WWE Superstars TV Results
September 8, 2011
Week 22 on WWE's website (episode #126 overall)
Taped in Columbus & Toledo, Ohio
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Superstars episode opened with JTG's theme music to set up the first match of the show. Raw announcers Josh Mathews and Scott Stanford were shown on-camera before new music for Mason Ryan brought out the returning former Nexus member. Ryan posed on-stage with his back to the audience before turning around and smiling for the crowd. He seemed to be doing a combination of Batista and Chris Masters.

1 -- MASON RYAN vs. JTG

Jimmy the Gimmick wanted nothing to do with Ryan early on. JTG continued to stall, which allowed the announcers to talk up Ryan. In classic small heel vs. big babyface fashion, JTG went after the legs to try to cut down Ryan. Ryan shook it off as Stanford noted he looks like a cartoon character or a superhero from a comic book. Ryan then delivered a series of backbreakers into a swinging slam. Ryan called for the end, which was a boot to the gut, a slow set up for a pumphandle slam, and a pumphandle into powerslam for the pin and the win. Cue up a replay of Ryan's dominating win before they showed him celebrating in the ring.

WINNER: Ryan at 3:08. Lots of work for Ryan. But, per WWE's mindset, they believe they can plug any big-man into that slot and the audience will eventually accept the person. That's unless WWE cools off on the person first.

Still to come in the main event: Daniel Bryan vs. Heath Slater.

[Break]

In-ring: Curt Hawkins's yell-and-scream rock music played to bring out Hawkins along with a returning Tyler Reks. Some new music hit to bring out NXT Rookie Titus O'Neil and the returning "Showtime" Percy Watson, sans glasses and facial hair.

2 -- TYLER REKS & CURT HAWKINS vs. TITUS O'NEIL & PERCY WATSON

Watson showed off his vertical leap with a leaping dropkick early on. The heels then cornered Watson and went to work on him while taunting Titus, who seemed lost without Hornswoggle in his corner. Percy broke free from Hawkins and tags were made to each partner. Titus came in hot on Reks before doing an Ultimate Warrior top-rope shake. Titus tried the sky-high bomb, but Hawkins broke it up and the action broke down. With the ref pre-occupied, Hawkins and Reks combined on a double-team powerslam/neckbreaker combo on Titus. It was good for the pin.

WINNERS: Reks & Hawkins at 3:47. Fortunately, no one pays attention to Superstars, as Percy's big "main roster TV debut" should be a bigger deal. Even with the cookie-cutter ex-NFL player look and toned-down gimmick from NXT, he still had more charisma than anyone else in the ring.

[Break]

In-ring: Alicia Fox came out for the first match from the Smackdown brand. Apparently she's babyface this week. On-camera, Jack Korpela and Matt Striker talked up their portion of the show before Tamina came out as Fox's opponent.

3 -- ALICIA FOX vs. TAMINA

Korpela noted a recent rift between the former allies because Tamina believes Fox has gone soft. Striker added some misogynistic commentary as Tamina worked over Fox to start the match. The announcers then focused on the Kelly vs. Beth feud leading to Night of Champions as Fox sold a nose injury. Interesting commentary ensued as they discussed Hunter-Punk and whether Vince McMahon will return to WWE if Hunter loses to Punk and relinquishes the COO title. In the ring, Fox fought back and nailed her axe kick finisher. Fox slowly rolled Tamina over to make the pin for the win to pick up the comeback win.

WINNER: Fox at 4:28.

Still to come: Daniel Bryan vs. Heath Slater.

[Break]

In-ring: Brodus Clay's music hit for the second squash match opportunity of the show. Already in the ring was Allen Turner, billed from Toledo, Ohio. Striker said Allen should turn around and run away.

4 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. ALLEN TURNER

Korpela noted Turner has been scouting the last several weeks and seen Clay destroy each week's opponent. Korpela then stressed Clay hasn't even been taken off his feet since returning. Clay delivered a t-bone suplex and took his time following up with a fisherman-buster suplex. Clay had the win less than a minute in, but pulled off the pin. Striker went back to his one-week run as an agent for Tyson Kidd, noting he sees dollar signs with Clay. Clay eventually nailed his running shoulder tackle for the easy pin and the win. They cut to a great crowd shot of an adult fan selling horror. After a replay, the announcers continued to hype Clay before shifting to Night of Champions hype.

WINNER: Clay at 1:23. Ol' Clay took his time on this one. Just more action footage to put on tape for a video package when Clay returns to the main roster.

In-ring: After the PPV hype, Daniel Bryan's music hit to bring out Bryan for the main event.

[Break]

In-ring: As Slater made his way to the ring to face Bryan, Korpela noted Slater could be at a disadvantage tonight after taking a beating from Randy Orton Monday on Raw.

5 -- DANIEL BRYAN vs. HEATH SLATER

Striker said their feud goes all the way back to... Money in the Bank, leaving out their NXT Season 1 history and one week of Bryan being part of Nexus with Slater last year. Bryan stretched Slater with various submission holds early in the match. Bryan followed with kick strikes to the back and chest that resulted in a two count. Bryan continued to assault Slater and control the match, almost toying with Slater. Striker gave a shout-out to Dean Malenko in reference to Bryan's arsenal of moves before Bryan nailed a textbook dropkick that sent Slater to the outside. They cut to break with Slater trying to collect himself on the floor.

[Break]

Back from break, Slater actually had some offense. Meanwhile, Striker stressed the rarely-focused-on idea that a victory means more money and a chance to rise up imaginary rankings to earn future title shots. Slater, after landing a few moves, cockily played to the crowd before accepting another round of kick strikes. Korpela then got genuine laughter out of Striker when Korpela kissed up to Triple H and said Hunter's not listening anyways. Striker name-dropped the "released" Kevin Nash, too, as Bryan went flying through the ropes with a suicide dive on Slater.

Back in the ring, Bryan blasted Slater with more strikes, but Slater ducked a third shot and nailed a reverse bodyslam for a two count. Both men sold on the mat before Slater absorbed right hand blows and delivered a gutbuster for a two count. They started trading control before Bryan executed a DDT and flowed right into a guillotine choke. Slater immediately tapped out, giving Bryan the submission win. No replays, but a close-up of Bryan celebrating the hard-fought win closed the show.

WINNER: Bryan via submission at 12:16. It's official - Bryan can have a good match with anyone. Another solid piece of in-ring work from Bryan and Slater showed something in the ring as well. Nice conclusion to this week's show.

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.

We suggest these recent related articles...

CALDWELL'S TOUGH ENOUGH REPORT 8/11 - Week 8: Cena returns to WWE TV, contestants have a match in front of NXT roster, more

CALDWELL'S TOUGH ENOUGH REPORT 8/4 - Week 7: Latest cut, Prime Time Players guest-star, Amanda Swerve, more

CALDWELL'S TOUGH ENOUGH REPORT 7/28 - Week 6: Latest elimination, Hogan replaced, Miz ruins everything, WWE stars appear, more