WWE Superstars TV Results
June 30, 2011 - Week 12 on WWE's website (episode #116 overall)
Taped the Week of June 27
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Superstars episode opened with Beth Phoenix's theme music to start the show with Divas action from the Raw brand. Gail Kim then came out to new theme music as Raw announcers Scott Stanford and Josh Mathews set the stage for the show.

1 -- BETH PHOENIX vs. GAIL KIM

Phoenix over-powered Gail early on as Mathews reported he still can't get to the bottom of the feud between Gail and former best friend Melina. Gail then locked in a submission wrapped around Phoenix's upper body before Phoenix threw her to the mat to escape. Beth made her comeback with power offense, but couldn't put away Gail. The two Divas traded nearfalls before Beth caught Gail in position for the Glam Slam. Gail fought it momentarily, but Beth finished her for the win. Afterward, mutual respect was shown between the two babyface wrestlers.

WINNER: Phoenix at 4:02. Solid back-and-forth action that was a taste of what WWE could offer from their women's division(s) if the talented wrestlers were given a spotlight.

[Break]

In-ring: JTG came out for the next match from the Raw brand and asked for his music to be cut. JTG wanted to know why everyone hates on him every time he comes to the ring. He said it feels good. "It feels so good, I should write all of you a check!" he declared. JTG told the Vegas crowd to bet on him tonight. Cue up Chris Masters's music to answer the bet.

2 -- JTG vs. CHRIS MASTERS

Mathews's voice seems to get more gravelly with each passing week trying to describe Masters's physique and strength. Masters ripped off a few early chops to the chest before JTG took control of the match, drawing the ire of the audience. Mathews then interjected the unfortunately infrequently-promoted concept that winning matches = money and a rise up the rankings to earn future title shots. WWE is so inconsistent with this element that it means nothing simply being part of Superstars dialogue. Four minutes into the match, Masters caught JTG in Masterlock position. JTG fought it momentarily, but became another victim to Masters's finisher.

WINNER: Masters via submission at 4:05. Masters has been "rising up the rankings" with Superstars victories for months, but it hasn't paid off with an appearance on Raw.

Tough Enough recap: They focused on Andy needing to "go to work" after winning Tough Enough. Stanford interjected it will be a tough ladder for Andy to climb in WWE.

Still to come: Six-man tag action.

[Break]

In-ring: Alicia Fox's music played back from break to bring out Alicia along with Rosa Mendes for the first match from the Smackdown brand. Smackdown announcers Matt Striker and Jack Korpela set the stage before Natalya's music played to bring out Kaitlyn for a match, accompanied by Natalya.

3 -- KAITLYN (w/Natalya) vs. ALICIA FOX (w/Rosa Mendes)

Apparently the Lay-Cool "Mean Girls" replacements - Alicia, Rosa, and Tamina - are labeled the "It Girls. Korpela tried to call out the heels for heelish behavior in the storylines. In reply, Striker reflected McMahon's off-center view on life that you're weak if you try to act honorably, strong if you bully people around, and succesful if you run over people on the way to the top. After some back-and-forth, Kaitlyn missed with a corner attack, then walked into an axe kick from Alicia. Alicia with the pin for the win. Korpela tried to offer Kaitlyn some advice on getting back up after getting knocked down.

WINNER: Alicia at 3:05. Basic-level action keeping the heel vs. face Divas feud on Smackdown in the Superstars spotlight.

[Break. Interesting Raw plug for Monday. They're advertising the standard Fourth of July elements and a three-way #1 contender match to WWE champion John Cena: Del Rio vs. Truth vs. Mysterio. Who will be new #1 contender to the title? Find out on Monday. No mention of Punk.]

Raw Rebound: Striker fed to the Raw Rebound, which focused on the Raw Roullete theme and clips of the show-ending promo from Punk that aired Tuesday on NXT.

Announcers: Back to Striker and Korpela, who were shown on-camera. Korpela recapped Punk being suspended indefinitely. Striker said "rumors are circulating" that McMahon will be on Raw this Monday to address the situation.

In-ring: The Usos came out on-stage doing a Samoan war dance to get warmed up for the six-man tag main event. The new music that follows gives them a nice edge. The main event is up next.

[Break]

In-ring: Trent Barreta was out next to join the Usos. Striker said the Usos and Barreta are "what's current." New theme music brought out Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, and Tyson Kidd for the heel trio. Nothing about that music stands out to give Gabriel & Slater a kickstart.

4 -- TYSON KIDD & JUSTIN GABRIEL & HEATH SLATER vs. TRENT BARRETA & THE USOS (JIMMY & JEY)

As expected, Slater took the brunt of the face trio's offense early on. Korpela plugged the upcoming South African tour featuring native Gabriel, who will be shark-diving on the tour, according to Korpela. Barreta lost control of the match for the face trio and they cut to break.

[Break]

Back from break, Barreta broke free and tagged in Jey Uso, who cleaned house on the heels before dropping a running butt bomb in the corner. Uso then went up top, but Kidd distracted him, giving Slater an opening to toss Jey off the top turnbuckle for a two count. And the heels resumed control of the match. It's worth noting WWE has seemingly dropped Kidd's managerial search, as well as Striker playing Kidd's so-called agent, as Striker made zero reference to it during the match broadcast.

Jey eventually escaped the heel corner and tagged in Jimmy, who came in hot on Kidd. Jimmy followed with a toss-up Samoan Drop for a close nearfall. Barreta was in next for a top-rope splash that also resulted in a nearfall only. The action broke down at this point as ref Nunzio tried to restore order. Suddenly, Barreta suplexed Kidd off the top rope with a splash onto everyone on the floor. "Are youkiding me?" Korpela shouted. They went to a replay as all six men sold on the floor.

As Nunzio applied a ten count, Barreta rolled Kidd back into the ring to score another close two count when Gabriel broke up the pin. The Usos then smashed Gabriel on the floor, Barreta hit the Dudebuster DDT on Kidd, and Uso tagged in to deliver a top-rope splash on Kidd for the pin and the win. After the match, Striker entered "match evaluation mode" discussing the performances in the ring rather than the Usos and Barreta earning a bigger payday and advancing up the ladder via victory. It's so inconsistent and indicative of WWE's current booking flaws. After a replay of the finish, the show ended with the faces celebrating in the ring.

WINNERS: Team Usos at 12:40. Solid six-man tag. Slow early on, then a nice finish, and the Usos continue to look impressive since being re-emphasized. WWE needs to find something else for Gabriel to do, as his talent is being under-utilized in this current role. He can be a breakout star for WWE if given a fresh program away from being on the tail-end of the tail-end of Nexus's run last year. (**)

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "WWE Superstars TV Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Superstars, email to pwtorch@gmail.com using our Feedback form.

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