WWE Superstars report
October 27, 2011
Taped in Austin & Houston, Tex.
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

The opening match was Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase. It's a bit of a downgrade for Rhodes to be on Superstars, but it will be nice to see Cody (and Ted) get a little more time to work. Too bad this feud has no legs.

1 - CODY RHODES vs. TED DIBIASE

Ted and Cody trade holds and takedowns until Ted knocks Cody down with a shoulder block. The crowd rallies behind Ted. What has Ted DiBiase done to get fans to chant his name? Hand out free drinks at the gate? Huge back-body drop by DiBiase puts him fully in charge. Cody makes a comeback and gets in some sustained, basic offense. Ted dumps Cody to the outside by dodging a charge, they take it to the outside and Cody tries the Beautiful Disaster kick bouncing off the apron, but Ted dropkicks him in midair and they go to commercial.

[ c - "The Reunion" DVD ad ]

Back from break, Code and Ted trade offense in the corner. Korpella brings up ancient history, Dusty Rhodes leading a team against Ted BiBiase's team at Survivor Series 20 years ago. That's the kind of thing I expect from Matt Striker. Striker knows that Rhodes will go for a submission hold about 30 seconds before he does, which is rather funny. Ted get in some brief offense, but Rhodes cuts him off. Ted fires off a series of punches but Cody gets legs up when Ted charges. Ted does the turnaround clothesline and atomic drop combo, then a clothesline for two. Ted catches Rhodes with a spinebuster for another two count. Rhodes to the top rope and hits a moonsault for two. DiBiase just stood there waiting for it, this looks dumb. Roll-up from Cody for two. Rhodes fights off Ted at the ropes and gets Cross Rhodes for the win.

WINNER: Cody Rhodes in 13:00. I thought this match dragged and was of the more boring Cody Rhodes or Ted DiBiase matches I've seen in a long time. I didn't there was any juice here and both men moved at a snail's pace.

[ c - Raw vs. the Muppets ad ]

2 - EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. JINDER MAHAL

Jackson wins an early lockup with a shoulder block for two. Jinder fights back but Jackson with a suplex. Mahal comes out of the corner strong. Jinder with heel offense using the ropes. Jinder locks in a cravat and hits multiple kneelifts to Jackson. Jackson turns it around with multiple clotheslines in the corner and starts his never-ending bodyslam sequence. Mahal cuts it off at two, but Jackson gets in more offense. Jackson with the torture rack and Mahal taps within seconds.

WINNER: Ezekiel Jackson in 5:00. I like Mahal's ringwork, but there seems to be no hope for Jackson.

For some reason, when they advertise the main event of Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres against the Bella Twins, they are playing A.J.'s music.

[ c - "WWE Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart," WWE Calendar ad ]

3 - WWE tag champions AIR BOOM (EVAN BOURNE & KOFI KINGSTON) vs. JTG & PRIMO - non-title tag match

JTG starts by bullying Kofi, who responds with kicks, but JTG knocks him down. Kofi with a back elbow and tags in Bourne for a tag team. JTG tags in Primo, but Bourne does a sweet takedown with his legs for one. Primo in control for a moment. Cool spot where Primo jumps in the corner to get behind a charging Evan, who stops short, and hits the turnbuckle for a springboard move, but Primo catches him and Bourne transitions to a huracanrana, followed by a dropkick. Primo dodges Bourne's follow-up and tags in JTG, who stomps on Bourne. Stanford with a series of "JTG is so fly..." and "JTG is so cool..." comments. Primo tags in and keeps Borne isolated. The crowd rallies for Bourne, but Primo tries to cut him off.

Evan does a slick roll-through which allows him to catapult over Primo and tag in Kofi, who goes to work with a Superman punch and clotheslines, and a dropkick. Kofi misses another Superman punch in the corner, but catches Primo with a pendulum kick when he tries to capitalize. Kofi cuts off JTG's interference and gets a big springboard crossbody for two. He calls for the Boom Drop, gets it, then signals for Trouble in Paradise. JTG interferes, letting Primo roll up Kofi for two. Kofi nails SOS, but JTG breaks up the pin. Bourne clears JTG out, Primo knocks Evan to the apron but Evan gets a roundhouse kick to Primo's head. As Primo staggers away, he walks into the Trouble in Paradise. Kofi tags in Bourne, who gets Air Bourne for the pin.

WINNERS: Air Boom in 8:00. Did anyone really think JTG & Primo had a chance against Air Boom? All the same, it was a decent match, and it's good to see Primo getting quality ring time. Nice match to continue to build Air Boom as a team. I won't be shocked if they hold the titles for a while. Also, Air Boom seems to (finally) have their own true tag team music.

[ c - WrestleMania 28 ad, Smackdown hype, Big Show and Mark Henry ]

- Raw Rebound airs.

4 - EVE TORRES & KELLY KELLY vs. THE BELLA TWINS - Tag Team Match

Eve's new music is just as bad as her old music. The Bellas mock Kelly Kelly's and Eve's fascination with their own rumps, but Even takes advantage, including a standing moonsault for two. They turn it around and use distractions to keep control. The Bellas are quite entertaining as heels, with their taunts. Brie tags in and Eve pushes her away, but Brie catches up and knocks Kelly Kelly down, drags Eve back to the corner, and tags in Nikki. Nikki picks Eve up and throws her down, and slaps on an armbar, but Eve forgets to sell for a moment. Brie on the apron holds her ears to block out Eve's screams. Nikki shrugs off a sunset flip and brings Brie back in. Brie with more armbars.

Eve powers out of the armbar by turning it into a Samoan Drop and tags in Kelly, who does her ill-conceived Thesz Press, clears Nikki, then catches Brie with her helicopter spin, then the World's Weakest Bulldog (that really should be the name of that move). Next, the stinkface, but a distracted ref lets Nikki cheap shot Kelly. Eve comes in, and Brie ties to capitalize, but Kelly Kelly gets the K2 legdrop for the win.

WINNERS: Kelly Kelly & Eve in 5:00. This was a perfectly fine match until Kelly Kelly tagged in. Until she shows improvement, I don't think she has any business in a ring except as a house show host. The Bella Twins have come so far in the last few years and really hit their stride as heels.

End show.

[Torch photo (c) PWTorch.com]

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