WWE Superstars TV Report
February 18, 2010 - Week 45
Taped the Week of February 15
Report by James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The WWE show started with Raw announcers Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introducing the show and plugging the Elimination Chamber PPV in three days. They also plugged the main event of Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox tonight on the show.

In-ring: The show started with Evan Bourne's theme music to bring out Bourne and Primo Colon for the opening tag match from the Raw brand. After the outstanding singles match between Bourne and Carlito two weeks ago, Chavo Guerrero came out as Carlito's partner against Bourne & Primo.

1 -- EVAN BOURNE & PRIMO vs. CARLITO & CHAVO GUERRERO

Carlito and Bourne picked up their exchange from two weeks ago with Carlito taking control to bring in Chavo to begin working over Bourne. Chavo executed a nice rolling side suplex for a two count before Bourne came back with kick strikes to bring in Primo. Primo landed left hands on Chavo followed by a dropkick for a two count. Carlito then shoved down his brother Primo as he was going for a springboard move, which prompted some bragging from Carlito and gave Chavo control of the action again. Carlito then tagged in and paintbrushed Primo with his boot to taunt his brother. Carlito and Primo had a moonsault battle won by Primo with a splash for a two count, but Carlito then tossed Primo over the top rope. Heels in control going to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Primo was still taking a beating. Chavo then hit the reverse faceplant Gory Bomb and made a cover, but Bourne broke up the pin. Chavo, agitated, took Primo back to the heel corner for the heels to work over Primo some more. On commentary, Lawler filled time with a one-liner that Carlito's imaginary friends wouldn't even play with him as a kid. The heels then cut off Primo again before Bourne picked up the hot tag at 10:00 and Bourne went wild with high-flying moves. Bourne then hit a flying scissors kick on Chavo, but Carlito broke up a pin. Primo then re-entered and dropped Carlito with his own backstabber. Chavo tried another Gory Bomb on Bourne, but Bourne kicked out and hit a high knee right to the face. Bourne immediately followed up by going to the top rope for Air Bourne, which is way over with the audience I should add, to score the pin and the win. Nice fast-paced finish.

WINNERS: Bourne & Primo in 12:00. Nice tag match following the standard formula and building to Bourne hitting the Air Bourne at the peak of audience interest. (*3/4)

[Q2]

Hall of Fame: Cole and Lawler plugged Ted DiBiase, Jr. already in the 2010 Hall of Fame before introducing this week's inductee: Antonio Inoki. Not every day you get to see these video clips.

Backstage: They showed Gail Kim walking backstage ahead of her match against Katie Lea Burchill.

NXT plug: "WWE meets reality TV." They showed the list of Pros mentoring Rookies starting Tuesday.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- GAIL KIM vs. KATIE LEA BURCHILL

Early in the match, Katie side-stepped Gail and rammed her shoulder-first into the ringpost. The announcers talked up Gail wanting to avoid an injury prior to the Divas Title match at the PPV on Sunday. Katie kept trying to work over the shoulder, then Gail made a standard comeback. Katie cut her off and teased going for the win, but Gail hit her facebreaker finisher for the pin and the win. Afterward, Maryse slowly walked out on stage with her mock applause for Gail. More of the "mind games" from Maryse leading to their title match at the PPV.

WINNER: Gail in 5:00. Good Divas match setting up the PPV. WWE unfortunately included nothing on Raw to hype the title match, but this was a good, basic set-up for the million viewers or so watching at home. (*)

[Q3]

[Commercial Break]

Superstars profile: They focused on Chris Jericho this week. The video included a look at his recent history of facial hair, wardrobe choices, promos, and in-ring action.

Announcers: Smackdown's Todd Grisham and Matt Striker talked up the Elimination Chamber PPV before introducing the standard video package on the structure and stars involved in both the Raw and Smackdown Chamber title matches. No one sells danger and action mixing together like Jim Ross in a voice-over.

In-ring: Rey Mysterio came to the ring with his full ring intro for the main event against Mike Knox.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

3 -- REY MYSTERIO vs. MIKE KNOX

Mysterio wore the right colors to the TV taping on Tuesday with a black and yellow NXT-themed wardrobe and mask combo. Knox, in standard black biker shorts and full-length superbeard, went after Mysterio early on and crunched him in the corner. Knox then shot Mysterio off the ropes, but Mysterio countered with a head scissors. Mysterio then popped up and ate a big boot to the face from Knox. Knox continued to work over Mysterio, then Mysterio teased the 619, but Knox rolled to the outside. Rey followed by dropkicking Knox through the ropes to send Knox into the guardrail. Rey tried to follow with a flying splash off the apron, but Knox caught Rey in mid-air and smashed him into the ringpost. They cut to break with Knox standing over Rey going to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Knox continued to work over Mysterio as the audience tried to rally behind him. Mysterio then broke free of a mathold and flung Knox to the floor. Rey followed with a big splash on the floor and both men sold the effects. Rey then rolled Knox back into the ring and hit a springboard splash for a two count only. The audience was fully invested at this point with Knox cutting off Rey again and hitting a spear/tackle for a close two count. Knox then followed with a knee drop attempt, but Rey moved and dropkicked Knox to the middle rope to hit the 619. Rey then followed with the springboard dive for the pin and the win. The crowd was hot for the finish as the announcers sold Rey as a top challenger for the World Title in the Elimination Chamber PPV. After a replay of the highspots, Rey celebrated the victory and the announcers plugged Edge vs. Batista on Smackdown tomorrow night to close the show.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio in 14:00. Really nice big man vs. little man match-up right there. Knox is really underutilized on Smackdown and it would be nice to see him given a larger role when WWE reshuffles the deck after Smackdown. Rey was typically great playing the underdog role and getting the crowd behind him during his comebacks. Nice match. (**)

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