[video=youtube;P_gb5Sat3wQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_gb5Sat3wQ [/video]
Finlay’s music hits to a good pop and he comes out stony faced. He quickly shakes that feeling, perhaps nerves? Replaced is a look of casual determination. The Finlay we all think we know, as he enters the ring and poses on the turnbuckle for a brief time…
[video=youtube;_y-lxSpTS7o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y-lxSpTS7o [/video]
Rhode’s music now hits to MASSIVE heat as he comes out looking all worried and scared, obviously cause he might be fired, but he quickly sheds that demeanour and returns to his usual cocky self, not worried about the match. He does his classic mirror in the titantron bit before heading down the ramp towards Finlay. Cody climbs in and removes his jacket on the turnbuckle as the referee checks the competitors.
JR: Here we go, Cody’s career on the line.
King: And in a way, perhaps so is Finlays.
Finlay and Cody lock up and the young Rhodes seems to gain the early upper hand. He turns Finlay into a side headlock and wrenches it tight, taunting and trash talking the crowd. Rhodes cranks up the pressure and goes down to one knee leaving Finlay reaching out desperately to get out of the hold. Eventually Finlay powers up and throws Cody in the ropes but Rhodes ducks the clothesline attempt and lands a standing dropkick to Finlay. Finlay rolls out of the ring to catch his breath.
JR: Finlay’s confidence seems to be low tonight, he doesn’t seem on his game.
King: Maybe Rhodes survives one more week?
Finlay gets back into the ring and the two men lock up. Finlay gets a hammer lock and finally asserts some pressure but Rhodes drops to one knee and flips Finlay over onto his back before getting up and stomping Finlay till the Irishman has to roll out of the ring again. Finlay looks a little confused and paces around on the outside. He takes his eyes off Rhodes for just one second and Rhodes climbs out of the ring and jumps landing a club to the back of Finlay’s head. Rhodes drags Finlay to the steel steps and ploughs his head into them before rolling him back into the ring. Finlay tries to clamber to his feet but Cody grabs him and DDT’s Finlay to the mat.
JR: This is getting a little brutal from Cody here.
King: Finlay is not in the zone and now he doesn’t know where he is. I’m worried.
Finlay’s eyes are totally glazed over, Rhodes thinks he has this one easily.
1…
2…
Kickout from Finlay to a small pop but the crowd is pretty worried for the Irishman. Rhodes, smiles all round, picks Finlay up and delivers his finishing manouver, the Cross-Rhodes…or does he? As Rhodes goes to hit the move, Finlay breaks free of his grip and begins to lay some right hands into Rhodes before clotheslining him over the top rope. Rhodes lands and pops back to his feet, angry, only to be met with the body of Finlay diving through the ropes onto Rhodes!
JR: From Finlay of all people?!
It’s a not a powerful impact but it was a brave move as Finlay begins to pound away at Rhodes on the outside. Finlay rolls him back into the ring and stalks Rhodes, Finlay too looking for his finisher, but Cody has him scouted and knees Finlay in the gut before trying for a suplex. It takes a couple of goes but eventually Cody plants Finlay.
1…
2…
Kickout again from the Irishman and the crowd are starting to get behind him, clapping him to his feet. Finlay is up now but Rhodes has more right hands, a head butt or two and some forearms for Finlay who wobbles back into the ropes. Cody whips him across the ring and looks for a drop kick on the rebound but Finlay holds onto the top rope and Rhodes eats canvas. Finlay quickly goes for a move to the downed Rhodes but Cody sits up at an inopportune time and Finlay repositions to hit a knee to the head. The crowd ‘ooh’ slightly as Rhodes sells the shit out of it and clutches his face but Finlay doesn’t care, instead dropping into the cover and grinding Rhodes’ face with his forearm.
1…
2…
King: First cover from Finlay there and he’s beginning to look a little more convincing.
JR: More like a threat to this young upstart at last.
Rhodes kicks out and rolls away as Finlay persues him. Rhodes lands a thumb to the eye not seen by the official and then manages to hit a springboard kick to Finlay’s sternum sending the Irishman to the mat. Cody with the cover.
1…
2…
Kickout from Finlay but Rhodes is back on the attack, clubbing away at Finlay as he rises up from the canvas. Suddenly, in a change of momentum, Finlay grabs Rhodes around the waist and drives him into the corner, Rhodes back arching into the turnbuckle, before Finlay drags him out of the corner and sets up for the celtic cross! Finlay hits it with no hesitation and goes for the cover!
1…
2…
3…!
Your Winner: Finlay!
Cody kicks out just after three but the crowd are already chanting for him to go. Finlay looks pleased he has won the match but almost apologetic to Cody.
JR: Well there ends a bright young mans career but I can’t say there were times he didn’t deserve it because he has run amock since CWF came to being.
[video=youtube;Lg-0ibr91JM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg-0ibr91JM [/video]
King: And here comes the boss!
Shaking his head all the while, Vince walks down to the ring and climbs in. He puts a disappointed hand on Cody’s shoulder as Rhodes pleads with Vince.
Vince: Cody… I wanted you out of my sight because you’re a little punk. I said you could keep your job if you beat Finlay but just like I knew, Finlay came strong and beat you. So, all that’s left to say is that Cody. YOUUUUUUUU’RRRREEEEEEEE….
Some of the crowd chant ‘fired!’ as Finlay looks on. Suddenly, Vince steps between Cody and Finlay.
Vince: Cody, YOU’REEEEEE going to pay-per-view!
The crowd are confused.
Vince: That’s right Cody, I liked what I saw tonight and before I even began to run CWF again so I’ve decided to give you the chance to become #1 contender AT Vengeance, for AFTER Vengeance. How does that sound?
The crowd boo as Cody grins from ear to ear. Finlay on the other turns to the ropes and hits the top one before putting his head in his hands.
JR: This isn’t fair, Finlay won this match, he’s been screwed this week and took a narrow loss that might have been his LAST chance last week. What does this guy have to do to catch a break?! And…no!
Cody notices Finlay turned around and drops to his knees to hit a low-blow on the Irishman. Vince pretends he sees nothing and heads to the back as Cody stalks Finlay and hits the Cross-Rhodes! Rhodes talks trash before heading up the ramp to his music. The last scene we see is Rhodes shouting smack and posing at the top of the ramp with Finlay coming to and clutching at his head.