Welcome to another Superstars Redux! This week, we’re seeing a rematch from last week’s Main Event, as Natalya is taking on Tamina Snuka. Unfortunately, there’s no trash talking set-up this time, so we’ll have to assume the two got into an argument and just imagine the insults. Ooo.. Nice burn, Tamina.
Anyways, let’s get to the real action! Will Tamina get revenge for her loss last time? Let’s see:
They start with a tie-up, Tamina powering Natalya into the corner. Natalya takes advantage of a pause on Tamina’s part to roll her up for a pin attempt. Tamina kicks out.
Tamina knees Natalya and whips her into the ropes, but on the return Natalya tries for a crucifix pin. Tamina latches on, though, keeping Natalya on her shoulders. Suddenly, Natalya slips free, getting that roll up. Tamina kicks out again.
Natalya hops back up and goes for another pin, but Tamian kicks out once again. Tamina reverses an irish whip into the corner, telegraphing a headscissors by Natalya and tossing her out onto the ring apron.
Tamina nails Natalya a few times before slamming her head onto the turnbuckle, sending her to the outside. Natalya sits on the floor, trying to regroup, but Tamina’s soon out there with her, taking off her vest and throwing it at her opponent. Tamina tosses her back in the ring and keeps the momentum, beating on Natalya and giving her a rough clothesline.
Tamina goes for her first pin of the contest, but Natalya kicks out. She latches a headlock on Natalya, but it isn’t long before the Canadian Diva gets to her feet and elbows Tamina until she’s free. She tries to get some momentum off the ropes, but Tamina’s right back on her, slamming her to the mat.
Natalya gets a few knees to the back of the head, her face driven to the mat repeatedly. Tamina locks in another headlock, this one modified a bit. Again Natalya battle out, and again Tamina is right back on her, taking her out with a Samoan drop. Tamina tries to seal the deal with a Superfly Splash, but Natalya rolls out of the way, and she gets nothing but mat.
While Natalya regroups on the ropes, Tamina gets in a well-placed kick, sending her through the ropes and to the outside again. She hits her with a headbutt and gets in some quick intimidation on the announce team (like shooting fish in a barrel, really), but pays for the distraction, as Natalya suddenly comes in, driving her into the announce table.
Natalya’s got a second wind, quickly tossing Tamina back into the ring and hitting her with a series of clotheslines before going right for the Sharpshooter. Tamina wriggles faster than she’s ever wriggled before and gets to the bottom rope before Natalya can lock in the hold. She trips Natalya into the middle rope and positions herself for the Superkick, but Natalya ducks it and rolls her up for another two-count.
Both Divas get to their feet, but Tamina draws first, hitting Natalya with the Superkick. Natalya’s down for the three-count, and Tamina wins.
Thoughts: I liked this better than their Main Event encounter. It was more about furthering their feud than setting something up for someone else, and it showed, as it fleshed out their roles a lot better. You saw Natalya’s fire and Tamina’s brutality, which Natalya sold really well. She was hurting throughout the match, especially in the two instances she was sent to the outside, and it really helped to sell Tamina as a bruiser.
Tamina’s style will always be slow (except for that quick-draw Superkick), but when her opponents really sell the hurt they’re receiving, Tamina is effective. Heck, they even limited the time given to her rest holds, as Natalya battled out of both of them quickly. I think Natalya brings out the best in her. But really, we could say that about almost every Diva you put up against Natalya.
I’d like to see where this side feud goes – as I’ve said a million times before, I’m 100% for feuds outside of the title picture, and it’s interesting to see Natalya as the underdog, so to speak. Of course, she has experience and technical skill on her side, but with Tamina’s height and power, Natalya can be set up as the one who has to battle back, as we saw in this match.
Who knows? Maybe next week’s Main Event will bring us the rubber match. In the meantime, Natalya better practice her ducking technique.
