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WWE Monday Night Raw
August 18, 2008
Upcoming PPV: Unforgiven (third-to-last episode before PPV)

RAW STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the fifty-second 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. CHRIS JERICHO (1 week)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Todd Grisham interviewed CM Punk in the back, who said that Jericho needs to learn a lesson and will find out how people in Chicago handle things.

-In Raw's main event, Chris Jericho managed to sneak out with a victory when a distraction by Lance Cade on the ropes allowed Jericho to nail the Code Breaker on Punk.

Analysis:

We know that the World Heavyweight Title will be defended at Unforgiven in a Championship Scramble Match involving Punk, Kane, JBL, Cena, and Batista. With that information known, expect a storyline jumble in the next few weeks. It seems like WWE is moving on from JBL-Punk with Jericho personifying the newest threat, but we also know that Shawn Michaels's presence in WWE is probably looming as revenge consumes his thoughts after last Sunday's PPV.

Of course, there's also the new Kane-Batista problem over Rey Mysterio—who may also have a pending return awaiting. And the result of all of this is uncertainty among all of Raw's top-tier talent with narrative layers placed atop other narrative layers. It makes the whole process difficult to track, but the product has a lot of entertainment potential if the focus is kept steady.

As for this apparent commencement in a Punk-Jericho feud, viewers will likely find it favorable. Jericho has dug himself a healthy heel niche after turning heel on Shawn Michaels and has since become the brand's most intriguing player. His strong believe in both himself and what he thinks is correct makes him a powerful enemy for any top babyface star. CM Punk got what he needed from feuding with the outspoken JBL; Punk's win at SummerSlam allows him the opportunity to move on to new challenges. Hopefully that big win also places some more faith in fans that still believe he's nothing more than a transitional champion. For those people, time may be the one determining factor in changing their views. But the formula for WWE is perfect: the World Heavyweight Champion plus Raw's top heel equals a strong combination.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7

Previous Feuds
CM Punk: Elijah Burke, John Morrison, Chavo Guerrero, Morrison & Miz
Chris Jericho: Randy Orton, JBL, Jeff Hardy, Money in the Bank, Shawn Michaels

CHRIS JERICHO vs. SHAWN MICHAELS (21 weeks w/ 3 weeks hiatus)

Summary:

Raw kicked off with Chris Jericho addressing the situation from SummerSlam where he inadvertently punched Shawn Michaels's wife, Rebecca, in the face. Jericho said that the fault lies with Michaels for putting his wife in harm's way. Of course, the blame—according to Jericho—also lies with the fans for urging Michaels. He also told HBK that he deserves a tainted reputation. While leaving, the announcers talked about how Jericho showed no remorse about the accident with Rebecca the night before.

Later in the show, WWE aired an interview Michael Cole had with Shawn Michaels as he exited the arena the night prior at SummerSlam. Michaels said that he was going to first go home and comfort his wife and kids. He seemed to take the blame for the accident, claiming it was his fault. However, he stopped himself before explaining what he'd do upon his return.

Analysis:

Another really strong surge of fuel for this particular storyline. It's almost surprising to see WWE commit this much time toward the feud—even giving it new twists and turns in these late stages—but the results are fantastic. As mentioned above, Jericho has become Raw's ultimate heel force, and his rivalry with Shawn Michaels in the past 5 months deserves all the credit. Feuds with long life-spans are generally cut off around this point, but WWE seems eager to push onward. Perhaps the mini-break with Michaels taking time away from TV to heal injuries or to comfort his family provides just enough lull in the narrative to follow it up with an upswing of momentum as the rivalry continues.

The highlight of Jericho's promo was when he pointed out how Michaels can't show any degree of humility or modesty, which, of course, is a bit ironic coming from Jericho's mouth. But there's some truth to that statement because there's absolutely no doubt that Michaels sees his career as something impressive and worthy of respect.

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

JOHN CENA vs. BATISTA (5 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Batista beats Paul Burchill with a Batista Bomb.

-Cena meets with Batista, congratulating him for winning at SummerSlam but noting that the better man may have only been the better man that specific night.

-Before Cena had his Handicap Match against Rhodes & DiBiase, Cryme Tyme ran to ringside and stole the World Tag Team Titles, infuriating the champions.

-Cena achieved victory in his match when he applied the STFU to Rhodes, who tapped out.

Analysis:

I mentioned earlier that there seems to be a real jumble occurring on Raw concerning the recently-announced contenders for the World Heavyweight Title. People like Cena, Batista, Jericho, CM Punk, JBL, Kane, Michaels, and even Rey Mysterio are finding themselves in each others' business as Unforgiven nears. The Cena-Batista rivalry's existence is hard to predict because it can logically take many directions.

They could possibly have a re-match at some point; after all, Cena pretty much discredited his congratulations for Batista by immediately following it up with a statement about how the best man (Batista) was only the best man for the night of SummerSlam. However, Batista's new role as Mysterio's defender and friend in the Mysterio-Kane storyline suggests that Cena-Batista is no more. I'm siding with the latter here, but it wouldn't be unexpected to see some element of the issues between Cena and Batista to appear—or at least be referenced—as we head into the World Title Match at Unforgiven.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

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

REY MYSTERIO & BATISTA vs. KANE (2 weeks)

Summary:

Kane came out to cut a promo on the backstory between him and Rey Mysterio. He took credit for Mysterio's absence by alluding to the fact that he's been carrying around the burlap sack about as long as Rey's been away (6 weeks, according to the Big Red Machine). He also said that he never liked Rey or anyone who did like Rey. If Kane's heel turn was a little cloudy before, it was made crystal clear here. "He's like a fungus that grows in the marshes of your psyche," Kane said describing Mysterio. As Kane began laughing uproariously at his doings, Batista interrupted. Without wasting any time, the Animal attacked, but Kane gained the upper hand with a chokeslam to close the segment.

Analysis:

One of the more intriguing elements to this Rey-Kane feud—and one that should be delved into more—is the mask factor. Many people probably assumed that the mask inside Kane's burlap bag was in fact his old one, but it turned out to be Rey Mysterio's instead. This week Kane talked about Mysterio and his mask almost as if he was jealous or angry about Rey's decision to wear (or hide) behind a mask. Also, it's important to mention one plot hole in this storyline: Assuming Kane did harm Rey in the parking lot weeks ago, it's illogical to think that WWE wouldn't cover the story about Mysterio's injury status or his disappearance assuming they did or did not find him or contact him (respectively).

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

Previous Feuds
Rey Mysterio: Chavo Guerrero, Finlay, MVP, Edge
Batista: Great Khali, Undertaker, MVP, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Edge, CM Punk, John Cena
Kane: Shelton Benjamin, Chuck Palumbo, Chavo Guerrero, Miz & Morrison, Mark Henry

Women's Champion MICKIE JAMES & Intercontinental Champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. SANTINO MARELLA & BETH PHOENIX (3 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Mickie James teamed with Kelly Kelly to face Jillian Hall and Katie Lea Burchill.

-Mickie and Kelly won after Mickie spiked Katie with her impressive DDT finisher.

-Later in the show, Santino lost to D-Lo Brown after being disqualified when Phoenix entered the ring and slapped Brown. (Kofi sat on commentary)

Analysis:

There may be a split in this storyline because it seems like a Kofi-Santino feud is still raging, but the Beth-Mickie side of the equation may be over. WWE's in a tricky spot, though, because they have effectively made Santino's character based solely on his comedy, and they haven't been afraid to let him take losses to just about anyone. For that reason, it's hard to see a Santino-Kofi rivalry getting a lot of attention or energy in the show simply because the threat level is almost nonexistent; it's simply a matter of Kofi Kingston trying to maneuver around and win a title match while avoiding Marella's various attempts at cheating or getting disqualified. The entertainment element, however, is perfectly strong.

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) JBL vs. CM Punk
(2) John Cena vs. Batista
(3) Jamie Noble vs. William Regal
(4) Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James?


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase vs. Cryme Tyme
(2) Batista vs. Paul Burchill


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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