with football players now that Mojo is gone, get Christian Okoye, the Nigerian Nightmare to hang out with Omogbehin, instant main eventer. Possibly better, get The Yeti gimmick from Ron Reis and make Omogbehin the new Yeti. The Yeti was taller than The Giant as we all remember during his debut. Really Omogbehin is a physical marvel kind of like Babatunde, but I got him much later.
Joe: I was hoping to snag Omogbehin later as you can’t teach height. I don’t know about the whole physical marvel thing, as I think he’s just tall. His final year at Morgan State, he only managed to get into 11 games and didn’t even average three minutes per game. This was at Morgan State where I’m probably getting in five games for a couple minutes. But maybe he’s just totally uncoordinated, and then The Yeti would be a great gimmick for him.
Jonah: Joe if you can play for a team that has made the NCAA Tournament twice in the last decade maybe you’re in the wrong line of work.
80. Joe selects Raul Mendoza
Joe: A good worker. Some people have gotten very into him. I’m only kind of into him, but I’m very happy to have a wrestler this good on the roster.
Jonah: Raul Mendoza is a good wrestler, but he is really boring. He even looks boring. Better get this guy a crazy gimmick to get him over Joe. But hey, he’s a good wrestler and we’re late in the draft.
