WWE Superstars TV Results
September 15, 2011
Week 23 on WWE's website (episode #127 overall)
Taped in Ottawa & Toronto, Ont., Canada
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Superstars episode opened with Ezekiel Jackson's theme music to bring out the former Intercontinental champion as Smackdown's Jack Korpela introduced the show. Korpela and Matt Striker touched on Triple H's COO spot on the line this Sunday at Night of Champions before Tyson Kidd came out as Zeke's opponent.

1 -- EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. TYSON KIDD

Striker noted Kidd is a very confident man and believes he can defeat anyone on the roster. Kidd knocked Zeke down to one knee early on, but then accepted a gorilla press slam from Zeke for a two count. Kidd then took Ezekiel completely off his feet with dropkicks before settling into a reverse chinlock. Zeke escaped, then made his comeback, and caught Kidd out of the corner in the Torture Rack. Kidd fought momentarily, but tapped out to give Zeke the win.

WINNER: Jackson via submission at 3:04. What happened to monster wrestlers never leaving their feet? Granted, Kidd is a credible opponent, in theory, but you'd like to see a return to big-men not being taken off their feet in short matches.

Still to come: Ryder vs. McIntyre in the main event.

[Break]

In-ring: Back from break, it was Brodus Clay time. Already in the ring was a very frightened Mike Palmer, billed as being from Toronto. Palmer tried to sell excitement when his name was called before the bell sounded.

2 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. MIKE PALMER

Striker noted Vickie Guerrero might be interested in obtaining Clay's services and Vickie could stand to take over as COO if Triple H loses. Striker suggested someone not signed to WWE could replace Hunter, or even Michael Cole. Korpela asked if Mr. McMahon would be allowed to come back, which drew silence from Striker. Meanwhile, Clay was destroying Palmer. Clay had the pin at 1:15, but pulled off a pin. Clay then went into his finishing sequence culminating with the high cross-body splash - the Fall of Humanity - for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Clay at 1:38. There's a big-man not leaving his feet. More solid build-up for Clay ahead of his main roster return at some point this year.

Still to come: Ryder vs. McIntyre. The issue? Mac is tired of hearing of hearing about Ryder on the Internet.

[Break]

In-ring: Back from break, the Usos were on-stage and did their traditional pre-match tribal war dance to prepare for the match. Johnny Curtis and Trent Barreta then came out as a unit. Heel Curtis took the shine, ahead of face Barreta, who just brushed off Curtis's cockiness. Korpela said Teddy Long booked this match after Curtis complained about not getting TV time lately.

3 -- THE USOS (JIMMY & JEY USO) vs. TRENT BARRETA & JOHNNY CURTIS

Barreta started things off for his team, which led to running commentary from Curtis complaining about Barreta's attack. Curtis then took matters into his own hands, tagging into the match. Suddenly, Striker called the person who greenlit NXT a genius. He defended his point that NXT has produced several stars over the past five seasons. Curtis and Barreta continued to struggle to work together as a unit, leading to the match breaking down and Curtis eating a superkick on the floor. In the ring, Barreta wanted a top-rope move, but Jimmy side-stepped him. Jey then tagged in for a Superfly Splash on Barreta for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Usos at 5:12. Usos back in the Tag Title hunt (even if they were invisible on NXT and Superstars this week) and Curtis actually showed some personality in this match. Fine tag match.

[Break]

Raw video: Triple H vs. C.M. Punk hype. This appeared to replace the Mason Ryan vs. Primo match.

Announcers: Raw announcers Scott Stanford and Josh Mathews broke down the Night of Champions line-up before Zack Ryder's music played. Ryder came out on-stage with his flip cam to document his introduction as cameras picked up on various pro-Ryder crowd signs and banners. "Zack Ryder = Ratings" was focused on as they cut to break.

[Break]

4 -- ZACK RYDER vs. DREW MCINTYRE

Stanford noted Ryder won the match-up a few weeks ago and McIntyre is even more incensed due to Ryder's higher profile on Raw as of late. The two men went back and forth early on before Ryder nailed the Broski Boot in the corner. Ryder wanted the Rough Ryder, but Mac slipped to the outside to stay alive. Mac pounded the announce table, then ripped off the cover out of frustration as they cut to break.

[Break]

Back from break, McIntyre was in control in the ring. Ryder tried a quick roll-up, but Mac escaped and became even more upset, leading to more punishment for Ryder. Mac still couldn't put Ryder away and tried using the ropes for additional leverage on a pin attempt, but Ryder still kicked out. Mac called for the end, but Ryder fought back until Mac landed a knee to the gut. Two count only, then Mac pounded on Ryder from the mounted position, drawing a reprimand from the ref.

The two men traded quick pin attempts, drawing Mac's ire again. Mac had enough and wanted Future Shock, but Ryder slipped out and nailed the Rough Ryder. It was good for the pin and the win. Afterward, Mac slipped out of the ring and sold frustration with another loss as Ryder celebrated on the way out of the ring. After a replay of the finish, they showed Ryder celebrating some more whole Mac pounded the mat in frustration. A kick to the ring steps closed out the show.

WINNER: Ryder at 12:35. Another solid match between these two. McIntyre is in a holding pattern selling frustration every single time he's in the ring while WWE effectively played up Ryder as a resilient, underdog babyface.

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