WWE Superstars TV Results
August 11, 2011 - Week 18 on WWE's website (episode #122 overall)
Taped the Week of August 8
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Superstars episode opened with a plug for this week's main event of WWE tag champions David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty vs. Santino and Evan Bourne. First up, though, is Ted DiBiase for Smackdown's opening match. Matt Striker called him one of Smackdown's best-kept secrets on Smackdown. Striker and Jack Korpela were shown on-camera to set the stage for the show, then Trent Barreta came out as DiBiase's opponent.

1 -- TED DIBIASE vs. TRENT BARRETA

Barreta went for an early high-flying move, but DiBiase cut him off with a mid-air dropkick. They cut backstage to show Cody Rhodes watching the action on a monitor, closely inspecting DiBiase. Korpela noted DiBiase has fallen short of his career goals, as he believes he should have been World champion by now. DiBiase showcased his skills with a delayed vertical suplex for a two count, then smashed Barreta with a hard lariat for another nearfall. Barreta suddenly came back with a knee smash, then DiBiase rolled to the floor. Barreta followed with a leaping dive onto DiBiase that wiped out both men on the floor.

Back in the ring, Barreta tried a cover, but DiBiase kicked out. Barreta then scored with a corner smash, but slipped off the top rope when he tried a springboard move. DiBiase quickly capitalized, but Barreta smashed him in the corner again. Barreta tried another high-flying attack, but DiBiase crotched him, then dropped Trent with Dream Street. DiBiase with the pin for the win. Backstage, Rhodes was shown looking on, selling no emotion as DiBiase celebrated.

WINNER: DiBiase at 6:03. Too much offense for Barreta if the goal was to elevate DiBiase (if that's possible on Superstars). Instead, it was a 60/40 type match with DiBiase doing a lot of selling for Barreta, who hasn't won a TV match in months.

[Break]

2 -- ALICIA FOX vs. TAMINA

Fox, a heel, was out first, followed by Tamina, who was also playing a heel. This match-up didn't make sense, so Korpela filled in the blanks that both Divas have been on a roll and they want to get in line for a Divas Title shot. Tamina quickly took control to establish herself as the dominating heel with Fox playing the babyface working from underneath. Korpela tried to congratulate Striker on his valiant effort Tuesday on NXT, but Striker cut him off to note the match in the ring. "I can't breathe," Fox declared as the crowd sat silently while Tamina worked her over. Fox made a comeback at 3:15, fought off Tamina, and nailed the axe kick for the win. Korpela said Fox has named it Watch Yo Face.

WINNER: Fox at 3:54. Not much for the crowd to invest in with two heels battling. Tamina needs to align with Phoenix and Natalya to form a strong trio of heel Divas.

[Break]

In-ring: Brodus Clay was given a full, focused ring entrance for the first match from the Raw brand. Already in the ring was Tough Enough's A.J., who was billed as Aaron James. They billed him from San Jose to give the San Jose crowd a rooting interest. They dressed up A.J. to look completely different than on Tough Enough.

3 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. AARON JAMES

Clay pummeled A.J. early on as Scott Stanford noted "Aaron James" finished third on the recent season of Tough Enough. Josh Mathews checked Stanford on his cliché use as Clay continued to destroy A.J. Clay with a running powerslam for the pin, but he opted to keep the action going. Clay was more satisfied with a giant shoulder block for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Clay at 1:46. Total squash. Fine reintroduction to create some footage to put in a highlight video WWE can run when he actually "re-returns" on one of the main brands.

[Break]

Announcers: Stanford and Mathews broke down the Summerslam PPV line-up, focusing on Cena vs. Punk, Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix, Sheamus vs. Mark Henry, and Christian vs. Randy Orton.

In-ring: Santino and Evan Bourne came out first for the main event non-title tag match. A few fans in the arena were shown doing Santino's trumpet celebration as the babyfaces posed in the ring. The match is next with Santino auditioning another new partner.

[Break]

4 -- WWE tag champions MICHAEL MCGILLICUTTY & DAVID OTUNGA vs. SANTINO & EVAN BOURNE -- non-title match

Mike and David's new theme music is somewhat catchy. The biggest improvement was dropping the over-done Nexus gear that made them look like walking WWE Shop advertisements. (Is Nexus officially done now?) Santino was in the ring for the first two minutes before tagging out to Bourne, who worked over Otunga. The heels then took over and worked on Bourne, who sold a knee injury. They cut to break with Bourne isolated in the heel corner.

[Break]

Back from break, Santino was being worked over by the heels now. The tag champs displayed a series of combination moves using the ropes to build momentum. The announcers noted the new duo of Santino and Bourne was having a tough time against the more seasoned tag champs. Santino eventually found an opening, then did the classic comedy bit reaching for a tag to the heel corner because he was so dizzy before turning around to take a clothesline. Bourne finally took a hot tag at 10:00 and cleaned house with a variety of strikes. The action broke down after a pin attempt, then Bourne splashed both heels on the floor.

Back in the ring, Bourne scored with a knee strike before Santino tagged in with the Cobra sock puppet. Santino struck Otunga, but turned around to take a neckbreaker from McGillicutty, who scored the pin for the win. Post-match: Mike got some shine, looking like Larry the Axe Hennig with the beard. They went to a replay of the finish before the tag champs were shown celebrating out of the ring. In the ring, Bourne tried to console Santino, who continues his quest to find the right tag combination to beat the tag champs.

WINNERS: McGillicutty & Otunga at 11:43. Serviceable tag match focusing on the tag champs as a well-oiled tag team. Bourne didn't get much time to shine, so he was unfortunately lost in the shuffle here. Meanwhile, Santino is running out of partners to find the right combination.

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