Chapter 20

Hard Justice

The PPV was just a few hours away. Christian was in Jim's office. "Look Jim I think it is the only fair thing you can do," Christian says. "You know Champ I have to agree," Jim says. "Thank you," Christian says as they shake hands.

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Jake was getting ready backstage. Jarrett walks in the room and an uncomfortable silence set in. Neither man say anything for the next two minutes until Traci comes into the room. "Jake we got a problem," She says. Jeff starts to leave but Sting and Rhino walk in at the same time and motion for him to stay. "What's going on?" Jake asks. "Well since Eric, Alex, and I are part of the "prize" Jim decided it was a great idea to lock us up in a cage for the match," Traci says.

"I can understand holding a grudge but come on," Jake says. "Well at least he can't do that to Jeff," Rhino says. "Oh come on first Jeff I don't trust and second Jim has been in wresting since he was a teenager so he knows all of the trick," Jake says. "Well Jeff has been in wrestling since he was born and I am always a step ahead," Jeff says pulling a manger's license out of his wallet.

"Wow for once I am glade you are so smart," Traci says. "So are we ready?" Sting asks. "Well since I have to leave if we lose we better be," Jake says. "Come on lets go," Rhino. "I'll be right there. I want to finish taping up," Jake says. The other except Jeff leave. "Hey Reed I got to ask you if you lose tonight would you be happy?" Jeff asks. "Hell no," Jake says. "Than your going to win," Jeff says.

"What makes you say that?" Jake asks. Jeff gets a serious look on his face. "Because I answered yes," Jeff says as he leaves. Jake has no idea what he means until he realizes Jeff is talking about the night Jake ended his career.

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"The contest is a six man tag set for one fall and is contracts vs. careers," JB announces. Jim Cornette's music plays as he makes his way to ringside. The crowd is starting to run on him as they are unhappy with his actions of late. Traci, Eric, and Alex come to ringside in and get locked in the cage. Jeff makes his way out and stands on the opposite of the ring from Jim.

Jake's music plays. "Introducing team number one, "The War Machine" Rhino, The Man Called Sting, and "The Omaha Outlaw" Jake Reed," JB announces. Jake, Sting, and Rhino get in the ring. Christian's music plays. "And there opponents Scott Steiner, Tomko, and the NWA world champion "The Instant Classic" Christian Cage!" Team Cage comes out. Jake will start for his team. Tomko starts for Team Cage.

The bell rings, Jake and Tomko tie up and Tomko takes Jake over with a side head lock. Jake bridges out of it and kicks Tomko in the back. Tomko gets up and turns around to get by a drop kick by Jake. Tomko tags in Steiner while Jake tags Rhino. Scott goes for a cloths line but Rhino moves. Rhino catches him with a few quick jabs. Rhino hits a side belly to belly suplex.

Rhino goes for the powerbomb but Tomko jumps him and hits with a double ax handle. Jake tries to go after Tomko but Earl Hebner stops him. Steiner hits a pump handle drop and hits a double underhook powerbomb and makes a cover, count of one, count of two, Rhino kicks out. Christian tags himself in. Christian gives a groggy Rhino a gut buster drop. Christian covers, count of one, count of two, Rhino kicks out.

Christian tires to lock a Texas cloverleaf but Rhino powers out. Rhino needs to make a tag and it about but Tomko and Steiner jump in the ring and knock Jake and Sting off the apron. "Get control Earl," Jeff yells. It's a mugging in the ring as all three members of Team Cage beat down Rhino. Finally Earl gets it back down to one on one just as Jake and Sting get back up on the apron.

Cage hits a frog splash. Christian tags Tomko back in. Tomko climbs to the top rope. "No way," Mike says. "You got to be kidding me," Don says. Tomko goes a senton bomb. Rhino rolls out of the way. Rhino tags Sting. Sting gives Tomko a bulldog. Tomko gets his feet and feels a series of strikes followed by an atomic drop and a clothesline. Tomko is dazed and Sting hits a crossbody. Tomko kicks out before one. Sting tags Jake in.

Jake gives Tomko the over head belly to belly suplex. Tomko tags in Christian. Christian tags Scott. "Doesn't count you have to be in the ring," Earl says. Christian doesn't want to get in the ring because Jake is waiting to tear him apart. Jake gets sick of waiting and hip tosses Cage into the ring. Cage gets up and goes for a spear but Cage bails out of the ring. Jake hits a suicide dive upper cut. He than rolls Cage back in the ring. Jim jumps on the apron and distract Earl allowing Cage to low blow Jake.

Cage goes for the unprettier but Jake shoves him off and right into Earl. Jake goes for the flying cloths line but it's Earl that takes the blow. Jake is checking on Earl while Jim gives Christian a tennis racket. Sting cuts him off before Christian can hit Jake. With no ref the match quickly gets out of control. Tomko pairs off with Rhino while Sting fights Scott. Jake is tied up with Christian.

Christopher Daniels attacks Sting and drags him to the back. This lets Scott get his lead pipe and he hits Jake with it and than goes back after Rhino. Christian than gives Jake an unprettier and covers but there is no ref. Jim takes off his coat and shirt reveling he is wearing a referee shirt he than climbs in the ring. "Come on Cornett is you are going to be a ref than DQ Team Cage you saw Steiner hit Jake," Don yells. "Remember Jake's career is on the line," Mike says.

Count of one, count of two, Jarrett pulls him out and hits him with the guitar. Christian gets in Jeff face and Jeff punches him in the face. Christian staggers back right into Jake who puts him on his shoulders and hits the Death Valley Driver. Scott pulls Jake off. Rhino sends Tomko in the announcers table and than gets up to gore Scott. AJ comes down with a chair and takes out Rhino. Jake is starting to get up and AJ about to hit him with the chair.

Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli come out of the audience jump AJ and give him the KRS. Both Jake and Christian get up. Jake scores with a boot to the gut and hits a second Death Valley Driver and covers, count of one, count of two, count of three. Jake gets out of the ring and unlocks the cage holding Traci, Eric, and Alex. Eric hugs Jake greatful to finally be free. Eric keeps hugging Jake longer than what is right and finally breaks it. Jake and Traci kiss.

Jim gets up and is mad. "Shut off that music," Jim yells as Jake's music stops. "Jake I have had it. Those morons you call kings are not TNA talent so there are out of here. But since you keep brining them here you are breaking the rules. I can't fire you but I can suspend you indefetly," Jim says.