By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

Extreme Championship Wrestling
April 22, 2008
Upcoming PPV: Backlash (last episode before PPV)

ECW STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the thirty-second 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)


ECW Champion KANE vs. CHAVO GUERRERO (4 weeks)

Edge made a rare appearance on ECW alongside his protégés, Hawkins and Ryder, to host The Cutting Edge. "Let's face it, Kane: you're life sucks," Edge said. He mentioned that Kane thought he was horribly scarred thanks to a fire caused by his brother, so he hid under his mask for years only to find out that those scars were only mental. He also talked about Kane's multiple failed relationships, particularly the one with Lita since she had a miscarriage and left him for Edge. The Rated-R Superstar then briefly covered his history with The Big Red Machine, namely the fact that Kane interrupted his wedding ceremony with Lita and also injured him while he was World Heavyweight Champion.

Edge then referred to those around him as family. He claimed that Hawkins and Ryder were like sons, that Chavo was like a nephew, and that Bam Neely was like a second cousin. He also said that he was livid that Kane and Undertaker stole two of the family heirlooms: the ECW Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship respectively. Kane said that he was going to destroy Chavo and Bam while Undertaker takes care of Hawkins, Ryder, and Edge. Kane then got cryptic and creepy by saying that it will leave Vickie Guerrero all alone, but that he and Undertaker will take "real good care of her." And that's when everything broke down with Edge's "family" mauling Kane to the ground. Chavo ended the show by bashing Kane's knee with a chair multiple times, putting doubt in Kane's ability to successfully defend his ECW Title on Sunday.

The last segment of the show—the only segment to really forward the main event storyline on ECW—was both well-conceived and well-executed. Both Kane and Edge were really strong on the mic, explaining a long history that most people have probably stored in the very back of their mind. Those that haven't followed Kane's life story got a quick history lesson this week, and it was handled well. Invoking troubled times, such as the mental scars, fire, love problems with Lita (despite the problems Kane himself clearly posed at the time), and a rough rivalry with Edge may garner Kane some audience sympathy now that he's unmistakably a babyface.

It was interesting how WWE writers structured this segment as a clever progression from past to present to future. The segment began with Edge reminiscing about Kane's turbulent past and all of the problems inherent in it. Conversation then shifted to Edge (and in more general terms, to the present). The Rated-R Superstar discussed his current situation as the leading member of a faction—or, as he puts it: family—and all the joy that he's experiencing at the moment. Not only was past juxtaposed with present, but so too was misery juxtaposed with happiness. When Edge ran down the list of people to whom he is currently attached, one could sense that he is fully enveloped by a comforting, supporting group of close friends. Edge has a large posse that protects him, which is diametrically opposed to Kane's world of isolation. The only one Kane can count on is The Undertaker, but even their relationship feels reserved to a handful of nights each year when WWE throws them together for the promotional value.

Things then progressed from the present to the future as WWE closed the show with a watchful look to Backlash. One of Edge's family members, the chair-wielding Chavo Guerrero, took a numerical advantage this week as he attempted to injure his Backlash opponent's knee with the portable steel seating furniture. It was a smart move. Chavo, despite having Bam Neely in his corner, doesn't look to have even the slightest hint of a chance come Sunday. But now WWE has firmly planted some type of doubt in Kane's ability to win his title match. Expect a vast array of knee-targeting attacks by Chavo at the PPV as he tries to bring back the ECW gold to his familia.

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

Previous Feuds
Kane: Finlay, Big Daddy V, Shelton Benjamin, Chuck Palumbo
Chavo Guerrero: Rey Mysterio, CM Punk

COLIN DELANEY vs. ECW General Manager ARMANDO ESTRADA (5 weeks)

Colin Delaney didn't show up on ECW this week. Perhaps WWE is trying to regroup on this storyline as it has seemingly stalled. Hopefully Colin will be back on TV soon.

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

Previous Feuds
Colin Delaney: John Morrison & The Miz
Armando Estrada: n/a

WWE Tag Team Champions JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ vs. JIMMY WANG YANG & SHANNON MOORE (1 week)

Miz joined Tazz and Adamle on commentary for a singles match between John Morrison and Jimmy Wang Yang. The match ended when Morrison missed a split-legged corkscrew moonsault; Yang was able to follow up with his signature moonsault for the rather surprising victory over Morrison. After the match, Miz's mouth hung open in complete shock. Yang and Moore celebrated as they exited the ring while Miz met with an equally stunned Morrison in the ring.

Well, this feud has been seen before, so hopefully WWE has something new up their sleeve this time around. Perhaps this is the team chosen to be the next WWE Tag Team Champions. It's hard to believe that they are pitting them against Miz and Morrison again (and having them pick up surprise wins) if that weren't the case. The only problem with the Yang/Moore team is that WWE puts disproportionate focus on Jimmy Wang Yang, leaving Moore to simply stand in the corner. The vast majority of their victories are scored by Yang, and Smackdown's resident redneck typically outshines Moore with the high-flying moves that define their team. If they really want to push Yang as the clear leader of the team in the ring, perhaps they should allow Shannon Moore to shine in promos and vignettes outside the ring; he may have the more interesting personality.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5

Previous Feuds
John Morrison & The Miz: Jesse & Festus, Yang & Moore, Dreamer & Delaney
Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore: Morrison & Miz

KOFI KINGSTON vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN (1 week)

In the back, Kofi Kingston seemed excited to be going one-on-one with Shelton Benjamin this week, but Benjamin was in an angry mood. When Kofi extended his hand for a shake, Shelton blew him off, claiming that he was going to end Kofi's undefeated streak in their upcoming match. Kofi wasn't quite happy when Shelton left, but he wasn't angry or upset either; it was more an expression of shock at how uncouth his opponent appeared. The match had back-and-forth action that eventually led to a win for Kofi Kingston when he managed to connect with his Trouble in Paradise kick to Benjamin's skull.

This could be an entertaining rivalry, but it doesn't help when the heel poses as little a threat as Benjamin currently does. If Kofi can beat him, is there really an issue? I mean, perhaps Shelton can continue to provoke fights or annoy Kofi. Maybe Kingston's all-smiles attitude perturbs Benjamin. But even if this is the case, viewers know that Kofi doesn't have much trouble beating him. So unless Benjamin seeks revenge with some type of raised stakes and a small advantage (like Chavo's chair attack on Kane this week), there won't be much to work with here. On the bright side, this conflict could produce some nice sparks with the clash of two completely opposite personalities.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5

Previous Feuds
Kofi Kinston: n/a
Shelton Benjamin: Kane, CM Punk, Money in the Bank


TOMMY DREAMER vs. MIKE KNOX (2 weeks)

After being sent to the back last week and replaced by Colin Delaney in a match against Mike Knox, Tommy Dreamer teamed with Kelly Kelly to face Knox and his partner, Layla. The match ended when Kelly nailed her finisher for the win. After the match, Knox reentered the ring to give Dreamer a finisher of his own.

Well, this was pretty even booking with a win for the faces but revenge for the heels. If Dreamer is slated to replace Stevie Richards as Knox's feuding opponent, it was a smart move to have Kelly beat Layla in the match. It continues the storyline between Knox and Dreamer without too much given away, and Kelly is still in the process of establishing her finishing move so that she can take on other women in the division at some point. There really isn't much depth here, and it's interesting that WWE gives as much time to Knox as they do. He still hasn't been given enough build as a heel. Out of WWE's entire roster, Knox is probably one of the least developed characters they have. He desperately needs either talking time or some type of out-of-ring action that can let viewers see the kind of person he really is.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5

Previous Feuds
Tommy Dreamer: John Morrison & The Miz
Mike Knox: n/a


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Stevie Richards vs. Mike Knox


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Mark Henry vs. Nunzio


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

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