WWE Superstars TV Results
July 1, 2010 - Year 2, Week 12
Taped the Week of June 28
Report by James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

This week's episode of WWE Superstars on WGN started with Raw announcer Michael Cole recapping a "wild week" in WWE. Cue up Yoshi Tatsu's theme music to bring out Yoshi and Goldust for the opening match. Cole and Jerry Lawler picked up a conversation on Tatsu and Goldust once being #1 contenders to the tag titles. Lawler was back on commentary after the Nexus attack on Monday. (Good continuity since Superstars was taped before Raw.)

Out as the heel opposition for the opening match were Zack Ryder and Primo. Ryder was sporting actual trunks this week after dropping the split-leg attire. Cole said Ryder and Primo have decided to form a tag team because they were both dissed by Divas champion Alicia Fox. There have been far worse reasons to form a tag team over the years.

1 -- ZACK RYDER & PRIMO COLON vs. GOLDUST & YOSHI TATSU

Early on, Cole and Lawler had a conversation on the mysterious Raw GM situation. Cole said there will be a "big announcement" on Monday from the Raw GM regarding Nexus. Cole said no one is safe with Nexus around and he doesn't know what they want since they already have WWE contracts. Cole said he finds the anonymous Raw GM interesting communicating with him. Cole said he has no idea who it is, he can't talk to the person over the phone, and he can't reply to the emails. So, it's an automated mailing list. Cole said no one knows who the person is and you can't contact the person. Surprisingly, it took Lawler exactly four minutes to mention Ryder's new attire. Cole robotically said Rob Zombie was great as the guest host on Raw as if he were on Raw for more than two minutes. As for the match, the heels took control and they cut to break.

[Commercial Break. Hulk Hogan and Troy Aikman are back for Rent-A-Center. This week, they're selling off-brand laptops. Hogan was looking at "cute little puppies" after wearing bunny slippers in the previous spot.]

Back from break, Ryder was working over Goldust as Yoshi was shown begging for a tag. Ryder cut off Goldust's comeback, but Primo lost control of the match and Goldust made it to Yoshi for the hot tag. Yoshi landed high-flying moves on Ryder, who also tagged in. Cole randomly said wrestlers in the back believe Yoshi is a future champion in WWE. Yoshi continued the attack on Ryder with knife-edge chops before nailing a running knee strike to the jaw. Primo broke up a pin attempt and the action broke down. Yoshi then missed with a corner attack and Ryder measured Yoshi for the leaping Rough Ryder. Ryder made the cover for the win.

WINNERS: Ryder & Primo in 12:00. Good win for Ryder, who looks more serious as a heel with the regular trunks, a heel beard, and less of the "mid-card act" mannerisms. Ryder has progressed throughout 2010 after the program with Christian on ECW. He's on his way to a higher place on the card on Raw. (*1/2)

[Q2]

NXT Recap: They went back to Tuesday's show to re-visit the Keg Carry won by Lucky Cannon. They also showed Titus O'Neil not making it a win and being cut from the show.

[Commercial Break. Hogan and Aikman part two.]

Video promo: A Spanish estate on a sunny day. Inside, a man reading a fine piece of literature on a couch. Alberto Del Rio (formerly Dos Caras) introduced himself and said a lot of people talk about his attributes. Honesty is one of them. He said babies grow up to become liars and a liar is a despicable person. Del Rio said some people lie more than others. Only one man does not lie; who refuses to lie. There's only one honest man: Alberto Del Rio.

2 -- JILLIAN HALL vs. NIKKI BELLA (w/Brie Bella)

The Bella Twins came out first for a Divas match from the Raw brand. They replayed the Switcheroo last week when Brie Bella picked up a win over Jillian Hall. The Bellas were pleased with their work after watching a replay. Jillian then came out determined not to be conned again. Jillian had the giant headset on to cut a promo expressing outrage over being conned last week. Jillian was aggressive early on to tell the story of being determined to get a win before the Bellas could pull the Switcheroo again.

Nikki came back with a crisp head scissors for a two count, but Jillian cut her off and knocked Nikki to the outside. Jillian stomped away on both Bellas ringside and the ref began a ten count. Nikki slowly made it back on the ring apron and Jillian knocked her to the floor, then Brie snuck in behind Jillian to score a three count on a roll-up for the win. Naturally, Jillian sold shock over being conned again. After a replay of the finish, The Bellas were shown regrouping to celebrate the win over Jillian.

WINNERS: Bellas in 4:00. And the Switcheroo gimmick continues. It's pretty simple stuff they could extend another week by giving Jillian a heel partner to set up a tag match. (n/a)

[Q3]

Still to come: Christian vs. Curt "Josh Mathews with long hair" Hawkins with Vance Archer in his corner. ... DVD plug: Ricky Steamboat's new DVD out this week.

[Commercial Break. Hogan & Aikman part three.]

Raw Rebound: Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat celebrating his DVD release with the WWE Legends. They cut to Nexus interrupting the promos to beat down the Legends and focus on Steamboat. It's not exactly great timing airing a replay of the beat down with Steamboat legitimately in the hospital (related or not related to the beat down) three days later. Re-watching the beat down, Steamboat's head did bounce pretty hard off the mat following David Otunga's uranage. It was embellished on the replay via WWE's video production team, but it's worth noting that spot.

Announcers: From Tuesday's TV taping, Smackdown's Todd Grisham and Matt Striker sold concern after re-watching the replay. Grisham gave the fake storyline injury report on Steamboat having cracked ribs, a sprained neck, and internal injuries. Striker had the old "the show must go on" line leading to a video package on the Money in the Bank match.

In-ring: Christian came out for the main event tonight. Grisham said Smackdown GM Teddy Long is looking for eight deserving wrestlers to fill Smackdown's MITB match at the PPV. They cut to an obvious voice-over from Striker noting that Christian and five other stars have been named to the MITB match. He suggested Curt Hawkins could make an impression to grab one of the other two remaining spots in the main event to come.

[Commercial Break. Hogan & Aikman and the cute puppies part four.]

[Q4]

3 -- CHRISTIAN vs. CURT HAWKINS (w/Vance Archer)

The bikeridin' dudes Hawkins and Ryder came to the ring for Hawkins to compete in the main event. Archer is going for the Chris Sabin look. The match began with Hawkins talking trash after an early knock-down, then Christian came back with a Thesz Press and punches from the mount position. "Remember the time I mounted you and wailed on your face?" Grisham randomly asked. Striker remained silent for about ten seconds after that line. Christian and Hawkins took the action to the floor as Striker talked about Nexus infiltrating the entire WWE. Well, except for Smackdown. Apparently they don't work Fridays. Back to the action, Archer tried to get involved, but the ref caught him and gave him the boot. Apparently Vickie Guerrero wasn't around to make it a handicap match against Christian. Cut to break with Christian vs. Hawkins one-on-one.

[Commercial Break. Hogan & Aikman complete the five-segment run.]

Back from break, Hawkins was working over Christian with a neck vice. Hawkins took his time in-between holds trying to wear down Christian. Christian made a comeback and scored a two count following a reverse DDT. Grisham plugged Christian hosting Matt Hardy on the Peep Show tomorrow night on Smackdown as Hawkins scored a nearfall with a swinging bodyslam. Striker and Grisham talked more about Nexus creating an uneasy feeling throughout WWE as Hawkins went back to work on Christian.

Hawkins walked into a pendulum kick out of the corner. Christian followed with a flying European uppercut from the second rope. He then tried the Unprettier, paused, and dropped Hawkins face-first on the mat. Christian with the cover and the win. After a replay of the finish, they closed the show with a plug for Smackdown and a final shot of a smiley Christian celebrating the win.

WINNER: Christian in 11:00. Solid match and a good win for Christian as the announcers sold the MITB ladder match at the PPV being an opportunity for Christian to grab a World Title opportunity. Hawkins just needs to keep working hard and find a way to stand out more in the ring. (**)

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