By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

WWE SUPERSTARS
MAY 7, 2009
AIRED ON WGN AMERICA

[Q1]

-After the Superstars opening, Todd Grisham introduced the show as Edge's ring intro began. They cut to Grisham with Jim Ross at ringside previewing "The Cutting Edge." He said a little over a week before his big match at Judgment Day, he wanted to interview his opponent. He introduced Jeff Hardy, who danced his way onto the stage. Edge said he told John Cena that he'd be the last man standing at the end of their war, and the same will be the case when they fight at J-Day. He told Jeff to savor his victory at MSG last week to earn a title shot. The crowd chanted, "Hardy, Hardy." Edge said his feud with Hardy has to end at Judgment Day. Hardy said he vows to win the title back. Edge talked about their history together in WWE dating back to the early days. He said Hardy gets one opportunity after another handed to him and he squanders them. He said he has fooled the fans into thinking he's turned a new leaf. Edge said he knows he's the same screwup he's always been and always will be. Hardy thanked Edge sarcastically for the trip down memory lane. He told him to buckle up because there are more memories to be made. He attacked Edge and gave him a Swanton. As Hardy held up Edge's belt, Ross asked if that would be the scene at Judgment Day. That's about what you'd expect from those two. Not especially inspired. Edge is good even when going through the motions, which he was here. Hardy is always a bit awkward on the mic, but his charisma makes up for it.

-Grisham hyped John Morrison vs. Chris Jericho was the show's main event.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

1 -- SANTINA & KELLY KELLY vs. BETH PHOENIX & ROSA MENDEZ

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler took over commentary. Cole: "Beth said dating Santino was like dating a child, and I'm sure, King, you can see what Beth Phoenix is talking about." Lawler said, "Just because my wife had a marriage license before they had a driver's license, what are you talking about?" After getting kicked in the butt, Santina walked it off and got some laughs. A few minutes of decent action and more comedy spots ended with Kelly pinning Mendez.

WINNERS: Phoenix & Mendez in 4:00

-They showed Finlay warming up backstage, showing off his drug-free massively muscular 50 year old chest and arms with his singlet straps down.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- ZACH RYDER vs. FINLAY

Josh Matthews and Matt Striker called this. Ryder debuted his new look here, which is going to make D.J. Gabriel upset. He acted like Brian Christopher of Too Cool fame with his body language and mannerisms. His gimmick is that he's worried about his spiked jelled hair being messed up. Finlay messed it up to make him angry. Then he slapped him after he mouthed off at him. Finlay caught Ryder in the ring apron when Ryder flipped over the top rope onto him. Striker said Ryder has gotten very cocky ever since his early success in WWE. He said his own face is his screen saver.

Ryder got control at 3:00 after some ringside action, but Finlay avoided a charge in the corner and then gave him a Celtic Cross.

WINNER: Finlay in 3:00.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Not a lot to it. Why give Ryder a make-over and new gimmick only to job him to a 50 year old mid-carder in his relaunch?

[Q3]

[Commercial Break]

-A video package recapped the Chris Jericho-John Morrison happenings on Smackdown last Friday.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

3 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. JOHN MORRISON

This is an interesting match on a number of levels. Can Morrison look like a potential main event singles wrestler against one of the shortest WWE PPV headliners in Jericho? He looked smaller than Jericho all around, slightly shorter and definitely thinner than the thickish Jericho, but just big enough to look like he's in the same weight division. Morrison clotheslined Jericho over the top rope to the floor early. Back in the ring Jericho took over at 2:00. He slapped Morrison a couple times, so Morrison fired back with a barrage of punches. Jericho knocked Morrison to the floor as they cut to a break at 4:00.

[Commercial Break]

Morrison made a comeback at 7:00, hitting a clothesline and a flying leg clothesline, then a running knee to the face for a two count. Ross touted how this match is a testament to how well Smackdown did in the draft. At 8:00 Jericho applied a Walls of Jericho, but Jericho quickly grabbed the bottom rope to force a break. He then tossed Jericho crotch-first into the corner and hit a split-legged corkscrew springboard moonsault. Spectacular. Near fall followed. Jericho came back briefly, but Morrison scored another near fall with a bodyblock. Jericho fired back with an enzuigiri for a two count of his own at 10:00. Morrison hit a springboard roundkick to Jericho's face. Shelton Benjamin's music interrupted. He appeared on the big screen and he said: "Remember me? Now that I have your attention, gotcha!" Jericho surprised the distracted Morrison with a Code Breaker for the win.

WINNER: Jericho in 11:00.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Okay match. It seemed a bit meandering early in that there was no sense of urgency in the early minutes, but it picked up into a solid match in the final minutes. It'd be nice to know if we're supposed to cheer for Morrison or not. Is Shelton heelish for distracting him? Or are fans supposed be glad Morrison was distracted into a loss? Casting heros and villains goes a long way.

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