WWE Superstars TV Results
September 16, 2010 - Year 2, Week 23
Taped the Week of Sept. 13
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's episode of WWE Superstars on WGN opened with Michael Cole introducing the show and hyping Night of Champions in three nights. The main event tonight still to come: MVP vs. Luke Gallows from the Smackdown brand. Jerry Lawler added a "whoo!" to sell excitement for the match.

In-ring: Santino and Kozlov came to the ring to start things off for the Raw brand. Cole and Lawler were shown on-camera to hype Night of Champions, where every title will be on the line. The announcers then re-visited events from Superstars two weeks ago when Tamina consoled Santino and kissed the Cobra. The Usos then came out with the aforementioned Tamina for tag action.

1 -- USO BROTHERS (JIMMY & JEY w/Tamina) vs. SANTINO & KOZLOV

Cole referenced a WWE Magazine interview with Santino, who talked up the Cobra as a paralyzing move that cuts off the blood flow for a few seconds to secure a pin. Santino and Jey started things off with Santino doing the comedy routine. Kozlov then tagged in to oppose Jey while Santino just stood on the apron pouting. Cole was confused on which Uso was in the ring, noting both men are wearing athletic shorts this week. The Usos eventually caught Kozlov with a double-team and began working him over. Santino made his way into the ring moments later as Tamina took a step back to observe Santino's physical prowess. The Usos eventually cut him off and went to work on Santino. They cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Santino kicked out of a pin attempt as the Usos continued to work him over as Tamina sold mild concern, plus some conflict on who to root for. Cole talked up the Night of Champions PPV line-up and plugged an update on Kane vs. The Undertaker on Smackdown tomorrow night. Kozlov then tagged in and ran over Jimmy with power offense. The ction broke down, then Kozlov caught Jimmy with the Iron Curtain for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Tamina entered the ring and pointed her finger at Santino. She asked Santino to show her the Cobra. Santino then demonstrated the hand motions, but Tamina wanted a more intimate demonstration. Santino approached Tamina from behind like he was showing her how to grip a golf club. They cued up some snake charmer music as Santino demonstrated the motion step-by-step. Tamina started dancing her hand in front of Santino, with his eyes following her hand. Tamina then snapped her fingers and Santino snapped back to life. Santino went a little nuts licking and sucking Tamina's hand before she pulled her hand away. Tamina sold mild interest as Santino told her to text him.

WINNERS: Kozlov and Santino in 9:00. I'm waiting to see if this plays out where Tamina has been trying to buddy up to Santino to steal his power, with Santino finally being conned into teaching her the "power" of the Cobra. As ridiculous as it is, WWE can make it work within the parameters of WWE's story rules. The best part of the match was Cole and Lawler finding ways to avoid calling Jimmy and Jey by their individual names not being able to tell them apart. (*1/2)

NXT recap: Cole, in a pre-produced voice-over, fed to a recap video of Tuesday night's NXT. They focused on the jokes while incorporating clips of fans and Pros selling disdain with the routine. The video package ended with a recap of the obstacle course, with no mention or video of Cole walking off the show. And, no Gong.

[Commercial Break]

Advanced PPV plug: The forces of nature (earthquake, fire, flood, etc.) are untamed and unrepentant. But, sometimes, the creations of man are worse. Hell in a Cell. They focused on past destruction in the HIAC structure to sell the next PPV coming up in less than three weeks.

In-ring: Great Khali walked out alone for the next match from the Raw brand. Ringside, Cole and Lawler discussed whether Khali has a Facebook page. Khali slowly made his way to the ring as the announcers re-plugged Night of Champions with every title on the line this Sunday. This was a very long entrance. Primo then came out with NXT Rookie A.J. to face Khali. This was taped on Monday before NXT on Tuesday, so Cole failed to incorporate his walk-off into the NXT discussion before the match.

2 -- GREAT KHALI vs. PRIMO (w/A.J.)

Primo tried to dance around Khali once the bell sounded, but Khali cut him off and shoved Primo into the corner. Khali teased the Chop, so Primo ducked to the outside. A.J. eventually walked over to Primo to consult with him. In the confusion, Primo tried to run a sneak attack on Khali, who shrugged him off. Khali then landed a clothesline and somewhat played to the crowd while looking around the arena in a state of confusion. Khali then grabbed Primo around the neck and landed the Punjabi Plunge for the easy win. And everyone danced.

WINNER: Khali in 3:00. It's oftentimes not clear if Khali really knows what's going on in the ring. (n/a)

Still to come: MVP vs. Luke Gallows from the Smackdown brand. ... Night of Champions video: Kane vs. The Undertaker for the World Title.

[Commercial Break]

Superstars profile: Randy Orton. They focused on Orton kicking off his big 2010 run at WrestleMania 26 before showing rapid-fire clips of Orton's RKO in action throughout the year.

Announcers: Smackdown's Todd Grisham and Matt Striker were shown on-camera talking up Orton before plugging the Taker vs. Kane collision at Night of Champions. WWE cued up the long-form video package going back to the 1990s recapping the origins of the lengthy feud.

Night of Champions plug: Grisham and Striker broke down the PPV line-up. They talked up the Six-Pack Challenge being "almost guaranteed" to feature WWE champion Sheamus losing the title with five other challengers. That marketing line has not worked in 2010 trying to sell the off-brand PPVs.

In-ring: MVP came to the ring for the TV main event to come on the other side of the break.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Luke Gallows came to the ring alone to face MVP. Striker said Luke finds himself on the outside of SES looking in. He noted Luke has to re-impress C.M. Punk. Luke took the mic and vowed to prove he can and will stand on his own two feet and come out victorious. Therefore, he's going to make an example out of the audience's "party hero," MVP. MVP was just leaning against the ropes during this. MVP took a mic and said if he's a party hero, he's a party starter. MVP started a rap, but Luke cut him off. "This isn't a rap concert!" he shouted.

MVP said he came here to have a good time. He told Luke he needs a make-over, starting with a nickname. MVP listed his nicknames and came up with one for Luke. LG. Or, Big LG. MVP did a little rap, but Luke wasn't sold. MVP said it might not be the best, but it's better than Big Dummy the wrestlers call him in the locker room. MVP told Luke one thing is for sure that he will be straight up ballin' tonight.

3 -- MVP vs. LUKE GALLOWS

Striker interjected a plug for Big Show's forthcoming "Knucklehead" movie, which is being shown as a trailer ahead of John Cena's "Legendary" movie in theaters. MVP and Luke traded control early on, then MVP gave him a big Chono Boot over the top rope to the floor. They cut to break with MVP in control.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, MVP was in control working on Gallows with a neck vice, but Gallows came back with a boot to the face. Gallows took control and started taunting MVP: "Are you having fun yet? You like to party?" Luke then measured MVP for a running corner splash and connected flush. The crowd tried to rally behind Luke, who continued to work on MVP with mat holds. Luke then delivered a scoop slam and mocked the Ballin' elbow drop with a sort of wiggle before airballing the elbow drop. Apparently this is WWE's attempt to give Luke a personality. MVP made his full comeback and delivered an overhead slam. He set up Luke for the Playmaker and connected for the three count and the win.

Post-match: MVP started to leave the ring, but walked back over to Luke and gave him a hand. MVP helped Luke to his feet and shook his hand to show sportsmanship. Luke then tried a right hand blow, but MVP ducked and clotheslined him. MVP put the exclamation mark on the main event with the Ballin' elbow drop to close off the show with MVP getting his shine.

WINNER: MVP in 13:00. Fine match with MVP getting a TV main event victory and looking strong at show-end. Luke playing a mild heel comedy role to "show personality" isn't exactly positioning him to make money for WWE. He's not being asked to be a top heel right now, though, as he's in that Mike Knox role simply being a mid-card enhancement for upper mid-card babyfaces. It will be interesting to see where he is this time next year if there's some upward mobility as a more serious and threatening heel act. (**)

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