By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Friday Night Smackdown
December 12, 2008
Upcoming PPV: Armageddon (last episode before PPV)

SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the sixty-second 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 EDGE vs. TRIPLE H vs. JEFF HARDY (17 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Smackdown kicked off pretty abruptly as Triple H was ambushed by Jeff Hardy on the entrance ramp as he presumably was set to compete. Vickie and Chavo eventually hit the scene.

-As referees attempted to keep space in between Hardy and The Game, an incensed Vickie found a ref flying into her when Triple H pushed him. Vickie landed on the ground at ringside, which caused Chavo to chuckle. Nothing was settled.

-Edge hosted his first Cutting Edge segment since returning at Survivor Series. The topic of discussion was the attack on Jeff Hardy at the PPV last month. Edge brought out Matt Hardy as his guest, and Hardy put the blame solely on Edge.

-Edge suggested other names like Randy Orton, Miz, Morrison, The Undertaker, and Triple H, but Hardy was still sure it was Edge. The Rated-R Superstar then told Hardy that the only reason he's getting involved here is because nobody cares about him. He said that if it had been Matt Hardy who was attacked, nobody would be talking about it.

-Suddenly, Matt Hardy floored Edge with a punch to the face. However, Vladimir Kozlov soon showed up. Edge knocked Matt to the floor before scramming, which allowed Kozlov to attack Hardy with multiple moves concluded by a modified chokeslam.

-Eve interviewed Triple H backstage. The Game said that if he had been the one to attack Jeff, Hardy would still be absent. He said that Hardy wasn't even a blip on his radar and that he didn't need Jeff to be hurt in order to beat him. Triple H concluded by saying that he will run Jeff down and leave Armageddon the WWE Champion.

-In the main event, Triple H and Jeff Hardy fought one-on-one. Just as the matchup was nearing its conclusion, Edge stormed the ring and speared both Triple H and Hardy. The show closed with the Rated-R Superstar hoisting the WWE Title over his head.

Analysis:

WWE has done a great job in amplifying the tension between Triple H and Jeff Hardy believably while maintaining their individual popularity as babyfaces. The storyline is simple and straightforward, yet effective. The subplot involving the Jeff Hardy Survivor Series mystery incident is slowly beginning to take an increasingly important role in the story. In fact, the current conflict between Triple H and Jeff Hardy successfully uses that subplot in order to strengthen itself. Fans may have their own idea as to whom they think assaulted Jeff before the PPV, but Hardy wholeheartedly believes that the fault lies with Triple H, and that's all that essentially matters at this point. This episode of Smackdown also summarized the story really well. Jeff and Triple H continue to bicker and fight while Edge sneaks around and obtains the upper-hand by capitalizing on all the rivalry.

Of course, we now know that Jeff Hardy was able to successfully win his Triple Threat Match against Triple H and Edge at Armageddon to become the new WWE Champion. How that will affect the current storyline with both The Game and Edge remains to be seen. We'll obviously learn more tonight, but it will be interesting to see if the primary focus stays on Jeff's mystery attacker.

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

Previous Feuds
Edge: Kane, Batista, Vickie Guerrero, The Undertaker
Triple H: King Booker, Umaga, Jeff Hardy, Orton & JBL, Randy Orton, John Cena
Jeff Hardy: Umaga, Mr. Kennedy, Triple H, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, MVP

THE UNDERTAKER vs. THE BIG SHOW (24 weeks w/ 2 weeks hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

Nothing happened between these two this week; after their matchup last week, this feud is likely to have ended.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): n/a

Previous Feuds
Undertaker: Mark Henry, Batista, Big Daddy V, Edge
Big Show: Floyd Mayweather, The Great Khali

ECW Champion MATT HARDY vs. VLADIMIR KOZLOV (3 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Matt Hardy was brutally attacked during Edge's Cutting Edge segment when Kozlov made an appearance.

-Later in the show, Eve interviewed Kozlov, who said that he will take out anyone who gets in his way. He said it doesn't matter who it is—Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, or Triple H—everyone must fall.

Analysis:

The Hardy-Kozlov feud is beginning to gain some traction as a unique and relevant new WWE rivalry. Kozlov still has a mysterious aura around him as a guy who we don't know much about. His undefeated streak also fosters this mystique. At the same time, WWE is making the right move with ECW Champion Matt Hardy. Hardy, after all, has already fought the main-eventers on the ECW brand. With Jack Swagger the current number one contender, it will be intriguing to see how he fits into the overall storyline. However, it's smart to keep Hardy involved in a pretty big feud on Smackdown since a Hardy-Swagger program might not be too compelling in and of itself. Kozlov seems to be helping Matt Hardy in the current context; plus, there's an undeniable connection between this feud and the previous Kozlov rivalry with Jeff Hardy and Triple H.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 7.5 [up 1 since last week]

Previous Feuds
Matt Hardy: Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch, MVP, Chavo Guerrero, Mark Henry
Vladimir Kozlov: Triple H & Jeff Hardy

WWE Divas' Champion MICHELLE McCOOL vs. MARIA (9 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

Nothing was done this week between Michelle and Maria.

Analysis:

When a week goes by with no significant attention given to a particular storyline, it undoubtedly suffers. Even a short backstage vignette or promo involving one person would have been enough to sustain the rivalry one week without much of a dent.

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

Previous Feuds
Michelle McCool: Victoria, Chuck Palumbo
Maria: Beth Phoenix & Melina & Santino Marella

VICTORIA & NATALYA vs. THE BELLA TWINS (16 weeks w/ 3 weeks hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

-The Bella Twins teamed up this week to face the team of Natalya and Maryse. The match saw the Bella Twins pick up the win after some unique teamwork. Natalya was holding one of them, so the other twin dropkicked her sister's back, causing her to land on top of Natalya to score the pinfall.

Analysis:

This one's a little odd because Maryse substituted for Victoria this week. I can see a scenario where this feud ends with no decisive conclusion, and this week might be the start considering Victoria's absence. As for the Bella Twins, WWE continues to feature them intelligently by slightly altering the way the win while focusing on their reliance on one another.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5 [same since last week]

Previous Feuds
Victoria: Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool & Cherry
Natalya Neidhart: Michelle McCool, Cherry, Michelle McCool
Brie Bella & Nikki Bella: n/a

United States Champion SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. HURRICANE HELMS (1 week)

Summary Quick Shots:

-In a non-title matchup, Hurricane Helms soundly defeated Shelton Benjamin after hitting a modified cross body from the top rope.

-After the match, Tazz interviewed Helms, who said that he was interested in the United States Championship.

Analysis:

The only way to tell this one is likely to become a full-fledged Smackdown feud is by listening to the post-match interview. After all, the Hurri-pops (I think that's what they were called) were primarily used to mock MVP, and last week Hurricane Helms defeated MVP. It seemed like a feud with Porter was the obvious path WWE chose for Hurricane upon his return. But now it's clear that Shelton Benjamin—and more specifically the United States Title—is Hurricane's target. This rivalry has some potential, but Hurricane probably needs more time in the ring to re-establish himself before much more can be done. And Shelton Benjamin is the right person to use as a foil here.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5

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

WWE Tag Team Champions CARLITO & PRIMO vs. THE BRIAN KENDRICK & EZEKIEL (5 weeks w/ 2 weeks hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

-The Brian Kendrick ran into Brie and Nikki Bella backstage. They were disgusted with his cocky attitude. When Carlito and Primo began to threaten Kendrick, he backed into the bathroom door. Luckily for him, Ezekiel was just exiting the bathroom, which prompted a stare-down. Kendrick then assumed his cocky disposition as he walked away with his giant associate.

-In singles competition, Brian Kendrick faced Primo. The match saw Ezekiel push Carlito into the steel steps at ringside, which caused enough of a distraction for Kendrick to catch Primo with an inside cradle for the victory.

Analysis:

And the feud continues. The most intriguing aspect of this particular feud lies in the idea of Kendrick and Ezekiel as potential tag team partners. Thus far, Ezekiel has served as a gargantuan manager of sorts. He accompanies Kendrick to the ring and lends him credibility. Brian Kendrick in his new form without Ezekiel may not have been seen as a likely competitor in the Scramble Match for the WWE Title months ago. He has benefited greatly from Ezekiel's presence. But this feud is attempting to shift the relationship into tag team form, which could result in a new perspective and spin on their individual characters. It will be interesting to see where this feud goes in the coming weeks because of that.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5.5 [up 1 since last week]

Previous Feuds
The Brian Kendrick: Triple H & Hardy & Benjamin & MVP
Carlito & Primo: Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Undertaker vs. Big Show
(2) John Morrison & The Miz vs. Jesse & Festus
(3) MVP vs. Hurricane Helms


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) MVP vs. R-Truth
(2) MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy
(3) The Great Khali vs. Hawkins & Ryder


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

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