WWE Superstars TV Report
February 11, 2010 - Week 44
Taped the Week of February 8
Report by James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The WWE show started with Raw announcers Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introducing the show and plugging the main event of JTG vs. Dolph Ziggler to come. Santino Marella then came out for the opening match as they replayed some highlights from the Santino vs. Jack Swagger feud. Before the match, Santino took the mic and said he's going to teach the All-American American Swagger...Swagger a lesson after he eliminated him from the Royal Rumble. Santino had some more funny lines, then Swagger came out for the opening match.

1 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. SANTINO MARELLA

Swagger took early control and did some push-ups to make light of Santino, who did his "You ah make me ah so mad" stance before engaging Swagger. The announcers spent some time talking about Mr. McMahon embarrassing Bret Hart for the third time on Raw this week. Cole seemed to take pleasure saying McMahon embarrassed Hart. Santino then knocked Swagger to the floor and proceeded to do push-ups of his own to mock Swagger. Swagger then stormed the ring and took a drop toe hold, but he caught Santino in the corner and smashed him to the mat. Swagger started an attack as the announcers talked up Jerry Springer hosting next week on Raw. Cole said he wants someone named Michael to guest-host down the line so he can hear his name chanted for the first time ever. Santino then became impervious to head shots in the corner and he Hulked Up before dropping the Sailor's Salute elbow. He then tried his Cobra attack, but Swagger ducked and hit a clothesline. Swagger followed with the gutwrench powerbomb for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 5:00. And Swagger has his first TV win of 2010. Santino was entertaining to keep this interesting before Swagger picked up a needed win. The match was worth a laugh or two on a DVR replay. (*)

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Zack Ryder's music hit to bring out Ryder with Rosa Mendes. ECW announcers Josh Mathews and Byron Saxton talked on-camera to talk about this apparently being the last ECW match ever on Superstars. Out next was the ECW champion Christian. Someone actually had a functioning neon sign attached to a poster. Nice. The announcers plugged Christian vs. Zeke for the ECW Title on the final ECW next Tuesday.

[Q2]

2 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. ZACK RYDER (w/Rosa Mendes) -- non-title match

The bell sounded and Mathews said he spoke with Christian pre-match about Christian being focused on Zeke on Tuesday in the last ECW episode. Saxton created banter that it gives Ryder an opening with Christian looking ahead. After a brief exchange, Ryder took control going to break with a DDT right onto the ring apron.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Ryder was still in control trying to wear down Christian on the mat. Christian tried to make a comeback, but Ryder slingshot him neck-first across the bottom rope. Ryder tried to follow with the Rough Ryder leg drop, but Christian countered with a pin attempt for a two count only. Christian then went up top, but airballed a top rope splash. Ryder followed with the Rough Ryder drop for a two count of his own. Ryder, frustrated, lost control and Christian hit a flying European uppercut from the second rope. He then warmed up the Killswitch and dropped Ryder center ring for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Christian in 10:00. Fine match with Christian standing tall holding the ECW Title belt in the final ECW match on Superstars. No one expected Ryder to win, but the key was just to continue putting Ryder in the same category as a WWE champion. (*3/4)

Hall of Fame video: They rolled footage on Ted DiBiase's Hall of Fame induction including the plethora of old-school clips. Naturally, Vince McMahon's old-school announcer voice was included throughout.

NXT video plug: One week from Tuesday, The Season begins.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

John Cena Superstars video: They showcased Cena action footage with voice-overs from Cena saying he goes to battle for a nation, Jim Ross on past commentary, and Michael Cole on recent audio. Nice video package to inspire the target demo.

Announcers: Smackdown's Todd Grisham and Matt Striker were shown on-camera to introduce the Raw Rebound focused on Carl Edwards guest-hosting, John Cena's preacher promo on Batista and McMahon, and Bret Hart being "screwed" by McMahon again. The voice modulation on Vince shouting, "You deserved to be screwed," became comical on the fifth repeat.

In-ring: Dolph Ziggler came to the ring for the main event after they filled ten minutes of TV time to stretch this out to the main event against Cryme Tyme's JTG.

[Commercial Break]

WM26 video: More stretching with the WrestleMania 26 hype video featuring plenty of clips from WrestleMania 25 in Houston and WrestleMania 24 in Orlando. WM26 is 45 days away.

In-ring: Dolph continued to warm up leading to JTG coming to the ring without Shad Gaspard. Striker said JTG is out hanging out with his friends and family while he's in the library studying. Grisham suggested Striker is a lonely guy without friends.

[Q4]

3 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. JTG (w/Shad Gaspard)

Even exchange to start with Dolph doing the classic heel routine of backing up to the corner using the ref as a shield on a rope break. Dolph then asked for a test of strength before kicking JTG in the gut. JTG took a right hand to face before Dolph followed with an elbow smash to the chops for a one count. JTG then made a fired-up comeback and knocked Dolph to the floor. JTG stood tall in the ring going to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Dolph was in control following a neckbreaker on the floor during the commercial. Back to real-time, Dolph was working over JTG's neck and he continued to work the neck and upper back for a few minutes. Dolph then hit the Rocker Dropper on the neck for a two count before stomping on JTG's upper back some more. The announcers focused on Dolph being dominant working over the neck through the second half of the match, then JTG made a comeback including a flying flip clothesline. JTG did his "rolling the dice" motion before giving Dolph the Mugshot faceplant for a two count. Dolph tried to come back with a hook of the tights, but JTG kicked out and connected with a clothesline for a two count. JTG then missed with a corner attack and nailed the Zig-Zag from behind for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Dolph Ziggler in 13:00. Dolph dominated and picked up the win, which was good enhancement for his character. Dolph has much more upside as a singles wrestler than JTG, as JTG's upside is as a tag wrestler. JTG had enough time to get some focus on offense so he wasn't completely wasted here, but it was about Dolph. (*1/2)

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