By Chris Newth

WWE Friday Night Smackdown
January 4, 2007
Upcoming PPV: Royal Rumble (fourth-to-last episode before PPV)

SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the eighteenth 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)

Smackdown feuds are going to be tricky to categorize due to the inherently confusing nature of the Beat the Clock Challenge. It looks again as if WWE is providing radically new feuds for its Smackdown brand (unlike Raw, which has remained relatively steady in terms of its storylines). It is yet another storyline shakeup, if you will. To further emphasize this point, here is a list of the feuds that existed on the last episode of the show that seem to have disappeared this week:

-Edge vs. Batista vs. Undertaker
-Rey Mysterio vs. MVP
-Big Daddy V vs. Kane

That indicates that three of the five established feuds on the blue brand have now been transformed into something new. It's refreshing to see this strategy applied since WWE uses other methods for Raw and ECW.

Since information for feuds is a little murky this week considering the circumstances, I plan to use a different technique this week. First, I'm going to break down the Beat the Clock Challenge as it played out on the show. The breakdown will include exactly what happened, with analysis all along the way. Then I will discuss the few feuds on the show. Next week, things should be back to normal with a greater sense of establishment for the storylines involved.

BREAKING DOWN THE BEAT THE CLOCK CHALLENGE

The show opened with the wheelchair-bound Vickie Guerrero being pushed out to the stage by Assistant GM Theodore Long. Vickie announced that there would be a Beat the Clock Challenge on the show, with the winner to earn a World Heavyweight Title match against The Rated-R Superstar at the Royal Rumble. She also announced Jonathan Coachman as Smackdown's new color commentator opposite Michael Cole.

Kicking off the Beat the Clock Challenge, Finlay defeated MVP via an unseen shillelagh shot to the skull. The time to beat was then set at 9:46. Finlay needed that win, although those cheat victories that all look the same really don't do much for anyone anymore; it also did a nice job setting up the later segment with a disconcerted, yet ambitious MVP when he promised to end Ric Flair's career.

After the match, Mr. McMahon arrived to hug his son. He didn't say a word, which was unusual, but Hornswoggle looked ecstatic to see his dad. Just more fuel in the McMahon-is-clearly-going-to-turn-on-Hornswoggle storyline. Maybe it could go somewhere unique if they have Hornswoggle torn between problems involving Finlay and McMahon. If Finlay suspected what was going on and told Hornswoggle, maybe his little friend wouldn't believe him. It's an intriguing idea.

Next up for the Beat the Clock Challenge was Chavo Guerrero taking on Funaki. The match ended at 6:02 when Chavo managed to deliver his Gory Bomb, earning him the position of frontrunner in this unique tournament. Before his match, Chavo talked to Vickie backstage. He complained that Vickie was tearing their family apart for what she is doing. She explained that she's giving him a shot at earning a title opportunity, but that didn't impress Chavo. He told her that what he wanted he can't have. That was really odd, yet intriguing. I'm getting an idea of what it could be, but that may be a little frightening to consider. It deals with a relationship, and that's all I'll say for now.

The Challenge continued with a match for former World Champion, Batista. His opponent appeared to be Curt Hawkins from The Edge Heads team, but it was immediately announced that the odds were further stacked against The Animal since he would also have to face Zach Ryder. Yes, it was a Handicap Match in the Beat the Clock Challenge.

The match had the Edge Heads working together for a long time, but Batista came back toward the end with some strong momentum. However, just as it looked like Batista was about to put them away, one of them held the other's leg so that Batista couldn't deliver the Batista Bomb; he then ran out of time and lost his opportunity at the gold. It was a well-paced segment that worked as a great storyline-enhancer. Batista was cheated again by Vickie Guerrero, and he was within seconds of getting his shot against Edge again. Nicely done.

At this point, the time to beat was still Chavo Guerrero's 6:02, but the next match didn't have anything to do with the Challenge itself. It was a standard tag team contest between Jimmy Wang Yang, Shannon Moore, Deuce, and Domino. Yang and Moore ended the match as victors. The bout was meant to be another launching pad for Yang and Moore, who have really carved a name for themselves on ECW in the last month or so. Deuce and Domino have lost their once-prominent presence on the show, so they served as jobbers here so that Yang and Moore could advance to ECW next week in their WWE Tag Team Title match with some fire behind them.

Undertaker then walked out for his Beat the Clock Challenge matchup. The next person to enter the arena was Matt Striker, but he was sporting a referee shirt. Striker informed Taker that he would be the special guest referee and that The Deadman's real opponent would be Mark Henry. Immediately, Henry's music played, and The World's Strongest Man strutted out menacingly; he didn't look intimidated facing The Undertaker.

The match stretched to the end of the time limit, and Taker hit his chokeslam on Henry for what would have been a victory; however, Striker refused to count to three. He quickly bailed to ringside and escaped to the back. Taker took his rage out on Henry before looking very angry at his current situation. Another screwjob from Vickie Guerrero's Office. Good progress into another path for Taker (and Batista).

And what happened next? I'll explain and analyze in the following feuds!

World Heavyweight Champion EDGE & Smackdown GM VICKIE GUERRERO vs. REY MYSTERIO (1 week)

And to conclude the show, Rey Mysterio was to take on an opponent to try to beat Chavo's time of 6:02. Surprisingly, Edge was announced as the last participant. As World Heavyweight Champion, Edge's motivation to beat Mysterio—which was made clear by the announcers—was to eliminate all of the competition heading into the Royal Rumble. If he could pull off a victory in the allotted time, Edge would not have to defend his title at the next PPV. As a heel, The Rated-R Superstar perfectly reflected that motivation.

When the match neared its end, Batista showed up to take out The Edge Heads at ringside. Once they were out of the way, Undertaker made an appearance. Suddenly, the lights went out. A few seconds later, the arena lit up again, and Edge seemed to be knocked out on the ropes (perfectly positioned for a 619). Rey obliged, eagerly taking advantage; he hit the 619 and a subsequent splash for the win. So Mysterio managed to beat Chavo's time, earning the victory at 4:37.

Overall, this is a great start to a potentially great feud. The first match between Edge and Rey here was gripping, much more so than Rey's latest conflicts with MVP (which never really clicked, for some reason). Maybe it has to do with how nice it is to see Rey back where he belongs—in the main event slot. There is so much heat with Edge and so much love for Mysterio that the feud only makes sense. If Batista-Edge has worn its welcome, Rey is the next best match for The Rated-R Superstar. It will now be up to WWE to give them some type of intriguing storyline so that their future battles will have more weight.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7.5

Previous Feuds
Edge: Batista
Vickie Guerrero: Undertaker, Batista
Rey Mysterio: Chavo Guerrero, Finlay, MVP

HORNSWOGGLE & FINLAY vs. MR. McMAHON (6 weeks)

As I mentioned earlier, Hornswoggle and McMahon shared a moment this week in front of Finlay. It will likely continue from here, with McMahon pretending to be loving and accepting of his son. My suggestion was to get a full-fledged Finlay-McMahon feud brewing so that Hornswoggle is stuck between two people who he respects, admires, and loves.

McMahon can continue to act friendly to Hornswoggle, even going as far as ceasing his "tough love" matches. However, maybe Finlay can overhear something Mr. McMahon says on the phone. The Fighting Irishman can approach Hornswoggle to warn his friend about what is about to happen (whatever that event may be), but Hornswoggle doesn't want to believe Finlay. This apparent tension could provide some nice TV as McMahon's façade becomes more devious. The audience will clearly be on Finlay's side, hoping that Hornswoggle chooses to believe him. Of course, Hornswoggle will need time, perhaps remaining skeptical for awhile, and by the time Hornswoggle changes his mind, it may be too late.

There is potential here for this feud, and WWE has worked really diligently to build these characters. They are still dedicated to Hornswoggle after months of similar stories involving him. It would be a shame not to use his relationship with Finlay and McMahon to their advantage. Let's see where things go from here.

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

Previous Feuds
Hornswoggle: The Great Khali
Finlay: Kane, Rey Mysterio
Mr. McMahon: Bobby Lashley, Triple H, Hornswoggle

CHUCK PALUMBO (w/ Michelle McCool) vs. JAMIE NOBLE (6 weeks)

A match—one that has been seen multiple times in the past—had been set once again. It was Chuck Palumbo and his friend Michelle McCool against the aggressive team of Kenny Dykstra and Victoria. The mixed tag team match ended when Victoria successfully landed her Widow's Peak finisher for the clean pinfall on Michelle.

After the match, Palumbo entered the ring to confront McCool. He proceeded to shout at her for losing the match. Michelle didn't take the admonishment well. A look of shock pervaded her face and body language as she stood in center ring while Palumbo left her. He drove off on his motorcycle to the back, having made his feelings crystal clear.

Interestingly, the feud was advanced greatly this week with the absence of Jamie Noble. Overall, this storyline is unfolding as it should. Palumbo is bitter and irritated after his multiple losses. It was believable that he'd be upset at yet another loss that night. Was his taking it out verbally on McCool a rare mistake for which he'll apologize on the next Smackdown? How will Jamie Noble respond to seeing Michelle treated that way? What is McCool thinking now and how will she react?

The feud can now take many forms, which is a nice luxury they have. Noble, as I've described for weeks, will likely turn into a babyface and come to Michelle's aid against Palumbo. The only negative element may be if Michelle accepts Noble only after this tiff with Chuck. A better plan may have been to have her somewhat charmed by Noble's quirky habits. Since she's been pretty anti-Noble as of late, having her befriend Jamie now will make it look like she only did it because Palumbo turned out to be a real jackass. It's still a decent mid-card story, though.

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

Previous Feuds
Chuck Palumbo: Chris Masters, Kenny Dykstra
Jamie Noble: Hornswoggle, Vickie Guerrero


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Edge vs. Undertaker vs. Batista
(2) Rey Mysterio vs. MVP
(3) Kane vs. Big Daddy V


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Deuce 'N' Domino vs. Jesse & Festus?
(2) Finlay vs. MVP?
(3) MVP vs. Ric Flair?
(4) Undertaker & Batista vs. Vickie Guerrero?
(5) Batista vs. The Edge Heads?
(6) Undertaker vs. Big Daddy V & Matt Striker?
(7) Chuck Palumbo vs. Michelle McCool?
(8) Vickie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero?


Thanks for reading, everyone. If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to email me at newthtorch@hotmail.com. I appreciate all the feedback I receive. 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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