WWE Superstars Report
March 22, 2012
Taped 3/19 & 3/20
Report by Justin James, PWTorch Contributor

1 - WWE tag champions PRIMO & EPICO (w/Rosa Mendes) vs. ALEX RILEY & MASON RYAN - Tag Team match

Riley and Epico start, and Epico tries to maneuver Riley into the corner. Riley doesn't fall for it. Good start to the match with Riley countering Epico's offense quite nicely. Epico brings the veteran Primo in, but Riley takes it to Primo, too. Epico creates a distraction to give Primo control, then Primo distracts the ref to let Epico slip in a cheap shot. Scott Stanford offers a rundown of the "high protein, Latin-based diet" that Rosa has put the tag champs on, and then informs viewers that she is using the "Brazilian Buns" workout to good effect. Stanford is amazingly funny when he provides these bits of "background information" during matches. Riley continues to be victimized by Epico going to break.

[ c - The new WWE.com ad ]

Primo with a leg drop into a two count out of the commercial, and Mathews says there was an extended beating on Riley during the break. Riley is finally able to tag out and so does Primo. Ryan demolishes Epico with his trademark offense. A big delayed suplex nearly gets the win until Promo breaks up the tag. Riley clears Primo from the ring and Ryan continues his assault. Rosa distracts the ref, allowing Epico and Primo to hit a double Backstabber on Ryan for the pin.

WINNERS: Primo & Epico in 8:00. Good match. Primo and Epico know how to do the "isolated babyface beat down" without it getting stale, giving Riley enough offense to keep it exciting, and Ryan's role was limited enough to prevent his weaknesses from showing. Riley looked great both on offense and on defense. What a shame to see Primo and Epico pushed back to Superstars after a few very nice "main roster" matches. At the same time, it's nice to see them actually get a decent amount of time, which they won't get on the bigger shows. That's unfortunately the trade-off.

2 - Divas champion BETH PHOENIX & EVE vs. TAMINA SNUKA & NATALYA - Tag Team match

Pre-match, Stanford covers for Natalya facing Phoenix as it being "friendly competition" to help Phoenix warm up for her WrestleMania match, but he also says that he suspects that there is more too it than that.

Phoenix and Natalya start off in the match that people have wanted to see for years. Pre-match, Phoenix declines a handshake, and Phoenix holds the ropes open for Natalya to leave. Natalya leaves, then sneaks back in for a surprise schoolgirl for one as Phoenix jaws at Snuka. Phoenix gets mad at Natalya, but Natalya puts her in a headlock. Phoenix shrugs her off, then Natalya comes right back with a crucifix takedown into a leveraged cover, but Phoenix rolls through and out.

Phoenix looks to tag in Eve, who is a bit reluctant to fight Natalya, then Natalya tries a waistlock. Phoenix shoves her out of the ring, though, and tags in Eve. Eve goes on the attack for a two count. Stanford says Eve knows she isn't friends with Phoenix. Why isn't this being explained on Raw? Eve with a more aggressive, less dainty style to put Natalya in a lot of pain. Natalya with a big clothesline and Natalya tags in Snuka before Eve can tag out to Phoenix.

Snuka runs over Eve with power, then hits Phoenix with a Samoan Drop when she tries to interfere. Snuka with a big bodyslam on Eve, then she goes to the top rope. Snuka kicks Phoenix away, but the distraction allows Eve to slam Snuka off the turnbuckle. Eve goes up top and lands a moonsault (that barely connects) for the win.

WINNERS: Phoenix & Eve in 4:30. At this point, I am willing to pony up cash to see Phoenix vs. Natalya. Snuka looked good and Eve's new style fits her new personality. I wish this match had another five minutes to it. With all of the development around Natalya and Phoenix, and it being the first time for their much-anticipated clash, it is really upsetting that this was pushed to Superstars. All four of Divas in the ring deserved to have this match on Raw.

3 - YOSHI TATSU vs. TITUS O'NEIL

Wait, am I seeing an "NXT Rookie" on Superstars? Interesting.

Titus dominates early with his size and strength. Tatsu with a combeback using his speed. Tatsu manages to dropkick the much-taller O'Neil in the mouth, but O'Neil uses a backbreaker and a bodyslam to regain control. O'Neil throws Tatsu across the ring like a rag, and mocks Tatsu as he continues to dominate.

Tatsu finally catches a break by dodging a corner charge, and he lands chops, kicks, and a Chono Boot followed by a spinning heel kick for two. Tatsu calls for the end, but Titus ducks the roundhouse and counters with the Clash of the Titus for the win.

WINNER: Titus O'Neil in 4:30. Disappointing to see Tatsu take a loss here, but it is interesting to see O'Neil on a show outside the NXT bubble. O'Neil did a better job at keeping the sustained offense more interesting than he has in the past. The end in particular felt very smooth as he hit the Clash without any set-up needed.

Raw Rebound.

4 - EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. DREW McINTYRE

Jackson's power frustrates McIntyre in the opening. McIntyre tries to formulate a plan to counter the strength, but he can't sustain offense. Jackson throws McIntyre off the top rope, then McIntyre uses a ref break to catch Jackson with a big boot. McIntyre is able to keep Jackson on the ground and cut off Jackson's comeback attempts. Jackson counters a clothesline with a suplex and smashes McIntyre in the corners. Jackson with a sideslam, but McIntyre slips out of a Torture Rack and kicks Jackson's knee out, and lands the Future Shock DDT for the win.

WINNER: Drew McIntyre in 5:00. If you do not see the potential of Drew McIntyre, watch this match. He actually had a quite watchable match with Ezekiel Jackson. Nice to see Mac on the comeback trail.

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