Jeff Hardy-Triple H feud boils over on Smackdown
For the past year, fan favorites Jeff Hardy and Triple H have been somewhat-friendly rivals. Last night on Smackdown, however, the handshakes turned to closed fists. It’s on now.
Forced by Smackdown general manager Vickie Guerrero to team together in a gauntlet match, Hardy and Triple H ended up brawling with each other outside the ring and having to be pulled apart. Following the match, another fight and pull-apart ensued backstage.
That was good stuff, and it was a logical progression of their feud. It will be interesting to see if one of them turns heel. If that were to happen, it’s almost certain that Triple H would be the one going bad, and the seeds have already been planted.
Edge claimed last night that he was not the one who attacked Hardy from behind in his hotel room the morning of the Survivor Series two weeks ago. He pointed the finger at Triple H, and it appears as if we’re in store for another whodunit.
When Edge won the WWE title after taking Hardy’s place in the triple threat match, the assumption was that it was Edge who was behind the attack. As I was watching the Survivor Series match, however, I started to wonder if it was that simple.
My immediate thought was that it could have been Triple H. Hardy had long been a thorn in his side, and Triple H said a few times that he preferred to be facing Vladimir Kozlov one-on-one and that it was “time to move on” in regard to Hardy getting title shots. Plus, ever since Triple H turned babyface back in 2006, the prevailing thought was that he preferred to be a heel and it was just a matter of time until he turned.
Of course, there is another even more intriguing suspect – Matt Hardy. I’ll explore the possibility and ramifications of a brother versus brother feud in an upcoming post.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
I’ve read several comments from people who feel the Edge-Vickie Guerrero alliance has become stale. Excuse me? I think the story line with Edge and Vickie abusing their power is far from being played out. My criticism is that it hasn’t been explained why Edge and Vickie have reconciled and where he was while he was off TV. …
After their anti-climactic casket match at the Survivor Series, Undertaker and Big Show had a decent steel cage match, although it still wasn’t at the level of their No Mercy and Cyber Sunday bouts. …
Funaki got in way too much offense before losing to Edge. The match should have been booked as something just short of a squash. …
I was glad to see WWE put a new wrinkle on the Khali Kiss Kam. The bit with The Great Khali smooching overweight women was getting tired. I would love to have seen the look on Eve Torres’ face when she was pulled aside before the show and told that her role for the night was to make out with “The Punjabi Playboy.” …
Carlito, Primo and The Bella Twins all looked kind of silly just standing there saying and doing nothing right after Michelle McCool kicked Maria in the stomach. None of them seemed too upset about it. In fact, as Maria was doubled over in pain, Carlito said: “That’s gonna leave a stain.” I thought for sure Carlito was going to yell, “Hey, McCool, that wasn’t cool!” …
It was great to see Hurricane Helms back in the ring, and the crowd thought so, too. At various times during his match against MVP, fans chanted “Welcome back” and “I’m just sayin.’ ”
To say that Helms has been through a heck of a lot over the past year and a half would be a huge understatement, and you could see that he was choked up after the match as he looked up and pointed skyward.
While most fans are aware that Helms had to undergo neck surgery to repair two broken vertebrae in 2007, many probably do not know that he lost his mother, stepmother and uncle, as well as two close friends and their week-old infant in an 18-month span. Helms wrote about those tragic events and his return to the ring on his MySpace blog.
As I have written before, Helms was one of the really good guys in WCW when I worked there. When I met him, he was a member of 3 Count (along with Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias), and one of the first columns I wrote for WCW Magazine was about how Helms was going to be the breakout star of the group. At the time, WCW in its infinite wisdom had made Karagias the centerpiece of 3 Count.
Helms is never going to be world heavyweight champion, but he certainly is worthy of a mid-card push. I think a program with fellow Smackdown star The Brian Kendrick would be highly entertaining.
Whether that happens or not, I’m just happy to see him back after everything he has had to deal with.
Comments
I went to the last Starrcade in Washington D.C. in 2000 and the best match was a three way ladder match with 3 count, the Jung dragons, and Evan Karagias and Jaimie Noble. I can remember how lack luster WCW was then, (I'm sure that you remember Kev) but that one match was worth the tickets and the ride from Cecil county to D.C. that night. I hope Helms gets a good push after all that he has been thru, he definitely deserves it
Posted by: Buzz in Kuwait | December 6, 2008 3:44 PM
A couple thoughts,
First, Khali has a pretty hot wife/girlfriend so i'm sure Eve wasn't that much of a treat.
Second, that segment with Maria getting kicked was really odd. When did bruises start getting referred to as stains? Last I knew, stains were something that came out of clothes with some detergent.
Third, Helms doesn't have it so bad. I'd probably trade all that to get some "quality time" with Velvet Sky. Wink, wink, Nudge, nudge, say no more.
Posted by: Mr. Bronson | December 6, 2008 3:47 PM
Steel cage matches are so unrealistic nowadays. There are way too many spots where one of the competitor just stands there looking like a moron waiting for the other guy to get up instead of just walking out the cage and winning. It just makes the wrestler look so stupid.
Also can we bring an end to the Big Show/ giant punch angle? Its 2008 nobody believes a punch is an effective fighting move in a pro wrestling match anymore. Its not 1945.
Posted by: Elevation | December 6, 2008 4:24 PM
Any idea what's going to happen with the US Championship? I don't know if they're ever going to pull the trigger on R-Truth getting it. I'd give it to The Brian Kendrick and let him run with it.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I think WWE is blowing it with R-Truth.
Posted by: Chris Slater | December 6, 2008 4:25 PM
Another alternative for Carlito could have been "Hey, that was McNotCool"
Posted by: Gaston | December 6, 2008 6:26 PM
When you said Hurricane Helms was one of the really good guys in WCW, did you mean his in-ring talent or him personally? If you mean his in-ring talent, then we know what you mean. If you meant personally, I was curious if you would elaborate. I don't think wrestlers are praised evenly their humanity (we hear when headliners do charity events, but we don't learn everything other talents do).
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: He is very talented, but that's not what I meant. He was just a nice guy. When I first got to WCW and didn't know any of the talent personally (except for Stacy Keibler and, to a lesser degree, Ric Flair), he was one of the first to go out of his way to speak to me and become a friend. I remember one time I called him about something to do with the magazine, and we ended up talking about wrestling -- past and present -- for well over an hour. He's one of thefew guys I kept in touch with for a while after WCW went down.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | December 6, 2008 7:00 PM
The thought of Matt Hardy being behind the attack on Jeff Hardy is intriguing. It's even more intriguing now that Matt appears to be headed for a program with Kozlov. I've a feeling Kozlov is going to win the ECW belt from Matt and Jeff will somehow accidentally cause the title to change hands. I remember they had Matt turn on Jeff a few years ago but they really didn't go anywhere with that storyline.
I think putting the ECW title on Kozlov makes sense. He's a top villain but isn't over with the fans. Putting the belt on him will give him some legitimacy and add to his unbeaten streak. If they opt no to take this route with Kozlov they can go into two other directions with him. A) Move him to RAW to feud with Batista or B) Leave him on Smackdown to feud with the Undertaker with the it culminating with a match at Wrestlemania XXV where, of course, Kozlov would snap his winning streak.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | December 6, 2008 7:27 PM
Wow... didn't know so much happened to Helms. He looked great in his comeback... though I wasn't crazy about his boxers/shorts attire.
I'd love to see a Hardy/Hardy feud over the title. It would be awhile cause I see Edge leaving Unforgiven still champ. HHH might go somewhere else while Hardy and Edge have a good feud leading to the rumble where Hardy wins it. Matt somehow reveals that he planned the attack because of what Jeff's obsession with the title has done to him. A feud with those two would be great. Wrestlemania great? *Shrug* dunno
Posted by: White Rabbit | December 6, 2008 7:39 PM
Goodness, that Maria is reminding me of somebody. Who is it? ... Let's see, red hair, gawkiness in the ring, indicative acting, similar body builds ... wait ... it's on the tip of my tongue. Oh, I know! Christy Hemme! Sorry - I couldn't resist.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Surely, you jest.
Posted by: Micah | December 6, 2008 11:55 PM
"Carlito, Primo and The Bella Twins all looked kind of silly just standing there saying and doing nothing right after Michelle McCool kicked Maria in the stomach. "
That scene was so nonsensical that it was funny.
Posted by: Christopher | December 7, 2008 1:39 AM
I say it again...there is little babyface like about HHH. He is a natural heel.
Maria reminds me of CHristy Hemme on a good day also.
Good point about steel cage matches...most make no sense. How hard is it to run out the door when the other guy is down? Maybe get rid of the door and make them climb out or have a special enforcer guard the door.
KEv, I think you're just jealous of Khali! I hear he gets to make out with Maryce next week!
Posted by: AMC | December 7, 2008 12:57 PM
I agree that Helms and The Brian Kendrick could have a great feud. I think a great mid-card feud could really spice things up in WWE
Posted by: Geckle | December 7, 2008 1:11 PM
Hardy vs. Hardy fued...valuable
Christian vs. Edge for the title at Wrestlemania...priceless
Posted by: Rob the barber | December 7, 2008 6:19 PM
I jest not! Seriously, they really do have similar styles to me and that long-legged, non-curvy build. The red hair and particular acting job last night just clinched it for me. Neither of them particularly annoy or enthuse me, that's just an observation I had Friday.
Posted by: Micah | December 7, 2008 11:05 PM
Hey Kevin,
I want to agree with you that Edge being behind the Hardy attack would have been way too simple. Personally I have a feeling that HHH will be the one who dunnit, but I would LOVE to find out that Matt did it.
To my knowledge, Matt and Jeff have never faced one another in a personal match. Every time I've seen them fight they were being forced to do so and wrestled clean and by the book. It would be great to see a jealousy angle
Posted by: Steven Clark | December 8, 2008 3:12 PM
Wrestle Mania 25...
I think that we need a TLC with Jeff, Matt, Edge and (fingers crossed) Christian, but a singles match, not tag team for the title. If they run with the Matt Hardy behind Jeff's attack, that would be great, but I think it would be even better if all three (Matt, Edge and Christian) were in on it.
Shawn Micheals vs the Undertaker. The story line needs to be the guy who always steals the show vs the guy who never loses. WHile I'm sure more fans would be cheering for the Undertaker, Shawn should win. That has the potential to be the biggest and best match ever.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I think Michaels vs. Undertaker will happen either at this WrestleMania or the next one. I don't see Michaels winning, though. And he probably shouldn't win.
Posted by: Rob Hutchings | December 8, 2008 6:39 PM
i think a hardy vs hardy would be awsome have jeff win the rumble and matt win money in the bank and when jeff wins the wwe title matt comes and celebrated wit jeff then hit a twist of fate become the champ cashing in money in the bank that would be awsome...
Posted by: Anonymous | December 10, 2008 11:28 AM
ok. first of all edge freakin attacked jeff hardy. triple h didnt need to do it.
Posted by: paetra | December 17, 2008 10:12 AM