WWE Superstars Results
June 27, 2013
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

1 - THE MIZ vs. WADE BARRETT

Alex Riley makes his debut in the Superstars broadcast booth, filling in for the departed Matt Striker.

What a comedown for both Barrett and Miz, to be on Superstars. Barrett with early control as Riley surprisingly talks up Curtis Axel saying that he respects Axel's rise and association with Pail Heyman. Miz wants his backbreaker/neckbreaker combo, but Barrett shoves out of the neckbreaker. Miz slips over his attempted body slam and rolls through the legs and into a cover for two. Miz with a comeback, so Barrett rolls out of the ring. Miz hits a double axe handle from the apron and celebrates on the barricades instead of following up.

[ Commercial Break ]

Miz still in control, but Barrett gets a cheap shot in as the ref gives Miz instructions. Typical Barrett offense. Riley compares Miz to Rocky Balboa, that he is undersized but scrappy, and admits that he is starting to like Miz.

Miz dodges in the corner and fires up. Double axe handle from the top rope gets a nearfall, then he calls for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Barrett blocks and retaliates with the Winds of Change for a close nearfall. Riley makes another Rocky comparison. Barrett wants Wasteland, but Miz elbows out and rolls up Barrett for two. Miz works a knee a bit. They trade small packages, then Mix locks in the Figure Four and Barrett taps.

WINNER: The Miz via submission in 9:00. The match felt mostly "house show" until the last minute or two. Riley did a great job sharing his experiences from NXT and as Miz's sidekick to enhance both Barrett and Miz. I could get used to Riley as a color commentator, as he didn't detract from the match with sarcasm or by being heelish like some color commentary folks do.

2 - ZACK RYDER vs. ANTONIO CESARO (w/Zeb Colter)

Riley says that the "Ryder Revolution" has become the "Ryder Evolution" with longer hair and new tights. Pre-match, Colter cuts a promo. Colter's anti-immigrant promo gets half-hearted heat at best from the crowd.

Cesaro immediately uses his strength to dominate Ryder. Delayed gutwrench suplex is quite impressive. Ryder comes out of the corner with offense, but Cesaro plants him with a bodyslam. The crowd rallies Ryder, who manages a faceplant to build momentum. Big top-rope DDT puts Cesaro down, and the Broski Boot gets two.

Ryder wants a DDT, but Cesaro powers him into the corner and wrecks him. Tight sleeper (even swings him around while keeping the hold on) wears Ryder down enough for Cesaro to land the Neutralizer for the win.

WINNER: Antonio Cearso in 4:00. It's hard to get heat in Columbia, S.C. with an anti-immigrant promo and by waving a Gadsen ("Don't Tread on Me") flag. Fun, short match.

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