Armageddon 1997

Less than 24 hours removed from Survivor Series, Randy Orton appeared on RAW that night with a satisfied grin on his face. Not only did he still have the WWE Championship proudly slung over his shoulder, he didn't have to worry about John Cena ever again. That is, until Mr. McMahon came to a round of applause and cap-tipping. The Toronto crowd wanted no part of Orton (Western Canada is more RKO territory) and hoped McMahon would make things right. And boy he did. The WWE Chairman announced that at Armageddon, Randy Orton would once again defend the WWE Championship against John Cena. McMahon also announced that later in the evening, The Chain Gang Soldier would face the man that screwed him one night ago-referee Chad Patton! And if Cena won, he'd get to choose the stipulation for his match against Orton. In the main event, Patton tried to show resillience and courage, just like Cena. He slapped the #1 contender in his face. Big mistake. Cena brushed himself off and locked the criminal referee in the STFU. Patton immediately tapped out after only 20 seconds in the hold. After the match, the Chain Gang Soldier attacked his opponent with steel steps. 13 hard shots. Even more than Cena's steel chair torture 24 hours ago at Survivor Series. An FU onto the cold steps. A shot to the temple with brass knuckles. And a Five Knuckle Shuffle through a wooden table. Just one minute later, Cena locked in the STFU again on Patton. The hold was so strong, it took five referees to break it. But they only wanted to get their shots in on Patton too. They all spit on him in stereo. Medical officials attended to an unresponsive Patton as he was placed on a stretcher into an ambulance. Cena then announced that at Armageddon, Orton will suffer a much worse beating than that and will be in intensive care for weeks. The Chain Gang Soldier then stated that his WWE Championship match against Orton will be an Ambulance Match! Even the WWE Champion was convinced that he'd be Cena's next victim as his armbanded, camouflauge-garbed adversary looked at the gold with ruthless intention. Was this truly Orton's demise?