YMMV / David Otunga

• Elimination Houdini: Back in the first season. Inexperienced in the ring and not incredibly skilled doing mic work, he managed to last all the way to the final two, though not without help, as once WWE flat-out fabricated an excuse to disqualify a contestant from a challenge to guarantee he won, making all the way to the final two over much more talented and popular wrestlers. The biggest reason seemed to be his connections, as he's married to singer-actress Jennifer Hudson, and WWE is always trying to increase its mainstream exposure.
• Fan Nickname:
  • He's been called The Starscream to Wade Barrett's Megatron, and not without reason.
  • Carlton, due to his uncanny resemblance to a beefier Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
  • The Macchiato Mauler - A nickname given since he is often seen with a coffee thermos.
  • Also, "Attorney At Raw," and "Folgers Soldier".
  • Some have noted the connection with John Laurinaitis (the former Johnny Ace) and deemed him Ace's Attorney.
  • "Jennifer Hudsband", as coined by Corey Graves during the 2016 Survivor Series 5-on-5 traditional elimination tag team match between Team Raw and Team SmackDown Live while he was observing Seth Rollins' half-and-half t-shirt consisting of his own personal t-shirt on one half and Team RAW's t-shirt on the other. This is a reference to Otunga formerly being engaged to Jennifer Hudson.
  • After they got away from New Nexus association, Mike McGillicutty and him became known in some circles as The Borre.
• Hilarious in Hindsight:
  • He's been considered the weakest link in the Nexus due to his limited wrestling ability and, at least in the Barrett-run group, self-preserving tendencies. He's the most prolific champion in the history of the Nexus, winning the tag team titles with two different partners, and also the only member that lasted in the Nexus the entire time.
  • Speaking of Otunga and CM Punk, his show name was "Punk" in I Love New York.
• Ho Yay: One-sided with Barrett. Otunga acts like an abused spouse around Barrett, making him more of a Starscream Expy. Which makes sense, because Barrett verbally abused Otunga to clinch his victory over him for the leadership bid in the first place.
• Rescued from the Scrappy Heap: Disliked for his poor in-ring ability and dull personality, rescued by his new gimmick that plays up his real life Harvard law background which transformed him into an entertainingly slimy toady for John Laurinaitis, constantly sipping from a thermos of coffee and sporting a dorky bow tie. He has also improved enough in the ring to be passable, so he's no longer painful to watch in a match.
• The Scrappy: In NXT Season One. Despite being the worst wrestler in the group, Otunga was kept around until the finale where he came second, with the repeated assertion that Otunga had the "It" factor & deserved his spot because he was married to Jennifer Hudson. The finale saw Otunga receive several Take That, Scrappy! moments, with Wade Barrett delivering a scathing promo on Otunga & the rest of the Rookies asserting that Barrett was the obvious choice to win of the two.
• X-Pac Heat: Many think Otunga has been given way more spotlight then his lack of talent deserves.

---