By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

WWE Friday Night Smackdown
January 9, 2009
Upcoming PPV: Royal Rumble (third-to-last episode before PPV)

SMACKDOWN STORYLINES AND FEUDS

Welcome to the sixty-fifth 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 JEFF HARDY vs. EDGE (21 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Jim Ross and Tazz set up a clip from a police cam at the scene of an apparent hit-and-run involving Jeff Hardy. The cop asked if Jeff and his girlfriend Beth were okay; he also inquired about what had happened. Jeff said that another car sped by and rammed into his before taking off.

-They ran an interview that Tazz had done with Edge backstage earlier in the night. Edge said that he actually felt bad for Jeff Hardy since the black cloud over his head has ostensibly followed him into 2009. He also said that he'd keep Jeff and his girlfriend in his thoughts and prayers.

-They showed some footage from a cell phone camera at the scene; it was the same exact thing that was shown on the police cam, only shakier and more distorted. Then they cut to a prerecorded tape of Hardy explaining what had happened and vowing to be at Smackdown next week as well as the Royal Rumble.

Analysis:

Clearly, WWE is setting us up for something. Both the hotel attack and this newest incident are likely ways to gear up a returning or debuting star on Smackdown—or, in a less probable case, to enhance the character of a Smackdown regular whose heel potential could be on the rise. In any case, WWE pulled it off this week in realistic fashion. The video from the cell cam was so random and repetitive that it only added to the realism they were unquestionably trying to create. What wasn't believable was Edge's public reaction to the event.

Why in the world would Edge, Smackdown's biggest ego-driven, maniacal, and dangerous heel, wish Hardy and his girlfriend well? If Hardy had been seriously injured in the storyline, it might (although the emphasis remains on "might") have been plausible, but no one can hear Edge use the phrase "in my thoughts and prayers" without it raising natural suspicion. Edge basically cut a babyface promo about a situation where Hardy is shaken, but relatively alright. It just doesn't fit, unless of course Edge has something to do with the attack, whether directly or indirectly. If that information is verified later, then everything will make sense.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 9.5 [same since last week]

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

TRIPLE H vs. VICKIE GUERRERO (2 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Smackdown's opening contest featured Triple H's first of three stipulation matches in the show's Triple Jeopardy theme as The Game took on John Morrison in a Tables Match.

-Triple H defeated Morrison after launching him like a projectile from the top rope right onto a table sitting at ringside. The table snapped with force as Morrison's weight came crashing down to the floor.

-After the match, The Miz provided some distraction on the ring apron as Chavo Guerrero capitalized, hurling Triple H through a table that had been propped against the turnbuckle during the match. Chavo stood tall as Triple H lay unconscious with shards and wood splinters peppering the mat around him.

-In the second match—a Handicap Match—Triple H fought both The Miz and Chavo. The match ended when Chavo walked out on Miz, which allowed Triple H to spike Miz with a Pedigree for the win. Vickie then announced that Triple H would face Big Show in a Last Man Standing Match.

-In Smackdown's main event, Big Show defeated Triple H in the Last Man Standing Match after a chokeslam onto the announce table followed by a big punch to the face. Triple H couldn't make it to his feet by the ref's ten count, so Big Show picked up the win.

Analysis:

The ongoing storyline involving Triple H was handled incredibly well this week. At the moment, he needed to get out of the feud involving WWE Champion Jeff Hardy, but what else does WWE currently have for him? His role in the Royal Rumble is the next big step, so it's not a bad decision to pit him against the always-available target of Vickie Guerrero. The most useful outcome of this week's series of matches has to be what it did for Big Show's character, who was in desperate need of a valuable win against a fellow main-eventer.

Show beating The Game—no matter how many previous matches Triple H may have won prior to that event—was still a solid victory to help boost a plateauing heel. Also intriguing was Chavo's role on the show, which was amplified greatly on this episode. Chavo hurled a distracted Triple H into a table, knocking him out cold. Then he had an intense stare-down after Triple H destroyed The Miz in their Handicap Match. There's something brewing there, and WWE will likely begin to build upon that as they find something bigger for Triple H.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 8

Previous Feuds
Vickie Guerrero: Undertaker, Batista, Undertaker
Triple H: King Booker, Umaga, Jeff Hardy, Orton & JBL, Randy Orton, John Cena

MICHELLE McCOOL vs. MARIA (13 weeks w/ 2 weeks hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

-This week, Michelle McCool teamed with Victoria in tag team competition as they went head-to-head with the Bella Twins.

-The match saw Victoria attempt a moonsault and miss, allowing one of the Bellas to roll her up for the 1-2-3.

-After the match, a still-livid Michelle McCool attacked Victoria in a rage. She even employed her new finisher on her unsuspecting former partner.

Analysis:

Another storyline with great development this week had to be the ongoing build WWE is placing on Michelle McCool's intense transformation. Two weeks ago, an irate McCool destroys her red-headed friend Maria for counting to three as special guest referee in a Divas' Title Match. Last week, the same enraged McCool viciously mauls Eve when her back is turned—and after a mock apology. And this week, WWE took the next step by having Michelle McCool form another unjust assault, but this time making it against a fellow heel. That's a big distinction they are giving McCool. She's probably the only person in the divas' division who can't be trusted by anyone. She has no friends, no allies; she only relies on herself, as evidenced this week after losing a tag team match. Generally, heel divas will form alliances or at least be neutral to other heels (like Beth Phoenix and Jillian were this week on Raw). But McCool is becoming a different kind of heel character, and that's good news for her.

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

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

United States Champion SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. THE UNDERTAKER (2 weeks)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Shelton Benjamin faced The Undertaker one-on-one this week. The match saw Taker catch Benjamin with a Tombstone Piledriver to pick up the decisive victory.

Analysis:

I can't help but think this particular storyline going to be short-lived, but wouldn't it be interesting to see a long-term program between the legendary Dead Man and the United States Champion? The decisiveness of their match this week, coupled with the chokeslam statement that was made last week suggest that this is just a way to keep Shelton and Taker busy until some post-Rumble feuds form. The storyline is pretty straightforward: Benjamin listed a number of superstars that couldn't compare to him (like Orton, Jericho, etc.), but those guys were too busy to do anything about it; plus, they're on Raw. So Undertaker, ostensibly annoyed that Shelton Benjamin made such a statement about no one comparing to him, decided to prove Benjamin wrong. Can this go anywhere from here? Sure, but it will need some newer angle to keep the fuel burning.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6

Previous Feuds
Shelton Benjamin: Kane, CM Punk, Money in the Bank, Kofi Kingston
Undertaker: Mark Henry, Batista, Big Daddy V, Edge, The Big Show

WWE Tag Team Champions CARLITO & PRIMO vs. THE BRIAN KENDRICK & EZEKIEL (9 weeks w/ 2 weeks hiatus)

Summary Quick Shots:

-Carlito and Primo defended their WWE Tag Team Championship this week against Kendrick and Ezekiel. The match ended when Carlito cracked Kendrick with his Back Stabber finisher for the victory.

Analysis:

A decent win by Carlito and Primo, but they haven't had the chance to really define themselves as champions yet. They just don't feel that relevant at the moment, which is why their continued run as WWE Tag Team Champions is so curious. WWE has been pushing the Kendrick/Ezekiel tandem for months now. In fact, I can't really see a scenario where WWE doesn't put the titles on Kendrick and his gargantuan associate Ezekiel unless they have bigger plans for them after the Royal Rumble. As for the storyline, it's decent, but with too much emphasis on the in-ring events without sufficient narrative support. More mic time could solve some issues. Kendrick's great for that kind of thing, and it's always interesting to hear what few words come out of Ezekiel's mouth.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 6 [up 1 since last week]

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

MVP vs. MR. KENNEDY (1 week)

Summary Quick Shots:

-MVP unenthusiastically hosted his VIP Lounge segment with special guest Mr. Kennedy. Kenney told Porter that he needs to stop being mad at himself and he also needs to stop losing.

-Suddenly, a group of men walked into the ring and began dismantling MVP's stuff and hauling it out. When MVP asked what was happening, one of the guys told him that they were repossessing his furniture.

-Kennedy mockingly consoled MVP, telling him that things could always be worse. Then as Kennedy left, Boogeyman's music hit and the worm-eating freak from under the ring appeared. He gave Kennedy a modified pump handle slam, but MVP managed to escape to ringside before he got a mouth full of worms.

Analysis:

For whatever reason, this MVP-Kennedy feud is dragging before it has even begun. I understand WWE's reason for having Kennedy relentlessly plug his film, but using the same method for multiple weeks got so tiresome that it almost killed any kind of intrigue between MVP and Mr. Kennedy. This week's lounge segment didn't do much to help rebound the sinking storyline. Don't get me wrong; MVP's plight is really entertaining and different. It's Kennedy's role in the feud that should really change. Both of these guys are great on the mic and both are great in the ring, so this should be a naturally exciting combination. It's the requirement of pushing Kennedy's film above everything else that's weighing this one down. Although it's a necessary evil, WWE could probably have done it different ways each week without being overly repetitive. In fact, Kennedy's current success makes for a great counterbalance with MVP's current slump.

Intrigue Level (out of 10): 5

Previous Feuds
MVP: Rey Mysterio, Ric Flair, Batista, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Great Khali
Mr. Kennedy: Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels, William Regal, Paul Burchill


CONCLUDED FEUDS

(1) Shelton Benjamin vs. Hurricane Helms
(2) Michelle McCool vs. Maria?
(3) Undertaker vs. Shelton Benjamin?
(4) Carlito & Primo vs. Kendrick & Ezekiel?


POTENTIAL FEUDS

(1) MVP vs. The Boogeyman
(2) Jeff Hardy vs. Mystery Driver
(3) Triple H vs. John Morrison & The Miz
(4) Triple H vs. Chavo Guerrero
(5) Michelle McCool vs. Victoria


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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