WWE Superstars Results
December 8, 2011
Taped 12/5 & 12/6
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

Interestingly, it looks like John Morrison has been pulled from the WWE signature video and replaced with C.M. Punk. Punk is also more prominent on the Superstars intro.

1 - JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. TYSON KIDD

There's some super-hot back-and-forth to open the match as Striker and Mathews argue about whether or not Gabriel should be called "The Capetown Werewolf" based on whether he looks like he should be in the Twilight films. Mathews then complains about Striker's use of a Canadian accent when talking about Kidd. Back in the ring, Tyson Kidd comes out of a double knock-down with his ground 'n pound offense. Kidd with a seated abdominal stretch. Kidd stays on top as Mathews and Striker argue about whether or not Striker should start a Twitter account, and Kidd is back with the seated ab stretch. Striker with a series of bad werewolf jokes. Gabriel with a monkey flip to get some space. Gabriel with a series of kicks and a roundhouse kick, clothesline, and drop toehold to set up the 450 splash. Kidd gets to his feet, though, and charges Gabriel, who dodges. Kidd tries to clear Gabriel from the apron, but Gabriel slips between his legs and clotheslines Kidd out. Gabriel tries a baseball slide, but Kidd avoids it, then sidekicks Gabriel in the gut and gets on the apron and kicks Gabriel's chest.

Kidd throws Gabriel back into the ring and hits his springboard elbow drop. Kidd sells frustration and Gabriel recovers. Kidd charges the corner and Gabriel gets boots up. Gabriel heads for the top and Kidd dropkicks his knees, then rolls to the apron. Gabriel is still on the turnbuckle, and Kidd hits a springboard huracanrana from the apron, but Gabriel rolls through for a two count. Gabriel looks to the crowd for help. Kidd runs at Gabriel, who catches him with a tilt-a-whirl side slam of sorts that lands in front instead of the side. Gabriel to the top rope and lands the 450 splash for the win.

WINNER: Justin Gabriel in 7:00. Very good match. The match was hurt in the first half by the constant bickering between Josh Mathews and Striker, though. Matthews needs to stop worrying about what others are saying and focus on his job, which is supposed to be play-by-pay. Striker is a fan and a bit of a nerd and a dork, so Mathews needs to accept it instead of picking on it constantly. I'd say this is on Striker, but Mathews does it to everyone he works with.

2 - TRENT BARRETA vs. JACK SWAGGER (w/Vickie Guerrero)

This is one of my mid-card dream matches. Nice to see both of these guys get some time, even if it is just Superstars. Swagger wins an early lock-up to force Barreta into the corner, but Barreta comes back with hard chops. Swagger reverses a whip but Barreta dropkicks his knee. Massive back body drop by Swagger, who then abuses Barreta on the mat. Swagger hits a takedown from the powerslam position, then into a chicken wing. Barreta gets knees to the ribs when he tries to get out. Swagger tries to throw him out, but Barreta skins the cat. Swagger notices and charges, but Barreta dodge and Swagger is half-through the ropes. Barreta kicks him in the chest.

Back in the ring, Barreta with an enziguri and the Gobstopper Knee for two. Barreta goes to the top looking for the corkscrew moonsault leg drop, but when Swagger comes after him, Barreta leaps over, then hits the ropes. Swagger catches him and plows him with the gutwrench powerbomb, then instead of getting the pin, he slaps on the anklelock and gets a quick tapout. Swagger drops the straps post-match as Barreta sells the ankle.

WINNER: Jack Swagger in 4:00. I would have liked to have seen this much go a bit longer, but Swagger desperately needs credibility. Since Evan Bourne is currently a bit higher on the ladder and Morrison is out, Barreta makes perfect sense. Swagger showed some fire that's been rare since his ECW run - submission holds that look like they would rip a limb off a person, intensity, and refusal to slip into predictable patterns. Someone lit a fire under Jack.

3 - MASON RYAN vs. DREW MCINTYRE

Pre-match, McIntyre sits on the announcing booth showing anger. He jumps on Ryan for a headlock, but Ryan escapes and uses a shoulder tackle to take Drew down. McIntyre with kicks and a wristlock attempt, but Ryan takes him down. Ryan with his "ox in the mud" offense. McIntyre regains control and pushes Ryan around. Scott Stanford puts Mason Ryan in a "celebrity trifecta" of Welsh pop culture sensations with Anthony Hopkins and Tom Jones, and Mathews decides to mock him. McIntyre on sustained offense. Ryan finally comes back with a clubbing blow to the face, then a high knee in the corner followed by a big boot for two. Ryan tries a powerslam but Drew slips out and kicks Ryan's legs. McIntyre to the top turnbuckle but Ryan catches him, applies a full nelson, and kind of tosses him on the ground and gets the pin.

WINNER: Mason Ryan in 5:00. I still can't believe they cut Chris Masters and kept Mason Ryan. Masters had the same build, but much more charisma, significantly better ring skills, and was established with the audience. Again, Mathews spent more time making his boothmate look bad instead of calling the match.

Replay of the contract signing from Raw. Yawn.

4 - WWE tag champion EVAN BOURNE vs. EPICO (w/Primo and Rosa Mendes)

Short amount of chain wrestling with neither man holding the advantage. Bourne eventually with some holds, then runs the rops and hits a dropkick. Bounre with paid kicks and a dropkick for two. Epico with a forearm to the back, a powerslam, and the Camel Clutch. Bourne slips out and puts on a Camel Clutch of his own. Bourne rolls the Clutch through into a cover for two. Borne tries to put Epico into the turnbuckle but Epico blocks and does it himself. Bourne with a low kick followed by a bulldog to the kneeling Epico. Epico with a wristlock to slow it down, Bourne arm drags out, then arm drags again into an armbar. Bourne sends Epico over the ropes to the apron, but Epico swings back. Bourne ducks the punch and kicks Epico to the ringside. Primo and Mendes check on him, and Bourne measures them for a springboard move. Epico staggers on the outside, Bourne tries the double knees from the top rope but the aim is a bit off so he turns it into a clothesline.

[ c - WWEShop.com ]

Boune with a high knee to Epico for two. Epico turns it around and hits a pair of belly-to-back suplexes and then a German suplex, slow cover for two. Epico with a backbreaker transitioning into a stretch. Epico picks up Bourne and stretches him over his own back, but Bourne won't give up. Bourne gets out with an arm drag. Epico charge but eats turnbuckle. Bourne with kicks, then a running huracanrana. Bourne with high kicks and the jump kick for two. Epico grabs Bourne for the Backstabber, but Bourne turns around and hits a jumping knee to the jaw for two.

Back elbow from Epico catches a charging Bourne in the corner. Epico to the top but Bourne with a snap huracanrana for two. Bourne to the top looking for Air Bourne but Primo distracts him long enough for Epico to recover. Bourne leaps over Epico, whiffs a roundhouse, and Epico catches him with the Backstabber for the win.

WINNER: Epico in 9:00. This was a very good cruiserweight match. Epico moves like a seasoned veteran, and, while not quite as fluid as Primo, he doesn't look out of place in the ring. I am looking forward to the inevitable Tag Title match between Air Boom and Primo & Epico. Bourne's suspension doesn't seem to have hurt his in-ring game, and the long match gave me hope that WWE hasn't cooled on him despite the loss.

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