By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Friday Night Smackdown
July 11, 2008
Upcoming PPV: The Great American Bash (second-to-last episode before PPV)

SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the forty-third edition of Smackdown Storylines and Feuds.

For those wondering about the Intrigue Level system that I employ, you can refer to the numbers as follows:

10 (excellent), 9 (great), 8-6 (very good, good, pretty good), 5 (decent; has its good and bad qualities), 4-3 (needs work, poor), 2 (bad), 1 (terrible)


If you have any comments on the strengths and weaknesses of a particular WWE feud, just send 1 to 5 sentences to newthtorch@hotmail.com, and I will include them in an upcoming article.


WWE Champion TRIPLE H vs. EDGE vs. Smackdown GM VICKIE GUERRERO (2 weeks)

Summary:

Edge began the show with an in-ring promo discussing his current situation. He said that his decision to call off the wedding with Vickie Guerrero stands. The Rated-R Superstar then moved on to discuss his upcoming matchup with Triple H for the WWE Championship at the Great American Bash, but his former fiancée interrupted him with her signature "Excuse me" line. Vickie began by saying that calling off the wedding wasn't a loss for her. She then booked him in a match to help prepare him for his upcoming title match against Triple H: a No Disqualification Match against Big Show. "Good luck, baby," Vickie concluded smugly. Edge said that he was not afraid of Big Show and found a way to insert a line about how Vickie's a loser. In retaliation, Vickie ordered audio to turn Edge's mic off, and he was cut off mid-sentence.

Later in the back, Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely sat with Edge, comforting him about his situation. Chavo couldn't believe that Vickie would try to punish him by booking him in a match against the Big Show. He said that he was going to do Edge a favor and fix the problem. "I'm going to walk over to Vickie's office right now, and I'm going to give her a piece of my mind," Chavo promised a silent Edge. After a commercial break, Chavo strolled into Vickie's office and said that he can't believe…what Edge is doing. He called Edge an arrogant liar. "It's times like this where we have stuck together, Vickie," Chavo said. Vickie wasn't buying it. "Cut the crap," she told him before booking a match between him and Triple H later in the show.

Hunter-Chavo was first, and the match saw Triple H pick up the win after countering the Three Amigos before hitting the Pedigree. Before the main event, Edge was arguing with Chavo, Bam, Hawkins, and Ryder in the locker room. He told them that Vickie was taking advantage of all of them and that he wanted them to come to ringside and help him out in the main event. Vickie then wheeled into the frame and told them that anyone who helps Edge in the main event will be fired. She then turned to Edge to tell him that if he doesn't go through with the match, he would be fired as well.

The main event soon got underway, and as it winded down, Edge looked like he was in trouble. As he attempted a conchairto, Big Show caught him by the neck and delivered a chokeslam. Then Show placed a chair under Edge's head and raised another chair into the air in an effort to make turnabout fair play. Suddenly, Vickie got on the mic and screamed for the referee to stop the match. Show simply left as Vickie crumbled onto Edge to protect him. She eventually sat him up and mouthed that she loved him. After a brief moment of self-inspection, Edge forgave her and they found themselves in another passionate lip lock to close the show.

Analysis:

First of all, that "Excuse me" line is probably more effective for her than having entrance music of her own. It makes cutting off people in mid-sentence all the more annoying. This week's edition of Smackdown provided another strong week for the main event heels on the blue brand. There are really only two specific elements that one could point to as weaknesses here:

First, why isn't Triple H a bigger part of the show as the brand's biggest babyface and the WWE Champion? Although I list this Hunter-Edge program as a feud, it's really just a scheduled match for the Great American Bash. My guess is that WWE plans to make this a long-term rivalry, and therefore there's no rush to even start it until the Bash. It's not a bad idea because they are reinforcing Edge as the best character in WWE in the meantime.

The only other weakness someone might point to is how Edge and Vickie got back together after a week, but I would argue that it's pretty realistic. It's not uncommon for people to have short breakups and wind up back together within a week. So, although it might seem like a last-minute change in storyline plans or a cover-up for a mistake they feel they made by breaking them up, people should appreciate the fact that it felt pretty real. Of course, both Edge and Vickie did great in their roles this week, as usual. What more could be said? Each and every week, they (and the writing) are making their characters stronger and stronger.

As for the storyline, I almost like the idea of a rough ride for Edge and Vickie. Perhaps that last breakup wasn't the end of their troubles but only the beginning. WWE has to be careful because a rocky relationship for WWE's current power couple could diminish Edge's feud with Triple H. Then again, there's a possibility that it could improve it dramatically.

I would go with a "shaky relationship" storyline here. What if Edge and Vickie continued to bicker and had another breakup, but next time, things were different? WWE could put Edge in a really tough spot. They could have him try to break up with her nicely the next time because he is really unhappy. Then they could show that Vickie seems okay with it at first, but her feelings soon change. After a week or two of her showing a very bitter side, she goes all-out against Edge by using her power as GM to try to destroy him. The storyline almost has a Fatal Attraction feel to it.

The problem? That story would place sympathy directly on Edge and hurt his strength as a heel; he would practically be forced to turn babyface. That's probably not the best option since Edge plays a heel much more naturally than he does a babyface, and he's much more useful on WWE television in his current role. So, what if the roles were then reversed?

What if Vickie notices that she isn't quite happy with their relationship, and she tries to break it off? However, Edge starts to do things that frighten her. Over time, he seems kind of obsessed with getting her back because he enjoyed the power he had on Smackdown when he was by her side. Since he can't really use professional power against her, he'll have to use another method. There would be many directions for the storyline at that point. The only dangerous element to this story is that it could potentially change the type of heel Edge is.

He has nurtured his character's heel persona for such a long time that a stalker-storyline angle might damage that unless they play it off as just jealousy that he can't seem to control or just complete anger that consumes him because he never saw the breakup (by her this time) coming. Many storylines have the potential to change character types, but sometimes the entertainment value makes the risk worth it. Plus, there are safer ways of handling the feud using the same story with a different twist. But when I saw last week's Smackdown, the Fatal Attraction angle seemed like an interesting way to go. Although, admittedly, it would be a very difficult thing to pull off without transforming one of these great heels into a babyface.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 9 [up 1 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Edge: Kane, Batista
Vickie Guerrero: Undertaker, Batista
Triple H: King Booker, Umaga, Jeff Hardy, Orton & JBL, Randy Orton, John Cena

CURT HAWKINS & ZACK RYDER vs. JESSE & FESTUS (2 weeks)

Summary:

In the back, Hawkins and Ryder sat with Vickie in her office to complain about how Edge disrespected them last week. Wasn't it Vickie who angrily admonished them before booking them in a match as punishment? They requested another matchup with Jesse and Festus this week, a match that Vickie granted. They continued to support her, saying that she deserves better than Edge. "We just want to let you know, we're always going to be there for you," Ryder promised. Vickie then began weeping.

Later in the show, Jesse and Festus won the match against Hawkins and Ryder when the heels opted to simply stand at ringside and get counted out. Once the bell had rung, however, Hawkins and Ryder charged the ring, hurled Jesse through the ropes, and simultaneously attacked a helpless Festus. As they beat up Festus in the ring, Jesse was smart enough to ring the bell himself, causing Festus to go on the attack. Jesse and Festus then cleared the ring of their opponents and stood tall to close the segment.

Analysis:

If WWE intends to let Festus keep his current condition, it's smart for them to exhaust all the different things that heels would logically plan as ways to hurt him. And what better way is there for WWE to garner sympathy for Festus than to have heels attack him when he's completely defenseless? As for Hawkins and Ryder, it will be interesting to see how WWE handles their relationship with Edge and Vickie next week. They were clearly on Vickie's side toward the beginning of the show, even going as far as badmouthing Edge. Will that come back to haunt them? Then, by the end of the show, Edge had asked them to come to ringside along with Chavo and Bam to help him out against Big Show. So, some clarity is needed.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5 [up 0.5 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder: n/a
Jesse & Festus: Deuce 'N' Domino, Morrison & Miz

MR. KENNEDY vs. MVP vs. UMAGA (1 week)

Summary:

This week, Mr. Kennedy had one-on-one competition with the now-solo Domino while MVP sat on commentary with Ross and Foley. During his opening promo, Kennedy made a remark about MVP, which didn't go over well by Porter. The match ended when Kennedy hit the Mic Check for the decisive win. After the matchup, MVP seemed to be instigating a fight with Kennedy, but Umaga surprised Kennedy with a big kick to the face. The Samoan Bulldozer then gave Kennedy a Samoan Spike to send a message. MVP smirked at ringside as Kennedy clutched his neck and writhed on the mat.

Analysis:

This feud has a lot of potential since MVP and Kennedy seem to find themselves in similar places on the WWE roster. Plus, Umaga is a proven main-eventer, so he could add something extra to the storyline as a whole, depending on how WWE crafts it. The most promising aspect of the program has to be the promo possibilities. With two great talkers in MVP and Kennedy, there's a lot to look forward to as a viewer. This week only hinted at a three-person feud, but next week should provide some narrative clarity.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6

Previous Feuds
Mr. Kennedy: Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels, William Regal, Paul Burchill
MVP: Rey Mysterio, Ric Flair, Batista, Matt Hardy
Umaga: Jeff Hardy, Triple H, Batista

United States Champion MATT HARDY vs. CHAVO GUERRERO (w/ Bam Neely) (5 weeks)

Summary:

This week, Matt Hardy faced Shelton Benjamin in singles competition. No sign of Chavo anywhere in this segment. The match concluded when Benjamin grabbed the ropes to prevent a Twist of Fate. He then hit a move that is ostensibly his new finisher as he hooked Hardy's head while running toward him, sending Hardy to the mat. JR reacted as if it was an extremely impressive move. Shelton then covered and scored the pinfall.

Analysis:

This may indeed be a sign that Hardy-Chavo has successfully transitioned into a more promising Hardy-Benjamin feud using last week's Fatal 4th of July Match as the venue for the switch. It's nice to see Shelton getting a renewed push in a title feud against a popular star.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Matt Hardy: Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch, MVP
Chavo Guerrero: Rey Mysterio, CM Punk, Kane

WWE Tag Team Champions JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ vs. FINLAY & HORNSWOGGLE (6 weeks)

Summary:

John Morrison and The Miz faced Finlay and Hornswoggle in more tag team competition this week. The match saw Miz felled by a shillelagh shot to the head before Hornswoggle was able to land his Tadpole Splash for the three count.

Analysis:

There's nothing new going on with this feud. WWE seems committed to it, though. Let's see how things change next week after the Great American Bash.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5 [down 0.5 since ECW]

Previous Feuds
John Morrison & The Miz: Jesse & Festus, Yang & Moore, Dreamer & Delaney
Finlay: Kane, Rey Mysterio, The Great Khali, Mr. McMahon, JBL
Hornswoggle: Mr. McMahon

NATALYA NEIDHART vs. MICHELLE McCOOL (15 weeks w/ 3 weeks hiatus)

Summary:

In diva tag action, Michelle McCool teamed with Cherry to face the Canadian combo of Natalya and Maryse. The match saw Natalya apply the Sharpshooter on Cherry, causing the immediate tapout. After the matchup, McCool checked on Cherry, but Natalya attacked her from behind. She threw McCool into the turnbuckle, then kicked her to the floor. At ringside, Natalya gave McCool a suplex right in front of the announce table. She then admired the Divas' Championship that sat stylishly on a stand near Ross's chair as McCool lay almost motionlessly on the floor.

Analysis:

This feud has a lot of history, and it would seem to culminate at the Great American Bash when WWE crowns their first Divas' Championship. WWE has done a nice job keeping them separated in the past four months, so their wrestling match at the PPV could be something special. Of course, the focus of this feud is (and should be) the new championship. My guess is that WWE will continue the McCool-Natalya rivalry beyond the PPV no matter who wins the title.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6 [up 0.5 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Natalya Neidhart: n/a
Michelle McCool: Victoria, Chuck Palumbo


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Matt Hardy vs. Chavo Guerrero


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Vladimir Kozlov vs. ?
(2) The Great Khali vs. ?
(3) Jeff Hardy vs. ?
(4) Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin


Thanks for reading, everyone. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, feel free to email me at newthtorch@hotmail.com. I greatly appreciate all the feedback that I receive, and I will respond to every email. Please insert a word in the subject line that deals with a wrestling topic or write something such as "WWE," "feud," or "Funaki" so that I know it's not junk mail.

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