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By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Monday Night Raw
July 15, 2008
Upcoming PPV: The Great American Bash (last episode before PPV)

RAW STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the forty-seventh edition of Raw 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)


World Hvt. Champion CM PUNK vs. BATISTA (2 weeks)

Summary:

In the backstage locker room, Kane met with CM Punk, beginning the conversation by saying, "Deep down, I know he's dead." When Punk inquisitively asked who Kane was referring to, the Big Red Machine changed the subject by requesting a one-on-one match with Punk later in the show. The World Heavyweight Champion wasn't too happy about the challenge because he has to face Batista in the biggest match of his life come Sunday; however, he noted that he needs to prove to the naysayers that he's not a fluke champion. So Punk accepted Kane's challenge before asking him, "What's with the bag?" Kane chuckled to himself as he exited without answering.

The match between Kane and Punk ended when Punk gave his opponent a bulldog on the outside. The World Champion made it back into the ring before the referee's ten count, but Kane didn't. After the match, Kane angrily lobbed multiple chairs into the ring before attacking Punk. He placed Punk's head through a chair and attempted to jump onto it from the top rope, but Batista sprinted to the ring and speared Kane to make the save. Punk then thanked him for helping, offering Batista a handshake, but the Animal refused, saying that he's not Punk's friend. Punk reacted to Batista's condescending face tap by pushing Batista, which resulted in a spinebuster to the World Champion.

Analysis:

Sooner or later, Punk is going to have to cleanly beat a main event star on Raw after a strong matchup in order to prove that he's not a fluke champion. WWE did a nice job by letting him explain how he understands the nature of his title win and how he truly wants to prove his critics wrong. But the next job is going to be actually doing it. Kane's involvement in the storyline is pretty well-organized since Kane is currently undergoing some kind of strange transition. The heel turn isn't completely there; he seems to be going nuts. Plus, this allowed Punk someone to fight so that his interaction with Batista could make a nice teaser for the Great American Bash.

Everyone played their parts well this week with Punk trying to prove himself, Kane experiencing both regret (apologizing to Cole and Lawler) and uncontrollable rage, and Batista just showing up to make sure his title match isn't compromised come Sunday. The Punk-Batista interaction didn't do much to advance their story, but it certainly set the stage for their big match and gave us the basics for their relationship—that the only thing they have in common is the desire to hold the World Heavyweight Title.

Reader Thoughts:

Shane McKinley writes: "I think how you define a champion is by who they face. I don't know if Punk will hold onto the title after the PPV. If Punk is going to be the man, they have to do a lot better than to throw him Snitsky. I would like a storyline where Punk gets "taken to the limit" and suceeds no matter if he wins or loses, but I fear that perhaps Punk winning was merely just a shot into the arms of Raw fans. I was suprised that Punk actually went to Raw, as I thought he was going to be traded to Smackdown to fight with Edge."

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7.5 [same as last week]

Previous Feuds
CM Punk: Elijah Burke, John Morrison, Chavo Guerrero, Morrison & Miz
Batista: Edge, The Great Khali, Undertaker, MVP, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Edge

JOHN CENA vs. JBL (16 weeks w/ 4 weeks hiatus)

Summary:

In the back, Todd Grisham interviewed John Cena about his upcoming New York City Parking Lot Brawl at the Great American Bash. Cena said that he's not smiling this week because he realizes the intensity and danger of his match with JBL. "On that day we will not find out who the best athlete is. We will find out if human bones can be broken on concrete; we will find out if human flesh can be ripped apart after getting bashed through pane after pane of automobile glass; we will find out if a man's pride will fold, if health will be compromised, if careers will be cut short," Cena said as if he were a twisted preacher.

He told Grisham that the question shouldn't be what the match is about but rather why he would accept such a challenge. He continued by saying that it makes him sick that Layfield considers himself a great American and that he plans on beating the hell out of him come Sunday's PPV. "I will come at you with the rage of 1,000 pit bulls and will not stop until you remember the name, John Cena," he said. Cryme Tyme then stepped into the frame as Cena challenged JBL and two partners in a six-man tag team match. He concluded the fiery promo with his signature "if you want some, come get some" line.

Later in the show, Kelly seemed set for singles competition when Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, Jr. walked out holding their World Tag Team Titles. The champs told Kelly to hit the bricks before cutting a promo. Cody said, "We're not our fathers; we're better." DiBiase added that they're already champions even though their prime is still ten years away. When he said, "Like it or not, we are the future," Hacksaw Jim Duggan interrupted. Duggan told them that they might be really good performers, but they aren't good people. The tag champs told him that his glory days weren't really that great and that if he doesn't think he could become a champion, he shouldn't even be in WWE. A dejected Duggan held his head down, almost in shame. Cody and Ted then simply left Duggan in the ring. As they left, JBL came onto the big screen to offer them the opportunity "of a lifetime" to team with him against Cena and Cryme Tyme in the main event.

In the main event, John Cena and Cryme Tyme beat JBL, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase, Jr. when Layfield disqualified his team by kicking Cena in the back of the head as Cena was applying the STFU to Cody Rhodes. After the match, Layfield goaded Cena to chase him to the back. They ran through various hallways until they reached the exit door. Cena cautiously exited the building, making sure to look behind corners and objects as we searched for JBL outside. Suddenly, Layfield struck Cena to the ground and propped him up against a white car. He then got into another vehicle and purposely crashed into the car Cena was lying against to apparently kill his Great American Bash opponent.

Analysis:

First of all, the promo Cena delivered this week was pretty strong. It seemed like a big change of heart from last week, though, where Cena purposely destroyed a rival's property and joked about it along the way. In any event, a much better direction this week for Cena's character. Also good was Rhodes and DiBiase beating Duggan down verbally, then after crushing him, simply walking out of the ring. It was just as effective as them physically hurting them, perhaps even more powerful since it seemed so fresh. JBL using the opportunity to recruit the World Tag Team Champions after watching them assault a veteran's legacy was another positive in the show's overall flow.

As for the conclusion of the show, a concrete judgment on it really isn't possible without seeing the follow-up because nobody knows the direction WWE intended. In his coverage of the show, Wade Keller mentioned conventions. It's true, WWE has chosen to create a particular set of conventions for its programming; in this sense, it is similar to movies and TV shows.

Every movie does this, by the way. They set rules in the beginning that must be followed throughout, but the rules can be anything. For example, if you start the film by acknowledging that the animals are going to be able to talk to one another, the audience sets that rule in the back of their mind and suspends their disbelief, accepting the fact that this strange occurrence is "normal" in the context of the story. WWE has done the same thing over the years, and it's important to recognize that. Now, there's nothing wrong if they want to start altering those rules, but they have to realize that doing so changes the genre's codes. The end implied that Cena died, which is generally beyond the usual bounds of the show. Of course, they later announced that he was alive, but we'll have to see the follow-up Monday night.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7 [up 1 since last week]

Previous Feuds
John Cena: Edge, Umaga, Bobby Lashley, Orton & Triple H, JBL
JBL: Chris Jericho, Finlay, Triple H & Orton, John Cena

CHRIS JERICHO vs. SHAWN MICHAELS (16 weeks w/ 2 weeks hiatus)

Summary:

Right after Stephanie and Shane made their third plea for unity to kick off Raw, they cut to a brawl between Michaels and Jericho at ringside. The fighting ended when Lance Cade ran in to help Y2J. He knocked down Michaels and assisted Jericho to the back. Meanwhile, referees stopped Michaels from chasing Jericho. Things then went in a whole new direction when Kane, who was brandishing some type of mysterious bag, came out to apologize to a terrified Michael Cole and a suspicious Jerry Lawler. As soon as the Big Red Machine walked off, they cut to a scene backstage where HBK had clearly gotten his hands on Lance Cade. Officials in the back again pulled them apart before WWE went right to a women's match between Mickie James and Katie Lea in what was a crowded first segment.

Later in the show, Chris Jericho faced Paul London one-on-one. The match ended when Y2J applied the Walls of Jericho for the tap-out victory. After the match, Jericho grabbed a mic and told London that he has to choose a path for his career by either following Jericho's path, which leads to honor and integrity, or by following Shawn Michaels's path, which leads to "deceit and lies and cowardice." HBK's music then hit, and walked onto the stage to tell Jericho that the worst is yet to come at the Great American Bash.

Analysis:

WWE did a nice job teasing this feud for Sunday's PPV with various pull-apart brawls and the live mic interaction between Jericho and Michaels. Because we've seen Y2J and HBK fighting for so long—and because we've heard them both out—it feels very much like this feud is now winding down. At this point, it's like we're just waiting for a big matchup to make the conclusion official. The fans understand now that these two characters have completely separate philosophies; Shawn Michaels even alluded to this in his promo when he talked about how he can't change Jericho's mind, and Jericho certainly couldn't change his. It's been a strong few months, and this week provided a nice continuation heading into the big in-ring faceoff.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 10 [same as last week]

Previous Feuds
Chris Jericho: Randy Orton, JBL, Jeff Hardy, Money in the Bank, Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels: Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy, Ric Flair, Batista & Jericho

MR. McMAHON TARGETED (4 weeks)

Summary:

The show began as it has in the past two weeks with an announcement by WWE Vice Presidents Shane and Stephanie McMahon (together this week). They expressed concern for the show with no leadership or guidance in sight. "Despite our pleas for unity, we've seen vehicular destruction (JBL's limo last week), the unauthorized removal of a WWE superstar (Layfield kicking Cena out of the building), an announce talent being physically threatened (Cole and Lawler being attacked by Kane), general unprofessionalism and in-fighting, and the unexpected, unadvertised crowning of a new World Heavyweight Champion," Stephanie summarized.

They said that they couldn't be there due to corporate responsibilities and that they want the Raw crew to try one more time to achieve unity or actions will be taken. It's worth noting that directly following that segment, they cut straight to an unauthorized brawl between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels at ringside.

Analysis:

This week followed the same formula as the past two weeks. The story is clear: Raw is suffering from chaos with no leadership on the show. Events this week like the HBK-Y2J brawl and especially the Cena-JBL conclusion to the show indicate that actions will indeed be taken next Monday night.

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

Previous Feuds
Mr. McMahon: Bobby Lashley, Triple H, Hornswoggle

Women's Champion MICKIE JAMES vs. JILLIAN HALL (3 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

Summary:

This week featured an opening contest between Women's Champion Mickie James and the woman she last faced at Night of Champions, Katie Lea. The match saw Mickie win after landing her Thesz Press from the top rope for the pinfall victory. After the match, she was briefly attacked by Katie and Burchill, but Kofi ran in to make the save.

Analysis:

This assumption must be that the short-lived Mickie-Jillian feud is completely finished since the Women's Champion has moved on to someone else—someone who's actually had a title shot recently. A rejuvenated feud with Burchill and Katie Lea has a lot of narrative potential for Mickie.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Mickie James: Melina, Beth Phoenix
Jillian: n/a

Intercontinental Champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/ Katie Lea) (2 weeks)

Summary:

After the Mickie-Katie match concluded, Paul Burchill held Mickie to allow his sister to humiliate her by slapping her repeatedly while holding the Women's Title on her shoulder. Suddenly, Kofi Kingston cleared the ring to help Mickie, and he challenged Burchill to an impromptu IC Title matchup. After a commercial break, WWE returned while the Burchill-Kingston match was in progress. The match concluded when Katie jumped on the apron to cause a distraction. Mickie James then pulled her down and took her out, allowing Kofi to nail his Trouble in Paradise kick to Burchill for the 1-2-3. After the match, Kofi and Mickie hugged and celebrated as they proudly raised their respective titles into the air.

Analysis:

Paul Burchill has been hunting for a new opponent ever since Mr. Kennedy was drafted to Smackdown last month. Kofi Kingston would be a good fit, and the championship combo of Kofi and Mickie against the sibling combo of Paul and Katie could provide some great TV in the next few weeks.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5

Previous Feuds
Kofi Kinston: Shelton Benjamin
Paul Burchill: Mr. Kennedy

REY MYSTERIO vs. SANTINO MARELLA (3 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

Summary:

No sign of Mysterio on this week's show, while Santino seems to have moved on to very new things, perhaps even a rivalry with Beth Phoenix.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Rey Mysterio: Chavo Guerrero, Finlay, MVP, Edge
Santino Marella: Umaga, Ron Simmons, Val Venis, Steve Austin, Maria, Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly, Roddy Piper


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Rey Mysterio vs. Santino Marella
(2) Mickie James vs. Jillian Hall


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Mr. McMahon vs. ?
(2) Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes vs. Cryme Tyme
(3) Mickie James vs. Katie Lea
(4) Santino Marella vs. Beth Phoenix
(5) CM Punk vs. Kane


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 "Charlie Haas" so that I know it's not junk mail.

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