By Chris Newth, PWTorch Contributor

Extreme Championship Wrestling
January 22, 2008
Upcoming PPV: Royal Rumble (last episode before PPV)

ECW STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the twentieth edition of ECW 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)

Whenever ECW is on, you can't help but get the impression that it's a show that's desperately trying to find itself. There isn't anything that seems to stick or anything that can correctly summarize WWE's version of ECW. The latest change is the Smackdown-ECW talent exchange and Chavo's rise to the top of the roster. Another new element is the brand new look for HD, complete with new stage set and graphics. And although the new set doesn't help to distinguish ECW from the other brands, at least it's been elevated to appear equivalent.

As for non-feud segments of the show, let's start with the opening contest. The show began with an Over-the-top-rope Challenge. Participants included Kane, The Miz, John Morrison, Tommy Dreamer, and Shelton Benjamin. The end of the match saw Kane eliminate the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions simultaneously, only to be caught by Shelton Benjamin's legs and tossed to the outside. After the match, Benjamin declared, "The next step is the Royal Rumble, and then it's on to the motherload, WrestleMania, where the Gold Standard will shine!"

Also on the show, Kofi Kingston made his WWE debut against a regular jobber. He was all smiles throughout the match and delivered some interesting moves, such as a high double leg drop. Joey Styles even commented on that particular element. "I mean how difficult is it to come up with an offensive move, just one that's never been used before in sports entertainment let alone the three or four we saw in Kofi Kingston's very first matchup?" Styles asked. The match ended when Kofi hit his finisher—a spinning kick to the head—for the victory.

Now to the feuds!

ECW Champion C.M. PUNK vs. CHAVO GUERRERO (6 weeks)

After last week's Number One Contender's Match had resulted in a tainted, yet valid win for Chavo Guerrero, the main event for the night had been set. It would be Chavo versus C.M. Punk for the ECW Championship. And Chavo had some support. Visiting ECW was none other than Edge and Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero. Edge excitedly predicted the results: "You as the ECW Champion, me as the World Heavyweight Champion. We'll own two shows!" Vickie put in her two cents by saying that family has to stick together. She knew this was Chavo's night.

The main event ECW Title match was changed at the last minute to a No Disqualification Match. Edge sat on commentary at ringside. Toward the end of the match, Punk was able to nail the GTS on Chavo Guerrero, but Edge then entered the ring and speared Punk. As Punk lay motionless, Chavo was able to crawl over and cover him. The referee reluctantly counted to three, and Chavo Guerrero became the new ECW Champion. Edge celebrated vociferously on commentary. He then got into the ring to hand Chavo the belt. Soon, Vickie and the Edge Heads made their way to the ring. The show closed with a large heel stable holding their arms up in victory.

The direction of this storyline could do wonders for C.M. Punk's popularity. The odds have now officially been stacked, and both Smackdown and ECW are ruled by staunch heel characters. All of the titles on both shows—the WWE Tag Team Titles, the United States Title, the ECW Title, and the World Heavyweight Title—belong to heels. Plus, the two General Mangers of Smackdown and ECW are colluding heel authorities. And with large heels like Mark Henry and Big Daddy V providing trouble for Batista and The Undertaker, it leaves a big space to fill for a few babyfaces to make a real name for themselves. C.M. Punk and Rey Mysterio may be the fan's best bets in terms of babyfaces who can overcome the massive odds.

The specific storyline between Punk and Chavo is solid. Chavo unsuccessfully attempted to earn an ECW Title shot for a few weeks until Edge stepped in to help. Meanwhile, Punk was always willing as ECW Champion to give people chances. Unfortunately for other people, he was willing to continue giving Chavo Guerrero every one of those chances. Edge's interference helps Punk save a lot of credibility while giving Chavo the gold, and their new pact as the top champions on two of WWE's three brands could provide some very entertaining television. Prepare for the talent exchange to be in full swing in the coming weeks.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6.5 [up 0.5 since last week]

Previous Feuds
C.M. Punk: Elijah Burke, John Morrison
Chavo Guerrero: Rey Mysterio

WWE Tag Team Champions JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ vs. JIMMY WANG YANG & SHANNON MOORE (7 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)?

It looks like this feud has just concluded. After losing their chance at the WWE Tag Team Championships, Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore may be back over on Smackdown attempting to get back into the title hunt. Their win over Deuce 'N' Domino last week was a good start, but it's uncertain whether they will continue to feud with Miz and Morrison any longer. Furthermore, the reigning champions don't have any specific opponents lined up for title shots, so everything is up in the air.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
John Morrison: C.M. Punk
The Miz: Balls Mahoney
Jesse & Festus: n/a

KELLY KELLY vs. LAYLA vs. LENA YADA (3 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

This week featured another non-wrestling contest: a best body contest. Jonathan Coachman emceed the event, and the participants included Layla, Lena Yada, and Kelly Kelly. Each woman was given a few seconds to disrobe and flaunt her body. Layla went first, followed by Lena, and Kelly had the advantage of going last. The crowd almost unanimously voted for Kelly, so Lena and Layla took out their frustrations by slamming her backwards to the mat.

There really isn't much to this one. These three divas have been competing in meaningless competitions (such as dance-offs) since the storyline began almost a month ago. It's about the audience choosing the babyface Kelly and the other two divas getting jealous and bitter. That's all there is to it.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 3

Previous Feuds
Kelly Kelly: n/a
Layla: n/a

THE RISE OF COLIN DELANEY (5 weeks)

Colin Delaney—complete with tape around his arms, stomach, and chest—stood in center ring as Tazz congratulated him for hanging in there. A video package aired that highlighted the big bumps that Colin took at the hands of Shelton Benjamin, Big Daddy V, Mark Henry, and Kane in the last month. When Tazz asked if his mom even knows that he's here doing this, he just shook his head silently. Tazz told him that that was probably a good thing because his opponent this week is none other than the 7'3" Great Khali.

As Khali strolled to the ring with his manager, Ranjin Singh, Colin Delaney stared almost catatonically. Fear and frustration had obviously overwhelmed him. Khali walked over to a stoic Delaney and karate chopped him in the head. Colin fell instantly, but Khali wasn't finished. He picked up the lifeless body of Colin and delivered a double-handed chokeslam. To complete the match, Khali applied the Vise Grip, and the referee called for the bell.

Colin's character is great for WWE because it gives WWE a chance to kill two proverbial birds with one stone. On the one hand, they are slowly grooming this new character named Colin. He's a guy who's so eager to become a WWE superstar that he's willing to fight people who have an incredible size advantage. As the weeks progress, Colin's physical and mental health comes into question. He's heavily taped, he's in clear pain, and he's terrified of his next challenge. As a result, Colin is stoically pathetic, which is great.

The other benefit (one that WWE probably appreciates more than growing a new character) is that each week one of their giant monsters gets to decimate poor Colin in an unequivocal squash match. Since WWE needs to use squashes here and there anyway, it's convenient for a storyline to incorporate that element as seamlessly as this one does. And with every match finish, the established star looks good while Colin's character grows in its intended direction.

The only problem is that there's a statute of limitations on how long that formula can be used without it losing all its entertainment value. Inevitably, something will have to change. One idea is to let Colin get in more of a fight before losing. Another idea is to show him as the loser in the back that no one really respects (except for some babyfaces that recognize that he's trying to live out his dream). Maybe Colin will start to doubt himself heavily. I wouldn't expect anything too different in the next couple of weeks, but once February rolls around, it will be time to change things up for Colin. Plus, WWE only has so many monster-type characters on Smackdown and ECW.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6 [same as last week]

Previous Feuds
Colin Delaney: n/a


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) John Morrison & The Miz vs. Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore?


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Shelton Benjamin vs. Kane
(2) Kofi Kingston vs. ?


Thanks for reading, everyone. If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to email me at newthtorch@hotmail.com. I appreciate all of the feedback. Please insert a word in the subject line that deals with a wrestling topic or write something such as "WWE," "feud," or "Stevie Richards" so that I know it's not junk mail.

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