WWE No Way out 2012 Results: Santino Marella Defeats Ricardo Rodriguez

In what was a late addition to the No Way Out card, United States Champion Santino Marella took on Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez in a tuxedo match. Not surprisingly, Santino stripped Ricardo down to his undergarments and came away victorious.

Santino and Ricardo have been feuding for the past several weeks as Santino mocked Ricardo's ring announcing skills before a match against Del Rio. Since then, Santino and Ricardo have competed against each other in a few de facto matches, including a mixed tag-team match on RAW where Ricardo and Beth Phoenix beat Santino and Layla.

Santino's United States Championship wasn't on the line against Ricardo, but he was the winner nonetheless. With Del Rio on the shelf for the time being due to a concussion, it is nice to see that Ricardo's comedic value is being utilized for the time being.

It is uncertain how long Del Rio will be out of action, but if he is going to miss a significant amount of time, then Rodriguez may be feuding with Santino for the foreseeable future. As somebody who enjoys Ricardo's gimmick, that is a good thing in one sense, but it also cheapens the credibility of the United States Championship.

Like the Intercontinental Championship, the US title is supposed to be a stepping stone to the main-event scene. It's obvious that Santino won't be a main-eventer, but he should be putting the title on the line against actual contenders. Instead, the United States Championship has become nothing other than a prop. If that continues to be true, then there is no point in Santino holding it.

Heels like Jack Swagger, David Otunga, Damien Sandow, Tensai and others could benefit from a run with the United States Championship, or at least a feud over it, but with Santino involved in a gimmick rivalry with Ricardo, that simply can't happen. Santino and Ricardo are great from a comedic standpoint, but the title shouldn't be involved.

I have no issue with Santino and Ricardo continuing their feud as long as Santino drops the US title to someone. With or without the United States Championship, Santino is going to be over with the crowd. Not everyone can say that, so it would really behoove the creative team to put the belt on the guy who is in need of something to give him direction.

There is no question that the match between Santino and Ricardo added some light-hearted moments to the card was decent filler, but it doesn't really do anything for either guy. Everyone expected Santino to get the win and Ricardo to be embarrassed, and that is precisely how things played out.

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