By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

So, the premise for this new column on PWTorch.com is this: I plan to take a single WWE storyline and analyze it in-depth until the next PPV. Unlike my Storylines and Feuds series, these articles will attempt to fully dissect one of WWE's biggest feuds as it builds up to a PPV-ready level.

This week's article contains a bit of a recap because it's the first edition, but analysis follows.


RANDY ORTON vs. TRIPLE H & THE McMAHON FAMILY

The first rivalry up for discussion is Raw's—and arguably WWE's—biggest feud raging between the company's strongest heel personality, Randy Orton, and the company's literal and narrative management family, the McMahons (and now Triple H).

The storyline began weeks ago as tension between Orton and Stephanie McMahon, the General Manager of Raw, mounted with some of Stephanie's business decisions. Orton wasn't alone in his frustration, as Chris Jericho also stood firmly against the Billion Dollar Princess. However, when it came down to the wire and his employment was in jeopardy, Jericho succumbed to the McMahons and humiliated himself by getting down on his knees to apologize to WWE fans.

As soon as Jericho left with his head hanging low (but his job still intact), Orton approached the McMahons with revenge on his mind. Earlier that night, Stephanie had slapped him across the face for making an untoward comment. Mr. McMahon wasn't pleased with Orton either after he publicly insulted Stephanie by saying that she was worthless after having kids. The segment ultimately saw Orton punt Mr. McMahon in the temple, causing him to keel over, unconscious.

The next week on Raw, Orton, flanked by lawyers and a psychologist, confessed to a mental ailment known as IED (or Intermittent Explosive Disorder). As the winner of the Royal Rumble the night before, Orton noted that he is contractually guaranteed a match at WrestleMania 25 against a world champion. Stephanie decided that firing him would have been too easy and unsatisfying, which is when Shane McMahon entered the picture. Shane would eventually lose to Orton at No Way Out, before being beaten further on Raw the following night.

Randy Orton's rampage continued beyond the beating he and fellow Legacy members Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase delivered to Shane at the conclusion of Raw. When Stephanie came to tend to her prone and helpless brother, Orton sprang up with a violent RKO on Stephanie. That strike immediately brought out Stephanie's husband, Triple H, who ran to the ring and aggressively guarded Stephanie from further attack. Orton backed up the ramp with concern in his eyes as he noticed how incensed his latest McMahon attack made Triple H.



At this point, everything is still up in the air. The work that the McMahons have done up to this point nicely set up the real feud: Orton vs. Triple H for WrestleMania. As for the feud's highlights, the most notable one has to be Randy Orton, who has grown into WWE's most robust figure. Edge is still runner-up in that category, sometimes proving to be a more successful character. But for the past few months, Orton has carried the "best heel" title better than anyone. WWE even made a visual attempt at defining Orton as the clear evil force on Raw by having him kick the WWE Chairman in the head right after Chris Jericho, Raw's other top heel, knelt on the mat while apologizing in shame.

Reactions are going to be a big part of this feud as the weeks progress heading into WrestleMania. Watch Randy Orton's face right after he shifts into explosive rage mode. There are hints of both shock and glee. When he kicked Mr. McMahon, he showed a conflicting emotion of regret and content. He seemed more surprised at himself after his RKO to Stephanie. Also watch Triple H. While sitting next to a felled Stephanie in the ring at the end of Raw, his eyes were blood red, and his face trembled with hatred. We've all seen Triple H angry, but have we ever seen him that angry?

The biggest challenge for WWE concerning this storyline is going to be keeping the white-hot emotions burning until WrestleMania on April 5, 2009. Six weeks may not seem like a long time to maintain a feud's intensity, but the pure emotions that generate a lot of the intrigue in this one require substantial fueling.

Here's what I'd do: Keep Triple H's sole focus on Randy Orton and the personal rivalry he now has with him. Orton should eventually seek the WWE Title, seeing everything else as possible distractions that can help him more easily claim that prize. But Triple H should basically say that the title may be on the line, but he's not focused on that. The Game's primary goal is to brutally assault Randy Orton and avenge his wife and family. That way, there will be a dual balance of both title prestige as well as emotion in the feud as each character adopts one aspect of the storyline.



Comments? Suggestions? Thoughts on the storyline? Feel free to email me at newthtorch@hotmail.com

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