Top 4 of NXT 4/25/12

As I sat down to write this blog, Chris started chanting, “NXT! NXT!” in a hushed sort of whisper. Why? Because it is his favorite show ever week. This combines the wrestling that should be found on Superstars with storylines that usually have me jumping up and down a bit. This week in storylines we get the explanation of why Maxine and Curtis get to switch sides their handcuffs are on, we get to see Natalya accuse Kaitlyn of being a bit of a flirt, and JTG makes his triumphant return. (Screw you guys, I love JTG)

There was so much good in the plot I assumed this time it did not need a place on the Top 4. This time, it’s all about the wrestlers, and commentary?

4. Michael McGillicutty on Commentary

William Regal was out this week, as was Josh Mathews, and instead of going with my preferred team here (which would be anything that involved Scott Stanford) NXT went with something a little clever. Matt Striker paired up during each match with someone different. The very last match of the night Striker had Michael McGillicutty and about halfway through I forgot I was listening to a wrestler on commentary. Out of all of the guests (others were Hornswoggle, Maxine, and Johnny Curtis) McGillicutty had the smoothest ability and proved he knew what he was talking about. Well, I’ll be.

3. Tamina and Kaitlyn vs. Maxine and Natalya

Are they going to make Natalya a heel again? Earlier in the show Natalya and Kaitlyn had a bit of a tiff, with Natalya accusing Kaitlyn about her “just friends” antics with the men of NXT, this time one of those men being Tyson Kidd. Cute segment, and again lovely to see Natalya doing something. NXT proves it’s love of tag matches and divas and throws these four women in the ring. Natalya and Maxine clearly don’t like one another, and even argue during the match, which leads to Tamina winning it for her team. The downside to this match is when Striker says Tamina is trying to get out of the shadow of Jimmy Snuka, and then they show clips of how much she’s like Jimmy and her moves emulate his. Um, that’s embracing it, not trying to step out of the shadow. If you want to step out of the shadow you do something a little different or you are, basically, a shadow.

2. Derrick Bateman vs. JTG

Right off the bat, Bateman starts with a dropkick. Solace rejoices! And he’s up against JTG, who says the show was falling apart without him. While that might not be true, I did miss seeing JTG. He has fun with his stereo-typing character and has great selling skills. When Bateman wins this match JTG moves in a way that almost seems impossible, and we had to rewind five or six (or ten) times. This was the first match of the night, and I was easily convinced this had to be number one. I mean, Bateman! JTG! Excellent match to open with and it was given a proper amount of time. So how did it not make number one?

1. Tyson Kidd vs. Johnny Curtis

When does Kidd not have the number one match of NXT? He’s amazing, and this week he’s against Johnny Curtis. Kidd brings out the best in anyone he’s wrestling, and Curtis was already almost there. Curtis keeps that “weird” persona while in the ring, sort of licking Kidd’s hand at one point, but it does not undermine his ability. Kidd wins it though, with the new submission that he wants twitter to name for him.

On a side note, it is worth watching to find out why it was Tyson Kidd against Johnny Curtis for this show.

Top 4 of WWE Superstars 4/5/12

Why does Scott get all of the girls?

This was a really packed episode when it came to matches. Some of my favorite matches of the week were on this show, whether for the skill of the wrestlers or the story they were telling in the ring.

4. The Usos vs. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins

He's Reksy and he knows it.

Out of sheer love for Tyler Reks I would love to have moved him higher on the list. This match lost points for one big reason: it was too short. None of the four looked the least bit winded and this might be the “problem” with wrestlers who are not seasoned or older. They last a lot longer. In the ring. So when the pin comes you can be left wondering what these few could have done in the ring if given more time. Still an excellent match that shows off all of their talents.

3. R-Truth vs. Heath Slater

Did he just kick-- He just kicked Little Jimmy!

This match was hilarious. Okay, before I give you the wrong idea, Slater and Truth worked excellently together, but Truth brought little Jimmy into the ring with him. Scott makes remarks that had so much to go with them that I can not even type them all out. But what sold the beginning of this match was when Truth danced with little Jimmy before the match started and Slater proceeded to kick Little Jimmy out of the ring! How dare he kick Truth’s friend?? And poor Josh Mathews can’t see him unlike the rest of us it seems.

2. Hunico vs. Tyson Kidd

While The Usos against Reks and Hawkins had potential, and Truth and Slater had hilarity, Hunico and Kidd had acrobatics. I do not have words for the moves they did in the ring, and outside of the ring. This match was a match we could have seen on a pay-per-view, as is. The only different is there would be no breaks during the pay-per-view. This is one of those matches there are no real words for, you have to watch it to believe that acrobats and talent of these two men.

1. Scott Stanford

Enthusiasm and storytelling make this the winning episode of Superstars it was. Scott carries it through the last two matches of the night (3 and 4) and tells a story that completes the show. He’s one of the only men who can tell you to live by the words from the Siva Tau even though he does not know what they translate to and not sound an utter fool. He can see Little Jimmy and convince Josh he’s the crazy one for not being able to. Scott once again brings the storytelling while the superstars bring the in-ring talent and together they make a conglomeration of what wrestling should be about.

Top 4 of WWE Superstars 3/29/12

Would you buy a used car from these men?

Only two matches, and I still made a top four out of it. I’m good.

4. Matt Striker

This week, since there were only the two aforementioned matches, they taped them both before Raw. They allowed Matt Striker and Scott Stanford to do the commentating and all I can say is, “Thank goodness.” Matt Striker wakes up for Superstars this week and has someone he can make jokes with, or tease, that does not sit there like a log. The only downside to Striker is that he makes it obvious when it’s going to be a two-count and not the final pin, though I am almost positive he doesn’t realize that is what he is doing. Still, Striker was always a great commentator and he seems to rejuvenate some of that greatness during this episode.

3. Tyson Kidd vs. Justin Gabriel

Normally I would put Kidd higher up on the match list because he’s incredible every time, but I think this match was cut short due to injury. Gabriel busted open his lip and it was pretty bad. Poor guy. Before that happened in the five minutes that the two did wrestle in this main event the two of them looked great. Gabriel has been growing in my esteem and I’ve been pushing the Kidd Agenda on everyone for awhile now. Too bad Striker seemed to forget that Kidd went back to being a face again because he was pretty insulting. My least favorite part was when Scott let that roll right off of him! SCOTT! Protect Kidd! He’s not money-grubbing! Okay, personal feelings aside (sort of) this was still an excellent match, but I had to give the higher match grade to the one that lasted longer and had more back and forth.

2. Alex Riley vs. Heath Slater

Heath Slater wins this match, which caused a small discussion between my boyfriend and me. He thought Riley should have won. I, on the other hand, think Slater needed a win more than Riley did. Riley is a superstar, whether the internet community wants to admit it or not. Riley comes out and the crowd goes wild. Every show I’ve been to when Riley steps out everyone cheers. Slater is still hated, which is sad because even with the personality that is meant to be obnoxious he is quite good in the ring. Together the two of them put on quite a fun match that is full of back and forth and moves that the two have finally begun to perfect. These two have come a long way and I look forward to more.

1. Scott Stanford

Of course Scott is number one. Have you guys actually listened to me on why, though, or do you assume it’s just because I love Scott? I do love Scott, but he proves again why in this episode. It’s the Road to Wrestlemania. He and Striker were told to fill us with talk that is supposed to excite us for the show while Superstars becomes an afterthought. Striker and Scott do not allow it. They talk about Wrestlemania, they have to, but they transition fluidly from one to the other. Scott, though, shines with his usual one-liners, but he whines a bit brighter thanks to Striker. When Scott says something ridiculous Striker does not let it go and the two have a back and forth that is superb.

Scott’s Best Lines of the Week:

“You couldn’t go without the Tebow reference!”

“No! 2 count.”

“You look at Riley’s twitter account and you see hundreds of marriage proposals. You know who is date is going to be to the Hall of Fame? His mother!”

“Otay, Spanky!”

“I’ll tell you what, we’ll find out on Sunday.”

“Some would say it’s Tim Tebow.”

“That’s gotta do it!”

Top 4 of WWE NXT 3/14/12

It is a bit odd re-watching a show that you sat at, but there is a good reason to watch shows that are pre-recorded as opposed to live: what are the changes? This NXT really did not suffer changes, but unfortunately, as usual, our signs and voices did not make it on screen. But, there is still a top four to be had in all of this, so without further ado…

4. The Usos vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil

William Regal decided this episode of NXT was going to be a tag match sort of episode. Unlike Teddy Long tag team matches on Smackdown, these were not random. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil are trying to establish themselves as the resident evil doers of NXT. What better way to help prove this than to feud them with The Usos who happen to still be darlings for fans in attendance. I have to admit that seeing Darren and O’Neil try to copy The Usos’ entrance was highly entertaining and the best thing I’ve seen Titus do since he was eliminated from NXT all of those seasons ago. This was a better than good match while still not being great because this was the slowest match of the three. It’s still weird at all to put Titus O’Neil on my list and not completely bash him the entire time.

3. Michael McGillicutty and Tyson Kidd promo

This is a testament to how much Kidd has grown in my estimation, and McGillicutty gets better at cutting a promo every week. I have always wanted to like McGillicutty from when I first saw him as a contestant on NXT, but… he was bland. He’s grown in wrestling but his character was hardly there. Suddenly, he has character, and he shows it while belittling the crowd and Kidd. “I’ll tell you about your rematch, Tyson. It’s not. Going. To happen.” That is when Tyson Kidd comes out to stick up for the poor crowd, “So, according to you, not only am I a loser, but everybody in this arena is a loser as well? But fortunately for you Mikey these people don’t have a microphone, but I dooooo.” And what is it with Kidd’s outfit? He’s been training more, he’s more sculpted, and that outfit, wooo baby. Sorry, what was I saying? Oh yes. Michael and Tyson both show the world that they know how to speak and then go over the ropes and start fighting one another in an all out brawl. This could be a highly entertaining feud while we wait fro Trent Barreta to return!

2. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins vs. Alex Riley and Percy Watson

Regal makes this match when it seems Reks and Hawkins are making trouble for Riley and Watson. Regal tells the MidCard Mafia if they lose the match they will be doing Regal’s laundry. This is where Hawkins and Reks prove why they are a tag team. They wait for the ref to have his eyes in their direction before they make the tag, they give each other tips while the other is in the ring, and they seemingly have the “telepathy” that Regal referenced earlier in the show. I like Riley and Watson, but Reks and Hawkins deserved to win this one because they are more technically sound and have a better flow. These two should be giving the Tag Team Champions a run for their money. All they need is a half-clad woman to join in and dance about and they would easily be the greatest in the company.

1. Derrick Bateman and Kaitlyn vs. Maxine and Johnny Curtis

Now, if the last match was so technically sound, why did I put this one at number one? No, it was not just because I wanted to make sure Derrick was number one again. Stop accusing me! This one continues a longer storyline and brings about a new arch in this love

Go Buckeyes!

mash-up. I happen to really dig mixed up love stories, of course. I’m a woman. I was raised on soap operas and bad romance novels. And these men are better than any men I read about in a novel. No, I will not be using them as characters in my next novel. Despite the WWE having different names for these couples, I will refer to them as Batelyn and Maxis. I like those better. Anyway, after that long description about why I love this storyline, the four of them put on an entertaining show in which Derrick and Kaitlyn win, they both go and hug Derrick’s mom (who I recognized before Regal pointed out who she was, I’m that awesome), and then Derrick tells Kaitlyn, “Tag, you’re it,” and the look on her face right before he kisses her is incredible. NXT’s storylines could be their own sitcom and then you get great wrestling in the middle of it!

Love,

Solace Winter

Top 4 Reasons to Love Tyson Kidd

Cries of “We Want Wrestling” go out through the Twitter Wrestling Community (TWC). If this is really true, Tyson Kidd should be more popular with the fans. Over the last few weeks I have had to concede the number one spot of NXT (previously held for Derrick Bateman) to Tyson Kidd’s matches. I have always been a fan of Tyson Kidd. Maybe not of every character he’s played on television, and I hated that hair flip in the front with a burning passion, but I always had to admit to his wrestling ability.

So, without further ado, the top 4 reasons Tyson Kidd is a man you should be looking out for!

4. Facial Expressions

Tyson Kidd has the most brilliant smile and one that matches his personality if he his a heel or a face. Oddly it works for him without the smile changing. Now, unlike when I was loving Scott Stanford in his blog, the smile is just one of the things about Kidd’s facial expressions that wins him over. His attitude during every match can be read on his face and he stays in character. Cocky, worried, or ecstatic the man wears his mood on his face and tells a story while wrestling.

3. Attitude

Despite the man with the most talent being left to NXT territory, which is all right with me since NXT is my favorite show currently running, his attitude with the company and with the fans remains the right one. At least in the public eye, which is the part that matters to me as a mark-out fan. He does not complain about his need for a better position and while there was a quick stint on MidCard Mafia where they made fun of others getting pushed over them, that was just true. Kidd remains with the WWE and uses his talent to show off the talents others have that they might not have awakened yet and for that I am grateful.

2. Evolving

The former Co Tag Team Champion has grown in ability and character since his debut on television back in 2009. No matter what WWE does with him or how they use him Kidd rolls with the punches, or pushes. Kidd has done what he can to keep up with what the WWE wanted of him, including changing his hair. Looking back it is hard to believe the man has only been on television for three years. He came in with confidence, and in the evolving world of wrestling never lost that confidence.

1. Wrestling Ability

Never have I watched a Tyson Kidd match and said, “I’ve seen this before.” He does his best to make every match unique. There is no set up for a finisher. In fact for awhile it seemed he would gain a new finisher and suddenly someone else in the company was using it. Hell, Kidd even made his stint on Superstars with a new manager every week look exciting because when he steps in the ring you can bet it’s the best part of the night. If you really want wrestling this is the man for it. He wants to entertain you as you see in every strain of his muscle, in every move of his hands or legs. Concise in every move while looking fluid Tyson Kidd is my vote for best wrestler in the WWE.

 

Love,

Solace Winter 

Top 4 WWE NXT 2/22/12

Originally I left what is number four off of this list and made it simply one of the promos, because promos ruled this episode of NXT for the most part. However, upon speaking to one of my favorite chicks on twitter I realized I could not leave it off. So, sigh…

4. Titus O’Neil and Alex Riley

Meh.
Fine, I’ll say more. Titus O’Neil does NOT speak. Phew. In the ring he’s a much stronger character and moves well. As it was my friend’s first time watching in a while she did not understand why there was so much hate on Titus. She did not hear him speak! But, in the ring he’s decent. And Alex Riley is decent. I just think these two could be so much better… away from one another. Darren Young joining William Regal and Josh Mathews on commentary for this match gave it a bigger boost because Young does have fun while out there.

3. Promo Trois

The third promo of the night was Tyson Kidd on the phone with Trent Barreta, who is injured, at least in the storyline. They are talking about when he comes back that the two of them will be the best tag team and Kidd wishes him a speedy recovery. Kidd then is confronted with McGillicutty, who complains about Striker forcing him to come in when he doesn’t even need him to wrestle. This is positively the most personality I have seen out of McGillicutty yet and when Kidd and McGillicutty agreed to wrestle on next week’s NXT I found myself looking forward to it.

2. Promos Un and Deux

Why are the numbers in French? Because I felt like it. The first promo involved, you guessed it, Derrick Bateman with Maxine, Kaitlyn, and Curtis. “How did it go with Maxine?” “How did the Bay of Pigs go?” “I’m just here to go on to Smackdown, win the Intercontinental Title, hold if for 100 years.” Yeah, Bateman is brilliant. Kaitlyn has a good quip to Curtis at the end that is better off seen than described. In the second promo Kaitlyn goes up to Striker backstage. Striker’s greeting of her, “Hey, pretty girl, hi!” made my night and became funnier when Maxine barged in and he grumbles, “No, no need to knock.” Kaitlyn later tells Striker he rocks and he is excited because someone thinks he rocks. Striker has a strong personality that comes out when he’s working as host. All five people in these two promos have a sort of comedic timing that would go well in a sitcom. WWE Network, take note. A Derrick Bateman sitcom should be in the works.

1. Tyson Kidd vs. Tyler Reks

When I had yet to watch NXT yet and said, “I am waiting to see NXT so I can put Derrick at number one,” Derrick responded with, “It’s going to be Kidd and Reks this week. My stuff is too brief.” Now, brief, no, though I guess when I jump around for joy every time Derrick is on screen anything would be considered too brief. But upon watching this match I had to conclude that my favorite wrestler might just be right. Kidd is incredible, as I have been saying for awhile.  Kidd ultimately wins with a wicked Sharpshooter that he rolls Reks into. This match easily should have been the main event as there was no botching, no dead spots, and constant fluid motions. It also helped that Hawkins came out originally wearing that Change shirt of his. I want one. This might make match of the week out of the WWE shows.

Honestly, NXT is my favorite show consistently. Better wrestling, better promos, and great commentating. (Notice I did not say best commentating as it is lacking a certain Scott…) I still think you should give it a try and realize this is not a competition show, but a storyline show. And so far none of the stories have just been dropped because the writer’s don’t know what they are doing.

Top 4 of WWE NXT 2/8/12

As with FCW this week, I have to at least give an honorable mention to Regal on commentary before I get into the list. Regal continually puts over all of the talent while not sounding like he really likes any of them. Where I may not have made a special spot for him on the top four he really is one of my three favorite men on commentary (Scott Stanford at number one, Byron Saxton at number three).

4. Percy Watson vs. Darren Young

I have to ignore that Titus O’Neil was on commentary for this match or else I would have to drop this match entirely from the top four. O’Neil started off well and for a few moments he had me fooled, I thought there might be hope for him. Silly me. Watson and Young did put on an entertaining match, though that saw Watson as the victor. Young still sounds tight on the mic, as if he is not quite comfortable with his words, but in the ring he’s come a long way. Watson continues to improve on the mic and in the ring to the point he might be breaking into one of my favorites of NXT. He still has a way to go, though.

3. Maxine/Kaitlyn Derrick/Heath

No, this is not my contrived way of making sure that Bateman makes it onto the list. Maxine and Kaitlyn had an excellent match that nearly could have made it to the top two, except for a horribly botched ending that was obvious to me. As I always say, if it is obvious to me, it’s pretty darn obvious. Until that ending, though, these women put on an excellent show. Derrick Bateman and Heath Slater had a match at the beginning of the show that made me want to cry because Bateman lost, but both men looked good in the ring in the meantime. Then there were the segments. Curtis hints to Kaitlyn that Bateman might have a thing for her and Maxine once more gets in Kaitlyn’s face. Bateman also does not try to play off his loss to Slater as no big deal, admitting that after showing clips of Slater losing, losing to him this week did not go over well.

2. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks vs. The Usos

Hawkins and Reks. That should be all I have to say. I love these two in the ring and hate when NXT does not use them. This week they face The Usos again. The Usos, who usually are pretty great in the ring, decided they were going to be a bit sloppy this time. The match was still entertaining, but this had more botches in it than I wanted to see. It made me cringe and I hid behind my computer for a bit, trying not to see it. I do not know if their head was not in it that night or what the problem was, but it was sad to see this match go the direction it went. Still, Hawkins and Reks! Oh, and Hawkins punches out Striker.  That helped push this up.

1. Tyson Kidd vs. Trent Barreta

Anyone who reads my NXT blogs on a regular basis, and I know you do, knows that I’ve been complaining about these two lately. Not because they aren’t great, Kidd and Barreta could wrestle circles around most of the roster which I suspect is the reason they are “jobbers,” but because they have these two men wrestling with no storyline. I want drama with my wrestling! Okay, I’m a girl, I want drama in everything. But Kidd and Barreta were constantly fighting with nowhere to go while everyone else on NXT had a storyline. Then WWE did something unprecedented: they gave me what I wanted. After the match Kidd and Barreta shake hands and then later in the show Kidd pretty much asks Barreta to join him as a tag team. Does this fully turn Kidd back into a face? I don’t care. I just was doing my own little version of a celebratory dance when this happened.

I realize I punished Kaitlyn and Maxine for their both and still gave The Usos a higher precedent when they had more botches, but WWE still has me trained to think less of divas than I do of the men.  While this is changing as I watch more and more talent on the “lesser” shows, for now I have to face up to being a bit of a product of WWE messaging.

Superstars Top Four for 11/24/11

Shortly after watching this week’s episode a friend yelled at me for his having “wasted” an hour on this show. It was the first time he had watched Superstars in a long time. Did I force him to try to watch during a bad show? No, this was actually a better put together show than some have been of late, though like NXT they are falling into a lack of variety in matches. No, he said the matches were of a type that could be described as, “The crowd goes mild.”

People want wrestling, but it’s been proven time and again they want a story to go with their matches. As certain commentators *coughScottStanfordcough* try to give us a background to the matches many others simply commentate a match or talk about what is coming up in the WWE. If people simply wanted to watch men beat up one another they would watch boxing, or better (or worse depending on whose point of view you are looking from) UFC.

This particular blog is not a complaint on what WWE is doing wrong, though. This is the top four reasons to watch Superstars, and I’m sorry they were not enough to keep my friend interested. Is he jaded? Possibly. A lot of people spend their nights complaining about RAW but will tune in next week. Superstars should be the show to tune in to watch out of enjoyment.

4. Jinder Mahal vs. Trent Barreta

Sure, as soon as I saw Barreta come out I knew he was going to lose. With a heavy sigh I sat back to watch the match. Jinder had been on fire for a few weeks on Smackdown before they realized something crucial about him: his wrestling skill was sloppy. It was not necessarily bad but if he continued the way he was going he was going to hurt someone, and like many wrestlers before him who allowed themselves to grow sloppy, it would not be himself but his opponent. A match with Barreta is almost a free pass to be free and try out new things as Barreta has more control than most of the main eventers. Calm down, I didn’t say he was better (is he?) just claimed he has more control. He flops and flips like a pro and Jinder needs someone like him to practice on. This match shows how far Mahal has come and showcases a man who needs to find something to do on one of the flagship shows.

3. Drew McIntyre vs. Ted Dibiase

The focus for Dibiase on this episode is the Dibiase Posse Parties that are held outside of the arena. Hundreds of people go to see the man before he enters, just generally hanging out. Dibiase’s song needs to change, for Dibiase did not work in the Million Dollar Son character. Dibiase is a good actor, he even proved his acting chops in the second best WWE movie to date (The Marine 2 which Scott Stanford makes mention of, no The Marine would not be the first best). Dibiase needs to find something he is more comfortable with, and the Posse Partier and outdoorsman that he is might be something more relatable. Tonight he fights the brilliant McIntyre, who has managed to win one fight on Superstars in months, and it was against Morrison two weeks ago. Tonight is not the night he wins again. I am sad, but it is interesting to see Dibiase growing and perhaps finding his niche.

2. The threat of Tyson Kidd kicking Josh Mathews in the face

Okay, so the threat was only said by Striker. “Tyson Kidd said to me a couple of weeks ago that he got upset with you and I. He said that we spent too much time talking about twitter and not enough time talking about Tyson Kidd’s match. He said that if we do that again this week he’s going to come over here and kick you in the face.” I have to admit when I saw Tyson Kidd step out for the night I groaned knowing a twitter conversation was coming. No matter where Kidd seems to be the conversation always leads to twitter. This man deserves more than twitter conversation when he’s on screen and tonight he had it. I do not know what the real reason is Striker and Mathews were told to lay off, maybe it was Kidd, but I thank the person, from the bottom of my heart.

1. Scott Stanford

The return of the list sees Scott Stanford at the return to the top! The man with the plan, the commentator with the stories. Tonight he’s feeling fresh, no redundancy in lines and his usual upbeat enthusiasm. While there are no stories to tell this time around for his two groupings he does give background on the men in the ring to keep the listener intrigued. He is a major part of the reason the Dibiase match was as entertaining as it was because his words put the Dibiase Posse Partier over more than anything else. While people shout “Dibiase” from their seats Scott will make sure you take note. You may not even realize he’s manipulated you into wanting to root for the man until it is too late. That is how good he is.

Tonight Mathews gets some respect for starting an odd conversation. He mentioned he was at the Dibiase Posse Tailgating Party and said,

“We roasted a turducken.”
So Scott could reply, “A turducken? I love those things!”
“Get’s so excited.”
“All three in one. What is that, a-”
“A duck, a chicken, and a turkey, right.”
“I’ll tell ya what, if I was a goose I’d feel left out.”

Superstars 11/17/11

Three exciting matches took up the first half of Superstars this week. Drew McIntyre, Alex Riley, Epico, Primo, The Usos, Tyson Kidd, and Trent Barreta all make their appearances and show us what matches should look like.

There is not one match I could complain about. Alex Riley was my least favorite person on Superstars, and the more I’ve seen him on Superstars the more he’s grown on me. When someone I’ve come around to liking is my least favorite person on a show it’s likely a good sign.

The first match is Drew McIntyre against Alex Riley, and wow does McIntyre make his move set look brutal. This might have been my favorite match of the night just from the way the two of them worked this match and destroyed one another. It was also the perfect set up for Riley’s finisher that I’ve ever seen. Riley applies the finisher better than he has in the past and this becomes a match I would give an A grade to if I was grading.

The second match introduces the tag team of Epico and Primo who are in a stable now with Hunico. Epico and Primo are cousins and they do admit this on the show. Of course it’s hard not to notice as the two of them look like they could be brothers, not cousins. Epico and Primo get to show off their chops against The Usos, who are always energetic and alive within the ring. They come out to their dance where Scott Stanford comments, “The first time I saw that duo perform that dance I tried it myself and gave myself a black eye.”

This match is the one that surprised me. I was sure they were going to let Epico and Primo lose since The Usos have been receiving a good show lately on NXT (if anyone has been watching!). Epico and Primo are heels in a stable with Hunico. Logically I saw them losing. Imagine my excitement, and then my torn emotions, when they won. I could have gone either way with this match but it was good to see Epico and Primo pick up the win. When was the last time Primo won?

The last match of the evening was Tyson Kidd vs. Trent Barreta. Kidd and Barreta are an excellent main event to end an excellent showing of matches. Barreta was bound to lose, it was time to let Kidd pick up a win again, but I was not disappointed with the ending. These two know how to set up moves so every action looks fluid.

Now for the commentary section of the show, because you know I can not review Superstars without talking commentary. My favorite commentator in the world is on Superstars, I must mention what a breath of fresh air this man is on any show. Scott shows enthusiasm where others sound robotic and he makes it about the superstars while others make it about themselves. This man knows what he’s doing and others should take note.

As Scott mentions a line about something Zack Ryder had told him about his tag team with Primo really being over Josh quips, “He also said something like that on twitter.” Cringe. But we leave it alone. It was one twitter reference out of two matches, that really isn’t too bad.

Then we get to the main event, Tyson Kidd vs. Trent Barreta. For whatever reason Josh Mathews has taken Jack Korpela’s place alongside Matt Striker. Anyone who follows me on twitter knows of my dislike for Josh Mathews. He is robotic and a shadow of the commentator he sits next to. He has no real personality of his own and seems to find it difficult to keep up. I avoided complaining about him sitting next to the great William Regal on NXT but tonight he and Matt Striker go too far.

As Tyson Kidd and Trent Barreta are being introduced Striker and Mathews talk about John Cena and The Rock before noticing Barreta is almost to the ring. They mention Barreta for a moment before going back to John Cena and The Rock. Fine, we know that happens.

Before the bell rings to start that match Striker brings up twitter. All right, fine, we know they have to talk about twitter. We aren’t stupid.

One minute into the match, no mention of the match, just social media.

About two minutes in they mention the match as Kidd gets a hook of the leg, no pin, back to twitter.

Three minutes in and Mathews makes the comment of, “Trent Barreta looking to trend world wide right now!” as he got for a move to finish Kidd off. It does not work. Now the match has finally taken precedent. Three minutes in. The match last about four minutes.

Someone made the comment on twitter to Mathews, “I wish Josh Mathews didn’t have to ruin good matches by constantly harping about twitter. The performances deserve better. #Superstars” Mathews’ response to this was, “Really? Does anyone else see the irony in this?”

Someone hand the man a dictionary. Is it sort of funny that the person used twitter to complain about Mathews talking about twitter? Sure. Is it ironic? No. Three minutes of commentary in a four minute match should not be used to talk constantly about social media. Kidd and Barreta deserved better than that. Sadly, this is also one of those times where Striker goes to the bottom of my list as well. I usually enjoy Striker, but social media is not more important than the match in front of you. Make your reference and move on. We are here to watch wres- er, sports entertainment. We are not here for a lesson on facebook and twitter. We “internet fans” already know how it works.

Solace Superstars Scrutiny

As my issue was with NXT yesterday I have with Superstars today. There were only three matches making it difficult to have a top four things. Instead I’m just going to explore the aspects of the show.

The matches feature the usual suspects, the first match of the night being Justin Gabriel and Jinder Mahal. Justin Gabriel comes out sporting a hairstyle that reminds me of a stegosaurus and seems to be equally as durable. Despite rolling around on it even when it seems to start to go flat he flicks his wrist and POOF instead stego-hawk. Cool? Jinder comes out, with a mic, and gives his entire promo in a Punjabi dialect that gets him instant boos. Unfortunately Gabriel wins with the only move he has, which is a 450 Splash. I was impressed with this 450 Splash the first time I saw it with Gabriel because it was the first time I had seen it. Now I’ve seen several other wrestlers in other companies do the same thing… and better. Bored! But Jinder has grown solidly as a wrestler and while he’s still not one of my favorites I still enjoy watching him.

The second match of the evening moves us into the Raw portion, announced by the ever handsome Scott Stanford and that other guy he sits with. (Josh Mathews) The first match is Yoshi Tatus vs. Tyson Kidd. Yoshi is again sans face paint which is disappointing but these two put on a long match that never fails to entertain. However I kind of lose interest in a match when Mathews quips, “Their best feud so far has been on twitter.” Wait, what? So their in-ring work has not been their best feud? I know they are meant to push twitter but perhaps better wording would have been more succinct in this instance.

The last match of the night is Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison. Would you believe that Drew McIntyre wins? Me either, but it’s true! That’s all that needs to be said here. I love Morrison but McIntyre deserved the win and the two men looked good in this match and made this win a step up for McIntyre, even if Morrison has been their own “loser” of late.

The last aspect is the aspect that is always my favorite part of the show, which is Scott Stanford. It was almost like a different man sitting out there. Almost. Is he still the one who calls the best during matches, of course? And he did seem to be getting a little Not PG? (“When those two were involved years ago-” “The last time these two hooked up-” “Unbelievable back and forth action!”) Which could just be a nod to us twitter crowd who constantly listen for those little things. He was full of excitement and still is the only man I think concentrates more on the men out in the ring than anything else going on around him. He had a few of his usual good lines, “And I quote… from Yoshi Tatsu,” and, “Is he looking for Hornswoggle, what’s Drew doing under there?” Still, my darling commentator seemed to not be himself. I look forward to the goofy lines that sell the show, and while tonight’s matches held up on their own, I hope next week sees the return of that same loveable man!