By Chris Newth, PWTorch contributor

The Christian-Swagger rivalry has undergone some subtle transitions in recent weeks. It clearly evolved into a Christian-Dreamer-Swagger feud, and most recently might even have become a Christian-Dreamer storyline sans Jack Swagger. That isn't to say that Swagger isn't still involved in the ECW Title match at Extreme Rules later tonight, but this week's focus practically left Swagger out of the loop.

On ECW, Swagger wasn't involved in a match like his fellow participants in the Triple Threat at Extreme Rules, but he did have a decent exchange with Tommy Dreamer in which he stated that he looks forward to winning the ECW Championship so that he doesn't have to hear or see Dreamer on his show again. But this exchange, although relevant to the situation at hand, almost wasn't convincing.

Everybody knows that Swagger's real issues lie with reigning ECW Champ Christian, who he accuses of cheating to win and retain the title. Although getting rid of Tommy Dreamer would be a feather in Swagger's proverbial hat, it just seems like an added bonus since winning the title is his primary goal—and defeating Christian his primary aspiration.

The most intriguing aspect to this storyline right now is, of course, Tommy Dreamer's role after tonight's pay-per-view event. In the past two week's we've seen Dreamer's own sub-storyline adequately eclipse that of Christian-Swagger. Jack Swagger in particular has been the one brushed to the proverbial side, most notably on WWE Superstars last Thursday night, where he was practically snubbed on commentary.

Not only did the All-American American not appear on camera while Tommy Dreamer competed in his second one-on-one match this week against Hart Dynasty newcomer David Hart Smith, but he also didn't come up much in commentary. Christian provided some analysis alongside the ECW commentators, but Josh Matthews actually had to interrupt a conversation Christian and Striker were having to remind them that Jack Swagger is also participating in Sunday's Extreme Rules ECW Title match.

There was a substantial effort to focus the story on Dreamer's self-inflicted dilemma. That choice in the late development of this feud has relegated Swagger to the background for the moment. But WWE is making the right move no matter what plays out.

Clearly there are three different outcomes to tonight's ECW Title match. If Tommy Dreamer wins, then all this hype surrounding his situation will have been well spent (although the same can be argued if he loses). If Christian retains the title, then he can resume his ongoing rivalry with Jack Swagger while Dreamer exits the program, and the lack of focus on Christian's direct conflict with Swagger will be stronger after this focal hiatus. And if Swagger pulls out the victory tonight, the storyline can again shift back to Christian on the chase with a renewed fire between him and the new ECW Champion.

WWE has no choice but to push the "Dreamer dilemma" after announcing it months ago. However, they consciously decided to let it push Swagger out of the storyline's forefront, which was a creative, but not necessary strategy. The downside is that the program lacks a forceful heel when Swagger has no sway. He may still be included in the matchup, but WWE's undivided focus has been on Christian (as ECW Champion) and Dreamer (as an ECW Champion hopeful with his future on the line).

The upside is that WWE doesn't need Swagger involved more heavily; the story of Dreamer's daunting challenge and his recent denouncement of all alliances—even to fellow babyface Christian—is enough to keep the story rolling. Perhaps if Swagger did play a stronger role in the storyline this week, it would have diluted what is already a compelling ECW main event storyline.

Overall, tonight's ECW Title match holds a lot of weight compared to ECW's role on past PPVs. The title's on the line, it's being contested under Extreme Rules, and an ECW legend has his career at stake. The story is solid, the characters have forged their roles nicely, and the consequences are clear (for the most part). Apparently Dreamer has since disputed the idea that he would retire if he loses at Extreme Rules; he noted that he never used the word "retire" when he made the official announcement. So, perhaps the consequences and the stakes aren't quite clear, but we'll have to find out what any of that means once the ECW Title match concludes later tonight.



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

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