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By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Friday Night Smackdown
March 7, 2008
Upcoming PPV: WrestleMania (fourth-to-last episode before PPV)

SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the twenty-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)


World Heavyweight Champion EDGE & Smackdown GM VICKIE GUERRERO vs. THE UNDERTAKER (3 weeks)

Smackdown kicked off with the Cutting Edge segment in which Edge bragged about his history with Taker. He claimed that he has never lost to The Deadman. "When it comes to facing The Undertaker, I am the true Phenom," Edge touted. Vickie then set up the main event: Edge, Zach Ryder, and Curt Hawkins versus The Undertaker in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match. Edge then moved on and introduced Ric Flair, his special guest for the evening.

The Nature Boy assured fans that he would beat Shawn Michaels and wrestle long beyond WrestleMania. Edge then discussed the real reason he invited Flair to the show, which was to ask him about how it felt to lose to the Undertaker as one of the 15 WrestleMania victims. Flair responded by saying that it didn't feel good and that Edge will find out himself when he gets chokeslammed in a few weeks. He went on to call Edge's relationship with the Smackdown GM a sham, a scam to enhance his career; Ric even noted that Edge is taking advantage of her. Vickie then booked a 3-on-1 Handicap Steel Cage Match for next week with Flair facing Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder.

In the main event, Undertaker attempted to handle a heavily unbalanced situation as he fought Hawkins, Ryder, and Edge in a Handicap Match. Toward the end of the bout, Taker delivered a double chokeslam on Hawkins and Ryder, a move that almost always backfires. In this case, the move actually connected, but the backfire arrived just after Hawkins and Ryder hit the mat because Edge was waiting patiently during this time. When The Deadman turned around, The Rated-R Superstar sprung out from the corner, hitting a hard spear on Taker for the victory. Edge's face portrayed a combination of accomplishment, fierceness, and focus.

Using the Cutting Edge segment was a smart move since it creatively combined multiple feuds, hyped the main event, and resulted in some interaction between two great talkers. It also provided a nice setup for next week's main event on Smackdown, which we now know will also include a special appearance by Shawn Michaels. As for the main event, WWE finally put some credibility back on Edge, who desperately needed a big win. Weeks of strong Taker momentum was taking its toll on the notion that Edge would pose any threat come WrestleMania.

The main reason this big feud has suffered in recent weeks has been the unbalanced booking. Undertaker has been on a massive roll as of late, but it's come at the expense of his heel opponent. Despite being 3-on-1, Edge needed this win, and now the momentum shift has begun. Although it's a solid formula to book a heel as a guy who sneaks wins and evades the strong babyface opponent, it's also a fine line to walk because WWE has the obligation to put credibility on the man despite his actions; after all, he's their World Heavyweight Champion. This storyline has been slow thus far, but this week certainly put things on a better track. Let's see how it picks up in the three weeks left preceding WrestleMania.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7 [up 1 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Edge: Kane, Batista
Vickie Guerrero: Undertaker, Batista
Undertaker: Mark Henry, Batista, Big Daddy V

BATISTA vs. United States Champion MVP (4 weeks)

MVP and Batista faced off one-on-one again this week, but this time it was for the United States Championship, a title rarely defended in recent months. The bout ended with a win for MVP via countout. Both men brawled outside the ring while the referee's count ticked away, but only Porter managed to get into the ring in time. Batista tried, but MVP kicked him to the announce table, and when the ref got to 10, it was over for The Animal. MVP looked surprised when the call was announced on the mic. That emotion was juxtaposed with the utter disappointment that was etched on Batista's face.

This storyline is moving along nicely. It's almost as if Batista has been focusing on WrestleMania without any clear match in mind, while MVP has simply been acting as a pest for the past four weeks. In fact, he's proved time and time again that he can beat Porter. But this time The Animal was screwed on a technicality. After this latest loss, Batista should wake up to the reality that he can't just push MVP aside and move on to WrestleMania. His emotion after the match certainly reflected this possibility. Then again, I can't even imagine Batista ever cutting a promo for his desire to hold the U.S. Title.

It will be interesting to see how WWE handles next week's United States Title rematch when the bout is No Holds Barred. Could Batista really win the title this way or will MVP pull out another victory? Will this tiff between the two stretch to WrestleMania? If so, will it be for the title? It's a curious way to book Batista, who's arguably Smackdown's biggest babyface star, but it's also a great way to help MVP if the feud is structured correctly. The only problem so far is that Batista doesn't seem to take MVP too seriously because he and the rest of WWE's viewers know that he's capable of putting Porter away the majority of the time.

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

Previous Feuds
Batista: Edge, The Great Khali, Undertaker
MVP: Rey Mysterio, Ric Flair

THE BIG SHOW vs. FLOYD MAYWEATHER (3 weeks)

Jamie Noble met backstage with Vickie to request a match against Chuck Palumbo. His argument was clear: he has four wins over Palumbo, while Palumbo only has two against him. Vickie insisted that Chuck already had a booked match against Kane, so she opted to place Noble against The Big Show instead. Noble looked cautious before the match, but not nervous. The bout ended after Show landed three huge punches to Noble's midsection, which caused blood to spew out of Jamie's mouth. It was another case of a Show match ending with a boxing move that would otherwise never finish a wrestling match.

Exhibiting no remorse, Show picked up a mic and went right into a promo against Floyd Mayweather. He said that most people don't like him, but they like Mayweather less. He also mentioned how the WWE locker room doesn't like him, presumably because he's getting paid $20 million to fight at Mania. Show then briefly talked about risk versus reward. "And when I'm through with you, Floyd 'Money' Mayweather, your career will be bankrupt," Show promised metaphorically.

The Big Show's appearances on Smackdown generally don't warrant any type of analysis since they usually equate to simple squashes that are meant to push Show on TV and hype this feud on all of WWE's brands. Mayweather isn't showing up for Smackdown, so major events are just not going to be featured here. It is interesting to note, however, that WWE seems to be acknowledging that Mayweather is disliked, but they are avoiding a hasty babyface turn by Big Show. This is probably not what WWE wanted, though. The best case for them would be either very strong babyface cheers or heel heat on one guy and the opposite for the other. But Mayweather's reaction is split, and Big Show is still playing a heel with some wrestling friends.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7 [up 0.5 since Raw]

Previous Feuds
Big Show: n/a
Floyd Mayweather: n/a

EVE vs. CHERRY vs. MARYSE vs. VICTORIA vs. MICHELLE McCOOL (1 week)

Jonathan Coachman stood in the ring to announce a divas contest that would span the next four weeks. Each week, one diva would be eliminated, and the winner of the contest is going to receive a customized motorcycle. Okay, some of you can probably already guess how this is going to play out with the motorcycle prize and McCool clearly being the fan favorite. Why can't the winner—the one deemed the top Smackdown diva—actually get a shot at the Women's Title instead since they never officially have any chance at that championship anyway? The winner will be chosen by cell phone text voting over the course of four weeks, and this week was the best body contest.

First up was Eve, who danced around for a few seconds. Cherry was up next, but she looked a little intimidated. She sheepishly disrobed, then grew some confidence when the fans cheered. Maryse went next, followed by Victoria, who clumsily caught her shirt on her face when disrobing and slipped on the ropes. And last up was Michelle. After the contest, things quickly broke down. Maryse shoved Eve, so Michelle slapped her. Maryse then pulled Eve out of the ring by the hair. Cherry bolted nervously from the fray, not wanting any part of it. Michelle finished things off by kicking Victoria out of the ring.

This all-diva program is an interesting change from the typical Smackdown formula, and if WWE varies it each week, it could turn out to be really entertaining. There are also benefits for such a contest, namely that it's a good way to test their popularity. Perhaps WWE will be surprised with the voting and may get an idea for whom to push next.

Also, this type of thing could provide a nice platform to enhance some of their characters. The Smackdown divas are relatively unknown. When the first three participants were Eve, Cherry, and Maryse, many viewers probably questioned how much they actually know about these women. This is the kind of thing that can bring out particular personalities. There's certainly a nice eclecticism to this group.

Cherry stood out this week as being the most interesting simply because viewers got to see a new type of diva. She's just as beautiful as the other divas, but she doesn't have the confidence that generally comes with such a role. Instead, she was shy, timid, and reserved. This can turn into a character that can really resonate with people as a woman who is embarrassed about her looks when there's nothing to be embarrassed about. The only problem is that she's the manager for a heel jobber team, and the gimmick would work best for a babyface. Another element that differentiated her from all the other divas was that she beat a hasty retreat when things got physical. Those are little details that make her different and unique. Nice job here.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5

Previous Feuds
Eve: n/a
Cherry: n/a
Maryse: n/a
Victoria: Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly
Michelle McCool: Victoria, Chuck Palumbo

WWE Tag Team Champions JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ vs. JESSE & FESTUS (2 weeks)

This week Miz and Morrison teamed with ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero to face Jesse, Festus, and C.M. Punk for a big six-person tag team match. The contest ended when Jesse planted Miz with his standing flapjack maneuver for the win. After the match, Punk waved his hand in front of Festus's face to get a read on him. Of course, Festus just stoically stared at the crowd.

It seems a little odd that Punk would be pitted against Chavo again after losing his ECW Championship match, a bout that presumably ended the feud. And WWE may have been tipping their hand too much by having Jesse and Festus continue to feud with Miz and Morrison on Smackdown while Delaney and Dreamer get title opportunities over on ECW.

One telling sign regarding the WWE Tag Team Titles is that Dreamer and Delaney didn't team with Punk to face the three heel champions. If they were truly going to continue a long-running feud or even carry the belts at some point, they would have appeared in this match. Of course, now that we know that Dreamer and Delaney lost their second title match, Jesse and Festus seem naturally fit for contention.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5

Previous Feuds
John Morrison & The Miz: Yang & Moore, Dreamer & Delaney
Jesse & Festus: Deuce 'N' Domino

CHUCK PALUMBO vs. KANE (1 week)

These two men simply had a singles match to kick off their potential feud. In the end, Kane won decisively with a chokeslam. There wasn't too much to it, but Cole and Coachman noted that Palumbo was probably overzealous in his match.

Well, I'm not sure if this derails Palumbo's momentum heading out of his feud with Noble and McCool as a strong heel character, but it certainly doesn't help him. Is a feud with Kane even likely to happen? The storyline has just begun, and it may have ended just as suddenly. Palumbo showed up last week on ECW to taunt Kane during a matchup, but The Big Red Machine was able to use the distraction as motivation to win. This week's win in their first one-on-one contest is a little curious in terms of a feud analysis. Let's see what happens next week.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5

Previous Feuds
Chuck Palumbo:
Kane:

CHUCK PALUMBO vs. JAMIE NOBLE & MICHELLE McCOOL (15 weeks)

Although it's still uncertain whether Palumbo will continue to feud with Kane, his rivalry with Jamie Noble is likely complete. I'm basically just using this section to describe and discuss how the Noble-McCool team concluded this week.

Backstage, Jamie Noble met with Michelle McCool to discuss their relationship. She told him that he didn't need to prove anything to her, and he responded by saying that he knows how she feels. Conversation then turned to how Noble clearly sees that Michelle has the hots for him, but that he needs to move on. "I'm not a one-woman man, Michelle," Noble confessed. He said that he wished it could have worked out, but he needs to find other women. Michelle played along since she knew the outcome was exactly what she had wanted anyway. She told him that it was alright and wished him luck. Noble then left with a simple goodbye. Okay, if that was meant to be the end of the storyline, WWE deserves credit for taking the time to conclude it with finality.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

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


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Chuck Palumbo vs. Kane?


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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