WWE Superstars Report
July 12, 2012
Taped 7/9 in Denver, Colo.
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

1 - JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. HUNICO

To change things up a bit, Scott Stanford is teamed with Matt Striker instead of Josh Mathews in the booth.

There's some nice technical work to start things off. Then they switch to a faster pace. A bit of a stiffer brawling style comes out as the intensity is turned up. Justin Gabriel with the Move of the Month: Hunico is on the outside and Gabriel jumps from the apron, lands on Hunico's shoulders, and huracanrana's him into the barrier in one smooth motion. Camacho looks stunned. I know I was. Camacho distracts Gabriel, letting Hunico recover a bit followed by a nice sequence of covers and reversals.

[ c - "Falls Count Anywhere" DVD ad ]

Gabriel with a crucifix pin attempt out of the break, but Hunico gains control. Gabriel with a flurry of kicks to get a nearfall. Hunico with a sick gutwrech almost-powerbomb for a nearfall. Hunico tosses Gabriel right over his head. Gabriel with a second rope moonsault, but he goes over Hunico, tries a neckbreaker, but Hunico reverses it into a reverse DDT for a close call. Hunico to the top rope, but Gabriel dodges the Swanton Bomb and gets a knee up to the back of Hunico's head, yikes. Gabriel floats over into the cover for two-and-seven-eighths. Gabriel to the top, but Camacho distracts him, so Hunico crotches Gabriel. Struggle on the turnbuckle, and Hunico wants a belly-to-back superplex, but in mid-air Gabriel reverses into a crossbody; Hunico rolls through the cover, grabs a fistful of tights, and steals the win.

WINNER: Hunico in 10:00. Every time these two meet, it is a clinic, and tonight raised the bar even further. Reversal after reversal, counters, and a variety of styles make this a must-see match.



2 - ALICIA FOX & KAITLYN vs. BETH PHOENIX & NATALYA - Tag Team Match

Before the match, when Phoenix's music came on, you can see a lot of folks in the ring going nuts for her. They really need to repair her character and make her a clear face or heel. There's just nothing heelish about her, and too many people respect her work and enjoy watching her dissect people to keep her heel. She's like Kane in that regard.

Fox and Natalya start, and Natalya take it to Fox. Fox spanks Natalya, so Natalya beats the snot out of her. Fox trades speed for power, and brings Kaitlyn in. Natalya takes Kaitlyn in the corner and Phoenix gets tagged in. Cross body takes Phoenix down for two. Fox clears the ring of both opponents. Phoenix can't believe that Fox is keeping up with her, and Natalya comes in, then Fox tags in Kaitlyn, whose knee the heels target. Kaitlyn can't get a break. The action breaks down, but Fox gets dumped out of the ring. Kaitlyn surprises Phoenix with an inside cradle for the win.

WINNERS: Alicia Fox and Kaitlyn in 4:50. I really feel like WWE is trying to find out if the audience will buy either Fox or Kaitlyn as a stand-in for Kelly Kelly. Matt Striker spent most of the match talking up Kaitlyn, but he usually does. I honestly think that Kaitlyn is the more likely of the two to pull it off, she has a better look, and a lot more charisma than Fox. The really need to have a Diva other than Beth Phoenix win a match with an actual move instead of a roll-up.

3. ALEX RILEY vs. JINDER MAHAL

The crowd is hot for Riley, as usual. They tussle for a while up-front, then Mahal finally gets the upper hand and proceeds with his usual offense. Riley with a short-lived comeback.

[ c - Smackdown hype, Zack Ryder as Smackdown GM ]

Mahal is still in charge. Striker: "What is a 'broski' anyways, is that Polish?" Riley is finally able to mount sustained offense. Riley to the top for a flying clothesline and a two count. Mahal wants the Camel Clutch, but Riley slips out and jackknifes for a two count. Riley dodges Mahal's running high knee, but whiffs on an enziguiri. Mahal struggles to get the Camel Clutch on, but when he does, Riley taps.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal in 10:30. Good match between these two. Alex Riley has an insane amount of crowd support, and WWE really should do something more with him considering he has good mic and in-ring skills.

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