INFAMOUS: WWE in 2007

Stojy · Mar 8, 2025

Weekly recap is a great reminder of what a good start you've made to things here. And boy oh boy am I looking forward to the next episode of Raw, DX/Rated RKO and Cena/Flair should be fun.

EZ3 · Mar 11, 2025

MVP is a great choice for a Rumble feud when you don't need to pick a big name to challenge for the gold. Picking a mid-card guy like him around this time is a good choice to give him some main event time without putting him in a spot that comes off as too soon or unbelievable.

Really liked the inclusion of the weekly recap to just give some to the point results.

DX/Rated RKO for Raw is going to be fun to see. Raw for next week is stacked with that and Cena/Flair - so it'll be interesting to see how that plays out with so much going on.

Qui-Gon Bren · Mar 16, 2025

MONDAY NIGHT RAW
January 15th, 2007 - Bossier City, Louisiana, USA

After RAW's opening pyro, we transition from the show's "To Be Loved" theme into something closer to "award show" music, and a few stage hands run across the stage rolling out a long red carpet. Filling the top half of the entrance ramp are numerous paparazzi on hand with cameras. We then see that the ring is decorated, and in the middle stands a clear glass podium with a tall skinny microphone on top. Josh Matthews steps up to the podium, welcomes everyone to RAW from Bossier City.... then introduces MNM! But when the time comes for their entrance... the trio instead appear on the titantron. All three are dressed very nicely. Johnny Nitro rests the Intercontinental Title over his shoulder, Joey Mercury still wears the black protective face mask, and Melina stands between them both. Johnny Nitro starts by saying after such a triumphant night the week prior, the reunited group thought it fitting their accomplishments be celebrated. But he claims that MNM would never celebrate in a town like Bossier City! Instead, they come to us via satellite from a rooftop party in Los Angeles with "A-list celebrities" and their closest friends. Melina goes on to recap the events from last week. First, she praises the resilience of Joey Mercury who returned after a month away following his face being shattered in the Armageddon ladder match. Mercury arrived just in time to assist Johnny Nitro in his steel cage win over Jeff Hardy to become Intercontinental Champion for a 3rd time. Nitro holds the Intercontinental Title up behind Melina, then proclaims that his months long feud with Jeff Hardy is OVER and that Hardy won't be getting a rematch. Johnny is moving on to bigger and better things! Melina tells Mercury that he should go to SmackDown on Friday, after Teddy Long's threat to suspend Mercury for appearing on RAW while no-showing SmackDown. But she promises that she will work to bring them all together for good on the same brand. Finally, Melina reminds us of her big singles victory over WWE Women's Champion Mickie James (after interference from Victoria), and quotes the champion's pre-match proclamation that "any woman who beats her can name the time and the place for a Women's Championship match". Melina calls for James to be a woman of her word, and challenges Mickie for a Women's Championship match at the ROYAL RUMBLE. With Jeff Hardy in Nitro's rear view, and Mercury back and cleared to compete, Melina also announces both superstars entrance into the Royal Rumble match! A tray with champagne flutes comes into view, with all three members of MNM taking a glass. They hold their champagne up, and toast the accomplishments to come.

Jim Ross formally welcomes the audience to Monday Night RAW, followed by a run down of the show. Tonight we have a DOUBLE main event! First, John Cena defends the WWE Championship against "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair! Then, it's the Final Chapter of the bloody and personal war between D-Generation X and Rated RKO. The World Team Championships are no longer on the line, as this No Disqualification match has become a #1 contender match for the WWE Championship. Whichever superstar scores the winning fall will face the winner of John Cena vs Ric Flair at ROYAL RUMBLE for the WWE Championship!

TONIGHT: Jeff Hardy via satellite!
The former Intercontinental Champion was given the night off after a brutal stretch last week where he wrestled 3 times in 24 hours, including going the distance inside the Elimination Chamber at New Year's Revolution and a tough loss inside a steel cage on RAW. Jim Ross will speak with Hardy via satellite interview from his home in North Carolina.

TONIGHT: Mickie James responds!
It was a mixed bag last week for WWE Women's Champion Mickie James. She successfully defending her championship against Victoria at New Year's Revolution, only for Victoria to cost Mickie her match the next night on RAW against Melina. We've been told to expect a response from Mickie James regarding Melina's challenge for ROYAL RUMBLE.

Kicking off the action tonight, Charlie Haas looks to avenge World's Greatest Tag Team gauntlet elimination at the hands of Cryme Tyme by taking on JTG. As the 30 man field for the Royal Rumble match fills, spots are limited, so this grudge match has become a Royal Rumble qualifying match! Both Haas and JTG make quick entrances, each with their respective tag team partner in tow, and the first match of the night gets underway!

Match 1
Royal Rumble Match Qualifier
Charlie Haas (w/Shelton Benjamin) vs JTG (w/ Shad Gaspard)

JTG taunts Charlie Haas by referencing that he was the one who pinned Haas last week. Cryme Tyme won the tag team gauntlet to earn a future World Tag Team Championship match, but Haas and Benjamin protest that had they not started the gauntlet and wrestled two teams before them, Cryme Tyme wouldn't have been able to defeat a team of their caliber. JTG's manipulation works enough to make Haas a bit reckless with his offense, giving JTG plenty of openings to counter or evade. JTG isn't going to try and out-wrestle Charlie Haas. All he needs is an opening to hit the right move. As the match progresses and Haas continues to kick out of quick roll ups and pin attempts, Shelton Benjamin looks for his own opening to interfere. Any time Shelton tries to get involved, Shad Gaspard is there to intervene. They never get to the point of physical contact, just intimidation and warnings from Shad. Charlie Haas settles in and grounds JTG until he gets control of the match. Fan support wills JTG back into the fight, but back to back German Suplexes has JTG on the ropes. Haas maintains a hold of JTG and tries to throw him back for a 3rd German, but JTG slips out and drives Charlie down with a desperation neck-breaker. JTG believes this is his opening, and goes up to the top rope. Shelton jumps up on the apron to prevent JTG's next move, but Shad runs in and clotheslines Shelton's legs out from under him. As Shelton falls to the apron then down to the floor, JTG is cleared for launch. But Shelton's distraction provided a few extra seconds for Charlie to recover. He charges the corner but JTG jumps off the top and over Charlie. He lands on his feet and turns to grab Charlie around the waist, but the more experienced grappler breaks his hold and switches around to take control instead. Charlie runs JTG chest first into the turnbuckles, then rolls his back into a pin. As the referee slides into position to count the shoulders, he misses Charlie pulling on the waist of JTG's pants. Shad can see this cheating from the outside, but is unable to do anything before the ref counts 3!

Winner: Charlie Haas (7:11)

As World's Greatest Tag Team regroup on the ramp, the roles have been reversed from the week prior. Now Charlie is the one laughing at JTG in the ring, rubbing it in that he's stolen victory and a Rumble opportunity.

Backstage in the interview area, Maria is joined by her guest Chris Masters. Maria asks "The Masterpiece" about what happened last week. Masters proclaims that Ric Flair could never beat the Masterpiece on his own, and IF Flair is somehow able to beat John Cena for the WWE Title, Masters will prove that statement true after HE wins the Royal Rumble match and takes that Title away from Flair. Maria clarifies that she wasn't talking about the loss to Ric Flair, but the chase with Carlito after he cost Masters the match. This question clearly annoys him. Masters can't believe that Maria is asking about the bum that he beat in less than 2 minutes at New Year's Revolution instead of reacting to the news that Masters will be in the Rumble. He calls Carlito a sore loser and promises to end his night in less than 2 minutes AGAIN if they cross paths in the Royal Rumble match.

...

Carlito: "Why wait until the Royal Rumble?!"

Masters and Maria both look off to the left as Carlito comes sprinting into view and tackles Masters back into one of the steel trusses of the interview set. Maria screams and runs away past the camera as the right side of the interview backdrop, including the large TV screen with the RAW logo, crashes down to the ground. The two superstars engage in a brawl that goes through the backstage area. Random objects used as weapons, catering area gets absolutely wrecked, Masters even seems to have a bloody lip as agents and referees swarm the two men as the show goes to commercial.

When RAW returns, we see that this brawl is STILL on-going, as Carlito and Masters trade shots in the arena, off to the side of the stage near the fans. Both men have ripped shirts and the scuffs and scrapes you'd expect to see after a wild street fight. Masters gets enough space to reach over the barricade and pull a chair away from a fan. He slams it into Carlito's back which sends the Caribbean superstar stumbling away. This creates a large enough gap between the superstars for the referees and agents to separate them for good. Masters is being corralled in the area off to the side of the stage, while Carlito is herded over toward the ramp. Once there, Carlito hops up onto the ramp and rests on a knee. As he takes a few quick breaths, he looks over at where Masters is being held off then pops up to his feet. As the group trying to hold Carlito back are getting up onto the ramp to stay with him, they're helpless to prevent him from running up the ramp then turning right as he reaches the stage. In unison, the fans all make a rising noise of excitement as they watch Carlito run across the stage and leap off! He crashes down into Masters, taking him and a few close bystanders holding Masters back down to the ground. Carlito gets to his feet and rips the torn shirt off his body while letting out a primal yell. He lunges down toward Masters, but is quickly wrapped up by multiple arena guards. Assistant GM Jonathan Coachman arrives with the entire crew of security to put an end to his chaos. Carlito is dragged away backstage as Coachman admonishes him. Carlito shouts repeatedly, "I'm not done! I'm not done!" But for now, the fight IS done. As we restore order, commentary informs us that we're going to see a replay of the interaction between Ric Flair and John Cena from RAW last week.

RAW - Last Week

Flair: "If you step into that ring with me next week thinking about what an honor it is to wrestle Ric Flair, instead of worrying about how you're going to beat maybe... "maybe" hell... THE greatest World Champion of all time, then John boy, you've already lost. You're bigger, you're stronger, you're younger. But are you BETTER? I've beaten TWO superstars in the past twenty four hours who were bigger than me, who were stronger than me, who were younger than me. And by the looks of things, they were a lot healthier than you are right now."

Ric and Cena both glance down in the direction of Cena's abdomen, toward his busted ribs, then refocus their attention on one another. Cena still keeps his hand extended.

Flair: "But here's the biggest difference between those guys and John Cena. I respect you, John. A helluva lot. So much so, that I'm telling you now... I will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to become a SEVENTEEN TIME World Champion. As far as I'm concerned, this is the biggest match of my life! To become Champion again, at this stage of my career, would mean more to me than all sixteen of my previous championships combined. I know you got a lot on your plate right now. But if you don't treat this as the biggest match of YOUR career... I'll make sure the WWE Championship is one less thing you'll need to worry about."

The Nature Boy finally starts raising his hand up toward John's.

Flair: "Because to be The Man... you've got to beat. the man."

Ric acts as if he's going to take Cena's hand, but instead slaps his hand into the area of John's ribs. Nothing hard, not a strike, but enough to make The Champ wince and look a little upset as Flair backs away.

Flair: "WOOOOOO!"

John watches Flair leave, his eyes never leaving the direction that Flair went.

Cena: "Thanks for the advice."

Back live, we join Todd Grisham standing by outside of the gorilla position before a backdrop of a large divided black curtain with a large white X on the front. Grisham welcomes his guest, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair! Adorned in a golden robe with bushy white feathers around the collar and ends of the sleeves, Flair appears focused. When asked what this opportunity for the WWE Championship means to him, Flair's response is simple. It means everything. Flair takes a second, clearing his throat to perhaps choke back a bit of emotion. Flair goes on to say that he isn't sure how much time he has left. He knows he could wrestle until the day he drops dead... but he's beginning to question how long he can be "The Nature Boy". While some think we're in the twilight of his career, Flair asserts that he believes he can STILL be the very best on any given night. That he can beat the best on any given night. That he still has what it takes to reach the mountain top one more time as World Champion. He HAS TO believe that. Because the alternative is a reality he's not ready to face. Despite how much some fans and even his own family may want Ric to step aside, to accept life as a role player and start winding down... Flair admits that his passion to be "the man" is one that he'll never be able to let go of. That's why right now, he BELIEVES he can beat a less than 100% John Cena. He BELIVES he can win his 17th World Championship. He BELIVES he can carry that 17th World Championship into Ford Field, in front of 80,000 people in the main event of WrestleMania 23, and prove without a shadow of a doubt that diamonds are forever... and so is The Nature Boy.

"WOOOOO!"

With the start of Flair's music, he turns away from Todd and walks through the gorilla curtain. Once he steps into the arena, Flair shows no signs of his focused and emotional demeanor from the interview. The Nature Boy is "on". He struts down to the ring with all the confidence in the world, then waits for "The Champ". When the opening trumpets of "The Time is Now" begin to play, the crowd react in a very mixed way. John Cena finally makes his way out on onto the stage, where he sends out a salute before heading to the ring. Once Cena removes his t-shirt, we see that the lower half of his abdomen is wrapped in tape. John made it clear last week that while he would be cleared to compete, that doesn't mean he's fully healthy following the vicious attack by Umaga 8 days ago.

Match 2
WWE Championship
John Cena (C) vs Ric Flair

A traditional lock up quickly goes in the favor of the much stronger Cena, who transitions Flair into a side headlock. Flair immediately responds with two short jabs into Cena's taped abdomen, forcing the Champ to shove Flair away. With a bit of separation between them, we see a brief exchange of expressions. Cena holds a hand to the area where Flair punched him, looking on at his challenger with frustration. Ric stays ready with his arms bent 90 degrees and slightly tilts his head to the side while shouting, "I told you, Cena. I told you!" in reference to his words last week about doing whatever it takes to win this match, even taking advantage of Cena's obvious injury. Cena rolls his shoulders and steps in for another lock up and Flair does the same. Cena again takes Flair by the head, but this time he instantly rotates downward to flip Flair over and down with a side headlock takeover. With firm control, Cena wrenches on the head a bit as the referee slides into place to make sure Flair's shoulders aren't down... but the Nature Boy defensively begins to punch with both hands into Cena's abdomen once again. We can see that John is trying to bear through the pain, and eventually he lets out a roaring yell as he wrenches up on Flair's head so much that he nearly pulls Ric up to a seated position. Flair's punches slow way down at that point, but he still jabs away until Cena releases the head and forces his full body weight down on Flair for a pin attempt that only gets a 1 count. John gets to his feet and walks away from Flair who himself gets up to one knee. John grabs the top rope as he stands in the farthest corner, his other arm held tight against his ribs. Flair watches John while getting to his feet. The two men share another glance. Ric look focused. This was clearly his strategy coming in, and if nothing else, it's working enough to fluster the Champ. John looks agitated, but also concerned. Cena marches toward Flair, and the two engage in a third lock up... but this time John is extending out to keep his body further away from Flair. This improper form takes away his power base, and Flair is actually able to take control with a side headlock of his own. He pulls up on Cena's head, but the Champ pushes Flair back into the ropes and uses his strength to shoot the Nature Boy off. Flair crosses the ring, hits the ropes, and comes back only to hit a brick wall as Cena steps into a shoulder tackle that floors his opponent. Flair hits the mat, his arms involuntarily cradling up from the swift impact, and now he looks up at John with a bit of concern as the Champ stands over him. Cena's expression is now far more determined. Perhaps the concern we saw on his face a moment ago wasn't concern for himself, but concern for his opponent. For someone he respects. Despite doing nothing illegal, it's clear to the Champ that Flair intends to get down and dirty. Maybe he didn't want to believe Flair's warning from a week ago, but he believes it now. Ric is going to get the John Cena that he asked for. John takes two short steps back, allowing Flair space to get back up. John brings his arms up to signal another lock up which it seems his opponent accepts. But as Flair steps in, John quickly dips and leans in to scoop Flair up onto his shoulders! The fans come up as it seems John is about to hit the FU, but Flair is able to slip out of his grip. Cena turns to find his opponent, but finds a sharp chop instead. A second and third chop follows, each one causing Cena to take a step back on impact. As Flair cocks back for a fourth chop, Cena explodes forward with a single punch that drops Flair yet again. Flair hits the mat then rolls to his side looking a bit dazed from the blow. Flair begins pushing up to his feet, so Cena turns and runs for the ropes behind him. With Ric on both feet yet still bent over, John comes back off the ropes and leaps over his opponent, pulling off a front rotation while grabbing Flair by the head and driving him face first into the mat with the Throwback. Cena winces just slightly from hitting the mat, but he gets up without hesitation. Flair pushes up off the mat with both arms before bringing one hand up to his face, but Cena grabs hold of his opponent and pulls him up to his feet. With Flair up, John hooks Flair by the head while slipping his own underneath Ric's arm, then hoists him up for a standard suplex. But we notice John struggle just a bit before he gets Ric fully vertical. Cena ends up having to squat a bit, then explodes up to finish the rotation and drop Ric with the suplex. Cena gets up to his knees and holds a hand to his ribs. He's learning in real time how much of an effect this injury is having on him in the ring. More than just being a target. Falling to the mat, lifting another human, it all hurts. Even while being aggressively offensive, the rib injury puts John at a disadvantage.

This is the story of the match. John has to navigate the injury both on defense and on the attack. Flair is scrappy. Eventually the top half of the tape wrapped around Cena is hanging off of his body as Ric has literally scratched and clawed away at it while targeting the injury. At one point Flair does the fake defensive begging to lower Cena's defense, then used the opening to attack. He's pulled on the jorts or grabbed the ropes for leverage on pin attempts. Flair is truly doing whatever it takes to win, but Cena continues to overcome. Despite the injury, Cena is never on the defense for long stretches as Flair is unable to take full control at any point. He gets his shots in, he gives John trouble, but even this diminished version of Cena is too strong and too resilient for Flair to dominate. It's clear down the stretch that Flair is wearing out... but so too is the injured Cena, as every fall, every lift, every pull, every strain, hell every breath not only drains his energy, but causes pain.

As we return from a commercial break, Cena ducks a wild swing from Ric, then lifts from behind while turning to drop his challenger in the center of the ring. The usual set up for a 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Cena is slow to follow up, but eventually does stand over Flair and lean down to taunt him with a "You can't see me"... but that's when Ric's arm shoots up to jam a thumb into Cena's eye. Simple but effective. As Cena recoils, Flair rolls up enough to position himself perfectly to throw a chop block into the back of Cena's leg. The Champ falls backward over Ric while grabbing at his knee, but Flair gets up and goes straight into the Figure-Four! John shouts out and claws down at his knee, then reaches back for the ropes only to find he's too far away. He tries to fight out by sitting up to throw a strike... but we see the injury come into play again as the strain of lifting his upper body with no leg support causes John to clutch at his abdomen and fall back. The referee slides into to count as the shoulders are both technically down.

ONE!
TWO!
BUT NO!

John of course shoots a shoulder up, yelling out as he does so. John continues yelling as he forces himself up to a seated position and throws an exhausted punch that Flair eats, refusing to let go. John falls back again, then he reaches both arms back again as if the ropes have magically gotten closer. With his empty hands extended, John lays there defeated for a moment as the ref slides in to count again... but before his hand can even slap down for 1, John brings his arms down and presses both hands into the mat to lift his body up. With a loud grunt he pushes himself back a few inches, dragging Flair with him... then falls. John pushes himself up, then with a loud grunt he pushes himself back a few more inches, dragging Flair along with him... then falls. John pushes himself up a third time, but now he "crab walks" with his hands much further than a few inches, dragging Flair along with him until he falls with his arms extended back just FINGER TIPS away from the bottom rope. Ric Flair begins thrashing his body as much as he can without relinquishing the Figure-Four, trying to put on as much pressure and cause as much damage as he can. John yells out in pain... then sits up with apparent ease and quickness, and furious wide eyes! Flair's eyes also go wide in shock before John launches one... two... THREE strong punches in the Nature Boy's head that have the challenger reeling. John's free arm holds onto one of Ric's knee pads as he dramatically cocks his arm back with a long pause....... then yells while throwing his arm forward to connect with a fourth punch! Both men fall straight down to their backs, and while Flair still technically holds onto the Figure Four, the grip has been loosened enough that John is able to scoot his body backward and finally grab the bottom rope! The pro-Cena portion of the split crowd roar with cheers as John forces the rope break. Flair untangles his legs and rolls away, while John begins pulling himself up with the ropes. John hobbles a bit as he gets to both feet, the long stay in the Figure-Four seemingly adding another physical hurdle for the already injured Champ. With Flair now up, the challenger closes the gap and launches a knife edge chop into Cena's chest to forces the hunched over champion to now stand up straight. A second chop forces John to lean fully against the ropes. Fans "WOOO!" along as Ric starts hitting chop after chop after chop after chop after chop after CHOP until Cena's knees almost buckle. Flair takes one of John's arms and goes to Irish whip him across the ring, but Cena's free hand holds on to the top rope. Flair tries again, but Cena doesn't move. Before Flair can make another attempt, Cena's free hand comes forward as he pie faces Flair and harshly shoves him away. This really seems to piss Ric off and he quickly charges back toward Cena... but John ducks low and uses Flair's momentum to flip him up and out of the ring with something of a back body drop. John stumbles away from the ropes while grabbing at his side, but Flair held the ropes to prevent falling down to the floor or even the apron as he regains his balance fairly quick on the other side of the ropes. Cena noticing this takes his turn charging toward Ric, but Flair is able to reach out and catch Cena by the head with both hands before dropping his body weight and hanging Cena's throat down against the top rope. John rebounds backward and turns as he falls to his side with both hands clutching his throat and neck. Flair stands up on the apron with a wily expression on his face. He turns and walks toward the outside corner, then begins climbing up the turnbuckles to the top rope. Historically, going up top doesn't go to well for the Nature Boy. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Flair is perched up top just as Cena gets to his feet. The two briefly making eye contact but Cena is unable to move before Flair leaps out and collides into John with a cross body! .............. but John catches Flair! .............. but John falls to his knees in agony! Perhaps catching and holding up another man is too much for an exhausted Cena's rib injuries and damaged knee. Flair clubs away with both of his arms, one hitting Cena's upper back while the other hits lower around his taped mid-section. But Cena doesn't let go. John yells as he lifts one leg and gets a foot underneath him. He yells again as he pushes up with that foot, now getting both feet under him. The Champ grunts through clinched teeth as he stands straight up while Flair desperately clubs away. Cena stares down the hard cam with a dead yet exhausted expression before he lifts and heaves Flair over his head in perfect position onto his shoulders.... then without hesitation John releases a feral scream as he explodes upward and flips Flair over and down to the mat with a definitive FU! John damn near follows Flair down and drops his body across Flair's chest, going for the pin without even hooking a leg.

ONE!
...
TWO!
...
THREE!

Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena (16:07)

As "The Time is Now" plays again in the arena, a physically spent Cena rolls off of Flair and lays next to him on the mat for a few moments. As the referee approaches, Cena gets about halfway up then actually extends an arm to ask the official for assistance. John takes the WWE Championship but holds it tight against his body as the referee raises his other arm in victory. After commentary take us through a few replays from the match, we see now that John stands in the center of the ring, looking on at Flair who has recovered enough to be on one knee in the corner. The Nature Boy stares down at the mat while a ringside camera gets a close up shot of a lost and disappointed gaze on Flair's face. John approaches and offers a hand of assistance... but Flair pushes his arm away and stands up on his own. Visibly frustrated and upset, Flair just stares at John for a moment. Cena stares right back. But eventually, Ric approaches the Champ and returns the gesture of respect that Cena showed him last week by extending a hand. John nods, and we see him mouth "Thank you" before he reaches out and shakes Flair's hand. Flair holds on to John's hand, then turns him to face the hard cam while holding up his arm one more time before exiting the ring. Though dejected, Flair is man enough to give Cena his due. He leaves up the ramp dejected, unsure of what's next. Cena watches and gives Flair a round of applause behind his back, with many of the fans around ringside and everywhere in the arena doing the same. John then turns to the crowd, and with both arms, raises the WWE Championship above his head.

Before RAW goes to commercial, JR reminds us of his upcoming interview with Jeff Hardy, then lets us know that we'll see Victoria vs Candice Michelle on the other side.

When RAW returns from break, we join Todd Grisham posted outside of the Trainer's Room. He lets us know that John Cena is currently being checked out following his physically demanding match. Todd acknowledges that he was in a similar position last week, waiting to get a word with John Cena outside of the Trainers Room, and reminds us that it didn't quite go so smooth. But he promises to be on standby in hopes of getting a health update from The Champ himself. Todd then "tosses it" over to Maria with a guest standing by.

Maria: "Thanks Todd! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest, Kenny Dykstra!"

The camera zooms out to show Kenny, dressed in athletic wear, standing next to Maria on the interview set that is still wrecked from the Carlito and Chris Masters brawl earlier in the evening. Maria asks Dykstra why he requested this time. Kenny makes sure to let us know that he only had to make a request because his scheduled time last week was cut short before it even started when Todd Grisham abandoned the interview to chase down an interview with John Cena. That's also why Kenny specifically requested Maria be the one holding the microphone this time. Maria seems touched by this revelation and thanks Kenny for wanting her to interview him, but Kenny quickly shuts her down and says Maria isn't here to ask any questions. She just needs to hold the microphone. Now Maria seems hurt, but she still does her job. Kenny goes on to say that maybe having his interview cut off last week was a good thing, because it put him in front of the camera this week where he can laugh at Ric Flair for losing his WWE Championship match. Dykstra insists it's karma for Flair "screwing him over" in their Elimination Chamber qualifying match at New Year's Revolution. He then says that Flair might have lost his chance to headline WrestleMania, but promises that we'll soon see Kenny Dykstra in the main event on the grandest stage of all. Because in 2 weeks, at 20 years of age, he'll be the youngest person to ever win the Royal Rumble match. At this moment, Kenny is confronted by the legend "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan! Kenny gets defensive about someone trying to hijack his time again, but Duggan only wants to ask Kenny a question.

Hacksaw: "What makes you think you just GET a spot in the Royal Rumble instead of earning it?"

Kenny can't believe Duggan would asks such a question. Kenny reminds Jim that HE is a prodigy. HE is the youngest person to EVER hold championship gold in WWE. Duggan understands that Kenny is accomplished for his age, and even draws the parallel of 20 year old Kenny Dykstra wanting to win the 20th annual Royal Rumble match. But when Duggan asks Kenny if he knows who won the FIRST Royal Rumble... we can tell by Dykstra's annoyed silence that he indeed knows the answer is "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. Kenny scoffs and and tells Jim that 20 years ago is the last time Hacksaw was GOOD ENOUGH to win a Royal Rumble. Instead of reacting upset or disrespected, Duggan chuckles, then proposes Kenny prove that statement true by challenging Dykstra for match next week on RAW. Dykstra to his credit doesn't back down or make excuses, but rather very confidently accepts Duggan's challenge.

Back inside the arena we see Candice Michelle is already in the ring and dressed to compete. After Lillian Garcia gives Candice a proper introduction, we hear the music of her opponent, and soon after we see Victoria walk out onto the stage. The two women have recent history, but Candice got some payback at New Year's Revolution when she, Maria, and Lillian cancelled out the interference of Melina which allowed Mickie James to defeat Victoria and retain the Women's Title. We can tell by the look on Victoria's face that the former #1 contender hasn't gotten over Candice's involvement in her match 8 nights ago. As Victoria enters the ring, we're shown a brief replay from RAW last week, when Victoria interfered to help Melina defeat Mickie James in a non-title match. Mickie promised any Diva who defeats her can name the time and place for their title shot, and earlier tonight on RAW, Melina did just that when she announced her intentions to challenge for the Women's Championship at ROYAL RUMBLE. Now with both women in the ring, the match begins.

Match 3
Candice Michelle vs Victoria

Candice shows spirit, but at this point of her career she's outmatched. Victoria not only has the edge in experience and championship pedigree, she also sees this match as a chance at revenge and attacks Candice quite aggressively. It takes Victoria less than 2 minutes to drop Candice with a Widows Peak and pick up the easy win.

Winner: Victoria (1:45)

While Victoria relishes her victory with the referee raising her arm, the spotlight is soon stolen by the entrance music of Mickie James! The WWE Women's Champion walks out onto the stage with the Title over her shoulder and a microphone in hand. Mickie enjoys a positive reception from the fans until her music fades out.

Mickie: "Victoria, Victoria... Victoria. I'm getting sick of these games that you and Melina are playing. I said that being a fighting champion is how I want to define the next era of women's wrestling in WWE. I want to bring the best of the girls in that locker room. But chicks like you and Melina, with your cheating and scheming, are constantly undermining that. Now, because of you, Melina has a match for my Women's Championship at the Royal Rumble. Fine with me, because I know I can beat Melina. And I've already proven I can beat YOU, with and without Melina's interference!"

This point gets an animated reaction from Victoria in the ring.

Mickie: "But I'm not sure if I can beat Melina while constantly looking over my shoulder for you. If I'm going to have to fight the both of you at the Royal Rumble, I wanna know it. I want to see YOU coming. Melina challenged me for the Royal Rumble, and obviously, I accept. But now I challenge YOU, Victoria. Join us at the Royal Rumble. Mickie James versus Melina versus Victoria... triple threat match!"

The fans and Victoria all react quite surprised to this challenge.

Mickie: "The choice is yours. Melina is too busy partying in Hollywood to be here tonight, so I guess we don't know how she'd feel about you joining our match. But if you don't think your good friend Melina would want you in our title match, you can always say no."

Victoria nearly falls over herself scurrying over to the time keepers area to retrieve a microphone.

Mickie: "Like I said, it's up to y--"

Victoria: "I accept! I accept!"

The Women's Champion, despite voluntarily adding a 2nd challenger to her match at ROYAL RUMBLE, smiles.

Mickie: "I knew you would. See you both in San Antonio."

Mickie drops the microphone and holds the Women's Title up high as her music begins to play once more. Down at ringside, Victoria starts laughing! She can't believe Mickie would be stupid enough to put herself in a Triple Threat match.

RAW's "To Be Loved" theme begins to play as we shift out attention backstage, with Jim Ross informing us we'll get a quick sneak peak at DX and Rated RKO warming up before the upcoming main event. First, we join Edge and Randy Orton in a private locker room. Both of their World Tag Team Championships are visible in the background as they hang in side by side lockers. We don't hear anything inside the room with the RAW music playing in the background, but Edge is speaking very confidently. He wears black jeans and a black vest while sitting backwards in a folding chair with his arms resting on the back. Randy meanwhile wears his usual wrestling gear. He's pacing back and forth in front of Edge, presumably listening to his partner, while stretching his arms with a resistance band. We then switch over to the private locker room of D-Generation X. Triple H sits in a locker, dressed in his wrestling trunks and wearing a DX football jersey. He uses his teeth to rip white athletic tape from the roll as he finishes wrapping his left fist, then uses that same roll to start wrapping his right. The camera pans over to show Shawn Michaels standing with one leg up on the edge of a locker. Dressed in blue jeans and tight white tank top, he finishes pulling on a cowboy boot before standing straight up. He turns and walks over toward his partner, taking the roll of tape that Triple H is now finished with. HBK doesn't typically tape his fists, but tonight he does.

JR lets us know this main event is coming up very soon, and reminds everyone that the World Tag Team Titles are not on the line. Tonight these teams settle score, and one of the four superstars will move on to ROYAL RUMBLE and challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship. After RAW returns from commercial, JR will have his live satellite interview with Jeff Hardy.

Straight out of break, commentary take a moment to shout out RISE AGAINST for the track "DRONES", the official theme song for ROYAL RUMBLE!

Once they finish plugging the ROYAL RUMBLE theme, commentary begin narrating over a series of replays from last week. First we see the finish of Jeff Hardy vs Johnny Nitro at New Year's Revolution as Jeff stuns Nitro with the jawbreaker then traps his legs for the 3 count. Then we move on to the Elimination Chamber that same night. We see that Jeff starts the match with John Cena. We see Edge slamming the back of Hardy's head into a pod before throwing him off the top rope down to the steel. Jeff hits a Swanton Bomb in the ring and eliminates Chris Masters. Outside the ring, Jeff falls from half way up the chamber wall and crashes into Cena. Jeff goes for a Swanton Bomb off the top of a pod only for Cena to move out of the way so Jeff crashes into the mat. Then Cena hits the FU to eliminate Jeff and win the match. Finally, we go to RAW the following night and the steel cage match vs Johnny Nitro for the Intercontinental Championship. Melina slams the cage door into Hardy's head. Then Jeff Hardy sits on top of the cage when Joey Mercury headbutts him with his protective face mask before pushing Jeff off of the cage and down into the ring. Melina pulls Nitro through the cage door, and MNM celebrate on the ramp with Nitro as the new Intercontinental Champion.

JR: "And now, ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to welcome Jeff Hardy all the way from his home in Cameron, North Carolina."

A solo shot of the former Intercontinental Champion fills the screen, with "VIA SATELLITE - CAMERON, NORTH CAROLINA" in the upper corner. Jeff calmly sits in his living room and briefly adjusts the earpiece he's wearing to communicate with JR.

JR: "Jeff, I want to thank you for making time for us tonight. We just replayed all of your matches from last week for the folks at home, so first things first... how are you feeling?"

Jeff: "It's always a pleasure speaking with you, Jim. Last week was an experience for sure. I'm feeling better, but far from perfect. I'm dealing with a minor hip strain, along with some other aches and pains. I've put my body through a lot in my career, but going back to back in an Elimination Chamber and Steel Cage was a lot tougher than I imagined."

JR: "Well I have to ask, are you looking at an extended recovery time here?"

Jeff: "To be honest with you Jim, I'd probably be there in Bossier City tonight if it were up to me. But WWE's doctors wouldn't clear me. My body just needs time to rest and recover."

JR: "Do we know how much time?"

Jeff: "I'm very optimistic that you'll see me in San Antonio."

JR: "The Royal Rumble?"

Jeff: "That's right. It's been four years since I last competed in a Royal Rumble match. It'll take TWO broken legs to keep me out of the Rumble this year!"

Fans in the audience can be heard cheering at Jeff's ROYAL RUMBLE announcement.

JR: "That's great news, Jeff. Before we let you go... did you get a chance to hear Johnny Nitro's comments at the top of the broadcast regarding his future with you and the Intercontinental Title?"

Jeff's demeanor shifts to a bit agitated.

Jeff: "Yeah, I heard him. I seriously doubt that Nitro is watching the show right now, but I know he'll hear this eventually."

Jeff leans forward closer to the camera.

Jeff: "Johnny Nitro, you are not done with Jeff Hardy. And Jeff Hardy is not done with the Intercontinental Championship."

Jeff sits back and goes to grab the earpiece... then pauses.

Jeff: "Oh... and Joey Mercury. I am sorry for what happened to you at Armageddon. It wasn't my intention to hurt you like that. But you, carelessly throwing my body off of a 20 foot cage? That was intentional. So what I do the next time I see you, Joey Mercury... will be very intentional. Have a good night, Jim."

Jeff Hardy removes the earpiece, stands up, and exits the interview. Commentary briefly debate Jeff's final comment. Jerry Lawler seems to think what Mercury did to Jeff was "eye for an eye" and believes the two are now even. JR obviously disagrees, but resists debating further and gets back to business.

JR: "Regardless of anyone's opinion on the situation, there's no denying that it's been a red hot night in Bossier City. Next week, RAW travels 200 miles south to Lafayette, Louisiana just 6 days before the ROYAL RUMBLE!"

King: "And we'll have even more Royal Rumble qualifying matches as every RAW superstar fights for their shot to headline WrestleMania!"

JR: "That's right, King. We saw "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan lay out the challenge to the young prodigy Kenny Dykstra a little bit ago. That challenge was accepted and the match has been signed. Duggan versus Dykstra for a spot in the Royal Rumble."

King: "That's not all, JR. The back and forth between Cryme Tyme and World's Greatest Tag Team continues!"

JR: "Last week, Cryme Tyme defeated Haas & Benjamin on their way to winning Tag Team Turmoil and becoming number one contenders for the World Tag Team Championships. Tonight, we saw Charlie Haas even the score by sneaking a win over JTG to earn his place in the Royal Rumble match. Next week, their tag team partners will meet for round two! It'll be Shelton Benjamin versus big Shad in another Royal Rumble qualifying matchup."

King: "Oh man, this one is going to be wild! Does anyone really think that a ring can contain Chris Masters and Carlito after what we saw go down tonight?"

JR: "Evidently not, King, because the match next week between Carlito and Masters will be FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE. This rivalry hasn't been the same since Masters forced himself on Torrie Wilson. With both of these superstars having already declared for the Royal Rumble match, all that's on the line in this one is pride and revenge. It'll be anything goes, and lord knows where in the arena the match will go. Hopefully Lafayette can contain this deeply personal conflict."

The conversation comes to a sudden end when JR says we're going to Todd Grisham backstage. We rejoin Todd where we saw him a little bit ago, outside of the Trainers Room. Only this time, John Cena stands in the open doorway. His back is to the camera as he speaks with the Trainer, but he's clearly on his way out.

Grisham: "Thank you, Jim. John Cena is finished in the Trainers Room and hopefully we can get an update..."

Cena turns and steps out into the hallway.

Grisham: "regarding his... excuse me! John, please. What's your status following your match tonight?"

The WWE Champion looks straight at the camera, then nods with a slight grin. Like, "of course they're trying to interview me out here again." But it seems John is willing to talk.

Cena: "My status now is the same as it was before. I'm hurtin', but I ain't broken. Battling Ric Flair for a Word Championship is a serious test for any man. I'm proud that I was able to pass that test. Now... we look forward. To the Royal Rumble."

Grisham: "So your ribs--"

Cena: "The same as it was before, Todd."

Grisham: "Understood. Well, you brought up the Royal Rumble. Our main event tonight is minutes away, and we're going to find out who you will defend the WWE Championship against at Royal Rumble. Do you have any thoughts and this No Disqualification final chapter between DX and Rated RKO?"

Cena: "Look, I shared the ring with both of these teams recently. The tension, honestly... the hatred. It was palpable then. My thoughts about what happens tonight? It's going to be gnarly. As for the Royal Rumble..."

John turns away from Todd to fully face the camera.

Cena: "Edge. Triple H. Randy Orton. Shawn Michaels. If you want some..."

John raises the WWE Championship in his hand up to face level for the camera to see as fans in the arena shout "come get some!" He then looks back and gives Grisham a nod before walking away. We're then shown a promo package for the upcoming main event.

"YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME"

*dundundundun-dunah-dunah-duhhhnnnn*

"HEY! NOTHIN' YOU CAN SAY!
NOTHING'S GONNA CHANGE
WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME!"

The combined entrance themes of Rated RKO is accompanied by a geyser of smoke in the center of the stage. After a few moments, both Edge and Randy Orton emerge through the smoke but stop before heading down the ramp. Neither man carries his World Tag Team Championship, choosing to leave the Titles in the locker room with strict focus on the task at hand. Edge and Orton have walked to the ring many times in their careers with an air of cockiness or superiority. But tonight, as they head to the ring, their expressions are deathly serious. The superstars are clearly in the right headspace for what could be the fight of their lives. Neither man interacts with ringside fans, nor do they pose in the ring. They simply turn and face the stage in anticipation of their enemies arrival. But they'll have to wait a few minutes longer, as JR queue's up our next commercial break. UP NEXT, the final chapter of the war between Rated RKO and D-Generation X!

MAIN EVENT
No Disqualification (non-title)
#1 Contender for WWE Championship at ROYAL RUMBLE
D-Generation X vs Rated RKO

RAW returns to a chaotic scene as DX and Rated RKO fight around ringside! We go to a picture in picture 2nd screen that show us DX had no intention of waiting for the commercial break to start this match. Triple H pulled off his DX jersey as he and Shawn Michaels came marching down the ramp, prompting Edge and Orton to hop out of the ring and meet them on the floor! Edge and Triple H targeted each other while HBK and Orton immediately began trading punches. With the match being No DQ, the referee calls for the bell to officially start tonight's main event with the teams brawling on the floor. The replay closes out, returning us to one full screen of live action with the same pairings still battling each other.

Edge and Triple H's most recent beef can be traced back 8 nights ago to New Year's Revolution when Triple H beat Edge to a bloody pulp before pinning him inside the Elimination Chamber, only for Edge to return and spear Triple H which led to The Game's own elimination. The following night on RAW, Orton and Michaels got heated on the mic and in the ring, with HBK defeating Orton in his hometown following a back and forth main event. It seems all four men decided to pick up where they left off. We've yet to hear a word from commentary since returning from break, and we finally see why as Edge (still wearing his black entrance vest) and Triple H trade punches in the area where King and JR's chairs would be. Ross now stands near the timekeeper while Lawler climbed over the barricade for safety. The Game was left a bloody mess on the announce table just two weeks ago by Rated RKO, now he and Edge return to the scene of that assault. Across the ringside area, HBK has Randy pinned down a barricade corner near the ramp. Right hand after right hand after right hand has Orton curled in a defensive ball on his feet while trying to protect himself. Shawn backs away a bit, then charges in toward Orton for what looks to be an attempted clothesline over the barricade, but Randy dips low and hoists HBK over his head AND the barricade with a back body drop. Triple H has Edge seated in Jerry Lawler's chair and retrieves the ring bell. Edge is a bit groggy and completely defenseless as The Game steps in to swing the bell at Edge's head..... but Randy dives in to make the save with a clubbing forearm into the side of Triple H's head. The Game falls to the ground and Randy waste's no time leaning onto the barricade with both hands, and stomping away at the man who once betrayed him. Edge recovers as Randy stomp stomp stomp stomps away at Triple H, and stands from the chair to begin clearing everything from the announce table. The noise from the ringside fans start to pick up, but not because of Edge. Turns out HBK on the other side of the barricade has maneuvered through the crowd and hopped up on the barricade behind the timekeeper's area, very close to where his tag partner is getting stomped out. Orton finally notices HBK as he stands straight up on the barricade, but the Showstopper immediately leaps down crashing into Randy. Orton to his credit does his best to catch his opponent, but the momentum carries them both over the top of Edge's freshly cleared announce table which they tumble off the front of to land near the ring. This completely surprises Edge who never saw HBK coming, but he quickly works around the table to pound on HBK. Together, Rated RKO kick, club, punch, and assault Michaels who does his best to protect himself while he lay on the floor. Eventually they pick Shawn up together, then run him straight into the steel ring steps. The force of both men ramming HBK's body into the steel is enough to disconnect the top half of the steps which then flop down to the floor. Edge finally removes his black vest and throws it down at Michaels. For the first time since all hell broke loose, one team has taken firm control of this main event, and it's Rated RKO.

Over the next several minutes, Edge and Orton continuously divide and conquer. They work over Triple H until Shawn recovers and intervenes, which then turns their attention to HBK until Triple H recovers and intervenes. This domination doesn't last the entire match, but certainly long enough to build a strong advantage. Especially once Triple H and Shawn Michaels are individually busted open. This final chapter was always going to end in with crimson masks, and Rated RKO literally draw first blood. We get to a point during the divide and conquer stage where Orton drags HBK into the ring while Edge sets up TWO tables side by side on the floor, nearly centered with the end of the entrance ramp. Orton is able to move Shawn up onto the middle rope inside the ring, but HBK is too worn down at the moment to do anything other than lean forward over the top turnbuckle as Orton steps through the ropes onto the apron... then begins climbing the same corner from the outside. As Orton reaches the top, Edge finishes setting up the 2nd table and starts smacking on it with both hands. Orton pulls HBK's arm over his head, and it looks like the plan is a superplex OUT of the ring and through the tables! JR on commentary screams and begs for Randy not to do this, but Orton doesn't appear to have any hesitation or 2nd thoughts of what this type of fall would do to his own body. Only how it would end Shawn Michaels. That's when Triple H stumbles into view and flips one of the tables over and out of the target area! Orton fully pauses on the top rope while holding HBK, and a frustrated Edge approaches Triple H who fell to a knee after putting his all into lifting and flipping the table long way. As the Rated R Superstar grabs Triple H around the head, he's suddenly thrust forward into the steel ring post as The Game grabs the waists of his opponents jeans and falls to sling him forward. So far in the match, this is the point where Orton would dive in to continue their 2 on 1 divide on conquer, but he's up high in the ring with a Showstopper who starts fighting back! Shawn hurls right fist after right fist into Orton's ribs until he loosens his grip on Shawn's head, which allows HBK to take control of the suplex position he finds himself in with Randy. Shawn lifts Orton up, over, then crashes down near center ring with a superplex! Outside the ring, The Game has gotten to his feet and helped Edge do the same. Triple H has one hand on the back of Edge's pants and the other grabbing the back of his head. He then guides and thrusts Edge with full force and intent face first AGAIN into the steel post! DX has officially turned the tide. It's here where RAW takes its final commercial break of the evening.

As we rejoin our main event, Shawn Michaels pulls a LADDER out from under the ring! A bloody Rated R Superstar is nearby, down on his knees and leaning across the cleared announce table in a puddle of his own blood. It appears the two face first trips into the steel post before the break split Edge open good, making him the 3rd superstar in this match to be busted open. As HBK begins setting up his ladder, in the ring we see Triple H and Orton battle it out near a pile of steel chairs. JR informs us that after DX took control, Triple H retrieved the chairs and brought them into the ring. With the ladder now standing, Shawn works over to Edge and starts laying in a few punches to keep him down. Edge tries to fight back, so HBK with two handfuls of Edge's hair starts to slam the Rated R Superstars head down into the bloody mess of an announce table. Edge goes limp enough to tell HBK he's done fighting for now, so Shawn rolls Edge up and lays him across the announce table. JR and King have again abandoned their seats, but keep their headsets on this time to continue calling the action. Shawn begins to climb the far side of the ladder, while in ring Randy has taken control of his fight with Triple H. From behind The Game, Orton hooks his arm around Triple H's throat then leans forward. This would be the set up for Orton's backbreaker, but before Randy can fall down and execute, Triple H thrusts a few elbows back that catch Orton in the head and releases his hold. Triple H stays moving, quickly turning to grab and steady Randy for a kick to the gut. Randy folds over from the impact, and Triple H takes advantage by forcing Orton's head down between his legs and hooking his arms for the Pedigree! ...... but Orton explodes up to a standing position, which flips Triple H up over his head where the game happens to land hard on the pile of folded steel chairs! Orton falls to his knees and looks ahead out of the ring where HBK has made it to the top and positioned himself around to the front of the Ladder. Shawn makes eye contact with Randy, who's eyes nearly bug out of his head as HBK throws a crotch chop his way... then Shawn leaps from the ladder and uses and elbow drop to drive Edge through through the announce table! Orton gets to his feet as the fans go crazy! He walks over to the ropes to see where Shawn and Edge lay in a heap. He assesses the situation, then his expression shifts from shocked to serious. Orton slowly turns to look over his shoulder at Triple H. His former mentor is using the ropes across the ring to get to his feet. Orton walks over to the pile of chairs, picks one up, then slams it into Triple H's back. The Game falls into the ropes, out on his feet, both his arms hanging over the top rope keeps him vertical. Orton uses this as an opportunity to unload years of hatred, swinging that chair into Triple H's back a 2nd time. Orton is drunk on the satisfaction of this moment, and takes two steps back... which gives him room to really step into his 3rd swing of the chair. The impact of this one causes Triple H to slip off the top rope and fall to the mat. The look on Randy's face is sadistic. He opens the chair and sets it down. Then does the same with 3 more chairs from the pile. He sets up 4 chairs in total, two side by side with two more across. It creates a steel chair bed, and Randy fully intends for The Game to lay in it. Randy pulls Triple H up by his hair, revealing an exhausted face smeared with old blood as fresh blood continues dripping. Orton gets Triple H all the way up to where they stand face to face, but The Game is out on his feet. Orton's breathing picks up, as if he's getting amped up for the moment. Before he does anything, he leans back then thrust forward and harshly SPITS in Triple H's face. A reminder of 2004 when Randy Orton defiantly spit in Triple H's face rather than hand over the World Heavyweight Championship. Fast forward to 2007, now Randy Orton spits in defiance of The Game's attempt to prevent his career from reaching the heights he’s destined for. Randy grabs hold of Triple H's head with both hands as he slowly rotates away from him. It seems that Randy's plan is to jump out and RKO Triple H across the bed of chairs. The maniacal smile on Orton's face is erased thanks to Triple H pulling himself free from Randy's grasp and clubbing him in the back of the head with a forearm. Triple H quickly spins Orton around and whips him toward the ropes. It isn't a far distance until Orton hits the ropes and rebounds back toward Triple H where he's lifted, spun, and driven down through the bed of chairs with an explosive spinebuster! The chairs push away from the impact, leaving Orton down almost in the center of the ring, and Triple H who falls across the top of him with a hook of the leg. The referee moves in and makes the count.

ONE!

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TWO!

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THR-NO!

Orton shoots a shoulder up, and an exhausted Triple H rolls off next to him. For the first time, all four superstars are down. But this doesn't last very long. A recovered HBK knees up to the apron then begins climbing up the nearest corner. As he reaches the top rope, we notice that the closest target for Shawn.... is his partner. Triple H looks up at Shawn. Shawn looks down at Triple H. The Game closes his eyes, and Shawn leaps......... OVER his partner and crashes down into Randy Orton with another elbow drop! Randy rolls over to his side, clutching his chest with both arms, and after a few moments, Michaels kips up to his feet! The roar of the crowd is a continuous shot of adrenaline for the Showstopper, and HBK's eye pierce through a bloody expression as he looks out at the fans for further support. He steps over toward his partner and extends a hand down that The Game accepts. Shawn pulls his partner up, and now both members of DX stand over a fallen Randy Orton. They both start picking Randy up, and seem to have a bit of a disagreement as they do so. We don't hear everything, but the discussion seems to be... who gets to hit Randy. Triple H eventually yields, choosing to stand behind Randy and hold both of his arms back. Orton finally realizes the position he's in and starts to look panicked. He tries to pull free but fails before Shawn lunges forward with one... two... three right hands to Orton's head. This makes Orton a bit limp, and easy to transfer as Triple H shoves him away into Shawn's grasp. Now HBK stands behind Orton and holds his arms. Triple H kicks two of the chairs from the spinebuster spot away then takes a few steps back. He holds his fist up, middle finger extended enough to really extenuate that middle knuckle, then he steps in and rams one... two... three right hands to Orton's head. Shawn returns a groggy Orton to his partner. Triple H again holds Orton's arms behind his back, but Shawn backs up all the way to the ropes. He turns sideways and quickly taps his inside foot against the mat a few times signaling that he's going for Sweet Chin Music! Orton gets his bearings and again realizes he's in a bad spot. But this time he doesn't panic, he acts. Orton tucks his chin down to his chest, then slings his head back right into Triple H's face! This backward headbutt immediately causes Triple H to release his hold of Orton as he stumbles backward and brings both hands up to his already bloody face. HBK abandons his hopes of a superkick to charge in and regain control of Randy. Shawn reaches out and grabs him when KICK! Orton's right leg comes up between Shawn's legs and connects with a swift low blow! Randy threatened to low blow HBK last week, and his attempt to do so in their 1-on-1 match that night led to his own defeat. But tonight he made good on that threat as he watches HBK crumble down to his knees and fall away. Orton turns around, hooks his arm around Triple H’s neck, and drives down to execute the backbreaker he failed to hit earlier. Orton stands and walks over to a still down HBK, using his boot to drive him fully under the ropes and out of the ring. Orton then walks in a circle, picking up every single chair that he was driven into with the spinebuster moments ago and throws them out of the ring. Once the last chair is discarded, there's nothing left in the ring with Randy other than Triple H. He walks a few feet closer to The Game then falls to his knees. Randy begins to pump his arms, the excitement building. As Triple H works his way up to his feet, Orton now thrusts his arms up as if encouraging The Game to continue rising. Randy then mirrors Triple H. As the Game gets one foot under him, so does Randy. As the Game gets off his knee to both feet, so does Randy. As the Game begins to slowly stand up, Randy does so much faster. He's now fully vertical to meet Triple H as he stands straight up.... only to have his head snatched and floored to the mat with an RKO! Randy stands right back up after hitting the kill shot. He looks up to the arena's ceiling and screams while his upper body twists. The euphoria of revenge literally explodes out of Randy, but he doesn't waste time. Randy dives back down and rolls Triple H over, then hooks both legs for the pin.

ONE!

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TWO!

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The referee disappears from the ring before he counts 3!

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…

And it's EDGE who pulled the official out of the ring! Thousands of fans react as one, the sound of shock and excitement filling the air. Orton sits up, turns to where he knew the referee was, and his face melts into an expression of heartbreak and disbelief. The Rated R Superstar stands stoic, looking down at the referee. He's eyes look up toward Randy before his head does, as if checking to see if his partner knows what happened. Edge brings both hands up into his hair, the front of which is just as stained in blood as his face, then he lifts his head up an fully faces his partner. Edge keeps his hands on his head, almost in disbelief of his own actions. He now reaches out toward Randy with both hands. Edge even speaks his name. "Randy. I'm. Randy, I just...", but there's no explanation Edge can give. He didn't just stop Randy from winning this match for Rated RKO. He stopped Randy from becoming #1 contender for the WWE Championship… because Edge wants it for himself. And Randy knows it too. As the shock wears off, the anger sets in. Randy rolls from the ring and goes nose to nose with his partner. Edge holds his hands up, showing no desire to fight with his partner. But Randy doesn't care. After screaming in Edge's face for a moment, Randy shoves him hard in the chest. Edge doesn't respond the first time, but after Randy shoves him again, Edge steps forward and shoves Randy back. This inspires Randy to lunge forward and grab Edge by the throat with both hands! He marches Edge back into the barricade, pushing against him just enough to bend Edge back toward the fans a bit. "Why, Edge!? What's this all for!? You'd throw away everything we've done for ANOTHER title shot!? You said you loved me! Remember? You said I'm your brother, that you would NEVER turn your back on me for a championship! Remember that!?" Edge claws at Randy's hands, and it's entirely possible that the emotion of the moment is causing Randy to put too much pressure on Edge's throat. Edge tries to talk him down with rasping pleas of his name, "Randy... Randy, stop..." but Orton talks over it. "YOU'RE HIM! You're just like him! I'm going to do what I should have done then." Edge tries to reason one last time, "Randy... please..." but Orton hears none of it. Would Randy Orton… literally strangle his tag team partner? We'll never know, thanks to Shawn Michaels. Randy notices HBK approaching in the corner of his eye and releases Edge to turn and face him, but *THRACK!* he’s domed by a steel chair that HBK swings downs from over head. The echoing sound of steel meeting skull is horrific. Randy's chin tucks down and his chest sinks in as the chair shot knocks him down and out. HBK's follow through causes him to walk a few steps past where he laid out Orton. He drops the chair and turns to where Edge still stands near the barricade with his own hands now grasping his throat. Shawn doesn't hesitate to lunge in and hit Edge with Sweet Chin Music! The fans right in front of this action are losing it, and HBK again feeds off that energy to push through everything he's feeling. Shawn picks a limp Randy Orton up off the floor and rolls him into the ring. After rolling back in himself, Shawn gets up and walks away from Orton, across the ring to the far corner. He turns and leans into the turnbuckles. Shawn then draws out his first leg lift, before stomping it to the ground. As he stomps a second time, the audience begin clapping in unison. Shawn continues tuning the band slowly until Randy starts getting to his feet. As Orton pushes up from the mat, we see that he too now finally bleeds, thanks to the sickening chair shot. Orton is nearly standing when Shawn takes a moment to look left over at his partner. Triple H has recovered from the RKO and now sits in the corner nearest HBK. As the partners lock eyes through matching crimson masks, Triple H nods and mouths "Do it", seemingly giving his partner his blessing to win the match and the WWE Title shot. HBK gives one short nod back, turns to find a vulnerable Orton, then gallops across the ring to connect again with Sweet Chin Music! Triple H lays down and rolls from the ring where he helps the official up off the floor and rolls him back in under the bottom rope. Shawn falls across Randy and slowly pulls up a leg as the ref crawls into position.

ONE!

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TWO!

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KICK OUT!

No one can believe that Orton just kicked out. Not the fans, not commentary, and especially not DX. The feeling of anticipation in the building begins to rise as the fans realize that it's gonna take something more drastic to end this bloodbath. As Shawn sits up and looks over at his partner, it seems Triple H has an idea of what that drastic measure might be. He walks around the ring until he's in front of the destroyed announce table. The Game kneels down out of view and lifts the ring apron. When Triple H slowly rises up, he brings a sledgehammer with him. The fans know whats coming. Shawn begins to nod, as if coming to grips with the level of violence it will take to end this feud. Triple H stands straight up with his signature weapon and gets SPEARED DOWN! It seems no one saw Edge coming as the audience is shocked to see The Game get side swiped by the Rated R Superstar. No one is more surprised than Shawn Michaels, who now scurries to get up and prevent this victory from slipping through their fingers. Edge gets back up as HBK reaches through the ropes and grabs him by the hair. While caught off guard, Edge reacts quickly and jams both thumbs up into Shawn's eyes. As Michaels yells in pain, he finally releases Edge's hair, but Edge doesn't release him. The Rated R Superstar takes control of Shawn's head with his arm and walks back, pulling Shawn further over the middle rope. HBK's feet hook against the rope, and it keeps him angled upward. Edge then falls back and plants Shawn with a high angled DDT to the floor! Edge stands between the fallen members of DX, trying to figure out what to do next… when he spots something. The steel steps that were disconnected earlier from the impact of HBK being thrown into them. Edge walks over and grabs either side of the flat base of the steps, but fails when trying to pick them up. It's been a long, exhausting match, and Edge has to take a moment before trying again. This time he succeeds in lift the steps, but maneuvers them as quickly as he can to rest on the edge of the ring. Looking into the ring and seeing his partner now moving after the superkick, Edge calls to him. "Randy! ... RANDY!" Orton looks up through a fresh crimson mask and spots his partner. Perhaps he's too hurt to react, or too concussed to remember, but Orton's face shows no signs of anger or emotion at all. Just pain and fatigue. "Randy, help!" Orton just looks at Edge for a moment, then gets up to all fours and crawls over to where the steel steps are. Randy gets up to his knees and grabs the steps, then starts pulling as Edge pushes. With the steel steps now fully in the ring, Edge next grabs Triple H. Though mostly dead weight, Edge can handle Triple H on his own, getting the Game up enough to be rolled back into the ring. Edge slides in after, and together, Rated RKO drag the base of the steel steps into the center of the ring. A barely standing Randy Orton manages to stay on both feet and watches as his partner drags Triple H over and lays his upper body across the steps. With the task seemingly done for the moment, Edge now stands and faces his partner. It's here that we see Randy definitely remembers what Edge did a few minutes ago. He looks at his partner with disdain, even as Edge begins to do the motion of swinging a chair downward. Finally, Randy looks down where The Game lays motionless and gets the idea. Edge wants to con-chair-to Triple H against the steps. Randy looks back at Edge and says nothing. So Edge continues doing the work, rolling out of the ring, grabbing a discarded chair from earlier and tossing it into the ring. "There! Do it!" Edge shouts. Is Edge now giving Randy his blessing to win the match? To win the title shot? Has he had a change of heart? Does Edge feel... guilty? Randy just continues staring at Edge, perhaps contemplating what ti do with the chair. "Randy! Do it! Now!", and this time, Randy nods. He walks over and picks up the chair, but when he goes to fold it... the chair won't close. It's one of the open chairs that Randy was driven through earlier via spinebuster. Randy tries to force it close, but it just won't. Frustrated, Randy throws it down and shouts at Edge to get him another one. Edge frantically looks under the ring, but finds nothing. He runs around the corner to the side of the ring facing the stage and again checks under the apron. He stands up excited, having found a brand new folded steel chair, and hops up onto the apron to deliver the chair personally. The fans begin to cheer as Shawn Michaels runs across the ring, right past Randy and Triple H, and leaps over the top rope into Edge and the chair. Falling off the apron, both men crash through the one upright table still set up from the failed superplex spot in the early stages of the match! Neither member of Rated RKO saw Shawn roll into the ring around the time Edge found the new chair, and now Randy is the one scrambling to secure victory as the fans roar. He quickly retrieves the busted up chair that he couldn't fold before and starts wrestling it closed. Randy tries and tries, but the damn thing won't close. At this point he doesn't seem to care anymore, and decides to just use the open chair. Orton turns around with the chair pulled up over his head, but a recovered Triple H on one knee swings an arm up and low blows Orton. The expression of pain is visible through all the blood on Randy’s face as he drops the broken chair. Triple H stands up and maintains a hold of Randy. The Game takes a step back and UP on the short step of the steel steps base. He then takes another step up to the larger portion and brings Randy up with him. The Game kicks Randy in the gut, forces his head down between his legs, then hooks both arms. Triple H takes one moment to let his head fall back in exhaustion, then straightens up and leaps up before driving Randy face down into the steel with a Pedigree. Triple H hobbles up, probably regretting dropping his knees down onto the steel, and rolls Orton off the steps. The Game then lays his back across his fallen foe, and slowly pulls a leg up.

ONE!
...
...
...

TWO!

...
...
…
…
…

THREEEEE!

Winners: D-Generation X (27:51)
and NEW #1 Contender: Triple H

“BREAK IT DOWN!”

DX’s music begins to play, but no one is in any shape to celebrate. Triple H releases Randy’s leg, but continues laying across his chest while looking up through his own blood at the arena lights. Another camera angle shows us that HBK is still lying on top of a downed Edge among the rubble of a shattered table. Commentary takes this opportunity to run us through an extensive series of replays from this brutal and bloody main event. Once they’re finished, we see Ric Flair coming down the ramp. He’s still dressed in his ring gear, but wears a DX t-shirt. Flair stops to help Shawn Michaels up to his feet, then assists him in rolling into the ring. The referee is knelt down checking on Randy Orton, and it’s here when we see medical personnel arrive with a group of referees. Some go to Edge, others go to Randy. Together, Flair and Shawn help Triple H up to his feet. The Game collapses into his tag team partner and the two men hug. This months long feud with Rated RKO has tested D-Generation X physically, mentally, and emotionally. The past 8 days added insecurities and ambitions to the mix, but Shawn and Triple H overcame it all together. As brothers. The referee for the match steps in between DX and takes each of their wrists then raises their arms in the air. Flair holds onto Triple H’s other arm and raises it as well. The hard cam pulls back enough to hold on all 4 men in this moment of victory. The ref eventually lowers their arms and joins the other officials in helping Rated RKO.

JR: “No doubt, a cathartic victory for D-Generation X. But now we look forward, 13 nights to be exact. By winning this match for his team, Triple H has secured himself a WWE Championship match at the ROYAL RUMBLE.”

JR: “Less than a year ago, these men faced off in the main event of WrestleMania 22. Triple H did everything he could to dethrone John Cena, but the WWE Champion forced The Game to tap out and left Chicago still The Champ.”

King: “That was then, JR. This is now. A lot can change in a year. This version of Triple H, reunited with his best friend, looks stronger than we’ve ever seen him! Just look at everything he overcame tonight to secure victory.”

Back to a live shot in the ring as the medical team has gotten Orton out of the ring and now helps him walk toward the ramp. Edge has crawled halfway up the ramp under his own power, but finally collapses. More medical personnel and referees are there to help the Rated R Superstar up. Edge and Orton are assisted up the ramp separately, and eventually leave through the curtain.

JR: “There’s no question that Triple H is still the measuring stick of this industry. Title or no title, The Game is the favorite every time he steps inside the ring. But John Cena has had his number so far, and I’m not sure if two weeks is enough time to recover from the car wreck Triple H’s body just experienced.”

King: “John Cena isn’t in the best shape either! We saw tonight just how badly that rib injury affects him in the ring.”

Triple H and Shawn both take turns briefly hugging Flair, then turn to face the hard cam. Shawn gingerly slinks down into his signature flexing pose. Behind him, Triple H raises both arms and holds them in a flex.

JR: “One thing is for certain. These are two of the toughest men this business has ever seen. Triple H and Shawn Michaels, together, conquered their enemies in battle. Who prevails between The Game and John Cena will be determined at the appropriate time. Tonight on RAW, the headline is simple. D-Generation X wins the war!”

Flair stands off to the side and applauds his friends. D-Generation, bloody, beaten, and bruised, hold their poses together for everyone in attendance. Triple H and Shawn Michaels won the war. Victorious in the final chapter, allowing DX to close the book on their feud with Rated RKO.

[END]

UPCOMING PAY-PER-VIEW

Royal Rumble in San Antonio, Texas, USA
Sunday, January 28th, 2007 - 13 NIGHTS AWAY!

*Announced Matches*

Royal Rumble Match
Confirmed participants:
Rob Van Dam, Kane, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury,
Charlie Haas, Chris Masters, Carlito, Jeff Hardy

World Heavyweight Championship
Batista (C) vs MVP

WWE Women's Championship
Mickie James (C) vs Melina vs Victoria

WWE Championship

John Cena (C) vs Triple H

Stojy · Tuesday at 9:04 PM

I really liked giving MNM such a prominent start here. Also pretty cool swerve with the red carpet rolled out, but then they refuse to be in the city anyway. Nice heel tactics, and everything they said was completely fine. Really enjoyed this as an opening. It's clear that based on Nitro's dialogue but then Jeff Hardy's promo later in the night that there's more to that angle.

I admittedly found the placement of the WWE title match (match two?) as a really strange spot. Didn't have to be the main event, but could have been the opener, or the match at the top of the hour. Match two just feels like an awkward spot for a match of this caliber. Result went as expected and is the right move.

Thumbs up for the Kenny build here which is clearly in play, and I love the idea of Mickie adding Victoria to the Womens Title match when Melain isn't around to oppose. Very clever, I like it.

Pulling the trigger on Cena/Trips II works for me so I'm pretty comfortable with how the main event went.

Due to laziness, unless it's WCW, I forego writing detailed/long match recaps for weekly shows, however as a reader, love being able to sink my teeth into that level of detail. Well done on some top notch writing throughout really.

Qui-Gon Bren · Wednesday at 10:07 AM

ECW on Sci-Fi
January 16th, 2007 - Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Without the massive fireworks display that RAW or SmackDown begin with, ECW instead opens the show with a shot of the packed out arena in Little Rock! It's about this time that commentary would formally welcome the viewing audience to the show, but instead, as the panning camera shot lands on the small cubed entrance tunnel and the miniature "titantron" above it, the name SABU appears on the screen!

*HUKA BLUES*

Joey Styles finally welcomes us to ECW on Sci-Fi as Sabu makes his way out into the arena with a chair in hand. He pauses after a few steps to slightly crouch and point up to the sky, before continuing on to the ring. As Sabu makes his entrance, commentary redirects our attention from one ECW icon to another with a quick reminder about tonight's main event.

Styles: "Finlay announced his arrival to ECW last week in explosive fashion. Tonight, the Belfast brawler looks to seize territory in the land of Extreme from one of its founding fathers, the Innovator of Violence, Tommy Dreamer!"

Tazz: "We all know that Finlay is a tough S.O.B. but he better not overlook his opponent. That Tommy Dreamer is in a bad mood after weeks of being victimized by The Great Khali. I known Dreamer a long time, and when he's got those dark clouds in his head... he can be as dangerous as anyone!"

Styles: "It certainly felt like a calculated decision by Finlay to redirect Tommy's ire for Great Khali toward himself. We'll find out in our main event if that was a wise decision or not."

*I'll Do Anything*

With Sabu now in the ring, the music for his opponent begins to play. Our attention is turned toward the entrance tunnel as Shannon Moore walks into view. His hair is pointed up into a tall mohawk and his face is decorated in black paint. Thick dark circles around his eyes, each with a trail of paint flowing down his cheeks. Then another line of paint in the center of his forehead going down to his nose. As Shannon gets to the ring, Joey lets us know on commentary that he spoke with Moore earlier today and passes along that Shannon specifically asked Mick Foley for a match tonight as he tries to improve his standing in ECW. Sabu is hesitant to give up the steel chair, staring daggers at his opponent while the referee continues to insist he hand over the weapon. It's not that Sabu is afraid of Shannon Moore... you can just tell that Sabu really wants to use that chair. But he finally allows the referee to take the chair, which then allows for the bell to ring

Match 1
Sabu vs Shannon Moore

Both superstars circle in toward each other, and it appears Moore is going to wrestle Sabu straight up. It actually works in his favor, as the younger and quicker Moore is able to get an early advantage. But try as he might, nothing he does can keep Sabu down for anything more than a quick 2 count. Shannon eventually gets frustrated and exits the ring to retrieve Sabu's steel chair! The referee tries to prevent Shannon from using the chair, but is threatened with the weapon himself and falls back defensively. Shannon moves in and swings the chair with both hands right at his opponent's head... but Sabu ducks and runs under to avoid the shot. Shannon swings so hard that he loses the chair after failing to hit his target, and as he turns to quickly find his opponent, all he sees is Sabu springboard back off the middle rope and turn. Sabu catches Shannon around the head with his arm, twists, and brings him down with a Springboard Tornado DDT! Sabu picks up HIS chair that Moore dropped, and sets it up as if to take a seat. Instead, Sabu runs across the ring! He comes back, running past his downed opponent, and hops up onto the chair, then leaps from the chair to the top rope, then finally back flips off of the top rope and connects with the Triple Jump Moonsault! Sabu crashes into Moore and very quickly hooks a leg for the pin... and it's good enough for 3!

Winner: Sabu (4:13)

After his victory, Sabu rejects the referees attempt to raise his arm and instead picks up then folds up the steel chair. Just as Shannon Moore did before, Sabu threatens to hit the ref with the chair as he tries to prevent Sabu from using it. The ref falls back, and unlike the match, fully exits the ring. Sabu just waits for Shannon to stand up. Once Moore is up to his feet with an arm held to his mid-section, he slowly turns to face Sabu... and has the steel chair thrown right into his head! The crowd pops big for this, but Sabu pays them no mind. He picks the chair back up, and right next to a downed Shannon Moore, points up to the sky once again. Commentary let us know that Sabu has been confirmed for the 30 Man Royal Rumble match! Tazz insists that the Royal Rumble has never seen the type of chaos that Sabu is going to bring.

Heading backstage, we join ECW interviewer Rebecca DiPetro.

Rebecca: "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome CM Punk!"

The camera pans out to reveal Punk standing next to Rebecca, dressed in one of his own T-shirts.

Rebecca: "We just heard from Tazz and Joey that Sabu will be part of the Royal Rumble match this month. Our GM Mick Foley put Rob Van Dam in the match as well. I'm told you're here to reveal another ECW entrant?"

Rebecca asks the question with a smile, and Punk can't help but to grin. He addresses Rebecca for only a moment, then turns and speaks to the camera.

Punk: "Yeah Rebecca, I got the scoop for you. Surprise, surprise... CM Punk will be in the Royal Rumble match!"

This confirmation gets a nice reaction from the live audience.

Punk: "Now, don't mistake my smile for satisfaction. The Royal Rumble in twelve nights is the biggest opportunity of my career, for obvious reasons. But let me tell you why it's more important to CM Punk than any of the other twenty-nine superstars. You see, I've been here in ECW for seven months. And in case anyone forgot, that's seven months undefeated in singles competition. There isn't a man on this roster who has stepped into the ring, gone one-on-one with CM Punk, and been able to call himself the better man at the end of it. I don't know how many wins I have tallied up in the win column, because I'm not an egomaniac, but I can absolutely tell you how many shots I've had at the ECW Worlds Championship."

As the camera tightens in on Punk, he holds up a single finger.

Punk: "One. One shot, after seven months of mowing down everyone they've thrown in front of me. And my one shot was inside of a fugazi Elimination Chamber."

The fans cheer as Punk slams the widely panned December to Dismember main event. He starts getting more worked up as he speaks, the passion pouring out of him.

Punk: "You put CM Punk in the ring with Big Show, alone? I'd win. CM Punk versus Rob Van Damn, one-on-one? I'd win. When the day comes that Bobby Lashley has to stand across the ring from CM Punk? I will win!"

The fans cheer again, and a small "CM Punk!" chant breaks out among a portion of them. Punk's volume and tone return to normal as he continues speaking.

Punk: "Don't get me wrong, this isn't sour grapes. These aren't excuses. It's the reality of my situation, and I want everyone to understand just how difficult it is to swim upstream in a place like this. You can win, and win, and win... doesn't mean you get what you think you deserve. That's why, when opportunities like the freaking Royal Rumble come around, you have to seize them! And trust me, I'm aware that the Royal Rumble match won't be one-on-one. It's CM Punk versus the world! Twenty-nine other guys trying to seize the same opportunity. And I want all twenty-nine of them to know, after they soar over the top rope, after their ass hits the floor. While they're sitting there with the sinking realization that their WrestleMania dreams have vanished, struggling to comprehend how a punk kid from Chicago tossed them out of the Royal Rumble match! Don't overthink it. The simple fact is it just didn't mean as much to you, as it does to me. I need to win the Royal Rumble, like I need air. To take this opportunity away from me..."

Punk claws down the collar of his shirt, fully exposing his throat.

Punk: "... you'll have to take that air from my body!"

Another overwhelmingly positive reaction from the audience, who cheer louder and louder with every declaration Punk makes. But it seems for now, CM Punk has gotten his point across. He stares at the camera for a moment longer, then looks back to the interviewer.

Rebecca: "Thank you for your time, Punk. Good luck at the Rumble."

Punk: "Come on, Rebecca. Luck is for losers."

We move to a different area backstage, as Elijah Burke makes his way down a long corridor with a BIG smile on his face. Commentary let us know that, apparently, Burke has an announcement coming up next!

*Don't Waste My Time*

As soon as we return from commercial, Elijah Burke confidently walks out of the entrance tunnel. Dressed in his trademark tracksuit and a cap that allows his beaded hair to flow out of the back, Burke carries a microphone in his hand and a winning smile on his face. As he reaches the end of the entrance aisle and approaches ringside, the music fades.

Burke: "Little Rock, Arkansas, I am here to congratulate each and every one of you. Last week, I informed Mister Mick Foley, that I had dissolved my partnership with Sylvester Terkay. I told Mick, right there, that "sometimes in life we, have to end something good in order to start something GREAT", and I meant that. I told Mick, that I had a new associate who would do GREAT things in ECW. We spoke in his office, Mick even got a chance to talk to my guy on the phone, and the deal was done right there. So why I congratulate you, Little Rock, is because everyone in this arena is LUCKY enough to be here for a debut that WWE will never forget! Well, you ain't so lucky Tony, but everyone else is in for a treat."

The camera pans over to reveal Tony Mamaluke standing in the ring, dressed to compete. He's flanked by the Full Blooded Italians, Little Guido and Trinity. Our shot returns to Elijah Burke.

Burke: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... on your feet! Show some love for the new king of the jungle."

...

"THE Alpha Male!"

...

"Marcus Cor Von!"

"You're goin' down down down,
just call me smooooth!"
*Smooth*

Burke points back in the direction of the entrance tunnel as brand new music begins to play. Out of the entrance tunnel walks a brick house of a man! With a chest so wide that his arms hang out away from his body, Marcus Cor Von cruises down the aisle with a hungry expression on his face. He wears golden biker short trunks with a large black lion head on the front, matching golden kneepads, and black boots. Introduced from "The Animal Kingdom", the "Alpha Male" enters the ringside area where Burke extends a fist. Cor Von bumps his own fist into Burke's, then stomps up the ring steps as Burke slides in under the ropes. Burke hangs back a bit as Cor Von approaches the hard cam side of the ring and poses for the audience at home. Once both competitors seconds exit the ring, the match begins.

Match 2
Tony Mamaluke (w/FBI) vs Marcus Cor Von (w/Elijah Burke)

This is no contest. The only move that Mamaluke makes is stepping in the direction of Marcus Cor Von, who runs forward and violently cuts him down with a clothesline. It's all Alpha Male from that point on. There's a smattering of "TNA!" chants in the crowd, as many in attendance are aware of the former Monty Brown's career to this point. The beginning of the end comes when Cor Von controls Tony with a double underhook and aggressively knees him in the ribs, alternating with the left and right leg. Maintaining that control, he then throws his opponent back across the ring with a butterfly suplex. This gets big praise from Tazz who compliments Cor Von's form. The Alpha Male gets his opponent up and irish whips him across the ring. Cor Von takes off in a different direction and hits the ropes. Both men collide in the center of the ring as Cor Von explodes against Tony Mamaluke with a POUNCE! The Alpha Male rolls to his feet then jumps up as the adrenaline takes over his body. He drags the carcass of Tony Mamaluke to the center of the ring, then lays across his chest while dominantly hooking a leg for the ONE! TWO! THREE!

Winner: Marcus Cor Von (2:00)

Elijah Burke claps as he walks up steps and re-enters the ring. Cor Von allows the referee to raise his arm for only a second before ripping it away and all but barking at the man. The official flees, and as Mamaluke is pulled from the ring by FBI, Burke approaches Cor Von with two microphones. Elijah keeps one mic, Cor Von is given the other.

Burke: "What did I tell you, Little Rock? You will never forget the night you saw THE Alpha Male mark his territory in ECW!"

Following Burke, we hear from Marcus Cor Von for the first time.

Cor Von: "I know everyone is wondering, what am I doing here in ECW? Obviously... anything that I want. Whatever the Alpha Male wants to do, he'll do it!"

This gets a mixed reaction from the audience. Some unfamiliar with Cor Von may not like how he carries himself, but an equal amount of people already seem to be fans!

Cor Von: "What I'm not here to do... is work my way up, to wait in line, to hope and pray for opportunity. I'll destroy and dismantle anything put in my path. The king of the jungle doesn't ask if it's his turn to eat.. he takes what he wants! That mindset is exactly what brought Elijah Burke and myself together. And here in ECW, we will take what we want!"

Burke: "That's right! ha ha ha"

Elijah Burke can't hold in his excitement..

Cor Von: "Soon, that locker room will know what all of you know, what everyone at home already knows. That the hardest, regardless, is Marcus Cor Von. THE Alpha Male!"

Marcus spikes the microphone and marches toward the nearest corner. He hops up to the middle rope and simultaneously slaps his arms into his chest and abdomen as the adrenaline continues to course through him. Commentary show a brief replay of the closing stretch, namely the butterfly suplex and the Pounce! After the replay closes out, we find ourselves in the office of Mick Foley! The ECW GM leans against his desk watching a TV. A "wow!" escapes Mick, as he's clearly impressed by the debut of his newest signing, Marcus Cor Von. There's a knock at the door, and Mick welcomes then in. As he sees who enters, Mick quickly stands up straight off the desk and turns off the TV. Into view walks Kelly Kelly! The "exhibitionist" and former girlfriend of Mike Knox hasn't been seen in more than a month, since Knox officially ended their relationship by attacking Kelly Kelly in the ring and injuring her! That was also the last time Mike Knox was seen on ECW TV.

Foley: "Kelly Kelly, it's so nice to meet you. Thank you for seeing me tonight."

Kelly: "Nice to meet you too, Mister Foley."

Foley: "Please, just Mick!"

Kelly Kelly smiles, then nods. She seems happy, but there's something in here eyes she's holding back.

Foley: "Kelly, I want you to know that I find Mike Knox's behavior toward you disgusting. Far before he ever laid hands on you. He was possessive, verbally abusive... well, needless to say, I wont' be lifting his suspension any time soon. It came down before my regime, but I intend on upholding it for the time being."

Again, Kelly smiles and nods. This is also the first time we've learned that Mike Knox's absence is via a suspension for laying out Kelly Kelly back in early December.

Foley: "I know you met with the trainers this evening, and that they've finally cleared you. I wanted you to hear from me personally, that the new GM is a big fan, and has big plans for you in ECW! Whenever you're ready to return, that is."

Kelly Kelly nods again, but this time, no smile.

Foley: "You do want to get back out there, right?"

Kelly: "I do Mick. I've missed it so much. But..."

Kelly hesitates. But finally, she spits it out.

Kelly: "But I don't want to return to ECW."

Some in the audience gasp. Mick himself seems taken back, but more so concerned for Kelly Kelly.

Foley: "Can I ask why? Is there anything I can do?"

Kelly: "It's not you, Mick. I have no doubt you would be a great boss. It's this place. The past six or seven months here, with Mike... all of it happened here. I love ECW... but my relationship with Mike was all here. All the bad stuff that I'm trying to forget, that I don't want in my head every week when I come to work. Not to mention... I'll never know when the day comes that I turn the corner and see him standing there. Back on the road, and back in my life. That's why... Mick... I would like for you to trade me. RAW or SmackDown, I don't mind where. I just need a fresh start."

Mick watches Kelly Kelly open up with the a sympathetic gaze, and nods along as she finally makes her trade request.

Foley: "I can't say that I blame you Kelly. It took a lot of courage to come back here tonight, and to tell me how you feel just now. I was looking forward to working with here you on ECW, but I will do whatever I can to get you situated on either RAW or SmackDown. Just return home, and my office will be in contact with you when we get a trade done. Okay?"

Kelly nods again, and smiles. Thankfully this smile seems genuine, hopeful even. Kelly steps forward and hugs Foley.

Kelly: "Thank you, Mick! Thank you!"

Foley smirks as he accepts the hug.

We cut away to a look at Tommy Dreamer sitting on a steel chair in the locker room. He's taping up his fist as the ECW theme starts to play over the scene. Joey Styles remarks that we saw a rare touching moment between Foley and Kelly Kelly, but there's no chance of the main event tonight ending with a hug! He hypes up that Dreamer is getting ready for a fight, and that the match with Finlay is still to come! ECW then goes to commercial.

ECW returns with a close up of the busty vampiress, Ariel. She holds in front of her, a single red rose.

Ariel: "The red rose. It means... love, devotion, passion."

Kevin Thorn appears next to Ariel, and holds a black rose up near her face.

Thorn: "The black rose... means pain. Suffering. Destruction."

He then crushes the black rose inside of his hand. Ariel begins to slowly twirl her red rose.

Ariel: "At the Royal Rumble, there will be twenty-nine black roses. One red rose, for the winner. The man who will main event WrestleMania. Kevin... Thorn."

The vampire turns his face away from the camera, showing us the back of his head. Leaving it up to the viewers imagination what happens when he leans in and presses his mouth into Ariel's throat. An act that seems to bring the vampiress much pleasure.

After hearing from Kevin Thorn and Ariel, we once again join ECW interviewer Rebecca DiPetro on on the interview set.

Rebecca: "Joining me now, the ECW World Champion, Bobby Lashley!"

The camera pans over for a brief solo shot of Bobby Lashley with the ECW Title over his shoulder, then pulls out so he and Rebecca both fit on screen. Bobby smiles and looks "out" past the camera once he hears the ovation from the crowd.

Rebecca: "Bobby, the Royal Rumble is less than two weeks away, and many ECW superstars have declared for the Royal Rumble match. We've also heard new arrivals like Finlay and Marcus Cor Von make it clear that they want to be at the top of ECW. As you approach two months as ECW World Champion, does it feel like the target on you is getting bigger and bigger?"

Lashley: "Rebecca, I have felt the target on my back since the moment I first held this ECW Championship in my hands. Whether it's day one, or day fifty, being World Champion is a constant pressure. But I thrive under that pressure. I sought out that pressure. I crave that pressure. What makes ECW so challenging, is we don't have an Intercontinental Championship, or Tag Team Championships. Here, if you want to be a champion... you have to be THE champion. To be the ECW World Champion is to show up to work every day and know that every single man is gunning for what you have. Whether they smile to your face, or talk behind your back. That pressure is what made coming to ECW such an attractive prospect for me. Knowing that if I held this... everyone in the locker room, and everyone out there, whether they love me or hate me, they couldn't deny that I was the best. I can't speak for everyone in ECW, but that's why I do this. To be the best."

The end of Lashley's comments get a big positive reaction from the Little Rock fans. The ECW Champion's popularity grows with each week.

Rebecca: "Well, since you enjoy the pressures of being ECW Champion, will you be rooting for an ECW superstar to win the Royal Rumble and challenge you for the ECW World Championship in the main event of WrestleMania?"

Lashley chuckles.

Lashley: "It's funny you say that. Myself and the new GM Mick Foley have been discussing this topic all week. WrestleMania 23 in Detroit will be the first time ever that the ECW World Championship is defended on the grandest stage of them all. Mick and I both share a goal of making that historic moment the biggest it can possibly be. So, you ask me if I'm rooting for an ECW superstar at the Rumble, but my answer is no. It doesn't have to be an ECW superstar. Regardless of their brand, I'm rooting for the winner of the Royal Rumble to have VISION. To see the opportunity they have to carve out a unique place in history for themselves. To challenge for the ECW World Championship, in the main event of WrestleMania. To establish a new legacy on top of the incredible foundation that this World Championship has already laid."

Bobby pauses as a portion of the audience break out into an "E-C-Dub!" chant.

Lashley: "But, if we're being honest with ourselves. Whoever wins the Royal Rumble, chances are, they won't want to waste their WrestleMania opportunity getting dominated by ME. Whether this title lands in the main event, the opening match, or somewhere in between. The first man to walk into WrestleMania as ECW World Champion will be Bobby Lashley. And the first man to walk out of WrestleMania as ECW World Champion will be... Bobby Lashley. Thanks Rebecca."

Bobby smiles as he thanks the interviewer, then turns and exits the set. We then cut over to the commentary desk.

Styles: "As a former ECW World Champion yourself Tazz, you've got to love hearing how proud Bobby Lashley is to be ECW Champion and how badly he wants to elevate the title."

Tazz: "No doubt about it. Bobby Lashley is the perfect champion to represent ECW on the biggest stage of WrestleMania!"

Styles: "Well two men who I'm sure have their eyes set on Bobby Lashley's ECW World Championship are Tommy Dreamer and Finlay! Before they can even think about WrestleMania or the Royal Rumble, they have to focus on each other TONIGHT. After a heated "introduction" last week, Finlay and Dreamer go one-on-one in our main event NEXT!"

Tazz: "The Royal Rumble is the talk of the town, Joey. And next week, the stars of ECW will give us a little preview!"

Styles: "That's right, partner. We'll be five nights away from the ROYAL RUMBLE when ECW on Sci-Fi rolls into Mobile, Alabama, and Mick Foley has signed this special main event. It's a four way elimination match featuring ECW superstars who are confirmed for the Royal Rumble match! Test, CM Punk, Sandman, and Kevin Thorn. Just like the Royal Rumble, you eliminate your opponents by throwing them over the top rope with both feet touching floor, and the only way to win is to be the last man standing in the ring."

Tazz: "Tensions are sky high this time of year, and putting these four guys in a Royal Rumble type setting before the big one in San Antonio is sure to bring out their best... or their worst!"

*BAD DREAM*

The entrance music means it's finally time for our main event, and as the match graphic for next week's match cuts away, we see Tommy Dreamer walk out of the entrance tunnel. He stands under the tron and cracks his knuckles on each fist, then starts making his way down the aisle. The ECW entrance way cuts through the fans. It's a straight shot from the tunnel, then a right turn that allows the superstars to enter the ringside area from the opened corner section of the barricade. As Tommy turns toward the ring and is just about to pass through the barricade... he's CLUBBED from behind by a shillelagh shot from Finlay! Dreamers goes straight down and immediately clutches at the back of his neck, his music suddenly cutting out. This leaves Finlay standing over Dreamer, surrounded by the fans and their boos. Finlay scoffs, then walks past Dreamer before reaching down and grabbing him by the back collar of his shirt. Dreamer does his best to crawl along as Finlay drags him into the ringside area. The referee jumps out of the ring and begins scolding Finlay who completely ignores him. The Irishman lays his shillelagh on the ring steps, then picks Dreamer up and rolls him into the ring. The ref slides back in to check on Dreamer, while Finlay takes his time walking up the steps and finally stepping through the ropes. It's here that Finlay finally acknowledges the ref, telling him repeatedly, yet calmly, to "Start it. Start it." Finlay wants the match to begin, but it can't happen with Dreamer down and out. To Tommy's credit, he has gotten to his own corner. Now up to one knee, he leans against the middle rope with his right arm while holding the back of his neck with the left. The referee continues to ask Tommy if he's alright, but Dreamer repeats Finlay's own words. "Start it." With a great deal of hesitation... the referee finally calls for the bell.

MAIN EVENT
Tommy Dreamer vs Finlay

Finlay isn't going to let the advantage he created for himself go to waste. Dreamer pushes up to both feet as the bell rings, and is immediately met by a charging Finlay who arrives with a lunging shoulder into Dreamer's gut. Tommy falls back to a knee, and Finlay grips the top rope with both hands as he lays boot after boot into Dreamer's mid-section. Tommy is eventually forced to cradle his stomach with both arms and fall down to the mat, and luckily it's around the time the referee nears his 5 count and finally pulls Finlay away. Unluckily, Dreamer has made himself vulnerable. Finlay allows the referee to peel him away from Dreamer only for a second, before jumping up and toward the corner, coming down with a harsh stomp to the back of Dreamer's neck. Tommy flattens out, grabs at the back of his neck and head with both hands, and rolls under the ropes out of the ring. He lays on the floor, the referee now down next to him asking if Tommy is ok to continue. The camera pans up to Finlay, standing against the ropes and looking down at Dreamer with contempt. It's here where ECW takes his final commercial break.

We return to find Dreamer on his feet, back in a corner. He has both arms around his head in a defensive position, but Finlay tees off on his mid-section with left and right hands. Dreamer seems hesitant to expose his head or neck again and is doing is best to absorb these blows... but finally relents and attempts to block the next body shot. Finlay pounces on Dreamer's head like an animal, grabbing him by both ears and yanking backward to pull him out of the corner. Once in the center of the ring, Finlay pushes Dreamer down to a doubled over position, and clubs him with a forearm shot to the back of the neck that crumples his opponent. But Finlay doesn't let got. He pulls Dreamer up just enough to club him with another forearm that again takes his legs out from under him. But Finlay still doesn't let go. He goes to pull Dreamer up yet again, but Tommy has reached out and hooked his arms around Finlay's legs. An agitated Finlay does his best to swing down at Tommy, but the distance is enough that there isn't much impact. The Innovator of Violence is in a desperate way, and proves it when he pulls down one of Finlay's knee pads and BITES into his flesh! Finlay starts yelling and tries to pull back, but Dreamer has both arms hooked around his legs still. "Get him off me! Get him OFF!" Finlay starts yelling at the ref, who does try and get Tommy to let go, but it's Finlay finally bucking back hard enough to break the grip of Dreamer's hands that also frees him from Dreamer's chomp. This leaves Tommy on all fours while Finlay rubs his knee with a hand for a moment before pulling the knee pad back up. He then charges back toward his opponent... but Tommy lunges out, once again hooking his arms around Finlay's legs, but this time he scoops them up and drops the Irishman to his back. Dreamer quickly climbs into a mount and unloads with fists. The ECW fans are finally UP in this match, cheering on as Dreamer finally gets into the fight!

The next few minutes play out more evenly. Dreamer is able to get in offense, but is still somehow on constant defense as the back of his neck and head is an easy target for Finlay. With Dreamer in control, he lifts Finlay up onto his shoulder in a horizontal position in hopes of driving him down with a running front powerslam. But Finlay slips out behind Dreamer and lands on his feet while hooking Dreamer's head and bring it backward a bit. Finlay immediately launches a European uppercut against the back of Tommy's neck! Dreamer fights to stay up, falling forward a ways until finally catching himself on the ropes. Finlay moves in and grabs his opponent by the head, pulling him off the ropes... but Tommy thrusts his head out to catch Finlay in the face with a headbutt that breaks Finlay's grip! Then he quickly hooks Finlay by the head, and spikes him with the DDT! This is Tommy's best chance to win, but he can't help but lay on the mat next to Finlay, grasping at his neck and head. After a few moments Tommy eventually rolls over and flops his body across Finlay for the cover.

ONE!
...
TWO!
...

But Finlay lays a foot across the bottom rope for the break. Dreamer was too beat up and wasted too much time to drag Finlay further into the ring. But he still has a chance to finish this match! Dreamer pulls Finlay up slowly, then hooks his head again for a DDT. But Finlay spins out this time, maintaining a grasp on Dreamer's arm while he does so, and once standing, yanks Dreamer in and levels him with a short-arm clothesline. Finlay extends straight up and cranks his neck to the side, still feeling the DDT. But he smells blood in the water and assists Dreamer up to his feet before scooping him up onto his shoulders in a fireman's carry position. Finlay slides Tommy's head down, keeping an arm hooked around it, and positions the head by his hip. Finlay then leaps up, and drives Dreamer's neck and upper back down into the mat with a Celtic Cross, dead center of the ring! Finlay lays across Dreamer with a back press and hooks up both of his legs.

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!

Winner: Finlay (8:48)

The winner of tonight's main event gingerly gets to his feet, rolls his shoulder and again cranks his neck to one side, then allows the referee to raise his arm in victory. Finlay then picks Dreamer up off the mat and throws him through the ropes and out of the ring near the end of the entrance aisle. Commentary then go into replays of the main event...

Finlay: "Get that off the screen!"

...but we suddenly hear Finlay on a microphone talking over them.

Finlay: "They saw the damn match already!"

The replays stop and we cut to live view of Finlay in the ring.

Finlay: "Enough of that."

Now he turns and faces the direction of the entrance tunnel.

Finlay: "BOBBY! LASHLEY!"

The fans in the arena let out a collective "Ohhh".

Finlay: "You did a lotta talkin' tonight, you fraud! Now get your ass out here and listen to some truth!"

Fans around ringside can be seen rising to their feet.

*UNSTOPPABLE*

The music of ECW's World Champion brings the entire arena up, and soon after, Bobby Lashley comes out of the entrance tunnel in his gear and a t-shirt, with the ECW Title over his shoulder. Just like he did with the replays, Finlay begins talking over the music until it cuts out.

Finlay: "You cut our little chat short last week, so let me make something crystal clear to you right now. You told all these people that you want a challenger with vision to win the Rumble and face you at WrestleMania. Well Bobby, I'm here to make your dreams come true!"

Bobby walks into the ringside area and approaches Dreamer, kneeling down to check on him. But Lashley makes sure to keep his eyes up towards Finlay who now leans over the ropes and literally talks down to the champion.

Finlay: "I will win the Royal Rumble. I will challenge you at WrestleMania. And like I've done in the past... I will beat your ass and take your title. Because the man who walks out of WrestleMania as ECW World Champion is named FINLAY!"

Lashley stands up near the downed Dreamer and points up at Finlay, saying something we can't quite hear.

Finlay: "Come on then!"

The Irishman spikes the microphone and steps back toward center ring, daring Lashley to come in and fight him. Bobby drops the ECW Title, then pulls his t-shirt off and tosses it into the crowd... then he gets blindsided by a POUNCE! Marcus Cor Von just came out of nowhere and leveled the ECW World Champion! As the camera finds the jacked newcomer, it also catches Elijah Burke run past Cor Von and jump down on Lashley! Burke swings wildly on the champion with lefts and rights. Cor Von slowly turns his head and looks into the ring at a Finlay who stands his ground and stares right back at him. Cor Von hops up onto the apron and holds the top rope, never breaking eye contact with Finlay. But outside the ring, Lashley turns the tables on Burke, flipping him over and taking mount position. As Lashley starts punching away at his attacker, Cor Von notices and disengages whatever was about to go down with Finlay. He hops down and goes to grab Lashley... but the champion sees him coming and gets up, wrapping his arms around Cor Von and driving him back into the nearby barricade. The two begin brawling into the crowd, making their way back up the entrance aisle as they do. Finlay just watches this all play out. Elijah Burke finally gets up and goes to join the brawl, but is cut off by Tommy Dreamer! The Innovator of Violence grabs Burke and engages him in a punch trading brawl as well... until Finlay’s boots come sailing between the middle and bottom ropes to kick Dreamer in the neck and back. The impact send both Dreamer and Burke to the ground, but Finlay only goes after Dreamer. He pulls him up off the floor and rolls him back into the ring. Burke eventually scurries up to his feet and chases after Lashley and Cor Von, who's fight has carried on back through the entrance tunnel and out of sight. Finlay grabs his shillelagh and slides into the ring. As he gets up to his feet, Tommy is up as well and meets him with a kick to the gut that doubles Finlay over and forces him to drop the weapon. Dreamer pulls Finlay into position for the DDT and looks out at the crowd with a crazed look in his eyes! The fans are rocking with this chaos, and almost don't even notice as the LITTLE BASTARD Hornswoggle had popped out from under the ring. He scurries up the steps and dives into the ring as Dreamer has Finlay set up for the DDT... then grabs the shillelagh and clocks Dreamer in the leg with it! This forces Tommy to release Finlay as he naturally reacts to the impact by reaching down at his leg, finally noticing Hornswoggle as he does so. Finlay falls to a knee and swings his arm up to LOW BLOW Dreamer! Tommy falls over in a heap, and Finlay is handed the shillelagh. He points it up to the top rope, instructing Hornswoggle to climb up. The Irishman wants to add insult to injury with a "tadpole" splash. As the little bastard reaches the top rope, fans begin losing their minds! Finlay's eyes go wide and he tries to warn Hornswoggle when *CRACK* the devious leprechaun gets caned by an appearing SANDMAN on the ring apron! Hornswoggle flops down into the ring as the loudest "E-C-Dub!" chant of the night breaks out. Sandman and Finlay stare each other down. One holds a kendo stick, the other a shillelagh. But unlike the tense moment he had with Cor Von, Finlay actually looks a little concerned. When Sandman finally steps through the ropes, Finlay drops down and rolls out of the ring. He reaches in and drags Hornswoggle out, carrying him over his shoulder as he walks around the ring toward the aisle. Sandman kneels down and helps Tommy up to one knee. Tommy pats Sandman on the back as a thank you. As Sandman's music plays for the first time, he stands up and points out toward Finlay with the kendo stick. Finlay is starting to back up the entrance aisle when he points right back at Sandman with the shillelagh and mouths off some kind of threat.

Our final shot in the arena is of Sandman posing with the kendo stick held over his head while Dreamer stands nearby with an eye toward Finlay, then the screen fades to black.

...

...

"R! V! D!"

...

"R! V! D!"

...

"R! V! D!"

...

"R! V! D!"

The black screen fades into a worn out film photo of Rob Van Dam covering John Cena. Paul Heyman fills in for the referee while an impassioned Hammerstein Ballroom audience count aloud.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

"THREE!"

The next image, similarly weathered, shows RVD on the shoulders of ECW superstars with the WWE Championship held above his head. The "RVD" chants begin once more.

"R! V! D!"

The image shifts to the debut episode of ECW on Sci-Fi, as RVD holds up the reintroduced ECW World Championship.

"R! V! D!"

The next image shows Rob walking to the ring, with both WWE and ECW Championships stacked around his waist.

"R! V! D!"

The next image shows Van Dam high in the air, about to crash down into Edge with a 5 Star Frog Splash on his way to retaining the WWE Championship at Vengeance 2006

"R! V! D!"

The next image shows Rob leaning across the barricade, surrounded by excited fans, as he he holds his RVD thumb pose with a championship on each shoulder.

"R! V! D!"

A split image. On the left Edge pins RVD, on the right Edge celebrates with the WWE Championship.

"R! V! D!"

Another split image. On the left Big Show covers Van Dam while Heyman makes the count, on the right Big Show celebrates with the ECW Championship.

"R! V! D!"

Now a flurry of images. Rob laying on the mat. A fan at ringside wearing an RVD shirt looking disappointed. Rob losing a ladder match to Sabu. Rob being eliminated by Test in the Extreme Elimination Chamber.

"R! V! D!"

Finally one more image. Rob being physically unable to continue his championship match against Bobby Lashley on the January 2nd episode of ECW, sitting out on the floor while doctors checked on him. And the screen again fades to black.

"... ... ..."

Silence. The chants for RVD have stopped. After a moment, the black screen fades into a shot of Rob, dressed in a athletic wear, sitting alone in a gym or dojo of some kind. He looks away from the camera, and never turns to face it.

RVD: "Climbing to the top of the WWE mountain is the hardest thing I've ever done. It's also the most enjoyable."

Rob speaks in a calm, focused tone.

RVD: "Even when it sucked. During the endless travel, through the injuries and hard times. It was still enjoyable, because of you. The fans. The thousands of people every night who scream out..."

We briefly switch to a clip of Rob in the ring doing his thumbs taunt while being introduced. He speaks in unison with the video.

fans: "Rob! Van! Dam!"
RVD: "Rob. Van. Dam."

RVD: "When I thought I couldn't climb anymore... you carried me up the mountain. When I thought, maybe I'd reached my plateau... you pushed me to new heights. When they tried to bury me down to the footnotes of WWE history... you screamed my name from the mountain top. You showed me the way. We did it. Together."

Rob hangs his head.

RVD: "And I let you down. All of you. If I knew how badly it would hurt falling down the mountain... I don't know if I ever would've started the climb to begin with."

After a moment of reflection, Rob looks back up, still not directly at the camera.

RVD: "I still hear your support, but it doesn't feel the same. Of course it doesn't. Whether you want to admit it or not... I've disappointed you. And now, everything we've built... I hardly recognize it anymore. ECW isn't what I thought it would be. What we wanted it to be. It's my fault."

Rob closes his eyes. Maybe taking a moment to collect his thoughts... not to get off track.

RVD: "I need you, now more than ever."

He re-opens his eyes.

RVD: "I need to make this right. You deserve it. ECW deserves it. Everything I do from here on out, I do for you. To make everything right... I want to reclaim everything we lost. Reclaim everything I let slip away. I want to reclaim the ECW World Championship. Reclaim Tuesday nights. Reclaim our place at the top of the mountain."

...

...

RVD: "I want to reclaim your faith in me."

Rob stares silently into the distance. He nods through a clenched jaw.

RVD: "Sunday, January 28th. San Antonio, Texas. The Royal Rumble. I need you guys. Carry me up the mountain, one more time. Please. And this time when I reach the summit... when I reach WrestleMania. I plant our flag at the top of the mountain, where it stays forever!"

Van Dam shouts "forever!", the first time he's raised his voice.

RVD: "One side of that flag will bear the logo of ECW. The other side will bear the name of the man who planted it there."

Finally, Rob turns to face the camera.

...

...

Again... he raises his voice.

RVD: "The WHOLE [*BLEEP*]IN' SHOW!"

Rob stares down the barrel of the camera as we once again hear fans chanting...

"R! V! D!"

"R! V! D!"

"R! V! D!"

Then the screen fades to black.

[END]

UPCOMING PAY-PER-VIEW

Royal Rumble in San Antonio, Texas, USA
Sunday, January 28th, 2007 - 12 Nights Away!

*Announced Matches*

Confirmed Participants:
Rob Van Dam, Kane, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury,
Charlie Haas, Chris Masters, Carlito, Jeff Hardy,
Sabu, CM Punk, Kevin Thorn, Sandman,
Test, Finlay

*More TBA*

Qui-Gon Bren · Wednesday at 10:34 AM

Stojy said:
I really liked giving MNM such a prominent start here. Also pretty cool swerve with the red carpet rolled out, but then they refuse to be in the city anyway. Nice heel tactics, and everything they said was completely fine. Really enjoyed this as an opening. It's clear that based on Nitro's dialogue but then Jeff Hardy's promo later in the night that there's more to that angle.

I admittedly found the placement of the WWE title match (match two?) as a really strange spot. Didn't have to be the main event, but could have been the opener, or the match at the top of the hour. Match two just feels like an awkward spot for a match of this caliber. Result went as expected and is the right move.

Thumbs up for the Kenny build here which is clearly in play, and I love the idea of Mickie adding Victoria to the Womens Title match when Melain isn't around to oppose. Very clever, I like it.

Pulling the trigger on Cena/Trips II works for me so I'm pretty comfortable with how the main event went.

Due to laziness, unless it's WCW, I forego writing detailed/long match recaps for weekly shows, however as a reader, love being able to sink my teeth into that level of detail. Well done on some top notch writing throughout really.

Thanks for the feedback, Stojy! I wanted to reply last night, but already had ECW loaded in the drafts.

My intent with Cena vs Flair was for it to be the main event of hour 1. RAW only had 4 matches this week since DX/Rated RKO were going for half an hour, and starting the show with the WWE Title match had me worried that there would be too much of a lull in the middle. But admittedly, while reading the completed episode, it did feel like weird placement for Cena/Flair. As mentioned in the Advertisements, I experimented with some abbreviated writing, and a lot of those segments came in the 1st hour. MNM's speech, the Carlito/Masters arena wide brawl, the Flair interview. If I had written those out with my usual detail, I think it would have made that first hour feel longer and maybe the WWE Title match would have felt more naturally positioned? I appreciate the feedback on this topic though, because it lets me know that if I think something feels off then a reader will likely get that same feeling. Good to know!

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INFAMOUS: WWE in 2007

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Stojy

Well-Known Member

EZ3

7 x Piston Cup Winner

Qui-Gon Bren

It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage.

Stojy

Well-Known Member

Qui-Gon Bren

It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage.

Qui-Gon Bren

It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage.

INFAMOUS: WWE in 2007

Welcome to "The New" Wrestling Smarks Forum!

I see that you are not currently registered on our forum. It only takes a second, and you can even login with your Facebook! If you would like to register now, pease click here: Register Once registered please introduce yourself in our introduction thread which can be found here: Introduction Board

Stojy

Well-Known Member

EZ3

7 x Piston Cup Winner

Qui-Gon Bren

It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage.

Stojy

Well-Known Member

Qui-Gon Bren

It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage.

Qui-Gon Bren

It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage.