WWE Superstars Report
December 1, 2011
Taped in the Carolinas
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

Interestingly, WWE has switched to embedding the Hulu player for their full episodes. This is a big improvement, because the previous player wouldn't let viewers select an exact point to skip to; it would move at three-minute increments. It also replaces the repetitive WWE ads (seriously, how many people watching Superstars or NXT on the computer are in the target audience for action figures or laser tag guns?) with more appropriate ads. Also, the video quality is much improved.

1 - TED DIBIASE vs. HEATH SLATER

Ted with an early advantage including a big backbody drop. Ted goes to the second rope for double knee drops. Slater cheap shots DiBiase around the ref, and goes on offense. Ted eventually dodges a corner charge and lands an atomic drop and a running high knee for turn, then the turn around clothesline. This sets up Dream Street, but Slates escapes, and Ted tries again and lands it for the win.

WINNER: Ted DiBiase in 5:00. Sustained offense from Heath Slater = boring. Slater does a really good job bouncing around for folks to get them over and getting enough heat that the audience is happy to see him lose, but his offense is just lacking.

- Replay of the very good Daniel Bryan-Mark Henry World Heavyweight Championship match from the live Smackdown on Tuesday.

2 - SANTINO MARELLA vs. JTG

Scott Stanford hilariously says that this "should be a terrific match" as it starts. JTG with a headlock to start things off. Santino takes him down and spins on his back like a breakdancer. JTG takes advantage of Santino's trumpeting and begins a plodding assault. Santino starts to Hulk Up as JTG poinds his face into turnbuckles and punches him. Santino with punches, the split, hip toss, and sailor salute headbutt, but JTG gets his knees up. JTG puts Santino in the corner for the Mugshot, but Santino holds the ropes, prepares the Cobra, and lands it for the decisive win.

WINNER: Santino Marella in 6:00. JTG still isn't good at putting on entertaining or realistic offense; it just feels like filler until the finishing sequence.

- Replay of the Piper's Pit segment from Monday Night's Raw.

3 - WWE tag champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. PRIMO (w/Epico and Rosa Mendes)

Stanford explains that Mendes is managing Epico and Hunico. Well, I guess it gives her something to do. Primo outwits Kingston with an early armbar, but Kingston lands a pair of arm drags to get the advantage. Primo gets a break from the ref and uses it to reset and force Kofi to the mat, but Kofi reveerses into an armbar. It is neat to see Kingston with chain wrestling when paired with someone like Primo, he is so versatile. Primo with a headlock and a shoulder block to take Kingston down. Primo runs the ropes but Kofi hits a leaping back elbow, then a monkey flip out of the corner for two. Primo comes out of the cover fighting, but Kingston whiffs a roundhouse attempt and they cut to commercial.

Out of the break, Kingston is trying to fight out of a hold. Primo is on the ground as the crowd rallies Kofi to no avail. Primo's "filler offense" is very good; he always looks like he is trying to wear down his opponent and win a match, and doesn't overly rely on restholds while keeping up the pace. On the outside, Rosa plays the Vickie character. Kofi slips out of a suplex and turns it into a backslide for two, but Primo bounces right back. Stanford is doing a good job at filling in much-needed back-story for the heels. Primo tries a Camel Clutch and then stomps and feet in the corner. Primo mocks Kofi's call for the Trouble in Paradise, allowing Kofi to surprise him with a huracanrana to get some separation.

Kingston with punches and a dropkick, then his odd springboard crossbody for two. Superman punch, and Kingston hits the Boom Drop. Kingston calls for the Trouble in Paradise, but Primo ducks. Kingston with a springboard sunset flip, but it's only good for two. Kofi tries the springboard cross-body again, but Primo catches him and yanks him down into a Backtsabber for the win.

WINNER: Primo in 10:00. That's Primo's first win in who knows how long. I saw this live and I was entertained, and it played well on the broadcast, even though I knew the ending. That's a strong endorsement for a match. Primo is an extraordinarily undervalued asset. It's a shame that Kofi is in purgatory as Evan Bourne is suspended. I can definitely see some combination of Epico, Primo, and Hunico challenging Air Boom for the Tag Titles soon, and, if that is the case, I look forward to it. Then again, I harbor a fantasy that Brodus Clay will single-handedly win the Tag Titles after Johnny Ace enrages him enough with delays of his debut.

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