WWE Superstars TV Results
May 27, 2010 - Year 2, Week 7
Taped the Week of May 24
Report by James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

This week's WWE Superstars episode opened with Smackdown announcers Todd Grisham and Matt Striker introducing Evan Bourne vs. Zack Ryder from the Raw brand coming up in the main event.

In-ring: JTG came out to start the show, then Grisham and Striker were shown on-camera to talk up the newsworthy week. Out as JTG's opponent was Cody Rhodes sporting the vintage black sequined jacket. Grisham said they've never met one-on-one before.

1 -- JTG vs. CODY RHODES

Grisham provided the notes on the match that both men made their names as tag team wrestlers and now they're looking to make a name for themselves as singles wrestlers, but they have to win matches. It's refreshing to hear a wrestling announcer referencing the simple importance of winning matches. JTG and Cody started with a basic exchange before JTG pulled out a quick small package attempt for a two count. Rhodes then chucked JTG to the outside, but JTG flew back into the ring to tackle Rhodes. Cody reversed a whip to the ropes, then hit a dropkick for a two count. As Cody began a methodical attack, Grisham and Striker picked up a conversation on C.M. Punk losing his hair and suggested Punk will come back crazier after being humiliated at Over the Limit. They cut to break with JTG knocking Cody over the top rope to the outside to take control going to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, JTG landed a short-arm clothesline before doing sort of a rolling neck snap that was probably better on paper than in execution. The action moved to the apron where Cody took JTG's left arm across the top rope to begin working over the left shoulder. Cody continued a methodical attack taking his sweet time measuring every move. Cody then missed with a clothesline and cut off JTG's attempted comeback. Cody shot JTG off to the ropes, but JTG came back with a flip-over neckbreaker to begin a comeback.

[Q2] JTG followed with a top rope leg smash, but Cody kicked out at two. JTG then went for a spinning neckbreaker off the ropes and it was sloppily executed with Cody falling down before JTG executed. Cody suddenly came back with a running enziguiri kick off the top turnbuckle. He followed right up with Cross Rhodes for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Cody Rhodes in 15:00. Very, very methodical match. They walked a fine line between having a steady build-up to the finish and completely losing the audience. JTG's comeback wasn't strong, especially with the sloppy neckbreaker, but Cody had a nice one-two combo for the finish. JTG still has work to do as a singles wrestler, while Cody has to do a better job of engaging the audience while he's going through the procedure of a methodical attack. (*1/2)

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Yoshi Tatsu came out for the Raw brand's first match of the show. Raw's Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler were shown ringside to talk about current events, including John Cena vs. Batista at Over the Limit and Cole's deal with Daniel Bryan on NXT.

2 -- YOSHI TATSU vs. PRIMO COLON

The announcers talked around Primo's heel turn, with no mentions of Carlito, of course. Primo mock extended a handshake to Yoshi and Yoshi unwittingly accepted, leading to Primo dropping him with a short-arm clothesline. "Primo sucks" chant from the crowd. Lawler said he's not sure Carlos Colon would be proud of his son, while Cole shot back that it's about wins and losses and getting the job done. Lawler, with the full-fledged babyface turn on commentary, said sometimes you have to be able to look yourself in the mirror. Primo continued to work over Yoshi as Lawler referenced the number of injuries stemming from the PPV on Sunday. Lawler talked up Antonio Inoki in reference to Yoshi, who made a comeback with two feet to the gut as Primo came off the second rope. "Yoshi, Yoshi" chant as Yoshi ducked a right hand and landed kick strikes to the mid-section. Yoshi followed with a Shining Wizard for a two count, then tried a top rope move. Primo cut him off, though, but Yoshi punched Primo off the top rope. Yoshi then came off the top with a spinning heel kick to the mid-section for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Yoshi in 6:00. Nice Superstars TV match. Yoshi showed trademark energy and both men gave the show a nice dose of athleticism following the methodical opening match. (*1/2)

[Q3]

NXT recap: Cole interjected himself into the story saying things have spiraled out of control on NXT and he's in the middle of it. Roll footage from Tuesday when Daniel Bryan's "public apology" turned into another Pier Six brawl.

[Commercial Break]

Superstars Profile: This week they focused on John Morrison. Plenty of high-flying clips, adoring females in the crowd, and slow-mo on the Starship Pain to get over the finisher.

Announcers: Cole and Lawler put over Morrison coming to Raw from the Draft. Cole then fed to the Raw Rebound, which focused on Batista's awesomely great heel promo blowing off his disillusioned, entitled superstar role and "quitting" WWE. Cole then hyped Cena vs. Orton vs. Sheamus vs. Edge for the WWE Title at the Fatal Four-Way PPV in June.

In-ring: Evan Bourne came to the ring for the TV main event. Bourne has been spending more time in the tanning bed. Speaking of which, Zack Ryder is up next.

[Commercial Break]

3 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. ZACK RYDER

Early on, Bourne went up top teasing Air Bourne, but Ryder popped to his feet and cut off Bourne. Bourne flipped down to the corner, then Ryder followed with a Samoa Joe-style face wash kick. Bourne fell through the ropes to the floor, leaving Ryder in control going to break.

[Commercial Break. The Undertaker returns to Smackdown.]

Back from break, Ryder was stretching Bourne's neck with a mat hold back in the ring. Ryder bent Bourne like a pretzel, then Bourne transitioned into a crucifix pin for a two count. Ryder popped to his feet, though, and slingshot Bourne across the top rope for a two count. Ryder with a neckbreaker for a two count, then he went back to a side headlock. Lawler provided dating advice to the audience with no Divas ringside for Ryder this week on Superstars as Ryder continued to work over Bourne.

At 10:00, Ryder went back to a headlock continuing to ground Bourne and cut off his offense. Bourne suddenly busted out a spin kick, but he sold being too worn down to capitalize. Bourne then hit a leg sweep and multiple kick strikes that put Ryder down in the corner. Bourne followed with a running double-foot kick strike. He then went up top for Air Bourne, but Ryder came to his feet and avoided Bourne's finisher. He followed with the Rough Ryder and Bourne kicked out, with Lawler selling shock on commentary.

Ryder wanted the Zack Attack, but Bourne kicked him to the corner again. He wanted Air Bourne again, but Ryder moved out of the way and Bourne ate the mat. Ryder then hit the Zack Attack and scored the pin for the win. Post-match: They rolled footage from the high points of the match and Ryder avoiding Air Bourne. Ryder was shown celebrating on the way out as Cole plugged Raw from Austin on Monday.

WINNER: Ryder in 13:00. That's a pretty big deal they booked Ryder to have a very rare counter to one of the most over finishing moves in the company. Yes, it's a small stage on Superstars, but that has to be some anecdotal evidence Ryder will get future TV time on Raw to get himself over. Good, basic wrestling match overall to complete the Superstars package focusing on wins & losses, plus solid athleticism. (*3/4)

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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