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WWE in 2007 was an unforgettable blend of incredible highs and devastating lows. Featuring two high profile World Championship matches and the perfect promotional storm that was the “Battle of the Billionaires”, WrestleMania 23 was WWE’s most successful shows EVER, setting new financial records for ticket sales and pay-per-view buys. In the ring, truly iconic matches, feuds, and moments took place. The Undertaker and Batista’s classic rivalry spanned the entire year. Edge cemented his place as the “Ultimate Opportunist”. Randy Orton ascended to the main event for good. In the midst of his longest reign as champion, John Cena had a career year on top! “The Champ” delivered all-time performances time and time again with the likes of Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton, and even carried The Great Khali through the best matches of his big ass life. 2007’s Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank matches were top tier offerings of each stipulation. A rising crop of new talent foretold WWE’s bright future. Bobby Lashley, Mr. Kennedy, Umaga, MVP, CM Punk, Cryme Tyme and a resurgent Jeff Hardy all made an impact in 2006, each with clear paths to climbing WWE’s ladder of success in 2007.
On the other hand, scandal and tragedy rocked the world of professional wrestling like never before. The Chris Benoit situation nearly destroyed WWE. In the wake of Benoit’s actions, the Signature Pharmacy scandal yet again put WWE on public trial for the use of steroids. A large number of superstars were suspended, others quit, and the trajectory of the company both creatively and business wise were forever changed. If all of that wasn’t enough, a remarkable amount of high profile injuries occurred throughout the year. WWE was forced time and time again to pivot direction on the fly and even crown new champions. 2007, for all it’s ups and downs, is one of the most unpredictable years the company ever experienced. As a fan, it was one of my FAVORITE times. Outside of the obviously horrible real life events that happened in June, most of what happened on screen was an enjoyable experience for 15 year old me. A lot of my favorite stars were on top. PPVs were must see for me and my friends. The injuries sucked, but led to some interesting moments we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
In past Book This projects, I would choose a time period that I disliked. When I thought the product sucked, so I could “improve” things. Now writing again for the first time in over a decade, I’m going to attack a time period I really enjoyed… but want to see how fun it could be without the debacles that ruined the year for many. I’m going to do everything I can to make this version of WWE different than the one we saw in real life. So as much as I loved WrestleMania 23, no matches from that show will be repeated. I’m not going to force myself to honor IRL injuries. I do think there could be some fun challenges writing a BTB with randomized injuries though. It’s an idea I’ve toyed with, but won’t consider implementing unless I can keep this project going long enough to get through WrestleMania. And for the final piece of business: Chris Benoit will not be used in this story. There’s no point in trying to use someone that will commit a double murder-suicide should my writing get that far into the year. In 2006, Benoit took a long hiatus through the summer to heal some injuries, eventually returning at No Mercy in October. In this alternate timeline, Chris Benoit never returns from that sabbatical. Benoit's second match back from injury was defeating Mr. Kennedy for the United States Championship. How Benoit’s non-return in my story effects Kennedy and the U.S. Title will be explored when I post my first episode of SmackDown.
Love or hate 2007, it’s one of the most INFAMOUS years in the history of professional wrestling.
My goal with this alternate timeline is to create a version of WWE in 2007 that would be considered ILLUSTRIOUS.
Umaga, Estrada, Coachman, & Nitro def. John Cena in a 4-on-1 Handicap match via DQ [*2]
NOTES:
After his loss to Jeff Hardy, Rob Conway was FIRED by Mr. McMahon.
Umaga assaulted John Cena after the main event. Guest commentator Kevin Federline entered the ring to mock Cena, and was also ATTACKED by the Samoan Bulldozer. When Federline’s posse came to the ring, they attempted to engage Umaga, which led to complete chaos! This brawl had to be broken up by arena security and local law enforcement, who had to remove Umaga from the building.
JANUARY 2ND, 2007 - Lakeland, Florida, USA
Test def. Sabu
Elijah Burke & Sylvester Terkay def. The FBI
Kevin Thorn (w/ Ariel) def. Balls Mahoney
ECW Championship: Bobby Lashley ( C ) vs Rob Van Dam ended in a No Contest [*1]
NOTES:
Rob Van Dam was physically unable to continue after an apparent leg injury.
JANUARY 5th, 2007 - Lakeland, Florida, USA
NOTE:
General Manager Teddy Long started the show by announcing a TWO week long “Beat the Clock Challenge” series. These matches are referred to as “SmackDown! Sprint matches”. The superstar has the fastest time by the end of SmackDown NEXT WEEK will be the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Champion Batista at ROYAL RUMBLE.
Kane def. Chavo Guerrero in a SD! Sprint match (7:53)
William Regal vs Brian Kendrick ended in a time limit draw in a SD! Sprint Match (7:53)
Gregory Helms vs Jimmy Wang Yang ended in a time limit draw in a SD! Sprint match (7:53)
Ashley def. Jillian
King Booker def. Finlay in a SD! Sprint Match (6:24)
NOTE:
Competitors for SmackDown! Sprint matches next week include Mr. Kennedy, Paul London, MVP, Matt Hardy, and the Undertaker!
PAY-PER-VIEW PREVIEW
THIS SUNDAY! JANUARY 7th, 2007 - Kansas City, Missouri, USA
New Year's Revolution announced matches
*As of this writing, Umaga's status for New Year's Revolution and the WWE Championship match against John Cena is UNKNOWN after last being seen having to be removed from the arena by security and police. We'll post any updates that become available before the pay-per-view this Sunday.
I've always had an interest for BTB's around the 2006 - 2008 period for one reason or another, so this is right in the sweet spot for me. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this, good luck.
NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTION January 7th, 2007 - Kansas City, Missouri, USA
The show begins with an uncharacteristic cold open, as the camera looks down a barrel of WWE superstars. In the foreground, Triple H & Shawn Michaels staring across at the World Tag Team Champions of Edge & Randy Orton. Next to DX is Ric Flair, looking across at Kenny Dykstra. As the camera creeps by between these superstars, we see Carlito locking eyes with Chris Masters, followed by Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy casually looking at Johnny Nitro who has Melina by his side. All of these superstars are dressed to compete, each hoping to settle the personal grudge with the man across from him. Finally, the camera settles on one man who stands between them all. The chairman, Mr. McMahon. Smiling through a look on his face that shows how stressful this day has been, Vince breaks the silence.
Mr. McMahon: "I’m sure all of you are wondering why I called you in here. We have a long night ahead of us, so I'll cut to the chase. Tonight’s challenger for the WWE Championship, Umaga, has been SUSPENDED due to a pending legal matter. But of course, the show must go on. THAT is why I have called all of you in here this evening. See, there have been a few changes."
Only a few of the Superstars redirect their look toward Vince following his statement. Flair. Nitro. Both Masters and Carlito.
McMahon:"There are plenty of issues and championships tied up in your respective tensions. But tonight is no longer about any of that. No, tonight, New Year's Revolution is about one thing, and one thing only. And that is the W..W..E CHAMPIONSHIP! Because tonight's main event will STILL be for the WWE Championship. And in keeping with the short tradition of New Year's Revolution events so far, tonight's main event FOR the WWE Championship will now take place inside... the Elimination Chamber."
The announcement draws a roar from the fans. And the attention of a few more superstars, as Hardy, Dykstra, and Edge now all three join in looking directly at Vince. Though Edge quickly clocks his partner still looking on at DX then rejoins him.
McMahon: "John Cena now needs FIVE challengers for tonight's main event. With that in mind, allow me to inform all of you about the changes to tonight's card."
Vince takes a step forward, now standing between Jeff Hardy and Johnny Nitro.
McMahon:"Your Steel Cage match for the Intercontinental Championship, that's not happening tonight. Instead, it will be Jeff Hardy vs Johnny Nitro, NON-TITLE, in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match!"
There's a small reaction from the crowd. Hardy seems pleased. Melina expresses frustration at Nitro losing his IC title match, but Nitro himself seems satisfied that he now has a chance to score a more prestigious prize. Vince takes another step, now standing between Carlito and Chis Masters.
McMahon:"This... thing between the two of you. You can still settle in the ring tonight. Carlito vs Chris Masters, one on one, in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match!"
There's another small reaction from the crowd. Carlito flashes a very cool smile, while Chris Masters' joy comes across more confident. Vince takes another step, now standing between Ric Flair and Kenny Dykstra. The crowd WOOO's.
McMahon:"Kenny Dykstra! Tonight was going to be the biggest match of your career!"
Dykstra gives a few firm nods in agreement.
McMahon: "Well congratulations, it just got bigger. Because now, you will go one on one with Ric Flair..." more WOOO's from the crowd "...in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match!"
There's another small reaction from the crowd. Kenny Dykstra can't contain his excitement as his hands clap together. Kenny's reaction, more than the added stipulation itself, drags a wry smile from the Nature Boy. Vince takes another step, now standing between the two teams who have been feuding for months. D-Generation X and Rated RKO.
McMahon:"Now, you four. You've been at each other's throats for months. I'm sure both of you were hoping to settle the score tonight, once and for all, and walk out of Kansas City Tag Team Champions. But much like Jeff Hardy and Johnny Nitro, your championship match... has been canceled. Because tonight is all about the WWE Championship, and we still need two challengers for the Elimination Chamber match. That's why tonight…"
Vince draws out a long pause before turning away from DX, the camera now tightening in on him and Rated RKO.
McMahon:"Edge, you will go one on one…
…
… ...with Randy Orton in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match."
Big reaction from the live crowd. Edge's mouth is gaped. Orton glances at his partner, straightening up a bit. His eyes are conflicted, but his jaw tightens with determination. Edge goes back and forth from Randy to Vince.
Edge:"Randy... Vince! erm... Mr. McMahon! We're the Tag Team-"
Vince turns away from Edge mid-sentence. The camera follows him, removing Rated RKO from view as Vince now faces D-Generation X with a devilish grin on his face. Triple H and Shawn Michaels both look at Vince completely unamused and no-selling the impending announcement.
McMahon:"Which leaves only you two without a match tonight. I guess that means…"
Vince's tone becomes very sarcastic.
McMahon: "It will have to be "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs "The King of Kings" Triple H, one on one, in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match."
The Chairman makes no attempts to hide his giddiness. A little over 3 months removed from having his face shoved into the Big Show's exposed rear end before being struck down with a sledgehammer and defeated inside Hell in a Cell, Vince McMahon has finally exacted a bit of revenge against DX. Regardless of how tight the two men have become, Vince knows, the fans know, even Triple H and Shawn Michaels know... the opportunity to become WWE Champion is too important to take lightly. And now, the members of D-Generation X will have to fight EACH OTHER for that opportunity. Neither Triple H or Shawn say anything in response to Vince's announcement, but we can see they're not happy.
McMahon:"Ah what's the matter? No smart ass retort? No genital jokes?"
Hunter lets out a huff as his lip curls, almost as if he's holding back a dozen insulting things coming to mind in that moment.
McMahon:"Good! We don't have time for the DX comedy hour. Because your match with each other…"
Vince makes sure to point at both Shawn and Triple H to drive the point home.
McMahon:"...it's going to start the show. Right. Now."
For the first time since addressing DX, Vince's tone shifts to a serious note to punctuate his revenge. Vince turns from both men and walks out of view, the camera now focusing solely on Triple H and Shawn Michaels. For the first time they turn and look at each other. No words are spoken, but silently with a few light nods, we see these two friends are resigned with the reality of their situation, and that both of them will do whatever it takes to win. The screen fades to black…
...
…
"Sweet Sacrifice" by Evanescence, and a massive display of fireworks, welcome us inside the arena. The cameras then pan around a sold out crowd filled with more signs than anyone could count.
Jim Ross: "It's 2007, and we welcome you to the first WWE pay-per-view of the year. We welcome you to New Year's Revolution! The Kemper arena in Kansas City is buzzing after a news worthy week in Sports Entertainment has completely upended tonight's show. As we all heard the Chairman reveal just moments ago, the "Samoan Bulldozer" Umaga has been suspended after his attack on John Cena and more specifically, Kevin Federline this past Monday on RAW. But we will still have a WWE Championship match in our main event I promise you that."
Jerry Lawler: "That's right JR! If John Cena felt lucky for dodging the Samoan bullet named Umaga tonight, he lost that lucky feeling real quick after Mr. McMahon announced the Elimination Chamber!"
A wide shot of the arena reveals our first look at the Elimination Chamber suspended high above the ring.
JR: "There you see the enormous, unforgiving battlefield known as the Elimination Chamber. In a matter of moments we will start determining which five men will meet our WWE Champion John Cena inside that destructive structure for the most coveted title in our business."
"ARE YOU READY?"
Jim: "Starting with a match that, quite frankly King, I cannot believe we are about to witness."
King: "I bet if you asked DX 10 minutes ago, they wouldn't have believed it either!"
After the intro of the iconic DX theme reaches it's crescendo, Shawn Michaels comes jogging out onto the stage. Always the performer, HBK shows no sign of any emotional distress or conflict. He works through his entrance as usual, with the one difference being no crotch chops or fireworks display in the ring. Simply some posing on the 2nd rope with his arms over his head in an X. Shawn settles in, but the DX music keeps playing as Triple H makes his way out onto the stage next. Both men have been operating full time as D-Generation X for half a year now, and were prepared to do so tonight. As Triple H makes his way down the ramp, we see just like Shawn, he still wears DX branded gear. The Game gets in the ring, and similarly to Shawn poses on the 2nd rope, X above his head, but with the added touch of spitting some water. As the music finally fades and the ref calls for the bell, there's a tension in the ring. Shawn Michaels and Triple H came to Kansas City to INFLICT PAIN. The personal and heated nature of their rivalry with Rated RKO had pushed both men outside of their jovial antics and reactivated the more dangerous side of DX. Then, without warning, Mr. McMahon grabbed the crosshair and refocused their aim on each other. With each man's eyes locked on his brother, is there a line that these men won't cross to gain victory over their partner tonight? If so, will the blood thirsty quest for vengeance they were operating in until just minutes ago push them over that line?
Match 1 Elimination Chamber Qualifier Shawn Michaels vs Triple H
The crowd is on their feet before either man has taken a step. The sudden shift in tonight's show has upped the stakes in a way that fans in attendance weren't expecting, and their energy is matching that excitement. Shawn and Hunter eventually meet in the center of the ring for a tie up. To each man's credit, they're able to keep a lid on their emotions and wrestle for the first couple of minutes. Each hold and counter appear more snug than the last, and it's clear there's an aggression underneath the surface. To the surprise of absolutely no one, it's Triple H who throws the first real salvo. Rolling up to his feet after being flung across the ring by an HBK arm drag, Triple H steps forward and puts all his weight behind a balled up right hand that connects with Shawn's jaw, dropping him as he approached The Game for a follow up maneuver. Hunter stands over Shawn, an apparent guilt on his face, but not a single ounce of regret. Shawn looks up at his friend while cupping a hand over his chin and cheek. But he doesn't look shocked or upset. The Showstopper actual grins! Both men knew it would have to come to this. Their love for each other made it hard to dive in head first, but Triple H was done dancing. And he just gave Shawn Michaels permission to feel the same way. Hunter takes a few steps back, allowing Shawn to stand. Allowing Shawn to reset. Now they can start for real.
The match continues to escalate as Shawn Michaels and Triple H wrestle the main event level they're both known for, adding a surprising new chapter to their shared history. Though with this being a qualifying match, both men work with the urgency of knowing that a 2nd, more brutal match awaits the winner later tonight. Neither wrestler has been able to hit their finishing move, but we've reached the point of the match when everything done is in an attempt to do so. Shawn, having most recently gained offensive control of the match, now stalks a slowly rising Triple H. The band has been tuned, to the loud approval of the audience, and once his prey has reached his feet, Shawn lunges in Hunter's direction and attempts Sweet Chin Music that is perfectly timed to catch The Game in the chin as he turns to find HBK. But Triple H must've been expecting as much, reacting quickly enough to catch the inbound boot at face level. Shawn, now vulnerable on one foot, has his other foot thrown away, the momentum spinning him a full 360 to face Triple H again. Kick to the gut. Head pushed down between the legs. A pedigree is coming.... until Shawn frees his head, and holding onto one of Triple H's arms twists and comes back up into a standing position in front of his opponent. Kick to the gut. Head pushed down between the legs. Wait! Shawn Michaels is attempting to hit a Pedigree ON Triple H? Shawn hooks both of Triple H's arms, and at a quick glance, you'd think Shawn Michaels was about to enjoy being the one to deliver a Pedigree. But he never gets the chance as Triple H erupts into a standing position, flipping Shawn over the top of him with a Backdrop. The effort of doing so causes The Game to stumble two steps forward, where he catches the ring ropes to remain upright. Triple H has had his own Pedigree attempts reversed by a Backdrop hundreds of times at this point in his career. But Shawn Michaels is a bit quicker than The Game. With adrenaline driving him on, Shawn gets back up to his feet much quicker than Triple H ever did after such a reversal. Right as Triple H is pushing himself away from the ropes to get back on the offensive, Shawn is on his feet ready to send another Sweet Chin Music shot. As HBK's foot comes off the mat, a jumping knee strike from The Game knocks Shawn on his ass before he can follow through. The added momentum of pushing away from the ropes allows Triple H to close the gap on Shawn quicker than the Heartbreak Kid was expecting. Triple H catches himself on the opposite ropes now after connecting with the knee. Again he pushes himself away from them, this time to take advantage of the opening he's created. Pulling a stunned Shawn Michaels back up to his feet, Triple H forces the head between his legs, hooks both arms, then jumps into the air before FINALLY putting Shawn Michaels face first into the mat with his Pedigree. Hunter follows by pressing down and hooking a leg…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Winner: Triple H (18:44)
"BREAK IT DOWN!" echoes throughout the arena as DX's music plays once more. Hunter rolls to a seated position next to his best friend, still motionless after eating the devastating move. He pats Shawn on the chest a few time, like a "Helluva job" acknowledgment, before getting to his feet and allowing the referee to raise his hand. Triple H looks up at the Elimination Chamber high above his head. A match type that The Game knows all too well. He then looks straight down the hard cam before holding up 1 finger on each hand. We can't hear over the music, but Triple H clearly mouths the words "Eleven times", announcing his intent to become an 11 time World Champion by the end of the night. Behind the victor, Shawn Michaels has risen to his feet. Noticing this, Triple H approaches him. Things feel a bit stand-offish for a moment. A hard fought battle like the one these men just put each other through must be difficult to get over so fast. But eventually, Shawn extends a hand to Hunter, which is accepted. After the handshake, HBK immediately leaves the ring, giving Triple H the winner's spotlight that he earned, but also giving Shawn the space he himself needs at the moment.
In the backstage area we see a room full of superstars. Cryme Tyme, Cade & Murdoch, Super Crazy & Jim Duggan (wtf was this tag team?), The Highlanders, and Haas & Benjamin. There were plans for these five teams to compete in a surprise gauntlet match tonight. Eventually we see it was Mr. McMahon yet again who has assembled this group of superstars.
Mr. McMahon: "...it will still be a golden opportunity."
We don't hear Vince speak for very long before Edge butts into view, with Randy eventually stepping in behind him.
McMahon: "May I help you two?"
Edge: "Mr. McMahon, please, help us understand. WHY are you making your World Tag Team champions fight each other tonight? Randy and I came here to DESTROY DX. We thought you of all people would want to see us accomplish that. But instead of letting us each take a crack at Triple H and Shawn Michaels... you want us to destroy each other?"
Randy stays silent for now.
McMahon: "I don't have to explain my decisions to anyone. But you are right about one thing Edge. There's nothing I'd love to see more than a fractured and broken D-Generation X. But sometimes…"
Vince gets a little closer to Edge.
McMahon: "...you need to divide and conquer BEFORE you can destroy something. Do you understand THAT?"
Edge gives a half ass grin. Of course he understands, but he's playing along with the boss more than he's actually happy about the decision. Randy stays silent for now.
McMahon: "I know you two want to get your hands on DX. So I'll tell you the same thing I was telling the rest of these RAW superstars. All of the originally scheduled matches for this evening will be honored in the coming weeks. Jeff Hardy and Johnny Nitro WILL have their Steel Cage match for the Intercontinental Championship before Royal Rumble."
Vince then directs Rated RKO's attention to the by-standing tag teams in the room.
McMahon: "And these five teams, they were going to compete tonight to determine the next challengers for YOUR World Tag Team Championships. That Tag Team Turmoil match will now take place tomorrow night on RAW in St. Louis."
All five teams exude confidence and excitement at the opportunity as Vince continues to address the Champs.
McMahon: "Now. Since two of you four are competing twice tonight, including going through hell inside the Elimination Chamber, Rated RKO vs D-Generation X will happen in 8 days on Monday Night RAW in Bossier City. And that match is STILL for the World Tag Team Championships."
Edge looks over his shoulder at Randy, flashing his partner a cocky full tooth smile. Randy nods back at Edge with a smirk of his own.
McMahon: "So if Rated RKO can finally put DX to rest, and retain those Tag Team titles, then you two will soon have to battle one of the hungry challengers standing before you!"
Both Edge and Orton lose the cocky look on their faces as they now look ahead at all the teams, and potentially, future opponents. Regardless of what happens here tonight, Rated RKO could be looking at not one, but TWO World Tag Team Title defenses over the next few weeks. All of the teams exit the room one by one, passing Vince and the champs. Each make a fairly quiet comment in the champs direction as they go. When Haas & Benjamin walk before them, Edge quickly quips…
Edge: "World Greatest Tag Team? My Canadian ass."
..which neither Charlie or Shelton respond to.
Cryme Tyme are the last team to exit, but pause to stand face to face with the Champs before they do. The crowd can be heard cheering for this potential matchup. Randy stays silent.
Edge: "You jokers got somethin to say?"
Shad and JTG look at each other with a smirk then crack up laughing, exiting the room without a response. For some reason, this seems to get under Edge's skin.
Back in the arena, the opening notes of an energetic rock theme begin to play as a young, athletic face appears on the titantron. When the music's tempo picks up, bold silver letters flash across the screen reading "KENNY DYKSTRA". The 20 year old superstar appears on stage dressed in white biker short trunks with sharp blue designs, matching white knee pads and boots, and a white sweat band around his forehead. The crowd reaction to Kenny Dykstra is lukewarm, as the young superstar is still trying to find his way in WWE post-cheer leading. While Kenny makes his way to the ring, full of exuberance, a picture-in-picture 2nd screen shows a short pre-match interview.
Todd Grisham: "Kenny Dykstra, in a few moments you'll compete in your very first Pay-Per-View singles match against "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, where if you win, you'll compete in your very first WWE Championship match later tonight. Are you feeling nervous at all?"
Kenny Dykstra: "Zero percent, Todd! A Pay-Per-View match is exciting, but this ISN'T my first match versus Ric Flair. It's not even my second! I have PINNED Ric Flair twice over the past three weeks. You see Todd, after the Spirit Squad fell apart, I had to take my career into my own hands."
Kenny's hands form around an imaginary baseball bat.
Dykstra: "So I stepped up to the plate, and I swung for the fences by going after the legendary Ric Flair.”
Dykstra now swings the imaginary bat.
Dykstra: “I've beaten the "Nature Boy" two times, which means I'm already past 2nd base. Tonight, in the Elimination Chamber, I will slide into home and SCORE the WWE Championship. But before that, Kenny Dykstra gets to 3rd base with Ric Flair. WOOOO!"
Kenny quickly exits the interview area. Our final view of the picture-in-picture screen is Todd Grisham alone, looking completely caught off guard by Kenny's final statement. Now full screen, Kenny Dykstra confidently poses in the ring after removing his headband.
JR: "Young Dykstra conveniently leaving out that he held onto the ropes this past Monday night on RAW to get his second pin-fall over the Nature Boy."
King: "Hold on. Kenny Dykstra wants to do WHAT with Ric Flair!?"
JR: "Poor choice of words aside, Dykstra has called his shot. If this 20 year old prodigy does what he says, he'll be the youngest WWE Champion in history!"
King: "Well, I really hope we DON'T see Dykstra do what he just said, JR!"
JR: "Oh will you let it go?"
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The opening cry of Ric Flair's entrance inspires hundreds of WOOOO's from the crowd. As his iconic music plays, the "Nature Boy" arrives in style, draped in a classic Ric Flair robe. While he surely hopes to avenge his losses to Kenny, and claim the WWE Championship opportunity, you wouldn't be able to tell. Naitch can't help but to ooze charisma and charm as he makes his way down to the ring. Once inside, he removes his red robe, to reveal matching red wresting gear. Flair slaps both of his shoulders as his music fades, and the bell rings.
Match 2 Elimination Chamber Qualifier Kenny Dykstra vs Ric Flair
As the match gets underway, commentary reminds us that after being pinned by Kenny in their tag match this past week on RAW, Flair was also attacked by Rated RKO due to his relationship with DX. Flair is 6 days removed from having his head smashed by a Con-Chair-To. Kenny, being very aware of this, focuses his offense on Flair's head. Damaging his opponent's head would also benefit Kenny deep in the match should he be able to connect with his impressive Guillotine Leg Drop finisher. Though usually slower paced and methodical, the Nature Boy wrestles with more urgency than we're used to seeing. Perhaps to reserve himself for the Elimination Chamber, or because he's feeling the effects of Monday's attack. Regardless, Flair is going for quick pin attempts any time he gets Kenny on the ground. Throughout the body of the match, this is what we see from both superstars. The younger Dykstra seems unconcerned (or inexperienced enough) with saving energy for a potential 2nd match. He's taking his time, continuously engaging in offense, and soaking up his solo PPV spotlight. The veteran Flair is only concerned with winning, despite how much he would like to punish Kenny for becoming so much of an annoyance in his career lately. But Flair knows there's no sweeter revenge than victory.
Late in the match, Dykstra has connected with enough punches that a thin stream of blood leaks from Flair's forehead and trails around his eyebrow down his cheek. Dykstra gets Flair in position for a DDT. Kenny's need to showboat in the moment gives Flair an opening to slip his head out, while hooking his arm around the back side of Kenny's leg. Flair rolls his body down toward the mat, and uses his body weight to hold Kenny down in a school boy style pin.
1!
2!
..
But Kenny shoots his arm before the ref gets close to 3. As both men get to their feet, the younger Dykstra is up well before Flair and grabs him again for the DDT. This time Dykstra wastes no time planting Flair on his head, and now Ric is motionless face down in the ring.
King: "Dykstra can win here!"
Kenny rolls Flair over onto his back, then stands up and smiles at the crowd.
JR: "What are you doin', kid? Win the match!"
Kenny exits through the ropes and climbs up top.
King: "He's won matches against Ric Flair before, JR. Now Kenny Dykstra is going to make a statement!"
Naitch hasn't moved a muscle. Dykstra gains his balance and stands straight up on the top rope. He holds up 3 fingers high above his head for for all to see, signaling he's about to secure his third victory against the legendary Ric Flair. Kenny leaps into the air, his athleticism on full display as he awes the crowd with the height he gained in a single jump. As he falls, Kenny extends his legs, hoping to deliver the killing blow to Ric Flair's head with his Guillotine Leg Drop.
*THUD*
The crowd come alive as Kenny Dykstra crashes and burns into the mat! Ric Flair was able to evade the falling Dykstra by rolling out of the way. Kenny's expression flashes surprise and pain as he sits on the mat, reaching behind and down toward his tailbone. Flair doesn’t hesitate. He gets up to his feet enough to scoop up both of Kenny's legs and roll him backwards, folding his opponent up like lawn chair back near the corner Kenny just leaped from. The referee has to slide half way beneath the ropes to get a view of the shoulders as Ric Flair stacks Kenny's legs over the top of his head for the pin attempt.
1!
Flair reaches over the referee's head and grabs hold of the middle rope.
2!
...
3!
King: "No way!"
Winner: Ric Flair (10:02)
JR: "A little bit of payback for Flair tonight, and hopefully a lesson for Kenny Dykstra!"
King: "You can't take your eye off the ball when you're in the ring with the dirtiest player in the game!"
Ric Flair backs up the ramp with the referee who's raising his arm in victory. Dykstra in the ring is leaned over the ropes yelling in the direction of both men, then gets performative by yanking on the ropes and complaining about the "dirty" win.
JR: "Flair didn't waste any time in there, but he took more of a beating than he would've liked. The Elimination Chamber is dangerous for any man. But for a 57 year old man who's head has been the target of multiple attacks? Ric's gotta be smart about this."
King: "If there's anyone who knows how to handle himself in a World Championship match, it's the Nature Boy!"
Now up on the stage before exiting through the curtain, Flair looks out at the crowd and yells out a WOOOOO, which is quickly echoed by the fans.
RAW's backstage correspondent appears on screen at the interview area.
Todd Grisham: "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guests at this time. The World Tag Team Champions, Edge and Randy Orton. Rated RKO."
The camera zooms out to reveal Grisham already standing between nearby Edge and Orton, appearing as they have all night, already in their ring gear with the World Tag Team Titles resting over their shoulders. Neither of them bother to look at the interviewer.
Grisham: "Gentlemen, tonight we'll see a rare matchup of Tag Team Champion vs Tag Team Champion. The two of you have been working like a well oiled machine since forming Rated RKO in October. Are either of you at all concerned that facing each other for a shot at the WWE Championship will create friction in your team?"
Naturally this question draws the ire of both superstars, who now look at Grisham. Orton doesn't show nearly as much emotion as Edge, who appears disgruntled at the line of questioning.
Edge: "Is this why you requested our time, Todd? To drive a wedge between Rated RKO? To try and create drama where none exists? I don't remember hearing you ask Triple H or Shawn Michaels these type of questions. But knowing the history they have with each other, maybe you should be!"
Grisham: "No, no drama. It's a genuine question. It can't be easy mentally preparing to do battle with your partner. And I assume, your friend?"
Todd definitely says "friend?" in a leading tone. Edge looks up at his partner in disbelief for a moment. Randy glances at Edge, but stays silent for now.
Edge: "No, TODD. It isn't easy. But what makes us the champions that stand before you, is that Randy and I both do what needs to be done. We've faced each other many times in the past. Hell, I even beat Randy for the Intercontinental Championship a few-"
"Ohhhh" says the crowd in unison. Edge's ego slipped out just enough in his perturbed state to get a reaction out of Orton, who now stares at Edge with his head turned slightly. His eyes squinting just enough that we can tell his thoughts are, "Really?". Edge tries to do damage control.
Edge: "Randy I didn't mean... that came out wro... damn it, TODD! See, there you go. I cannot believe this type of sleazy behavior passes for journalism in this country. Tonight is not about the past, okay? It's about…"
Orton: "No, Edge. It IS about the past."
For how many times we've seen Rated RKO on screen tonight, this is the first time we've heard Randy speak. While the typically calculated "Rated R Superstar" has been slowly unraveling since the moment their match was announced at the start of the show, the typically impulsive "Legend Killer" has been exercising restraint as he processes everything that's happened. From their blood feud with DX being put on pause. Preparing to fight his partner. Learning new challengers will be decided before they've even settled things with DX. A golden opportunity hanging in the balance inside the Elimination Chamber. Randy has taken time to figure how he should best go about dealing with these circumstances, instead of reacting emotionally.
Edge: "Randy…"
Orton: "Just listen. It is about the past, for me. You know why we joined forces. Rated RKO was created to destroy DX for all the wrongs they've done. They've cost you championships. They've cost me championships."
Randy's volume increases a bit.
Orton: "He TOOK my championship!"
Now yelling.
Orton: "HE BETRAYED ME, EDGE! HE BROKE-"
Randy stops mid-sentence. His emotional impulsiveness slipping the same way Edge's ego had moments before. Randy composes himself before continuing.
Orton: "But it's about each of our pasts too, Edge. I've never once faced John Cena for the WWE Championship. How many times have YOU fought Cena for that title over the past year?"
Edge looks away from Orton, almost in shame at ultimately losing to Cena. But if he's being truthful, Edge probably doesn't want to validate the point Randy is trying to make either.
Orton: "How many main event opportunities on RAW? On pay-per-view?"
Edge: "I earned my spot, Randy. I deserved every one of those opportunities."
Edge has a slightly defensive tone, now looking his partner in the eye.
Orton: "Yes you did! You absolutely did. But I deserve MINE."
This response from Randy actually gets some cheers in the crowd.
Orton: "Cena and I got here at the same damn time. Then I reached the top of the mountain way before he did. But does anyone talk about Randy Orton being the next Hulk Hogan? No. Because while John Cena had a system propping him up, the game was pulling me down."
More, even louder cheers from some of the crowd. Randy is no one's hero, but the anti-Cena sentiment among portions of WWE's fan-base love what he's saying.
Orton: "If I make it to the Elimination Chamber match tonight. I have the opportunity to right TWO wrongs from my past. I can stop Triple H from becoming champion again. Take what he took from me. From both of us. And I can reclaim the throne that was built. for. me."
Louder cheers. Randy has effectively pulled half of this Kansas City crowd to his cause. Is it the half that would boo Cena tonight anyway? Probably. But the passion in which he spoke undoubtedly earned him a few supporters.
Edge: "I understand Randy. I do. But when it comes to Cena, and the WWE Championship... I have some wrongs that I need to right too."
Randy nods in acknowledgment of Edge's own agenda.
Orton: "Of course. Like you said, we'll do what needs to be done. May the best man win."
Randy extends a hand toward his partner. A genuine smirk curls up in the corner of Edge's mouth before he reaches out to take, then shake Randy's hand. Orton gives one more firm nod toward his partner before turning and walking away. But in all this emotional heart to heart, Edge didn't forget his true enemy. The genuine smirk on his face turning into a smug one.
Edge: "Nice try, TODD."
Elsewhere backstage, we see Johnny Nitro and Melina walking side by side down a hallway. Nitro engulfed by an enormous, dark fur coat. Half of his face hidden behind even darker sunglasses. Melina is brighter in contrast, wearing a hot pink strappy top. The two are in the midst of a conversation we don't quite catch. Then from somewhere off camera, we hear a woman's voice call out…
???: "Melina!"
Nitro and Melina stop in their tracks, both turning their heads to the left perfectly in sync to see who approaches them.
Victoria: "Melina, wait!"
Tonight's challenger for the WWE Women's Championship, Victoria, comes into view with a clipboard in hand and approaches the couple.
Melina: "What is it, Victoria? We're on our way to the ring!"
Victoria: "We... talked about this. We've got to figure out our plan. You promised to watch my back out there."
Nitro tilts his nose down to peer at Victoria from over his sunglasses, the cocky smile never leaving his face for a second. Melina seems a bit annoyed.
Melina: "I knooow Victoria. But a lot has changed tonight. Johnny was supposed to be in a cage match, and he was going to win back the Intercontinental Championship. Now we have to make sure he beats Jeff Hardy to get into that Elimination Chamber. There's just a lot on my mind."
Melina slowly looks back at her boyfriend, hoping to see anything that would show Nitro is feeling the same anxiety that she is. But he just smiles.
Victoria: "Look I get it. But remember, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours? My HIT LIST is almost complete!”
Tonight’s challenger raises the clipboard up to eye level, showing off the literal hit list with the names of various RAW Divas that Victoria has scratched off over the weeks.
Victoria: “I’ve taken out every woman in my path to get to Mickie James. And if you help me win the Championship tonight I am giving YOU the first shot! Don't you want to be a Women's Champion? Or is Melina only concerned with making…"
Victoria pauses as her eyes shift from Melina to Nitro.
Victoria: "...OTHER people a champion?"
Nitro scoffs, now turning his head to look down the hallway, symbolically leaving this conversation. Melina is clearly conflicted.
Melina: "Of course I want to be a champion some day. And I want you to be a champion today, Victoria. And I want Mickie James NOT to be a champion!"
Victoria: "Okay! Then we have a mission to complete. Come on."
Victoria takes a couple of leading steps back down the hallway, the opposite direction that Nitro and Melina are headed. Melina looks to Johnny, just begging for him to tell her it's OK to leave. Or maybe to beg her not to? He continues to stare down the hallway, his smile has slowly shifted to a bored smirk.
Melina: "Johnny…"
Nitro: "It's fine, babe. SOME OF US are able to win matches our own."
He turns his head to make sure Victoria caught that last part. In the background we see Victoria rolls her eyes.
Nitro: "I don't need anyone's help to beat Jeff Hardy. And I won't need any help to become WWE Champion. Go play with your friend."
Johnny is fairly dismissive, but he doesn't leave. Maybe he wants to see what she'll choose. Melina looks hurt initially, but her expression slowly turns angry. Spiteful even.
Melina: "Good luck, BABE."
She turns without hesitation and catches up with Victoria. The two women walk out of view, leaving Nitro alone in the hallway. He briefly looks over his shoulder, maybe hoping that Melina had changed her mind? But she was gone. Nitro rolled his shoulders once and cocked his neck to the left, then to the right, and suddenly that giant cheesy smile was on his face again. Johnny resumes walking down the hallway.
The shrieking chords of Nitro and Melina's "Paparazzi" theme song begin to play in the arena as a long red carpet is rolled out from the stage down the ramp. Johnny Nitro saunters out onto the stage, pausing on the carpet to bathe in the flashbulbs of all the paparazzi photographers taking his picture. Maybe the sunglasses inside serve a practical purpose after all? With his ego fully inflated once again, Nitro makes his way down to the ring solo.
King: "I can't believe Nitro came out here without Melina, JR!"
JR: "Johnny Nitro is a capable competitor, but there's no doubt that his career has greatly benefited from having Melina at ringside. Perhaps a not-so-calculated risk on Johnny's part telling Melina to leave."
King: "Sure. But worse than that, we don't get to see Melina do the splits!"
As Johnny drops his over-sized fur coat outside the ropes to somebody on the ring crew, the iconic Hardy Boyz theme song begins to play. The crowd cheers loudly as Jeff Hardy comes jogging out onto the stage. The Intercontinental Championship is prominently strapped around Hardy's waist, and bounces up and down as Jeff does his juke dance. Jeff slaps hands with as many fans as he can without breaking his stride down the ramp. After posing in the ring, Hardy hands off the IC belt to the ref and hops back and forth on each leg until the bell rings.
Match 3 (non-Title) Elimination Chamber Qualifier Johnny Nitro vs Jeff Hardy
These two have been battling each other for MONTHS. Trading the Intercontinental title back and forth on RAW, briefly reforming their famous tag teams with Matt Hardy and Joey Mercury respectively. Jeff even shattered Mercury's face with a ladder just a few weeks ago at Armageddon, putting an end to MNM's short reunion. Tonight might have been the end of the Hardy vs Nitro story had their Steel Cage match taken place as scheduled. But knowing that match is still to come in the near future, tonight's match is just another chapter. And as such, there's no feeling out process to start. Hardy runs straight at Nitro. Johnny's instinct is to retreat, but his back immediately finds the turnbuckles of the corner he was standing in which traps him as Jeff jumps up and crashes into Johnny with a standing splash. Hardy quickly stays on the offensive, throwing punch after punch into Nitro's head. Johnny struggles to cover up and crumbles down the corner into a seated position. Jeff gets a few stomps in, then backs up enough that he can run at Nitro again. He does so, then runs up the bottom and middle rope before grabbing hold of the top rope and sling-shotting his momentum down to kick Nitro in the chest (Google says this move is called the Hardyac Arrest? I remember JR used to yell SOMETHING when Jeff did this seated corner kick but I don't remember it being Hardyac Arrest). After the impact of the kick, Nitro throws his body between the middle and bottom ropes to retreats outside the ring. This is the story of the match. A cat and mouse chase of Jeff Hardy trying to be aggressive offensively, but Nitro dodging and weaving when he can and picking his spots.
This match moves at a sprints pace, but Jeff is ready to end things when he kicks Nitro in the gut and grabs hold of his head for a Twist of Fate. Jeff twists and is ready to drop Nitro, but Johnny slips free of his grip. Now standing behind his opponent, Nitro hits Jeff in the back of the head with a blunt forearm strike. This stuns Jeff, and leave him vulnerable to Nitro's next attack, a... Twist of Fate? Yes! Nitro drops Jeff Hardy with his own Twist of Fate. Nitro wastes no time going for the pin.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
THR-NO!
Jeff shoots his shoulder off the mat just in time to avoid defeat. Nitro is frustrated, but almost looks excited. He has an idea. Getting to his feet, Nitro grabs Jeff and drags him closer to the corner. He lays into Jeff with a few stomps to the chest and stomach, before climbing to the top rope. Nitro stands straight and makes the Hardyz gun hand sign with both hands, then leaps out and HITS Jeff Hardy with a Swanton Bomb. The fans can't believe it. Nitro is Jeff Hardying Jeff Hardy. Again he goes right for the pin, and this time it's academic.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
Hardy's shoulder rolls up at 2.9 but the ref's hand still hits the mat
THREE!
The crowd gasps as Nitro rolls to his knees, thrusting both arms down and yelling "YES!" at the top of his lungs. But the ref is quickly waving both his arms saying "No no no, two!" He saw Jeff get the shoulder up in time! The fans realize this and start cheering. The only person who doesn't realize this match isn't over is Johnny Nitro. The ref stands right next to him and is trying to explain, but Johnny gets up to his feet and is trying to force the Official to raise his arm. The ref has to literally throw Nitro's arm down to his side and yell, "Two, Nitro! He kicked at two!" Johnny can't believe it.
Nitro: "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I HEARD THE THREE! YOU COUNTED THREE!"
The referee isn't going to argue. He walks away shaking his head then stands in the corner ready to continue watching the action. Nitro can't let it go and keeps yelling in the referee's direction, despite the man in stripes fully ignoring him. Nitro looks around, like he doesn't know what to do. Finally he accepts reality that this match is still happening when he sees Jeff has gotten up to one knee. Nitro lunges over and clubs down at Hardy's upper back with three forearms to stop his rise. Johnny grabs Jeff by the head and starts to pull him up to his feet, looking over at the ref as he does so to admonish him some more.
Nitro: "Now pay close attention this time, dummy!"
Hardy's arms shoot up, his hands lacing behind Johnny's neck. Jeff hops up then falls to his ass, bringing Nitro's chin crashing down onto Jeff's head. The impact of the jawbreaker causes Nitro's head to shoot up so fast that the momentum sends him crashing down to the mat on his back, like a knockout punch. Hardy reaches forward and grabs one of Johnny's legs as he scurries up to his feet. Jeff grabs Nitro's other leg, now holding both of them up as he quickly walks around his opponent's body and stands above Johnny's head. Jeff falls into a seated position once more, making sure to bring Johnny's legs down over Johnny's head and trapping them under Jeff's own legs. This stacks all of Nitro's body weight onto itself as his shoulders are pinned to the mat.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Winner: Jeff Hardy (12:18)
Jeff rolls up to his feet and stumbles over toward the nearest corner. His arms fall over the top ropes as his chest rests against the top turnbuckle. Hardy looks out at the fans in front of him who all happily cheer him on. Nitro rolls over to his side and holds a hand under his chin. His eyes are wide and he stares at nothing really, stunned both from the jawbreaker itself and how suddenly he went from the feeling of victory to the crushing weight of defeat. Jeff turns to look down at Nitro as the ref approaches and raises his arm. Nitro turns to meet Jeff's eyes. The smile of satisfaction on Hardy's face turns Nitro's stunned face into an angry one. But there's nothing he can do about it tonight. Jeff leaves his conquered opponent in the ring, slapping hands with more fans as he exits up the ramp.
Backstage we find Shawn Michaels in the DX dressing room. He is sitting in front of a locker, wearing a DX T-Shirt, a pair of jeans, and has just finished putting on his cowboy boots. After a moment, Triple H steps into view wearing the same DX T-Shirt, but still dressed in his trunks and ring boots. Hunter sits next to his partner. The difference in their attire is a quick reminder of the result from their match earlier tonight. Neither man looks at the other yet.
Triple H: "We're good, right?"
Shawn: "Of course. Just uh... not the night I was expecting."
Triple H: "No kidding."
This weird tension that was created the moment Mr. McMahon changed tonight's show is still present between these two.
Triple H: "Look, Shawn. I need you to know. I'm still committed to THIS."
Hunter looks at Shawn and motions to the two of them.
Triple H: "I'm proud to wear DX on my chest again. I'm having the time of my life with you right now. Despite what happened tonight, what could still happen... I want you to know that THIS is still a priority for me. Finishing what Rated RKO started with us is a priority for me."
Shawn nods along, and has slowly turned to look at Hunter while he speaks.
Triple H: "I know there was a time when you and I uh…"
Shawn: "Hunter!"
Triple H stops talking. It wasn't too long ago that Triple H chose being THE man and hording the World Title instead of a DX reunion and his friendship with Shawn Michaels. What followed was a 2 year blood feud between the two. It's been years since then, but it's clearly weighing heavy on their minds tonight.
Shawn: "I know. It was a different time, okay? We fought our wars. We moved on. I'm not worried about you getting the WWE Championship and becoming THAT guy. We're good. Tonight was just a tough one. That's what Vince wanted, ya know?"
Triple H smirks.
Triple H: "You think he would’ve learned to leave us alone after we put his face in Big Show's ass huh?"
Shawn snickers.
Shawn: "I dunno, you hit him pretty hard with that sledgehammer. He probably doesn't even remember."
Triple H: "Nooo, that's a smell you don't forget--"
*knock knock*
"Wooo!"
Ric Flair enters the DX locker room, and both men appear happy to see him. Triple H stands to greet Flair, who's also still dressed in his ring gear but with a white towel hanging off his shoulders. These three have been on screen together in unity a few times over the past 3 months that Rated RKO has been causing mayhem on RAW. The shared admiration and respect is visible.
Triple H: "How ya feeling, Naitch?"
Flair: "Oh Hunter, I feel ALIVE baby! Not only did I get that punk Kenny Dykstra off my back tonight, but the Nature Boy wooooOOO, is back in the main event!"
Triple H has a big smile and pats Ric on the back. Shawn, still sitting, also has a smirk on his face.
Flair: "And you two, I tell ya, what a great match. Coulda gone either way. I'm proud of how the two of you handled yourselves out there. But look where its led us. Triple H and Ric Flair, in the main event of a RAW pay-per-view, WWE Championship on the line. It's just like the good ol days, huh H?"
Triple H tries to discreetly shake his head no at Flair. Ric didn't say anything horrible, but based on tonight's tensions and the heart to heart that DX just had... it probably isn't the best time to celebrate Evolution and Triple H's "reign of terror" as the "good ol days".
Shawn stands up and playfully, or sarcastically?, asks…
Shawn: "Good for who?"
Ric is a little taken aback. The Game just looks bummed.
Flair: "Hey Shawn, I didn't mean like--"
Shawn: "Oh I'm just messin with you guys!"
Shawn's expression doesn't look very playful however. Nor does he look angry, or disgruntled. Just... not in the mood.
Triple H: "Hey…"
Shawn: "Hunter. Good luck tonight. Win that thing. Make Vince regret messing with DX again. I'm heading to the hotel, but I'll be watching."
HBK turns to grab his bag, pulling the strap up over his shoulder before looking back at the other two.
Shawn: "And don't forget, it's your turn to get the rental car. Staying up late in the Elimination Chamber doesn't mean you get to oversleep."
Shawn gives Hunter a firm pat on the shoulder, then walks past both he and Flair, then exits the room. The joke about oversleeping forces Triple H to smile. There was a pinch of passive aggressive attitude in the delivery. But the fact that Shawn was still able to crack a joke told Hunter that, yeah, they're good.
“YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME”
As “Metalingus” tears through the arena speakers, smoke pours out across the stage. It’s not long until Edge emerges from the smokey cloud full of intensity. Even though he wears a large trench coat, the championship around his waist is still visible. The Rated R Superstar briefly poses on the stage before heading down to the ring. As Edge’s entrance concludes, you would think it’s just another day at the office for him. No signs of conflicting emotions before he battles his partner.
….
….
….
“HEY!”
…
…
…
“HEY!”
…
A golden highlight reel from Randy Orton’s career plays on the titantron.
…
“HEY! NOTHIN YOU CAN SAY!”
The Legend Killer's incredibly awesome theme song kicks into high gear as Randy Orton slowly walks out onto the stage. Unlike Edge, he wears no special entrance gear. Meaning the World Tag Team title around his waist shines just as bright as Orton himself while he hits his signature pose on the stage. As Orton makes his way to the ring to a mixture of boos and cheers, he keeps his eyes on Edge. Orton randomly nods at different times during his entrance, as if telling himself, “Yeah we’re going to do this.” Orton hits his pose in the ring one more time, now in the corner standing on the middle rope, until his music fades out. Randy and Edge stand opposite each other across the ring. Edge no longer wears his entrance coat, and we now see both men wearing matching black and red colored gear. They look the part of a tag team. Both superstars hand their half of the World Tag Team titles off to the Official in the center of the ring, signifying a temporary pause of their shared interests. Between the next two bell rings, Edge and Randy Orton have to prioritize themselves.
Match 4 Elimination Chamber Qualifier Edge vs Randy Orton
Just like with Triple H vs Shawn Michaels at the start of the show, Edge and Orton start with a classic tie up. Unlike DX however, it doesn’t take these two very long to start wrestling to win. No holding back. No remorse. But maybe to everyone’s surprise, Edge and Orton wrestle each other CLEAN. Two of RAW’s more irredeemable villains wrestle in a way that shows they have respect for one another. The fan support is firmly behind Orton, at least a 75/25 split.
The longer the match goes, things do start to get chippy as both superstars compete with intensity and passion. Regardless of how much you like your opponent, it’s hard to feel friendly in the heat of battle. The action spills outside of the ring late in the contest. An extended brawl comes to a sudden end when Edge connects with a SPEAR that drives Orton into the corner barricade. The barrier between wrestlers and fans were built with more structural integrity in the early 2000’s, so the barricade does NOT implode upon collision. It stands firm as a the wall it was intended to be, which crushes Orton between the impact of Edge’s Spear, and the unmoving foundation of the barricade. Orton is down in a heap, arms wrapped around his midsection and groaning in pain as Edge dips into the ring to break the referee’s 10 count. Edge quickly returns to his downed partner outside and attempts to pick him up off the ground. Orton is dead weight, but Edge still manages to get him about half way up until Orton throws a wild defensive punch that connects with Edge’s ribs. This causes Edge to let go, and Orton falls back down. On the ground it appears that Randy is having a hard time catching his breath. Either from having the wind knocked out of him by the Spear, or perhaps real damage caused by the barricade. Edge expresses frustration, and can’t help but notice the referee’s new count being shouted.
“3!”
Edge looks back at the referee, then down at Orton. He grabs Orton again by the head and shoulder to lift, but doesn’t get very far.
“4!”
Edge’s eyes get wide, then he pushes Orton back into the ground before turning and sliding into the ring. He stands up and barks at the ref to KEEP COUNTING! The referee steps past Edge and shouts…
“5!”
The Rated R Superstar turns to look in the direction of Orton.
“6!”
The fans around the ringside area are standing and their cheers are getting louder and louder as they try to motivate Orton to get up! He’s stirring, but still flat on the ground.
“7!”
Edge gets that frantic look on his face. We all know the one. If he could force the Official to speed count to 10, he would.
“8!”
The fans standing around the ringside area begin a chant to encourage Orton. “Randy! Randy! Randy! Randy!” Edge brings a finger up to his lips, telling them all to quiet down. But it’s working! Randy has pushed up to his hands and knees.
“9!”
It took Orton this long just to get on all fours, surely he can’t get to his feet in time and clear the distance from the corner barricade to the ring can he? Have you ever watched wrestling before? Orton explodes to his feet and darts toward the ring, diving under the bottom rope just as the referee’s hands are going up to show 10 fingers. Edge takes a couple steps back out of surprise as his partners comes diving into the ring. The fans erupt in applause that Orton has kept his opportunity alive. Edge’s face now shows frustration again and he lunges forward and starts stomping down on Randy’s back. Over and over and over again. Randy’s legs are still half way under the ropes, and the ref has to physically pull Edge off of Randy until he’s fully in bounds again. Being patient already failed for Edge once. He shrugs the referee off and reaches down to grab the downed Orton yet again, this time dragging him fully into the ring. After planting one more stomp into Orton’s back, Edge flips his partner over and hooks a leg for the pin.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
KICK OUT!
Edge rolls to his feet in a hurry and backs away into the furthest corner from Randy. He squats down, and stalks his prey. He aims to hit another Spear, this time inside the ring. Edge’s is practically hopping up and down in anticipation as Orton slowly and painfully pulls himself up to his feet using the ropes in the corner he’s closest too. Impatient again, Edge now sprints toward Randy and cuts him in half with ANOTHER Spear! Edge flips Randy over and pins him in the spot where he dropped him.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
ROPES!
Randy grabs the bottom rope! Patiently waiting for a Count Out didn’t work, and now it’s being too impatient to pull Randy from the ropes that cost Edge a victory. If he only took a moment to pull Randy away from the corner, this might all be over. Edge sits up and starts slapping the mat in anger. He gets up, then reaches down to hook his arms under both of Orton’s shoulders, then drags him away from the corner and leaves him laying in the middle of the ring. Edge returns to the same corner he stood in previously, stalking Orton yet again. Other than rolling from his back to his stomach, Orton doesn’t make much of an effort to get up. Edge stomps back toward Orton, his impatience getting the best of him again, choosing to pull Orton upright for another Spear rather than waiting one more damn second. He’s in a lot of pain, but Randy is very aware of what’s happening in the moment. As soon as he’s standing upright, Orton violently twists away from Edge, reaching back to grab hold of his partner’s head, then *BAM!* Randy drops Edge dead center of the ring with an RKO! Orton immediately arches up and rolls to his side in pain after falling to his back. Despite the sudden strike giving Randy the advantage, he’s still feeling the effects of TWO Spears, one to the barricade, and all of the stomps to his back. He lays on the mat next to a barely moving Edge, but slowly start to push into Edge and roll him over. Randy then falls across Edge’s body.
ONE!
…
Randy slowly hooks a leg
…
TWO!
…
KICK OUT!
Randy lets go of Edge’s leg and slowly rolls over to his side. With both men down, the ref starts a slow 10 count. It takes a few moments before both superstars start pushing up to their feet, each finally standing before the final count. Edge and Orton lock eyes, then meet in the middle of the ring and start exchanging right hands. Each man eats 3 punches to the head before Edge breaks the cycle with a kick to Orton’s gut. With his opponent doubled over, Edge pulls Randy into a front face lock presumably to attempt the Edgecution. Edge’s free hand grabs hold of Randy’s trunks to help lift him for the impact, but Randy twists out of Edge’s grasp and comes up in a standing position with his back to Edge! Orton quickly reaches back to grab hold of Edge’s head for another RKO attempt… but Edge is able to shove Randy away this time. Orton is shoved directly toward the referee who curls into a defensive position against the ropes. Randy is able to stop his momentum by grabbing the top rope with both hands, preventing a collision. Edge sees his opening, and he takes it. The Rated R Superstar drops to a knee, and swiftly swings his arm up between Orton’s legs, connecting with a harsh LOW BLOW. Orton’s face immediately shows the pain he’s feeling, but we don’t get to see it for long as Edge uses his current position to roll his partner backwards and down to the mat, stacking all of his weight across Randy’s legs for a school boy pin attempt. The ref realizes this, and pushes away from the ropes and slides into position to count the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
The Kemper arena showers Edge with a chorus of boos as the bell rings.
Winner: Edge (17:25)
JR: “I should NOT be surprised, but damn it, I thought Edge at least had some respect for his own tag team partner.”
King: “Respect’s got nothin’ to do with it, JR! You remember what Mr. McMahon said earlier? Tonight is all about the WWE Championship!”
The Rated R Superstar gets up to his knees, and the giant smile on his face is impossible to miss. He looks up at the ref who approaches to raise his arm, so Edge stands to allow him to do so. The ref then goes to retrieve both men’s Tag Titles from the timekeeper, and it’s then that we see Randy and Edge make eye contact. Orton looks furious. Edge’s smile disappears in an instant as his expression changes to, regret? Edge starts to approach Randy, but then intercepts the referee, ripping the World Tag Team titles from his grasp and yelling at him to scram. Edge kneels down next to Orton, who is now sitting up with both hands still cupping his groin area. As Metalingus continues to play, we’re just barely able to hear a few words.
Edge: “Hey, you alright?”
Orton: “What… the hell was that?”
Randy has a hard time getting the words out, feeling the effects of a long grueling match and a harsh low blow. Edge lays Randy’s tag belt over his partner’s shoulder.
Edge: “Great match, bud.”
The Rated R Superstar gently pats Orton on the back of the head then stands, exiting the ring shortly after. Randy watches his partner leave. We have no idea what he’s thinking or how he wants to react. Randy doesn’t know himself. All the emotions, the pain, the adrenaline, and disappointment are creating a storm in his mind. When Edge reaches the top of the ramp, he turns toward the booing fans off to the side of the stage, throwing both arms into the air. One hand holds up the devil’s horns (index and pinky fingers) while the other hand proudly displays his World Tag Team Championship.
As our attention returns backstage, we see Maria standing by in the interview area. She’s dressed... far less formal than Todd Grisham.
Maria: “Please welcome my guest at this time, Intercontinental Champion, Jeff Hardy!”
The camera drifts over and pans out to reveal Hardy standing next to Maria. The IC title hangs from one shoulder while a white towel hangs on the other. He smiles at Maria, then looks past the camera and nods, acknowledging the positive reaction he can hear from the crowd in the arena.
Maria: “Jeff! That was a close call versus Johnny Nitro. But you won! Now you’re one more win away from winning the WWE Championship! What are you thinking right now?”
Jeff: “Yeah Maria. It’s always been my dream to reach the top of WWE. It would be an iconic moment if I could win that WWE Title while representing as the Intercontinental champion. There aren’t many superstars in the history of our business who can say they did that.”
As Jeff is giving his answer, we see Melina slowly walk into view behind him.
Jeff: “Winning the Elimination Chamber, and holding both of those titles over my head… now that’s a moment I want to live in. You know?”
Melina: “You want to talk about moments?”
Maria instantly takes a bit of a step back, but keeps the microphone extended. Jeff turns, seeing Melina for the first time. Melina steps to Jeff and puts a finger to his chest.
Melina: “How’s this for a moment? You’re in the biggest match of your career, live on pay-per-view, and you get the win! But a STUPID referee “forgets” that he counted three and he STEALS that moment away from you. How do you think that moment would feel?”
Obviously she’s referencing when Nitro thought he had Hardy beaten earlier tonight after the ref’s hand hit the mat a third time. Jeff shakes his head with a smirk, holding back a chuckle, then shrugs.
Jeff: “I kicked out Melina. I know it, the referee knows it, Maria knows it, all of those fans out there know it. If you watched the match, then YOU know it too.”
Melina’s face scrunches like she’s about to start yelling, but Jeff continues.
Jeff: “Nothing you say right now is going to change that I’m in the Elimination Chamber match tonight, or that your boyfriend is a sore loser.”
Melina raises her finger again, really about to let Jeff have it.
Jeff: “I’ll tell you what! In a few weeks, when Johnny and I finally have that steel cage around us. I’ll beat him so decisively, that he won’t be able to make any excuses. And you won’t have to keep lying to him about how great he is. Then this obsession ya’ll have with me and the Intercontinental title will END.”
Hardy keeps a respectful tone while giving Melina a piece of his mind. But after months and months of dealing with this couple, he’s clearly tired of hearing Melina yell and complain. She finally has the floor, but Melina’s demeanor changes. Instead of yelling, she’s the one now smirking.
Melina: “It’s easy to talk tough about the cage match now that it’s been postponed. We BOTH know if you were locked in a cage with Johnny Nitro, he would destroy you!”
Jeff’s unable to hold the chuckle back this time.
Melina: “Oh that’s funny to you? Well I think it’s FUNNY that Mr. McMahon is protecting you by putting this cage match off for a few weeks.”
Jeff chuckles again, this time looking over at Maria like, “Is she serious?”
Melina: “I don’t know about you, but when Johnny and I flew out to Missouri, it was to have a STEEL CAGE MATCH FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE! You were able to avoid your obligations tonight in Kansas City, Missouri. But if you were HALF the champion that you pretend you are Jeff Hardy, you would agree to have that cage match TOMORROW NIGHT on RAW, in St. Louis, Missouri, for the Intercontinental Championship!”
Jeff shakes his head in amusement. Melina steps close into Jeff’s personal space and looks up into his eyes with a diabolical grin.
Melina: “What do you say, Champ?”
Jeff: “Uh, yeah.”
Hardy takes a step back, away from Melina.
Jeff: “Whatever. You think you’re playin’ me, but I’d love to get this match out of the way and be done with you two forever. Cage match, St. Louis, can’t wait.”
Jeff turns and gives the person he was originally speaking with a nod.
Jeff: “Later, Maria.”
The IC champion walks away from this conversation, and Melina’s smile slowly fades as she looks at Maria with contempt.
Melina: “Go away!”
Maria flinches at being yelled at, then rushes away and off screen. Now alone, Melina pulls out a cell phone. She presses a few buttons, then holds it up to ear. After a couple seconds of waiting, she responds to someone on the other end of a call.
Melina: “Hey, it’s me. We need to talk.”
We return to a darkened arena as the triumphant music of Chris Masters begins to play. A long drawn out intro that alternates between modeling poses of Masters and ancient Greek statues on the titantron, finally reaches its crescendo. A previous knelt Masters has risen to his feet and thrown the ceremonial cape off of his back. With all the pomp and circumstance imaginable, the sculpted superstar breaks out a few poses (perfectly timed with elevating notes of his music) to a back drop of pyro. Once the "Masterpiece" is finally on his way to the ring, it's easier to notice the rather tepid response he receives from the fans in attendance. The same cannot be said for his opponent.
"I SPIT IN THE FACE- OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO BE COOL"
While far from the most popular superstar we've seen tonight, Carlito is received on stage with a very positive reaction. Of course, it helps when you have Torrie Wilson on your arm. The popular young superstar makes his way down to the ring with his current girlfriend by his side, though Torrie usually plays a more supportive role than a physical one when she accompanies Carlito. As Carlito enters the ring, we're reminded of a few interactions over the past month that has led to this matchup. Former friends, a partnership long dissolved, have found their paths crossing yet again. What was originally scheduled to be a standard grudge match has now drastically elevated, with a shot at the WWE Championship on the line. One year ago, in the main event of New Years Revolution 2006, both Masters and Carlito competed inside the Elimination Chamber. Tonight, only one of them will have a chance at redemption. Torrie Wilson stands on the apron, now holding Carlito's apple and waiting as he removes his shirt to give him a good luck kiss on the cheek. In that moment, Masters approaches and grabs onto Torrie's wrist! He points to his cheek, asking for his own good luck kiss. Carlito sees all of this, promptly throwing his t-shirt in Masters' face, then lunging forward and throwing right hands at an opponent who can't even see them coming. Masters releases Torrie, and the referee quickly rings the bell!
Match 5 Elimination Chamber Qualifier Chris Masters vs Carlito (w/ Torrie Wilson)
Carlito is backing Masters across the ring with these punches. After three of them, Chris is able to yank the shirt out of his face to at least see them coming, but he can't react quickly enough to prevent a fourth, then fifth shot from making contact with his head. Just before Masters is about to be punched into a corner, he reaches out to grab the top rope with his left hand. This stops his back peddling momentum. In the next instant, Chris launches his boot outward and drives it into Carlito's stomach. The previously on fire babyface finds his offense cut off as he's now doubled over, an involuntary reaction to the kick. Masters takes quick advantage of the situation, now grabbing one of Carlito's wrist to pull his opponent toward him. Chris extends his other arm and drops Carlito with a standing clothesline. With a moment to gather his thoughts, Masters now looks around to find Torrie. Clearly frustrated, he exits the ring and approaches her.
Masters: "What's your problem, huh?"
Torrie backs away, but soon bumps into the ring steps. Torrie switches to the offensive and goes to slap Masters, but he catches her wrist with a smile. He again suggests she gives him a kiss on the cheek. This disgusting behavior gets a louder negative reaction for Masters than the one he originally received when making his entrance. Those boos quickly turn to cheers however as Carlito flies into view with a baseball slide dropkick under the bottom rope that smashes into Masters and sends the dirt bag into the barricade. Carlito exits the ring to immediately check on Torrie, and she assures him that she's fine. Carlito spins his attention towards Masters, who is leaned against the barricade. It might as well have been a trap, because as Carlito approaches his opponent, Masters quickly wraps Carlito up and uses his strength to lift him straight into the air before falling to the ground and dropping Carlito into the top of the barricade with a Flapjack. The Caribbean superstar just hangs across the ringside wall for a few moments before falling off down to the floor, clutching at his mid-section. Masters stands up above Carlito, with full advantage to continue his attack, but instead he turns around and grabs Torrie Wilson by the hair! The Diva lets out a scream, but Masters has her trapped. The much larger man lifts Torrie up with ease and tosses her into the ring over the bottom rope. Torrie tries to get up, but her attacker has already entered the ring and is standing right behind her. Once to her feet, Torrie quickly launches a slap into Masters face. The Masterpiece looks stunned before a second, harder slap connects! But this time, Chris actually smiles! He stalks Torrie, backing her into the ring corner. The referee is trying to intervene, but the larger and stronger Masters is able to physically walk through his attempts to get between them. With Torrie's back now pressed against the turnbuckles, she pulls her hand back to slap again but Masters extends both hands and grabs Torrie by the face. Is he about to kiss her?
Torrie: "CARLITOOOO!"
The crowd breaks into cheers as they all see Carlito slide into the ring and sprint toward the corner where this is happening. Maybe it was Torrie yelling his name, or the crowd reacting loudly, but Masters seems to know that Carlito is coming and he dodges off to the side. Carlito is unable to stop his momentum in time, and collides into Torrie at full speed! The fans gasp as the diva crumples down to the mat. Carlito looks horrified, but barely has much time to react before he's cinched up in the MASTER LOCK! We immediately see Carlito begin to struggle, thrashing his body about and trying to break free. But this is easily the worst reaction he could've had. Masters drags Carlito toward the middle of the ring. Carlito's movement is slowing down, and through a grimaced expression we see he's still focusing on Torrie.
With no escape in sight, and on the verge of passing out when his girlfriend needs him most, Carlito chooses to TAP OUT!
Winner: Chris Masters (1:46)
The bell rings, and the fans are booing Masters more loudly than at any other point tonight.
JR: "This is despicable!"
King: "It's over! Just like that!?"
Masters holds onto the Master lock long enough his music is already playing and the referee is pulling at his arm. With a smile on his face, Chris finally lets go by throwing Carlito down in the direction of Torrie Wilson.
JR: "Carlito did what he had to, King."
King: "This is why your girlfriend shouldn’t be at ringside!"
JR: "Be that as it may, what we just saw from Chris Masters was a calculated strategy. A cowardly, but calculated strategy."
King: "If it gets you a shot at the WWE Championship, it's not cowardly, JR. It's SMART!"
Chris Masters begins to pose victoriously in the ring, seeming not to care that the ref prioritized checking on Torrie Wilson over raising his arm.
JR: "Whether I like it or not, Chris Masters has punched his ticket for our main event tonight, which is finally set in stone."
JR: "Triple H, Ric Flair, Jeff Hardy, Edge, and Chris Masters are the 5 superstars who were able to win their qualifying matches. Later tonight, they'll challenge John Cena who looks to successfully defend his WWE Championship for the second year in a row inside the Elimination Chamber!"
We get one more look of the aftermath from tonight's final qualifying match. Chris Masters continues to celebrate his victory, while the referee does his best to help both Carlito and Torrie Wilson out of the arena.
JR: "Speaking of The Champ, Todd Grisham is standing by."
We return to Todd Grisham backstage in the designated interview area with the New Year’s Revolution logo behind him on a hanging monitor.
Grisham: “A very uncomfortable match to watch between Chris Masters and Carlito, but we now have all five challengers for the Elimination Chamber match in just a little bit. All five of tonight’s winners so far will be challenging my guest at this time, the WWE Champion John Cena!”
The camera pans over to reveal John Cena standing next to Todd. He wears the dark green shorts, black "CHAIN GANG ASSAULT BATTALION" bulldog t-shirt, and the camo "LIVE FAST DIE HARD" hat on his head. And of course, the WWE Championship sitting proudly on his shoulder. The crowd responds LOUDLY to Cena’s first on-screen appearance of the evening, an even mix of cheers and boos.
Grisham: “John, tonight you attempt to do something that only two men in history have ever done. Retain your Championship against 5 superstars inside the Elimination Chamber. Fortunately, you ARE one of those two men, having retained the WWE Championship inside the structure at this event last year. Does this give you any extra confidence before tonight’s main event? Or does it add that much more pressure?”
Cena: “Todd, I’m confident in general. But it would be foolish of me to be overly confident going into this situation tonight. You mention that I retained this WWE Championship last year inside the Chamber, but did I end the night as WWE Champion? No. Edge cashed in his Money in the Bank, and suddenly winning that Elimination Chamber didn’t seem to mean as much. If that wasn’t proof enough that ANYTHING can happen in WWE, then take tonight for example. I was preparing for the fight of my LIFE against the undefeated, unpredictable, the unstoppable Samoan Bulldozer, UMAGA! I’m sure you and some of these fine people here in Kansas City were expecting me to lose that fight, and this WWE Championship. And maybe I am foolish for believing otherwise, but I was CONFIDENT that I could overcome the PRESSURE of defeating the undefeated. BUT… things happen, and now I’m under a whole different type of pressure. I’ve gone from “unbeatable” to “improbable”, from the “Bulldozer” to “Chamber”, from one violent Samoan to five hungry challengers. Todd, it would be foolish of me to be overly confident going into this Elimination Chamber tonight but DAMN IT… I’ve never claimed to be a smart man. Just THE CHAMP. And whether it’s a legend like Ric Flair, promising talents like Jeff Hardy or Chris Masters, my old nemesis Edge, or the King of Kings himself Triple H. If you want some, I won’t be hard to find tonight. I’ll be the one in the middle of that ring, locked inside that Chamber screaming COME GET SOME!”
Cena gives Todd a tip of the cap and turns to walk away.
Grisham: “John! John, what about Umaga? Did you know about the suspension before this evening? Do you think the suspension was unfair?”
John smirks as he turns back toward the interviewer.
Cena: “I found out about the suspension when everyone else did, Todd. And “fair”? Look, I don’t know. But nothing has been taken from Umaga, it’s only been delayed. I’m gonna handle my business tonight. And then, once Umaga’s done his time… The Champ will be waiting for him.”
Cena situates the Championship on his shoulder as he promptly turns and exits the area before Todd tries to extend the interview any further.
Grisham: “Thanks, Champ.”
Somewhere else backstage, we see Carlito, Torrie Wilson, the referee from their match, and a backstage agent walking together down a hallway.
Torrie: "Seriously, I'm fine."
Agent: "We just want to make sure."
Carlito: "Please, Torrie."
We see the group approach the door to the Trainers Room, which opens before they get to it. Edge steps out of the room with a towel over his shoulder and a water bottle in hand. He sees them all approaching and steps aside, back against the wall, to let them each enter the room. First the Agent, then Torrie, the referee... but Edge stops Carlito by grabbing his arm. Carlito looks at the Rated R Superstar with a surprised look that tells us he didn't even see him standing there. Edge smirks, then asks…
Edge: "What are you doing out there?"
Carlito jerks his arm out of Edge's grasp.
Carlito: "Get the hell off me.”
Edge: "Just tryin' to help."
Edge holds up both hands, playing innocent.
Carlito: "What are you talking about?"
Edge chuckles, then points to the Trainers Room.
Edge: "They got TVs in there, man. I watched your match."
From inside the Trainers Room we hear a voice.
Torrie: "Carlito! Where are you?"
Carlito: "I don't have time for this crap."
Carlito turns to enter the room. Edge departs as well, walking past Carlito in the direction that would put him in Carlito's eyesight again.
Edge: "Just saying, you're doing that all wrong."
Carlito stands in the doorway as Edge walks out of frame. The camera holds on his face for a few moments as he contemplates what Edge meant. Carlito does a double take into the Trainers room, suddenly remembering why he was there, then he finally enters the room while quickly shutting the door.
Match 6 WWE Women’s Championship Mickie James ( C ) vs Victoria (w/ Melina)
(Note: This Women’s Championship match is the one aspect of New Year’s Revolution 2007 that I have no need to change. Instead, here’s a brief summary of the match from a review I found on blogofdoom.com)
“Victoria is challenging and shoves Mickie down without much effort to start. Something like a Muta Lock has Mickie in trouble and Victoria shows off a bit by back flipping onto her feet. Mickie is back up with some arm drags into a dropkick for two but the hurricanrana out of the corner is broken up. Instead Victoria kicks her to the floor for a drop onto the apron. Back in and a hair toss gives Victoria two but she misses a moonsault.
Mickie slugs away for two and grabs a hurricanrana out of the corner. Cue Melina to check on Victoria so Mickie hits her in the face. The MickieDT is broken up by a Melina distraction. Cue Maria and Candice Michelle to take care of Melina as Mickie reverses the Widow’s Peak into a sunset flip for two. Mickie counters a slam into a tornado DDT for the pin.
Post match Mickie, Candice, Maria and Lilian Garcia (who Victoria went after as well) celebrate.”
Winner, and STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Mickie James (6:50)
MONDAY NIGHT RAW PREVIEW!
After the RAW preview, we cut to a short video hyping the Elimination Chamber structure itself. The 10 tons of steel, miles of chains, unforgiving grating around the ring, etc. With this Chamber match being a surprise announcement, there is no promo package hyping the competitors about to participate or the story of the main event itself. Instead, this package very briefly recaps the Chamber match from last year’s New Year’s Revolution, and LAST MONTH’s December to Dismember.
Back in the arena now, and the Chamber is fully lowered and in position around the ring. Lillian Garcia reminds everyone of the Elimination Chamber stipulation rules, then begins introducing the participants. The first four superstars who make their entrance will start the match inside of a pod.
"WOOOOOOOOOO!"
Ric Flair makes his way down to the Chamber wearing the same red trunks and boots as his qualifying match, though he leaves the flamboyant red robe in the locker room. Sporting a small bandage above his eye to cover the minor cut he suffered in the Dykstra match. For the first time in his career, Flair struts up the ring steps and enters the Elimination Chamber. Following Flair is Chris Masters. The "Masterpiece" heads straight to the ring without the theatrics of his usual entrance. The fans haven't forgotten what he did to Torrie Wilson and Carlito just a short while ago, and the negative reaction to his arrival is audible.
"YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME"
The "Rated R Superstar" once again emerges on stage through a wall of smoke. Much like Flair, Edge left his usual entrance trench coat behind. But he wasn't going to make an appearance without his World Tag Team Championship, this time resting over his shoulder. Before Edge enters the Chamber, he hands the title off to a ringside referee.
"ARE YOU READY?"
Triple H heads to the ring in the same DX branded trunks he sported in the night's opening contest, and a water bottle in hand. He pours some water on the back of his neck, takes a drink, then tosses the bottle into the crowd. Once inside the Chamber, Triple H walks straight toward Edge's pod. "The Game" came to Kansas City to put an end to Rated RKO, but that opportunity was taken from both he and Shawn Michaels. Knowing he's safe inside the pod, Edge smiles big and smacks his chewing gum like a total jackass, just taunting Triple H. The referee who will be officiating the match inside the Chamber starts ushering Triple H to his own pod. Edge appears cocky now, but if neither man is eliminated before the other is released from his pod, then Edge will have no where to run and no where to hide from Triple H inside the Chamber. Ric Flair, Chris Masters, Edge, and Triple H have filled the four pods, which means the final two entrants will start the match! The next music we hear is the iconic Hardy Boyz theme, and Jeff Hardy wastes no time jogging down toward the Chamber with the IC Title in his hands. He gets to the ring steps and stops on the very first step, taking a moment to look around at the crowd, then up at the Chamber. Finally he holds the Intercontinental Championship up at eye level, then turns to face it as if he's looking into a mirror. After a beat, Hardy hands the title off to an official then steps up into the Elimination Chamber for the very first time. Hardy runs across the ring and leaps up to the middle rope in the far corner, posing with either arm extended out to his side, and a very focused Ric Flair looking up at him from his pod. Hardy looks down and makes eye contact with the legend before hopping down. As Hardy's music fades out, there's a extended lull before any other music plays. Hardy hops from left to right, the fans are standing and getting louder. A mix of cheers and boos in anticipation of who's coming out next.
…
.…...…
...........................…
The opening notes of John Cena's entrance theme temporarily drowns out all other noise, until inevitably, the mixture of boos and cheers get louder! John Cena all but gallops onto the stage, the physical embodiment of excitement and energy. With the WWE Championship in his left hand, John Cena concludes his lap around the stage, then at the top of the ramp uses his right hand to send an emphatic salute before heading toward the ring. The Champ stomps up each step, before stepping into the ring and tossing the fastened WWE Championship belt over his shoulder. He shouts out directly to anyone in the crowd who can hear him, before turning and throwing up the "Word Life" hand sign in the direction of the hard cam. Cena finally hands the WWE Title off to the referee, who stands between The Champ and Jeff Hardy, holding the prestigious championship up for the world to see. Cena throws his hat out through the Chamber doorway like a frisbee, then removes his t-shirt and does the same. Once the WWE Title is handed to an outside official, and the Chamber door finally closed and secured, the bell rings!
MAIN EVENT WWE Championship
Elimination Chamber Match John Cena (C) vs Triple H vs Ric Flair
vs Jeff Hardy vs Edge vs Chris Masters
John Cena and Jeff Hardy begin to circle in the ring. The two have NEVER wrestled each other before. Now they meet for the first time, surrounded by the Elimination Chamber in the main event of a pay-per-view, WWE Champion vs Intercontinental Champion. As they circle in closer toward each other, Cena extends a hand of respect that Jeff Hardy accepts without hesitation. With the pleasantries out of the way, the two enter a lock up that is quickly won by the much stronger Cena, who takes control of Hardy with a side headlock. This is followed by the the fair and competitive match you'd expect from two top babyfaces. The crowd leans heavy in Jeff Hardy's favor, but Cena's loyal fan base is still getting loud. This fun matchup is interrupted after 5 minutes, when the first pod opening releases…
…
…
…
The "Rated R Superstar" Edge!
Cena drops Hardy with a back suplex, then quickly gets up to turn around and spot Edge entering the ring. If it were anyone else standing across the ring prepared for attack, Edge may disengage and wait until an advantageous moment to strike. But it's John Cena standing over there, and Edge hates John Cena. The Rated R Superstar darts across the ring, Cena does the same until they meet center ring and immediately start trading right hands. Edge doesn't play this game for long however, eventually kicking down at Cena's knee and disrupting The Champ’s balance enough to easily pull him into a front facelock. Edge grabs the back of Cena’s jorts and lifts his foe up before planting him face first into the mat with an Edgecution. Edge flips Cena over, then lays back down across his body, pulling up both of Cena’s legs. Edge furiously stomps his feet into the mat as the ref makes the count.
ONE!
TWO!
…
but Cena’s shoulder shoots up off the mat. Edge sits straight up to complain about the count, but is instantly met by two Jeff Hardy boots to the chest. After connecting with the sit out drop kick, Jeff gets up to continue an offensive assault on Edge. The following few minutes are mostly a match between Hardy and Edge, with Cena eventually rejoining the fray. By the end of these 5 minutes, Edge has regained an offensive position against Cena while completely ignoring the fans counting down from 10 seconds and the impending new opponent.
…
…
…
Ric Flair’s pod is opened!
The Nature Boy enters the ring, and to no one’s surprise goes right after Edge. Flair grabs Edge’s shoulder and forcefully turns him around to face him. The Rated R Superstar is immediately chopped in the chest, which elicits a “WOOOO!” from the audience. Flair continues to chop Edge’s chest, until his opponent is backed into a corner. Flair lays in a few more chops until the sound of his name being shouted catches his attention. Flair turns to see it’s Jeff Hardy trying to get his attention across the ring. Hardy starts pointing down at the ground. It takes Flair a moment, but he gets what Hardy is suggesting. Flair turns back to Edge, and lays in one more HARD chop… then the Nature Boy falls down to his hands and knees! Jeff Hardy sprints from across the ring, steps up on Flair’s back, then leaps and rotates sideways to crash his legs into Edge’s face and head. Edge falls to a seated position in the corner as Hardy rolls to his feet, where he’s met by Flair. The two North Carolina legends smack hands, in celebration of a successful “Poetry in Motion”… then Flair immediately pokes Hardy in the eye. Most of the fans actually laugh, then they “WOOO!” as Flair now lays into Hardy with the chops until he too is backed into the same corner where Edge still sits. Ric grabs Hardy by the wrist then goes to whip him across the ring to the opposite corner, but Hardy never makes it to that corner as he’s suddenly floored center ring by a stiff John Cena clothesline. Flair looks surprised, as if he forgot Cena was in the match, but wastes no time in stepping forward to now send a chop into the chest of the WWE Champion. Cena registers the chop, but isn’t nearly as phased by it. The Champ quickly responds with a right hand to Flair’s head that drops Naitch to the mat. Again, Ric Flair’s head has suffered tons of trauma the past 6 days. Cena is clearly aware of this and momentarily looks remorseful of what he just did. But he can’t afford to show mercy on anyone inside the Elimination Chamber, regardless of how much he respects them. Just like Hardy was a first time matchup for Cena, so is Ric Flair. A prospect that potentially excites The Champ as he continues to engage with the Nature Boy. The next couple of minutes see Flair and Cena paired off while Edge and Hardy continue to fight on. The 5 minutes expire, and the alternating spotlights finally lands on the pod of...
…
…
…
The “Masterpiece” Chris Masters!
Masters enters the ring to resounding boo’s from the crowd. He has a choice of which fight he wants to join, eventually interjecting himself into Cena and Flair’s combat. Masters is familiar with both men, having competed against both multiple times. Initially engaging Cena, which gives Flair a moment to regroup, Masters recklessly swings away at Cena. Punches, clubbing forearms, anything he can hit. Across the ring, Edge and Hardy fight up high in a corner. Hardy was on the top rope, looking to hit a Swanton Bomb, but Edge got to his feet and cut him off. Edge stands on the middle rope, with two handfuls of Hardy’s hair and viciously slamming him backwards into the pod. This attack leaves Hardy defenseless in Edge’s hands. The Rated R Superstar can feel this, and pushes Hardy off the top rope, sending the Intercontinental Champion crashing down to the steel grating outside the ring. With his feet back on the ground, Edge passes up taking advantage of a wounded Hardy to ONCE AGAIN pursue John Cena. The Champ is trading shots with Chris Masters, but Edge’s inclusion turns the situation into a 2 on 1 fight against Cena. A few moments later, Flair re-enters the fight, going after both Masters and Edge. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the most strategic decision for the Nature Boy. The healthier and stronger Masterpiece is able to fend Flair off, eventually getting him turned around and locking the legend up in the MASTER LOCK submission! Flair struggles, but it’s clear to see he doesn’t have much hope of escape. Edge sees an opening with Cena momentarily disposed. The Rated R Superstar takes a few steps back, lining up his attack, then sprints forward and connects with a SPEAR into a defenseless Ric Flair who’s mid-section was completely exposed while inside the Master lock. The force from the collision sends Flair to the mat and Masters falling backwards into the ropes. Edge falls across Flair and hooks a leg.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
THREE!
*Ric Flair eliminated*
Edge sits back up, visibly pleased with himself. He even takes the time to look over his shoulder toward Triple H’s pod. The Game’s lip is curled in anger after watching one of his hated rivals just cut down his mentor. Edge gets to his feet and approaches Triple H, mocking that Flair is being rolled out of the ring and escorted from the Chamber. The Game says nothing, knowing full well that he will be released into the match any minute. Edge holds both arms up, then directs a DX style crotch chop at Triple H. The smug smile across Edge’s face evaporates when he’s suddenly yanked up into the MASTER LOCK! Masters drags Edge away from the pod and closer to center ring, and Triple H can’t help but smirk as Edge is now locked in the inescapable hold. The Rated R Superstar thrashes around, doing what he can to escape, but all hope seems lost. Cena approaches the two, and surprisingly he squats down to hook Edge’s leg as if he’s going for an FU. Then Cena lifts BOTH MEN up onto his shoulders! Masters is forced to release the Master Lock on Edge, but is unable to escape the situation before Cena explodes up and tosses both men off his shoulders and down to the mat for an impressive DOUBLE FU! The exhausted champion falls to the mat, and is unable to take advantage of a Chamber filled with downed opponents. That’s when the final 10 second countdown begins.
3!
…
2!
…
1!
Triple H’s pod door slides open. The Game slowly steps into the Elimination Chamber, an environment he’s very familiar with as the only multiple time winner in the stipulation’s history. Across the ring, Jeff Hardy sits on the steel grating against the chain wall. Chris Masters is on his back near center ring. John Cena has gotten up to a knee in time to watch Triple H step through the ropes. Cena and Triple H lock eyes. Just 10 months ago they met in the main event of WrestleMania, now they meet once again with the richest prize on the line. Any other night, any other month, Triple H happily pounces on any of these easy targets. But this night, right now, he only has eyes for Edge. The Rated R Superstar recovers from the FU just enough to lift his head and make eye contact with The Game. We’re able to see a look of terror on Edge’s face before Triple H pounces! The Game falls into a mounted position and begins slamming his taped up fist into Edge’s head. Over and over and over and over and over and over again! The crowd in Kansas City explodes in approval! Cena smartly focuses his attention elsewhere, making a beeline for Chris Masters. Cena falls on top of the Masterpiece for a pin, hoping to cash in on the FU he hit a few moments ago.
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
KICK OUT!
It had been about a minute since the double FU, enough time for Masters to recover and avoid the 3 count. Cena gets to his feet and goes to pull Masters up with him, but Jeff Hardy finally re-enters the ring and blindsides Cena by crashing into him with a forward leaping forearm. Cena lets go of Masters and falls sideways out of the ring between the top and middle rope. A few feet away, after nearly 30 seconds of right hand after right hand, Triple H finally stands up over Edge. A visible bright red stains the tape around Triple H’s hand. The Rated R Superstar is clearly busted open from the repeated punches as blood runs down the side of his face from his forehead into his dark blonde hair. As Triple H starts picking Edge’s motionless body up off the mat, Hardy has taken over the offense on Chris Masters. Hardy attempts a Twist of Fate, but as he turns his back toward his opponent, Masters comes to and tries to lock in the Master lock yet again. Hardy feels his left arm get taken up, and his quick reflexes allow him to avoid having the right locked up the same way. Hardy’s right arm comes across his own body and hooks around Master extended arm, trying to break the grip and free himself. Realizing it will be difficult to win a struggle of strength against the Masterpiece, Hardy instead reaches back to grab onto Masters head. Hardy hops up then falls to his ass, and since Masters refused to let go of Jeff, Masters is pulled down jaw first into the crown of Hardy’s head. As Masters flops down to the mat from the jawbreaker, Triple H has stood Edge straight up. The Rated R Superstar is out on his feet, but is able to stand just long enough for Triple H to hit a crotch chop of his own. The fans have been waiting all night to yell “SUCK IT!”. The Game kicks Edge in the gut, pulls Edge’s head down between his legs, then hooks both arms. Triple H jumps then falls to his knees, planting Edge face first into the mat with a PEDIGREE! The Game flips Edge’s body over and emphatically hooks a leg.
ONE!
…
...
TWO!
…
...
THREE!
*Edge eliminated*
Triple H doesn’t celebrate, but he does pull Edge up off the mat and throws him over the top rope toward the Chamber door. Edge crashes into the steel grating outside the ring, his face displaying excruciating pain of such a landing. The Chamber door is opened, and referees assist the Rated R Superstar out of the structure. John Cena has entered the ring, and as if it’s fate, Triple H turns to spot him as he does. Being the fresher of the two, Triple H is quicker to react and meets Cena with the first punch. The pairing of Cena vs Triple H and Hardy vs Masters continues for a couple of minutes until Hardy is finally able to drop the Masterpiece with a TWIST OF FATE! Hardy makes a climb to the top rope that appears to take some effort. Once to the top, Jeff quickly shoots out the Hardy guns with both hands before leaping outward, and rotating just in time to connect with a SWANTON BOMB! It takes just a few seconds for Jeff to recover from the impact and scurry over into a pain attempt.
ONE!
…
...
TWO!
…
...
THREE!
*Chris Masters eliminated*
Half of the field has been eliminated, only Jeff Hardy, Triple H, and the defending WWE Champion John Cena remains. As the referee assists a beaten Masters in rolling out of the ring to exit the Chamber, he may soon be needed for another 3 count as Triple H has Cena in position for a Pedigree! Hardy chooses to jump into the on-going action between Cena and Triple H instead of resting or standing by. John is able to escape the Pedigree by exploding up to a standing position and flipping The Game up over his head and and down to the mat. Cena is caught off guard when Jeff Hardy runs right past him. Cena double takes to find Jeff, and watches him leap up to the middle, then top rope, before flipping back and crashing down into Cena with a Whisper of the Wind! Cena falls to the mat and rolls away, Hardy gets up to his feet but is quickly mowed down by a leaping knee to the face from Triple H! Cena downs Triple H. Hardy downs Cena. Triple H downs Hardy. Edge downs Triple H with a SPEAR! Wait… A SPEAR!? A bloody Edge comes to his knees, a satisfied exhale exploding from his nose as crimson drops stain the mat below him. It appears that while Masters was being taken out of the Chamber, The Rated R Superstar slipped the officials and re-entered. Clearly his objective was some type of payback on Triple H. Edge gets to his feet, surrounded by three outside officials loudly ordering him to exit the ring. He raises both hands, as if saying “I’m going, I’m going.” but Edge won’t get the chance to do so willingly. John Cena cuts through the group of referees to scoop Edge up on his shoulders, and plants him down with another FU! Most of the fans enjoy seeing Edge get what he deserved, and plenty around ringside jeer him after he’s rolled out of the ring and assisted up the ramp by two officials. Inside the Chamber, Cena stays on the offensive. Though he would never want outside interference to assist him in any way, this is the Elimination Chamber and you gotta do what you gotta do. The Champ immediately targets Triple H after Edge is removed. He quickly gets The Game up to his feet, then scoops him onto his shoulder as he just did to Edge. Cena is able to follow through and drop Triple H with the FU! The Champ falls into the cover, hooking both legs.
ONE!
…
...
TWO!
…
...
THREE!
*Triple H eliminated*
There’s a 50/50 reaction to Cena’s first elimination. The fans booing Cena most likely would’ve boo’d regardless of who he pinned. Others certainly prefer Triple H. Some probably don’t like the way Cena got the elimination, but he can’t help that Edge did what he did. Cena also can’t worry about the polarizing reaction he inspires, as the match is not yet over. Sitting up after the successful pin, he turns to see Jeff Hardy pulling himself up on the ropes. Hardy also has his eyes on The Champ, and both men finish getting to their feet. The two superstars who started this match. The WWE Champion and the Intercontinental Champion. Two men left standing, but only one of them can leave as WWE Champion. There’s a loud, higher pitched, portion of the audience cheering “CENA! CENA! CENA!” which inspires another portion of the audience, with typically deeper voices, to retaliate with “HARDY! HARDY! HARDY!” Cena points to his ear, then out to the crowd, as if asking Jeff, “Do you hear them?” It’s not smug, as much as a “Welcome to the main event” gesture from The Champ. Jeff smiles and nods at Cena, then shrugs as if asking, “what are you waiting for?”
Cena takes the invitation and charges at Hardy, swinging a wild clothesline that Hardy ducks, pushing off the ropes. Jeff takes off across the ring, hits the opposite ropes, and comes back to find Cena center ring. Hardy now throws a clothesline but this time Cena ducks. Both men continue their momentum, hitting ropes opposite of each other before running back to meet center ring. John Cena dives forward and mows Hardy down with an impactful shoulder tackle. Cena takes off to the ropes again, Hardy tries to recover and gets back to his feet just in time for Cena to plow into him again with a shoulder tackle. Again Hardy scurries up to his feet, taking his first chance to swing at Cena. The Champ ducks it, then grabs Hardy from behind and lifts him into the air, eventually turning the IC Champ and dropping him onto his back. Cena stands straight and holds five fingers above his head. A passionate mixtures of cheers and boos follow, then half the crowd say in union with Cena, “YOU CAN’T SEE ME” as he does the hand gesture in Hardy’s face before hitting the ropes and returning to drop the 5 Knuckle Shuffle into Hardy’s head. The impact causes Hardy to quickly stir up to his feet. Cena hooks Hardy’s leg and lifts him up onto his shoulders. It appears yet another FU is imminent, but Hardy kicks his legs and swings his arms, and lucky for him they’re close enough to the perimeter of the ring that Hardy can grab onto the top rope and prevent the maneuver. Or, so he thinks. Failing to yank Hardy away from the ropes and break his grip, Cena chooses to instead follow through with the FU motion, sending Hardy over the top rope. Jeff crashes hard onto the steel grating, landing on his ass in a seated position before falling over! Cena leans on the top rope for a moment as Hardy writhes in pain.
The Champ exits the ring and does his best to get Hardy up, but the IC Champion feels like dead weight. Cena is forced to pull Hardy up by his arm, eventually scooping him up on his shoulders again. Now up in Cena’s grasp once more, Hardy comes alive. He reaches out and grabs hold of the chain link Chamber wall, just as he had the top rope moments ago. Only the Chamber wall gives him the ability to reach up and grab higher, and higher, and improbably, Hardy is able to climb right out of Cena’s hold, now vertically hanging onto the Elimination Chamber itself. Cena tries to grab at Hardy and pull him down, but Hardy repeatedly kicks backwards into Cena’s face. The fourth kick is the most forceful, and actually causes Cena to grasp at his mouth with both hands and double over. Hardy uses the opening to climb up a few more of the chain links, now about as high up the wall as he would be if he were standing on a pod. Hardy carefully turns himself around, now with his back against the Chamber wall and both hands holding the chains on either side of his head. When Cena stands straight up and looks to find his opponent, Hardy lets go!
His body falls fast, but Hardy is able to rotate just enough to crash into Cena with a cross body splash! Hardy gets to his feet before Cena and stays on the offensive. Jeff wraps Cena's legs under each of his arms, then falls backwards, using the momentum to catapult Cena up and over the top of Hardy which causes Cena to crash face first into the steel wall of the Chamber! Cena has enough wherewithal to grab onto the chain link with one hand to avoid falling back down, but his other hand immediately covers his face where it made impact. Hardy can feel this is his moment, rushing to his feet and grabbing Cena by the head. Jeff turns and throws Cena over the top rope back into the ring. Fueled by adrenaline, the IC Champ wastes no time climbing up the nearest corner to the top rope. Hardy doesn't pose. The moment he stands up top, he leaps outward and flips, hitting a perfect SWANTON BOMB on the WWE Champion! Jeff rolls sideways to his stomach and leapfrogs on top of Cena for the pin.
ONE!
…
…
...
TWO!!
…
…
...
THR--!!
NO! Cena just shoots his shoulder off the mat. After doing so, he rolls to his side and covers his face with both hands, still feeling the effects from Hardy's rear kick to the mouth and slamming into the Chamber wall. Hardy sits up, visibly frustrated after running both hands through his long hair reveals a surprised and exhausted face. But Jeff knows better than to sit around pouting. He gets back up to his feet, "HARDY! HARDY! HARDY!" chants fill the Kemper Arena. Jeff brings Cena up with him, then Jeff plants a stiff kick into The Champ's stomach. With Cena doubled over, Hardy pulls his head into position for a Twist of Fate. With the arena rockin, Hardy can't help but to throw his hand out and flash the Hardy gun sign one more time. That extra second or two might be his downfall, as Cena instantly hooks Hardy's leg and brings him up onto his shoulders in the FU position once again. The crowd erupts in a reaction of "YEAAAHH" and "NOOOOO" as Cena looks wide eyed at the hard cam. But Jeff escapes! Again evading Cena's finishing move, Hardy falls off the shoulders into a standing position behind Cena AND he brings Cena's head backwards with him. With Cena in the uncomfortable position of being bent backwards and his head wrapped under Hardy's arm, he's unable to avoid a REVERSE TWIST OF FATE! The back of Cena's head smacks into the mat, then he pops back up into a seated position thanks to the impact and momentum. Hardy also pops up rather quick, catching Cena's seated position out the corner of his eye. Jeff quickly hits the ropes. He rebounds, running past Cena to hit the opposite ropes that Cena currently faces. Hardy runs off those ropes, hops, and falls to his back while thrusting both feet into Cena's face. The basement dropkick floors Cena for good, the Champ once again covering his face. Hardy is up to his feet again, riding a wave of momentum, adrenaline, fan adulation, and his lifelong dream being within his grasp, he jogs to the ropes and slips through them. Grabbing onto the chain link wall, Jeff begins to climb! Fans all around the arena come to their feet as Hardy eventually climbs over sideways onto one of the Chamber pods! Cena has hardly moved from the place he was laid out, but he's perfectly in range for what Hardy is planning. Jeff stands at the edge of the pod, extends each arm out to his side, then LEAPS! Pulling off the perfect rotation mid-air, Hardy lays out for the SUPER SWANTON BOMB and connects! .... with no one! Cena rolls toward the corner at the last possible moment, allowing Jeff Hardy to crash and burn. Cena pulls himself up on the middle rope then pushes away toward his opponent. Jeff's collision with the mat left him laying on his side, one knee partially under him. Cena grabbed Hardy by the head and shoulder, using his strength to usher Jeff up to a near standing position. Jeff wouldn't need to actually stand though, as Cena scoops him up onto his shoulders the moment he could. Yet again, Jeff Hardy was up in position for the FU. This time, there is no escape. Cena launches Hardy up and over his left shoulder, slamming him down to the mat below. The Champ follows him down for an immediate pin attempt, hooking a leg in the process.
ONE!
…
…
TWO!!
…
…
...
THREE!!!
*Jeff Hardy eliminated*
Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena (27:21)
"THE TIME IS NOW" begins playing in the arena, and Cena is announced the victor to a very mixed reaction. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler can't help but to praise Cena for going the distance inside the Chamber, while also giving Jeff Hardy the same props. As multiple officials assist Hardy in leaving the Chamber, the WWE Championship is brought in and returned to Cena. A few replays of key moments from the Chamber match are shown, then we rejoin The Champ celebrating in the ring, with the WWE Championship held high above his head until...
JOHN CENA IS ATTACKED FROM BEHIND!
Cena's theme music screeches to a halt. A large figure in black pants and a black sweatshirt with a black hood over his head stands above Cena. The attacker's bare feet being visible is a dead give away to eagle eyed fans. The attacker snatches the hood from his head, revealing a face covered in black tribal markings. UMAGA! The Samoan Bulldozer tears the hoodie off his body like it's made of paper, and now we see the black "pants" are just his usual long tight wrestling gear. Umaga rushes to the Chamber door and pulls it closed. Quickly locking the chain and padlock. Referees are too late reacting to this surprise intrusion and are unable to intervene. Back in the ring, Umaga yanks Cena straight up then thrashes him back down with a vicious SAMOAN SPIKE to the throat. Cena rocks back and forth gasping for air, a wide eyed and satisfied Umaga gawks around the arena, absorbing the moment that was robbed from him tonight. A couple of backstage agents arrive to the Chamber door, one with a set of bolt cutters. We see someone move up the steps in a blur, reach between two officials, and snatch the bolt cutters away! It’s Umaga’s handler, Armando Alejandro Estrada! The agents demand he return the tool they need to open the door, but Estrada does more than refuse. He runs away! A few of the agents and officials chase after him, but back inside the Chamber John Cena is getting DESTROYED!
Umaga mauled Cena during the bolt cutter theft from a mounted position with wild rights and lefts. Now he holds Cena in a bear hug position outside the ring, running across the steel grating and driving Cena THROUGH one of the Chamber pods! Outside the ring, we see multiple officials start pointing up to the ceiling. One of these officials even approaches the commentary desk and asks JR to make the request for the Chamber to raised. In the ring again, Umaga has Cena up on his shoulders, and ascends one of the corners. Standing on the middle rope, Umaga leaps backward and drives Cena into the mat with a Super Samoan Drop. The undefeated Bulldozer rises to his feet, both arms fly out in a circular motion as he screams at the top of his lungs. The Elimination Chamber structure slowly begins to lift off the ground, but tons and tons of steel don’t move very fast. Umaga climbs back up the same corner, getting to the top rope this time, before jumping out and crashing into Cena with a devastating splash. Every attack done to the WWE Champion inspires a PASSIONATE reaction from the Kansas City fans. A cacophony of boos, cheers, applause, and jeers fill the air. Umaga has Cena up to his feet again, poised to drive a 2nd Samoan Spike into his windpipe. Umaga’s arm flies back, his tongue extending from his mouth as he lets out another battle cry… but a referee jumps into view, literally wrapping both arms around Umaga’s out stretched arm and dropping his own body weight to prevent the attack. A huge group of referees, agents, producers, and even Jonathan Coachman have stormed the ring now that the Chamber has risen high enough. Nearly all of them surround Umaga to prevent any further attacks. It’s a chaotic scene that threatens to get even crazier as it seems Umaga is willing to fight every single person standing between him and John Cena, but Armando Alejandro Estrada has returned to the scene and now begs Umaga to exit the ring and leave, though he does so with a devilish smile on his face.
The Samoan Bulldozer would rather continue his rampage, but instead acquiesced. Umaga turns his back to the ring and marches up the ramp, Estrada walks backwards up the ramp next to him, still smiling and admiring their handiwork. Even more officials meet the pair before they walk through the curtain, clearly there to escort them from the arena. Our final image of the evening is John Cena on his back in the middle of the ring, the WWE Championship on the mat right against his abdomen. Almost everyone has spaced out or exited the ring, leaving only medical personnel checking on Cena. A coughing John Cena places one hand down on top of the WWE Championship lying next to him as the screen fades to black.
I want to start off by saying this was a great introduction to show off some of your writing chops and booking ideas you have. The chemistry and drama throughout multiple segments throughout the night was a definitely highlight. If these are the type of threads you'll be pulling moving forward, this BTB will be great.
With that being said, I don't necessarily agree with all the booking on the show here. I'm not sure I'm the biggest fan of reshaping the entire PPV unannounced because one wrestler is suspended. On top of that, these gimmick matches like Elimination Chamber are supposed to be few and far between to not kill the gimmick. Whilst the NYR EC tradition is a good enough idea in theory, running this match type one month after the last one just feels like overkill for me.
And then to cap it all off, after Cena wins, Umaga appears anyway, which whilst this makes Umaga look like a badass for ignoring his suspension, it would probably also piss off the live crowd who have clearly been ripped off. Also if Umaga was already suspended and then he pulls this, what's his punishment now? Is he fired? Or will Cena have to beg McMahon to keep Umaga around so they can fight. It's the only way I can see this making sense at this point.
Also, what's Estrada's role in this? What kind of handler is he if he's having his client ignore his suspension and potentially jeopardizing their jobs and income? If this is something Estrada gave the green light to, which I assume he did based on the fact he was there, that makes him come across as really unintelligent in my eyes, which is the opposite to what he's supposed to be as a handler to 'Mags. Maybe you have explanations/plans moving forward for this, but reading this event alone, these are genuine queries I have around the booking, and what's next to make it all work.
I will say we sound like we're in for some pretty awesome episodes of Raw's though with the original NYR card to be completed. Also big compliments for the way you handled Triple H/HBK, Orton/Edge stuff, and even Nitro being a douche to Melina. I also have made note of the Rated RKO/WGTT interaction, because I expect that to be a thing at some point, and Carlito will most likely question his relationship with Torrie at some point off the minor interaction with Edge. All these mini moments to create character development is the stuff I love, so I'm pumped for so many big things here.
Plenty of positives and promise here and enough that makes me think this will be a fun BTB to follow. I just think it was a bit of an awkward premise for the first show which didn't completely land (for me anyway, maybe everybody else thought it was genius lol).
As promised here's my thoughts on your first show...
Building the entire first show around the chamber basically is an interesting way to go about things, I think you picked the right guys for the match although I didn't see Edge cheating vs Randy coming, I thought Randy would win because his promo was great. But having early tension right away in the thread with Rated RKO is very interesting and could be great set up for a face Randy. I also thought you might throw in a wild card and have Kenny beat Flair, which could have been interesting.
I loved seeing Hardy get to the final 2 of the chamber, at this time guys like him and Nitro had a lot of potential to become main eventers, so I think that's a great idea to have Hardy go to the final 2. I'm also interested to see who Melina called. I'm guessing she's either found someone to destroy Hardy and help Nitro win the cage match, or (and I'm leaning towards this option), she's got someone coming who will destroy both men.
That said I was iffy on Umaga attacking post match. I understand why you did it, but it kayfabe it makes the suspension feel pointless if he was just gonna show up anyway. But I'm curious to see where you're going with things and I'm interested to see your plans play out. I hope you stick with this dude! Also as a side note, I hope you give more love to the women's division and build it up more.
MONDAY NIGHT RAW January 8th, 2007 - St. Louis, Missouri, USA
The first shot of the night is on backstage correspondent, Todd Grisham, in a hallway somewhere in the arena, standing in front of a door marked "Trainers Room".
Todd Grisham: "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night RAW. My name is Todd Grisham, and I'm waiting outside of the Trainers Room here inside the Scottrade Center, hoping to eventually get a word with WWE Champion, John Cena."
Just the mention of John Cena inspires a polarizing response from the live audience.
Grisham: "We're unsure if The Champ sustained any injuries last night at New Year's Revolution, much less the severity. Cena has been with the Trainer for more than half an hour now, but whenever he comes out, we'll be sure to--"
The Trainers Room door suddenly swings open, and out marches John Cena! He's dressed the same as last night, black "CHAIN GANG ASSAULT BATTALION" bulldog t-shirt, dark green jorts, and a camo hat on his head that reads "LIVE FAST DIE HARD". He carries the fastened WWE Championship in his hand, and blows past Grisham before the interviewer can even get a word out.
Grisham: "Oh-- hey. John! John!"
But Cena pays the man no mind, even as Grisham and his camera man follow him down the long hallway. Cena walks with intent and eventually turns a corner down a different hallway. Now his head swings from left to right, looking for something or someone. After just a few feet, Cena comes to a halt.
Grisham: "John, please. If I can just ask, how--"
John balls up a fist, and starts slamming it against this door. We cannot see from our angle (just over Grisham's shoulder) if this door has any designation on it. After a few moments of Cena's aggressive knocking, this door swings open as swiftly as the Trainers Room door before it. Out of the open doorway lunges the Chairman, Mr. McMahon! Vince's face is red and tense with aggravation, and as he steps nearly face to face with the WWE Champion, our camera pushes past Todd to get a tighter angle.
McMahon: "Who in THE HELL do you think are you banging on MY DOOR like that!?"
Cena: "Where is he?"
McMahon: "I don't answer to--"
Cena: "WHERE IS UMAGA, VINCE?!"
Jonathan Coachman, who serves as Assistant GM to Mr. McMahon, steps out of Vince's office while staying safely behind the Chairman.
Coachman: "Last I heard, Umaga is still in a jail cell in Kansas City."
Cena glances at Coachman, then back at the Chairman who lets out a deep exhale and composes himself. Coachman holds his cellphone up for both men and the camera to see.
Coachman: "I also just heard from the Trainers, that you Cena are NOT CLEARED for any physical activity tonight. So even if Umaga was here--"
Cena: "When WILL Umaga be here? What are we doing about this "suspension", Vince?"
Vince's head involuntarily cocks to the side, as if his body is trying to contain the agitation Cena is causing him.
McMahon: "FIRST of all, it's Mr. McMahon to you, pal!"
Vince steps closer to Cena, trying to assert his dominance. Cena doesn't flinch, nor does is expression change at all.
McMahon: "And second of all, I was on my way out to the ring to publicly address this entire Umaga situation before you came knocking down my door."
Cena: "Fantastic. I'll join you."
The WWE Champion steps aside and motions toward the camera's direction, but more specifically, down the hallway.
Cena: "After you... Mr. McMahon."
Vince can't even muster a reply. Realizing there's no use in trying to prevent Cena from coming down to the ring for his public address, Vince growls in dissatisfaction. The Chairman turns away from Cena and begins down the hallway. Coachman stays behind, stepping back into the office. Cena however hoists the WWE Championship over his shoulder before following no further than two steps behind. Vince slows down enough to look over his shoulder, checking to see if Cena was actually following him. The Champ flashes a sarcastic grin, eliciting an eye roll and even a slight frown from the Chairman. Both men continue down the hallway a few more feet before the screen fades to black.
*NO CHANCE*
As expected, Mr. McMahon’s music plays after the show opening pyro display. The Chairman walks out onto the stage, but before he can power strut down the ramp…
*THE TIME IS NOW*
his entrance is interrupted by the arrival of John Cena! McMahon freezes in place. He knew Cena was following him out, but likely didn’t expect The Champ to upstage his own arrival. Cena carries the WWE Title in his hand and marches past the Chairman. Vince’s face scrunches into an annoyed expression as he watches Cena head to the ring. Eventually, Vince has no choice but to follow his Champion down the ramp while Cena’s music continues to blare. We cut to a brief picture-in-picture 2nd screen, showing still images of last night’s main event.
John Cena hitting the FU on Jeff Hardy.
John Cena holding the WWE Championship over his head inside the Elimination Chamber.
A mystery attacker jumping Cena from behind.
The attacker revealed as Umaga.
Umaga hitting Cena with the Samoan Spike.
Umaga driving Cena into the mat with the Super Samoan Drop.
The ring flooding with officials to stop the assault.
Umaga in the back seat of a police cruiser, bearing his teeth with his face pressed against the window.
Full picture now, with both men in the ring where Cena holds two microphones. He extends one to Vince, who begrudgingly accepts it as Cena's music fades out. The Chairman removes a folded piece of paper from inside his suit jacket while the lively St. Louis crowd continues to cheer and boo the two men. Vince opens the document up and begins speaking over his audience.
McMahon: "Last Monday night on RAW--"
Cena: "WHEN. IS. UMAGA. BACK?"
Vince's head snaps toward Cena, eyes bulging in anger.
McMahon: "CENA!--"
The Chairman pulls the microphone away from his mouth and takes a breath. His frustration is very amusing to the fans. Vince reading a prepared statement is very unusual. On commentary, Jim Ross reveals that McMahon is out here to give an official public statement on behalf of the WWE in regards to the Kevin Federline lawsuit, as well as Umaga's suspension. Cena is making things difficult, but Vince continues. Though he may have skipped ahead a bit.
McMahon: "Due to actions that we at World Wrestling Entertainment find both dangerous and damaging, WWE Superstar Umaga was informed this past Thursday that he would be suspended for 10 days while we engage--"
Cena: "10 days? From Thursday? Okay.."
McMahon: "Hold on just a--"
Cena: "10 days from Thursday is... this Sunday! Great."
McMahon: "Damn it, Cena--
Cena: "So just reschedule our match for RAW next Monday, the same way you did for DX and Rated RKO, and let me finally kick his big goofy ass!"
The fans in St. Louis cheer at the prospect of Cena and Umaga finally going to battle!
McMahon: "NO DAMN IT! N! O! NOOO!"
Vince has had enough. He crumples the written statement up in his hands and throws it at Cena. The paper ball connecting with Cena's chest and falling to the mat. The Champ looks down at the trash, then back up at Vince.
McMahon: "Kevin Federline has an army of Hollywood lawyers breathing down my neck! Alright? Federline's wife is leaving him, and so is all of her money. Now Federline sees a chance to collect a nice fat check from ME after what Umaga did to him and his friends. I punished Umaga to show that WWE is a safe working environment, but Umaga screwed that up when he ignored the suspension and attacked YOU on worldwide pay-per-view!"
A portion of the audience cheers at the mention of Cena being assaulted.
McMahon: "So now it looks like we have no control over this "dangerous environment"... which plays directly into the hands of Federline's team.... which PISSES ME OFF! So your match with Umaga WILL NOT happen next week. Matter of fact, you might as well consider that match CANCELLED, because Umaga has now been suspended INDEFINITELY."
Most of the crowd now boos.
McMahon: AND! If he even thinks about ignoring THIS suspension, not only will Umaga and his little side kick Estrada be FIRED! I will sue them so hard, in 50 years, their great-grandchildren will be still be paying MY great-grandchildren."
Cena takes in all this information. He looks around at the audience, then back at his boss.
Cena: "Suspended indefinitely, huh? What are we talking here, like, a month?"
Vince shakes his head, like he can't believe his champion isn't appreciating how big of a deal this lawsuit could be.
McMahon: "I'm done explaining myself to you, Cena. "Indefinitely" is however long it takes to settle this mess with Federline. You will not see Umaga in a WWE ring until this lawsuit is either dropped or finished. It could be a month. It could be 2 years. I don't know, and frankly, I don't care! You wanting to get some payback on Umaga is the least of my worries."
And with that, Vince turns away from Cena and steps through the ropes to leave.
Cena: "Sorry if I upset you, Mr. McMahon... I just never thought I'd see the day that Mr. McMahon was scared of a skinny little dancer and some wimpy lawyers."
Vince stands on the apron, back to Cena and looking toward the stage, eyes clinched shut like he's trying to ignore the jab.
Cena: "BUT. I guess all men eventually reach the age where their... grapefruits... become shriveled up and useless."
The Champ looks out to the crowd and sarcastically shrugs. Vince, eyes now wide open, looks back over his shoulder at Cena in disbelief. John is clearly trying to push the Chairman's buttons enough that Vince reacts emotionally, and maybe does something he doesn't want to. Vince lunges back through the ropes and into the ring. He brings the microphone up to his mouth...
*MASTERPIECE*
Both Vince and John's attention shoot toward the stage, as Chris Masters enters the arena. Dressed in his ring gear, allowing his physique to be on full display, the Masterpiece has a microphone in hand and starts speaking about half way down the ramp.
Masters: "Mr. McMahon, I'm sorry to interrupt. But I just couldn't stand back there and listen to this disrespect any longer!"
The fans boo as Chris makes his way up the ring steps. He enters the ring and stands closer to Vince than he does Cena.
Masters: "Sir, I hate seeing you be treated this way. I know it's been a very difficult week, and you don't deserve to have someone like John Cena mocking you and making demands."
Vince nods in agreement with what Masters is saying as his face shifts to a more sad expression, really selling the effects of Cena's "bullying". Cena meanwhile shakes his head from across the ring, in disbelief of the shameless ass kissing happening before him.
Masters: "Mr. McMahon, you say the word, and I'll teach this sorry excuse of a champion some respect right now!"
Chris steps away from Vince and closer to center ring, now staring directly at Cena. John lets the WWE Championship fall from his shoulder and holds it down in his hand as he steps fully into center ring, just 2 or 3 feet away from Masters. Masters smirks, but Cena looks deathly serious.
Cena: "You didn't get enough of an ass whoopin' last night? You want some more?"
McMahon: "Hold on now..."
Vince steps around Masters and now stands next to both men. While not literally between Cena and Masters, Vince could take one step forward and separate them IF he wanted to.
McMahon: "As much as I'd like to watch Cena pass out in the Master Lock... he still isn't cleared for action tonight."
The fans thought they were about to see a fight, and boo at Vince shutting it down.
Masters: "I respect your decision, Mr. McMahon."
The Masterpiece's tone is still very ass kissy.
Masters: "But, if I may. John just asked you to face Umaga next week. But since Umaga is RIGHTFULLY suspended, and since John Cena wants to fight so badly. If Cena is medically cleared in 7 days... it would be my honor to teach this punk some respect next week on RAW. For YOU, Mr. McMahon."
Vince grins as he looks over at Cena. The Champ keeps his eyes on Masters.
McMahon: "Interesting."
Cena: "Trust me. There's NOTHING interesting about Chris Masters."
This gets a laugh from the fans, but Masters looks upset. The first time all night he hasn't worn a smug expression.
Masters: "You know what would REALLY teach Cena some respect, Mr. McMahon? Regaining consciousness after I beat him with the Master Lock, just in time to see me leave with the WWE Championship!"
Vince is amused with this idea, and nods along as Masters speaks.
Masters:"He may have retained last night in the Elimination Chamber, but "The Champ" didn't pin ME! And the same would be true next week."
Cena chuckles.
McMahon: "Chris Masters, you make some excellent points. And for the record, I think you're VERY interesting!"
Masters smiles BIG and thanks Mr. McMahon without the microphone.
McMahon: "RAW next week is going to be big, with Rated RKO vs D-Generation X. And I think a WWE Championship match would make it a monumental night! What do you say, Champ?"
John lifts the microphone to speak...
"WOOOOOO!"
but everyone is caught off guard by the entrance music of Ric Flair! The Nature Boy arrives on stage in blue trunks and matching blue boots, but he wears a black T-Shirt with the green spray painted "DX" logo on the front. Ric has made a habit of wearing this shirt over the past few weeks to show his support of his friends, Triple H and Shawn Michaels. He also has a bandage over his eyebrow, the same spot where Kenny Dykstra drew a small amount of blood at the pay-per-view last night. Like Masters before him, Flair comes with a microphone and starts talking before he gets to the ring.
Flair: "Everybody wait just a second! Now I've been hit in the head--"
Some fans WOOO! at Flair before he goes up the ring steps, and Naith can't help but to turn and "WOOO!" right back at them. Which only inspires more WOOOing from the fans around ringside. Flair continues into the ring.
Flair: "Now. I've been hit in the head a few times lately, so maybe my mind is playing tricks on me."
Ric steps through the ropes, walks past Masters and stands next to John Cena. McMahon turns to stand next to Masters, the two now directly across from Flair and Cena. Ric now points at Vince.
Flair: "But I thought I heard you, McMahon, about to GIVE this kid a WWE Title match?"
Without the microphone, a flustered Masters yells "That's right!" in response. Ric continues speaking to Vince.
Flair: "Then, I could've sworn I heard you say that CHRIS MASTERS... is interesting?"
Ric turns and speaks to Cena.
Flair: "That's when I knew I had to come out and check for myself. Maybe my hearing isn't quite right..."
The Nature Boy jokingly tugs on his ear, turning back to address Vince and Masters.
Flair: "...because NO ONE finds Chris Masters INTERESTING! And..."
Ric pauses for a moment as the fans start laughing. Cena also chuckles again. Masters is pointing and shouting in Flair's direction, but the 16 time World Champion continues.
Flair: "And! NO ONE thinks Chris Masters deserves a SHOT at the WWE Championship."
The crowd cheers in agreement. Masters starts making his case to Mr. McMahon, but the boss motions for him to calm down. Cena looks out at the fans while pointing to Masters and half shrugging. Like asking them all if they agree with Ric.
Flair: "But the Nature Boy on the other hand... hey, John!"
Cena turns back to look at Flair.
Flair: "I lost last night, I can admit that. But you weren't the one to pin me either. And if you want to know what the Nature Boy thinks is interesting... just picture this. Ric Flair versus John Cena, one on one, for the WWE Championship!"
The fans cheer. The fans WOOO! Ric Flair WOOO'S! Cena looks intrigued.
Masters: "No, no, no, that's not how--"
Cena: "Ric Flair! I got a ton of respect for you. But I'm not sure you wanna get in the ring with me right now. Because whether it's you standing across this ring from me..."
Cena points at Flair.
Cena: "..or you.."
Cena points at Masters.
Cena "...OR..."
Cena looks like he's about to point at McMahon, who's eyes grow wide like "excuse me?" But instead, Cena points past the Chairman toward the stage.
Cena: "... anyone else in that locker room. I'm going to see Umaga, and I'm going to FIGHT THEM like they're Umaga. Enter at your own risk."
John delivers the last sentence with a slight grin. He knows someone as experienced as Flair gets where he's coming from. Ric even has a grin of his own.
Flair: "A good fight doesn't scare--"
Masters: "Hey! No way this is happening! Mr. McMahon, if I--"
Flair: "Ah quit crying to your daddy!"
The Masterpiece shoots his glare back toward Flair.
Flair: "They say Cena isn't cleared this week. But I am. And it looks like you are too. So how 'bout you quit BEGGING... and come earn a title shot."
Ric points at himself with his free hand, while tossing his microphone to the ground. Masters is tired of being talked to like a joke.
Masters: "Screw it. You're on!"
But he still turns back to Vince for permission.
Masters: "Mr. McMahon?"
The Chairman looks around at everyone in the ring. His public address has gone so far off the rails, he really doesn't want to give any of these people what they want. But he'd rather get out of this ring and get the show on the road.
McMahon: "Just get me a referee out here!"
The fans cheer! Flair slaps both of his shoulders, taking a few steps back and removing his t-shirt, while Masters tosses his microphone out of the ring.
McMahon: "Chris Masters versus Ric Flair. The winner faces John Cena next week, IF he's cleared, for the WWE Championship!"
With that official announcement, Vince flips the microphone out of his hand and exits the ring. Cena, with the WWE Title over his shoulder, steps over to Flair and extends a hand. Flair smiles and accepts the handshake. Cena turns and walks over to Chris Masters, extending the same hand. The Masterpiece scoffs... but extends his hand anyway. Cena quickly pulls his hand away and instead uses it to tell Masters "You Can't See Me". The gesture pops most of the crowd as Cena leaves the ring. Masters shakes his head, probably disappointed that he even fell for that. As we wait for the referee to arrive, the show goes to its first break.
Match 1 #1 Contender for the WWE Championship
Chris Masters vs Ric Flair
JR: “Welcome back to RAW, ladies and gentlemen. If you’re joining us a little late, Mr. McMahon made this match between Ric Flair and Chris Masters just moments ago. The winner challenges John Cena next week on RAW for the WWE Championship!”
Despite Masters size and strength advantage, he wrestles as if he has the upper hand. No urgency or aggressiveness, despite Flair staying competitive and neither man really taking full control. Commentary speculate that Masters may be underestimating Flair, feeling he has this match in the bag. Deep in the match, Ric catches Masters with a surprise roll up pin, which leads to a VERY close near fall! This is a bit of a wake up call for the Masterpiece, who rolls from the ring for a timeout and to gather himself. But Flair doesn't give him that pause, following his opponent out of the ring and shoving him into the time keeper's area! The ringside personnel scatter, allowing Chris to fall into some upright steel chairs. Flair assists Chris up and sits him down in one of the chairs that didn't fall over. In that spot, Flair lays in MORE chops. The fans WOOO! along with each one. Suddenly, Chris explodes out of the chair, wrapping his arms around Ric and driving him backwards until the Nature Boy's back is driven into the side of the ring. The Masterpiece is breathing heavy, each exhale a loud *HUFF*. And he looks angry. Chris dips into the ring enough to break the ref's 10 count, but returns outside and grabs hold of his opponent. The younger superstar hooks Flair's head, while tossing one of Flair's arms over his own head. Masters then hoists him up and falls back, dropping Flair on the ringside floor with a vertical suplex! The impact of Flair's body on the thin mats makes a *SMACK* and Ric instantly shouts, "AH GOD!" then groans in pain. It seems that Masters has quit taking his physical advantages for granted. Maybe the mocking by Flair before the match, and him consistently getting the better of Chris during the match, has finally made the Masterpiece so angry that he's STOPPED being arrogant. Chris picks Flair up off the floor and rolls him into the ring, then slides back under the ropes himself. Masters gets to his feet and stalks his prey, arms out stretched, signaling that the Master Lock may soon be in Flair's future.
"I SPIT IN THE FACE- OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO BE COOL"
The Masterpiece spins toward the stage at the sound of Carlito's entrance music, and the fans begin to cheer! Quickly, he rolls from the ring and retrieve's the chair that Flair had sat him in just a little bit ago, then walks around the ring to the bottom of the entrance ramp. Chris holds the chair in a defensive stance, ready to swing at Carlito the moment he comes running down that ramp... but it's been more than a few seconds... and still no Carlito. By the time Masters was walking toward the ramp, the referee had begun counting him out. It's when the ref shouts "6!" that Masters remembers he's in the middle of a pretty important match. A little more antsy now, Masters looks over both shoulders when Carlito's music fades out. The ref shouts "7!", and now Masters is looking back and forth from the stage to the ring. It's when the ref shouts "8!" that Masters finally drops the chair, turns around, and darts back into the ring. Chris scurries up to his feet, and lunges toward Ric Flair who is down on one knee... but the Nature Boy is playing possum! Flair quickly reaches up, hooks Masters around the head, and rolls him down into a small package pin attempt.
1!
2!
3!
Just like that, it's all over for The Masterpiece.
Winner: Ric Flair (8:26)
King: "The Nature Boy has pulled it off!"
JR: "I'm not quite sure what happened with Carlito's music there, but after what Chris Masters did last night to Carlito and Torrie Wilson, he has good reason to be concerned about Carlito's whereabouts."
Flair's music begins to play as Naitch and Masters both roll up to their knees. Masters looks stunned, while Flair wears a big smile on his face and fully stands to allow the referee to raise his arm in victory. But Flair's music is soon cut off when...
"I SPIT IN THE FACE- OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO BE COOL"
Masters slowly turns his head toward the stage, and this time... he DOES see Carlito exploding through the curtain and sprinting down the ramp! Wearing light brown pants, dark brown shoes, and a white tank top under shirt, Carlito slows down at the end of the ramp enough to pick up the steel chair that Masters recently dropped there. In the ring, Flair has backed up against the ropes and Masters has risen to his feet and has both of his hands extended toward Carlito, as if saying "hold on hold on". Carlito dives into the ring with the chair, and Masters falls to the mat and rolls out under the ropes in the opposite direction. Carlito gets to his feet and charges across the ring, then THROWS the steel chair in Masters direction, just missing the target as the Masterpiece hops over the barricade and runs away through the crowd. Carlito exits the ring and pursues Masters, hopping the barricade himself and disappearing into the crowd in Masters direction. After a few moments, Flair's music plays again as the Nature Boy pumps his fist in celebration.
JR: "Well folks, IF John Cena is medically cleared in a week's time, we know who his next challenger will be for the WWE Championship!"
King: "Even if Cena is cleared, that doesn't mean he'll be a hundred percent. We could see a NEW WWE Champion next week!"
JR: "Something we're guaranteed to see next week, King, is a MASSIVE tag team match that's being hailed as "the final chapter" of the war between DX and Rated RKO! It was supposed to happen last night, at New Year's Revolution. But Umaga's suspension upended all plans for that event. Now these two teams wait seven more days to settle the score, when RAW comes to Bossier City, Louisiana!"
King: "Is Bossier City big enough to contain these four? Things have gotten so bitter and personal between DX and Rated RKO!"
JR: "Well, speaking of things getting personal, that may very well be the case with Rated RKO after what Edge did last night."
King: "What's that supposed to mean?"
JR: "What it means, is I'm not too sure that Randy Orton appreciated his partner Edge hitting him with a low blow and stealing that spot in the Elimination Chamber!"
King: "Hey don't go putting words in Randy Orton's mouth, JR!"
JR: "Luckily, we won't have to speculate for long. Because after this next match, we will hear from the World Tag Team Champions, Rated RKO, live in the ring!"
*HEROES*
The theme song for the recently reunited "World's Greatest Tag Team" begins to play. Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas make their way out to the stage as Lillian Garcia announces that "Tag Team Turmoil" is the next match! It's a tag team gauntlet, with the final team standing earning a future World Tag Team Championship match! The pair match, wearing white and red jackets with white and red "biker short" trunks, though Shelton also wears a pair of sunglasses. Haas & Benjamin waste no time with a flashy entrance, making it to the ring as Lillian finishes explaining the rules. She finally introduces the team as they each pose in in separate corners on the middle rope.
JR: "Haas and Benjamin are faced with the dubious task of running the gauntlet, so to speak. They'll have to go from first to last if they want a shot at the World Tag Team titles. Tag Team Turmoil is next!"
RAW returns from break with a camera desperately trying to keep up with Carlito as he runs through a large opening, likely for a metal overhead door, and enters the arena parking garage. As he jogs down a slight incline, deeper into the parking area we see Chris Masters jump into the driver seat of a white SUV and slam the door shut. Carlito sprints as fast as he can, but The Masterpiece hits the gas and drives out of view. Carlito yells out...
Carlito: "MASTERRRS!"
as he finally slows down and comes to a stop right where the SUV had been parked, and looks off in the direction that Chris Masters escaped.
Carlito: "Damn it!"
Just then, Maria jogs into frame with a microphone.
Maria: "Carlito please, just a quick word? I haven't heard from Torrie Wilson since last night, and I was hoping you could tell us how she's doing?"
He continues staring off where the SUV drove away while Maria asks her question, and when Carlito does turn around to face her, there's a rage burning in his eyes and such disappointment on his face that if the interviewer approaching him in this parking garage was a man... Carlito's reaction might be a little different. But the superstar does his best to not release any of his emotions directly at Maria.
Carlito: "How's Torrie doing? Not great, Maria! She didn't even travel with me to St. Louis because she doesn't feel comfortable coming to work and being in the same building as that PIECE OF CRAP Chris Masters!"
He's breathing heavy as he speaks, after running throughout the arena in pursuit of the Masterpiece, and Carlito punctuates his response to Maria by pointing back in the direction of where we saw Masters leave. Saying Masters name out loud seems to set Carlito off a little more, and he takes the microphone away from Maria then turns to face camera.
Carlito: "Chris! We've known each other a long time. We were even friends at one point. Partners! You probably know Carlito better than anyone else in that locker room. You've seen just about every side of me. But I promise you, Masters... when I finally get my hands on you. You're gonna see a different side of Carlito! One you've never seen... and one you will NEVER FORGET!"
The hand holding the microphone drops, and Carlito continues to stare down the camera for a few seconds.
Shifting back inside the arena, we see the World Greatest Tag Team in the ring, entrance gear removed, waiting for team who will start this gauntlet match with them.
*GORSE*
Scottish bagpipes blare through the speakers, signaling the arrival of Rory and Robbie McAllister, THE HIGHLANDERS. Once in the ring, the two cousins remove the fur hides they wore over their shoulders, but will be wrestling in their brown and tan patterned kilts. A stark contrast to the more traditional gear worn by Haas & Benjamin.
Match 2 #1 Contenders for World Tag Team Championships
Tag Team Turmoil
Cade & Murdoch vs Cryme Tyme vs
The Highlanders vs Jim Duggan & Super Crazy
vs World's Greatest Tag Team
The bald headed Rory McAllister starts things off for his team against Charlie Haas. There's a bit of competitive wrestling to start, but once Haas is able to force Rory into his corner and tag in Shelton, WGTT begin to push the pace with double team moves and fast but striking offense. Being at the start of this gauntlet, Haas & Benjamin know to go the distance they'll have to make quick work of their early opponents. After a couple of minutes of one sided action, Haas drapes Rory onto the ropes and lifts his legs up off the ground. Shelton tagged in just before and is prepared to leap frog over Charlie and crash all his body weight into his opponent's back. Rory recognizes the position he's in and fights out by kicking backward into Charlie's chest. Haas releases the Scottish brawler and stumbles back into a running Shelton. With both members of WGTT stunned, Rory rushes the duo and drops them with double clotheslines! With the opening for reprieve, Rory dashes toward his corner to tag in his cousin Robbie! The wild haired taller cousin leaps into the ring with urgency, hoping to take advantage of the opening his partner created. Robbie rushes the legal man, Shelton, and assists him up to his feet before hooking his arm over his own head and lifting him straight up for a vertical suplex. But Shelton slips out! Falling behind Robbie in a standing position, Shelton pushes his new opponent away from him to create space. Robbie stumbles a few feet forward, then spins around to find Shelton... only to find a super kick thrust into his jaw. A moment later, Charlie Haas pushes off the mat and sprints forward to club Rory out of his corner and down to the floor. Charlie exits the ring in the Highlanders corner, leaving Shelton alone with Robbie. Benjamin gets his opponent back up, and in position for his finishing T-BONE SUPLEX! Shelton connects with the maneuver and floats into the pin.
*The Highlanders eliminated* (3:03)
"HOOOOOOOOOO!"
After Lillian announces the elimination, the music of "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan begins to play, and the WWE Legend makes his way out onto the stage. With the American flag on a 2x4 over his shoulder, Hacksaw is joined by his partner, Super Crazy, who wears a poncho over his ring attire that displays the Mexican flag. This unique partnership is a first time pairing who have been presented with a golden opportunity to make their mark in the tag division. Super Crazy slides into the ring to start things off with Shelton, as Duggan and Haas get to their respective corners. After a quick opening exchange, Crazy puts his opponent down with a hurricanrana, Shelton rolling right out of the ring. Crazy is quick to tag in Duggan before rushing over toward the side of the ring that Shelton exited and slingshot-ing himself over the top! But Shelton jumps sideways out of the splash zone and allows Super Crazy to crash and burn... only Crazy lands on his feet! Shelton plays defenseless for a second, but he knows what Crazy doesn't. Charlie Haas is near by on the apron, running up from behind Crazy and kicking him in the upper back between the shoulders. Shelton grabs Crazy by the wrist and harshly whips him into the nearby barricade. From around the corner comes the legal man, Jim Duggan, to his partner's aid. He grabs an unsuspecting Benjamin from behind and slams him face first down into the ring apron, before rolling the younger man back into the ring. Duggan knees up to the apron, then stands up and steps through the ropes, Shelton gets to his corner and tags in Haas... but falls to the mat on all fours, hoping to bait Hacksaw who missed the tag. Duggan comes into and goes to pick Shelton up, despite the ref trying to signal for Duggan that the tag was made, and that's enough of an opening for Charlie Haas to sneak up behind Duggan and wrap both arms around his waist. We see Jim's eyes go wide as Haas slowly lifts him, then drives him backwards with a German suplex! Haas gets to his feet, bringing Duggan up with him and keeping the arms wrapped for another German. Shelton thrusts his leg out once again, this time kicking the defenseless legend in the face. Haas follows that kick up with a second German suplex, this time bridging up and holding Hacksaw down for the pin. Super Crazy slides in under the bottom rope, but Shelton dives down on top of Crazy and holds him against the mat.
*Jim Duggan & Super Crazy eliminated* (4:12)
Super Crazy is visibly distraught after barely lasting one minute in the match. Crazy slumps out of the ring, eventually meeting Duggan around the corner as he rolls out, and the two leave together. Haas & Benjamin bump forearms in a mini-celebration after making very quick work of Duggan & Crazy. After eliminating TWO teams in under 5 minutes, WGTT wait for their next opponents.
"YO, YO, YO, YO!
POP A 40 AND CHECK YOUR ROLLIES,
IT'S CRYME TYME!"
JTG and Shad Gaspard come out onto the stage with an incredible energy, and it's an energy that the St. Louis crowd matches with a very loud and positive reaction to their arrival. The popular tag team makes their way down to the ring where Haas & Benjamin wait. As Shad & JTG enter the ring, WGTT have regrouped to their own corner. Shelton gets outside the ropes and converses with Charlie who stands nearby. JTG & Shad motion back and forth at each other trying to figure out who should start, and they land on a decision fairly quick. JTG hops out of the ring, leaving the large and imposing Shad Gaspard alone with Charlie Haas. The message is clear. WGTT's bully tactics end here. Haas & Benjamin are legitimate physical threats when they choose to be, and in this moment Charlie switches to grappler mindset. He lowers his stance and tries to circle around Shad, but Gaspard is fresh and fairly mobile for his size. Haas lunges in for the single leg, but Shad is able to anchor and prevent the smaller man from taking control. Haas comes up behind Shad and tries to take him into a German suplex position the way he had Duggan moments earlier, but a swift back elbow to the head from Shad shuts that down. Haas keeps trying to take control of Shad, but never succeeds. Eventually becoming frustrated enough to tag in his partner. Shelton watched Charlie struggle enough, that he goes with a different tactic. He mocks JTG as "too scared" to get into the ring, allowing Shad to do all the work. Shad & JTG smile, then laugh to each other. They see they got WGTT, and while they don't take the bait, JTG has no problem tagging in to prove them wrong. It's a quicker pace with JTG and Shelton now paired up, but things stay fairly even. Haas blind tags in, and eventually takes advantage by sneaking in to double team JTG with Shelton. Shad reacts quick to even things up. Once inside the ring, the big man grabs Shelton by the neck and throws him over the top rope and out of the ring. When Shad turns, he finds Haas running straight toward him. Gaspard is able to use his opponents momentum against him by leaning in low and scooping Haas up onto his shoulders. Cryme Tyme as a team are in sync, and JTG hits the rope without any discussion. When JTG runs toward Shad holding up Haas, he leaps up and catches Haas around the head, rotating to bring him down for a sort of neck breaker as Shad drops back with a Samoan drop in tandem. The duo call this move the G9! After the move connects, Shad stands guard as JTG flips Haas over and goes in for the pin.
*World's Greatest Tag Team eliminated* (7:58)
JTG stands, then slaps hands with Shad. Shelton reaches under the rope to grab his partner's leg, then pulls Charlie out of the ring while JTG laughs and waives goodbye to the World's Greatest Tag Team. Three teams have been eliminated, which means only one more challenger stands between Cryme Tyme and a potential championship match.
*Southern Proud*
The country tune signals the arrival of two beefy cowboys, Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch who confidently walk out through the curtain as the advantageous final entry in the gauntlet. Each man removes their cowboy hat and starts to pull off their entrance vests as RAW heads into its next break with JR promising that we'll see the conclusion of Tag Team Turmoil on the other side!
We return from commercial to find Trevor Murdoch in full control of JTG, grinding him down in a side headlock that the smaller JTG can't seem to escape. With support from not only Shad, but the very pro-Cryme Tyme fans, JTG is able to rally up and turn the tides. Stringing together some offense, JTG caps it off with a rebound back elbow to lays out Murdoch. With both men down on the mat, it only takes a few moments for both to turn toward their corners and each make a tag. Shad Gaspard and Lance Cade enter the ring and meet near the center. The two most physically intimindating members of this entire gauntlet, much less their own tag teams. Cade goes for a right hand right away, but Shad evades but moving his head away from the swing. Shad returns a right hand with an uppercut that staggers Cade back into the ropes. Shad looks to stay on the offensive, but Cade explodes off the ropes with a knee lift to the gut that double Shad over. Lance back peddales to the ropes as best he can, coming back with a short jog and hitting another knee lift into Shad's exposed face. For the first time in this match, Shad is on his back! Cade goes for the pin.
1!
...
2!
An emphatic kick out shows that Shad still has plenty left in the tank! Cade gets some stomps in to try and weaken the big man, but eventually brings him back up to his feet. Cade lifts Shad up and drops him down with a thunderous BACK SUPLEX that gets a nice reaction from the crowd. Cade attempts another, but it's another nearfall. Something tells us that Cade wants to win this match by beating Shad specifically, and he tags Murdoch back into the match to hit a double team move with that intent in mind. Cade scoops Shad up onto his shoulder in a powerslam position as Murdoch enters the ring, but Shad is able to slip out and fall to his feet. Murdoch links with Cade, and they both swing clotheslines that Shad ducks. He takes off for the ropes, and comes off them with an explosive leap, flying foward and colliding into both men with a diving clotheslines of his own! Cade rolls under the bottom rope, as Shad rushes to his feet and tags in JTG. Before the new legal man can enter the ring, Murdoch is now up and rushes their corner...
but Shad FLOORS HIM with a big boot to the face! JTG hops up to a seated position on the top turnbuckle and extends his legs, laying them over Shad's shoulders. Shad takes a few steps forward, which causes JTG hang from Shad's shoulders back to back. Shad Gaspard uses his impressive strength to sling JTG up over his head (reverse Alabama Slam style) which crashes JTG down onto Murdoch with a violent splash! JTG is quick to hook one of Murdoch's legs with his arms, while wrapping both his legs around Murdoch's other leg. Lance Cade jumps back up to the apron, but Shad rushes forward and clobbers him down with a forearm strike.
1!
...
2!
...
3!
*Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch eliminated*
Winners, and NEW #1 contenders: Cryme Tyme (13:34)
Murdoch sits up pretty soon after the 3 count, and he can't believe he just got pinned. JTG and Shad celebrate after having their arms raised by the referee. The slow momentum they've been building since their debut three months ago has finally paid off with a championship opportunity. As Cade and Murdoch leave off to the side of the ramp in disgust, we see JTG and Shad celebrate by hitting their forward then backward high five in the ring.
"YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME"
"Metalingus" tears through the arena speakers, and pulls all attention in the arena away from the ring. Edge emerges onto the stage from a wall of smoke where he is promptly met with a chorus of boos from the WWE fans in St. Louis. Dressed in street clothes, including a pair of lightly tinted sunglasses so his eyes are still visible, the Rated R Superstar carries his half of the World Tag Team Championships over his shoulder. He also wears a large bandage on the area of his forehead where Triple H punched him repeatedly last night and busted him open. Edge pays little attention to jeering fans as he walks down the ramp... but it soon approached by Cryme Tyme! While Edge's music continues to play, he looks the team up and down with contempt. Cryme Tyme just smile, and JTG points two fingers back and forth from his own eyes to Edge's championship belt. The Rated R Superstar pulls the title off his shoulder and holds him behind his back, acting as if Cryme Tyme are about to steal the championship from him. Shad and JTG laugh, then dap each other before moving on up the ramp and leaving. Edge stands still in place and watches them leave for a few seconds, then continues to the ring where he eventually request a microphone.
Edge: "Normally, I would never come out here to address you peop-"
"Hey! Nothin' You Can Say!
Nothing's Gonna Change
What You've Done To Me!"
Edge is cut off mid-sentence when "Burn In My Light" begins to play in the arena. The fans instantly begin to cheer for the home town boy. Randy Orton walks out onto the stage in a hurry. He doesn't pose, or seem to really take in the fact that he's being cheered by the audience. Randy is also in street clothes, and carries his Tag Team Championship in his hand. Edge grabs another microphone while Randy enters the ring. The music fades, and Edge extends the microphone, but Randy slaps it down out of Edge's hand. Edge looks shocked! The fans approve this sign of aggression from Randy after the way he lost last night. Though Edge doesn't hold his microphone up to his mouth, its close enough that we can hear their conversation.
Edge: "What the hell, Randy?"
Orton: "Don't 'what the hell' me. You can't talk to me all day, but you'll run out here to talk to them?"
Edge: "I was coming out here to introduce you! We're in St. Louis --"
Orton: "I know where we are!"
Edge: "-- I was going to give you the heroes welcome."
Orton: "Is this how you wanna do this? In front of everyone? Fine."
Edge: "Hey Randy, listen--"
Randy drops his Tag Title belt and picks up the microphone he previously rejected, now speaking into it.
Orton: "Alright go ahead, let's hear it."
Edge straightens up, and gives a fake toothy smile.
Edge: "People of St. Louis! Get on your feet, make some noise, and welcome home St. Louis's own! The "Legend Kill-"
Orton: "NO! That's not what I want to hear. I want you to look me in the eye and tell me HOW you won our match last night at New Year's Revolution. I want to hear you SAY IT."
Edge: "Randy... I.. look if you'll just.. just take it down a little and I can-"
Orton: "As a matter fact, skip the how. Everyone in this arena knows how you did it. I want you to tell me WHY!"
Randy punctuates the "WHY" by stepping in real close to Edge. The anger and frustration in his eyes is unmistakable. Edge is silent for a moment as the world waits to hear him try and lie his way out of the situation. Now that they're not trying to speak over one another, Edge takes a breath, then answers.
Edge: "Is this just because I hit you in the balls, Randy?"
Edge's tone surprises everyone. Almost like he's confused, or doesn't understand why Randy is making such a big deal out of it. Randy's mouth hangs open slightly, like he was about to unleash a rage filled response before the wind was taken out of his sails by his partner's answer.
Edge: "Are you ACTUALLY this upset about it? Twenty four hours later? We have some other business to take care of, Randy."
Orton: "So that's it huh? You hit me in the balls, no big deal? Your tag team partner, your friend. You cheat me like that and I'm just supposed to get over it?"
Edge slightly shrugs one shoulder.
Edge: "... Yes? Are you being serious?"
Orton: "ARE YOU?!"
Randy lets the hand holding the microphone fall to his side for a moment as he runs the other hand over his hair in frustration. This conversation clearly isn't going the way he expected it to.
Edge: "We both looked each other in the eye last night and said, 'We do what has to be done'. Do you remember that?"
Randy looks back at Edge and throws out both arms while shouting "Yeah?"
Edge: "Yeah. So... I did what I had to do?"
Orton: "Cheating me? That's what "Do what has to be done" means to you?"
At this point Randy is yelling again. The microphone falls to his side once more as he is now literally pacing around in a circle trying to figure out what to do with his emotions, and Edge can see this situation about to spiral.
Edge: "Randy, you are making this into a personal thing. It's not about you or me, it was about the WWE Championship. I've done A LOT worse things than a low blow to win or keep that WWE Title. I couldn't get you to stay down, man. I thought you more than anybody would understand."
Orton: "Don't try and make me sound unreasonable here, Edge. We've all done questionable things in this ring. But there's a difference between friend and foe. Between partners and enemies. Do you remember WHY we started Rated RKO? After everything that happened with Triple H... with Evolution--"
Randy can't get another word out after 'Evolution' as Edge drops his half of the Tag Team Titles and lunges forward, wrapping both arms around Randy with a BIG HUG. The crowd doesn't know how to react, some laugh while others boo. Randy himself looks completely caught off guard, turning his head to look the best he can to look at Edge with a "what are you doing?" expression on his face. Edge brings the microphone up to his mouth without releasing the hug.
Edge: "I'm not him, Randy. I'm not Triple H! I would never turn my back on you for a championship."
Randy starts to look angry again. Clearly he considers what happened last night exactly as Edge turning on him over a championship.
Edge: "Triple H was using you in Evolution. This... isn't THAT! You are my brother, and I love you, Randy!"
More boos and a few chuckles from the fans, and Randy looks almost uncomfortable now.
Edge: "Did Triple H ever tell you that he was sorry? No way. But you know what, Randy? I am. I'm sorry."
At this point Randy rolls his eyes. The frustration is still there but... does he believe what Edge is saying? Whether he's buying it, or whether he just wants this long embrace to end, Randy raises his arm up behind Edge very slowly.
Edge: "I'm sorry, Randy!"
After a long pause, Randy gently places his hand on the back of Edge's shoulder to seemingly return the hug.
"BREAK IT DOWN!"
The surprising of D-Generation X's theme breaks up Rated RKO's emotional(?) moment, as both men turn their attention to the stage and brace themselves as if preparing for a fight. It's about 10 seconds before anyone comes out onto the stage, and when we finally do see someone, it's a member of arena security? No, three security members. And they're in a rush! NO, over a dozen security guards. For anyone counting at home, they would tally TWENTY arena security guards flooding down the ramp. And right on their heels are Triple H and Shawn Michaels! The majority of the security stand in two rows down the entrance ramp to block DX from going any further, with about 6 guards standing down near the ring in front of Rated RKO. It's clear that SOMEONE doesn't want this heated situation to get physical right now. Both members of DX wear blue jeans, Hunter is covered in a black hoodie with the DX spray paint logo on the front, while Shawn wears the attitude era DX shirt. Both men already have a mic, and Triple H begins shouting before the music stops playing.
Triple H: "You think these clowns can stop me!?"
The music finally cuts out and Triple H starts marching into the crowd of security guards. As he steps to the first two, Shawn lunges out and wraps both of his arms around one of Triple H's to try and pull him back. Both of the guards have their hands pressed against Hunter, but aren't shoving him. Triple H has a handful of one of their shirts, but finally releases as Shawn continues to pull him back. DX's microphones pick up HBK shouting...
Shawn: "Not like this! Not here."
Hunter finally calms down and takes a step back. Shawn lets him go then raises his mic.
Shawn: "They can't hide behind security next week. That's when we finish this once and for all."
Edge: "Who's hiding? These mall cops didn't run out here with US. DX is hiding from Rated RKO!"
Triple H: "Is that right? Because last I remember, when we were in that ring together I LITERALLY beat you to a bloody pulp!"
Edge: "Oh is that the last thing you remember, Hunter? You conveniently forget me PUTTING YOU DOWN in this ring with a spear last night?"
Triple H: "DO IT AGAIN!"
Hunter rushes into the security guards. The Rated R Superstar eggs him on.
Edge: "Well come on down here then. Who's stopping you?"
Triple H now swings and knocks down one of the security guards. Shawn is behind Hunter, both arms wrapped around his waist trying to pull him back.
Edge: "You may have taken my blood, but I TOOK THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP AWAY FROM YOU!"
Randy had been looking ahead at DX during this entire confrontation, but that last line from Edge got his attention. Randy cocked his head just enough to glance at his partner. Even if they hugged it out, Randy clearly feels that Edge took the WWE Championship from him as well. Shawn has moved himself between Hunter and the security, even turning at one point to punch out one of the guards himself. HBK gives Triple H one hard shove back, again disengaging him from a brawl with security, before shouting into the microphone.
Shawn: "You think you're the only one upset about last night!?"
Triple H's expression shows a certain frustration about what Shawn just said, though he still looks past his partner down at Rated RKO.
Shawn: "Sunday night was an absolute disaster. We were supposed to unleash all of THIS on THEM!"
Shawn points back toward the ring.
Shawn: "Vince took that away, made us fight each other, and dangled the WWE Title between us like a carrot. I refuse to let his mind games derail our mission. To take out Edge and Orton for good, we have to get to next week's match in one piece. Some wild brawl with the all the security isn't the way to do that."
Triple H finally looks at his partner, and concedes to his point. But Edge twists the knife.
Edge: "Don't let him boss you around, Hunter. Shawn doesn't get it. He wasn't good enough to beat you last night, and he isn't good enough anymore to be WWE Champion. We're running a different race than he is!"
Triple H doesn't overreact this time, but the camera on the stage holds on Shawn's face and it's clear these comments got under his skin. HBK slowly turns away from his partner to face the ring again, but his tone remains calm.
Shawn: "I have no shame in saying Triple H was better than me last night. Did I want to challenge Cena for the WWE Title? Of course. Am I driven to be WWE Champion again? Of course. It's been almost 10 years! But you know something Edge? I would rather lose with honor, than win by cheating my best friend."
We can see Edge's eyes go wide through the lense of his shades. He quickly turns to say something to Randy, but it seems like his partner has finally found someone to release his anger on.
Orton: "Oh spare me! Don't you dare stand up there, talking down to us about how to treat a friend, when you call that backstabbing son of a bitch your brother!"
Randy points directly at Triple H. Edge looks back toward DX with a grin.
Orton: "Triple H betrayed YOU Shawn! The same way he betrayed me. Triple H beat the hell out of you FOR YEARS. I know, because I was there helping him! Only for him to turn around and beat the hell out of me. Edge went low to beat me last night. So what?! All four of us have done it. We've all won that way. At least he was man enough to stand here and admit it, to APOLOGIZE. Has Triple H ever ONCE told you he was sorry for what he did all those years? NO! Because he isn't sorry. He would do it all over again. He will do ANYTHING to be the WWE Champion. It means more to him than your little DX t-shirts ever did!"
Edge puts his arm around Randy's shoulders and laughs out loud. Triple H stares at Shawn, but HBK cannot bring himself to turn and look at his best friend. He refuses to confirm or deny if the point Randy just made about Triple H not being sorry or doing it all over again is true. Shawn chooses to focus on Randy.
Shawn: "Being a champion means something to me too. Maybe the next time I have the opportunity, when things get tough, I'll just use a low blow. Lucky for me, we have a Tag Team Championship match next week."
Orton: "First chance I get, I'm kicking YOU in the balls."
Shawn: "Try it, and I'll kick your head off."
Shawn Michaels is done being the voice of reason. He drops his mic and marches right back into the sea of security, and Triple H immediately does the same. Rated RKO take a few steps back toward the center of the ring, inviting DX to get there.
Jonathan Coachman: "Stop! Stop! Don't even think about it!"
Mr. McMahon's Assistant GM, Jonathan Coachman, rushes out through with a mic in hand.
Coachman: "There's not going to be a giant brawl on my watch."
The fans boo, but DX ignore Coachman all together.
Coachman: "HEY! If you won't respect my authority, maybe I'll talk with Mr. McMahon and see if he's in the mood to issue two more suspensions. Then maybe you NEVER get your match with Rated RKO! How's that sound?"
And with this, Triple H and Shawn Michaels begrudgingly disengage the security. Both men turn to look at Coachman, who stands at the top of the ramp.
Coachman: "Alright, that's better. Now. I'M the one who ordered this security out here tonight. The issue between Rated RKO and D-Generation X has gone on long enough, and it needs proper, final resolution. So there will be no contact of any kind between the four of you tonight in St. Louis."
Again the fans boo. But Randy Orton speaks up.
Orton: "Coachman, wait. You know WE respect your authority, but c'mon... this is MY CITY!"
Cheap pop.
Orton: "Let me wrestle in St. Louis. And please OH PLEASE, let me wrestle Shawn Michaels. Because I would LOVE for him to try and kick my head off!"
The fans roar in approval. Coach looks out at the raucous crowd, then back toward Randy in the ring, a sly grin slowly grows across his face.
Coachman: "You people want to see Randy Orton vs Shawn Michaels?" The fans cheer again! A few feet away from Coach, Shawn slowly nods his approval with a clenched jaw. Coachman: "That's a great idea, Mr. Orton. I'll bet Mr. McMahon would agree. You have your match. The main event tonight will be Randy Orton vs Shawn Michaels. But!"
The crowd cheers big for the new match!
Coachman: "BUT! This will NOT get out of hand. Edge... Triple H... you are BOTH banned from ringside. If either of you interfere in this match, you'll be watching RAW at home next week. Just like Umaga! Until then, DX... the security team here is going to escort you to your locker room. If you want your match tonight Shawn, don't cause any problems."
Triple H's lip snarls at being bossed around by a chump like Coachman. HBK smacks his hand against Hunter's chest then begins walking up the ramp toward Coachman. Hunter follows his partner, and both men stare down the Assistant General Manager before exiting through the curtain with all twenty security guards following behind them.
King: "Wow! Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton are going to tear each other apart TONIGHT!"
Edge quietly encourages Randy in the ring while commentary discuss the situation.
JR: "That is going to be one hell of a main event. I think Coachman had the right idea originally of keeping these four superstars apart tonight, but seeing the tensions between Orton and Michaels come to a head in St. Louis was too tempting to pass up."
King: "Orton or Michaels, or both, could find themselves at a disadvantage next week if things go too far tonight. They might regret taking this match!"
JR: "Someone who will absolutely find themselves at a disadvantage tonight, is Jeff Hardy! Just twenty four hours ago, the Intercontinental Champion competed not once but twice. First in a winning effort against his rival, Johnny Nitro, then again inside the Elimination Chamber where Hardy wrestled bell to bell."
We're shown a few still images from the pay-per-view. First of Hardy pinning Nitro, then a few shots of Jeff competing inside the Elimination Chamber, and ultimately being pinned by John Cena.
King: "Jeff Hardy was THIS CLOSE to winning the WWE Championship at New Year's Revolution!"
JR: "Jeff earned a night off, but he let Melina annoy him into moving up his rescheduled Title defense with Johnny Nitro..."
JR: "...and it's going down in just a little bit. Jeff Hardy versus Johnny Nitro for the Intercontinental Championship, inside a STEEL CAGE, tonight on RAW!"
After plugging the IC Title match, we go to another break.
RAW returns from commercial the same way it left, by hyping match for tonight.
JR: "Welcome back to Monday Night RAW everybody. The confrontation that went down between DX and Rated RKO a few minutes ago has led to this."
JR: "One night after both superstars lost to their own partners, and one week before they team with those same partners to go to war with each other, it's HBK, Shawn Michaels vs The Legend Killer, the hometown kid, Randy Orton. It's the main event, with Triple H and Edge banned from ringside, later tonight!"
We go backstage where Coachman is walking down a hallway before approaching Mr. McMahon's office door. Just as Coachman reaches for the doorknob...
*unknown*: "Mr. Coachman!"
The Assistant General Manager turns to his left, and into view walks up The World's Greatest Tag Team. They're still in their ring gear, and Shelton has his sunglasses on top of his head.
Coachman: "What can I do for you, gentlemen?"
Benjamin: "We'd like a match sir, with Cryme Tyme!"
Coachman: "You just HAD a match with Cryme Tyme."
Haas: "No, we just had THREE matches. Cryme Tyme didn't show up until AFTER our two grueling victories."
Coachman: "Grueling..."
Benjamin: "That's right!"
Haas: "Please, Mr. Coachman! Give us this FAIR shot against Cryme Tyme, and we'll prove why WE should be the next challengers for the World Tag Team Championships. I promise that punk JTG won't be laughing then. He thinks he's something, but he would never beat me on his own, not without the help of his partner."
Coachman: "Hmmm. Charlie.. Shelton... I'm NOT going to give you that match. But you have given me an idea. Before DX and Rated RKO wrestle again, I just made Randy Orton vs Shawn Michaels for later tonight. Now you say that JTG couldn't possibly beat you on his own, without Shad?"
Haas: "Not a chance!"
Coachman: "Well I'm going to give you the chance to prove THAT. Next week on RAW, JTG vs Charlie Haas one-on-one. Depending on how that goes... we'll see about a rematch with Cryme Tyme. Good?"
Charlie and Shelton look at each other briefly and smile, then back to Coach.
Benjamin: "Great!"
Haas: "Perfect! Thank you, Mr. Coachman."
As Coachman watches World's Greatest Tag Team leave back down the hallway, someone else walks up from behind him. It's Edge! Coachman looks over his shoulder to see the Rated R Superstar smacking his gum with a grin on his face.
Edge: "Hey, Coach. Need to talk to the boss."
Coachman: "Hey... Edge. What else can I do for you?"
Edge chuckles.
Edge: "You can open the door... so I can talk to THE BOSS."
Coachman looks hurt, if not a bit emasculated. As much as he'd like to assert his "authority" again, Coach decides arguing with a top superstar outside the Chairman's office has a 50/50 chance of blowing up in his face. Glancing down at the floor, Coachman grabs the doorknob to McMahon's office and opens the door, allowing Edge to walk inside after patting the Assistant GM on the shoulder.
Elsewhere backstage, we join Todd Grisham in the designated interview area.
Grisham: "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome by guest at this time. The WWE Women's Champion, Mickie James!"
The camera drifts over and zooms out and Mickie steps into frame with the Women's Title over her shoulder and a smile on her face.
Grisham: "Mickie, last night you turned the tables on Victoria with the assistance of Victoria's past victims who canceled out Melina's interference, allowing you to pickup the victory and retain your championship. So why did YOU request this match with Melina tonight?"
Mickie: "It's simple, Todd. Melina only agreed to help Victoria last night for a future Championship match in return. Now, I can stomach losing my Women's Championship if someone was better than me. But if this Title is stolen from me, cheated from me... well, I'd have a hard time living with that. I challenged Melina tonight to show all the WWE Divas that they don't have to scheme and plot and cheat to get a shot at this. I'll wrestle anyone, at any time."
James turns her attention away from Todd and looks straight into the camera.
Mickie: "And if you are better than me on any given night, if you can beat the WWE Women's Champion, the title match is yours. You can even name the time and you can name the place."
She looks back at Todd.
Mickie: "Two of the greatest Divas to ever hold this Title retired in 2006. Trish Stratus, then Lita. I had the honor last year to wrestle and beat BOTH of them for the Women's Championship. And going into 2007, Mickie James is going to be a fighting champion that defines the next era of the WWE Women's Championship."
With a smile and a wink, Mickie leaves the interview as her theme music starts playing in the arena.
Grisham: "Thanks, Mickie!"
*OBSESSION*
It takes a few moments for her to get to Gorilla from the interview set, but we soon see Mickie James triumphantly walk through the curtain to a very nice reaction! With the Title still over her shoulder, Mickie skips down the ramp then slides in under the bottom rope. She hops to the second rope in the nearest corner and holds the Women's Championship up high.
*PAPARAZZI*
Up on stage we see the long red carpet rolled down the ramp as a gaggle of photographers start snapping shots of the entrance way. Only when she can bathe in the camera flashes does Melina strut out into the public eye. Melina comes alone as Nitro prepares for his Steel Cage match. Once down to the ring, Melina enters as only she can, with the drop down splits on the apron before slinking in under the bottom rope.
Match 3 (Non-Title)
Mickie James (C) vs Melina
As the match begins, both women approach center ring to start with a traditional lock up, but Melina shoots a knee lift up into Mickie's abdomen and doubles the champion over. Using side headlock, Melina takes control of the opening exchange. Melina fights fair, but aggressive. There's a hunger in the way she attacks Mickie when on offense, and fights back when on defense. Melina's desire to be a champion herself has been questioned lately, but the Diva may be trying to put those doubts to rest right now.
Melina lays Mickie onto the 2nd rope in the corner. Mickie's legs rest on tope of one rope, her head and shoulders on another, leaving her mid-section completely exposed. Melina grabs the top ropes above Mickie and leaps up above her, aiming to fall and drive her knees straight down into Mickie's stomach or ribs. But Mickie has the move scouted! She grabs the top rope above her and pulls her legs in which allows her to swing her body away. Melina drives her knees further down than she intended as they crash into the mat. The Diva SHRIEKS in pain and clutches at her knees. The ref slides in to check on Melina while the WWE Champion stalks her opponent, most likely in anticipation of the MickieDT. It's this moment we see Victoria jump up onto the apron next to Mickie, but the champion spots her! Mickie turns to face the intruder, then shoots a Mick Kick up where her head WAS, but Victoria hopped down off the apron just in time! Mickie shouts down at Victoria to stay out of her business, but suddenly she's grabbed from behind by Melina, who pushes her into the ropes and uses that momentum to roll both herself and Mickie backwards. Melina rolls Mickie back to her shoulders, but herself comes up to a squat position stacked on top of Mickie's legs for the pin attempt.
1!
2!
But Mickie pulls Melina back, now rolling her down into the same position, putting the Champion herself now stacked on top of Melina for the pin!
1!
2!
...
Melina kicks out! The momentum pushes Mickie away and stumbles forward, falling into the ropes near Victoria. Mickie catches herself on the middle rope, but that's where Victoria reaches up and slaps the champion hard in the side of the head! Mickie's body blocked the view of the referee as he stood up from counting the last pin attempt. But he's in perfect view to see Mickie turn around from the slap as Melina hits Mickie James with her own MICK KICK! The Women's Champion hits the mat, but Melina takes the extra few seconds to pull her closer to center ring before falling down into the pin attempt.
1!
2!
3!
Winner: Melina (5:12)
Victoria is waiting outside the ring for Melina, and the Divas embrace before backing up the ramp. Commentary questions if Melina and Victoria planned that run-in, or Victoria took it upon herself as revenge for last night. The referee actually has to catch up with Melina to formally raise her up in victory. Back in the ring, Mickie rolls over onto her side and looks up at the women who cheated her, a hand over her face where she was both slapped and kicked just moments ago. Despite Mickie's desire for the women's division to be defined by honor and competition, it's clear that not every Diva shares her philosophy. Assuming she's a woman of her word, Mickie has also given Melina the opportunity to choose the setting for a future Championship match. If what happened tonight is repeated, Mickie may have spelled doom for her own title reign.
Backstage now, we see Maria walk past a line of security guards and knock on the locker room door of D-Generation X. As the door starts to open we hear Triple H shouting...
Maria: "Hi, Triple H! Does Shawn have time for a few questions before his match tonight?"
Triple H peaks over his shoulder into the locker room, then back toward Maria with a reserved grin.
Triple H: "Well played, sending the Diva."
Maria: "I'm sorry?"
Triple H: "Okay sure, but make it quick."
The Game motions for Maria (and her camera) to follow him inside the locker room. Once inside, we see Shawn Michaels has now changed into his gear and is stretching with one leg up on a bench, his back to the camera.
Triple H: "Shawn, we got company."
HBK frantically spins around, perhaps thinking that his partner meant there was trouble.
Shawn: "Wha!-- oh. Hi, Maria."
Michaels looks back and forth from Triple H to Maria a few times, perhaps silently asking his partner what the heck she was doing in here? The interviewer stands between both members of DX, but directs her attention to Shawn.
Maria: "Hi, Shawn! You have a big match tonight with Randy Orton, but an even BIGGER match next week versus Rated RKO! Now that everything has calmed down, are you having any second thoughts about wrestling tonight?"
The playful "reunion era" DX tone quickly disappears at the mention of Rated RKO and "second thoughts". HBK even glances at his partner again, this time with a more annoyed look for even letting the interviewer into their locker room.
Shawn: "Maria, I've had my fair share of regretful decisions throughout my career. But the opportunity kick Randy Orton's ass in his own hometown? I'd make that choice ten more times."
A small portion of the St. Louis crowd actually boo HBK's answer.
Maria: "Well if you don't mind me asking, after the "final chapter" with Rated RKO, what's next for DX?"
Shawn brings a hand up, as if to stop Maria from going any further.
Triple H: "I can tell you exactly where DX is going after we finish Rated RKO. We hit the road to WrestleMania! First stop, the Royal Rumble! See, both Shawn and I have won--"
Shawn: "What are you doing?"
The Game looks at Shawn, clearly confused.
Triple H: "Maria asked--"
Shawn: "Maria shouldn't be in here. You let her in."
Maria starts to look uncomfortable.
Shawn: "I'm going out there by myself soon, probably to FIGHT Randy Orton. Next week we're definitely going to have to FIGHT Rated RKO."
Triple H: "Okay, Shawn. I hear you--"
Shawn: "So if THIS..."
HBK grabs at the DX logo on his t-shirt.
Shawn: "..is still a priority for you. If finishing things with Rated RKO is still a priority for you. Then can we focus on that right now, instead of talking about how "WE" are going to try to win the Royal Rumble?"
Hunter closes his eyes for a second and takes in a deep breath.
Triple H: "Maria, I'm sorry. Will you please excuse us?"
The interviewer nods and leaves the room, but of course the camera stays behind.
Shawn: "Sorry, Maria!"
It seems that Shawn realizes he made the young woman feel unwelcomed. Triple H looks a little annoyed himself.
Triple H: "Shawn. I get that last night made things a little tense. But I'm starting to get tired of this... WAY that people are talking about me, and talking TO me. Now, you either trust me... or you don't. Either way, we go into this final chapter with Rated RKO TOGETHER."
Shawn looks away from his partner, then lightly nods in agreement.
Triple H: "But listen to me now, Shawn. HEAR me. You, and I, and everyone else in that locker room got into this business for one reason, and one reason only. To be World Champion. I can focus on the task at hand, and still have aspirations. We can be a team, and still pursue our dreams. It wasn't a big deal ten years ago when YOU were WWE Champion while we ran things as DX. It shouldn't be a big deal now if I just MENTION doing the same thing. And I shouldn't be made to feel guilty for it either. Two things can be true, Shawn. You are my brother... and I want to be WWE Champion again."
HBK's head slowly turns to make eye contact with his partner.
Shawn: "So do I."
Triple H: "I'd expect nothing less."
If Coachman hadn't barricaded DX inside their locker room behind a wall of security guards, Hunter probably would've left to cool off and give Shawn space to do the same. Instead, Triple H walks away from his partner and sits down on a different bench. The camera tightens in on Shawn, focusing on the conflicting emotions on his face for a moment.
We're now taken to a split screen of two superstars backstage. On the left, Jeff Hardy. On the right, Johnny Nitro. The men walk separate paths toward the same destination. After a moment, we see Melina cheerfully approach Nitro backstage and the two briefly embrace. Probably in celebration of Melina's victory a few minutes ago. While Jeff keeps walking, Nitro and Melina stop to have a short conversation that we have no audio of. He nods. She nods. Melina pulls him down by the arm a bit and kisses him on the cheek, then Nitro walks away. The camera doesn't follow him, and the camera following Jeff comes to a stop. This allows both champion and challenger to walk out of their respective frames. On Nitro's side of the screen, Melina is left alone in the hallway. She watches her boyfriend leave, a devilish smile spreading across her face. JR informs us that the Steel Cage match is coming up next!
RAW returns from break into a shot from the bowl of the arena, focusing on the STEEL CAGE that encloses the ring as the "Paparazzi" theme plays once again. Beyond the cage, in the background of this shot, the entrance of Johnny Nitro has already begun with his video playing up on the tron and photographers taking his picture on the stage. The camera angle shifts to a closer shot of Nitro as he makes his way down the ramp, dressed in the same ring gear as the night before. It's not long before a picture-in-picture 2nd screen is brought in, showing winning highlights from Nitro and Hardy's past title matches.
We watch Jeff pin Nitro in October to win the Intercontinental Title.
Next, Nitro regaining the Title from Hardy in November.
The final clip is Hardy winning the IC Title back just a week later in a Ladder Match.
Commentary nail home that neither superstar will be able to move on with their careers until they quit trading the championship and settle once and for all, just who is the better man. In the ring, Nitro is still wearing his large fur coat and sunglasses as he poses in the corner and looks out through the cage mesh.
*LOADED*
The iconic Hardy Boyz theme rips through the arena and brings everyone in attendance to their feet! Jeff Hardys jogs out onto the stage, full of energy, posing at the top of the ramp briefly with both hands making the Hardyz gun gesture held above his head. The IC Title is around his waist as Jeff continues down to the ramp, before entering a large steel structure for the 2nd time in 24 hours. Hardy doesn't take any time to examine the Cage the way he did last night with the Chamber. He jogs up the steps, enters through the Cage door, then runs across the ring and jumps up to pose in the corner. It's only here, where Jeff's hands eventually grab onto the cage walls, that we see him acknowledge the stipulation's presence. Hardy hops down, then removes the IC Title from around his waist and hands it off to the referee. The Official for the match holds the title above his head in the center of the ring, hands the belt off through the cage door before confirming the door is secured, then he calls for the bell!
Match 4 WWE Intercontinental Championship
Steel Cage Match
Jeff Hardy (C) vs Johnny Nitro
These two competitors know each other very well after months of going back and forth in this ring, including a match just last night at New Year’s Revolution. There’s a fair amount of reversals and counters to start, each man intimately familiar with the other’s tendencies. There are two noticeable differences from their most recent match however. The first, Johnny Nitro is wrestling angry. Perhaps out of frustration from the pay-per-view result. The second difference is Jeff Hardy looks slow. No one would blame him for being physically exhausted after the 24 hours he’s had, but it’s starting to put him in a dangerous position. The reversal struggle at the top of the match eventually goes in Nitro’s favor because of Hardy’s sluggishness, with Nitro being the fresher man and able to beat Hardy to the punch more often than not. These two factors, aggressive Nitro and exhausted Hardy, lead to a cage match that is very much controlled by the challenger throughout. But the one aspect of Jeff Hardy that never tires is his heart! When Nitro goes for a pin, Hardy kicks out! When Nitro tries to walk out the cage door, Hardy stops him! When Nitro tries to climb out of the cage, Hardy always chases him down and brings the action back inside the ring. Preventing Nitro’s victory almost becomes Hardy’s strategy at this point, just keep the match going and wait for your moment.
Jeff’s moment comes when Nitro attempts to drop Hardy with his own Twist of Fate. Johnny successfully hit this move, as well as the Swanton Bomb, on Jeff just 24 hours ago. But this time when Nitro takes hold of the champion’s head, Jeff is ready. Johnny twists away and brings Jeff up vertical before the drop, but Jeff pulls his head free from Nitro’s grasp before quickly wrapping his arm around Nitro’s neck and pulling him down backwards (into a Scorpion Death Drop setup). hardy doesn’t hesitate to twist away and drop Nitro center ring with a reverse Twist of Fate! A move that Jeff also hit last night, only it was hit on John Cena. But Jeff is too tired and too beat up to take advantage and go for the pin! The fans cheer at Hardy hitting the move, but both superstars just lay center for a minute in recovery. As Jeff finally starts to crawl over, Nitro too has started moving and rolls away from the champion. So Hardy pivots and starts crawling toward the Cage door instead! Nitro is on the far side of the ring, in the corner opposite of the cage door, as Jeff pulls his body onto the bottom rope. The ringside official opens the cage door as Jeff grabs the ring apron to pull himself out of the door.
*WHAM!*
A returning Melina, still in her ring gear, grabs the cage door away from the unsuspecting referee and slams it into Hardy’s head! Jeff never even saw the cage door coming, the impact causing his body to fall limp against the bottom rope before slumping back into the ring. Nitro across the ring made it to his feet in time to watch his girlfriend make the save. With a giant smile on his face, and Melina encouraging him, Nitro climbs up the corner ropes then grabs onto the cage and begins his ascent! Fans scream and shout for the champion to get up and stop this! Nitro nears the peak, grabbing onto the wide square frame at the top of the structure with both hands. Johnny goes to leap and pull himself up, but Jeff has made it over in time to stop him! Jeff stands on the middle rope and pulls down on Nitro’s leg. Johnny tries to fight out of his opponents grasp and continue his climb, but Jeff won’t let go. The champion climbs up to the top rope and yanks, yanks, yanks Nitro down and the challengers grip is broken and he falls back in the ring. But Nitro falls straight down, his legs splitting over the top rope where he crotches himself for a very painful landing! Jeff reaches over with one leg and kicks Nitro in chest which causes the challenger to fall off the top rope and into the ring. Standing on the top rope, Jeff looks up to the top of the cage and begins a climb of his own. Across the ring by the door we hear Melina SCREAMING! As Jeff nears the top, Melina keeps shouting for her boyfriend to come to her, to make his way across the ring to the cage door. But it doesn’t seem like he’s going to make it in time. Hardy begins pulling himself up onto the top of the cage when fans around ringside started reacting to… something.
Through cage mesh we can make out that a man has jumped the barricade and began climbing up the outside of the cage, right toward Jeff! This man moves much faster than either competitor in the cage match, and he reaches the top frame nearly at the same moment as Jeff who takes a beat to sit on the wide frame. As this other man comes over the top of the cage, the hard cam is able to get a clear picture. It’s JOEY MERCURY! He hasn’t been seen in WWE since his face was shattered by a ladder at Armageddon in December. An attack delivered to him by Jeff Hardy! Mercury wears a thick black protective mask, but we can tell it’s him. An exhausted Jeff Hardy looks at Mercury like he’s seen a ghost. Jeff swings, but Mercury reacts quicker, reaching an arm out that not only blocks Hardy’s wild punch but allows him to grab the back of Hardy’s head. Mercury pulls Hardy toward him, while lunging himself forward, and slams the hard protective mask into Jeff’s face!
JR: “What is he doing here?”
King: “Isn’tJoey Mercury a SmackDown superstar?”
JR: “He sure the hell is, King. But for some reason, Mercury is here on RAW turning this cage match into a 3-on-1 disadvantage!”
A gleeful Melina continues to encourage Nitro to crawl her way! Hardy meanwhile is OUT on top of the cage, now lying face down on top of the frame with his legs over either side. Mercury looks down at him, a sadistic satisfaction on his face. But he’s not done. With one handful of Jeff’s hair, Nitro hooks the other hand under Hardy’s arm pit and rolls him off the top of the cage down into the ring! Jeff falls fast, just missing the ropes, and crashes flat back on the mat below. Mercury smiles as he admires his handiwork. Melina is tried if shouting for Nitro. The challenger is nearly to the door, but Melina dives in under the bottom rope with both hands extended. The outside referees admonish her… but it’s a cage match. She’s technically breaking no rules. Nitro reaches out and takes both of her hands, and as Melina falls back out through the door, she pulls her boyfriend along with her. Nitro scurries under the bottom rope and falls OUT of the cage door, landing on the floor next to Melina.
Winner, and NEW Intercontinental Champion:
Johnny Nitro (9:59)
The RAW audience shower everyone involved with this robbery in BOOs! Melina and Nitro stumble over to the bottom of the ramp, where they’re eventually met by Joey Mercury. The new IC Champion’s expression tells us he had NO idea about this plan. He looks from Melina, to Mercury, then back to Melina in shock. Melina emphatically nods her head with a smile on her face, then Nitro embraces his old tag team partner before using an arm to rope Melina into the group hug. Has MNM been reunited here on RAW? The referee for the match brings the IC belt over and hands it to Nitro. Johnny, now a THREE TIME Intercontinental Champion, holds the title over his head as a referee and backstage agent check on Jeff in the ring. The now former champions has been brought up to a seated position in one of the corners, and is forced to watch those who took everything from him celebrate. After a few moments, MNM finally turn and leave up the ramp as a group.
Backstage we join Todd Grisham who is standing by with Kenny Dykstra.
Grisham: "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time..."
In the background of this shot, over Dykstra's shoulder, we see John Cena making his way past the interview set through a dimly lit corridor and approaching the well lit parking garage. Grisham spots Cena as well, and quickly jogs away from his scheduled interview to try and finally get a word with the WWE Champion. Dykstra looks both shocked and disappointed as the camera pulls away from him to follow Todd.
Grisham: "Excuse me, John! Do you have a second?"
John just makes it into the parking area when he stops walking. He turns around, seeing both Grisham and the camera, and exhales through a tight lipped grin. He'd rather not give an interview, but The Champ turns toward the approaching interviewer and lifts the WWE Title that he was carrying up onto his shoulder.
Cena: "Sure, Todd. What'cha got?"
Grisham: "Well, it's been almost twenty four hours since you were attacked by Umaga after winning the Elimination Chamber. Is there any update you can give us on your condition? Do you believe you will be cleared to compete next week?"
Cena: "I should probably keep this to myself, but... I've got some busted ribs. Not broken, even if it felt like it last night. Nothing I can really do but wait for them to heal. As for next week..."
Wouldn't you know it, Cena's scheduled opponent for next week, Ric Flair, steps into view.
Flair: "Sorry to interrupt, Champ. But I had to hear this for myself. You were saying?"
John directs his attention from Todd to Ric, and continues his answer with an amused grin.
Cena: "As for next week... the Trainers want me take a few of weeks off, give my body "proper time" to heal. They'd like to reevaluate me at Royal Rumble. But that's NOT how I operate! If I can.... then I will. Bruised ribs, broken ribs, NO RIBS. I can stand, which means I can fight!"
The crowd in the arena cheer as Flair himself flashes a satisfied smile.
Cena: "Besides, I would never miss the opportunity to get in the ring with maybe the greatest World Champion of all time! It'll be my honor to defend this WWE Championship against you next week, Ric."
John extends a hand of respect toward Flair... but Ric's smile fades. He glances down at the hand, then back up Cena.
Flair: "I appreciate that you're willing to push through the pain to defend that Title. I've been there many times myself. But let me give you some advice, Champ. Do NOT overlook me."
Cena keeps his hand extended, but the expression on his face becomes more serious as Flair's tone changes.
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 a little a look a little upset as Flair backs away.
Flair: "WOOOOOO!"
John watched Flair leave, his eyes never leaving the direction that Flair went.
Cena: "Thanks for the advice."
"HEY!"
...
...
We shift back into the arena.
"HEY!"
...
...
"HEY! Nothin' you can say!"
Randy Orton's entrance video plays on the titantron as the St. Louis faithful come to their feet. The Legend Killer slowly walks out onto the stage with the World Tag Team Championship around his waist, enjoying a rare warm welcome from the fans. As Orton makes his way down to the ring, commentary hype the upcoming main event as a preview of next week's FINAL CHAPTER between D-Generation X and Rated RKO. They also remind us that both Triple H and Edge are banned from ringside. By now, Randy is in the ring and takes his place in the corner, standing on the 2nd rope, before slowly widening his arms into his iconic Orton pose. After one more flash of the match graphic, RAW goes to commercial.
Returning from break, commentary give us a quick run down of what's announced for RAW next week from Bossier City, Louisiana.
Back in the ring now, Randy holds his Tag Team title on his shoulder as he waits for his opponent and hated rival.
"Are You Ready?"
....
....
...
"BREAK IT DOWN!"
Shawn Michaels comes out onto the stage more enthusiastic than he did the previous night. HBK, dressed in DX gear, makes it to the ring and poses in two corners with his arms forming an X over his head. Shawn never takes his eyes off Randy though. The Legend Killer stands in his corner of the ring watching his opponent the way a lion stares at its prey. HBK pulls a cut up DX shirt off and tosses it into the crowd as he back away from Orton into his own corner.
MAIN EVENT
Randy Orton vs Shawn Michaels
The bell rings, and Michaels runs straight toward his rival. Orton is a bit caught off guard, and quickly tries to close the gap himself and go on the offensive but he's a step behind. HBK lunges a right hand straight ahead that connects with Randy. Shawn hits a couple more before Randy is able to cover up and back pedal into his corner. The punches keep coming, despite the referee trying to get Shawn to stop, and Randy is forced to slump down and pull his body out of the ring through the top and middle ropes. Finally, the official wedges himself between the two superstars and back Shawn away. Randy is frustrated, holding himself out of the ring for a moment while he checks his head and face for blood. Finally the Legend Killer slips back into the ring and stares at HBK who stands tall in center ring. The two march toward each other and both go for a more traditional lock up, but it's a snug one. The two shove each other in all directions, jockeying for position inside this collar elbow grip, and it's finally Orton who is able to back Shawn into a different corner. Again the referee intervenes to break up the action and get them away from the ropes, and Randy releases his hold... only to throw a straight right over the refs head that catches Shawn in the temple. Randy uses one arm to move the referee fully out of his way, then starts sending more right hands into HBK's head. Shawn is quick to cover up with both arms, so Randy shoots a boot right up into HBK's gut. With his opponent doubled over, Randy screams "I KNOW!" at the ref who is loudly admonishing him with a 5 count to get out of the ropes. Randy takes his opponent by the wrist and runs him about half way across the ring before sending him into the opposite corner with a forceful Irish whip. Shawn does that thing where he flips forward into the corner, nearly pulling himself up to the top rope, before falling backward into the ring. This turn of events allows Randy to take early control of the match.
After a few minutes of Orton heat, a resilient Shawn Michaels is able to back drop Randy over the top rope as he charges in for a clothesline. Randy catches the rope and is able to land on his feet on the ring apron, but Shawn turns and drops him with a right hand. Orton goes down and rolls to his feet on the floor, but it's not long before his opponent comes crashing down into him as Shawn catapults himself over the top rope and takes Randy down with a cross body. With both men laid out on the floor, RAW goes into its final commercial break.
We return to find HBK on top, literally. Randy stands in a corner as Shawn stands on the 2nd rope, sending one punch after another into his opponent's head. Half of the St. Louis crowd count along with each punch, but the other half BOO as their full support is behind the hometown superstar Orton. After hitting the 10th and final blow, HBK hops down and back away from the corner. A dazed Orton stumbles out after him, and throws a wild punch that Shawn easily ducks. The momentum of the swing turns Orton away, and Shawn is able to pick him up from behind and drop Randy with an Atomic Drop. Orton stumbles away while reaching back toward his tailbone and shouting in pain. Randy catches himself in the ropes, turns to find his opponent, and runs. For the 2nd time, Orton attempts a running clothesline and for the 2nd time he fails. This time Shawn ducks under the attempt and runs toward the ropes. Randy turns to find HBK coming back off the ropes and leaping toward him. Shawn drops Randy with the diving forearm, then after a moment on the mat himself, kips up to his feet! Michaels has slowly taken control of this main event, and now he looks to finish things. Stepping back into the nearest corner, HBK tunes up the band. The crowd is split in its reaction yet again, but get louder and louder as Orton stumbles up to his feet, slowly turns, and puts himself in danger. Shawn steps in toward Randy, shoots the leg out, and hits... nothing. Orton falls down to the mat and rolls, ending up in almost a sprawled position. Almost like he's coiled to strike. HBK quickly finds Randy again and closes the gap, reaching down to grap him by the head, but Randy explodes up to a standing position and twisting. He grabs Shawn by the head for the RKO!... but is pushed away! Shawn avoids the RKO by shoving his opponent toward the ropes, but Randy hits them and comes back fast swinging his arm out yet again for a clothesline. For the THIRD time now, the clothesline misses. Orton keeps running and Shawn takes off in the opposite direction. Both men hit their ropes and run back toward each other, and Shawn leaps out again for a diving forearm, but this time RANDY is the one to duck it. HBK sails over Randy, who had to get low to miss his flying opponent, but gets back vertical and hits the ropes once more. Shawn rolls off the mat and pushes up to his feet as quickly as possible. He takes two steps toward Orton but is CUT DOWN by a SPEAR! Orton uses his tag team partner's move to finally take Shawn down. Orton lifts up on his knees for a moment after the impact, but quickly falls down into a pin on Shawn.
ONE!
...
TWO!
...
KICK!!
HBK's shoulder pops off the mat just in time, keeping the match alive. Orton doesn't pout or waste time and pulls Shawn up to a near seated position as he stands up. As HBK slowly pushes up to his feet, Randy slowly sinks lower into a striking stance, making sure to keep shuffling around HBK to stay out of his eye sight. Finally HBK is up, one arm held tight to his abdomen after taking the spear. He turns to find Orton who lunges into another RKO attempt, turning and grabbing Shawn by the head... but HBK falls straight down out of Randy's grasp. Shawn falls to the mat and hooks one of Randy's legs, catching him off guard and rolling him down into a school boy pin!
ONE!
...
TWO!
NO!
Orton kicks out quickly after two, pushing Shawn off him with his legs. HBK falls to all fours, but quickly gets up as Orton does the same. With both men up, Randy runs at Shawn and swings his arm, FINALLY hitting a clothesline!
.... but Shawn ducked out of the way AGAIN.
.... which means Randy hit his clothesline on the REFEREE!
Orton looks down at the laid out ref with wide, angry eyes and shouts "GOD DAMN IT!" Though upset, Orton hasn't lost his composure. So when he feels himself grabbed from behind, Orton's reflex kicks in. He reaches back, grabbing Shawn's head and instantly yanking him down to the mat, hitting the RKO! Full of adrenaline, Randy rolls Shawn over and falls into the pin. And the St. Louis audience counts it out for him..
"ONE!"
"TWO!"
"THREE!"
"FOUR!"
"FIVE!"
Randy sits up and looks over at the referee that HE obliterated with the clothesline. He throws his head back in frustration and shouts again, then gets up to his feet and starts motioning toward the stage, waving his arm and asking for another referee. It takes a moment, but finally a second official comes jogging through the curtain and down the ramp. A satisfied Orton turns his attention back to the task at hand, looking to find that Shawn really hasn't moved that much, now laying on his side. Randy steps forward and stomps down at Shawn's mid-section. Then down around his shin. Randy circles Shawn like a shark in water, sending another stomp down into his chest as HBK leans up off the mat, then another one. Shawn again tries sitting up and catches one final stomp to the head. Shawn falls flat, both hands coming up to cover his face and head. Randy is in total control, and takes a moment to look around the sold out crowd, full of his people, and soak in the moment. Shawn rolls over and starts pushing himself up, and Randy helps by grabbing two handfuls of his hair and pulling up slowly. HBK's expression is excruciating, and once both feet are under him, he throws a wild punch into Randy's mid-section but it hardly registers. Using HBK's hair, Randy turns Shawn's face up toward him, and sends one hard punch down into his forehead to quell his fighting spirit. Shawn is nearly out on his feet, but stays upright, and Randy finally pulls Shawn up to a fully vertical standing position. With a BURST OF ENERY, both of Shawn's arms windmill upward to break Orton's grasp of his hair. Randy's arms fling upward, leaving him exposed. Shawn takes one big step back, then thrusts his leg out for the super kick BUT STOPS! Despite his pain and exhaustion, Shawn is able to stop on a dime as Randy grabs the new referee and pulls him into the line of fire. HBK is able to avoid eliminating a 2nd referee, but the official is being held before him like a human shield and Shawn really doesn't have the patience for this. Shawn grabs both of the referees shoulders and takes a big step back, pulling him out of Randy's grasp. The momentum causes the ref to fall down to the mat where he rolls away a bit toward the ropes. The ref no longer between them, Randy takes a big step forward to close the gap with Shawn and swings a leg up for a LOW BLOW!
...but it's caught!
Randy looks petrified as he hops on one leg, HBK holding his extended leg for a moment with anger in his eyes. Orton told Shawn earlier tonight that he would take that shot the first chance he got. Shawn told him what would happen if he did. Orton's leg is thrust down to the mat, the force staggering him for just a second. Enough time for HBK to take a quick step back then hit SWEET CHIN MUSIC! Randy's head snaps back as his body stiffens and falls to the mat. Shawn falls down with his opponent, landing on top of him for a pin while hooking a leg. The recently flung away referee scurries over into position.
ONE!
...
TWO!
...
THREE!
Winner: Shawn Michaels (11:19)
DX's music begins to play as a victorious Shawn Michaels releases Orton's leg and rolls over to his side. After a moment, he pushes up to his feet where the referee grabs his wrist and raises Shawn's arm. Commentary put over HBK's resiliency, then recap the closing moments of the match. After the replay, we see Shawn alone in the ring... but only for a second before he’s jumped by Edge! The Rated R Superstar dives into the camera view by clubbing HBK from behind. The DX music cuts out and most of the St. Louis crowd begins booing as Edge takes mount on Shawn and starts punching away with lefts and rights. The match is over, which means no one is banned from ringside any longer. An exhausted Orton rolls back into the ring and approaches Edge, getting him to stop the assault and get off of Shawn. Is Randy against this attack? Well, no. He only wants his turn. A very agreeable Edge pulls Shawn up to his feet with a wild expression on his face and holds a defenseless HBK in place for Randy to hit another RKO! Orton gets back up to his feet and stands over Shawn, looking down at the man who just beat him with contempt. Behind Randy... Edge slowly backs into a corner. His head cocks to the side a bit, a crazed look in his eye. Just who is Edge LOOKING at? We may never know as suddenly his eyes grow wide and look over in another direction.
Edge: "Randy!"
The Rated R Superstar only screams his partner's name before bailing from the ring to a loud cheer from the St. Louis crowd. Randy turns to find Edge has ditched him... and we find out who the cheers are for as into the ring slides Triple H! Edge obviously clocked The Game, but Orton never saw him coming. Randy must've noticed something was off, turning around in time to see Triple H dive and tackle him down to the mat. Triple H mounts up just enough to start punching away at his former protege... but it's only for a few seconds as Edge slides in under the ropes, grabs both of Randy's legs, and is able to pull him away from Triple H and the vicious assault.
*NO CHANCE*
Vince McMahon's music starts playing as Rated RKO cower away up the ramp. It doesn't take long for the Chairman to stomp out onto the stage with a microphone in hand. In the ring, Triple H checks on his partner, eventually helping him up to his feet. Edge and Orton stop about half way up the ramp, but aren't sure if they should keep their attention on DX or their boss.
McMahon: "Nobody go anywhere! I've had all night back there to listen to you four, to watch you go at each other. Hell, I've been doing that for months! Well, tonight, it has given me an idea. A brilliant idea! The only ideas that I have! This war between you DX and Rated RKO, maybe I should have let it end last night at New Year's Revolution. But this extra time you were given... the qualifying matches, and the Elimination Chamber, and everything that's happened tonight. It has added an entirely new layer to your conflict. This isn't a territorial beef. Dare I say... this isn't even about Tag Team Titles."
Vince pauses for a moment. All four superstars now focus solely on the Chairman.
McMahon: "So I've decided. Next week's tag team grudge match between DX and Rated RKO... the final chapter... is NO LONGER for the World Tag Team Championships. It will be a non-title match."
We see varying expressions from the four wrestlers involved, and an equally mixed response from the fans once again. Edge smiles, Orton looks confused. Neither Shawn or Triple H really sell the change as it's truly never been about Tag Team Titles for them.
McMahon: "Next week, on Monday Night RAW, you will have your tag team match. The war between Rated RKO and DX will END. Edge and Randy Orton versus Triple H and Shawn Michaels. One fall to a finish. And the superstar who gets that fall... becomes the NUMBER ONE CONTENDER for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble!"
Big positive reaction from the fans. Both teams take a beat to look at each other, then across the arena to their foes. The dynamics of their blood feud have drastically changed.
McMahon: "TO BE CLEAR. This is not a dual prize. It will not be a Triple Threat match at the Royal Rumble. One team will win next week, but only ONE man gets that title shot. The superstar who secures the winning pin fall or submission. And to make sure that all of you get this completely out of your system, the final chapter next week will NOOO DISQUALIFICATION."
And with that final announcement, Vince flips his microphone to the ground, which is soon followed by his theme music playing once again. The Chairman exits through the curtain, leaving Rated RKO and D-Generation X to stare each other down.
JR: "A blockbuster shakeup by the Chairman! "
King: "I didn't think it was possible for this match to get any bigger, JR!"
JR: "But it has gotten much, much bigger! The pride, the hatred, the insecurities, and the passion of all these men has grown this war into something far more. Next week, on RAW! Four superstars, two teams, but only ONE MAN gets to chase the singular prize they all desire. Only one gets A SHOT at the WWE Championship. King, this is going to be a battle for the ages!"
