WWE No Way Out 2012: Santino Marella VS Ricardo Rodriguez [Tuxedo Match]

[Jack-Hammer]

The title of the thread pretty much says it all. Vince is in another one of his peculiar comedic moods and this match has been added to the No Way Out ppv.

It's been a very, very long time since I've seen a Tuxedo Match. Both competitors are dressed in a tux and in order to win, you have to strip your opponent down to his undies. In the 80s & 90s, it was used strictly for comedic purposes. The last one I can recall seeing was back in WCW with Paul E. Dangerously, AKA Paul Heyman, facing Jim Cornette.

The match means absolutely nothing and will be used to give the crowd a cheap laugh. The only reason for the thread is because of the rarity of the match in and of itself. They really, really need to get the United States Championship off of Santino, merge it with the IC title or something.

 

[Danger Burger]

I have to agree, this should be for the US title. Ricardo is absolute gold, and since the title isnt worth its weight in leather it should be defended in a comedy match! Ricardo should walk out of here with his pants held high and a shiny new belt to help him do just that!

I cant see the point in even living anymore.

 

[The Crock]

Yeah, I'm disappointed that this isn't for the title, but I don't mind the match itself. Santino and Ricardo have been absolutely freakin' hilarious. Their match this Monday was GOLD. I get that their not going to provide much in the way of a wrestling match, but they will certainly be entertaining and that's the point, isn't it? It's not as if this is going to be a showcase match on the card, it'll just be filler -- but it'll be a great way to break the monotony of the card. This match was actually a great idea by the WWE, as not only can they slot it in as a fun opener and get the crowd going, but they can have it in the middle as a "come down" match for the fans, that will still keep them excited for the main event. This match is fine by me.

I do, indeed, have one qualm with this match, though, and that's the use of the United States Championship in this scenario. For starters, the championship is being COMPLETELY neglected, and it probably will be for the foreseeable future if the WWE tries to push this Santino/Ricardo feud. Don't get me wrong, both guys are great -- and I supported the Santino as US Champion, initially -- but they need to keep them both away from the title, and give it some actual exposure. A guy like David Otunga is just SCREAMING for the United States Championship, but they're keeping it bogged down on Santino and he's not even defending it. Sooner or later, the championship is going to lose any legitimacy it had built up and go right back to where it was when Jack Swagger had it -- I.E. being completely forgotten.

So, while I'm a fan of the match, I'm not a fan of the non-title stipulation. Maybe it's smart to keep your United States Championship away from such a joke of a match, as the Tuxedo Match will assuredly be, but then they might as well take the title off of Santino. There are plenty of young talents who could use the United States Championship as a way to elevate themselves past their current status (Otunga, Clay, a returning DiBiase), hell, there are even older guys who could use it (Tensai, Sin Cara) -- but I don't see the logic in keeping the title around Santino's waist any longer.

 

[HitmanRicks]

I'm having mixed feelings over this match.

I like that this is to be for comedy. Santino and Ricardo are going to be funny, which is the intention. This match is made for comedy. My only hope is that the reigning king of the Tuxedo match, Howard Finkel, makes an appearance. That would be perfect.

However, I am sad that the United States Title is being completely ignored here. This is a title Tully Blanchard and Magnum T.A. tried to kill each other for. Where did the prestige go? Why is it not important anymore? This irks me to no end.

 

[smackurdown19]

Wow. This should be a funny match like everyone else mentioned, but they should seriously get the title off marella. Santino is cool, and dude can really wrestle, and is funny but in all seriousness, if the wwe even care somewhat about their championships, or at least wants us fans to care, then get the title off santino onto someone like kofi again. He's not doing much either.....

 

[The Great King]

This is a complete waste of time and shouldn't even be on the card. Or at least have the US title be on the line in the match. Hopefully this match won't be longer than four minutes.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

I hope this is on the pre-show and not on the actual show. Does the WWE actually expect anyone to buy a PPV for this match? I'd rather see Ryback squash 4 anorexic jobbers at once.

This whole PPV is crap, and I understand the WWE has a thin roster right now, but they could at least try a little harder.

 

[RCProAm29]

I would almost rather have Swagger and Vicki bitch about being left off the card so Johnny gives them a US Title match vs Santino with Swagger winning it and using his new US Title to knock Dolph out in his match against Sheamus.

 

[Tbgator85]

I for one do not mind this.
It is on the card to do the following:
-Entertain: it will be hilarious
-Filler

And that's about it. My only gripe is that one of them is a title holder and has no right to even call themselves that.

Nothing bad about changing up the card a bit, a nod to how quirky wrestling was back in the day with these strange gimmick matches... id perfer to see them every now and then, but keep em away from the titles...

 

[EastCoastFan]

It's going to be a comedy match, no doubt about it. Santino will win and Ricardo will be shown wearing some very embarrassing underwear.

The last tuxedo match I remember was in the mid-90's when Harvey Wippelman faced Howard Finkel.

 

[roethlisberger78]

This match will be gold comedy wise no doubt, but the whole title thing im 50/50 on that. If the title is on the line then it looks so horrible being in a match like that with these two wrestlers, but with it never being defended then its pointless anyways so hell either way in my mind the title is screwed lol. No doubt though the match it self will be very funny and it will be put on the card at a time when the crowd needs to calm down from a big match prior to another big match. No problem with me.

 

[Raiden46]

Yeah I agree completely here. No problem with this match being on the card, but it sickens me to know that Santino is the champion; over or not. This is one time when I will actually look forward to a Santino match, lol

 

[HBsam31]

I don't mind the match itself as it should be half way funny at least, but I was hoping Santino would defend the US title. Like another poster said Santino will win and Ricardo will be shown with some embarrassing underwear on. Why not just make it a real match for the US title? If Santino is only going to be used for purposes of comedy then they should get the Us title off him.

 

[Dagger Dias]

My first thoughts when I saw the announcement for this match was that WWE have lost their minds. While I'm sure it will be funny, it's still a complete waste of everyone's time. Why not put Santino's title on the line? Guys like Ryder, Swagger, or even Otunga could face him. It's bad enough that Santino is the US Champion, but now we have to sit though this potential disaster? What is WRONG with you, WWE? We want to see wrestling, not this trash! TNA comes up with better stipulations and matches than this!!!!

It has earned my pick for the match where I go grab some snacks. Probably raspberry M&M's and a hot pocket or two. I'm just somewhat upset that WWE would book this match when they could do a tag team title match or have Santino put his title on the line. Even a filler match between jobbers would make more sense. Ryback and Brodus need more squash matches too, they could have been given a match. Nope, instead WWE insists on putting this on the card. Santino wins because he's a title holder and Ricardo is just Alberto's announcer, him winning here would only solidify how pointless the "match" is.

DAGGER'S PREDICTION
Santino will defeat Ricardo.

 

[Arashi]

It'll be funny as hell just wish Santino wasn't the United States champion, or that they'd actually invest some time in him rather than continue this kind of stuff. That said he'll win this match with ease.