By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Friday Night Smackdown
August 15, 2008
Upcoming PPV: SummerSlam (last episode before PPV)

SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the forty-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)


WWE Champion TRIPLE H vs. THE GREAT KHALI (w/ Ranjin Singh) (4 weeks)

Summary:

In the back, Eve interviewed the Game to discuss what happened last week in the Broken Glass Arm Wrestling Contest. As Triple H began to explain his thoughts, Kenny Dykstra of all people walked into the frame to introduce himself as Triple H's opponent later in the show. Triple H said that he admired his "spirit," but that he wasn't in the mood.

Khali later cut a promo (translated by Ranjin Singh) basically saying that Khali believes that he is better than Triple H despite the Game's impressive history and that Khali's focus is on taking the WWE Title. Basic stuff, but it shows that Khali isn't intimidated. Ranjin then joined Ross and Tazz on commentary as Khali stood nearby to watch Triple H face Kenny Dykstra. That match ended rather quickly when Triple H hit the Pedigree for the pinfall. After the bout, Hunter used Ranjin as a ploy to get Khali to enter the ring. Triple H then one-upped his rival a little bit before tossing him to the outside.

Analysis:

The continuation for this feud didn't really accomplish much. It was interesting to see Kenny Dykstra return to TV after months of absence, but nothing new was introduced to the storyline between Triple H and Khali. The only thing viewers were left with as to their PPV match was that the Game was the guy leaving Smackdown with the clear momentum. So, overall, the feud didn't really make a more compelling case for viewers to see their SummerSlam match when compared to, say, the previous few weeks. And as for Dykstra, if WWE decided to bring him back to television, why crush him on his re-debut? I guess the counter argument would be that he got to work with the top guy on Smackdown.

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

Previous Feuds
Triple H: King Booker, Umaga, Jeff Hardy, Orton & JBL, Randy Orton, John Cena
The Great Khali: Batista, Finlay, Hornswoggle, Big Show

EDGE vs. THE UNDERTAKER & Smackdown GM VICKIE GUERRERO (7 weeks)

Summary:

Vickie sat in her office, extremely frightened. When Victoria walked in to ask her something, Vickie pleaded for her to stay and talk to her. Victoria, unsure of what to do, asked what was going on, but Vickie simply mentioned that both the Undertaker and Edge were in the building; she was unnerved about the situation. Later, she asked Victoria to help her leave the building after deciding that it was too dangerous to be there. When Victoria wheeled her to her limo, Edge popped out from the back. He taunted a terrified Vickie before putting her in her chair and beginning what would be a terror ride for Smackdown's GM.

Later in the show we found Edge still torturing Vickie by wheeling her around carelessly in her wheelchair. Vickie, petrified, literally screamed every time Edge made a quick turn and every time he crashed her chair into random pipes and over cable bumps. The neat hair she had at the beginning of the show was now in unkempt disarray as she held onto her chair for dear life. Edge brought her down the ramp and tossed her to the floor; he had an empty look in his eyes. He sat down next to her, grabbed her close, played a video package summing up the past few weeks, and then demanded that she apologize to the Undertaker for booking him in a match against Edge. When she did, Edge yelled at her, calling her pathetic and blaming her for everything. He then kneeled over her prone body as she cried and said, "Edge, Undertaker, 'til death do us part."

Analysis:

What a great effort by both Edge and Vickie this week on TV as they executed what could have been a really disastrous and embarrassing (or funny) storyline train wreck. The slow, agonizing torture Edge employed by using mind games on Vickie was really well done. He could have snapped and physically attacked her, but he instead simply scared her out of her mind by pushing it to the edge and restraining himself from going any further. It was effective nonetheless, perhaps even more effective than doing more, which would have simply inched toward the norm—or at least to what we'd expect. Vickie legitimately looked frightened the entire night, and Edge appeared more crazed and corrupted than usual. He's a guy with nothing to lose now, and it's showing.

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

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

MVP vs. JEFF HARDY (4 weeks)

Summary:

In Smackdown's opening contest, Jeff Hardy took on Shelton Benjamin for the United States Championship. The match saw Hardy gain the upper hand and attempt a Swanton Bomb, only to be pushed off the top rope by MVP. The ref then called for the DQ. Afterward, Porter tried to kick Hardy in the head, but Jeff ducked, causing MVP's boot to connect with Shelton's head. Hardy then felled Porter with a Twist of Fate before hitting a Swanton on both MVP and Benjamin.

Later in the back, MVP cut a promo where he talked about how he tried to help Jeff and how Jeff wasn't going to feel anything (pain, sorrow, etc.) after he receives a boot to the jaw at SummerSlam. Porter used serious, threatening words to make his point clear.

Analysis:

This week's events helped everyone involved. Because Shelton Benjamin currently has no ongoing rivalry over the United States Title, a match with Jeff Hardy only helps him. Also, MVP's interference by blatantly causing a disqualification—which, of course, results in a retention of the U.S. Title by Benjamin—was a good way to continue the problems that Jeff and MVP have with one another. After all, they have been casting blame for each others' losses since Saturday Night's Main Event. Also good was Porter's ultra-serious attitude in the locker room scene to cement this feud as something important; it reflected the seriousness of using the wrestlers' personal lives for the past few weeks.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 8 [up 0.5 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Jeff Hardy: Umaga, Mr. Kennedy, Triple H, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho
MVP: Rey Mysterio, Ric Flair, Batista, Matt Hardy

NATALYA NEIDHART vs. WWE Divas' Champion MICHELLE McCOOL (20 weeks w/ 4 weeks hiatus)

Summary:

This week, Divas' Champion Michelle McCool teamed with Maria to face the heel tandem of Maryse and Natalya. The match ended when Natalya felled McCool using a double leg takedown before pressuring Michelle's shoulders and back to the mat in a powerful covering move that was stabilized by Natalya's own body weight.

Analysis:

This feud is in trouble if WWE doesn't put some fire behind it. At one point, the rivalry was very strong; however, it's had a lackluster push in recent weeks that has sucked all the energy from it. The feud is ostensibly going to continue with McCool as champion and with Natalya as the most-pushed female heel on the show. The real shame is that they've committed 20 weeks to the storyline, yet they aren't making it feel important using that extensive recent history.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 4.5 [same since last week]

Previous Feuds
Natalya Neidhart: n/a
Michelle McCool: Victoria, Chuck Palumbo

JESSE & FESTUS vs. VLADIMIR KOZLOV (2 weeks)

Summary:

After Kozlov destroyed Jesse last week, it was Festus's turn to face the Moscow Mauler. The match saw Festus mount some heavy offense on his oversized opponent, but Kozlov was able to catch Festus with a rough head butt to the chest to score the victory.

Analysis:

A clean win was a bit surprising, but it certainly helps Kozlov as a character with increased credibility. The real question now revolves around the future of this rivalry. Will Jesse and Festus continue a feud with Kozlov despite these losses? Or will WWE instead use this big win as a springboard to send Kozlov on to something else?

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5

Previous Feuds
Jesse & Festus: Deuce 'N' Domino, Morrison & Miz, Hawkins & Ryder
Vladimir Kozlov: n/a


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder vs. Jesse & Festus


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin
(2) Brian Kendrick vs. Scotty Goldman
(3) Kenny Dykstra vs. ?
(4) Big Show vs. Ryan Braddock


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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