February 16th 2015, RAW
Backstage, On-Screen:
It was after the Harper vs Ambrose fight, Triple H had a meeting with Kane and The Big Show which devolved into a shouting match between the two giants when Big Show had mentioned a dreaded date.
"Oh yeah, how about May 19th? May 19th you psycho!" The Big Show raised his voice at Kane who looked ready to rip out Big Show's eyes. Triple H was about to push the two apart when the room's light flickered rapidly. Show and Hunter looked up at the light while Kane looked straight pass Show's shoulder. A figure that was almost as tall as Show stood behind the 7ft tall giant.
The light stopped. Show and Hunter glanced at the light bulb. Kane was still staring behind Big Show.
"Anyway, I...What are you looking at?" Hunter questioned Kane. The Big Red Monster didn't answer, he just stared over Big Show's shoulder. Both the Giant and the Cerebral Assassin turned slowly.
The crowd booed as the camera showed Jackal with his half-mask on and his hood down, showing his ponytail, standing behind The Big Show. The way the camera was held only allowed the audience to see Jackal's mask, however it was quickly moved to allow the viewers to see the Jackal's unobstructed face.
The Jackal calmly glared at Show, his face showing nothing except for his eyes, which were full of unbridled anger. Show stepped back a bit, remembering the last time he faced the monster in front of him. However he didn't want to show weakness and stepped in front of Jackal, using his slight height advantage, Show glared down at the Jackal.
Except the six foot ten monster didn't cower and only growled out.
"Your soul shall be divine Big Show."
Blackness filled the room again but quickly brightened to reveal Jackal had disappeared. Show looked around, sweat gathering around his head.
Kane just smirked at Show's imminent demise. He might not be able to destroy the giant anymore, but his younger brother, whose strength seemed to be magnified since his departure, will indeed teach The Big Show to never, ever disrespect one's family.
In Ring
The main event of Big Show and Daniel Bryan was set up by The Authority, the tyrannical group still trying to leave Daniel Bryan in broken state by feeding him to large giants like The Big Show. However they seem to forgot the fight and the resolve of Daniel Bryan, as the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion was able to bring The Big Show to his knees and gave a vicious roundhouse kick to The Giant's head.
"Oh!" Cole reacted from the kick. "Daniel Bryan for the win."
Bryan went to pin Big Show but 7ft giant kicked out at as soon as the ref's hand hit the mat for a second time. Big Show launched Daniel off of him, towards the ropes. The commentators were still surprised of The Big Show's strength after all of these years, even the crowd made a collective shocked noise.
Not giving the Big Show a chance to recover, Bryan climbed up the nearest corner and crouched on the top turnbuckle. Ready to perform his jumping dropkick. Big Show stumbled to his feet, his face sweating and showing his tiredness. Bryan was about to jump from the turnbuckles when the arena blackened.
The crowd booed at the match being interrupted but those boos became apocalyptic when the arena lit up.
"Oh my god! It's Jackal!" Cole shouted.
The six foot ten monster stood without his half-mask. His face cold and stoic but his eyes gleamed with hatred, and they were focused on the Big Show.
"Big Show! I would get out of there!" JBL advised Show despite out of earshot.
"Why is he even out here? This was a good match!" Booker complained but Cole quickly answered.
"Well it's obvious! Show said that dreaded date, Jackal even gave Show that weird threat. To be honest I'm not surprised." Cole finished.
The two giants stood across from each other. Jackal grew a smirk and calmly stalked forwards as the Big Show took several steps backwards.
"And The Giant stepping backwards." Cole said when JBL immediately raised his voice.
"Would you Michael?! How about you go in there and try to stare down this monster?!"
Whether it's from bravery or foolishness, Big Show went to KO Punch the monster in front of him. However with quick speed Jackal grabbed Big Show's wrist with no visible effort at all. Big Show, now wide-eyed, tried to flee but Jackal's grip on his wrist was too strong.
"Big Show, trying to flee but Jackal isn't letting him." Cole commentated.
"I shall say again Michael, would you want to stare down this monster?!" JBL repeated as Jackal uppercutted Show right under the jaw, stunning the bald giant. The referee called for the bell.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Jackal kept his eyes on the Big Show and grabbed him by the throat. The crowd stood on their feet. Show tried to pull Jackal's hand off his throat however the younger brother of destruction put his free hand on Big Show's back and lifted him for a chokeslam.
"You've gotta be kidding me! A chokeslam to Big Show from Jackal!" Cole was bewildered at the strength of the Jackal, his fellow commentators and the crowd were reacting with surprise. The audience slightly cheering the move.
Big Show rolled out of the ring and could only stand on his feet with help from the apron. The face of The Giant showing anguish.
"The winner of this match by disqualification, The Big Show!" Lilian Garcia announced to the crowd's dismay. Big Show sported a victorious smile despite the pain and looked up only to see Jackall crouching in front of him. The youngest brother of destruction dragged his thumb across his throat with his eyes rolling to the back of his head, his teeth grinding against each other. Big Show staggered backwards in terror but quickly fell to one knee, still feeling the effects of the chokeslam, eventually he was able to flee behind the curtain, limping and holding his back.
"Big Show retreating in victory, but I think it doesn't feel like one for him does it?" Cole questioned his fellow commentators.
"Facing against a dangerous monster like the Jackal? Would you like to do that Michael?! Booker?!" JBL gave another question, Cole and Booker gave a silent turn of their heads.
The camera then showed Daniel Bryan still crouching on the turnbuckle, glaring angrily at Jackal for costing him the match. He stood up, still glaring and shaking his head.
"Now look at Daniel Bryan. Bryan's irate about this! Bryan's upset!" Cole noticed. Jackal turned around only to feel Bryan's feet impact against his chest, launching him across the ring and through the ropes.
"Down goes Jackal. Bryan drilling Jackal with that front dropkick from the top rope." Cole said, Jackal landed on his feet and stood straight up, not pain on his stoic face. Bryan kipped-up and glared at Jackal's back. The Monster of Death Valley turned around to glare back at Bryan.
"Daniel Bryan felt like he had Big Show on the ropes but Jackal had interfered. Costing him the match by attacking Big Show." Cole continued as the two veterans glared hatefully at each other. The crowd felt muted to them, only the tunnel vision of their enemy in front of them mattered.
"These men will meet at Fastlane. A grudge match for the ages!" Cole said as Jackal grew a dangerous cheshire grin and laughed, his head tilting to the side and he stared at Bryan.
"You shall fall American Dragon! And it shall be glorious!" Jackal could be heard mocking Bryan who didn't move an inch and continued to glare at the Monster of Death Valley. The show ended at the shot of Jackal and Bryan daring one another to make the first move.
February 19th 2015, Smackdown
On-Screen:
The intro of the show was interrupted mid-way through by static. Eventually the static stopped as a black screen flashed on the screen. Small clips of graveyards and crowd flapping around in the colour of grayscale appeared. Finally the clips stopped on the sight of Jackal with his full entrance attire on, walking through a dark graveyard. The crowd booing him. In his hand was a shovel that was in pristine condition.
A flash of static transitioned to Jackal staring at a grave with emotion far from his face. The camera moved backwards to show the words…
Here lies The American Dragon
Daniel Bryan
22 May 1981-22 February 2015
"Tranquil...When I stare at this. I feel tranquil. Like I could forget my troubles and fall back into hell. To home. However I'm quickly reminded why I shall not go back home yet." Jackal turned to the camera, his mask nowhere to be found. "The WWE World Heavyweight Championship. A holy grail that the likes of men...humph! And deadmen, have held to cement their legacy. Their memory onto this world. I had that chance at the Royal Rumble." Flashes of Jackal being eliminated from the Rumble by Bryan are shown in greyscale colouring before facing Jackal again.
"But you took that chance away from me. That date...Fastlane on the 22th of February is where I shall take your soul to hell and back. Where I shall show you the hatred! And the anger I felt when I heard cheers and adulation! Created by some lower being like you!" Jackal's face and voice showed disgust. His teeth gritting against themselves as he growled angrily. He made finger gun gesture towards the camera.
"And finally…" He whispered, his face and voice now back to being tranquil. "When the dust settles and you are begging on your knees with one ounce of life left inside your broken body. I'll put you out of your misery...with...a...bang." Jackal pushed his thumb down when a gunshot turned the screen black.
The show intro continued with static.
Later, In-Ring
"And Miz taps out!"
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Daniel Bryan celebrated in the ring as his song played, the crowd celebrating with him by chanting 'YES!'.
"Here is your winner by submission, Daniel Bryan!"
Daniel Bryan climbed onto the second turnbuckle and lifted his arms for the Yes! Pose. The crowd quickly joined in.
Ooooooooowhooooooo!
The chanting stopped into a sea of boos as Jackal's theme played through the arena. However the Jackal didn't appear, only his music played. The lights in the arena turned off.
"Not again!" Cole cried out.
The lights came on again to reveal...Daniel Bryan standing in the ring alone.
"W-W-What the?" Cole was flabbergasted.
Nothing had changed except for a few stands on the ramp. Daniel Bryan noticed them and grew confused.
Multiple Bryan merchandise t-shirts were on the stands from his red Yes! Yes! Yes! Shirt, to his grey 'Respect the Beard!', even his old 'No! No! No!' was on the stage.
Everyone in the arena was confused, Daniel Bryan was still looking around the ring, in case Jackal decided to jump him from behind.
BOOM!
"Oh!" Cole flinched at the sound.
The stage exploded in blue fire, engulfing the t-shirts. The t-shirts burned with Daniel glaring at the burning t-shirts. Knowing the Jackal was trying to play mind games again.
The show went to commercial but before there was a close-up of Bryan's burning 'Respect the Beard' t-shirt.
Well I'm back. Watching NXT: Takeover Philadelphia reignited my passion for wrestling.
Next is Fastlane 2015. The Jackal vs Daniel Bryan.
