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By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Monday Night Raw
August 11, 2008
Upcoming PPV: SummerSlam (last episode before PPV)

RAW STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the fifty-first 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. JBL (7 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

Summary:

At the show's halfway point, JBL was set to deliver a challenge to World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. They both met in the ring around a table where Layfield unveiled a bottle of liquor. He talked about how he's been at the top before and how CM Punk hasn't earned anything, but he was willing to concede a loss in a drinking contest if Punk downed a shot of alcohol. CM Punk shot back with arguments of his own, claiming that he is the World Heavyweight Champion because he earned it. He ultimately refused to drink the shot, saying that it would both compromise his values and make him more like JBL (something he didn't want to do). Instead, Punk threw the alcoholic beverage into Layfield's face. As JBL reeled from the stinging in his eyes, Punk hit a knee lift in the turnbuckle before leaving the ring as JBL fumed.

Analysis:

This segment touched on an issue that I've been waiting for WWE to incorporate into Punk's storylines—a firm test on CM Punk's value system. When Punk first arrived in ECW, there existed heavy hype for his straight-edge lifestyle; they promoted it as his primary selling point, the thing that made him different and unique outside the ring. In the past year, they downplayed that element of his character, focusing instead solely on his in-ring uniqueness.

In fact, as the segment progressed I wondered how many people remembered his straight-edge convictions. It would have been more effective if JBL hadn't explicitly mentioned CM Punk holding onto his morals while trying to goad him into having a drink. The subtlety of not saying it—or, perhaps, the fact that Punk could say it himself in his explanation—would have been much stronger. Overall, however, this week's events provided a good continuation and introduction of more character elements for both Punk and JBL, who was more manipulative than usual.

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

Previous Feuds
CM Punk: Elijah Burke, John Morrison, Chavo Guerrero, Morrison & Miz
JBL: Chris Jericho, Finlay, Triple H & Orton, John Cena

JOHN CENA vs. BATISTA (4 weeks)

Summary:

John Cena kicked off the show with a promo to hype his upcoming SummerSlam match with Batista. He talked about "hype" itself, claiming that this match needs nothing but Cena and the Animal. Batista soon came out, but his role consisted of simply standing in the ring and listening to Cena. Cena, in a not-so-humble fashion, touted his own successes, but then raised the question of who was better between him and Batista. When it was Batista's turn to talk, he laid out his reasoning for why he believed he would win their upcoming PPV matchup. To close the segment, both men shook hands.

Later in the back, Cody Rhodes talked about how Cena and Batista aren't a real team. Ted DiBiase then talked about how he and Cody could main event SummerSlam next year before vowing to earn everyone's respect when they win the World Tag Team Titles back. In the main event, Rhodes and DiBiase were able to regain the titles when DiBiase rolled Cena up while he was distracted by Batista for the win. After the match, all hell broke lose between Cena and Batista, and the show closed with Mike Adamle and his security force attempting to separate the two livid wrestlers.

Analysis:

This week Cena almost seemed to be walking a fine line between a babyface and a heel. The amount of time he spent putting himself over as possibly the greatest wrestler in WWE didn't really help his babyface persona; it didn't sound humble or noble at all. As for Rhodes and DiBiase, it was nice to hear their promo in the back because they planted the idea in viewers that if they were to win, they deserved complete respect. Well, now people must give them credit for their big victory.

It's unusual to see Cena lose via a roll-up, so that pinfall alone should give the heel champions enough reason to brag about their win in the next few weeks. And of course, the brawl at the end was full of tension. It seemed as though Cena and Batista had a taut string keeping them from attacking one another, and that weak fabric ripped right off by the end of the show. There was a nice built to the tension, making this a SummerSlam match that many look forward to.

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

Previous Feuds
John Cena: Edge, Umaga, Bobby Lashley, Orton & Triple H, JBL
Batista: Edge, The Great Khali, Undertaker, MVP, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Edge, CM Punk

REY MYSTERIO vs. KANE (1 week)

Summary:

After being ordered to face Chris Jericho in a singles matchup by Raw GM Mike Adamle, Kane angrily left the General Manager's office to prepare. Adamle intensified Kane's rage when he demanded that Kane show what's in the burlap sack no matter what the outcome of the match is. The match ended when Mike Adamle, flanked by a group of security guards, stood at ringside to enforce his earlier edict. Kane became overly defensive about the distraction, and Jericho took advantage by hitting his Code Breaker for the win. After the matchup, Adamle tried to convince Kane to give him the bag so that Kane could have a more normal life. He botched Ronald Reagan's famous "Tear down this wall" line before drawing a really weak link to his own line about Kane handing him the bag. Eventually, Kane revealed that it was a mask and that it belonged to someone who's been forever scarred—Rey Mysterio.

Analysis:

Well, now we're left to wonder what in the world Kane did to Rey Mysterio, when he did whatever he did, and when Rey will return. This is a nice setup if it leads to a strong return for Mysterio in the coming weeks. If Kane said that Mysterio is scarred, one has to wonder how extensive Mysterio's injuries are. The Big Red Machine has been toting that burlap sack around for weeks now, so hopefully we can get answers sooner than later. It's a decent storyline start.

Adamle following a Reagan approach to his position, claiming to let the wrestlers do their thing and intervening only when necessary is an interesting idea. I don't think the political overtones will really resonate much with people considering how Adamle's simply using a particular method (Republicans equal smaller government and less interaction with the people, so Adamle will use a similar style of staying out of things as much as possible). That conservative approach is a fresh idea I guess, but only in a rhetorical sense. After all, Theodore Long uses a similar tactic over on ECW. Here's another small flaw: don't the Adamle Originals contradict this mindset since they are meant to broker deals with superstars and set up hyped events in order to fuel ratings and interest?

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6.5

Previous Feuds
Rey Mysterio: Chavo Guerrero, Finlay, MVP, Edge
Kane: Shelton Benjamin, Chuck Palumbo, Chavo Guerrero, Miz & Morrison, Mark Henry

JAMIE NOBLE vs. WILLIAM REGAL (2 weeks)

Summary:

This week, William Regal defeated Jamie Noble in singles competition when Regal struck Noble with a knee right to the head.

Analysis:

It doesn't seem like WWE is too committed to this particular storyline anymore. Noble didn't seem to have a shot against Regal, and Layla, the third element in this equation, wasn't even around. I could be wrong, but my best guess is that Regal moves on to something new next week while Noble either participates in a short scene with Layla or doesn't show up at all.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Jamie Noble: Hornswoggle, Vickie Guerrero, Chuck Palumbo
William Regal: Mr. Kennedy

Women's Champion MICKIE JAMES & Intercontinental Champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. SANTINO MARELLA & BETH PHOENIX (2 weeks)

Summary:

This week, Beth Phoenix went one-on-one with Kelly Kelly, and she beat the former exhibitionist with her sit-down powerslam finisher. After the match, Santino tried to get her to inflict more damage, but Kofi Kingston and Mickie James arrived to clear the ring. Santino then challenged Mickie to a singles match, which she ultimately accepted. That match ended when the Glamazon interfered, hurling Mickie shoulder-first into the ring post. Santino then rolled Mickie up with a schoolboy for the victory. He celebrated wildly afterward, even jumping into Beth's arms.

Analysis:

The fun pervasive in the Santino/Beth combo comes with a nice mixture of the seriousness WWE is incorporating with the Intercontinental and Women's Championships. As Santino and Beth joke around, laugh, cheat, and celebrate, Mickie James and Kofi Kingston are taking the threat very seriously. We also know that this heel team is willing to harm others. Santino makes a great cheerleader for Beth when he wants her to destroy vulnerable divas on the roster. He can't seem to do much himself, but his encouragement is slimy, yet effective. They actually make an interesting pair.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6.5 [same since last week]

Previous Feuds
Santino Marella: Umaga, Ron Simmons, Val Venis, Steve Austin, Maria, Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly, Roddy Piper
Beth Phoenix: Candice Michelle, Mickie James, Maria, Mickie James, Melina


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
(2) Jamie Noble vs. William Regal?


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Cryme Tyme vs. The Highlanders
(2) Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly
(3) Chris Jericho vs. Kane
(4) Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase vs. ?


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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