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By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Monday Night Raw
April 14, 2008
Upcoming PPV: Backlash (second-to-last episode before PPV)

RAW STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the thirty-fourth edition of Raw 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 RANDY ORTON vs. JBL vs. TRIPLE H vs. JOHN CENA (3 weeks)

Raw opened with JBL intruding on William Regal's tea break. Layfield labeled Regal a puppet for granting both Triple H and John Cena slots in the WWE Title Match at Backlash. Regal responded defensively by saying that Triple H and Cena spared fans the pain of seeing two people that they hate go one-on-one at the PPV. He then asked JBL what he wanted. JBL said, "What I want is a chartered plane out of this hellhole that you call home." Instead of granting Layfield his night off, Regal booked him against Triple H. Later in the back, Triple H, in an interview with Todd Grisham, said, "You should have kept that cushy little announcing job, JBL, because tonight, for the first time in your life, one-one-one, it's time to play the game."

Randy Orton came out to cut a promo about how he's beaten everyone there is to beat. He then said that he gets the pleasure to now beat William Regal in his own country. "It doesn't matter what continent you're on, we are all living in the Age of Orton," he concluded. The match soon commenced, and it ended when Regal fell to the RKO.

In the main event, Triple H met JBL in what was touted as the first-ever match between the two. During the match, the action spilled to the entrance ramp, and Randy Orton took the opportunity to attack Triple H. The referee called for the bell as Orton dragged Triple H into the ring. When The Game retained his momentum and was about to deliver a Pedigree on the WWE Champion, JBL came barreling with a big boot to Triple H's head. Then JBL motioned that Orton should give Triple H his punt kick, but as Orton came running, JBL turned the tables with a Clothesline from Hell to The Legend Killer. The show ended with Layfield hoisting the WWE Championship into the air.

Everybody played their parts well here. The most interesting character this week was William Regal, who worked his way from heel to babyface. But was this change simply a one-night shift thanks entirely to the location of Monday Night Raw this week? The problem is that Regal stood up for himself on Raw in a way that signified an internal change; he seemed that he wasn't going to take anymore bullying or strong-arm tactics by the likes of JBL or Randy Orton. As for JBL, he needed an up-week for his credibility's sake. Taking out Triple H and then outsmarting Orton to end the show holding the title over his head put a lot of momentum behind him. Overall, it was an effective week despite John Cena's notable absence.

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

Previous Feuds
Randy Orton: Dusty & Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy, Cena & Triple H
JBL: Chris Jericho, Finlay
John Cena: Edge, Umaga, Bobby Lashley, Orton & Triple H
Triple H: King Booker, Umaga, Jeff Hardy, Orton & Cena

SHAWN MICHAELS vs. BATISTA vs. CHRIS JERICHO (3 weeks)

Shawn Michaels came out to address the Batista situation yet again. He recapped the entire feud starting with the week that Ric Flair asked him to fight at WrestleMania 24. When Michaels mentioned Batista's name, the English crowd booed pretty audibly. "I am sick and tired of apologizing for my past!" said Michaels. Suddenly, Ric Flair's music hit, but out walked Chris Jericho.

"I think I figured out what the problem is, Shawn," Jericho said, "You're a phony." Jericho told Michaels to admit that he thrives on screwing people over and loving himself. He went on by saying that Batista may be irrational about Ric Flair, but he's not irrational about disliking Michaels. Out of nowhere, Michaels struck like lightning with Sweet Chin Music, sending Jericho to the mat with jaw in hand. "I'll admit this: that felt pretty darn good," HBK said comically.

Later in the night, Jericho asked Regal if he could be included in the Michaels-Batista match at Backlash. Regal told him that he could be special referee, and when Jericho continued to argue, Raw's GM booked him in a match against Umaga for the Intercontinental Championship. The match later took place, and Jericho was able to use a school boy roll-up with his feet on the ropes for the win.

Jericho's match with Umaga seemed out-of-place and quite random, and Jericho's incorporation in this feud isn't necessarily the best direction. Because this week proved to be the very first week with Jericho involving himself here, perhaps WWE has something up their proverbial sleeve. The Batista-Michaels singles match sounded strong on paper, and their out-of-ring promos and arguments have been effective thus far. I'm not sure what Jericho can add. Are they attempting to put more heat on Shawn Michaels by having yet another babyface call him a phony who screws people over? If so, it's not clear that viewers are buying it.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6.5 [same as on Smackdown]

Previous Feuds
Batista: Edge, The Great Khali, Undertaker, Umaga
Shawn Michaels: Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy, Ric Flair
Chris Jericho: Randy Orton, JBL, Jeff Hardy, Money in the Bank

THE BIG SHOW vs. THE GREAT KHALI (3 weeks)

Nothing was done this week to hype Show-Khali for Backlash. It looks like the feud has finally been relegated to a Smackdown-exclusive position.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5 [same as on Smackdown]

Previous Feuds
Big Show: Floyd Mayweather
The Great Khali: Batista, Finlay, Hornswoggle

WWE Women's Champion MICKIE JAMES vs. BETH PHOENIX (1 week)

Mickie James was successful in a tag team match last week when she pinned Melina after delivering her impactful DDT. Similarly, The Glamazon proved to be successful as she continued her undeniable winning streak after defeating Maria last week. This week, Raw hosted an unannounced Women's Title Match between Mickie James and Beth Phoenix. The match saw Mickie James pull off a surprise win when she rolled up Phoenix for the three count using a victory roll. After the match, Mickie celebrated passionately with title in hand. When Todd Grisham asked her how she felt, her happiness overwhelmed her to the point where she gave Grisham a kiss that literally knocked him off his feet.

This seemed a bit odd, but that isn't to imply that it was weak in any way. Surprises of this nature can actually be quite beneficial and welcoming. Mickie James hasn't been featured prominently on television since her last attempt at gold against Beth Phoenix months ago. Now she's back, and she's picking up where she left off. When she told Grisham that she knew that she could beat The Glamazon, she was bridging a continuation on the storyline from months ago where doubt consumed her.

The story can take many directions from here, but the assumption will be that Phoenix will seek some kind of Women's Title rematch at Backlash. It's almost a shame that Phoenix didn't get the opportunity to get a strong win against someone at WrestleMania before losing it to Mickie; it would have made them both look better. But the win got the crowd excited and provided entertaining TV for viewers at home. Nicely done.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6

Previous Feuds
Mickie James: Melina, Beth Phoenix
Beth Phoenix: Candice Michelle, Mickie James, Maria

SANTINO MARELLA & CARLITO vs. World Tag Team Champions HARDCORE HOLLY & CODY RHODES (2 weeks)

This week's tag team contest determined the new Number One Contenders for the World Tag Team Championship. The match pitted Santino Marella and Carlito against Paul London and Brian Kendrick. It ended with a win for Santino and Carlito when Carlito nailed his Back Stabber on Paul London. Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes watched the match backstage. And after the bout was finished, Santino cut a promo about how three things were necessary to be tag team champions: strength, agility, and the status of international superstars.

The biggest problem with this upcoming feud is that WWE largely ignores their World Tag Team Champions. There was intrigue growing in the budding friendship or mentor/student relationship between Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly, but once they won the titles, WWE pretty much forgot about them. It's almost difficult to remember that they are the champions. Nothing is really known about them, and they don't get opportunities to speak on the mic. Some various backstage vignettes, interview segments, or the standard promo could really help to infuse some much-needed character development in two men who carry titles for the Raw brand.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5

Previous Feuds
Santino Marella: Umaga, Ron Simmons, Val Venis, Steve Austin, Maria
Carlito: Triple H, Money in the Bank
Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes: Santino Marella & Carlito


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Cryme Tyme vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
(2) Lance Cade vs. Trevor Murdoch
(3) Umaga vs. Chris Jericho
(4) Paul Burchill vs. ?


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 "Charlie Haas" so that I know it's not junk mail.

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