WWE Superstars Report
February 2, 2012
Taped 1/30 & 1/31
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

1 - YOSHI TATSU vs. JINDER MAHAL

The Smackdown brand gets the first match of the show. Mahal hits the ropes to yell at Tatsu, then attacks with knees to the gut. Tatso with a cross body block and a Japanese arm drag, followed by a dropkick. Tatsu with hard chops in the corner, but Mahal cheap shots him on the corner break.

Mahal with lots of knees and a two count. Mahal gets in his rope-based offense combination. Mahal with a double underhook suplex for two, and a rear chinlock. Tatsu fights out but runs into Mahal's knee. Mahal goes back on the attack. Tatsu can't get any traction. Tatsu gets momentum with rapid strikes, and a big knee in the corner. Tatsu with a Shining Wizard for two. Tatsu then goes to the top rope, but Mahal ducks the spinning heel kick, knees Tatsu in the back of the head, and calls for the end. Camel Clutch and Tatsu quickly taps.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal in 6:00. I liked this match a lot. Mahal and Tatsu matched very well, and many parts came across like a martial arts exhibition, not a wrestling match. I just wish Mahal had a character that I could sink my teeth into. On commentary, Josh Mathews is really not clicking, as he isn't even calling the moves by their correct names.

[ c - Raw hype, focused on Triple H-Undertaker ]

The Rock in-depth video from the Royal Rumble.

[ c - WWE YouTube Channel ad ]

2 - KELLY KELLY and ALICIA FOX vs. THE BELLA TWINS

How about a Kharma run-in, please? The Bellas mocked Kelly early on. Fox tags in and helps Kelly take them to ringside, then throws Bella into the ring. Fox with a springing butsplash out of the corner, which was unique. Bella hotshots Fox and goes back to work. The other Bella tags in and starts torquing Fox on the ropes. The Bellas isolate Fox, who kicks them out of the ring when they rub their rumps on her face. But, one is able to cut her off before Kelly can tag in.

Kelly tags in and lands an ugly top rope Thesz Press. Kelly with her head scissors and does the butt shake in the corner. Bella shrugs off a bulldog, but Kelly is able to kick her and hit the K2 leg drop. Fox stops the other Bella from interfering, and Kelly gets the win.

WINNERS: Kelly & A. Fox. The Bellas did fine, but the less said about Kelly Kelly, the better.

John Cena video from Royal Rumble.

[ c - Be a S.T.A.R. ]

3 -- U.S. champion JACK SWAGGER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. R-TRUTH -- non-title match

Swagger hits a belly-to-back suplex on Truth and does the victory lap to get some heat. Truth and Swagger trade locks and holds. Truth dances, does a split to duck Swagger, and gets a heel kick for a two count. Swagger with some offense to punish Truth. Swagger with a big leg drop for two. Truth makes a comeback and lands a hip toss, then a leg drop, but Swagger rolls out of the ring when Truth wants to cover. Truth with a slingshot splash on Swagger at ringside.

[ c - Smackdown hype, the Orton/Barrett feud continues ]

Truth in control out of the break, sending Swagger to the corner. Truth with a big slap to Swagger. Guerrero then jaws at Truth from the apron, allowing Swagger to knock Truth down and land the Swagger Bomb. Swagger then chokes Truth in the ropes. Swagger with a nasty-looking chicken wing, but Truth won't tap. Truth fights out, but Swagger blasts him with a big boot for a two count. Swagger lands heavy punches in the corner. Swagger elbows Truth on the mat, then does push-ups on Truth's back.

Truth with a full comeback and scores with a head scissors take down for two. Swagger trips Truth and tries for the Anklelock, but Truth gets out. Truth whiffs on a scissors kick and Swagger shoulder tackles him. Swagger with another shoulder tackle. Swagger Bomb blocked, but Swagger rolls through into an Anklelock. Truth then rolls through to send Swagger into the turnbuckle face-first. Truth with the Little Jimmy finisher for the win.

WINNER: R-Truth in 8:00. This looks like the beginning of an R-Truth-Jack Swagger feud over the U.S. Title. Decent-enough match, and Swagger made Truth look good. Truth is slowly ditching the crazy persona, and returning to his previous gimmick, which was much more bland and generic, in my opinion.

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