By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Monday Night Raw
August 4, 2008
Upcoming PPV: SummerSlam (second-to-last episode before PPV)

RAW STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the fiftieth 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)


World Hvt. Champion CM PUNK vs. JBL (6 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

Summary:

The show kicked off with new Raw GM Mike Adamle making some announcements. He began by saying that first impressions can be deceiving because when he was the ECW play-by-play commentator, he made some mistakes. After comparing himself to the late Ronald Reagan, Adamle claimed to have three title matches in the works for the show. Suddenly, JBL came out to meet Adamle and congratulate him on his new position. Layfield touted some of his personal success before requesting a World Title Match against CM Punk at SummerSlam.

Before Adamle could make a decision, Chris Jericho jumped out to the stage to explain why he is most deserving for a title opportunity. Both Jericho and Layfield went through a list of reasons, arguing all along the way. Eventually, Adamle scheduled a unique match with an interesting stipulation: It would be Jericho and JBL teaming up to face CM Punk in a Handicap Match. Whoever pinned or submitted Punk would receive a title match; however, if Punk won, neither JBL nor Jericho would get a match against Punk at SummerSlam.

The special Adamle Original match took place around the halfway point of the show. Before it began, Adamle announced that there would be a ten minute time limit and that if no one won before time elapsed, the World Title Match would be a Triple Threat. The Handicap Match concluded when the clock had run down to about ten seconds. Punk was lying motionlessly on the mat, Jericho was at ringside, and JBL was reeling against the ropes. Suddenly, Jericho hung JBL across the ropes, inadvertently causing Layfield to fall backward, right onto Punk. The referee counted to three with only one second remaining on the clock. So JBL advanced to SummerSlam for a shot at the World Heavyweight Title against CM Punk.

Analysis:

Mike Adamle's debut as the new General Manager of Raw was interesting because of his change of attitude. After hearing his initial speech to open the show, I immediately thought that WWE should have given him more leeway with his new role—that they should have let Adamle be Adamle. But later I realized that this more polished version of him is probably the direct result of WWE trying to prove the naysayers wrong. After Mike Adamle's first week as Raw's GM, viewers got the sense that he's a capable and innovative guy who had successfully booked interesting matchups throughout the show with more to come in the future. Although I still think it would have been more entertaining to just let Mike be himself and turn it into a more fun role, I understand WWE's reasoning for choreographing this situation much more strictly.

It was nice to see the storyline between JBL and CM Punk find a new angle with Chris Jericho shifting his interest to the World Heavyweight Title. Punk had enough to deal with, but Jericho added both a new face and a new threat to Punk's ongoing problems as the champion clinging to his coveted title. Also, JBL he played the heel sucking up to the new boss perfectly. The Handicap Match with a combination of four possible outcomes was a unique idea, and it was handled really well by all three participants. The conclusion left Jericho's future in this feud uncertain, but the Punk-JBL storyline has been advanced nicely this week.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 8 [up 1 since last week]

Previous Feuds
CM Punk: Elijah Burke, John Morrison, Chavo Guerrero, Morrison & Miz
JBL: Chris Jericho, Finlay, Triple H & Orton, John Cena

JOHN CENA vs. BATISTA (3 weeks)

Summary:

After a video package highlighting John Cena, Batista was interviewed in the back. The Animal said that he'd rather have a World Heavyweight Title Match against CM Punk than a match against John Cena, but he said that if winning this match gets him closer to a title match, he's all for it. In the main event, Cena and Batista teamed to face the "priceless" World Tag Team Champions, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. At one point in the match, Cena was in dire need of a tag, but Batista backed off, not reaching out to help his partner.

The matchup concluded when Batista delivered a Batista Bomb on Ted DiBiase. Cena ran in to prevent Cody from interfering. Batista then managed to cover DiBiase and score the successful three count. After winning, Cena and Batista were awarded the World Tag Team Titles. They alternated turns trying to garner the biggest cheer from the crowd; it was close. The show ended as Cena and Batista continued their little popularity contest.

Analysis:

Well, this week's Raw was pretty newsworthy in that we have new World Tag Team Champions, and they are arguably the brand's top two stars. Now a slew of questions arises: What will Cena and Batista do with their new titles? Where does this leave Rhodes and DiBiase? How will Cena and Batista treat one another now that they each hold half of the gold? How long will their reign as champions last? How will this affect their desire to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Champion?

The storyline here is solid. Cena and Batista both think that they should be the next in line for a World Title shot against Punk, but they've decided that proving it means that they must try to beat one another. Mike Adamle threw their plans out of whack when he booked a match in which they must team up to face Rhodes and DiBiase; the more intriguing part was that the match would be for the titles. Despite some quarrels and tension between Cena and Batista during the match—particularly when Batista refused to tag Cena when he needed it—they left the match as victors. And now we have a case where two champions have some pretty strong problems with one another, yet they are bound by the titles they share. On a side note, this greatly helps the credibility of the World Tag Team Championship.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 9 [up 1 since last week]

Previous Feuds
John Cena: Edge, Umaga, Bobby Lashley, Orton & Triple H, JBL
Batista: Edge, The Great Khali, Undertaker, MVP, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Edge, CM Punk

CHRIS JERICHO vs. SHAWN MICHAELS (19 weeks w/ 2 weeks hiatus)

Summary:

This week, Shawn Michaels had a sit-down interview from his home in San Antonio, Texas where he was recuperating from the injuries he sustained thanks to the series of fights he has had with Chris Jericho over the past few weeks. Michaels talked about the severe damage to his eye before listing some of the medical problems he's had over the years. He said that he'll make an announcement at SummerSlam, but he's ready to do whatever the doctors deem necessary. He said that if they recommend continuing on a limited basis, then he's ready to do that. But he also said that if they suggest that wrestling will affect his eye or sight, "then I'm prepared to walk away." After the interview, Jerry Lawler thanked HBK and said that he should do whatever's right for Shawn Michaels.

Analysis:

This Jericho-Michaels feud could be over. It's extended for months and has reached about the point where WWE tends to conclude their feuds. This week Jericho began to get involved with the JBL-Punk feud, but his loss in the Handicap Match renders his status in WWE storylines uncertain. He could presumably argue with Mike Adamle and claim that he was the only reason JBL won the match, but the logic there is stretching it; plus, Adamle's current non-nonsense character probably wouldn't entertain the complaint. Now that Jericho is essentially free of a storyline and Michaels is just going to show up at SummerSlam to make an announcement, things could lead to an even longer continuation for their great feud. However, I get the sense that we won't know for sure until the PPV in two weeks.

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

Previous Feuds
Chris Jericho: Randy Orton, JBL, Jeff Hardy, Money in the Bank, Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels: Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy, Ric Flair, Batista & Jericho

Women's Champion MICKIE JAMES vs. KATIE LEA (4 weeks)

Summary:

After the Burchill-Kingston matchup, Mickie ran to the ring to confront her current rival. Katie quickly escaped to ringside. After a commercial break, they cut to the match, which was already in progress. The bout saw Mickie James spike Katie with her vicious-looking DDT finisher for the pinfall victory. After the matchup, Mickie was blindsided by the Glamazon, Beth Phoenix.

Analysis:

Well, Katie Lea was finally given her title shot, but she couldn't pull out a victory. That loss, coupled with Beth's post-match attack, signifies the conclusion to this month-long rivalry. The feud did help Katie begin to establish herself as a legitimate competitor in Raw's women's division, but now it seems like its time for Mickie to move on to a new challenge.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Mickie James: Melina, Beth Phoenix
Katie Lea: n/a

Intercontinental Champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/ Katie Lea) (5 weeks w/ 1 week hiatus)

Summary:

This week, Paul Burchill received a shot at the Intercontinental Championship against the reigning champion, Kofi Kingston. The match saw Kofi Kingston pick up the win after hitting his Trouble in Paradise kick. After the match, Kofi celebrated with his title, but Katie Lea got in his face for some sort of confrontation. Kofi was able to dodge a charging Paul, which sent Burchill to the outside. The continued distraction by Katie, however, allowed Paul to pull Kofi to ringside. Kofi then chased Paul up the ramp as Mickie James's music hit. Mickie then entered the ring for her upcoming matchup against Katie Lea.

Analysis:

Like the case with Mickie-Katie, it looks like this feud is over now that Paul Burchill has officially lost in an IC Title Match against Kofi Kingston. We also know that Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix will challenge Kofi Kingston and Mickie James in a Winner-Takes-All Tag Team Match at SummerSlam. So it's likely that the Burchill siblings will have to move on to something else.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Kofi Kinston: Shelton Benjamin
Paul Burchill: Mr. Kennedy

JAMIE NOBLE vs. WILLIAM REGAL (1 week)

Summary:

In the back, Jamie tried to set up a date at the Waffle House with Layla, but she was unreceptive. He mentioned how she doesn't even answer his phone calls. Eventually, Layla cut him off mid-sentence to tell him that she doesn't associate with losers and that it seems like Jamie just gets beaten up every time he opens his mouth. Then they cut to Layla as she danced seductively in the ring to her entrance music. William Regal quickly cut her off to make an announcement. He reminded fans that he was still their king after winning the King of the Ring Tournament a few months ago. Suddenly, Jamie Noble came out to attack Regal, ostensibly because Regal had disrespectfully interrupted Layla's dancing. Regal and Noble brawled until referees stepped in to separate them.

Analysis:

Jamie Noble is always entertaining in his various midcard roles on the show. Placing him aside Layla is probably helpful to both of them because they seem to have nothing much to do. Layla isn't a threat in the women's division at this point, so her spending time in a role where she can talk more and manage Noble is a smart move. Her reluctance to even associate herself with Jamie Noble makes Noble's attempts at wooing her all the better.

The storyline is that Noble just wants to impress Layla, so he's willing to do anything. But Layla requires her men to be intimidating, so Noble tries unsuccessfully to prove himself each week on Raw. Now they've thrown William Regal into the fray, which is pretty funny because he too has nothing to really do since returning. Both Noble and Regal are strong on the mic, so their rivalry is something to look forward to. A standard feud with a single competitor is exactly what Noble needs anyway, as his storyline with Chuck Palumbo on Smackdown proved.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5

Previous Feuds
Jamie Noble: Hornswoggle, Vickie Guerrero, Chuck Palumbo
William Regal: Mr. Kennedy

SANTINO MARELLA vs. BETH PHOENIX (4 weeks)

Summary:

After the Katie-Mickie fight for the Women's Title, Beth Phoenix orchestrated a surprise attack on the winner, Mickie James. Phoenix pummeled Mickie before hitting her finishing move to make a statement, presumably seeking to become the next Women's Champion. As Beth headed up the ramp, she was met by Santino, who was clapping his hands on stage. Beth flirtatiously squeezed Santino's ass when he wasn't looking. When she turned away, he tried to do something similar, but he ended up just tapping her behind, reluctant to do anything more.

Later in the back, both Marella and the Glamazon met Mike Adamle to request title matches, but Adamle told them that there was only room for one more title match at SummerSlam. Of course, Santino asked for an IC Title Match, but Beth wanted a Women's Title Match. So Adamle set up what he referred to as an "Adamle Original" by creating a tag team match where both titles will be on the line with winner-takes-all stipulations.

Analysis:

Good progression in this storyline. Beth and Santino are beginning to appear like a bickering, but still interested pair. Their relationship is a little odd because they are both heels within a comedic context that requires a little sympathy from the audience—they need the audience to care a little about seeing them struggle with their problems. The backstage segment with Adamle was great because it showed the imbedded arrogance within Santino when he automatically assumed that Beth would want to see him fight for a title rather than having a title match herself. Beth is also showing some nice new character and personality traits with this little storyline. A powerhouse female who mows through her opponents and shows no sign of physical or mental weaknesses results in a two-dimensional character. WWE realizes that and is now branching her out; it's working.

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

Previous Feuds
Santino Marella: Umaga, Ron Simmons, Val Venis, Steve Austin, Maria, Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly, Roddy Piper
Beth Phoenix: Candice Michelle, Mickie James, Maria, Mickie James, Melina


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels?
(2) Mickie James vs. Katie Lea Burchill
(3) Kofi Kingston vs. Paul Burchill


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Chris Jericho vs. JBL
(2) John Cena & Batista vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr.
(3) Kane vs. Matt Striker
(4) Mickie James & Kofi Kingston vs. Beth Phoenix & Santino Marella


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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