WWE Superstars TV Results
December 30, 2010 - Year 2, Week 38
Taped the Week of Dec. 27
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Superstars episode opened with Yoshi Tatsu's theme music to bring out Tatsu and Darren Young for the opening matches. After an on-camera for Raw announcers Scott Stanford and Josh Mathews to discuss the end of 2010, the Usos came out to sans Tamina for the second straight week. Stanford noted it's a re-match from last week when the Usos took the win.

1 -- USOS (JIMMY & JEY USO) vs. DARREN YOUNG & YOSHI TATSU

The announcers discussed Tamina's "strained relationship" with the Usos and Mathews decided he didn't want to speculate on their relationship woes. Young scored two early nearfalls as Stanford was fixated on Young failing to hook the leg on the pin attempts. Yoshi tagged in and nearly scored a three count on Jey with a crucifix pin before scoring with a dropkick for another nearfall. The Usos rallied against Young as Stanford referenced Rikishi and a Stinkface by Jey on Young in the corner.

Yoshi took a hot tag at 4:00 and cleaned house. Stanford over-used the "house of fire" phrase as Yoshi landed offense before the action broke down. Young found himself on the floor taking a ringpost to the face. Back in the ring, Yoshi went up top, but Jimmy crotched him and flung him to the mat. Jimmy then hit a top rope splash on Yoshi for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Usos in 6:00. Basic tag match trying to re-focus on the Usos without Tamina. (*)

NXT Recap: Stanford fed to a video package on NXT this Tuesday with the Power of the Punch and Talent Contest (complete with post-produced graphics and music) that eventually led to Johnny Curtis scoring three immunity points. The recap video concluded with a review of Brodus Clay destroying the other Rookies and standing tall to conclude the show.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Generic rock music brought out David Hart Smith, who forced a smile for the crowd once entering the ring. William Regal then walked out shaking his head at Smith thinking he has a chance against him.

2 -- WILLIAM REGAL vs. D.H. SMITH

Regal and Smith traded technical holds as Stanford referenced Smith's father, "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, and noted Regal faced Davey Boy at Halloween Havoc 1993. He also used "wrestled" in the same sentence as a WCW PPV reference. Mathews acted shocked at a 1993 reference as Stanford continued to talk about the background of the competitors. On the floor, Smith ran over Regal with a shoulder tackle and played to the crowd. They cut to break with Stanford offering another sports cliché they're watching a "real donnybrook."

[Commercial Break. First "Slap Chop" commercial I've seen on Superstars.]

Back from break, Mathews derisively noted the "donnybrook" is continuing. Stanford said he could have used "brawl," but decided for the European-influenced "donnybrook" adjective to describe the match involving Regal. Smith scored a delayed vertical suplex, then Regal cut him off at the knees and began working the legs. Regal slapped on a half Boston Crab to continue focusing on the legs and Stanford said, "That has to sting." Mathews went silent almost catching himself from laughing.

Regal went for a butterfly suplex, but Smith countered with a back drop using one good leg. After a Northern Lights Suplex for a nearfall, Smith tried to follow with another suplex, but his knee gave out. Regal then chopblocked Smith and hit the Knee Trembler to the head for the pin and the win. Regal collected himself and sneered at the audience after collecting the win.

WINNER: Regal in 8:00. Above average Superstars match with below average commentary. Smith doesn't convey much personality as a singles wrestler, though. His character needs a spark or a fire lit under him. (*1/2)

[Commercial Break]

Superstars Profile: Randy Orton. They dipped into the WrestleMania 26 file footage to show clips of Orton against Legacy eight months ago. Cole's voice was heard over the footage saying Orton's sights are set on the WWE Title.

Ringside: Smackdown's Jack Korpela and Matt Striker introduced the Smackdown portion of the show before sending it to the Raw Rebound focusing on Nexus coming under new management with C.M. Punk.

In-ring: Chris Masters came out for the TV main event. Masters hugged a few women ringside and noted his good fortune before the show cut to a commercial break.

[Commercial Break]

3 -- CHRIS MASTERS vs. TYLER REKS

Korpela noted the tagline for this match is a battle between two of the most powerful wrestlers in WWE. The announcers also noted Reks's presence creates an uneasy feeling in the arena because he's an unknown figure. Korpela added another tagline: "Pure Strength vs. Raw Aggression." The announcers then spent the first-half of the match trying to find as many different ways to get over the Strength vs. Aggression tagline. The match moved to the floor and Reks yanked Masters's left arm across the top rope. Masters writhed in pain on the floor as Striker quickly sent the show to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Reks continued to work over Masters's left arm/shoulder. Korpela noted Reks is hoping to be one of the participants in the Royal Rumble on January 30. Striker said wrestlers are going to be jockeying for position leading to the Rumble. One way to give this match some added juice would have been to make it a Rumble qualifying match or show Teddy Long backstage evaluating the match to determine which wrestler might earn a Rumble slot from the Smackdown brand. Reks continued to work over Masters's left shoulder before Masters pulled Reks into the ringpost to get a breather.

Masters followed with a one-arm Samoan Drop for a two count, then a one-arm uranage. Masters wanted the Masterlock, but Reks easily escaped and landed a knock-down clothesline for a two count. Reks then "fought the demons inside his head" and pounded on Masters with punches and kick. Reks tried to follow with the Burning Hammer, but Masters back-dropped out of the finisher and made a comeback. Reks cut off his comeback, though, and nailed the Burning Hammer for the pin. Reks get the main event victory.

WINNER: Reks in 11:00. Exceeded expectations with a decent match story and back-and-forth in the final three minutes leading to the finish. Reks's character remains one-dimensional, though, and doesn't jump off the screen. WWE doesn't seem to be ready to invest in him beyond a regular Superstars spotlight match just yet. (*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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