WWE Superstars Recap 07.23.09

On tonight's 7/23/09 episode of WWE Superstars we received another three matches featuring stars from the Raw, ECW and Smackdown brands. In the opener, Christian took on William Regal in preparation for his Night of Champions ECW Title match. Evan Bourne returned to action to go against the same-sized Jamie Noble. And for the main event, John Morrison went for yet another win as he faced the monstrous superstar, Kane.

Christian vs. William Regal

Late in this match, William Regal cinched a Full Nelson in on Christian. Christian was able to hit a sunset flip on Regal, but Regal gave him a knee to the head, and got a two count. Again, Regal put a Full Nelson on his opponent. Christian was able to fight out of it, but soon wound up on the floor after the two men hit each other with elbows. Christian got back in the ring and was able to hit a missile dropkick. After a failed pinfall, he missed on a diving headbutt attempt. Christian was able to duck Regal's punch attempt, and went for Killswitch. Regal reversed it into a suplex and only scored a two count. Christian recovered to hit a kick and then a springboard sunset flip to collect the winning pinfall.

Winner: Christian wins via pinfall over William Regal.

Evan Bourne vs. Jamie Noble

In a match which lasted about 6 minutes, Evan Bourne and Noble went toe to toe in a fast paced contest. Late, Bourne was able to get a flying head scissors to toss Noble. Bourne went for a pinfall with Noble grabbing the ropes and then going out to the floor. Bourne was able to jump over the turnbuckle and land on Noble. Back in the ring, Bourne got on the top rope and was ready for his finisher, but Noble quickly climbed up the corner and superplexed Bourne off. After a two count, Bourne rolled onto the apron where the two battled it out. Bourne kicked Noble to knock him down on the mat, then climbed the corner and hit the Shooting Starpress.

Winner: Evan Bourne wins via pinfall over Jamie Noble.

John Morrison vs. Kane

In the main event, the Shaman of Sexy Morrison went at it with the Big Red Machine. As they fought past the 10 minute mark, Kane went to the corner for a move, but Morrison hit a kick to send Kane onto the apron. From there, Morrison elbowed Kane to the floor. Morrison went for a slingshot onto Kane over the top rope, but Kane threw a steel chair at him. The ref rang the bell for the DQ. Kane put Morrison back into the ring and prepared to bash him with the chair, but just then Great Khali's music came on. Khali arrived to the ring, and John Morrison smashed the chair onto Kane before leaving. Khali tried to pull Kane outside the ring, but Kane got away and went into the crowd. The two stared each other down to end Superstars.

Winner: John Morrison wins due to disqualification when Kane used a steel chair.

John Morrison vs. Kane

Winner:

Which Legend will Jericho Face?

The plot thickens after another episode of Raw which saw the latest WWE Hall of Fame inductee, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, appear on the show to discuss his career with the fans. Steamboat was discussing the honor being selected for the Hall of Fame and his great memories, when he was interrupted by Chris Jericho. Jericho continued to voice his frustration with the "has beens" of WWE past, basically denouncing the various legends. Last week it was Roddy Piper, the week before it was Ric Flair. Flair was the only one to get the best of Jericho so far, with a shot to the chin. Steamboat and Piper were both unfortunate recipients of Jericho's wrath.

Wrestlemania is still over a month away, allowing even more legends to appear and confront Jericho for his war of words against them and the fans. This seems like a perfect story in conjunction with the movie "The Wrestler" as well as the upcoming video game WWE Legends of Wrestlemania. Expect to see a few more confrontations, but it's starting to look like Jericho will have a big opponent for Wrestlemania 25. A publicist for Rourke was already quoted a while back saying Mickey Rourke won't be wrestling at the event. He still could be in the building and accompany someone to ringside. At this point, Jericho's opponent could be the likes of Hulk Hogan or Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin is expected to be inducted into the Hall of Fame the night before Wrestlemania 25, and his appearance on the card would make the event even bigger. Same goes for Hulk Hogan, if he's even in talks with WWE after he's been working to outdo them with his reality celeb wrestling show.

Other thoughts on Raw; Triple H really did some damage with that backup Sledgehammer he had concealed. He took out a door, a dressing room mirror, managed to hit both Rhodes and Dibiase, and then smashed a car window during his rampage. His hammer toss at the end just barely missed the car. However despite all that, the buildup between Edge and Cena seems to be better than that between Orton and HHH so far. Cena and Edge have had some great exchanges in the ring, with Cena challenging Edge to finally "be a man and a true champion", while Edge has retorted back that Cena will never be "that guy" like Hogan or Stone Cold was. The jokes by Cena about Vickie Guerrero and his promise to track the couple down makes for an interesting storyline too.

We also got the first participant for WM25 Money in the Bank last night with CM Punk, meaning there's 6 spots to go. Punk is last year's winner and currently holds a title, always making it look like he's less likely to be winning again. Guys like Morrison, Kane, Rey Mysterio, Mike Knox, Evan Bourne, Kofi Kingston, Christian and Vladimir Kozlov seem like worthy competitors to fill those remaining spots in the match, although Jamie Noble may become a true story of triumph should he be able to win a match, or survive longer than 30 seconds in one.

Smackdown Stars Need a Story

Last night's Smackdown continued us on our way towards Wrestlemania 24, with a look at several competitors such as MVP, Batista, Edge, Undertaker and Big Show. These matches served to hype up the big PPV.

There's 3 WWE Superstars who are stagnant on Smackdown and in need of a new angle or feud right now: Jamie Noble, Chuck Palumbo and WWE's Kane. The problem is there doesn't seem to be a good storyline for any of them. Kane is especially hurt from this as he deserves to be in title pictures and major stories of some sort. Chuck Palumbo seemed to be building up as a crazy-minded guy like Snitsky and now he gets simply beat by Kane. Jamie Noble seemed to be on some sort of a roll, and then gets squashed by Big Show. It's tough to say what's in the WWE plans for these 3 stars, or what would make them more interesting right now.

Smackdown's WWE diva contest seems to be setting up what could make for a great feud. It's a great idea for Maryse and Eve Torres to feud as they are WWE Divas with foreign flavor. It would set up a French vs. Spanish type showdown, and I wouldn't be surprised if they each begin to escort a wrestler to the ring as well. A guy like Santino, Carlito or even Jamie Noble would work well. While there will never be another Lita in the WWE, Eve could take on a similar role and maybe become Edge's new girl in some sort of angle involving Vickie down the road. Either way, I think the Eve vs. Maryse could inject some life into Smackdown's diva situation.

That brings us to Batista vs. MVP. They've battled for weeks now with Batista always coming out on top. Friday's Smackdown had MVP win, but barely and by a countout to preserve his title. Next week is No Holds Barred for the US championship. That seems to be perfect for Batista's WM24 opponent, Umaga to interfere in. This would save MVP's title and start hyping up the Umaga vs. Batista battle for brand superiority. It just would seem odd for Batista to have the US title at this point, and fans will still expect to see Matt Hardy holding the belt later this year.

WWE Diva Michelle McCool

WWE's Michelle McCool

Real Name: Michelle Leigh McCool
DOB: 1/25/80
Birthplace: Palatka, FL
Billed Height: 5'10"
Billed Weight: 122 lbs.
Finisher: Lifting sitout double underhook facebuster
Theme Song: Not Enough For Me (Previously used by Torrie Wilson)

About Michelle McCool

She's the WWE Diva who's "lovin' life" and entertaining fans, Michelle McCool. She debuted with World Wrestling Entertainment on November 18th, 2004 and is currently the favorite blonde diva on the Smackdown roster, appearing Friday nights as a valet or wrestling diva. Michelle was a contestant in the 2004 WWE Diva Search, where she was the 4th contestant eliminated. She went on to sign a 3 year contract with WWE anyways and started out with a gimmick as a personal fitness trainer, which was one of her past jobs in real life.

On March 3, 2005, Michelle made her WWE Wrestling debut, teaming up with The Big Show to defeat Dawm Marie and Renee Dupree. Dawn Marie and Michelle McCool feuded for several weeks after the matchup. Michelle later went on to enter a feud with a brand new diva, WWE Diva Melina. Melina won her first debut match against Michelle on Smackdown. Melin also managed the tag team MNM (Johnny Nitro & Joey Mercury) which used their finishing move the Snapshot to put Michelle out of action for about a year.

In 2006, Michelle returned to the Smackdown show as a "hot teacher", which was also a former job she held. She sided with WWE Diva Kristal Marshall and they feuded against Ashley Massaro and Jillian Hall. On July 28, 2006, Michelle won her first singles match when she defeated Jillian, using the ropes for leverage on the pin. Michelle went on to serve as valet for the tag team of Idol Stevens and K.C. James, continuing her teacher's gimmick. November 28, 2006 saw Michelle hospitalized with several unfortunate injuries including an enlarged kidney, broken sternum and electrolye imbalance. McCool made a return to Smackdown again on the March 30, 2007 edition, where she competed in a 10 Diva tag team match. McCool became a face from here on, and entered a feud with WWE Diva Victoria on the Smackdown show. It included several mixed tag contests with Michelle teaming up with Chuck Palumbo to face Victoria and Kenny Dysktra.

It's been interesting for Michelle McCool since her return in 2007. She continues to compete on the Smackdown TV program, and has been a valet/semi-girlfriend to motorcycle-riding wrestler, Chuck Palumbo. She became caught in a sort of "love triangle" when wrestler Jamie Noble started to make passes at her and defeated Chuck in a match with the stipulation that Noble could go on a date with Michelle. Chuck Palumbo snapped during this time, and Michelle McCool eventually told him she was sick of him and stopped accompanying him to the ring. Michelle was a valet for Jamie Noble briefly, and has competed in a Smackdown Diva contest during the month of March 2008.

Michelle has had the nicknames "The All-American Diva" and "The Next Mrs. Bradshaw Layfield", as given to her by JBL. (SOURCE)

Michelle's current WWE Music is "You're Not Enough for Me".

Michelle McCool Links & More!

Michelle McCool WWE.com profile

Michelle McCool Myspace page

See the list of WWE Divas.

See more info about the WWE Superstars!

See the latest blog entry about WWE Wrestling.

WWE's Valentines Couples

It's Valentine's day this February 14th and we have several couples who will be celebrating their current romances. The first couple of WWE Superstars
that comes to mind would be WWE's Edge and Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero, as the two have been lovestruck since after Survivor Series. Each week Edge professes his love to Vickie, and Edge has said that in honor of Valentine's day he will have something special to ask Vickie. Will it be the "big question" that many think it is? Will we see another Smackdown wedding in the future?

Another current couple of lovebirds is Raw's Santino Marella and WWE Diva Maria Kanellis. Maria happily accompanies the boastful Santino to the ring week in and out. Now they have a third individual as part of their relationship, with Carlito joining forces. Santino has insisted that his sweetie will not be doing Playboy either despite the fans' protests. Will the love of Santino and Maria continue to flourish, or will Carlito and Playboy be major barriers for the couple?

A third couple which has formed under interesting circumstances is that of Michelle McCool and Jamie Noble on Smackdown. You may recall that Noble had to "win a date" with Michelle by first beating her friend at the time, Chuck Palumbo. Since Noble has beat Chuck several times, Palumbo completely lost it and Michelle McCool told him he wasn't enough for her. Recently on Smackdown, Chuck went nuts again and beat up Noble in front of his latest "interest" Michelle. Despite Michelle begging Chuck to stop, he proceeded to completely maul Noble outside the ring and nearly ran him over with his motorcycle.

And let's not forget the "Tough Love" that Vince McMahon has been trying to show his illegitimate son Hornswoggle week after week through brutal matches..Recently, Vince took things into his own hands to show his son that tough love. Can you feel the love in the WWE this Valentines Day?

More Royal Rumble Entrants

According to WWE.com's Royal Rumble qualifying page, we now have 3 more entrants into the Rumble. Jamie Noble qualified on this past week's Smackdown when he defeated Chuck Palumbo. Finlay was given a free ticket into the Rumble by Vince McMahon on the same show, so that he could "watch over Hornswoggle". And Cody Rhodes earned a spot in the Rumble by winning a match at a live event in Jacksonville, Florida.

That gives us almost half of the Royal Rumble field. It's still looking like Undertaker and Batista are the early favorites. Undertaker won it last year so another win would make him one of just a few stars to win back-to-back Rumbles. Previous stars to do so included Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Michaels will most likely be in this year's event, and maybe even has a shot to win it.

For those who order the Royal Rumble PPV you may qualify to receive a special WWE watch. More details on the item here.

WWE.com also has the latest up-to-date info about The Royal Rumble.

ECW Recap 11.06.07

ECW Recap from Bakersfield, CA:

ECW opened with highlights to showcase the John Morrison vs. CM Punk feud. Morrison will challenge Punk later on tonight's ECW show for the ECW title.

Kane vs. Mark Henry

Highlights were shown of Henry winning last week's Monster Mash Battle Royal over Kane, Great Khali and Big Daddy V.

Kane started off with a kick to Henry and then some punches. Henry recovered to toss Kane to the corner and from there started hammering away at Kane around the ring. Kane tried to build momentum and ran off the ropes, but Henry caught him then slammed him down to the mat. Henry started to kick Kane in the back, then slammed him yet again. Henry rammed Kane's back into the ring corner and then hit him down. Kane mentioned to stand up and start fighting back, but Henry hammered on his back again, then whipped Kane to a corner. Henry used a splash and then went over to Kane again, but this time Kane delivered uppercuts. Henry tried to whip Kane to the corner and ran at him, but Kane stuck a foot up catching Henry's face.

Kane climbed the corner ropes and jumped off to clothesline Henry down. Kane tried to use the chokeslam on Henry, but Henry fought out of it then knocked Kane down to the mat. Henry exited the ring and grabbed a steel chair to bring into the match. The ref warned Henry not to enter with the chair, but Henry continued on with it. The ref called for the bell and Henry caught Kane in the midsection with the chair then picked him up and slammed him down on it.

Winner: Kane wins due to disqualification of Mark Henry.

Joey Styles announced that Extreme Expose members Kelly Kelly and Layla will face off in a match later on tonight. Tazz reminded fans of the John Morrison vs, Punk matchup.

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Footage shown of fans waiting in line to get Wrestlemania XXIV tickets at the Citrus Bowl in Florida.

Jamie Noble vs. Nunzio

Early on the 2 men grappled and Noble dropped Nunzio to the mat. Noble tried to lock in a hold around Nunzio's waist as the two got to their feet. Nunzio grabbed Noble's arm behind his back, but Noble elbowed out of it. Noble took control of the match punching Nunzio around the ring. Noble continued to use a headlock on Nunzio down on the mat. Noble then tried to whip Nunzio to the ring corner and ran at him, but Nunzio moved away. Noble was able to finish off Nunzio with a backbreaker followed by slamming him down across his knees.

Winner: Jamie Noble wins via pinfall over Nunzio.

More footage shown of John Morrison who is on a quest to recapture the ECW title.

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Kelly Kelly vs. Layla

Layla was in ring with the Miz as Kelly came out holding her neck. Footage was shown of Kelly losing to Beth Phoenix last night. Miz took the mic and reminded Kelly he's making her life miserable.

Layla kicked Kelly as soon as the bell rang, and continued to kick her around the ring. Kelly tried to push Layla away several times, but Layla kept attacking. Layla eventually scored the pin after knocking Kelly around the ring ferociously. Balls Mahoney came down to the ring to check on Kelly. Mahoney started to tell Miz to get in the ring and fight. Miz climbed the apron to go into the ring, but Layla pulled him back.

Winner: Layla wins via pinfall over Kelly Kelly.

More highlights shown from Punk vs Morrison matches with Punk's win over Morrison to capture the ECW title shown.

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Tazz and Styles covered the ECW debut of Rey Mysterio in 1995, which is documented on the new DVD "Biggest Little Man". Styles mentioned Mysterio will face Finlay this Friday on Smackdown.

Shannon Moore vs. Elijah Burke

Early on Moore got control as he threw Burke to the corner then jumped off them with a headscissors, taking Burke down. Burke gained control and knocked Moore to the ropes. With Moore hanging across the middle rope, Burke ran over at him and jumped onto Moore's back, then slid out through the ropes.

Back in the ring, Moore started to battle back from the ropes towards Burke. Burke stayed in control, knocking Moore to the mat. Burke then ran over at him and did an elbow drop, followed by the Elijah Express to capture the win.

Winner: Elijah Burke wins via pinfall over Shannon Moore.

Tazz and Styles discussed the passing of Fabulous Moolah then aired a career highlight video.

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Backstage, The Miz walked up to Morrison and Morrison began to insult him about losing to Punk at Cyber Sunday, then losing last week on ECW. Morrison told Miz all he can do is manage a bunch of girls. Miz told Morrison he won't win the ECW title.

Tazz and Styles discussed last night's Raw with the reunion of DX. Footage of the Raw match with DX defeating Umaga and Orton was shown. After the match footage was shown of Orton in the locker room, with William Regal entering to talk to him. Orton asked Regal to add the stipulation to the Survivor Series WWE title match that Shawn Michaels can't use the Superkick or the match is stopped. Orton also added that if he gets disqualified, he loses the WWE championship. Regal agreed to the idea. Tazz and Styles then reviewed the various matches for Survivor Series.

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John Morrison vs. CM Punk

Punk whipped Morrison to the ropes and Morrison came back to knock him down. On the second time, Punk used an arm toss to take Morrison down. Morrison tried to pull Punk's tights and force him to the corner, but Punk caught himself. Punk went to roll up Morrison, but he grabbed the ropes. Morrison then did a springboard off the ropes, knocking Punk down with the kick.

Down on the mat, Morrison pulled Punk's arms back around his own throat. Punk recovered and Morrison tried to beat him up near the ropes. Punk got on the side apron then rammed Morrison in the gut. Punk leapt off the ropes onto Morrison, gaining some serious momentum in the match. After whipping Morrison to the corner, Punk ran at him to knee him in the face. Morrison avoided it but Punk caught him for a hard slam in the center of the ring. As the two continued to battle, The Miz came down the ramp to watch the match.

Morrison bridged out of a pin attempt by Punk, then tried to roll him up for a pin. Morrison caught Punk with a kick to the head. As Morrison was in control, he looked out at Miz then turned his back. Miz threw his hat into the ring and it hit Morrison in the back. Morrison kicked the hat out into the crowd, and the distraction allowed Punk to grab Morrison by the pants and roll him up for a pinfall victory.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over John Morrison.

Smackdown Preview 09.07.07

Tonight's Smackdown will feature continuations of last week's action, including Rey Mysterio, The Great Khali, Batista, Finlay, Hornswaggle and Jamie Noble.

On last week's Smackdown, new tag team champions were crowned as Matt Hardy managed to survive a brutal doubleteaming by Deuce & Domino. Hardy had the pinfall in his grasp, but MVP tagged in and tossed Hardy from the ring to steal the show and capture the tag titles. How will the new tag champs cooperate on Friday's Smackdown? Will they make their first title defense?

Also, last week, Rey Mysterio won a 2 match tournament to become #1 contender for the Great Khali's title. Mysterio's win over Batista in match 1 came due to Finlay's interference. How will Batista react to Finlay costing him the match and title opportunity? Will Khali go after Mysterio?

And finally, Jamie Noble has vowed he will defeat the leprechaun, Hornswaggle this week for the Cruiserweight title. This will be Hornswaggle's 2nd title defense versus Noble. Will Noble be able to finally regain the title? Or will Hornwsaggle again make Noble the laughing stock of the back locker room?

Tune in to Smackdown at 8PM EST on the CW Network, Friday Nights. Check local listings for coverage and black outs.