WWE Superstars

December 10, 2009
Thanks to pwtorch.com

I'm covering the replay of WWE Superstars, so follow along tonight. The WWE show opened with Smackdown announcers Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcoming us to the show for a main event later on of Jack Swagger vs. MVP.

In-ring: First, though, it's Dolph Ziggler from the Smackdown brand. They cut to GrishRiker ringside and one kid was bouncing up and down on the front row behind the announce table to Ziggler's theme. Future peroxide blonde in the making. Finlay then came out to oppose Ziggler.

1 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. FINLAY

Having already seen this match at the Smackdown taping on Tuesday, I'm interested to hear the added commentary and catch any possible audio sweetening. Early on, the announcers used Finlay's presence in the ring to talk up Sheamus going into the TLC PPV. After a feeling-out process, Finlay engaged the crowd by trapping Ziggler in the ring apron for his signature move. Back in the ring, Ziggler rammed Finlay in the gut before ramming him head-first into the ringspot. Odd and sad to hear Striker being produced to almost glorify the effects of being hit in the head with a chair to sell Batista vs. Undertaker at the PPV. On cue, the match cut to a break with both men down on the mat after knocking heads in the ring.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Striker was still being produced to glorify chair shots to the head. Hurry, order TLC to see wrestlers inflict more punishment to their heads. Ziggler was on the offensive working Finlay's arm and shoulder. Finlay then tried to attack Ziggler in the corner, but Ziggler moved and Finlay hit the turnbuckles. Dazed, Finlay stumbled back into the Zig-Zag finisher from Ziggler for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler in 12:00. Basic, okay singles match. Striker being produced to show enthusiasm for chair shots to the head and the effects of blows to the head was just wrong. Ten years from now with more and more research, people are going to watch this tape and their jaws will be on the floor. (*)

Backstage: Josh Mathews was at the interview set to interview MVP. MVP said Jack Swagger and he have bumped heads on numerous occasions. He said Swagger is a very intense competitor, but he doesn't like him and Swagger doesn't like him. MVP said he needs aggression, endurance, and an umbrella every time he faces Swagger. "Umbrella?" Mathews asked. MVP then mocked Swagger's lisp ala Daffey Duck. He said one thing Swagger isn't is straight up balling.

[Q2]

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Hart Dynasty came to the ring for the second match from the Smackdown brand tonight. No ECW matches were harmed in the filming of this episode. Jimmy Yang and Son of Terry Gordy then came out to face HD.

2 -- HART DYNASTY (TYSON KIDD & D.H. SMITH w/Natalya) vs. JIMMY WANG YANG & SLAM MASTER J

Wang and SMJ scored some early high-flying offense, then Yang found himself on the floor. Natalya landed a bodyslam on the floor that generated one of the legit biggest pops of the Smackdown taping during any match on the show. Back in the ring, Smith went to work on Yang as they replayed Natalya's slam on Yang. SMJ took a hot tag at 3:00 and went to work on Kidd with fast-paced offense. Smith then broke up a pin and Yang cleared him to the outside. Back in the ring, though, Kidd blocked a suplex and hit a back kick into a flip-over neckbreaker for the pin and the win. Sweet finish.

WINNER: HD in 4:00. This was better on TV than live at the taping. Nice pace with the camera and production enhancing the high-flying, fast-paced offense throughout the match. Yang and SMJ had enough impressive-looking offense to look strong in defeat. (*1/2)

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

Randy Orton Superstars profile: They walked us through Orton's career rise and formation of Legacy. They included clips of The Punt, including past shots on Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon, and Triple H.

Raw Rebound: Cole and Lawler were shown on-camera to introduce the Raw Rebound focusing on Sheamus and Cena and Cuban and a table. I determined the reason why they air these on the other shows is for the live audience at the next night's Smackdown taping to be able to pop for their favorite stars (Cena, DX, Orton, etc.) when they're shown on the video screen.

Announcers: Cole and Lawler broke down the TLC PPV line-up for Sunday.

In-ring: Jack Swagger came to the ring and looked around the arena in Dallas not too happy with what he was seeing. The fans booed before Swagger described himself being held to a higher standard. Swagger said, unlike MVP, parents can allow their kids to look up to Swagger as a role model. Swagger said he's not in the club partying or popping bottles. Swagger asked why anyone would want to want to look up to someone who came from the streets. He said he doesn't need bling or catch-phrases to speak out. Also of note, Swagger said he doesn't have a lisp. He started to pronounce his name, but he stuttered on "Sw." Apparently they've given him the Matt Morgan gimmick to make sure every heel has a "weakness." Swagger then pronounced his name without a lisp to close his promo. Lawler: "Isn't it ironic the word 'lisp' has an 's' in it?" Good times. Cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

3 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. MVP

The match started with an early exchange to feel each other out. Lawler after the opening bell: "Did you know MVP's high school newspaper had an obituary column?" Now that Lawler isn't running for mayor in Memphis, he can crack jokes again. MVP had a flurry of offense at 2:00, so Swagger slipped to the outside to recover. MVP told him he was ballin', so Swagger stomped up the ring steps back into the ring to answer. MVP went back on the offensive and teased dropping the Ballin' elbow, but Swagger rolled to the outside. Cole said Swags needed a time-out, but MVP interrupted with a plancha to the floor. MVP in control going to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, MVP was still in control. Lawler suggested MVP "gets up" for Swagger and does his best work in the ring opposite Swagger thanks to the trash talk over the past few months. Swagger then took control working over MVP's left shoulder while MVP's nose was in the canvas. MVP then fired off a round of right hand blows and back-dropped Swagger to the mat before landing a series of clotheslines. MVP then set up the Ballin' elbow drop when he could have made a pin when Swagger was motionless for over three seconds. MVP then wanted the Playmaker, but Swagger held the ropes to block. MVP tried a small package, but Swagger kicked out. Swagger then landed a knee to the gut and MVP just kinda fell down in the corner for Swagger to hit a running Vader bomb for a two count.

Time to go home nearing the top of the hour. MVP blocked a neckbreaker, then he charged Swagger and nailed a big boot right to the head, but Swagger kicked out and MVP sold shock. MVP tried to capitalize, but Swagger dropped MVP face-first on the top turnbuckle and followed right up with the gutwrench powerbomb. Swagger with the pin for the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 12:00. Nice TV main event. Good counters and reversals throughout. The finish was telegraphed early and often, as MVP had tons of offense compared to Swagger to protect MVP before he took the eventual fall. Good conclusion to the show. (**)