in november 2010, ziggler was chosen a pro for the fourth season of "nxt", with jacob novak as his rookie. on the january 4, 2011, episode of "nxt", ziggler won a battle royal to earn the right to choose a new rookie, and chose byron saxton. his original rookie, novak, was the first rookie eliminated later that night. on february 8, 2011, ziggler's second rookie, byron saxton, was also voted off of "nxt".