Superstars on WGN America
Taped in Moline and Chicago, Ill.

[Q1] The opening video aired, followed by Michelle McCool’s music, and Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcomed us to Superstars. McCool made her entrance along with Layla and Vickie Guerrero. They all got a mic and Vickie did her “Excuse Me” bit and introduced the “Simply Flawless” Women’s Champion, Michelle McCool. LayCool took turns calling Beth a man. They said she had chest hair and smelled like a man. McCool said she was chromosomally challenged. They pointed out how built she was and how she was in the Royal Rumble.

Vickie said she was glad that they brought this to her attention. She said the Women’s division didn’t have many rules, but the first rule was you had to be a diva. Vickie said she could not grant Beth a title match because she was a man, but she could book Beth in an intergender match with Layla…

1. Beth Phoenix defeated Layla (w/Michelle McCool and Vickie Guerrero) at 3:31. Layla hid in the ropes to start and then sneaked in a kick to the head. She hit several kicks, but Beth finally hit a double fist to take control. McCool reached in and grabbed Beth’s leg. Beth jumped out of the ring and chased Vickie who fell. Beth stopped because the ref told her to, and Layla hit a surprise drop kick when Beth tried to get back in the ring. Layla rolled Beth back in the ring and worked a sleeper hold. Beth broke the hold and Layla went to the top. Beth almost caught her, recovered, and hit a backbreaker. She followed with the Glam Slam for the win.

Post match, Vickie grabbed Beth’s leg and McCool ran in and attacked Beth. She beat her down and checked on Layla. Layla was fine, so she turned back to Beth. Beth picked her up, kicked Layla in the face, and dumped McCool over the top rope. She chased after them and Layla ran like her head was on fire and her ass was catching. A little Southern charm for y’all…

A video recapped the Keg Run on NXT…The announce team hyped MVP vs. Carlito…

Shore’s Slant: The match was OK. Layla is a fair worker, and Beth did all the work. They had the one botch, but whatever. I want to say something. Jason and I crapped all over TNA today in Dot Net Weekly for doing things we have already seen. For the record, Simply Flawless is just the Beautiful People 2.0, and they are not as pretty or as compelling as the originals.

[C][Q2] Back from commercial, Evan Bourne made his entrance as Michael “I’m not J.R.” Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler took over on commentary. Tatsu was out next, followed by Chavo and then Ryder and Mendes…

2. Evan Bourne and Yoshi Tatsu defeated Chavo Guerrero and Zack Ryder (w/Rosa Mendes) at 10:08. Tatsu and Ryder started. Ryder got in a few blows before Tatsu locked in a weird submission move out of a tilt-a-whirl lift. He broke the hold to hit a crucifix roll up for two. He tagged in Bourne, who promptly lost control. Chavo tagged in and hit a few strikes. He tried for a lift, but Bourne reversed into a head scissor that tossed Chavo from the ring. He followed with a knee dive off the apron, and then hit a charging Ryder with a knee. He and Tatsu celebrated into the break…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Why do guys like Bourne and Bryan use their knees instead of drop kicks? Just a curiosity of mine.

Back at 5:00, Chavo worked Bourne in the corner. Bourne fought out and hit a twisting bulldog, but Chavo came right back with a double kick and tagged in Ryder. Ryder covered for two and locked in a rest hold. Bourne fought out, but Ryder hit the Rough Rider for two. He tagged in Chavo and they worked in and out, beating on Bourne in the corner.

Yoshi got the hot tag and worked his offense on Ryder. He took Chavo back out and worked Ryder in the corner. Chavo got a blind tag as Yoshi rolled forward with Ryder and attacked from behind. He hit the Three Amigos and went to the top. Yoshi moved and Chavo rolled through. Tatsu took him down and then hit Ryder with a kick. He grabbed Chavo’s leg and rolled through to an ankle lock. He reached up and tagged Bourne who went to the top. Tatsu rolled out of the way just before Bourne hit AirBourne for the win…

[Q3] A video package hyped some of the WWE stars being on Extreme Makeover Home Edition this Sunday at 7:00 CT on ABC…The announce team hyped the main event…[C]

Shore’s Slant: You know what, that was a pretty damn good match. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ryder was very good in the ring. I still hate his character, but give the devil his due. Chavo is an old hand who always brings quality to the match, and Bourne and Tatsu did a very nice job as well. The ending was a very cool spot. Bravo, WWE. Bravo.

Back from commercial, a Jack Swagger hype video aired…The announce team setup the Raw Rebound video that recapped Swagger’s and Otunga’s appearances on Raw…Back ringside, MVP made his ring entrance…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Normally I would be upset if the World Champion got the hype video spot, but in this case, Swagger needs it.

[C][Q4]Back from commercial Carlito and Michael Tarver made their ring entrance…

3. MVP defeated Carlito (w/Michael Tarver) at 12:47. MVP got a lot of good heat early and setup for the Ballin elbow. Carlito rolled out of the ring, but when he stood, MVP hit a baseball slide that drove him to the wall. MVP went to the floor and worked Carlito into the break…[C]

Back at 7:45, Carlito hit a leg drop for two and locked in a chin lock. A video recapped Carlito driving MVP into the post during the break. In the ring, MVP fought back and hit a fisherman suplex for two. He went for the kick in the corner, but Carlito moved. MVP came right back and hit a throw to retake control. He hit the Ballin elbow for two. He tried for the Playmaker, but Carlito escaped. Carlito tried for the Backstabber, but MVP held the rope.

MVP hit a jackknife cover for two. They battled near the ropes and Carlito hit a springboard jump. MVP kicked him out of the air for two. Carlito hit a chinbuster and whipped MVP. Tarver grabbed the foot, causing MVP to stop. Carlito went for a drop kick and fell on his back thanks to Tarver. MVP hit the Playmaker for the win. Post match, MVP celebrated while Tarver went nuts…

Shore’s Slant: This match finished a lot hotter than it started. The action at the end was good, but they phoned in the first nine minutes. Tarver getting involved is supposed to play into NXT next week I’m sure. The 14 of us who saw tonight’s show will be sure to tune in to see how. I’ll have more to say tomorrow on the hitlist. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you then.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com with whatever is on your mind.

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