By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE Superstars TV Report
May 14, 2009 - Week 5
Taped the Week of May 11

After the WWE Superstars video montage started the broadcast, IC champion Rey Mysterio came to the ring to start the show. Ringside representing Smackdown were John Grisham, Jim Ross, and John Morrison, who decided not to wear a shirt for his guest commentator role. Rey did his full ring entrance while Ross plugged the line-up tonight, including Big Show vs. Hornswoggle in a mis-match. Shelton Benjamin then came out and they recapped Shelton costing Morrison his match last week on Smackdown.

1 -- IC champion REY MYSTERIO vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN -- non-title match

Shelton and Rey locked up and Shelton tossed Rey to the outside. Morrison said Shelton could be great if he got his head on straight. Back in the ring, Shelton kicked Rey in the gut, but Rey switched a waistlock into chucking Shelton to the floor. Rey then flew off the apron with a huracanrana taking Shelton clear down to the mat. Morrison liked the athleticism. Back in the ring, Rey wanted a finish, but Shelton blocked with a gutbuster across his knee. Rey's ribcage took the worst of that.

Shelton then knocked Rey to the mat to help him some buy some time. Back in the ring, Shelton grabbed a waistlock back in the ring, then Rey fought back with elbow strikes after catching his breath. Rey then set up Shelton for a 619, but Shelton came to his feet and kicked Rey right out of the ring to the floor. Grab a break with Rey in jeopardy.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Shelton was stretching Rey mid-ring. He then chucked Rey high in the air and covered him for a two count. Shelton then slapped on a seated ab stretch to continue working on Rey's mid-section. At 10:00, Rey kicked back with a strike to the stomach before Shelton ran him over with a knee to the gut. Shelton continued to work the mid-section as the fans tried to rally behind Rey. Rey came up holding his right knee following that previous gut to the knee, by the way, then he tried going up top, but Shelton hung him upside down.

Shelton tried to charge for a splash, but Rey back-flipped out of the way and positioned himself up top for a sentaun splash. Rey then nailed a twisting press off the second rope for a two count. He wanted the wheel barrow, but Shelton blocked with a German suplex for a close call. Rey then nailed a sweet Tornado DDT off Shelton's shoulders before setting up the 619 and connecting. Rey then sprung to his feet and nailed the springboard splash for the pin and the win.

[Q2] Post-match: Rey quickly rolled out of the ring holding his right knee and he hobbled out to ringside. Rey made it to the stage hobbling on his knee, then Shelton went over to Morrison ringside for a confrontation. Shelton tried a right hand, but Morrison blocked and dropped him with a right hand of his own. Morrison's music hit and he put his sunglasses back on before walking away.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio in 14:00. Looks like that bad knee crept up on Rey again, as he was favoring the knee at the end of the match. Excellent TV match, though. Great action and athleticism. Both men really delivered a stand-out performance and Shelton continues to look better and better when given more "multiple-segment" matches to complete stories in the ring. (***)

Backstage: They showed Mark Henry pumping himself up to face ECW champion Christian. Match is up next.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Mark Henry came to the ring with Tony Atlas. Ringside, ECW hosts Josh Mathews and Todd Grisham talked about flirting with disaster if Henry takes apart ECW champion Christian before Christian defends the title against Jack Swagger on Sunday at the PPV. Christian then came out and took his time before preparing to lock up with Henry.

2 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) -- non-title match

Henry shoved Christian down after their initial lock-up, then Henry smiled down at Christian. Henry drove Christian into the corner before stomping him down. Henry continued to assault Christian, who finally dipped out of the ring to make Henry exert energy going in and out of the ring. Christian then dropkicked Henry through the ropes and they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

Back from break, Henry was back in control working over Christian on the mat. He then slapped on a bear hug until Christian broke free, only to have Henry squash him in the corner. Striker said Jack Swagger must love what he sees with Christian being softened up for J-Day. Henry missed with a second splash attempt, then Christian fired up with clotheslines that rocked Henry but didn't knock him off his feet. Christian went up top for a second dropkick and Henry finally fell, but Henry press-slammed Christian out of a pin attempt. Love that kick-out spot. Christian tried the Killswitch, but Henry blocked and clotheslined him inside-out.

Battle moved to the top turnbuckle where Christian attempted a Tornado DDT, but Henry pulled him down to the mat. Henry then missed with a sit-down butt splash and ate the mat. Christian followed with a turnaround splash from the second rope and covered Henry for a pin and the win.

WINNER: Christian in 10:00. Really nice match, actually. They had good chemistry and the announcers really did a nice job of selling the idea of Henry softening up Christian for the ECW Title match against Swagger. Good team work all-around. (**)

[Commercial Break]

Raw Rebound: They took us back to Raw on Monday when Randy Orton tried to out-smart Batista, but Batista took out Legacy then took apart Orton's ankle for J-Day. ... Announcers: Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler plugged the J-Day PPV line-up for Sunday.

Backstage: They showed Big Show and Hornswoggle on a split-screen as they prepared for the main event. Hornswoggle was shown pacing around in the locker room looking quite concerned about the upcoming battle.

[Q4]

[Commercial Break]

Superstars profile: They showed highlight clips of Edge.

In-ring: Big Show came out first for the TV main event. Another video package took us through the John Cena-Big Show feud leading to them facing each other at J-Day. They cut back to a shot of Big Show shadow-boxing ready to stomp Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle then slowly came out to the ring taking deep breaths. He pulled a Randy Orton and took his sweet time entering the ring, but for different reasons.

3 -- BIG SHOW vs. HORNSWOGGLE -- Exhibition Match

Bell sounded. Ref was in the ring for this Exhibition Match unlike Cena's on Raw. Show walked right up to Hornswoggle and milked the impending destruction. Show then lifted up Horny and teased press-slamming him to all four corners of the ring. He then opted just to place Horny on the top rope. Show then went down to the mat and invited Hornswoggle to nail the tadpole splash. Horny didn't know what to do, so he slowly positioned himself and went for the finish, but Show moved out of the way and stared down Hornswoggle. He then put Show on the top rope again and Show teased the big right hand strike.

Suddenly, Goldust's music hit. Wha? Goldust made the save and went after Show for a DQ. Oddities v.2? Show thwarted Goldust' save and nailed a chokeslam in center ring. Horny was on the floor by now. Show then put Goldust in a Camel Clutch and wrenched down on his back. Horny couldn't do anything about it before Show finally dropped the hold and left the ring. Hornswoggle then entered the ring and checked on Goldust, who sold a back injury. Show dominant going into J-Day against Cena. One last shot of Hornswoggle agonizing over Goldust to close the show.

WINNER: Big Show via DQ in 3:00. Could have used a cameo from Cena to reinforce the Show-Cena match, but an okay effort to promote J-Day. Goldust and Hornswoggle together ... Well, it is WWE. (n/a)

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