Here are a couple news items from earlier this week that I haven't previously commented on.
Conor O'Brian eliminated from NXT: When I saw Conor O'Brian doing his rat gimmick on the first episode of NXTS Season 4, I immediately knew that he was going to be among the first to get the boot (he ended up being second, after Jacob Novak). Acting like a rat isn't usually a recipe for a successful wrestling career, although I suppose it did work out in Missy Hyatt's case. Here are my rankings of the remaining four competitors (based on having seen most, but not all, of the episodes this season) – 1. Byron Saxton; 2. Brodus Clay; 3. Derrick Bateman; 4. Johnny Curtis. Saxton has a good look and charisma, so he will probably be given an opportunity in WWE regardless of whether or not he wins the competition; Clay has good size, a menacing look and is decent on the mic; Bateman has a future as a mid-card comedy act; Curtis is solid all-around but I'm just not sure he has the "it" factor.
Alex Shelley injured at TNA house show: I was in attendance at the event in Hagerstown, Md., when Shelley suffered what reportedly is a broken collarbone during The Motor City Machine Guns' match against Generation Me. I didn't catch how Shelley got hurt, but I noticed relatively early in the match that he was favoring his right shoulder and grimacing. It definitely came across like he was battling through a legitimate injury rather than doing a great sell job. The next day it was posted on the Facebook page of Shelley and tag team partner Chris Sabin's band, The High Crusade, that the injury was a broken collarbone. Here's hoping that Shelley – one of the most dynamic in-ring performers in the business – has a speedy recovery. And if TNA really was planning to split up Sabin and Shelley – which is how it has appeared the past few weeks – perhaps the writers will re-think that decision while Shelley is sidelined. We can only hope.
Photo of Alex Shelley vs. Jeremy Buck at TNA show in Hagerstown by Chris Dolan for The Baltimore Sun