One week ago, Ken Kennedy announced that the countdown was on, and he'd be cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase at Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando next March. Then came word that the Undertaker had suffered a torn bicep either at or prior to Backlash. It was assumed that either Kennedy or Dave Batista would come out of the taping in Pittsburgh with the World title. Fate, however, can be a very fickle mistress, and is prone to playing cruel tricks.

Over the weekend, Kennedy joined the ranks of the wounded when he tore his tricep muscle at a Smackdown house show. He appeared Monday on Raw as planned with another promo, but then was confronted backstage by Edge, whom Kennedy singled out last week in his promo, claiming he wouldn't duplicate what Edge had done at New Year's Revolution in '06, and take advantage of a weary John Cena. Well, Edge is jealous that Shawn Michaels was granted a #1 contender's match vs. Great Khali and he wasn't. He challenged Kennedy to put up the Money in the Bank briefcase, which Kennedy had just gotten tricked up with his revamped logo.

Edge ambushed Kennedy before the match officially began, then squashed him like a bug. Kennedy was treated like a red-headed stepchild because of the brand he represented (Smackdown), and the total squash was to cover for his injury. Reportedly, Kennedy is gone possibly for the rest of '07, and will join Undertaker on the DL just as another candidate for the World title, Mark Henry, has just been activated.

Now, WWE has three options available to them.

1) Batista regains the title in the cage, and feuds with Henry.
2) Batista regains the title, then loses it to Edge.
3) Undertaker retains, then loses the title to Edge.

Let's face facts. Edge was in a Feud of the Year vs. Cena last year. That's been played out. Triple H reportedly has no interest in feuding with Edge upon his return from the DL in August. Despite putting on a Match of the Year candidate with Randy Orton last week, Edge apparently won't be continuing that program if in fact he goes to Smackdown. There, at least, he can renew old hostilities with Chris Benoit and Batista, and begin new feuds with the likes of Rey Mysterio, also due for a summer return.

The case for Henry is a simple one. He put Batista on the shelf back in January '06, but ended up on the DL himself before Batista could return, so their feud is way overdue. It will mean more with the World title on the line.

Then, take a look at the WWE disabled list on the Smackdown side. One top face (Undertaker) and top heel (Kennedy) have gone down in as many weeks with arm injuries. Based on house show reports, Henry is still a heel. Edge moves over to take Kennedy's place, leaving a void still on the face side. That's why there've been rumors of Michaels also jumping, but those have been shot down. Maybe.

Now, you can see why they didn't turn Batista full heel when they had the chance. Fate didn't want it to happen.