C-Show Showdown
WWE SuperStars SuperReview: Shelton vs. Vance, Kelly vs. Jillian, and Chris Jericho vs. Kane
By Jamie Kennedy
Jan 23, 2010 - 5:07 PM

We're getting closer and closer to my favourite Pay-Per-View of the year. Oh yes my friends, it's almost time for the “Royal Rumble!" I just love this time of year and I'm sure a lot of you agree with me. The WWE does an unbelievable job of building towards Wrestlemania each year and garnering a heck of a lot of real excitement and hype before the “Superbowl of Wrestling” actually even takes place. Fingers and toes crossed that this year is as enjoyable as last years build and can maybe even surpass that! With that said, on with the show!

Battle #1 – Jillian Hall vs. Kelly Kelly

A lot of the time, WWE Divas get a large amount of criticism for their exploits and actions inside the ring but when they are just allowed to be themselves and let their natural athleticism shine, this is the result. Just a high-octane match from both these women, who managed to draw the crowd right in there with them. Kelly specifically has improved tenfold (seeing as she was initially just brought in as eye candy whereas Jillian had some experience beforehand) since those days where all she did was dance and tease the teenage male viewers with the threat of boobage. This is exactly the kind of women's match-up I want to see in World Wrestling Entertainment. More of this would certainly not only take away any critics ammunition, it would turn their own guns back on them!

To end a speedy finishing sequence, Kelly Kelly nailed Jillian with her “Kelly Kick” to the back of the head for the 1..2..3!

WINNER: Us. Oh and Kelly Kelly!

Battle #2 – Shelton Benjamin vs. Vance Archer

Solid match here and I really do think that Benjamin is the ideal first feud for Archer. They seem to click inside the squared circle and that was no more evident anywhere else than here in this bout. It'll be interesting as time rolls on to see if “The Artist Formerly Known As Lance Hoyt/Rock” can show promise on the mic aswell as when wrestling. It's clear he has potential but hopefully he can keep the momentum swinging upwards and not tail off as men such as Jack Swagger and Evan Bourne have done.

As for Shelton, he's doing a stellar job keeping interest in his abilities while on ECW and whereas he may never be the big star he threatened to be at one point, he still has a very important role to play. If the company do go down the rumoured route of making ECW into a glorified Florida Championship Wrestling (their current farming/development league) then men such as Benjamin and William Regal will continue to have renewed purpose for the promotion. They are ideal for helping young stars get a foothold on what it means to survive in the biggest wrestling company on the planet.

The end to this one came when Shelton smacked Archer with a pair of beautiful boots before surprising him with a roll-up to gain the pin and therefore the victory. Good match.

WINNER: Shelton Benjamin

Meanwhile..

·          Video package for The Miz, who has launched himself into the position of being a potential future main event star via his own hard work and performance. Cannot even begin to describe how impressed I've been by this guy over the past 2 years, even more so recently. He really appears to have come into his own and is miles ahead of many of the other prospects for future stardom. I'm truly glad he is now getting the appreciation he deserves and his heelish “The Rock” type gimmick really suits him. The chance is there that he could someday make the jump in alignment to being a anti-hero type babyface and I would be right there cheering him on. One to watch most definitely in 2010.

Battle #3 – Chris Jericho vs. Kane

Nice idea to have the 2 veterans square off for the main event of tonight's show and it proved to be a platform for Jericho in particular to show just how important a part he is of the WWE roster. Surely one of the best heels of the past few years, Y2J and Kane had a pretty darn decent scrap here which ended when Sir. Chris decided he had had enough and voluntarily left the ring for a 10 count, ensuring “The Big Red Machine/Monster” would pick up one for his 'W' column.

Jericho may never be the biggest star out there in terms of always being in the World Title picture but he is incredibly reliable and is always someone the office know they can count on if they are struggling for a credible heel opponent for any given champion. His work on the mic has always been fantastic and while his look and bodyshape has changed over the years, he still delivers the same awesome performances when wrestling.

Kane could be doing with somewhat of a repackaging, perhaps giving him a new mask which could have a cool “wrap-around” effect on his head. I just feel this would add so much to his character and could even catapult him back into the title picture for one more run with the belt. I'm sure I wasn't alone in wishing that it was HIS mask that was in that bag he carried around for a while.

WINNER: Kane

That about does it for this weeks show, which proved to be another solid outing for the Superstars brand. I'm glad to see that WWE are still putting name talent such as Jericho on the show and also mixing this with popular characters like Kelly Kelly and newcomers such as Vance Archer. It's a good blend which works in creating an enjoyable program. Until next time, have a great weekend everybody!