By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Friday Night Smackdown
October 17, 2008
Upcoming PPV: Cyber Sunday (second-to-last episode before PPV)

SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the fifty-sixth 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)


WWE Champion TRIPLE H vs. JEFF HARDY vs. VLADIMIR KOZLOV (9 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Eve interviewed Triple H backstage about what happened last week when Jeff Hardy gave him a Twist of Fate to make a statement.

-Triple H said that he understands the lengths to which people go to get recognized in order to receive title shots. He also said that many elements to the title situation are unknown because of Cyber Sunday voting, but whatever the case, his opponents have to go through him to win it.

-Triple H joined Jim Ross and Tazz on commentary as Jeff Hardy faced Vladimir Kozlov one-on-one. Triple H noted that he didn't expect to have to fight Undertaker two days before Cyber Sunday (on next week's Smackdown).

-Kozlov beat Jeff Hardy after driving a headbutt straight into Hardy's chest to pick up the victory.

-After the match, Triple H entered the ring for an up-close stare-down with Vladimir Kozlov to close the show.

Analysis:

We might be seeing the beginning of a storyline switch-off with a Hunter-Hardy feud eventually transitioning into a Hunter-Kozlov rivalry. Triple H always gives strong promos; he doesn't seem to miss a beat. However, there is a nagging problem with his promos where it's somewhat difficult to pick out really interesting points about what he's saying. He's great at what he does, and most people wouldn't question that, but particular feud-specific information doesn't seem to stand out when he speaks. But that's a script problem, not a delivery problem.

It will be interesting to see how Undertaker plays a part in this storyline. I'm not quite sure how he fits into this at all; his upcoming match with Triple H doesn't make narrative sense. So it's likely just a move to bring or retain viewers on the last show where WWE will push Cyber Sunday. As for Kozlov, he's continuing a nice run at the moment and has become Triple H's primary threat on Smackdown. The mystery surrounding him—his still new, unknown quality—makes this increasingly intriguing.

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

Previous Feuds
Triple H: King Booker, Umaga, Jeff Hardy, Orton & JBL, Randy Orton, John Cena
Jeff Hardy: Umaga, Mr. Kennedy, Triple H, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, MVP
Vladimir Kozlov: n/a

THE UNDERTAKER vs. Smackdown GM VICKIE GUERRERO & THE BIG SHOW (16 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Big Show justified his attack on Undertaker a few weeks ago by saying that it was in defense of Vickie Guerrero, but he condemned Undertaker's attack on him last week during the WWE Title Match.

-Show demonstrated all three types of matches available for vote at Cyber Sunday—a Knock Out Match, an "I Quit" Match, and a Last Man Standing Match. He used three nameless jobbers.

-After meeting briefly with Kung Funaki and Maryse, Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero talked to Khali about facing Undertaker. Khali wasn't pleased, but Big Show threatened to throw around Vickie's administrative power if he were to refuse.

-The match between Undertaker and The Great Khali ended in a disqualification when Big Show jumped into the ring and delivered a chokeslam to The Phenom.

-After the match, Show tried to get Khali to use a chair against Taker, but Khali swatted the chair out of Show's hand, refusing to take part. Meanwhile, Undertaker stood up and used the chair to knock Show out of the ring.

Analysis:

This week was relatively successful in forwarding the second biggest feud on Friday Night Smackdown. The opening segment where WWE previewed the three types of matches that are up for a vote at Sunday's PPV was a strong way to not only explain the choices but also to allow people to get an idea of what they might expect. It also helped Big Show, who is doing a nice job juggling his power as a guy who's fighting for Vickie and who is trying to reach the very top of the roster.

It would have been better, however, if he stressed the importance of his WWE Title match with Triple H (the one that was interrupted by Taker). If his goal to form an alliance with Vickie was to reach the top and get shots at the WWE Championship, then he should be putting more emphasis on how angering that interference was. The way Vickie and Show used Khali made sense: Why would Show even care if Khali officially won his match against Undertaker? He wouldn't, so the disqualification wasn't too surprising. And on another note, Undertaker got the better of Show at the end of Smackdown, so it will be interesting to see how Cyber Sunday plays out.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 9.5 [up 0.5 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Vickie Guerrero: Undertaker, Batista
Undertaker: Mark Henry, Batista, Big Daddy V, Edge
Big Show: Floyd Mayweather, The Great Khali

WWE Divas' Champion MICHELLE McCOOL vs. MARYSE (8 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Maryse met backstage with Vickie Guerrero to inquire about why she had to compete in a Divas' Las Vegas Match in order to get another shot at the Divas' Title when she beat McCool a few weeks ago on ECW. Vickie didn't budge on the issue, and so the match was set.

-The Divas' Las Vegas Match ended when Maria successfully retrieved the oversized fuzzy pink dice that hung from a pole.

-Michelle McCool later met with Maria in the back to congratulate her. She also said that it would be an honor to defend the title against Maria. McCool then awkwardly pinched Maria on the cheek, a gesture that may have been a little condescending; Maria looked confused.

Analysis:

I don't know where this one could be headed. A Maria-McCool babyface vs. babyface feud? Unlikely. But Maryse planted some seeds during her discussion with Vickie by making clear that she believes she truly deserves yet another shot at the WWE Divas' Title. That could make its way back into the storyline at some point. It gives reason and motivation for Maryse as a character to force her way back into the spotlight.

Maria's win in this dice-on-a-pole gimmick match isn't a bad idea because it probably came as a surprise to many viewers who expected one of the three heels to win it. But the most interesting moment on the show, at least in this storyline, was when McCool almost treated Maria like a child by squinting her eyes and pinching Maria's cheek. It just seemed oddly condescending to her colleague and friend, and Maria's reaction was just right: a look of confusion.

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

Previous Feuds
Michelle McCool: Victoria, Chuck Palumbo
Maryse: Cherry

WWE Tag Team Champions CARLITO & PRIMO vs. CURT HAWKINS & ZACK RYDER (5 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Brothers Carlito and Primo defended their WWE Tag Team Championship when facing Hawkins and Ryder in tag team competition. The match ended when Primo connected with a missile dropkick from the top rope for the win.

Analysis:

This week's match is what some people have been waiting for—not because of the inherent excitement in a Hawkins/Ryder match, but because it likely signifies the official conclusion to this subpar and relatively lifeless feud. With the clean win in their title rematch, this one is probably over.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Hawkins & Ryder: Jesse & Festus
Carlito & Primo: n/a

United States Champion SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. R-TRUTH (5 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Eve interviewed MVP about his upcoming match with R-Truth. Porter downplayed his losing streak, rationalizing that those losses occurred in tag team contests. He said that one more win will result in a release of his incentive bonus, so he was excited about that.

-As MVP fought R-Truth, Shelton Benjamin observed the match from a monitor in the locker room. The match ended when R-Truth landed his scissors kick to the back of Porter's head for the win.

-After their match, a crestfallen and angry MVP couldn't seem to believe that he lost to R-Truth.

Analysis:

I don't see this one continuing to involve MVP because it seems more beneficial to have MVP continue his losing streak against different guys from different feuds. As for the Shelton-Truth rivalry, it wasn't greatly advanced this week. Shelton just watched Truth's matchup intently from the locker room. I do want to point out an interesting note made by PWTorch.com reader Erik Estacado, who said that he believes that the impetus in this storyline really lies in the differences between these two guys—namely, that Shelton Benjamin seems like he's adopting an elitist attitude toward R-Truth, who has had a rough past. When watching them interact, you do get that sense, so thanks Erik for pointing that out.

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

Previous Feuds
Shelton Benjamin: Kane, CM Punk, Money in the Bank, Kofi Kingston
R-Truth: n/a

VICTORIA & NATALYA vs. BRIE BELLA (8 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Victoria, Natalya, and Brie Bella all participated in the Divas' Las Vegas Match. Maria ultimately picked up the win by grabbing the fuzzy pink dice and tearing them down from the pole.

Analysis:

Nothing to point out here. Brie didn't attempt to pull off her sister switch-off this week, but that's understandable because it's meant to help her win matches. With Maria winning to start her own curious storyline with Michelle McCool, it's probably best for Brie to give her sister the week off. It would have looked weak if they pointed out a switch only for Maria to have won it.

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

Previous Feuds
Victoria: Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool & Cherry
Brie Bella: n/a

JESSE & FESTUS vs. KENNY DYKSTRA & RYAN BRADDOCK (2 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Jesse and Festus defeated Dykstra and Braddock after Festus drove Kenny face-first to the mat when delivering his one-man flapjack finisher for the win.

-Jesse and Festus later met up with Maria backstage. Jesse nudged Festus to give Maria a flower. She seemed appreciative, but couldn't get a response from Festus. Jesse tried to put an end to an awkward conversation that was going nowhere by making an excuse to leave.

Analysis:

The real storyline here isn't between Jesse/Festus and Dykstra/Braddock; the real story exists between Festus and his fondness for Maria. I really hope they're not leading to some kind of plot similar to that of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. They can't kill off Festus's character, so unless they want to turn him heel, it isn't a good idea. Then again, it could be risky, and maybe WWE would want to take the chance.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7.5 [up 0.5 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Jesse & Festus: Deuce 'N' Domino, Morrison & Miz, Hawkins & Ryder
Kenny Dykstra & Ryan Braddock: n/a


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy?
(2) Michelle McCool vs. Maryse?
(3) Carlito & Primo vs. Hawkins & Ryder


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) The Great Khali vs. Big Show
(2) MVP vs. R-Truth
(3) The Brian Kendrick & Ezekiel vs. ?
(4) Maria vs. Michelle McCool
(5) Maria vs. Maryse


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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