WWE Superstars Report
May 10, 2012
Taped 5/7 & 5/8
Report by Justin James, PWTorch Contributor

1 - EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. DREW MCINTYRE

McIntyre tries to outwit Jackson, but Jackson's power prevails. McIntyre turns it around by dodging a corner charge. Jackson with a chest bump as McIntyre comes off the second rope, and Jackson takes control. Jackson tries setting up the Torture Rack in the corner, but McIntyre gets a rope break, lands a big boot, and then hits the Future Shock DDT for the win.

WINNER: Drew McIntyre at 3:45. McIntyre held up his end of the match. They really limited the time, probably to minimize the exposure of Jackson's flaws, but it just made for a match that went straight to the end far too quickly. This was evidenced by the announcers wondering if Jackson was finished less than two minutes into the match. Someone was going to break a losing streak here, and better McIntyre than Jackson.

2 - ALICIA FOX vs. NATALYA

Natalya out-wrestles Fox as the crowd chants "USA!" They trade slaps to turn up the heat. Natalya dodges a boot in the corner and Fox gets hung up, giving Natalya the advantage. Fox transitions from a "Matrix dodge" into a leg scissors. Natalya surprises Fox with the Sharpshooter, and Fox taps out to give Natalya her first win in a long time.

WINNER: Natalya via submission in 4:15. It's good to see Natalya pick up a win, but it should have happened a long time ago. I hope this leads somewhere like a Layla-Natalya match or a Beth Phoenix-Natalya match. I know the Divas are not a top item on the WWE agenda, but Divas like Beth Phoenix and Natalya can be used effectively.

3 - TYSON KIDD vs. HUNICO (w/Camacho)

Kidd and Hunico trade offense. The crowd chants "U-S-A!" to support Kidd, a Canadian. Hunico tries arm-dragging Kidd, but he's so close to the ropes that Kidd bounces off, and arm drags Hunico on the rebound. Sick. Camacho distracts Kidd to give Hunico an edge. Hunico with a slingshot senton. Camacho gets involved again, and Hunico with a facebuster suplex. Hunico dominates for a stretch. Hunico starts from a butterfly suplex position, but flips Kidd mid-air and turns it into a backbreaker.

Kidd gets a break with a running armdrag followed by a double clothesline. Kidd fires up with strong kicks. The crowd is going nuts for Kidd. Springboard elbow from Kidd, but Hunico kicks out at two-and-nine-tenths. Kidd tries the Sharpshooter, but Hunico escapes. Kidd with a suicide dive, Hunico dodges but Camacho eats it. Hunico capitalizes. Hunico tries the Swanton Bomb, but Kidd gets a knee up. Kidd comes back with a Sharpshooter, but Hunico gets to the ropes. Kidd misses the slingshot guillotine leg drop. He tries to slingshot back into the ring, but Hunico catches him with a brainbuster of sorts for the win.

WINNER: Hunico in 7:00. WWE needs to listen to the fantastic crowd reaction that Kidd gets despite having nearly no mic time. He wins over crowds with his in-ring abilities alone. Last year, Tyson Kidd had more in-ring time than any other Superstar if memory serves, and I believe that Kidd is on track to not only repeat that, but repeat it by a country mile. The only two wrestlers WWE has that are in Kidd's class in terms of in-ring capability are C.M. Punk and Daniel Bryan (Dolph Ziggler comes mighty close). Bryan and Punk have been able to make their way to the top with superior skills and I hope Kidd does, too.

Raw Rebound

4 - U.S. champion SANTINO MARELLA & ZACK RYDER vs. CURT HAWKINS & TYLER REKS - Tag Team Match

Marella and Reks to start. Reks shows off his power and acts like a bully. Marella tags in Ryder after an atomic drop makes him shriek like a kid. Hawkins comes in to take on old friend Ryder. Ryder and Hawkins with a fist pump to show respect. Double dropkick and Hawkins slaps Ryder, Ryder unleashes on Hawkins in response. Marella dominates Hawkins, then clears Reks from the ring and Ryder follows up.

[ c - Raw Hype ]

Hawkins fights off Marella, and brings Reks in. Ryder gets the tag and takes it to Reks, who eats a Broski Boot, but Reks counters the Rough Ryder. Ryder can't catch a break and Reks and Hawkins work him over. Ryder finally makes the hot tag and Marella unloads on Hawkins. Hawkins tags in Reks and Marella doesn't lose a step. Hawkins breaks up a pin so Ryder clears him away with the Rough Ryder. Marella puts Reks into the turnbuckle with a drop toe hold, followed by the Cobra for the three count and the bell.

WINNERS: Santino Marella and Zack Ryder in 12:30. Good match, not a great match. I liked the initial exchanges between Ryder and Hawkins to play up their history.

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