It’s Thursday night on the Pulse and that means it is time for WWE Superstars on WGN! A full hour of action is on tap for tonight highlighted (for me at least) by Kelly Kelly challenging the Glamazon Beth Phoenix. 71 hours away from Summer Slam, what else does the show have to offer? Let’s find out!
Kelly Kelly vs Beth Phoenix: For the second week in a row they start Superstars with the match I considered the main event in my teaser. The first few sequences are a bit awkward with Beth trying to aid Kelly in a couple of spots to show off her gymnastic abilities. One of these spots leads to Beth sliding outside of the ring, Kelly tries to follow up on that opening with a crossbody off the apron but Beth catches her and takes control of things for a good portion of the match using her strength advantage.
Double K makes the comeback with a contrived head scissors spot, followed by a successful crossbody off the top rope and a nice dropkick that sends Beth crashing into the corner. Kelly handsprings across the ring to try to hit a back elbow, but Phoenix is ready for it and gets her up on her shoulders. KK counters with a roll up but is only able to get a two count out of the reversal. Beth is displeased with the match results so far and shows it by hitting the Glam-Slam (her tribute to Prince) and that’s the match.
Shelton Benjamin vs Tyler Reks: Shelton starts the match by laying into Tyler in the corner. Reks makes a brief counter with an armdrag but Shelton hits a nice German suplex to take control of things. Reks makes a comeback with a series of maneuvers off the ropes and attempts a pin after each move which is a nice touch. Tyler goes up top and flies off with a crossbody but Benjamin rolls thru it for a two count of his own. Shelton’s hits his trademarked enziguri and Reks bounces back up against the ropes and right into Paydirt and the “Gold Standard†gets the pinfall victory. This was pretty brief, but it had some good action.
If anyone would like to send me a free copy of the new Rise and Fall of WCW DVD, I would be more than happy to write a full review for it. Todd and JR join us to hype the World Heavyweight Title match at Summer Slam on Sunday and to remind us that the main event for tomorrow’s Smackdown will be CM Punk & the Hart Dynasty vs John Morrison & the Hardy Boyz. If you can’t catch the show remember to check here at the Pulse for my review.
Charlie Haas vs R-Truth: As usual lately Haas does not get an on camera entrance and R-Truth comes to the ring wanting to know “what’s upâ€. Charlie is now sporting an all-black full length tights and boots ensemble that I think is very fetching. R-Truth tries to get things moving early but runs into a nice throw by Haas as he bounces off the ropes. A similar sequence leads to Truth eating a big boot and but Charlie isn’t able to maintain control for very long. R-Truth dodges an elbow drop off the ropes by Haas and hits a flying/spinning elbow off the ropes and that is enough to pick up the pinfall victory. Very short match, these guys could have really used some more time and a better finish.
Your WWE Superstar video package of the week features “the Shaman of Sexy†John Morrison. Then the Raw Rebound reminds us in overly dramatic fashion that DX has returned and will face off against Legacy this Sunday. Hey did you see the water bottle give away today on the Pulse?
Mark Henry vs Chris Masters: The good news is that because of the pay-per-view ads and having three other matches on the show there isn’t a lot of time left for this battle. Masters fakes wanting to start with the classic test of strength but instead starts to slug away on Henry. Chris tries for a body slam and that does not go well and Mark takes control. “Sexual Chocolate†misses a splash in the corner and Masters goes for the Masterlock but cannot apply it. Masters goes for his finisher again but still cannot get his arms around Henry’s girth. Henry briefly fights back but Chris tries for the third time to get his Masterlock applied and fails yet again. World’s Strongest Slam connects for Henry but Masters grabs the bottom rope to break up the pin count at 2.8. Chris seems to be as tired of this match as I am, and he crawls back up the ramp and is counted out, giving the win to Mark Henry.
Not a great show, but not terrible either. Join me tomorrow night for a recap of Smackdown and keep your eye on the Pulse all weekend for Summer Slam coverage!
