You know the deal... read on if you dare!
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
"You seen Tom?" Matt asked, pacing the locker room.
"Nah, bro." Jeff was sitting on a bench, lacing up his boots. "I'm sure he'll show."
"He'd better. I'd like to know what he is gonna say during our promo tonight." Matt said, staring at his reflection.
"Considering this is his big debut, he's sure been on the DL about it." Jeff brushed some imaginary dust off his pants and stood.
"It's been almost a week." Matt said, still looking in the mirror. "Have you even seen our wayward brother?" He was of course talking about Tom's abrupt departure from the cab and his disappearance shortly after. Both Matt and Jeff had repeatedly tried to contact Tom, but only got his voice messaging.
"You guys ready for tonight?" Legacy member Cody Rhodes stuck his head in.
"If that brother of ours ever shows up." Matt barked "Shit, we're on in less than an hour!"
"Relax, man." Randy Orton also happened to stop by. "I'm sure he's gonna make it."
"It woulda been nice if he'd actually talked to us since last week." Jeff lamented
"You mean..."
"Nothing since he bailed on us." Jeff said "He said he had a bad experience in that place, then asked the cab driver to let him out. Didn't give us a chance to let us go somewhere else. It's my fault..." he sighed
"Jeff, it's not your fault." Matt said, dropping on the bench beside him. "There was no way you coulda known."
"Yeah, Jeff, whatever it was, it sure as hell isn't your fault."
"Listen to 'em, bro."
"Tommy! What the hell?" Jeff shouted, as if his brother's appearance was unexpected.
"Sorry I'm late guys, I had some shit to deal with." Tom pushed between Randy and Cody and went to his locker.
"We were starting to worry." Matt said
"Yeah... should've told us." Jeff sulked
"I'll see you guys in the ring, okay. Looks like I got more shit to deal with." Tom flung his bag into the locker and slammed the door.
"C'mon, Cody, we'll see ya's later." Randy pulled Cody away with him, the younger one obviously wanting to stay.
Tom exhaled loudly, then turned to face his siblings. "I've been giving this a lot of thinking, and I should probably either apologize for last week, or at least explain it."
"That would be nice." Matt retorted
"Will you accept my apology for now and I promise I'll explain it later. If I starting cleaning the skeletons out of my closet right now, I can't guarantee what shape I'll be in for our match." Tom returned to his locker and started emptying his gear onto the shelves.
"Tom, you gotta know. We're family now. And family sticks together through the good, the bad, and the ugly." Matt replied
"Yeah... there's nothing you can say that will make us think any different about you."
"What if I'm a cross-dressing Nazi Eskimo by night and direct midget porn by day?" Tom asked
Both Matt and Jeff's jaws dropped. "I think then we might need to talk, bro." Matt said
"I'm kidding." Tom pulled his ring gear out. "I hope that damn seamstress finally got my measurements right."
Like his normal look, his wrestling attire was somewhere between Matt's conservative appearance and Jeff's not-so-conservative appearance. The pants were typical Hardy-slash-cargo look, but his shirt was half-black, half-technicolor: a cross between his straight-laced side and the daredevil side of his brothers.
"I'll be back." Tom headed for the showers to change.
"Maybe we should tell him he's gonna hafta get naked in front of the guys at some point." Matt said
"I heard that." Tom stuck his head out. "I don't mind changing in front of the boys, I'm just a little nervous about stripping in front of family. I wouldn't want you to get jealous."
"Don't flatter yourself, man." Jeff chuckled. Having seen each other naked too many times too count, both Matt and Jeff knew what kind of club the other carried and the thought of either of them being jealous brought a knowing smile to their faces.
"Well, whaddaya think?" Tom asked, returning.
"Meh." Jeff replied
"I'm sorry you don't like it, but not all of us can pull off the flamer look." Tom said
"Flamer!" Jeff shouted "I like girls... sometimes."
"So the rumor goes." Tom stared at his reflection in the mirror. "I don't like it much either, but it's a bit too late now. So, how do you want to do this promo thingy?"...
Raw opened with a bang. The Legacy/Hardy spot was in segment one and all parties were ready.
Legacy entered first.
"Last week, here on Raw," Randy addressed the crowd. "people say I stooped lower than ever before when I attacked a supposed innocent fan at ringside. Well, let me tell you something. Everything that Legacy does has a purpose and our purpose was to hit the Hardy Boys where it hurt the most. You see, we all know how much punishment you can take in the ring, but outside you're just as vulnerable as anyone of these people sitting here. So why don't you two come down the ring and let us finish off what we started last week..."
The Hardy music cut him off mid-rant. Matt and Jeff walked out onto the stage, looking deadly serious. Jeff wasn't even dancing, that's how serious he was.
"As many of you know, our father Gilbert passed away a couple weeks ago. But before he died, he told Jeff and I something. You see, Legacy, Jeff and I were raised to always tell the truth, to never keep any secrets from the ones we love. I guess you could say that our Dad didn't practice what he preached..."
"Randy, Cody, Ted, you made the biggest mistakes of your career when you started messin' with the Hardy family." Jeff took the microphone from his brother and went on the offensive. "Did you for one moment think that we'd let you get away with the crap you pulled here last week? Did you think that we'd just say whatever and let you three go on doin' this? You see, that fan you attacked was the missing piece of the Hardy family: our brother Tom. And tonight, we're gonna get our revenge. Tonight, your legacy ends and the Hardy legacy begins." Matt and Jeff started walking toward the ring.
"I know you guys are from the South, and the education system down there sucks, but even you boys should be able to count... there are three of us and only two of you!" Randy said "If you want to get beat up again, by all means, step in."
"We may be a coupla simple country boys, but that doesn't mean we're stupid. We came prepared."
The Hardy music played again.
"That's your cue." Tom took a deep breath and stepped out onto the stage. The crowd cheered loudly, while Legacy looked surprised.
Tom walked partway down the aisle, standing between his brothers. Jeff passed him his mic.
"Randy, Randy, Randy. As a third-generation superstar, I would've thought your pop and grandpa would've taught you a little respect for family. Maybe if the Cowboy would've put you over his knee a little more, we wouldn't have this problem." Tom shook his head. "And I'm sure your grandfather would be rolling over in his grave right now seeing what an asshole his grandson has grown up to be."
The fans started their chant of 'asshole'.
"Hey, in case you've forgotten, you were the one who got in my face!" Randy yelled
"And I'm about to do the same again." Tom strolled down the aisle, Matt and Jeff hanging back a step. "There are some things you just don't do... you don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off the Lone Ranger, and you don't mess around with the Hardy Boyz."
The mics were dropped and in a second, the three Hardy brothers were in the ring, pounding the living hell out of Legacy. Things weren't going so well for Legacy until the music of the chairman stopped them all. Vince McMahon, in all his finest, came out.
"Randy Orton," he bellowed "I haven't forgotten what you did to my family either. If you think that what happened at Backlash last year settled our feud, then you are dead wrong. Tonight in that very ring we are gonna have a little six-man tag action. On one side, it will be Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase and on the other side... the Hardy Boyz!"
"That's fine with us." Randy shouted
"But just like at Backlash, it's not gonna be a regular six-man tag team match. That world championship is gonna be on the line as well... and Randy, that means if you, or anyone on your team gets pinned, then you lose that title!"
Randy went ape shit, kicking the ropes in anger. Matt, Jeff, and Tom looked at each other. "Oh yeah... it is on!" Matt shouted
"Enjoy your title reign while it lasts, Orton. Because after tonight, I think you'll be several pounds of gold lighter." McMahon stood on the stage, arms folded, while in the ring, the Hardys eyed Legacy like a pack of rabid hyenas.
(Out of respect for Chris Benoit, I chose a different special of rabid animal.)
"I'll do to them what I did to your family." Orton shouted
"That's what I thought you'd say... get me a referee! The match starts now!" Vince replied
The bell rang as soon as an official was located. Matt opened up against Ted. Several moves later, Ted tagged in Cody and they began to double-team Matt with punches and kicks. Matt fought back with a few shots of his own, but was beaten down into the corner, where Randy was tagged in. The assault on Matt continued, while on the apron Jeff and Tom looked on.
"You get the feelin' we're gonna be standing here awhile?" Tom asked, faking a yawn.
"Yeah, dude."Jeff replied
"Plans later?" Tom asked
"Nah. You?"
"Well, maybe we could find a place I'm comfortable in and have a few. Invite some of the guys?"
"Sure, bro." Jeff answered
"If Matt if ever gets his butt over here to tag, we can clear it." Tom watched.
Matt was being decimated by Randy, Cody, and Ted, and sometimes double- and triple-team combinations. Whipped into the ropes by Orton, Matt ducked the clothesline and nailed the Side effect... his first offensive move of the match. Both men staggered toward their corners, looking to tag. Randy made it first, bringing in Ted, while Matt, with a last-second leap, tagged in Jeff.
"Damn, bro, I know you want the title, but you do have a team to help." Tom mock-chided him.
"Whatever, man." Matt gasped
While Jeff fought Ted, Tom repeated the offer he'd made to Jeff a moment earlier. Matt was all for it, assuming he didn't get beat up much more. Nothing worse than trying to suck back drinks when you can't move for pain.
Watching Jeff and Ted, then Jeff and Cody, then Jeff and Randy fight, Tom started to wonder if he'd ever get into the match. It was his first contest, and the title was on the line, so maybe no one, even his own teammates, wanted him to win. This seemed even more plausible when Jeff tagged a beaten Matt back in, instead of the still-fresh Tom.
"I guess you don't want big brother hogging the glory." Tom sighed, a little stung by just standing around.
"Don't worry. Team Xtreme has got it under control." Jeff replied
If under control, Jeff meant that Matt was in danger of being pinned, then yes they had it under control.
"If you say so... shit!" Tom hopped in, kicking Randy in the shoulder blades, breaking up a pin attempt. While Tom and Jeff were arguing, Randy had pulled an RKO out on Matt.
"Out of the ring, rookie!" Charles Robinson pointed in the direction of the corner.
"Yes sir." Tom replied, stepping back. No sooner had he taken his place on the apron, then he was slapped on the back. Thinking it was the referee telling him to move, he whirled around, an angry comment on his lips, but it wasn't. Matt, bleeding slightly from a cut on his mouth, was standing there, a broad smile on his busted face. Behind him, Randy was writhing in pain. Matt had pulled another Side Effect out of his pocket.
"Step out, Matt."
Tom stepped in, shivering slightly with the combination of adrenaline and nervousness coursing through his system. He picked Randy up, and rocked him with a forearm to the head. Then another. And another. With each shot, Tom picked up speed and momentum, until Randy was woozy. An Irish whip into the ropes and Randy was once more flat on his back, courtesy of a Tom Hardy clothesline.
Even though it was early, Tom covered Randy. He kicked out before two.
Tom tried another whip, but Orton was ready this time... he reversed it. When Tom hit the ropes, his foot was grabbed by Ted, throwing him off-balance. Tom confronted the younger man, who immediately backed off, raising his hands in an 'it wasn't me' gesture. This was all part of Legacy's plan. Tom turned back around and bang... RKO!
"Welcome to the WWE, rookie!" Randy spat before tagging Cody back in.
Lying on the mat, Tom waited for his head to clear. "That didn't hurt." He thought, until he saw a spot of red splatter on the canvas. He'd been cut.
Randy obviously trusted his Legacy-mates to finish to now bloodied Tom for him. He stood back, watching Cody deliver punch after punch to Tom's forehead, opening him up even further.
"That's it, Rhodes. Finish him off!:" He sounded like a father giving directions to his children the way he was controlling both Ted and Cody.
"You got it!" Cody set Tom up for his move: the Cross Rhodes. Tom blocked it and started firing off elbows to the top of head a la Cody's father: Dusty.
"Can't you do anything right?" Randy raged "Ted, get in there!"
Ted interrupted, kicking Tom south of the border. Like Cody, he tried to finish Tom with his signature move, but he was also blocked. One clothesline later, Ted was on the mat. Tom stood behind him, grinning evilly. When Ted stood, Tom locked in his father's hold: the Million Dollar dream. The only thing that saved him was crushing Tom into a corner, causing him to break the hold. Problem was, it was the Hardy's corner. Matt blindly tagged in, and continued to fight Cody since Ted had entered the match illegally.
Matt and Cody were fighting in one corner, Tom and Ted were going at it in the Hardy's corner... that just left Jeff and Randy staring at each other. Jeff seized the opportunity to jump down, run halfway around the ring, and pull Randy off his perch. His face hit the apron with a satisfying thud. While the referee pulled Jeff off Randy,
(A/N I always thought that all tag matches should have more than one referee.)
and started arguing with him, Randy grabbed a chair from ringside and slid into the ring, weapon at hand. He lined up to hit Matt, who was being held by Cody; you know where this is going, but at the last second, Matt ducked. Cody took the chair to the head and went down like a tree. Seeing that all hell had broken loose, Jeff Swantoned from the top rope onto Cody. The referee had lost control. As he tried to clear Jeff out of the ring, Tom dumped Ted over the top rope and grabbed Cody. Not having his own finishing move at the moment, he borrowed Matt's and laid him out with a twist of fate.
Cody was finished. The only thing left to do was cover him, but there was a problem. Tom wasn't the legal participant. Matt was and he was outside the ring, fighting off both Ted and Randy at that moment. Tom looked at Jeff, a nod of understanding, and then two-thirds of the new Team Xtreme took flight, diving over the top rope onto the other three opponents. Five bodies lay tangled.
Tom jumped to his feet. Cody was still on his back in the ring so Tom slid in and covered him, hoping that the referee had a mind like a mongoose and would forget who was legal.
"One... two..."
Before he could count three, Tom was pulled off. Not by one of the other members of Legacy, but by Jeff!
"What the fuck, Jeffro?" Tom demanded
"It ain't your time." Jeff answered, starting to mix it up with Tom. As the announcers would inform everyone, so much was at stake in this match, even the brothers couldn't stay united.
"Fuck you." Tom fought back. Both were throwing some serious heat. And so involved were they that neither of them saw a third figure pull himself into the ring and cover a still-prone Cody.
"One... two... three!" Robinson counted
The bell rang, stopping both Jeff and Tom in mid-swing.
"The winner of this bout and the new world heavyweight champion... Matt Hardy!"
"What the hell?" Jeff and Tom shouted simultaneously. Both looked over their shoulder just in time to see Matt's arm raised. Forgetting the new-found animosity for each other, both Jeff and Tom jumped over to celebrate with Matt.
Tom couldn't help but feel a little bit betrayed. If Jeff hadn't interrupted, Tom would be the world champion, not Matt. It was obvious to him who Jeff loved more. Not to be unexpected since Jeff had known Matt for thirty-one plus years and Tom for two-plus weeks. He still felt left out. So much that he left the ring early, leaving Matt and Jeff to celebrate by themselves. He stopped at the entrance and looked back once. They were still hugging each other, and it appeared that they didn't even notice that Tom was gone.
Shaking his head sadly, Tom went backstage to get some attention for the cut on his forehead. Legacy was already backstage, nursing their wounds, when he passed.
"Great match, rookie!" Randy congratulated him.
"Thanks. Where's the trainer's room?"
"Down the hall. Third door on the left." Ted replied, an ice pack on his left knee.
Tom stepped inside around the same time his partners were making their way back.
"Randy, have you...?"
"Trainer's room. Congrats Matt." Randy said "But I'll get it back."
"I'm sure you'll try."
Tom was on his back, waiting for the freezing to take effect when Matt and Jeff barged in.
"You could knock." Tom said crossly. "What if I had been with a girl?"
"In the trainer's room? Yeah, right." Matt slung the belt over his shoulder.
"We missed you out there." Jeff changed the subject quickly.
"It was your celebration." Tom winced when the first stitch went in. "I felt like that sprig of parsley on the plate that nobody eats."
"You're a part of this team as much as either of us. We all win or lose as a team." Matt said.
"Even though I should be the one wearing the gold." Tom grumbled.
"We had to come up with three finishes for the match. If you had bothered to show up on time, you might've been the champ." Matt replied
"Yeah, dude. That was one of the choices. We had to pull our shit together and you weren't here when we needed you." Jeff added
"Whatever, man, you don't have to save my feelings. I know my place... I'll always be the third Hardy boy." Tom sighed, staring at the ceiling lights while the doctor finished sewing.
"We're sorry you..."
"Why don't you two get changed?" Tom sounded like he really didn't want to be around anyone at that second. "I'll join you as soon as the good doctor is finished putting Humpty back together again."
Matt and Jeff looked at each other.
"We are still going out, right?" Tom read their confused expressions.
"Oh, yeah, we thought you meant something else."
"I can see that. Go." Tom smiled, shaking his head.
"Hold still." The doctor scolded. "Unless you want a crooked eyebrow."
Matt and Jeff left the trainer's room, still a little irritated with Tom's recent attitude. If he was gonna last long in the WWE, he would need to turn it off after the match, assuming that's what it was.
"Is it just me?" Tom asked the doc.
"No, you do need to turn off the character once the match is over." He replied "Remember, everything we do is for the fans. You can't let story lines dictate personal feelings. It's no good for you, the people you work with, or the company. All set. I'll see you in a week or so to have them removed."
"Thanks doc. For the repairs and the advice." Tom said "I guess I gotta go apologize to them again."
The other Hardys had already cleaned up and changed by the time Tom returned. They were waiting patiently, watching the next segment on a monitor near catering.
"Be with you in five." He said
"No rush." Jeff replied, staring intently at the screen. The next segment was the weekly episode of "The Dirt Sheet". Miz and Morrison were busy ragging on their opponents for next week's match: Primo and Carlito.
Tom couldn't help but notice how transfixed Jeff was and it probably had nothing to do with the stimulating topic.
"Whatever..." The more he learned about his new family, the less he really wanted to know, and the more he craved either some privacy or a nice cold shower. "I'll see you later."
Tom sat down in front of his locker and stared off into space. "If only life was that simple." He thought. "Oh well..."
Seeking either answers or some relief for his aching muscles, Tom searched out a lonely shower stall and spent the better part of the evening trying to wash both his external and internal pain away.
TO BE CONTINUED
Matt's been taking so much crap from people, I thought I'd do something nice for a change...
Keep on reading, fans. I do appreciate it, although a few more reviews would be nice. Even if you hate it, I'd like to know.