By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Friday Night Smackdown
October 24, 2008
Upcoming PPV: Cyber Sunday (last episode before PPV)

SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the fifty-seventh 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 (10 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Triple H cut a promo, stating that he knew what Vickie was up to when she booked him to face Taker. He also raised the issue of how that match will affect Cyber Sunday.

-Jeff Hardy interrupted The Game to display his confidence in how the voting will go (as it turned out, he was right). Then Hardy was interrupted by Kozlov, who said that he will become WWE Champion.

-As Triple H strode through a hallway backstage, the lights ominously went out. He then found himself face-to-face with the Undertaker.

-Undertaker cut a solo promo in the back; he briefly mentioned Vickie Guerrero before noting the usual Taker abstractions about Triple H and fate.

-Undertaker and Triple H fought until both men found themselves exhaustively lying on the mat. Suddenly, Big Show arrived, causing a disqualification. He chokeslammed Triple H before felling The Phenom with a chair.

-While Triple H was trying desperately to bring himself to his feet, Kozlov showed up, delivered multiple headbutts, and stood over a fallen WWE Champion to close the show.

Analysis:

The biggest strategic question that arose after this show must have involved the feud Triple H currently has with Jeff Hardy and Kozlov and whether that feud was adequately hyped or not. It's very easy to argue that the primary concern for this show—and what undoubtedly overshadowed Smackdown's main event title rivalry—was the rare in-ring collision between Triple H and The Undertaker, arguably two of WWE's three top stars.

It's curious that the clash between these two was placed literally two days prior to the big PPV event. Perhaps the reason was to try to gain or retain as many viewers as possible with this huge matchup in hopes that the rest of the show would drive home the big sell for Cyber Sunday. Now the biggest question about this feud is whether Jeff Hardy will continue to be a part of it. Triple H successfully defeated Hardy at Sunday's PPV, retaining the title. But Kozlov seems ready, just waiting in the wings. He's the next guy in line, but where does that leave Hardy?

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 9.5 [down 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 (17 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-As noted above, Undertaker fought Triple H, but the match ended in a disqualification when Big Show appeared to wreak havoc.

Analysis:

The Undertaker-Triple H matchup certainly piqued many fans' interests, but it may have overshadowed their respective feuds. The Hardy-Kozlov-Triple H rivalry seemed to take a backseat despite the conclusion of the show featuring Kozlov successfully attacking Triple H. Similarly—but not quite as dramatically—the feud between Taker and Show felt secondary to the clash between Triple H and Undertaker. Big Show definitely upped the heat with an attack that ruined the result of a much-anticipated clean ending, but many people knew that such a match wouldn't feature a clean ending on free TV anyway. Show has gained some nice heel credibility over the past few weeks, and his post match attack (even on Triple H) only helped him. It will be interesting to see where WWE takes this next week.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 9.5 [same 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. MARIA (2 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Michelle McCool and Maria lost to Maryse and Natalya when Jesse and Festus unexpectedly arrived dressed in mariachi attire and accompanied by a mariachi band to deliver a flower to Maria. Maryse took advantage of the distraction to roll McCool up for the win.

-McCool tried to catch Maria in the back to discuss what happened, but Maria was too busy trying to find Festus, who she kept referring to as her friend.

Analysis:

Here is one of the more interesting stories on Smackdown recently, and WWE just converged a few things here this week. In the past couple of weeks, they planted the seed that Festus is smitten with Maria and also that Maria has won the opportunity to fight Michelle McCool for the WWE Divas' Title. This week's episode accomplished a great deal because it continued Festus's clear attraction to Maria while also causing a rift between Maria and McCool. That rift is important because both divas are babyfaces, so their upcoming title matchup may work better if there's some kind of issue growing between them. Maria's concern for Festus was interesting, but I can't see WWE explaining how Festus was able to subdue his rage. Did he hear another bell or will he come out wildly this week until the beginning of his next match?

As for McCool, she seemed peeved at Maria's lack of focus, but she was more angry at the idea that Maria wasn't trying to do anything about it. It's as if she's going to be taking her WWE Divas' Title match very seriously, and she wants Maria to do the same. But Maria is off taking care of this personal friendship with Festus, so that may cause more problems. It's a decent story.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6.5 [up 1 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Michelle McCool: Victoria, Chuck Palumbo
Maria: Beth Phoenix & Melina & Santino Marella

WWE Tag Team Champions CARLITO & PRIMO vs. CURT HAWKINS & ZACK RYDER (6 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Carlito and Primo defeated Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely when a chasm again arose between Chavo and his bodyguard.

-Later in the back, Primo was hitting on Brie Bella, but Carlito interrupted their conversation. When sibling rivalry took over and the two began arguing in Spanish, Brie bolted, leaving Primo angry.

-Primo tried to charm the woman he thought was Brie Bella, but it was likely her sister because she acted disgusted with him when he wrapped his arms around her.

Analysis:

There are two things working here: Brie Bella's secret is slowly beginning to be exposed. The hint this week was subtle, mainly because things weren't that smooth. In the first scene with Brie and Primo, it appeared like they were just getting to know each other. Let's assume that's true. The next time Primo sees her, does it makes sense that he would wrap his arms around her like that? Probably not. So there was a little logical issue there.

The other interesting thing happening regards the sibling rivalry growing between Carlito and Primo. It's smart to use that aspect to their relationship because it's so common and real. All sibling teams can't just be on the same page all the time simply because they have a family bond. It's interesting that they are structuring Primo to be the more normal one, and Carlito to be the more jealous, prying brother. If Carlito is the older one, shouldn't it be the other way around? It could work either way, so it doesn’t matter. In any event, this is really helping to shape their characters. As for their feud with Hawkins and Ryder, I'm going to call it 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 (6 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-R-Truth teamed with Kung Fu Naki to face the team of MVP and Shelton Benjamin. The match ended when Kung Fu Naki floored Porter with a kick for the victory.

Analysis:

This feud feels like it's becoming watered-down. If WWE felt they had a strong story with R-Truth and Shelton Benjamin (and they do), they wouldn't continue to water it down by throwing other people into the mix. Last week they had MVP playing a key role, facing Truth while Shelton simply observed from the locker room. This time they debuted Kung Fu Naki in a new role they hope will revive his character. These crowded segments don't help the Truth-Benjamin rivalry. There's enough depth in their storyline to run weekly segments without resorting to the extra stuff.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6 [down 1 since last week]

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

THE BRIAN KENDRICK (w/ Ezekiel) vs. SUPER CRAZY (3 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Kendrick once again defeated Super Crazy with ease after hitting The Kendrick. After the match, Ezekiel hoisted the beaten Super Crazy into the air and delivered his own move.

Analysis:

For whatever reason, Kendrick has gone from feuding in the main event for the WWE Championship to consistently facing Super Crazy on Smackdown. He's now beaten Crazy twice, and Ezekiel beat him last week. What is the hook? Sure, it helps keep Kendrick and his gargantuan associate in the spotlight, but does it really help sell them when all they're doing is defeating Super Crazy, one of WWE's consistent jobbers? There is a possibility that WWE could craft a story around this, but they haven't yet done so. After they give up on this feud, what will be next for Kendrick and Ezekiel? That should be the primary question unless there does actually exist something more to this feud. If WWE has something in mind, they should pull the trigger on it next week before it gets dull.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5

Previous Feuds
The Brian Kendrick: Triple H & Hardy & Benjamin & MVP
Super Crazy: n/a

VICTORIA & NATALYA vs. BRIE BELLA (9 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

Nothing was done to advance this feud this week. No sign of Victoria, and Brie was busy getting hit on by Primo.

Analysis:

This feud might be over, but it's probably unlikely. I analyze the events regarding Brie in the Carlito/Primo-Hawkins/Ryder segment above, but I will add that WWE was smart to continue the whole mystery of the Bella sisters by this time doing something backstage instead of just in the ring.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7 [down 0.5 since last week]

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


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy?
(2) Michelle McCool vs. Maryse
(3) Carlito & Primo vs. Hawkins & Ryder
(4) Jesse & Festus vs. Kenny Dykstra & Ryan Braddock


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Carlito & Primo vs. Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely
(2) Chavo Guerrero vs. Bam Neely
(3) The Great Khali vs. ?
(4) MVP vs. Kung Fu Naki


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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