WWE Releases Carver & Novak

WWE released Michael Tarver and Jacob Novak over the weekend, PWInsider.com has confirmed. Tarver was on the original cast of NXT and was a founding member of the Nexus. After he was dropped from the group, he was brought back for several appearances that saw him standing in the back as the beginning of a re-introduction that never fully happened.

Jacob Novak was part of the most recent cast of NXT, including a mini-feud with William Regal, before being eliminated first from the season.

WWE NXT Season Five Details Revealed

Tonight's season five debut of WWE NXT will be called "NXT Redemption". Todd Grisham and William Regal will be the commentators, while Matt Striker and Maryse will host.

Former NXT names announced for season five:

* Titus O'Neil (Pro: Hornswoggle)

* Jacob Novak (Pro: JTG)

* Byron Saxton (Pro: Yoshi Tatsu)

* Lucky Cannon (Pro: Tyson Kidd)

* Connor O'Brien (Pro: Vladimir Kozlov)

* Darren Young (Pro: Chavo Guerrero)

WWE NXT Results: The First Elimination

Week five results:

Dolph Ziggler won the WWE Pro Over-the-Top-Rope Challenge
Byron Saxton def. Jacob Novak
NXT Rookie Challenge: Conor O’Brian won the Battle of the Mic (four immunity points)
Brodus Clay def. Johnny Curtis
Jacob Novak is eliminated from WWE NXT


NXT Rookie Records

Brodus Clay: Challenge points: 0, Win/loss record: 2-1
Byron Saxton: Challenge points: 1, Win/loss record: 3-1
Conor O’Brian: Challenge points: 4, Win/loss record: 2-0
Derrick Bateman: Challenge points: 3, Win/loss record: 0-3
Jacob Novak (at the time of his elimination): Challenge points: 1, Win/loss record: 1-2
Johnny Curtis: Challenge points: 5, Win/loss record: 1-3

WWE NXT Season 4 Cast Revealed

WWE United States Champion Daniel Bryan will mentor Derrick Bateman

R-Truth will mentor Johnny Curtis

Chris Masters will mentor Byron Saxton

Ted DiBiase will mentor Brodius Clay

Alberto Del Rio will mentor Conor O'Brian

Dolph Ziggler will mentor Jacob Novak