By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Monday Night Raw
September 8, 2008
Upcoming PPV: No Mercy (fourth-to-last episode before PPV)

RAW STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the fifty-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)


Note: This week's Raw was chock full of new feuds and shifting rivalries as well as the introduction of a new wrestler (Manu) and the ECW talent exchange. With all of that happening, it will be pretty difficult to organize this week's article. It's also hard to predict what is going to happen with many of these potential feuds. For example, will JBL vs. Batista be a primary storyline in the coming weeks or will it be Batista-Jericho? Where does Punk fall into this? And where does that put Orton? Against Punk? Or what about against Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, and Manu? Read ahead as I struggle to organize this chaotic week.


World Heavyweight Champion CHRIS JERICHO & JBL vs. BATISTA (1 week)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Chris Jericho opened the show with a promo where he touted his success at Unforgiven as he proudly displayed the World Heavyweight Title. He took some verbal shots at HBK, calling him a "self-righteous hypocrite" and using the opportunity to show the welts on his back to prove that Michaels is a bad person.

-Mike Adamle arrived to book Jericho-Punk for the World Title next week in a Steel Cage Match as well as a Jericho-Batista match for this week's main event.

-Later in the back, Jericho met with Adamle to ask for time to heal before his title defense next week. Adamle told Jericho that he did him a favor by putting him in the Scramble, so he expected something in return—a main event performance against Batista.

-In Raw's main event, Mike Adamle stopped the match before altering it into a Handicap Match: Batista vs. Jericho & JBL. In the end, Cade distracted Batista, allowing JBL to hit his Clothesline from Hell and Jericho to cover for the opportunistic win.

-After the match, Batista took out JBL and Lance Cade before staring down Jericho to close the show.

Analysis:

And Batista's losing streak continues. That should be the real story coming out of all of this. No matter what happens with Jericho and JBL, Batista's primary story revolves around his inability to win matches as of late. If WWE is going to keep jobbing him out, they might as well point it out and incorporate that element into his storyline. He lost the Battle Royal Match last week as the first guy out, he lost the Scramble at Unforgiven, and he most recently lost the main event on Raw (even though it was an unfair Handicap Match). I still like the idea of Batista's anger and rage resulting in nothing but loss and devastation for him. I like the idea of Batista learning something here, perhaps changing in some way because he's been his own worst enemy. His method of mindless rage isn't quite working for him.

As for his rival, it's uncertain at this point. It would be pure speculation for me to try to explain who continues the feud with Batista from here. The show ended with a stare-down between Jericho and Batista with some visual emphasis being placed on the World Heavyweight Title; however, Jericho has to face CM Punk next week with the title on the line. That might mean that a Punk-Jericho feud is imminent. Then again, Punk has to deal with Jericho (the man who won his title) as well as Randy Orton (the man who took him out of the PPV title match). And as for Batista, JBL could easily be his next rival since they had that awkward moment backstage when Batista refused to sympathize with an agitated Layfield about Charlie Haas. Oh yeah, then there's Charlie Haas's possible rivalry with JBL as CHL.

The combinations of storylines are nearly innumerable.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7

Previous Feuds
Chris Jericho: Randy Orton, JBL, Jeff Hardy, Money in the Bank, Shawn Michaels
JBL: Chris Jericho, Finlay, Triple H & Orton, John Cena, CM Punk
Batista: Great Khali, Undertaker, MVP, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Edge, CM Punk, John Cena

RANDY ORTON vs. World Tag Team Champions CODY RHODES & TED DiBIASE & MANU (2 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Randy Orton cut a promo where he said that he kicked Punk in the head at Unforgiven because he was concerned for his own safety as a guy still injured. He also said that Punk should thank him because he saved Punk from being exposed as a fraud in the Scramble.

-As Randy continued by welcoming a "thank you" from Chris Jericho too, he was interrupted by Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, and Manu.

-Cody discredited his argument about taking out Punk as a one-armed man because he had help. Manu told Orton that he's no better than any of them as all of their fathers are in the WWE Hall of Fame. Orton, unpleased, slapped Ted in the face and left the ring quickly.

Analysis:

This was intense at the end with Orton having a completely straight face rather than his usual heel smirk. It seemed like he was unsure about this new situation where he doesn't have any friends or allies at all. In fact, he just made three new enemies. However, there is a sense that this is a trick. For whatever reason, there's this feeling underlying everything that Orton isn't really against Rhodes, DiBiase, and Manu. The first clue is that they're all still undeniable heels. There's definitely tension at the moment, but I could picture a scenario where the World Tag Team Champions and Manu side with Orton at a pivotal point, surprising everyone. I can also see Orton as the leader of a new faction.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7

Previous Feuds
Randy Orton: John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy, Cena & Triple H, Triple H
Cody Rhodes: Santino Marella & Carlito, Ted DiBiase, Jr., Cryme Tyme
Ted DiBiase, Jr.: Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes, Cryme Tyme
Manu: n/a

REY MYSTERIO vs. KANE (5 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Todd Grisham interviewed Rey Mysterio, who explained that he was attacked by Kane and had to take time off to recover. He vowed to stay strong and refused to be Kane's victim.

-Rey Mysterio later teamed with Evan Bourne from ECW to face John Morrison and The Miz. The match ended when Rey hit his 619 on Morrison, allowing Bourne to excite the crowd with his picture-perfect Air Bourne finisher for the win.

-After the matchup, Kane got on the big screen, announcing that Mysterio would face him one-on-one next week. He said he'd explain why he's been targeting Rey in the future, but held up his old red mask as a hint. Rey looked a little worried.

Analysis:

Of course, by Kane's own admission, this storyline isn't fully explained just yet. However, compared to Raw's other top feuds, this one is much less complicated. I like the idea that Kane's motivation revolves around masks. It's an interesting element simply because of Kane's old character, his original character. The Big Red Machine revealed his face, eventually taking off the mask permanently; perhaps he believes in doing the same thing to Rey Mysterio. The reason? Who knows? Kane said he'd explain why he targeted Rey later. Maybe he wants Rey to see how "freeing" it can be to ditch the facial covering. As for now, this feud can run well simply off of the size and ability differences between these two guys.

On a side note, it was nice to see Evan Bourne get some TV time (and a win) on Raw. WWE seems very dedicated to Bourne, which is probably why they brought him out on Raw to wow the crowd.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6.5

Previous Feuds
Rey Mysterio: Chavo Guerrero, Finlay, MVP, Edge
Kane: Shelton Benjamin, Chuck Palumbo, Chavo Guerrero, Miz & Morrison, Mark Henry

World Tag Team Champions TED DiBIASE & CODY RHODES vs. CRYME TYME (4 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-This week, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, and Manu teamed up to face Cryme Tyme and Kofi Kingston in a six-man tag team contest. The match ended when Manu turned a back suplex into a neckbreaker on Shad for the 1-2-3.

Analysis:

It was the right move to give Manu a victory on his first night on national television and to show WWE viewers his finisher. By all accounts, it looks like this feud is officially over. Cryme Tyme lost the physical possession of the World Tag Team Titles last week, they lost their title match at Unforgiven, and they just lost another match against the champions. With this new Randy Orton story angle, this rivalry doesn't seem relevant any longer.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes: Hardcore Holly
Cryme Tyme: n/a

Women's Champion BETH PHOENIX vs. MICKIE JAMES (6 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Beth Phoenix defeated Mickie James in a Women's Title Match when she countered one of Mickie's moves and turned it into something resembling an Alabama Slam for the win.

-After the matchup, Beth and Candice Michelle locked eyes knowing that they'd be facing one another at WWE's next PPV, No Mercy.

Analysis:

Along with all the confusion in the other storylines on Raw, WWE decided to make a feud alteration in the women's division as well. Mickie James and Beth Phoenix are longtime rivals, and their latest feud has lasted well over a month. However, Candice's return means that a revenge angle is imminent (Candice was sidelined with an injury during a match with Beth Phoenix months ago). So, this week's loss by Mickie James in the Women's Title Match is clearly the sign that this feud is over to make way for a newer, fresher Beth-Candice rivalry—a rivalry that should kick off officially next week.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

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

JBL vs. CHARLIE HAAS (aka CHL) (6 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-During JBL's ring entrance, someone pleaded over the mic to be helped out of the trunk of JBL's limo. When it was opened, Charlie Haas jumped out donning Layfield's clothing. Haas did his best JBL impression, complete with southern accent and random plugs for JBL's drink.

-JBL angrily scolded Haas, who was referring to himself as CHL (Charlie Haas Layfield). The real JBL yelled at Haas for disrespecting him. Right after the match started, JBL left to the back, allowing Haas to pick up the count-out victory.

-In the back, JBL complained to Batista about Charlie Haas. Batista agreed with JBL that Layfield and Charlie Haas are different—"he actually won his match tonight."

Analysis:

Some parts of this make absolutely no sense at all (for example, Charlie Haas inexplicably showing up in the trunk of JBL's limo). I list this as a feud simply because of how deeply it bothered JBL, which could signify a need for Layfield to take care of Haas eventually. And as for Haas, maybe he's found an impersonation that works and maybe he will continue to be CHL, which resulted in not only a win but also a nice crowd chant. That's another reason for this to become a feud. If Haas sticks to this CHL character for a while instead of alternating personas every week, it's going to continue to make JBL livid. At this point, though, who knows? Haas might just enjoy this odd little game he's playing with various wrestlers, and maybe he doesn't want to stick with one look for more than a week. We won't know until next Monday's Raw.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5

Previous Feuds
JBL: Chris Jericho, Finlay, Triple H & Orton, John Cena, CM Punk
Charlie Haas: n/a

JAMIE NOBLE vs. WILLIAM REGAL (6 weeks w/ 2 weeks hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Jamie Noble told Layla that she was his good luck charm, crediting her for his win last week. He surprised her with a performance by Jillian, which didn’t go over well. Despite that, she agreed to accompany him to the ring for his rubber match against William Regal.

-William Regal soundly beat Jamie Noble after connecting with his running knee into Noble's skull.

-After the match, Regal approached Layla, paused, and then extended his arm. Layla's response was to simply stand up, grab Regal's arm, and walk with him to the back. That was almost eerie.

Analysis:

Layla simply leaving with Regal after showing some sign of affection (not necessarily in any kind of sexual way) for Jamie Noble earlier in the show was just bizarre. In their backstage scene, Layla appeared to be slowly accepting Noble. She even ended the segment with a subtle smile after Noble had left.

As she walked with Regal to the back, she continued to look back to the ring and then at Regal. She almost acted as if she was under some kind of hypnosis, unsure herself what she was doing. It was really odd. At first glance, it appeared to be a strange case of an old fashioned winner-gets-the-girl type of thing (kind of anti-feminist), but this might be a case where Layla willingly believes that she'd be happier with people who win. That's actually how her character was re-introduced a few weeks ago when she stated her preferences for the people she dates—namely, a guy who's tall, good-looking, and who succeeds. So, since there are other strong-willed and completely independent women on the show (such as Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, and Candice Michelle), Layla's current character shouldn't offend anyone. And if it is some kind of hypnosis, well, that would just make this storyline even stranger.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6 [up 0.5 since last week]

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


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase vs. Cryme Tyme
(2) Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James

POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) Santino Marella vs. Snitsky


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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