Summerslam 2012 Preshow - Santino Marella (c) VS Antonio Cesaro [US Championship]

[Harthan]

...What's this? Harthan posting non spam? What is this, 2008?

But, yes, I saw this announced and thought - well, here's a match I'm interested in. Possibly as much as anything on this card. Imagine my shock when I came to these foreign parts and discovered that no thread had been created to celebrate this delicious piece of wrestling lusciousness.

"Well," I said. "This simply will not do."

Look! I even found a banner.

I think this is super exciting, for a variety of reasons. One, the idea of an Italian and a Swiss wrestling each other for the United States Championship is so hilarious that it makes me giggle like a schoolgirl. Two, Santino is awesome in most conceivable ways, and even in a few ways that are inconceivable. Three, Antonio Cesaro - better known as to me as Claudio Castagnoli - rocks socks. Rock everyone's socks. Even if you weren't wearing socks, Cesaro would be rocking the socks in your socks drawer.

Anyway, this match would probably convince me to buy SummerSlam, frankly - if it was on the main card, anyway. I'm not nearly as excited by the prospect of watching an executive and a guest star slap each other around for forty minutes - please, give me this young, fresh, up and coming talent against an entertaining veteran any day of the week. Especially on Sunday, which is when they'll show the PPV, I have on good authority.

As it is, I'll be glued to Facebook for this one. I'm turribly excited. I hope that it will be the beginning of Cesaro's ascent to WWE godhood, though I fear the WWE won't go through with a title change on non-PPV. Nevertheless, I'm ecstatic to watch this particular contest. Is it too early to give it five stars? Maybe - I'll wait till at least Thursday.

 

[Muffin Top Merkley]

I'm not at all familiar with Antonio Cesaro expect for what I have seen during his on on Raw and Smackdown but I'm head over heels for the guy. No homo! His match with Christian on the 08.10.12 edition of Smackdown was one of the better matches that I have scene in a very long time (except for that whacky ending).

I'm absolutely with you, Harthan, in hopes that this is a solid stepping stone for Cesaro to build off of and ascend up the ranks. Especially if the report of him having a so-so reaction from creative are true, this might be his make or break moment.

Santino, while 50 shades of awesome, doesn't need to United States Championship. His role is established and right now he's not adding anything to the title. Even if Cesaro beats him in the pre-show, Cesaro still doesn't gain much from it as he's already beaten Santino on multiple occasions before, as well as the current state of the title itself.

With the title, and successful attempts at defending it against people like Christian, Mysterio etc. could add plenty to Cesaro's stock on the roster.

 

[Ethelion]

it makes me giggle like a schoolgirl

I'm head over heels for the guy. No homo!

Haha, I totally LMAO when I read these! Peace guys.

Anyway, it's about time this match is set. After at least a win over Santino, Cesaro SHOULD get a title match for the already worthless United States Championship. Maybe this will be the US Title's resurrection. However, I don't see a title change here. One, it's too soon for Cesaro to win a title. Two, his match with Santino is the pre-show. Three, Hunter wants long title reigns.

Then again, Santino has held the title for over five months now. Long enough if you ask me.

 

[Muffin Top Merkley]

Haha, I totally LMAO when I read these! Peace guys.

Anyway, it's about time this match is set. After at least a win over Santino, Cesaro SHOULD get a title match for the already worthless United States Championship. Maybe this will be the US Title's resurrection. However, I don't see a title change here. One, it's too soon for Cesaro to win a title. Two, his match with Santino is the pre-show. Three, Hunter wants long title reigns.

Then again, Santino has held the title for over five months now. Long enough if you ask me.

Five months, for a guy like Santino is plenty. While I don't think Santino is above the title, his role in the company is established, not as a jobber or filler, but certainly not as a Christian or Cody Rhodes. There is no climbing out of that for Santino now unless there are changes made to the man.

His Pre-Show opponent on the other hand, would benefit from having a title and using it to establish his role within the company, especially if it leads to the greener pastures in the roster. The man has the tools, and speaking five languages could be a gold mine if he and creative played it right and renaming the US title to the European Championship, seems like a step in the right direction for Cesaro to me.

The title doesn't elevate Stantio and Santino doesn't elevate the title. The title can elevate Cesaro, and the man has the tools to remain in whatever position he lands in, mid-card or higher.

 

[The Scarred One]

Antonio Cesaro can be a major player in the WWE if given the chance. I would love to see Cesaro walk away with the United States Championship. Santino Marella is awesome in his current role as a clown but he's making the title look like a joke the longer he holds it. He doesn't need a championship to be over since he's already over. Every time his music hits, he gets one of the biggest reactions.

Anyway, Cesaro can win the championship and revive the European Championship in its place. He can say something like "I refuse to have anything to do with this disgusting country. Instead, I will proudly represent Europe as its champion." Something along those lines. That would get him a lot of heat no doubt. In addition, it can create a whole new list of challengers willing to take him on and restore it back to the United States Championship. Perhaps Jack Swagger as a face if the WWE starts giving a shit about him again.

But if the reports about WWE officials being on the fence with him is true, this match with Marella could really help him or hurt him. As far as the possibility of winning the championship during the pre-show, it can happen. After all, if he does win, it will make others want to turn into future pre-shows to see what happens.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Strange that Cesaro is getting a title shot already. Of the new guys WWE have had debut since WrestleMania his push has been the most erratic. Some weeks he's on TV, others he's not. Nobody notices either way.

I think they should merge this with the Sandow/Clay match. Clay & Santino interactions should get people moderately excited.

 

[Workrate]

This is a cross-post from the news item on the main page (I didn't realize there was an actual discussion for this match):

In a lot of ways, putting the title on Santino has ruined his momentum. He was absolutely huge before winning the title, but the response to him has cooled considerably ever since. He's not a character built for lengthy title runs, no matter how important the title is or isn't.

For a myriad of reasons, Cesaro needs to win the title here. Santino has nothing left to offer the gold, whereas it's a great opportunity to see what Cesaro can do given an opportunity. Worst case scenario, he bombs holding a belt that no one is paying attention to anyway, they give it to someone else, and move on. Also, it would behoove them to have a title change on a pay-per-view pre-show, if only to enforce to fans that it's possible. A title change is a heck of a lot more likely to drum up new interest in these things than another successful defense.

 

[Mustang Sally]

...that it makes me giggle like a schoolgirl.

Yeah, I used to do that a lot. Then I graduated.


The irony here is that Marella vs. Cesaro is actually a championship match; if there's a single factor that points to the virtual worthlessness of the U.S. title, here it is. It's been suggested that no one cares about this championship anyway, and a match-up of these guys perfectly accents that. Some have speculated that this a reward for Santino's good service these past years. Fine, if you want to reward Santino while making this contest worthy of a title match, at least let him oppose someone worth writing home about. Sure, this match could be made for Smackdown.....but not for a major PPV, for cobra's sake.

A circus clown going up against a cigar store Indian.

Terrific.

 

[DX Mols]

I hate Cesaro's music more then any other in the WWE currently, but he does deserve the US Belt more then Sucktino so give it to the weird looking Euro. Maybe it will add value to the belt as it hasn't meant anything since DZ and Ryder had it. Santino is horrible and will always be horrible. I don't care that it's not on the PPV itself as it's a garbage match.

 

[Radical]

It's frustrating that this 'throw-together' match probablly means Cesaro will win because Santino has had the belt long enough and done nothing with it... and because Vince/WWE probably wants to show everybody that something significant like a title change can happen at anytime - even on YouTube pre-show!

Cesaro is as boring of a wrestler as I have seen in some time, IMO. His finisher is horribly awkward looking and he's just another trunk monkey. But WWE LOVES those guys these days so I guess I can't expect anything less.

 

[Pedigree1]

As alot of people have already said Cesaro is strange. Its make or break for him either way. Some weeks hes on tv some not and in both cases who really notices him here or not? Certainly not me.

As far as he getting the title shot goes the US title really means nothing at this point at all. Santino has been champion for what now since march? Why is Cesaro getting this title shot and not Damien Sandow? Sandow would have been a much better choice for this.

Also,the fact its on a preshow and not on the PPV goes to show you how little disregard the US title means

 

[HBsam31]

I do hate that these matches are thrown together for a preshow match, but my hope is Cesaro wins this and starts defending the title in competitive matches each week. I have a feeling I am dreaming on that though. The fact that it is a preshow match shows the importance of the US title. Either way I think Cesaro takes the title here. Santino has had it long enough ithout really doing anything with it.

 

[vampxx24]

It's frustrating that this 'throw-together' match probablly means Cesaro will win because Santino has had the belt long enough and done nothing with it... and because Vince/WWE probably wants to show everybody that something significant like a title change can happen at anytime - even on YouTube pre-show!

Cesaro is as boring of a wrestler as I have seen in some time, IMO. His finisher is horribly awkward looking and he's just another trunk monkey. But WWE LOVES those guys these days so I guess I can't expect anything less.[/QUOTE]

look up his roh work, the guy is a top talent.... the guy can work his ass off if wwe let him use his full abilities, but i agree the finisher and attire need to go..bring back the ricola bomb

 

[DethMetal]

It's frustrating that this 'throw-together' match probablly means Cesaro will win because Santino has had the belt long enough and done nothing with it... and because Vince/WWE probably wants to show everybody that something significant like a title change can happen at anytime - even on YouTube pre-show!

Cesaro is as boring of a wrestler as I have seen in some time, IMO. His finisher is horribly awkward looking and he's just another trunk monkey. But WWE LOVES those guys these days so I guess I can't expect anything less.

First of all, what are you talking about, man? Cesaro and Santino have been having beef with each other for about a month now.

And all Cesaro needs is more attention to his gimmick. He's a former rugby player who got canned for being to aggressive. I know the aggession angle is somewhat played out, but work on that. Don't have him come out and say "Hello" or "Victory" in five different languages. That doesn't catch heat; it's actually quite annoying.

Back to the matter at hand, I'm really hoping that Cesaro wins here. Santino has held that championship for too long, and you can count on a hand without a thumb the number of times he has actually defended it. All he's doing at this point is hurting the title in my opinion. I think that Cesaro could be a great heel given time, and that he and Aksana could possibly be the new power couple of the WWE, again, given time. It bugs me that this isn't on the actual card. Maybe Cesaro could trash the U.S. Championship and bring back the European Championship.

Just some wishful thinking.

 

[Manof1,004Holds]

Wow. This is cool I really didn't expect this honestly. Anyway this should be a good match. Even though I want Antonio Cesaro I don't think they'll have a title change on a pre-show, like you said.

 

[HBKistheHOF]

I can not WAIT OR THIS!

I REALLY hope WWE let's Cesaro win. I think Arda Ocal on Aftermath Radio said it best, all that matters is his hand is raised and we hear....the NEW United States Champion: Antonio Cesaro! And then he need to DEFEND THE TITLE! He needs to run through EVERYONE on Smackdown and have a solid 4-6 month title reign minimun!

*LET'S KEEP ALL TITLES DFENDED ON PPV'S!*

 

[Carlito_Orton]

Just like most of the guys above said I also think we'll see a new U.s champion in Antonio this Sunday although I would have preferred Sandow to take the united states championship off of Santino Antonio as United states champion is a much better choice than keeping it on Santino who hasn't been doing much in regards to his championship.

I actually made a video about this going into more detail about this prediction
[YOUTUBE]jrTxJayvKaA[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Dagger Dias]

The time has come. Santino needs to lose the US Championship while it's still worth more than the material it is made out of. His reign lasting this long is a JOKE and he should never have held the belt for more than a brief while. When Ryder and Ziggler had the title it still meant something. Antonio could use it to bring a little importance back to it and continue impressing with what he can do. I can't believe that they have not taken the belt off of him yet, this is as good a time as any to go through with it. Santino will be over as a comedy jobber no matter what he does, Antonio could use a title run.

I'm not expecting anything amazing out of these two.... The match will probably be ok, with Santino trying to hit the Cobra only to fail and then Antonio sneaks in a win. Then he can come out on Smackdown and proclaim that he is the new US Champion in each of the languages that he speaks. That should make for some interesting promos. Regardless, Cesaro wins here because he can actually do something with the belt. Santino as champion needs to end. NOW. Santino being the defending champion makes me not care that this is not on the actual card. I prefer for title matches to not be pre-show events, but it's Santino defending it. After he loses it (which he better) then hopefully that will be the end of US title match pre-show matches for a while too.

DAGGER'S PREDICTION
Antonio Cesaro will win the United States Championship

 

[Mustang Sally]

I can't believe that they have not taken the belt off of him yet, this is as good a time as any to go through with it.

There's a statement that shows how far the value of the U.S. Championship has fallen, no? That WWE has kept the belt around the waist (or waste, to be more direct) of a comedy jobber for five months does enough to prove that. It's not that I dislike Santino; a court jester isn't a bad thing to have on the roster.....but don't make him a champion, for gosh sakes.....especially for half-a-year!

My real problem with this match-up is that it's taking place on the 2nd (or 3rd) most important PPV in WWE's arsenal. It doesn't belong here: consider talking about Lesnar-Triple H, Cena-Punk-Show.......and Marella-Cesaro? C'mon now.

It's awfully early in Antonio's tenure with the company to be putting any kind of title belt on him, especially given that he hasn't yet done anything to warrant it. On the other hand, if the goal here is to take it away from Santino, then let's get it done and move on. The prestige of the U.S. title isn't going to increase with a Cesaro win, but they're doing the match and someone has to win it, so......

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I could see this match going either way really.

I could see Santino retaining because, let's be honest, management loves him. He's always done whatever's been asked of him with no complaints, criticms, bitching or whining. The fact that he's also pretty over doesn't hurt either. He might be a comedy act, but he's a comedy act that consistently draws good responses. Plus, Cesaro has beaten him in two straight non-title matches, so maybe WWE will go with a "he's due a win" type of thing with Santino here.

I could see Cesaro winning as well. He's on a roll against Santino after all, plus the United States Championship is just kind of wallowing in the general mediocrity that is Santino at this time. In order for things to ever get better with the title, they're gonna have to get it off Santino anyhow. Also, Cesaro is one of the guys that Triple H brought in upon taking charge of the WWE Developmental scene. With Triple H gaining more power and generally leaning more towards more "serious wrestlers", it's perfectly reasonable to believe a title change can/will happen.

It's true that Cesaro hasn't been there all that long. At the same time, he does show potential and the WWE has a lot of strong mid-card wrestlers on the roster. Cesaro might not come off as too much right now, but that could change upon getting the title.

 

[The Great King]

I really hope that Cesaro wins the title. Not only because it would get the title off of Santino, but also because if a title change does happen on the pre show it could make the next pre show match get more views.

 

[JWGunslinger]

Hopefully this match is used for what it should be, a good builing block for Cesaro. I've been a huge fan of the guy since day one, I love his style and his in ring abilities are something to take note of. His character isn't amazing but from what he delivers in matches he's a very impressive young guy and I want to see him move up to the next level. A win here would be great for him and I think the WWE knows what they have in him, there's always the chance that they dingbat around and have Santino goof around and pull off a win but I think that having him drop the title to Antonio at the second biggest PPV of the year would be great and the competition for the US title would get alot more interesting and exciting. We could see Cesaro putting on great matches with the likes of Ryback, Brodus, Sandow, McIntyre, etc. I'm excited by the potential a Cesaro title run has and I am really hoping it begins with him winning the title sunday.

 

[Theo Mays]

If the brass is iffy on Cesaro like dirt sheets are reporting then here is their shot to give him something to run with and become something more than Aksana's man. I like Cesaro, but haven't really got into his character right now. The guy certainly has the goods in the ring and a nice look. Santino hasn't really been a credible champ as I can't remember the last time he defended it. This is a chance for Cesaro to be thrown a bone and run with the title. If it doesn't work, have him drop the title. Simple as that. I'm pulling for Cesaro in this one, but seeing as it is the preshow I can see Santino retaining and dropping it on SD or Night of Champions next month.