by Greg Parks, Torch Columnist

WWE Superstars TV Report
January 7, 2010 - Week 39
Taped the Week of January 4


- WWE Open.

- Superstars Open.

- Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed viewers to the show and readied fans for Diva action.

1 - JILLIAN vs. GAIL KIM - DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FIRST-ROUND MATCH

Jillian has apparently lost her last name. She got some mic time before the match said she had a pretty good feeling about her chances tonight and started singing "I Got a Feeling" from the Black Eyed Peas. Kim worked a wrist-lock, but that didn't go anywhere. Jillian with a shoulder-tackle, but Kim tripped her up for a near-fall. Cross-body off the top by Kim for another two-count. Fan with an "NWO" shirt directly opposite the hard camera. I didn't know people still wore those. Jillian worked over Kim on the outside of the ring. Back in, she caught Kim with a sidewalk slam for two. Hard whip into the buckle followed that up. A small section of fans chanted for Gail. Jillian pulled Gail off the top rope and went for a pin, but Jillian's leg was under the bottom rope. Kim showed off her flexibility by taking out Jillian with a body-scissors and getting the pin thanks to good leverage.

WINNER: Kim, at 3:09. An OK match.

- Lawler plugged Mike Knox vs. Finlay, still to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

2 - TED DIBIASE vs. CHRIS MASTERS

Masters' new music sounds just as heelish as his last one. He was accompanied to the ring by his new on-screen fling, Eve Torres. DiBiase concentrated on the legs of Masters at the outset. Masters almost got the Masterlock locked on with both men on the mat, but DiBiase got to the ropes to break it. After DiBiase took a break on the outside, Masters almost turned a hammerlock into a Masterlock. These quick attempts seemed to unnerve DiBiase. DiBiase fought back with a clothesline and several right hands. Impressive dropkick from one-third of Legacy. Sounded like Jerry Lawler was making his case to be in the Royal Rumble match, saying, "what's a Royal Rumble without a King?" DiBiase began to wear Masters down. Belly-to-back suplex by DiBiase cut off Masters' attempt at a comeback, but Masters got it in full a few seconds later. Scoop slam, then Masters played to the crowd and set up for the Masterlock. Two attempts and Masters couldn't do it. After a counter by DiBiase, he leveled Masters with Dream Street for the win.

WINNER: DiBiase, at 5:54. A rather bland match: Nothing wrong with it per se, but ultimately forgettable.

- Yoshi Tatsu and Goldust were walking backstage. It'll be one-on-one as Tatsu takes on Caylen Croft next.

[Commercial Break]

3 - YOSHI TATSU vs. CAYLEN CROFT

This was billed as Croft's first singles match in WWE. Goldust was at ringside for Tatsu, and Trent Beretta was in Croft's corner. Couple arm-drags and a dropkick by Tatsu, but Croft suckered him in and threw him out of the ring, using the tights for leverage. They went to break about a minute into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Croft was taking it to Tatsu out of break. Snap suplex garnered Croft a two-count. Croft worked a head-lock, and it looked nice and tight. Crowd wouldn't get into it to help Tatsu break the hold, so he had to do it himself. Yoshi fought back with chops and a rolling snap-mare out of the corner. To the top, Tatsu tried to get a hurricanrana on Croft, but Croft held on and Yoshi landed on his head. Cross-body off the top, but Yoshi rolled through for a near-fall. Neck-breaker by Croft for two. Yoshi finally hit the kick to the head of Croft for three.

WINNER: Tatsu, at 9:02. Good showing for Croft in his first singles match. They didn't ask him to do too much, but I did like the last few minutes.

- Mike Knox vs. Finlay is the main event tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Todd Grisham and Matt Striker talked on-camera about Bret Hart's return to Raw. We saw clips of it in the Raw Rebound.

- Finlay came to the ring. He takes on Mike Knox next.

[Commercial Break]

4 - FINLAY vs. MIKE KNOX

A feeling-out process took place early in the contest. Finlay grabbed Knox's arm and tried to bend it, but the over-sized Knox got to the ropes. Pump kick by Knox sent Finlay to the arena floor. Also one of Sheamus' signature moves. Let's see how long it stays in Knox's arsenal. Both men traded blows on the outside until Knox powerslammed Finlay. Finlay made it back into the ring before the ten-count. Back-breaker by Knox after Finlay tried an open-hand punch. Finlay fought out of a rest-hold and Knox ran into a few boots. The Irishman came off the second rope, but Knox caught him in an impressive display of strength. Another miss from Knox, as he went shoulder-first into the ring-post. Finlay made his comeback and Rolling Thunder got two. Knox came out of a corner with a cross-body for a two-count. The big man took the middle turnbuckle pad off one of the corners. That's a new one. As the ref got rid of the pad from the ring, Finlay used the Shillelagh to the skull of Knox to pick up the victory. Grisham called it a dirty deed and without missing a beat, Striker added it was "done dirt cheap." I'm sure Vince approved.

WINNER: Finlay, at 6:46. Knox loses again. What else is new? I don't see why they don't put him over Finlay; he certainly has more upward mobility than Fit.

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. You can also read his frequently updated blog in the VIP forum. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Also, look for his Tuesday chats with James Caldwell each Tuesday afternoon, posted on the Torch website. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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