Chapter Twenty Nine: Cyber Sunday Approaches

Raw was live from Milone Illinois and a fast paced triple threat match was taking place between Carlito, Shelton Benjamin, and Johnny Nitro. These three men are three of the four men that the fans can vote in to face Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Title. Also a ringside was Jeff Hardy, the current Intercontinental Champion. But Jeff currently did not have hit title, because the fourth man in the voting, Machetti, had stolen Jeff's Intercontinental Title belt.

Shelton Benjamin was currently on the top rope, but Carlito who had been knocked out of the ring jumped onto the apron and tried to push Shelton off of the top, but Shelton fought Carlito off, and managed to knock him off of the apron. Shelton then stood on the top rope and launched himself at Nitro, who had just gotten to his feet. But Nitro saw Shelton coming and jumped high into the air and nailed Shelton in the stomach with a dropkick while he was airborne.

But on the outside Machetti took that moment to strike and quickly grabbed Nitro and pulled him out of the ring and down to the floor with a loud thud. Carlito then got in the ring and lifted Shelton to his feet from behind, then nailed him with the Back-Cracker. Carlito then hooked Shelton's legs and got the pin. But as Carlito stood in the ring and celebrated the win he was suddenly nailed in the back of the head with a pipe. Machetti stood in the ring over Carlito and rolled him out of the ring, before addressing Hardy.

"Hey Jeff," said Machetti, who to Jeff's dismay did not have the Intercontinental Title with him, "now I know you want your belt back, but I just really wanted to hang onto it for a little while longer. But you know what, if you want, you can tune into ECW tomorrow night on Sci-Fi, but it'll be your last chance to see it before Cyber Sunday. Where if the fans vote me in, I will kick your ass and win the title for real."

Jeff was about to say something but was cut off by Machetti nailing Shelton Benjamin in the gut with his pipe. Shelton had been laying low and tried to attack Machetti while he wasn't paying attention, but Machetti saw it coming and beat Shelton to the punch. Machetti then slipped behind Shelton and nailed him with the Amputator. Machetti's music then hit as he got out of the ring and made his way to the back, taunting Hardy every step of the way.

---x---

Machetti was shown backstage leaning against a wall when Maria walked out of the Women's Locker room. Machetti quickly grabbed Maria's hand and caught up to her. "Hey Machetti," said Maria, "my match is coming up next are you going to be at ringside?"

"Actually I have some bad news," confessed Machetti, "both Edge and I have been banned from ringside. So you're going to have to do it alone."

"Oh," said Maria, looking a little put down by Machetti's comment, "but wait, that means I'll have to fight Lita, a three time Women's Champion on my own!"

"Yeah," answered Machetti, "I'm sorry but there's nothing that I can do. But I know you can do it, you just need to focus and keep your head in the match."

"Well then," said Maria, "wish me luck."

Machetti responded by grabbed Maria and kissing her passionately on the lips, when they broke apart, both Machetti and Maria were smiling, "good luck," said Machetti as Maria walked off.

---x---

In the arena Mickie James' music hit and she made her way down to the ring and sat down at the announcer's table. Lita's music then hit as the former three time Women's champion made her way down to the ring. From the ring Lita glared at Mickie as Maria's theme song hit. Maria then made her way down to the ring and faced off with Lita. Lita then disrespected Maria by turning her back and mouthing off at Mickie James.

But as soon as the bell rang Maria ran at Lita and caught her with a school boy roll up while her back was turned. But Lita managed to kick out at two. Lita and Maria then got to their feet, but Maria quickly pounced on Lita and went for another pin, but again Lita kicked out at two. Maria and Lita then got to their feet, but Maria walked right into a clothesline by Lita. Lita then lifted Maria to her feet and hit her with a Russian Leg Sweep, then went for a pin but only got two.

Lita then got to her feet and lifted Maria up as well, Lita then lifted up Maria drove Maria's back down onto her knee for a backbreaker. Lita then went for the pin, but again Maria kicked out at two. Maria and Lita both got to their feet and started exchanging right hands. Lita went off on Maria with a series of three right hands, but as Lita went for the fourth punch, Maria ducked and started working on Lita with few punches of her own. Maria then worked over Lita with a series of three right hands.

Lita then whipped Maria against the ropes, but as Maria bounced off she grabbed Lita's head and drove it down to the mat for a facecrusher. Lita then pushed herself away from Maria and sat herself against the turnbuckle. Maria then taunted, then ran at Lita and humiliated her with a bronco buster. But while Maria was hitting the bronco buster, Lita grabbed her and planted her shoulders onto the mat. Lita then maneuvered herself around and put her feet on the ropes. But the referee saw her feet and stopped the pin count.

But as Maria went to capitalize Lita raked Maria's eyes, then dragged Maria into the middle of the ring and set Maria up for a DDT. But as Lita was about to hit the move, Maria countered and planted Lita with an Impaler. Maria then got to her feet and taunted as Lita rolled onto her back. Maria then walked to a turnbuckle, and climbed onto the top rope, then launched herself across the ring for the leg drop. But at the very last second, Lita rolled out of the way and made Maria crash and burn.

Lita then got to her feet and climbed onto the top rope, Lita then launched herself off of the top rope and nailed Maria with a moonsault. While on top of Maria, Lita applied the pin and got the three count. Lita then got to her feet and got out of the ring and got in Mickie's face. But while Lita was commenting on becoming the next Women's Champion, Maria got to her feet, then ran across the ring and dove through the ring and knocked both Mickie and Lita to the ground.

Maria then smirked and lifted Lita to her feet and screamed at her, then slapped her hard across the face, causing Lita to fall to the ground. Maria then glared at Mickie as her music hit. Maria then taunted for the fans as she made her way back around the ring, up the ramp, through the curtain and to the back. This left both Mickie and Lita staring at each other, wondering what the hell just happened.

---x---

ECW was airing from Milwaukee Wisconsin and the Diva Costume Contest was just about over. Ariel, being a vampire, wasn't wearing a costume, Trinity was wearing a strip of caution tape as a top, and Kelly was dressed as what appeared to be…CM Punk. Trinity ended up being announced the winner, but suddenly Knox hit the ring and looked questionably at Kelly's costume. But this prompted CM Punk to hit the ring, and he and Knox began brawling in the ring.

But Punk and Knox suddenly broke apart when Machetti's theme song hit. Then from the entrance came, Machetti, Maria, and Sandman. Maria was holding the Intercontinental Title, while Machetti and Sandman were holding their pipe and cane. As Maria, Machetti, and Sandman made their way down to the ring Ariel and Trinity quickly got out of the ring. But as Knox tried to escape with Kelly, Punk blocked his exit route. Punk's distraction allowed Sandman and Machetti to make it into the ring.

While Maria waited outside, Machetti, Sandman, and CM Punk surrounded Kelly and Knox. Machetti then smirked as he received a mic and glared at Knox, but then turned his attention to Kelly, "Kelly, is much as I enjoy seeing you at ringside, I'm going to suggest that you leave the ring before things get messy," said Machetti. Kelly was about to do just that and leave, but Knox grabbed her hand and pulled Kelly in front of him like a shield. "Knox, let her go, you're only making this worse on yourself," said Machetti.

Knox glared at Machetti, then glanced at Sandman and CM Punk, it didn't take a genius to see that these were bad odds. Slowly and begrudgingly Knox let go of Kelly and allowed her to leave the ring. Machetti, Sandman, and Punk turned to watch Kelly leave, then focused their attention back on Knox, "now Mike," said Machetti, "please, answer the question that's been on everyone's mind… who are you going to face tonight? Sandman, CM Punk, or me?"

Machetti walked up to Knox and handed him the mic, and then stepped back and gave Knox some room. "You guys can't bully me into a match," snapped Knox as he glared at the three men in the ring with him, "I don't have to face any of you! And I especially don't have to face CM Punk." Knox then glared at Machetti as Machetti stepped forward and grabbed the mic from him. Machetti then retreated back a few steps and smirked at Knox.

"Actually we can," said Machetti as he continued smirking at Knox, "you see I was looking for Heyman backstage and couldn't find him anywhere, so I guess we can make a match." Machetti paused for a moment and glanced towards the announce table, more notably the gorilla in the crowd behind it. "But you know, I kind of had a feeling that you weren't going to pick someone," continued Machetti, "so I'll tell you what, next week you will face CM Punk, in an Extreme Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match."

Machetti smiled as Knox shared a hated glare with Punk, then continued, "but tonight, seeing how you couldn't decide, you're going to be facing, yours truly… and the Sandman!" Machetti paused for a moment before continuing, "don't worry it won't be a handicap match, it's actually going to be a tag-team match. And before you ask, we already took the liberty of choosing your partner, since you're not the most anxious to choose people to be in matches with you."

With that Stevie Richands' music hit and the extremely bizarre Stevie Richards made his way down to the ring, Machetti and Sandman handed their pipe and cane to CM Punk who got out of the ring and stood next to Maria. Stevie then got in the ring and all four men got in a huge slugfest. But getting in a slugfest with the Sandman wasn't such a good idea on Stevie's part, because Sandman immediately began working over Stevie with huge haymakers and managed to knock Stevie out of the ring.

Sandman then got out of the ring and got on the apron as Machetti continued fighting it out with Knox. Machetti and Knox were currently trading blows and were going punch for punch. Knox seemed to be getting the advantage due to his size and the fact that he was landing more powerful punches, but Machetti quickly took control by ducking a punch and knocking Knox to the mat with a corkscrew dropkick. But Knox quickly got back up to his feet. Only to be knocked down by a clothesline from Machetti.

Knox got up again, but this time Machetti went to kick Knox in the stomach, but Knox caught Machetti's leg. But Machetti capitalized by bringing up his other leg and kicking Knox in the back of the head for an ensuguri. Machetti then rolled Knox onto his back and went for the pin, but Knox kicked out before the three. Machetti quickly got to his feet, then ran to the ropes, jumped onto the middle one and spring-boarded off of it towards Knox, and landed on the back of Knox's head with a springboard leg drop.

Machetti again went for the pin, but Knox kicked out again. Machetti then got to his feet and dragged Knox over to Sandman, who Machetti tagged in. Machetti and Sandman then double teamed Knox and nailed him with a double vertical suplex. Machetti quickly got out of the ring and Sandman went for a pin, but Stevie Richards got in the ring and broke up the pin at the very last second. The referee started arguing with Stevie and tried to get him out of the ring, but Knox took this moment to take advantage and hit Sandman with a low blow.

Knox then waited for Stevie to get on the apron and dragged Sandman over to Stevie and tagged in Richards. Knox and Richards then double teamed Sandman and started stomping the hell out of him. Knox then helped Stevie get Sandman to his feet and together Stevie and Knox whipped Sandman into the corner. Knox then whipped Stevie into Sandman, and Stevie nailed Sandman with a turnbuckle crossbody. Stevie then grabbed Sandman by the head and nailed him with a bulldog.

Stevie rolled Sandman onto his back and went for the pin, but Sandman kicked out at two. Stevie then got to his feet and kicked Sandman hard in the ribs before lifting Sandman to his feet and dragging him over to Knox, who Stevie tagged in. Knox and Stevie then double teamed Sandman and drove his head down to the mat with a Double DDT. Stevie quickly got out of the ring as Knox went for the cover, but Machetti came in just in time to break up the pin.

The referee then started arguing with Machetti to get out of the ring, which gave Stevie the opportunity to get back in the ring and help Knox double team Sandman. While the referee was distracted Knox and Stevie lifted Sandman high into the air, then stepped back and let him fall to the mat for a Double Flapjack. Stevie then quickly got back on the apron as the referee turned around, and Knox rolled Sandman onto his back and went for the pin, but somehow, someway, Sandman kicked out just before the three count.

Knox looked down at Sandman in shock and went for another pin, but again Sandman kicked out. Knox then got to his feet and attempted to lift up Sandman, but suddenly Sandman punched Knox hard in the face, sending him stumbling backwards. Sandman struggled to his feet and hit Knox with another hard right, sending him back against the ropes, Sandman then whipped Knox across the ring, ducked down, and flipped Knox over him for a back body drop when he came back.

Sandman then stumbled over to his corner and made the desperate tag to Machetti. With a flash Machetti was in the ring and took Knox down with a corkscrew dropkick. Machetti then landed on his feet and caught Stevie, as he came in, with a hip toss. Machetti then ran at Knox and drove his head down to the mat with a running DDT. Machetti then got to his feet and started trading punches with Stevie, but took him down with a clothesline.

Machetti then jumped into the air and landed on Stevie for a leg drop, then lifted Stevie to his feet and whipped him into a turnbuckle. Machetti then turned around and kicked Knox in the gut as he tried to attack Machetti from behind, but Machetti then whipped Knox into the turnbuckle Stevie was leaning against. Knox collided with Stevie at full speed and practically squished him, then Machetti ran at Knox and hit him with a turnbuckle crossbody, and drove him back further into Stevie.

Machetti then stepped back and hit Knox with a hurricurana, causing him to fly across the ring. Machetti then jumped up and ran at Stevie then jumped and landed with his feet on the middle rope on either side of Stevie. Machetti then jumped up and sent Stevie flying across the ring with a monkey-flip. Stevie ended up landing right on top of Knox. Machetti then climbed onto the top rope, and lunged across the ring at Stevie and Knox, and ended up landing on Stevie for a Diving Head-butt.

Sandman then got in the ring and together, Machetti and Sandman lifted Stevie to his feet, then up and into the air. While still holding Stevie up, Machetti and Sandman walked over to the ropes and unceremoniously dumped Stevie out of the ring and to the floor with a loud thud. Machetti then climbed onto the apron, as Sandman walked to a turnbuckle and climbed onto the top rope. Sandman then nailed Knox with a Swanton Bomb, and then rolled out of the way as Machetti hoisted himself onto the top rope and landed on Knox for a Springboard Body Splash.

Sandman stepped back as Machetti went for the pin and got the three count. Machetti's music hit as he and Sandman celebrated in the ring, then the two of them turned to Maria, who nodded and got a cooler out from under the ring and tossed both Sandman and Machetti a couple of beers. But as Machetti and Sandman guzzled down beer and celebrated their win, someone snuck in the ring and stood behind Machetti, then nailed him with a Twist of Fate when he turned around.

Jeff Hardy smirked down at Machetti, who was out cold, then began stomping and beating the hell out of him. But suddenly Jeff was blasted in the back with a Singapore Cane. Jeff looked up to see Sandman glaring at him while holding his cane threateningly. Jeff got to his feet and charged at Sandman, but Sandman sidestepped Hardy and nailed him with a White Russian Leg Sweep. Maria and CM Punk meanwhile had gotten in the ring and had managed to get Machetti to his feet.

Maria then handed Machetti a mic as she and Punk walked him over to Hardy, "Hey Jeff," wheezed Machetti, "that was a pretty nice shot you got in there. But you forgot one thing… incase you weren't watching the segment before, Sandman hates clowns."

Machetti smirked down at Jeff, as Maria and CM Punk let go of him and managed to stand on his own. "You made a big mistake coming to ECW and picking a fight with me, and now you're going to pay… Punk!"

With that command Punk sprung at Hardy and lifted him to his feet, Punk then destroyed Hardy with a Uranage, and then started choking Hardy with the Anaconda Vice. The whole time Punk had the move in, Machetti taunted Hardy and had gotten the Intercontinental Title and was waving it in front of the real champ's face. CM Punk eventually let go of the Anaconda Vice, but it was only to allow Sandman to jump off of the top rope and nailed Hardy with a Swanton Bomb.

"You see Jeff," taunted Machetti, "you can't mess with ECW. I mean look at this, we've got a drunken bastard like the Sandman and the Straight Edge CM Punk in the same ring, working together, you can't beat us. But I'll tell you what, since you want to get in an ECW ring so badly, here's what I'll do, next week you can face me in Extreme Rules, then you'll get a taste of what we're all about."

Machetti then dropped the mic and took his pipe from Maria and then locked in the Iron Clutch on Jeff Hardy. Machetti pulled back hard on the pipe and Jeff immediately started tapping out, but it didn't matter, Machetti kept the pipe in and continued the pressure on the Intercontinental Champion. But eventually Machetti got off of Jeff, then he had Sandman and CM Punk lifted him to his feet. Machetti then took the Intercontinental Title, ran at Jeff and nailed him hard across the head as Sandman and Punk let him go.

Jeff hit the ground and was out cold, a small trickle of blood could be seen oozing its way out of the gash on Hardy's forehead. Machetti's theme song hit as he, Sandman, CM Punk, and Maria celebrated in the ring, then the four of the left the Raw Intercontinental Champion lying unconscious in the middle of the ring. "Don't mess with ECW," said Machetti before going backstage, and thus sending ECW to a commercial break.

---x---

That's Chapter Twenty-Nine!

Next Chapter: Cyber Sunday

'Till Next Time…

Peace!