WWE Superstars TV Results
June 17, 2010 - Year 2, Week 10
Taped the Week of June 14
Report by James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

For posterity's sake, we'll document the start of the replay of WWE Superstars began six minutes after the conclusion of the NBA Finals. On cue, the show opened with Kofi Kingston's theme music to bring out the Boston Celtics fan, accompanied by his NXT Rookie, Michael McGillicutty. Smackdown announcers Todd Grisham and Matt Striker were shown on camera and Grisham asked him what happened at the end of NXT on Tuesday. Striker said it's not about him, but the Superstars trying to teach the Rookies the ins-and-outs of WWE life. Apparently Striker hasn't reviewed the tape. The Dudebusters then came out, with Trent Barreta given the assignment against Kingston tonight.

1 -- Intercontinental champion KOFI KINGSTON (w/Joe Hennig) vs. TRENT BARRETA (w/Caylen Croft) -- non-title match

Kingston and Barreta went back and forth early on as the announcers talked World Cup. Kingston then knocked Barreta off the top turnbuckle to the floor. Croft tried to run a distraction on the apron, then Hennig tried to run him off, but Barreta cut off Kingston charging the ropes. Barreta then knocked Kingston to the floor, putting the champ in jeopardy. Barreta was in control going to the first break of the show.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Kingston was "having all kinds of trouble" with Barreta in the ring. Kingston fought back from his feet, but Barreta nailed him with an emphatic high knee to the face for a two count. Barreta continued to wear down Kingston as the announcers presented this as a sporting contest with Kingston showing more and more...lethargy...with each kick-out. Striker's Word of The Day on commentary.

Kingston then made a full comeback at 10:00 and hit a flying cross-body splash for a nearfall only. Barreta tried to come back with a facebuster, but Kingston blocked and landed a flying tomahawk smash. Kingston followed with the Boom Drop before starting to clap it up. He then connected flush with Trouble in Paradise for the pin and the win. Afterward, Hennig shared the spotlight with Kingston, who celebrated with the IC Title belt to close the segment.

WINNER: Kingston in 12:00. Effective, simple story with Kingston "over-coming the odds" to find a way to win. Solid reinforcement of Kingston as a top babyface on Smackdown. The Dudebusters just need to keep themselves on TV and keep doing solid work to get more opportunities. (*3/4)

[Q2]

NXT Recap: They went back to Tuesday night for MVP's pep talk to the Season 2 Rookies. They transitioned into a highlight package on the stand-out Alex Riley vs. Kaval match. Big focus on Riley, who is clearly the top star of the Season 2 class. This was followed by footage of the tag team main event with Kingston and Hennig celebrating again. The video closed with Cody Rhodes's stand-out heel promo. Oh no, Cody used the word "wrestler." Now investors are going to sell their shares, WWE's stock is going to plummet, and the McMahon Senate campaign is going to be undermined when people think WWE is presenting pro wrestling.

Later tonight: Uso Brothers vs. Mark Henry and Goldust in the Raw brand's featured match.

[Commercial Break. Hulk Hogan, Troy Aikman, and Hogan's pink bunny slippers.]

In-ring: Yoshi Tatsu came out for the next match on the show. Raw announcers Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler plugged the Raw brand's portion of the show and plugged the Fatal Four-Way PPV on Sunday. Yoshi assumed his fighting stance, then Primo Colon came out to face Yoshi in the "I feel like I've seen this several times before" Superstars match of the show.

2 - PRIMO COLON vs. YOSHI TATSU

Cole had another ECW reference this week, going back to when then-ECW champion Christian said he viewed Yoshi as a future champion. Primo cut off Yoshi early on with a kick to the mid-section before slingshotting him across the top rope. Cole talked about the "explosive and startling and wild show" Monday night on Raw and how it could affect the Four-Way PPV on Sunday. Lawler repeated the "anything can happen" tagline for the PPV as Primo continued to work over Yoshi. Yoshi came back with a kick to the left thigh, then Primo cut him off with a drop toe hold into a Camel Clutch. Primo crunched Yoshi's back, then went to an abdominal stretch to continue targeting the mid-section. In the mean time, Lawler explained Primo's heel character, saying the Colons are huge stars in Puerto Rico, but Primo isn't receiving as many accolades in WWE. Yoshi began to set up his comeback, but Primo cut him off and rolled up Yoshi with a hook of the tights. It was good for a three count out of the ref's view and the victory.

Post-match: Primo gloated about the victory, then started to walk off, but Great Khali's music hit. Khali watches Superstars? Khali slowly walked to the ring, chasing Primo back into the ring where Yoshi dropped him with a roundhouse kick. Khali then dropped Primo with the Punjabi Plunge to give the heel his comeuppance. In the post-post-match celebration, Yoshi excitedly jumped around. Khali and Yoshi then "entertained the kids and families" dancing in the ring, then on the way out of the ring to Khali's music.

WINNER: Primo in 5:00; Yoshi gets the post. Fine match. It won't be remembered unless they revisit it on a future episode, but it was fine while it lasted. (*1/4)

[Q3]

[Commercial Break]

Superstars profile: Kane. They included recent and old-school footage of Kane destroying folks. Chokeslams. Destruction. Pain. Agony. May 19. May 19. May 19.

Announcers: Cole and Lawler wondered how Kane's recent search for who took out The Undertaker will affect the Fatal Four-Way PPV on Sunday. Why? Because, let's say it all together now, "anything can happen." ... They transitioned into the Raw Rebound from Monday. Cue up a video on the opening segment with Wade Barrett establishing himself as the "voice of the group," then the mid-show Pros vs. Rookie brawl after John Cena's promo, and Bret Hart victimized by demolition derby at the end of the show.

Announcers: Cole and Lawler recapped the NXT angle and what will happen on Sunday when Season 1 Rookies show up making more demands from Bret Hart. Lawler: "I wonder if Hart will cave - that's probably not the right word - I wonder if Hart will give in to the Rookies's demands?" Cole said Hart was physically and emotionally affected.

In-ring: Mark Henry and Goldust came out first for the main event. The Usos are making their in-ring WWE TV debut next.

[Commercial Break. The usual with Hogan and Aikman.]

In-ring: Back from break, Goldust was squatting down ready for the main event. Out came the Usos with Tamina, who is going with a classy Divas look to establish the Usos's gimmick that they're high-class and educated. It's also a good look so she stands out by not looking like the other Divas straight out of a lingerie catalogue. Continuing the NXT angle, Lawler said he tried to reach out to Bret Hart after Raw, but he hasn't heard back from him.

3 -- USO BROTHERS (JIMMY & JEY USO w/Tamina) vs. GOLDUST & MARK HENRY

The opening bell sounded and Cole and Lawler picked up a conversation on whether Hart will be in the right mental state to make a decision on whether the Rookies deserve contracts. Lawler said he doesn't think Hart should cave, but allow the Pros to put the Rookies in their place. Cole said Sunday night is the first Fatal Four-Way PPV and the Rookies are trying to steal the spotlight on Sunday. "This is getting ridiculous!" Cole said. There was almost a Daniel Bryan promo in there somewhere. Lawler said he would like to see the Rookies get their contracts so they can get their teeth kicked in.

The announcers then picked up a conversation on the Usos attacking the Hart Dynasty out of nowhere and getting WWE contracts. Cole said the difference is they went after WWE Superstars, not officials, the "sacred ring," and they didn't tear up the ring. Cole said he thinks the Rookies should be sent packing and not given contracts. Lawler argued back that if they're sent packing, they could show up any given week and wreak havoc with no one from the Raw roster able to put them in their place. In the middle of this discussion, Goldust and Henry knocked the Usos to the floor. They retreated on the outside as the show cut to break.

[Commercial Break. Another three for five night with Hogan and Aikman.]

Back from break, Goldust was working on Jey Uso with focus on the left arm. Jey tried a scoop slam, but Goldust maintained the hold into an arm bar. Henry then tagged in and picked up where Goldust left off. Henry attempted a powerslam, but Jey slipped out, only to run into a big boot from Henry. Henry then teased a big splash, but Jey moved. And in came Jimmy Uso for some work on Henry. The Usos began tagging in and out, scoring nearfalls on Henry. Henry eventually broke free and tagged in Goldust, who came in hot on Jimmy.

Goldust landed signature offense before mounting Jimmy for ten punches in the corner before hitting a powerslam. Jey broke up a pin, then Henry knocked him to the outside. Confusion ensued with Jey out-quicking Henry. Meanwhile, Tamina tripped Goldust from the outside as the ref was distracted. Jimmy then blasted Goldust with a standing kick and went up top for a big flying splash for the pin and the win. Post-match: the Usos got their shine in their first WWE TV match. After a replay of the high points from the match, including an "Evan Bourne replay" of the finish, they showed the Usos standing tall on the stage. Cole gave a final plug for the Fatal Four-Way PPV before a final shot of the Usos to close the show.

WINNERS: Uso Brothers in 12:00. The main talking points coming out of the match were from the commentary on the NXT angle rather than the match itself. WWE seemed to hint at the direction of the storyline, with the old wrestling angle (and WWE says they aren't pro wrestling) of the authority figure giving the "insurgents" contracts so they can get beat up by the heroic babyface(s). I get the feeling WWE is turning this into a short-term angle rather than something they can stretch out over a two-to-four month period that would make this a memorable, potentially epic angle that would help business over time. Eventually, some of the NXT Rookies could help business once they're integrated into the roster, but this angle has potential to be big if it turns into a long-term angle and isn't over right as it started. ... As for the Usos, good TV debut match. They're fundamentally sound and carry themselves well in the ring. They just need time to develop on WWE TV. (*1/2)

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