WWE Superstars – June 27, 2013 – CXF | Culture Crossfire

WWE Superstars – 6/27/2013

Welcome to the first episode of Superstars in the post-Matt Striker era.

The Miz’s theme song hits as Tony Dawson welcomes us to Superstars. Alex Riley (!) is announced as the new broadcaster partner. After he introduces himself with Boom Goes the Dynamite, we will see if he is a regular.

Riley tells us him and Miz go back to the main event of Wrestlemania but as Wade Barrett enters, Miz gives us a pretty good history lesson on Miz/Barrett this year.

The Miz vs. Wade Barrett

Alex Riley talks about the triple threat for the Intercontinental Title and really puts over Curtis Axel. Dawson mistakes Barrett being on NXT with Riley but Riley manages to correct him while still putting everyone over. Riley is actually really solid at the booth as Miz takes an early advantage with a headlock.

Miz keeps tying up Barrett, only for Barrett to force him back in the corner. After Barrett breaks free, both men reverse a series of moves from each other before Barrett trips Miz face first into the turnbuckle. The ref starts to get after Wade, who yells at a ref in a way that shows shades of why people had been high on Barrett in previous years.

The two men go to the outside, Barrett gets knocked down as Miz celebrates by sitting on guardrail, pointing at a screamingly happy child as we go to break.

Back from commercial, Miz misses a move from the second rope but still takes Wade down with a drop toehold. Miz using some speed against the Englishman and Riley puts over how Miz is using this advantage over Wade’s power.

Barrett regains control and starts choking Miz between his leg and the ropes. He wraps Miz in the ropes and starts delivering knees before a big boot, knocking Miz on the apron. Barrett keeps MIz grounded and Riley starts calling Miz the Rocky Balboa of the WWE.

Barrett has really slowed the match down, dropping elbows and using rest holds. Miz gets whipped to the apron but dodges a Barrett charge. Miz starts re-taking control with punches and after a few whip exchanges, Miz takes Barrett down with a clothesline. After a quick boot, Miz rallies the crowd and does his sitting turnbuckle clothesline spot.

Followed up with a double axe-handle off top, two-count on Barrett.

Miz starts signaling to the crowd, goes for the Skull Crushing Finale, Wade reverses, hits the Winds of Change but Miz kicks out at two.

Barrett starts telling the crowd it is over and picks Miz, looking for the Wasteland. Miz pushes through for a rollup, only getting two. Miz starts attacking Barrett’s knee with a few tough blows, he delivers some kicks but is bounced away when going for the Figure Four. Barrett rolls up Miz, Miz reverses, after a quick scuffle, Miz gets the Figure Four on (which Tony Dawson tells us is what the people came to see). Miz gets the submission victory.

Winner: The Miz

Miz celebrates and Riley does the best job I’ve heard in a while of putting over someone who just lost via submission, saying that Barrett is as tough as they come and has rarely ever tapped. Makes both guys look good, imagine that.

We head to break but not before hype of upcoming Cena-Henry recaps and a commercial for the new War Games DVD release.

DID YOU KNOW? WWE Magazine has more readers per copy than Maxim, ESPN and Rolling Stone COMBINED? People still buy magazines?

Back from break, we get a RAW Rebound featuring the Heyman-Punk saga. The replay takes up this segment of the show but not before letting us know we will get the replay of Bryan-Orton from Monday when we get back.

RVD’s return video airs.

The Bryan-Orton recap plays. Still surreal to see a face Randy Orton tap to Daniel Bryan.

We get a video of AJ with all her boyfriends but it leads to her hugging all the new WWE Bleacher Creature beanie baby toys. She hugs the Sheamus and the Ryback last and asks who is next.

Zack Ryder heads out and Tony Dawson keeps trying to call him philosophical now.

Antonio Cesaro’s music hits and Zeb Colter leads the way out to massive boos. He tells us Zack Ryder is a prime example of what is wrong with this country. 20 million or so unwashed dirty slackers who had nothing and expect everything. Zeb breaks out a WOO WOO WOO YOU KNOW IT and asks what that is supposed to mean. Everyone should be like the newest Real American, Antonio Cesaro – the American Dream Done Right. Cesaro throws in a WE THE PEOPLE and heads into the ring.

Zack Ryder vs. Antonio Cesaro (with Zeb Colter)

Riley tells us Colter is three bananas short of a fruit basket and Zack Ryder represents America, the self made Superstar.

Ryder immediately gets tossed like a ragdoll by Cesaro. As Antonio stops to put his hand over his heart, Zack is able to mount some offense, only to get tossed like nothing again. Cesaro plays with Zack and gets the crowd riled up.

Cesaro starts twisting Zack’s head before smacking him down and squeezing his head again. Zack breaks free but Cesaro gives him some more knees. Zack gets a face buster on Antonio, who pops up in disbelief. Zack is able to get a tornado DDT off, which finally gets Antonio dazed.

Zack charges in and nails the Broski Boot for a two count.

Antonio gets up and starts charging Ryder into the corner. Antonio wraps in a brutal looking sleeper hold and starts turning it into a swinging sleeper!

Ryder is down and dazed, Antonio cracks his own neck and does The Neutralizer for a three count.

Winner: Antonio Cesaro

Colter is the ring and he gives his flag to Cesaro. Cesaro displays the Don’t Tread on Me, before laying it on the fallen Ryder. The two place their hands over their hearts and give a We The People as we head to another commercial.

Mark Henry-John Cena recap takes up the segment and brings a close to this week’s show.

WWE Superstars Win/ Loss Totals (beginning May 16, 2013)

Brodus Clay 2-0

Natalya 2-0

R-Truth 2-0

Sin Cara 2-0

Justin Gabriel 1-0

Layla 1-0

The Miz 1-0

Cody Rhodes 1-0

Heath Slater 1-0

Tensai 2-1