'Dashing' Cody Rhodes' music blasted inside the arena, and he was not happy at all. The previous night at Over the Limit, he unsuccessfully challenged for Kofi Kingston's Intercontinental Championship. Even worse, he took a kick to the face, leaving a dark bruise underneath his eye, and even all the makeup in the world couldn't cover it up. Once he was in the ring, he demanded Tony Chimel leave the ring, on the grounds that he was making his ring even uglier than it already was with all the fans around. He picked up a mic, and even though it wasn't Vickie Guerrero-level heat, he got a reasonable amount due to everything he'd done to Kofi the past few weeks.
"For the past few days, I've been hearing a few things, a few things involving me. They say I'm nothing but a joke, and that's putting it nicely. I hear things that I can't say without getting fined for "inappropriate language". And why do I hear these things? Because I, unlike most of you, actually care about my appearance? I'm sure every single one of you rolled out of bed at 4 in the afternoon, took a 2 minute shower, and drove here early so you could get food before a line started. I'm ashamed to be a part of this society where instant gratification comes over personal hygiene. And again, I'm sure every single one of you have no idea what that even means." The crowd had taken enough abuse and started to react to it, saying those un-PG things Cody had mentioned. "This is exactly what I'm talking about, when anyone tries to tell you the truth about yourself, suddenly they're the bad guy. Pardon me for trying to get you guys some girls for once. I'm trying to help you! When will any of you ever see that?"
The bass drop of Kofi Kingston's music hit, and the Intercontinental Champion jumped from out of the curtain to the approval of the audience.
"Cody, these people don't want, nor do they need, your help. They don't wanna look like ducks, like you."
"Ooohhh very funny, very mature Kofi. You of all people need to pay special attention to me."
"And why is that? I don't wanna look like a duck either, and I already beat you last night, AND gave you a little souvenir to remember it."
"That was a fluke win and you know it!"
"Of course it was! They all are! Cody, instead of trying to blame it on others, how about you admit defeat, maybe then I'd have some respect for you."
"Please Kofi, I don't want, nor do I need, your respect. I think I'll live without it."
"You don't get it do you? You haven't earned my respect because you have yet to defeat me, and I don't see anywhere in the near future where you're GOING to earn it. In fact, I'm in a giving mood right now. I'll give you a chance to do just that right now."
"I don't think so, Kofi."
"And why not? You're dressed to compete, I'm dressed to compete. I say let's do this and let's do this now."
"I said no, Kofi."
"And what if I said I'd put my title on the line again? Would that interest you enough?" Cody hesitated to answer, and went to talk before being cut off by Kofi. "ON one condition. If you lose, then you're never getting another shot at the title as long as I'm champion. If you don't go through with this match, then the same stipulation applies. You either face me one on one right now, or you don't get another shot." Cody realized what was at stake here. If he didn't rethink his decision, any chance at him winning the title was out the window, and even if he lost, he wouldn't get another shot until Kofi lost it.
"You know what? You're on!" he shouted into the mic, and Kofi made his way to the ring. He stepped up on the apron, and Cody didn't want to wait. He immediately tackled kofi off the apron and back onto the floor. Kofi tried to recover, but was again attacked by Cody, who picked him up and threw him into the steel steps. By this time, a ref had gotten down to the ring and pulled Cody off of Kofi. Cody broke free from the ref's restraint and went after Kofi again, stomping him into the ground. More referees and EMTs came to stop Cody, who then got into his corner for the match. The EMTs checked on Kofi and insisted he stay out of the ring, but Kofi's drive and pride wouldn't allow him to. He entered the ring, and the ref called for the bell. Cody immediately took him down with a short clothesline before going back to work on Kofi's shoulder. Kofi managed to get to the bottom rope to break the hold, but Cody held on until the 4 count.
Kofi fought back with punches to the gut of Cody and managed to get some momentum back with a few chops, sending Cody back. He rested in the corner when Cody charged at him. Kofi reversed the attack with a Pendulum kick out of the corner and clmbed the tunrbuckle as Cody desperately made sure his face was OK. He turned around, and Kofi leaped off the top rope, looking to hit a crossbody. Cody ducked it and Kofi crashed hard onto the mat. As Kofi recovered from the fall, Cody prepared for an attack. Kofi got back to his feet and was immediately sent back down thanks to a Beautiful Disaster from Cody. Cody looked poised to capture the Intercontinental Championship for the first time, as he got ready to hit the Cross Rhodes on Kofi, when the lights turned gold.
Cody paused in confusion and began looking around frantically. He forgot entirely about the match, but he saw no signs of the person he knew it was. The lights turned back normal, and Kofi was back to his feet. Cody still wasn't paying attention to the match, and he would suffer dearly because of it. He took a Trouble in Paradise to the back of the head and went down hard onto the mat, knocked out from the blow. Kofi rolled him over, and got the win. He retained the title, and this meant that 'Dashing' Cody Rhodes would no longer be a problem to him or his title. Kofi celebrated with the fans at the ringside seats with his title, as Cody began to regain consciousness. Still dazed, realization began to sink in to the second generation wrestler. He now had no chance at becoming Intercontinental Champion. And he knew exactly who's fault it was.
Cody remained at ringside for several more minutes, throwing a tantrum and kicking the steel steps over. He began shouting out loud in addition.
"Where are you, Dustin! I know you're here! Get out here!" There was no answer to his screams. He screamed out one more time before retreating backstage, still visibly angry. He burst through Theodore Long's office door backstage. "Where is he, Teddy!"
"Hold on there playa, I haven't the slightest clue what you're talkin' 'bout!"
"You've gotta be kidding me, Teddy! Did you NOT see what just happened!"
"To be quite frank, I didn't, and I also don't enjoy you screamin' at me! I suggest you settle down before I have to have you escorted out of here!" Cody took a frustrated deep breath, before speaking once again.
"Where is my brother?"
"I suggest you start looking in the Raw locker room because he's not a SmackDown superstar. Now, if that's all you want, then good day."
"Teddy, come on! There's gotta be more than that!"
"I'm afraid not. Goodbye, Cody." With that, he shut the door in Cody's face. In anger, Cody kicked Teddy's door hard in frustration, before giving up his search for now.
Now, obviously this is not the story I hinted at in the last chapter of Kelly's Plan, but I honestly found this one to be more interesting because it'll turn out to be something I've wanted to see for a very long time. Give it time, I have an idea where I want to go and it should be a good one. If you haven't figured out who cost Cody the match yet, then, wow, I really have no idea what to say to you.
