By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE Superstars TV Report
July 23, 2009 - Week 15
Taped the Week of July 20

The WWE show started with ECW brand announcers Matt Striker and Josh Mathews welcoming us to the show. ECW Title #1 contender Christian then came out for the opening match. William Regal was out second to face Christian.

1 -- CHRISTIAN vs. WILLIAM REGAL

Regal aggressive early on with a side headlock. Christian then ran him through the ropes to the outside and tried a plancha, but Regal moved and Christian ate the floor. Back in the ring, Regal went back to a headlock. Christian countered, but Regal went back to a headlock. Regal focused on just wearing down the #1 contender. Christian came back with a back elbow smash, then wanted a Tornado DDT out of the corner, but Regal shoved him clear over the top rope to the floor. Christian sold it like a pro, then slowly made his way back into the ring where Regal blasted him again. Regal then punched him off the apron to the ground and Christian was sprawled out on the floor leading to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Christian was trying to fight out of a standing stretch. He broke free, then both men knocked into each center ring and Christian went sprawling to the outside yet again. Ref reached a seven count, then Christian popped into the ring with the proverbial adrenaline rush to make a full comeback with a top rope missile dropkick for a two count. Regal then countered the Killswitch with a sweet overhead release suplex, but only scored a two count. Regal tried to finish off Christian, but Christian executed a sunset flip and trapped Regal's arms with his legs for a pinfall to win. Post-match: Announcers plugged Dreamer vs. Christian for the ECW Title at Night of Champions. Regal stood center-ring wanting another run at Christian, who caught his breath and sold the full effects of Regal's offense.

WINNER: Christian in 12:00. Typical Regal match where he has plenty of offense and shows aggressiveness, but ultimately loses the match. Not exactly a showcase for Christian before a PPV title match since he spent most of the match on the floor and dominated by Regal, but emphasis at the end was on Christian showing he can win a match some other way than using the Killswitch. Overall, solid TV match. (**1/4)

Up next: Evan Bourne in action.

[Q2]

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Evan Bourne came out first for the Raw brand match tonight. He's sporting the new EBourne t-shirt. Already in the ring was Jamie Noble, who's been working with Bourne behind the scenes and will get a chance to work out with him on TV.

2 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. JAMIE NOBLE

Lawler: "Both men about evenly matched." In other words, Lawler thinks they're both short and look the same. Fast-paced action to start before Noble grounded Bourne to take away the high-flying. Noble went to work on Bourne, prompting Lawler filling in the time with redneck jokes. Bourne made a comeback and Lawler said Noble has the Krispy Kreme look of the glazed over eyes and spaghetti legs. Someone feed The King. Noble then bailed to the outside for a breather, but Bourne nailed him with a splash. Both men battled back into the ring where Noble nailed a superplex and made a cover, but Bourne kicked out in time. Bourne and Noble went to the apron where Bourne landed an enziguiri kick. Bourne then dialed up the Shooting Star Press and Lawler went "aaaaaaahhhh" as Bourne connected. Bourne with the pin for the win.

WINNER: Bourne in 5:00. I wonder ... When was the last name an under-sized wrestler was booked in a squash match? Apparently it's only reserved for big man. This was the perfect opportunity for Bourne. You have Jamie Noble, who hasn't been on TV for a while and hasn't won a match in an even longer time and hasn't been presented credibly to the audience in years, as the opposition, yet WWE still booked a straight-up singles match. Of course, there was heavy emphasis on Bourne and everyone knew he was going to win, but I just don't think he benefited much from this. They apparently don't know what to do with him, so they booked him in an easy-win singles match just to get him on TV. Here's an amazing talent on their hands and they - for whatever lame reason - don't know what to do with hin, so they have him in a holding pattern.

Main event plug: Lawler plugged John Morrison vs. Kane later tonight for the Smackdown brand.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

Superstars video: Welcome to Chris Jericho's dictionary. "I am Chris Jericho," he almost said in a sing-song way. ... Raw announcers: Cole and Lawler were shown on-camera speculating on who Jericho is going to pick for his Unified tag champion partner at the PPV. ... Raw Rebound: They focused on the repeat of the repeat with Legacy vs. Triple H & John Cena. Cena pinned the champ, Randy Orton. Foreshadow or red herring? WWE says pay money to find out. Please.

SD Announcers: Jim Ross and Todd Grisham were shown on camera to break down the Night of Champions PPV card. Every title on the line. Please, give us money. ... In-ring: Kane came out first for the TV main event. WGN needs some money too. Commercial.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: John Morrison came out and Kane smirked at the sight of dinner. Or, perhaps he just ate and was feeling good about himself. Ross gave us the break down that Kane wants to stick to his ground-based-attack game plan tonight.

3 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. KANE

As expected, Kane took control early on with power offense overcoming high-flying. Kane grounded Morrison with a reverse chinlock and wore him down a bit. Morrison made it to his feet, then tried a barrage of strikes, but Kane flung him through the ropes to the floor. Repeat the Regal-Christian formula of the babyface Morrison on the floor going to a break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Kane was still in control working over Morrison's entire body. Head to toe coverage. Take away every body part. Make sure he can't even make the Batista Comeback. Morrison then made a comeback with three kicks to the chest and one to the head that put Kane on the mat. Morrison then covered up in the corner to avoid punches before catching Morrison with a trademark uppercut beneath the chin. Kane then teased a chokeslam, but Morrison slipped out and nailed the springboard Flying Chuck kick for a close nearfall. Crowd believed in a finish, but their hopes were dashed.

Kane then cut Morrison right off with a sidewalk slam for a two count of his own. He went up top for some reason and Morrison nailed him with A.J. Styles Pele kick to the head. Morrison then kicked Kane off the turnbuckle to the floor. Kane grabbed a steel chair off-camera and smashed Morrison in the gut as he came flying down for a splash. Ref called for a DQ. Morrison sold an arm injury, then Kane threw Morrison back into the ring and retrieved the chair. Great Khali's music hit, though, and Khali's super slow entrance allowed Morrison to recover and strike Kane from behind. Khali then played tug of war with Kane's ankles, but Kane bailed and went into the stands to avoid the wrath of Khali. Kane walked through the crowd and Khali stood tall... excuse the pin...to close the show.

WINNER: Morrison via DQ in 14:00. Good singles main event. Both men looked sharp in the ring. Same formula as Christian-Regal in the opener, just with a different finish. The show ending with Khali standing tall and without a PPV match to promote on Sunday reinforces the idea that Superstars is simply a "feature of stars" and isn't a true free TV infomercial show to sell PPVs. Therefore, I argue, the Raw Rebound should never air on Superstars again.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "WWE Superstars TV Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Superstars, email to pwtorch@gmail.com using our Feedback form.

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