WWE Superstars TV Results
August 18, 2011 - Week 19 on WWE's website (episode #123 overall)
Taped the Week of August 15
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Superstars episode opened with full pyro before Smackdown's Jack Korpela introduced the show coming off Summerslam. Wade Barrett, following his Summerslam victory over Daniel Bryan, was out first to start the show. Korpela and Matt Striker were shown on-camera as Barrett made his way to the ring to a chorus of boos from frightened kids. Trent Barreta was out next looking to upset Barrett.

1 -- WADE BARRETT vs. TRENT BARRETA

Early in the match, Korpela interestingly referenced Barrett's ranking on WWE's make-believe Top 25 Power Ranking. That would be a nice marketing tool for WWE to use across the board on their TV programs, and actually use to hype match-ups between mid-card wrestlers looking to leapfrog each other by winning matches. Barrett dominated the first three minutes and knocked Trent to the floor. On the outside, Barrett missed with a kick strike and ate the guardrail. Trent lit him up with hard chops, then perched himself on the guardrail to deliver an innovative corkscrew plancha on Barrett.

Both men barely beat the ten count back into the ring as they replayed Trent's high-risk attack. Back in the ring, Trent executed a missile dropkick for a two count. It was Trent's last gasp, as Barrett came back with a loud standing kick before hoisting Trent onto his shoulders for an impactful Wasteland. It was good for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Barrett at 5:11. Good five-minute match. Barrett carried himself like a former main-eventer looking to get back in the title picture while Trent offered some nice athleticism to balance Barrett's power-house offense.

Still to come: Zack Ryder vs. Drew McIntyre in the main event.

[Break]

In-ring: Time for a beating. Brodus Clay, from Pasadena, emerged on-stage as WWE went to multiple angles to capture Clay's size and girth. Already in the ring was Jose Vargas, billed from Irvine. So, it's PCC vs. UCI in a squash.

2 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. JOSE VARGAS

The bell sounded and Clay wasted no time pounding on Vargas. Korpela noted Clay is not a bodyguard for anyone any more, as he's carving his own path. Clay had the pin one minute in, but wasn't satisfied, so he continued to punish Vargas. Clay then delivered a massive lariat and it was good for the win. A subsequent replay was nearly as long as the match before they cut to Clay celebrating the win.

WINNER: Clay at 1:18. Fine re-building effort behind Clay before they find the right program for him on Raw or Smackdown.

[Break]

In-ring: Santino's music kicked off the Raw portion of the show. Nice reaction for Santino, who was sporting an odd-looking t-shirt with a karate belt drawn onto the shirt. It looked like a wedding tuxedo t-shirt. Primo, now sporting traditional wrestling trunks, was out next as his opponent. Scott Stanford noted this match came about because Primo insulted Santino's love life.

3 -- SANTINO vs. PRIMO

Santino, sporting a full beard, took control of the action early on. They did a comedy spot blocking each other's hip toss attempts as they danced around the ring. Primo then turned the lighthearted moment into a heelish attack when he cheap-shotted Santino. Primo went to work as Stanford noted that Santino has decided to pursue a singles run after failing to find a suitable tag partner. Santino made his comeback at 5:00 with left hand jabs that fired up the crowd. Santino then dropped down, hip-tossed, and delivered his diving fist for a nearfall. Josh Mathews interjected Santino is looking to develop his own style of MMA fighting: Marella Martial Arts. Santino then warmed up the non-MMA Cobra and struck Primo for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Santino at 6:05. From week-to-week, you never know what WWE is going to do with Santino, but this was a fine, basic-level start for Santino's "MMA" singles push.

Video: The Summerslam Week video package aired.

[Break]

Raw Replay: They aired the abbreviated replay of Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio in the Raw TV main event and John Cena's post-match promo, similar to the conclusion of NXT Tuesday night. Unlike NXT, though, the "main event slot" belongs to wrestling action between Zack Ryder and Drew McIntyre. They cut to break after Ryder's ring entrance.

[Break - Raw plug: Controversy and confusion have emerged on Raw. And, who knows what to believe. "What is going on? Something is wrong here." This Monday, find out the answers. Plus, what's next for Cena and Undisputed WWE champion Del Rio? Controversy, questions, answers all coming on an "epic edition" of Raw this Monday. (That was a longer Raw promo plug than WWE typically airs.)]

4 -- ZACK RYDER vs. DREW MCINTYRE

Stanford noted McIntyre is frustrated. Mathews said Mac can only blame himself and he needs a breakout performance soon. McIntyre aggressively went after Ryder early on, but frustrated himself when Ryder was able to avoid his attack. Mac flashed Ryder a wry grin, then kicked him in the gut and went on the attack. Ryder came back with a clothesline that took McIntyre over the top rope to the floor. Ryder followed with a plancha and flashed a smile for the camera.

Back in the ring, McIntyre rolled out of the ring. Ryder followed to the outside again, which set off a ringside brawl. Mac got the best of the exchange with a spinebuster across the ring apron. Back in the ring, Mac went to work on Ryder's back as a "Let's Go Ryder" chant broke out. They cut to break with McIntyre in control.

[Break]

Back from break, McIntyre continued to work over Ryder, who managed to knock Mac out of the ring to get a breather. Once Mac re-entered the ring, Ryder blasted him with strikes before delivering the Broski Boot for a nearfall. Ryder tried to follow with the Rough Ryder, but McIntyre countered with an emphatic slam for a close two count. Mac tried not to get frustrated as Ryder continued to kick out of pin attempts. McIntyre then flashed another wry grin and wanted the Future Shock, but Ryder blocked once, twice, then nailed the Rough Ryder. Quick pin and it was good for the win. Post-match: Ryder celebrated in the ring as McIntyre checked his jaw ringside trying to collect himself after another loss.

WINNER: Ryder at 9:15. Nice showing for Ryder, who looked like a legitimate wrestling star working with McIntyre, who will always be a "favorite" because of his size & look despite currently being irrelevant. Again, you never know from week-to-week how WWE will present stars, but good use of time to develop Ryder's credibility in the ring to match his personality showcases on YouTube.

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