WWE Superstars TV Results
January 20, 2011 - Year 2, Week 41
Taped the Week of Jan. 17
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Superstars episode opened with crowd shots of the arena and Jack Korpela's PPV pre-game show voice introducing the Smackdown portion of the show. Out first for the first match was JTG. Cue up the same ol' banter between Korpela and Matt Striker on JTG. Chavo Guerrero was out next to face JTG one-on-one. Nice explanation by Korpela that the two wrestlers requested a singles match this week after getting into it during last week's Smackdown tag match.

1 -- JTG vs. CHAVO GUERRERO

Tentative start with the two men feeling each other out looking for an advantage. Early in the match, WWE production explored tighter camera shots inside the ring, which they went for a few weeks ago on Superstars to enhance the action. Chavo dominated the first four minutes before JTG teased a comeback with a back body drop to escape Chavo's offense. JTG scored with consecutive clotheslines followed by a neck-tie-like drop for a two count. Chavo came back with a Northern Lights suplex, followed by clotheslines and punches. Chavo missed with a corner attack, then JTG hit the Mug Shot to set up the Shout-out for the pin and the win.

WINNER: JTG at 5:47. Nice, simple formula match. No one is buying JTG or Chavo as contenders to win the Rumble, but the announcers were able to focus on the overall journey each wrestler is on trying to get to WrestleMania via the Rumble. (*1/4)

Still to come: Yoshi Tatsu vs. Tyson Kidd in the main event.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: NXT Pro Chris Masters came out for the next match on the show from the Smackdown brand. Striker noted Masters will be facing Curt Hawkins in a match that also spilled over from last week's Smackdown tag match on Superstars. Hawkins came out second and Striker focused on Hawkins's heel characteristic that he believes he's above paying his dues in WWE.

2 -- CHRIS MASTERS vs. CURT HAWKINS

Masters confidently took control of the action while the announcers focused on Hawkins being in the midst of a losing streak. Hawkins comes in 0-2 to start 2011. Masters tried to finish it early with a splash from the second rope, but Hawkins moved and Masters ate the mat before eating Hawkins's boot. Hawkins tentatively worked over Masters before Masters suddenly sprung with the Masterlock. Hawkins was trapped and was forced to give it up, sending him to 0-3.

WINNER: Masters via submission at 3:23. Effective match. In front of limited audiences lately on NXT and Superstars, WWE is getting over the Masterlock. Also, wrestlers selling how tentative they are to wrestle Masters because of the Masterlock is a nice piece of booking. With how little depth there is on WWE's roster, you never know when WWE will need to tap into their investment in Masters for a featured program on Smackdown. (*)

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Back from break, the Raw portion of the show started with Zack Ryder and Primo coming to the ring for a tag match. So, Primo is a heel this week after playing a face last week for the eight-man tag match. David Hart Smith's generic rock music hit to bring out Smith and Darren Young. They were in matching blue trunks and ring gear trying to sell the idea of a makeshift tag team.

3 -- DARREN YOUNG & D.H. SMITH vs. PRIMO & ZACK RYDER

Young quickly decked Ryder with a clothesline, then dropped Primo with an arm drag. Smith tagged in and lost control of the match. On commentary, Scott Stanford was amused at Ryder's antics as he worked over Smith. Enter Primo to work on Smith. The announcers noted all four men were in the eight-man tag main event last week, but were apparently instructed to ignore Primo randomly being assigned to Young and Smith's babyface team last week. The heels continued to work over Smith before he finally made the tag to Young. Stanford with his weekly "house of fire" line. That must be the only line he knows to sell a babyface comeback. The action broke down and Ryder suddenly dropped Young with the Rough Ryder for the quick pin and the win for the heels.

WINNERS: Ryder & Primo at 5:01. Rare TV victory for Ryder, who improved to 1-2 on TV this year. WWE doesn't seem to have anything for Smith and Young right now, but they haven't stood out to warrant further investment by WWE. (*1/2)

Raw Rebound: Punk vs. Cena leading to Mason Ryan's WWE TV debut.

In-ring: Yoshi Tatsu was out first for the TV main event to get the spotlight ahead of a pre-main event commercial break.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Tyson Kidd mocked Yoshi's fighting stance on the way to the ring and flashed a cocky smile to the crowd before posing in the ring. Yoshi simply nodded and told him to bring it.

4 -- YOSHI TATSU vs. TYSON KIDD

Yoshi tried an early roundhouse kick, but Kidd ducked and quickly rolled to the apron to get a breather and re-size Yoshi. Yoshi resumed his fighting stance and Kidd re-entered the ring with a cocky smile. They tentatively locked up center ring and Kidd kicked Yoshi in the mid-section to put him in a submission. Yoshi bridged out into a monkey flip for a nearfall. Stanford was popping for the counters as if he were watching the finish of an ROH match. Kidd escaped another bridge attempt by Yoshi and executed a dragon screw leg whip. Yoshi immediately began clutching his left knee and rolled to the outside selling agony. Stanford fed to the final commercial of the show.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Kidd was screaming at the referee to ask Yoshi if he wanted to give up. Kidd continued to work on Yoshi's left knee while also flashing his cocky smile to the crowd. Kidd screamed at Yoshi to give up and Yoshi tried to fight back with forearms before Kidd cut him off again. Kidd applied a front anklelock, but Yoshi pushed Kidd through the ropes to the outside with his one good leg. Yoshi continued to sell the left leg as Kidd slowly returned to the ring apron and airballed a springboard elbow drop.

Yoshi, on one good leg, landed chops and a roundhouse kick to the gut. Yoshi executed a Northern Lights suplex, but he sold not being able to maintain the bridge pin because of his knee. Nice attention to detail. Yoshi then went up top, which Mathews noted was questionable strategy. Yoshi attempted a top-rope roundhouse kick, but Kidd ducked and Yoshi crashed to the mat. Mathews said he believes Yoshi is done now. Kidd then cockily set up for the Sharpshooter, but Yoshi suddenly pinned Kidd with a small package for the three count.

Post-match: Kidd huffed and puffed while Yoshi tried celebrating the match victory on one good leg. Yoshi eventually made his way out of the ring and waved to the crowd. Kidd just wiped his face in frustration as Stanford wondered aloud what the loss means for Kidd's U.S. Title quest. Oh yeah, that storyline. Stanford signed off as they went to a final shot of Yoshi hobbling to the back.

WINNER: Yoshi at 12:04. Good TV main event. Basic, fundamental, easy-to-pick-up and understand story with Kidd trying to take away Yoshi's high-flying, Yoshi showing "fighting spirit" making a comeback, and then Yoshi showing he can be resourceful with a small package to score the all-important three count. Kidd is underrated as a performer and it's only a matter of time before WWE finds something for him to sink his teeth into, with or without Jackson Andrews. Kidd really carried the middle portion of the match with his heel mannerisms and constant chatter in the ring. Good chemistry between Kidd and Yoshi to close the show. (**1/4)

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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