Blitzkrieg 11.0
"Welcome to NXT! We're coming off of a big Takeover!" Phillips voice echoed in his headset as the fans cheered wildly.
"Huge, Phillips!" Corey returned. "Not only did Bayley become the first woman to defeat Asuka here in NXT, she also became the first to be a multi time NXT Women's champion!"
"And let's not forget that we have a new NXT Champion! Andy Mercier defeated Finn Balor for the NXT Championship!"
"And what a match that was. If you missed that match, I highly suggest subscribing to the WWE Network to watch it! Andy left his normality behind and we had The Demon versus The Nightmare!"
"The match was back and forth and I honestly didn't think either man had anything to left! I didn't think we'd have a clear winner!" Corey nodded in response.
"It was definitely a battle of wills. But now we're moving forward with NXT, so let's get the show underway!" There was a pause after these words left his mouth before Crown of Thorns played. The crowd launched to their feet with a roar as Andy exited the gorilla position. He wore a black leather jacket that he held closed with his hands, black cargo pants and black combat boots with his laces hanging out. The jacket had Mercier Club on the back with the letters in Mercier stylized as bullets with six bullets under club. Attached to the neck of the jacket was a black cloth hood. Andy smirked as the crowd cheered.
He walked in a circle with the jacket held closed, an obvious limp in his step but with a certain swagger to it. Then, as he faced the crowd again, he jerked the jacket open to reveal the NXT title strapped around his waist, with a Bullet Club shirt under it, with the ls being censored with Astral signs. His smirk turned to a full blown smile as the cheers became a dull roar. He nodded his head as he pointed to the belt with his index fingers. Then, he lifted his arms into the ceiling with them forming guns. He dropped his hands and began limping down the ramp, touching a Too Sweet hand gesture to the crowds own as he walked by them. He skipped his pause at the end of the ramp and walked up the steel steps before climbing through the ropes. He traveled across the ring and took a mic from an officials before taking a spot in the middle of the ring as Crown of Thorns died and the fans cheered.
Andy nodded his head before raising the microphone to his lips. "It started in the UK." He spoke in his unique accent, prompting a cheer. "A little boy watching the Rockers. Watching Marty Jannetty get his head sent through a glass window by Shawn Michaels. Watching D Generation X take over. Watching Stone Cold Steve Austin deliver the Austin 3:16 speech at King of the Ring. Watching NWO run wild on WCW. Every week with his mom." The fans cheered and Andy nodded again. "It was so much larger than life and that boy, he didn't think he belonged. Not in wrestling. He was too small. So he took on MMA. And eventually he was given a chance to live his dream in New Japan." The crowd roared and began chanting 'Bullet Club' causing Andy to laugh.
"Yeah! You like the shirt? I went ahead and censored it for WWE." The crowd laughed as Andy smiled. "For years all I've wanted to do is wrestle. Even when I took a break to follow through with UFC, there wasn't a single moment, not a year, not a month, not a day, not a hour, not a single second! That went by that I didn't think about my fans and the rush I get coming down that ramp every single time!" Again, the crowd cheered. "This is my life. Wrestling. I'll be honest, I never thought I'd make it to the WWE. It always seemed so far out of reach. But I'm here now, and I'm your new NXT Champion!" Andy reached under the back of his jacket and unstrapped his belt before lifting it high in the air to the crowds approval. "And this is just the beginning! It only gets bigger and better from here on out! One day we'll be standing tall with the main championship on Raw or Smackdown! This is my life, and you're all my family! And I can't wait to share every single moment on the way up the ladder with each and every one of you!" Andy lowered the mic and kept the title high as the crowd cheered and laughed. Those cheers became boos, however, as Samoa Joe came through the curtains to his theme music.
Andy scowled at the man as he entered the ring and retrieved a microphone. "Sorry to break up story time." Joe spoke sarcastically. "I mean, really, I was sitting back there listening to you drone on and on, and I thought, this is so beautiful. This is definitely the man I want representing me as the NXT Champion. But, then I realized," Joe moved forward and crushed his face against Andy's as they pushed back and forth on each other's foreheads, "that you're not my first pick for that title. That's me. I should be the NXT Champion. I mean, I made you pass out in this ring last week. I gave you your first loss since you've been in NXT."
"After I was power bombed by Kevin Owens." Andy shot back. "But you're right, you beat me. If I'm not mistaken though, I beat you. In a one on one. And put you out of my title picture." Joe's nostrils flared angrily as Andy smirked. "That's right, mate. I put you down in the middle of this ring. And then, I went on to do what you couldn't. I beat Finn Balor for the NXT Championship."
"You got lucky." Samoa Joe interrupted. "You're entire NXT luck has been nothing but luck. The fact that you're in the WWE can't even be contributed to luck. That's the sad thing. You're only here because you had friends in the back politicking for you! Hey, check out this guy in New Japan! You know he's undefeated in UFC? Which was what, say it with me, luck."
"Who are you to put my accomplishments down?" Andy questioned heartedly, obviously angry. "Who are you to talk down on me when you've spent the better part of your career, over a decade, in 'that other company' because you didn't have what it took to make it in the WWE? Well, muppet?" Joe's eyes widened and his nostrils flared again.
"You listen to me- Shut the hell up!" Joe interrupted to himself to yell at the fans as they chanted "He's your nightmare!". "You listen to me. The fact that your the NXT Champion is nothing short of an embarrassment to every wrestler who ever lived. And if you had any respect for wrestling, you'd do the right thing and give me the opportunity to knock you off your pedestal."
"And if you had any sense, you'd get out of the ring before I knock your head off your shoulders!" The crowd cheered wildly as the statement caught Joe by surprise. "I have worked my ass off day in and day out to get here! All those matches I flopped in back in Japan. All the nights I broke my back, jumping over ropes at nothing while I tried to learn to do what I love! All the days I've come in feeling like my body was caving in so I could put on a show for the fans! All the times I've been rushed to a hospital and thought my career, my LIFE, was over!? Just so I could chase my dreams like I'm on some kind of mission!? And you have the gall, to stand there and tell me I don't respect wresrling!? That I don't deserve what I've got when I have scratched and clawed and climbed and bled and worked my way up the ladder in this business!?
"You're the one who doesn't deserve to be a champion. Muppets like you and Kevin Owens make me sick! When you feel threatened when someone comes along better at your trade than you are and all you can do is sneak attack and spit insults because, in the back of your minds, you know there's nothing you can do about it! And when they reach their goals all you can do is spit on them. Tell them they're not good enough. So when my mom was on her death bed in the United Kingdom, and she was telling me to stay to follow my dream, and I wasn't there for her when she passed away because I was breaking my neck for this business, I want good enough!? I've always been good enough! Because I have the heart and the RESPECT for this business that you don't!" Joe and Andy dropped their microphones as pushed harshly on one another's foreheads to the delight of the crowd. Then, William Regal made himself known on the top of the stage.
"That's enough! There will be no blows between you two tonight!" He exclaimed, prompting the two to begrudgingly break apart and look at him. "Firstly, Samoa Joe, you have no right to claim Andy is not a fit champion. He earned his title as Takeover when he defeated Finn Balor. But I can see that I can't contain what's brewing between you two. Tonight, you both have matches. Next week, on NXT, Samoa Joe you'll face... A surprise opponent. If you defeat them, you'll get a shot at Andy's NXT Championship the following week." Samoa Joe nodded his head in response and licked his lips before turning to Andy with a smirk.
"Enjoy it while it lasts!" Joe called.
"I will! I'll have it for a while!" Andy responded as Joe vacated the ring.
"Wow, a major announcement from Mr. Regal!" Phillips crowed as Andy placed his title on his shoulder and stared at Joe as the man walked backwards up the ramp, nodding with a smile.
Andy left the ring and went backstage, traveling to the locker room to get ready for his match. He watched as Samoa Joe defeated Sami Zayne before screaming at the camera, to Andy, as he made gestures for the title. As the show got close to the main event, he made his way to the gorilla position before an official even came for him. He bounced back and forth in place as his opponent, Tyson Kidd, made his entrance. He waited before Crown of Thorns played and he took a deep breath as the crowd cheered. Then, he burst through the curtain. He drank in the cheers from the crowd.
Andy wore plain white trunks, black boots with black kick pads and black knee pads. He wore his black leather jacket from earlier that night, and held it closed. He made a small circle on the top of the stage like he had at the beginning of the show before jerking it open to reveal his title strapped around his waist. He nodded with a small before coming to both knees, pointing his hands at the ceiling before slapping the ground and jumping to his feet with his signature "Strong Style Shooter!" Shout. He walked down the ramp, touching hands with fans in the Too Sweet hand gesture. He paused at the end of the ramp and lifted one gun hand to "Strong!" Before lifting his other to "Style!". Andy nodded with a smirk before jumping onto the apron. He grabbed the top rope with both ropes and stared at the crowd, letting them look at the title around his waist before he climber the turnbuckle. He performed his hanging draw before dropping in the ring. He held his jacket closed with his hands before turning to the crowd and opening his jacket. He nodded his head with a smirk before removing his jacket and belt, handing them to the referee so they could be placed at ringside. Andy and Tyson stared across the ring at each other before the referee called for the bell. They began circling one another in the ring. They locked up and Tyson went for a kick to the side. Andy caught the leg and Dragon whipped his opponent to the mat. Tyson was quick back to his feet, hitting Andy with a dropkick. Andy's back hit the mat and Tyson stomped his chest. Andy kicked his legs as he fought to catch his breath. Tyson hit him with an elbow drop before rolling to his feet. Andy made to get to his feet, but was hit by a front dropkick to the side of the head, sending him face first to the mat. Tyson picked Andy up, and the champion hit him in the jaw with a swift jab. Tyson stumbled to the side and Andy hit Tyson with multiple kicks to the ribs before sweeping his legs out from under him. Tysons back hit the ground and he rebounded into a sitting position where Andy hit him with a knee the face. Andy walked around, limping, for a moment. "It looks like Andy really aggravated something at Takeover." Tyson got to his feet and Andy made to kick at him.
Tyson caught the leg and slammed his elbow into his before hitting Andy with an Enzuigiri. A Roundhouse kick sent Andy to the mat. Tyson gave a war cry and dragged him to his feet before kicking Andy's bad leg multiple times, sending him down to one knee. "And Tysons picking up on that aggravation. He's targeting that leg now." A knee to the face had Andy on his back. Tyson set to work, stomping away at Andy's leg before flipping him onto his stomach and lifting his knee high into the air before slamming it into the canvas. Andy cried out in pain before he was pulled to his feet. A shoulder black to the back of the knee had Andy holding his leg in pain. The referee checked on Andy before he fought to his feet, favoring his left leg. A Russian leg weep had him right back on the mat. Tyson gave another loud yell before wrapping Andy's legs around his. "Tysons going for the Sharpshooter! He's got it locked in!" Andy screamed in pain as Tyson pulled hard. He held his hand in the in a fist before placing his forearms on the mat. He forced himself off the canvas. He pushed up with his arms and performed a roll, breaking free of the submission. Tyson shook his head as he grabbed Andy and pulled him to his feet. Andy broke the hold with a sharp kick to the skull before pulling Tyson onto his shoulders and hitting a Go 2 Sleep. "Ride the Mercier! Andy for the win! And he gets it, bad leg and all!" Crown of Thorns played as Andy hopped to feet and retrieved his title before leaning on the ropes as the fans cheered, staring into the Camera.
"Come on Joe! I got the title, mate! Show me what you can do, muppet!" He called angrily as he held the championship in the air with one hand.
"Andy with words for his competition. That's all for NXT! Join us next week to see if Samoa Joe will earn the right to be number one contender for the NXT Championship!" The show faded from air as Andy continued yelling for Joe as he pointed at the camera.
Later that week, Brianna Kelly entered the NXT training area and walked down its ramp. Andy sat in a steel chair in the middle of the ring with his hands clasped. He wore a red muscle shirt with Metallicas Kill em all printed on it, a pair of black basketball shorts and a pair of white sneakers. "You're early." And spoke as she started to climb the steel stairs. "Which means you're right on time. If you're on time... you're late."
"Good to know." Brianna answered as she entered the ring. "So what are we going to start with?"
"I watched your matches. You're pretty well rounded, so I get why you're mad that you're not being taken seriously. We're going to focus on some high risk moves. You're more suited for that and keeping the fans happy. Plus, I don't see Strong Style or Mixed Martial Arts playing a lot into your matches. I'll teach you some just so you can have the basics down though."
"And what about the mic?" Brianna questioned as Andy produced some white tape and began tapping his hands.
"What about it?"
"Wrestling is what I love. And now days you have to be really good on the mic to please the fans. Like you. If you're a face, they love you. If you're heel, they hate you." Andy paused before shaking his head and rolling more tape out.
"That's simple. You speak from the heart. As a face, I talk to every single fan like they're my family. I put my body on the line. Everything is for them. As a heel, the fans aren't worth the dirt on my boots. I'm the best. I'm the king. And I refuse to do anything for them. I stay grounded. Everything... is for me." Andy finished rolling his hands. "Now, who are you fighting this week?"
Andy popped his shoulder as he sat in the men's locker room at Smackdown. He wore his my skull is bulletproof shirt, his blue jeans and a pair of white converse painted with a rising sun on one and crashing waves on the other. Jordan sat next to him in his workout attire as they stared at the television where Kevin Owens had just walked to the ring and grabbed a microphone. "Vince needs to do something about this infestation. WWES going to get closed down for health hazards." Andy spoke with Jordan nodding in agreement.
"Jordan Sterling, I know you're back there." Kevin spoke into the mic. "Probably being all cuddly with your buddy. 'You're so good at punching'. 'No you are'. You can tell that to yourselves as much as you want, but you're not as good as me. And I proved that when Samoa Joe and I laid you both out. Jordan, I want you to pay close attention. I have a big problem with you. You think you're a big deal. You think you're right great fighter. But you're not. You being the United States Champion is a joke. I don't understand how Rusev could lose the belt to you. And you see, I'm not the only one with a problem with you. Samoa Joe does as well. That's why we've formed KO-Joe, a partnership vent on removing the poison of fake fighters from the WWE. The poison of Jordan Sterling and Andy Mercier.
"Next week, Joe is going to pick off whoever William Regal puts in front of him and then hes going to go on to take the NXT Championship from your buddy. My question to you is this. Hey! All of you shut up!" Kevin broke off to rant at the crowd as they booed him. "I'm not here to entertain you! Show some respect for a prize fighter and shut your mouths before I come out in that crowd and do it for every single one of you!" Owens stood breathing heavily in an danger before turning back to the camera "Jordan, do you have the balls to put the United States Championship up against me? Do you have the balls to face me with it on the line at the next Pay per view? I know you don't, but do you really want the fans to know how gutless you are this early in your run? I expect an answer." Kevin dropped the mic and vacated the ring as Andy shook his head.
"You going to accept?" He asked Jordan, who rubbed his chin.
"I'm a fighting champion. And I really want to shut him up." Andy nodded in understanding as he blew a bubble with gum he had been chewing before popping it.
"So when are you wrestling next?" Andy asked.
"Next week." Andy nodded as he stood to his feet.
"Well, don't kill Owens before you have him in the ring. It's about that time." Jordan nodded in response as Andy stood to his feet and exited the locker room before making his way to the gorilla position. It was there that he met with Brianna as Paige finished her entrance. Andy nodded to her as here theme, Meteor by Simon Curtis, played. She busted through the curtains wearing a black bolero jacket, a white and pink zebra striped sequin tank top, blue jean capris and neon boots. Andy followed closely behind. "And from Honolulu Hawaii, accompanied by Andy Mercier, Brianna Kelly!"
"And here's the number one contender for the WWE Women's Championship, and with Andy Mercier in tow. I wonder why he's here." Jerry Lawler spoke.
"It's my understanding that Brianna has been training under Andy this while week." Cole reported as Brianna made her entrance, which could be described as a mix between Sasha Banks, Summer Rae and Paige's with neon colored pyro and confetti shooting out as she walked down the ramp. She entered the ring as Andy made his way to commentary and removed pieces of her entrance attire, leaving her in Sasha Banks/ Summer Rae inspired gear in different neon colors that matched her boots. This revealed that she had a Soaring Eagle across her upper back from shoulder to shoulder, two cherry Blossom trees on each side of her ribs and two full sleeve tattoos dedicated to her Hawaiian heritage. Brianna and Paige stared each other down before the bell was rang.
"And here we go! Brianna Kelly facing off against Paige, who has made it publicly known that she doesn't believe Brianna is a legitimate competitor against her." Cole spoke as the two women locked up.
"That's a big mistake." Andy responded as he watched Brianna hip flip Paige before kicking her in the back. "I've had the privilege to see what Brianna can do this week and shes an amazing wrestler. So gifted in the ring. And the fact that she's not considered top tier is insane." Brianna pulled Paige to her feet and bounced her off the ropes before hitting her with a spinning kick that sent her to the mat. Brianna delivered a sharp kick to Paige's gut before Kneeing her in the face. Brianna pulled Paige to her feet and kneed her in the abdomen before slamming her face first into the mat.
"Is that why she's been training with you?"
"In all honesty, she doesn't need the training. But she wants to be seen as the top tier performer she is, and be recognized as a legitimate female WRESTLER." Andy replied as Brianna went to pick her opponent up. Paige delivered a stiff kick to her gut before jumping to her feet and slamming her forearm into Brianna's face. She stumbled to the side before Paige caught her in a fallaway slam. Paige delivered a sharp kick to her opponent's side before pulling her to her feet by her hair as the referee chastised her. Paige Irish whipped her into the corner before launching herself through the air and hitting Brianna with a double knee. Paige dropped back to her feet, and as Brianna stumbled out of the corner she was hit by a side kick that sent her to the ground. Paige pulled her to her feet and went for a back breaker, but Brianna grabbed the top rope and let Paige fall to the ground. The Black haired woman got to her feet and rushed at her opponent, but Brianna launched herself in the air and hit her with a jumping hip attack. Paige got to her feet and made to slap Brianna, but the women dodged under it, letting the referee take the hit. The man's head whipped to the side as Brianna grabbed Paige by her hair and yanked before hitting her with a spinning heel kick. Paige hit the ground, and as the referee recovered, Brianna gave the crowd an 'I didn't do anything wrong" look.
"Smart strategy by Brianna." Cole spoke as Andy nodded.
"She's the future of the women's division." Brianna went to pick Paige up, but was hit in the jaw. Paige jumped to her feet and bounded off the ropes before hitting Brianna with a running single leg dropkick. Paige stood to her feet with a violent scream before picking Brianna and planting her with a Cradle DDT.
"Ram-Paige, and that could be it guys!" King called as Andy shook his head with a knowing smile.
"Don't count Brianna out." Andy spoke just as she broke the pin. Paige looked around in disbelief before pulling her opponent to her feet in frustration. She went for another Cradle DDT, but Brianna broke the hold and whipped around, pulling Paige's arms across her chest before hitting a straight jacket back breaker and transitioning it into a crossface.
"And there's Brianna's Sweet Sacrifice! A lot like your Show no Mercier, and she even had shades of you doing it with that straight jacket!"
"That's right. Bad enough when it's just out of a regular backbreaker but when your own arms are being used against you it's even worse." Andy responded as Paige violently nodded her head and screamed. The referee called from the bell as Meteor played. Brianna released the hold as Andy stood to his feet and placed his headset on the announce table. "If you'll excuse me." Andy slid into the ring as Brianna celebrated with the crowd and lifted her arm high in the air to a roar of approval. Brianna nodded her head with a smile. "Your next Women's champion!" Andy called to the camera as Brianna aimed her hand like a gun at the camera. Andy joined her and Smackdown went to commercial with them standing back to back shooting at the camera.
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Wrap!