Chapter XXIX: Challenge Accepted
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(A/N: Who would've thought that I'd have more time to write when I returned to school? Here's to me hopefully getting caught up again.)
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ECW was airing from Atlanta Georgia, Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcomed the fans to the show as the new ECW Announce Team. Tazz had gone to Smackdown due to Foley being out after what Edge did to him, and Mike Adamle had become the General Manager of Raw. The first contest was a tag team match with Chavo Guerrero and his bodyguard Bam Neely facing the team of Evan Bourne and Ricky Ortiz. Bourne and Ortiz got the win when 'Air' Bourne caught Neely with a quick roll up for the pin. The cameras then cut to the back and showed Machetti, Maria, and Paul London walking backstage dressed in street clothes. The backstage crew looked at the three of them with confusion, everyone was aware of the Smackdown/ECW Talent Exchange, but no one knew why they were here tonight. Before anyone could get any answers the three Smackdown Talents stopped in front of a door marked 'General Manager' and after knocking, disappeared into the office as ECW went to a commercial break.
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ECW came back from the commercial break and the camera went into ECW General Manager Teddy Long's Office. Long and London were sitting together while Tiffany, Machetti, and Maria were all off to the side. "So let me get this straight, playa," said Long. "Paul London, you want to change brands and become and ECW Superstar?"
"That's right," answered London. "I lost to my former partner at Saturday Night's Main Event. Now he's on his own as a singles competitor on Smackdown, since he proved that I was nothing when he beat me I was hoping I could start over here on ECW and attempt to work my way up again as an ECW Superstar."
"And we're just here because we support him," commented Machetti from across the room as he motioned to Maria and himself. "I keep telling him that it was only one match, but he's set on this starting over thing, and I'm not going to try and stop him."
Long paused for a minute and thought about it, "Alright, dog," Long eventually said to London. "You can join our roster as an ECW Superstar, just give me a week to take care of all the paper work and we can make it official. But if you want, you can have a match here tonight on ECW, with the New Talent Initiative I'm sure I can find an opponent for you tonight."
"That sounds great," said London. "I have my gear with me, so just give me a little bit to get changed."
"Alright, I'm looking forward to seeing you here on ECW," concluded Long. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a show to run."
"Ah, he's giving us the proverbial boot," commented Machetti, as he and Maria got to their feet. "We'll get out of your hair…" Machetti stopped and stared at Long's bald head for a moment. "Uh… we'll get out of your way… yeah…" Machetti, London, and Maria left the office and walked out into the hallway.
Someone walked passed but Machetti suddenly shot his arm out and stopped them, the person turned around to reveal a sweaty Evan Bourne, who still appeared to be tired from his match. The fans popped loudly as the two high-flyers stared at each other.
"Evan Bourne," greeted Machetti. "I hear you've got a great Shooting Star Press."
"And I hear you're an annoying pain-in-the-ass," replied Bourne. "Of course, I heard that from Chavo Guerrero, so I'm not so sure how accurate it is."
"It's very accurate," London told him from beside Machetti. Machetti turned and glared at London, who decided that now was a good time to get changed and left.
"I've got to go do that thing, at the place," Maria informed them and she headed off as well, leaving Machetti and Bourne on their own.
"Okay now this is just awkward," commented Machetti. "Let me just make this quick, I've heard a lot about you, and I've watched a lot of your matches. I must say I'm impressed. Some people are talking about how you could be the next CM Punk or Kofi Kingston, and with the way things are currently going for you, I'm inclined to agree with them."
"Uh… thanks?" replied Bourne.
"If that is the case," Machetti continued. "I hope that at some point, I'll be able to meet you in the ring. With the two of us facing off in the ring, I'm pretty sure we could tear the house down."
"I'm looking forward to it," said Bourne, as he turned and started to walk off. "I'll see you around." Machetti was then left on his own and the cameras cut to the ring where Mike Knox's music hit.
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ECW came back from a commercial break and the WWE Did You Know was shown.
Military Outreach:
WWE offers all U.S. military personnel free tickets to its live events.
Striker and Grisham then showed a recap of what happened before the break and how Armando Estrada had beaten Tommy Dreamer to earn his ECW Contract with some help from Colin Delaney. When the recap ended, Estrada and Delaney were shown together backstage.
"Hey man, congratulations," said Delaney as he walked on screen.
"Gracias," replied Estrada. "Hey I gotta ask you something, amigo. After everything that I made you do to earn your WWE Contract, after all the hoops I made you jump through, why on Earth would you wanna help me?"
"Hey, at least you gave me a chance to get my contract," Delaney reminded him. "That's more than that so-called mentor Tommy Dreamer ever gave me…"
"Excuse me, playas!" came General Manager Long's voice. "Now actually Colin, Tommy Dreamer is going to give you something else next week. And that is the beating of your life. Now after what you just pulled out there, next week, you're gonna go one-on-one, with Tommy Dreamer, in an Extreme Rules match!"
Delaney stared at Long in surprise and shock, Dreamer would kill him! "But that's next week," Long continued. "You haven't had a match in while, so you need to get in shape for your fight with Tommy Dreamer next week. I'm a giving General Manager and I just so happen to have a superstar that I said I'd find an opponent for. The way I see it, this'll help both of you. You can get in shape for your match, and Paul London can have a match as a soon-to-be ECW Superstar. Holla!" Long walked off leaving Delaney staring after him, Estrada excused himself to go and take a shower. Colin looked worried as the camera cut to the ring where Striker and Grisham ran down the card for SummerSlam.
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ECW came back from another commercial break, Braden Walker had beaten James Curtis with a bridged Fisherman Suplex for the pin-fall victory. The cameras went to ringside and the bell rang to get everyone's attention, Colin Delaney's theme music hit and he reluctantly came down to the ring for his match. "This contest is scheduled for one-fall, from Rochester New York, weighing in at one hundred and seventy-three pounds, COLIN DELANEY!!" Delaney eventually got in the ring and turned to face the entrance ramp, awaiting his opponent.
He didn't have to wait long, because Paul London's theme music hit. London came out from the back dressed in long, baggy, black shorts and a matching vest. But despite arrive at the arena with Machetti and Maria, and the fact that Dreamer still had a score to settle with Delaney, London was standing on the entrance ramp ALONE. "And his opponent, from Austin Texas, weighing in at one hundred and ninety pounds, PAUL LONDON!!" London sprinted down to the ring and slid under the bottom rope he then went to the corner and climbed up onto the middle rope. After making sure that Delaney wasn't going to attack him from behind, London back-flipped out of the corner and landed in the middle of the ring. London took his vest of and tossed it out of the ring then turned to face Delaney, the referee called for the bell and the match was underway.
London held his arms out in front of him calling for a lock up, Delaney cautiously approached him then locked up. London quickly took control and got his arm around Delaney's head, he flipped Delaney over his shoulder and into a sitting position onto the mat with a snapmare. London released Delaney and did a cartwheel to roll around Delaney then jumped up and dropkicked him square in the face, knocking him flat on his back. London rolled away from Delaney and got up to his feet then ran at him and jumped up into the air for a backflip, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! London went crashing down on top of Delaney then hooked his legs for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR—DELANEY BARELY KICKED OUT!!
London rolled off of Delaney and got up to his feet, but before he could do anything else Delaney rolled over to the ropes and slid out of the ring. London stared after Delaney as he walked around the corner and over to the entrance ramp, then simply stood there catching his breath. London wasn't going to wait for Delaney to catch his breath and get in to the ring, so he ran full speed at the ropes, Delaney saw the plancha coming and practically dove out of the way. Delaney landed on floor and looked up at the ring surprise, only to see London standing by the ropes smiling at him, it had been a faint. Suddenly London grabbed onto the top rope and launched himself over the top and onto Delaney on the floor, VAULTING BODY PRESS!! London rolled off of Delaney and pulled him up to his feet then rolled him back into the ring. London crawled into the ring after Delaney and covered him for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR—Delaney managed another close kick out!
London stood up and pulled Delaney to his feet then whipped him into the ropes. Delaney bounced off and came back at London, London bent down for a back body drop, but Delaney suddenly jumped up and flipped over him, then caught him with a sunset flip, ONE… TW—London was caught off guard, but managed to kick out Delaney got off of London and quickly rolled over to the corner, then climbed up onto the top rope where he waited for his opponent to get back to his feet. London slowly stood up and Delaney launched out of the corner for a flying body press, but London jumped up into the air and did a backflip, driving his feet into Delaney's stomach, DROPSAULT IN MIDAIR!! Delaney and London went crashing down to the mat and London quickly made a cover, ONE… TWO… THR—DELANEY BARELY GOT HIS SHOULDER UP!!
London got up and started to pull Delaney to his feet, but Delaney suddenly grabbed him and caught him with small package pin attempt, ONE… TWO… TH—LONDON KICKED OUT!! London almost got caught by surprise, but had managed to kick out at the last minute. Delaney reached down and pulled London up to his feet, London suddenly jumped up into the air and dropped down to his knees, catching Delaney by surprise with a jawbreaker. London jumped up and hit a spinning side kick to Delaney's stomach, causing him to double over. London ran to the ropes and bounced off, then jumped up into the air and drove his feet down into Delaney's back, MUSHROOM STOMP!! Delaney was driven down to the mat, but before London could capitalize, he rolled across the ring to the ropes and dropped down to the floor. London stood back up and stared at Delaney, but Delaney stood up and said "I'm done." With that Delaney turned and headed up the ramp to the back, leaving London staring after him.
Delaney was almost to the back when suddenly… MAN IN THE BOX HIT!! Delaney stopped dead in his tracks as not only Tommy Dreamer, but Machetti as well came out from the back and started down the ramp. Delaney attempted to turn and run away, but Machetti and Dreamer ran down the ramp and caught up with him then lifted him up and carried him the rest of the way down. The referee glared at Machetti and Dreamer as they rolled Delaney into the ring, then stood at ringside in order to keep Delaney from bailing out of the ring again. Delaney glared at Machetti and Dreamer as he slowly got up to his feet, London suddenly grabbed Delaney's arms from behind and held them, then launched him over his head, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Delaney looked like he was out cold but London wasn't done. He stood up and dragged Delaney into the corner then quickly climbed up to the top rope, Delaney was still out cold as London stood up and prepared to dive. London launched up into the air and flipped forward, 450 SPLASH, CALLING LONDON!! London splashed stomach-first down on Delaney, then hooked his legs for the pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! LONDON GOT THE PIN AND THE WIN!!
Paul London's theme music hit and the fans cheered as London got back to his feet and raised his arm up into the air in victory. Machetti and Dreamer slid back into the ring, the former raised London's arm while the latter watched as Delaney struggled to get back up. Machetti and London nodded at Dreamer and headed to the back, allowing the cameras to focus on Dreamer who was standing behind Delaney as he got back to his feet. Delaney slowly turned around, oblivious to the fact that Dreamer was standing behind him, Dreamer kicked Delaney in the stomach then got in a side headlock. Dreamer raised his arm up into the air and shouted, "ECW!!" Then lunged backwards and drove Delaney's head down to the mat, DDT!! Man in the Box played again as Dreamer stood up and stood over Delaney, he'd be facing him next week in an Extreme Rules match, but for tonight, Dreamer had the last laugh. ECW went to a commercial, the first-ever live edition of the Dirt Sheet was up next.
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Smackdown was airing from Atlanta Georgia and had just come back from the break. Before the break Maria had been forced to submit in the Six-Diva Olympic Tag Team Match (AFTER FIGHTING FOR A WHILE) and then Bam Neely was found unconscious in the locker room. The cameras went to the back and showed Machetti helping Maria to the locker room, she was limping slightly still suffering the effects of the Sharpshooter that Natalya had put her in and forced her to submit to.
"Are you going to be alright?" Machetti asked with concern.
"My legs hurt, but I'll be fine," answered Maria. "Natalya's Sharpshooter hurts a lot, but yours is a lot more painful."
Machetti frowned thinking back to the time one and a half years ago when he had applied the sharpshooter to her, "You still remember that?"
"Yeah, that one hurt me inside and outside," explained Maria. "Natalya can only hurt my legs on the outside, so it really can't get that bad."
"I guess that makes sense," commented Machetti.
"I probably won't be able to come out to the ring with you, though," said Maria. "Besides, I'd probably get in the way."
"Well I am scheduled to face Umaga," admitted Machetti. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you if you can out to ringside."
"I could always bring my poles with me," suggested Maria, who was still wearing her Olympic Skier's outfit.
"About that," said Machetti. "I'm just gonna come out and say this… you do know that your match was supposed to showcase the Summer Olympic events, right? And that Skiing is usually considered a winter sport?"
"Yeah," replied Maria. "But skiing is my favorite."
"Oh, I figured it was something like that," commented Machetti.
"Well would you look who it is," came a loud voice as Mr. Kennedy walked on screen. He looked like he was about to say something to Machetti, but then he stopped and stared at Maria's outfit. "You do know that Skiing is a winter sport, right?" Kennedy asked Maria.
"Of course," answered Maria. "But I just told Machetti that Skiing is my favorite event."
"Alright…" said Kennedy somewhat awkwardly. "As long as you know."
Kennedy then turned his attention to Machetti, "So Machetti, guess who your old buddy Brian Kendrick is fighting tonight."
"Uh… Super Crazy?" guessed Machetti.
"Nope, yours truly," Kennedy told him loudly looking proud of himself. "I just wanted to tell you that I plan on beating that cocky smile off of that kid's face. Who does he think he is? Starting matches by badmouthing the fans and other superstars!? THAT WAS MY THING!"
"I don't care what happens to him any more," said Machetti. "But when you're done, be sure that either him or that bear that he calls a bodyguard is conscious so that I can tell him what I think of his challenge."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the bear," commented Kennedy. "Well, I'll try to leave one of them conscious, but I make no promises. It shouldn't be a problem though, he issued the challenge while you were unconscious, I'm sure there'll be nothing wrong with him being out cold for your response."
"Good point," agreed Machetti. "Do what you want then."
"I plan to," replied Kennedy. "Good luck in your match against the Bulldozer, you'll probably need it."
"Don't worry, I've got a plan," Machetti assured him. "I plan on winning my match, but will you win yours?"
"Do you really have to ask?" asked Kennedy as he walked off. Machetti and Maria were left on their own as the camera cut to the ring for Hawkins and Ryder's tag team match against Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore.
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Smackdown came back from another commercial break, the Great Khali versus HHH Broken Glass Arm Wrestling Match had ended as a No Contest when Khali decided to forgo the arm wrestling and locked in the Vice Grip on Triple H's skull. During the commercial break the SummerSlam Trailer featuring Kennedy and Machetti had been shown. Backstage Curt Hawkins was found laid out with a black rose on his chest, like Bam Neely had been earlier. R-Truth then did a promo before the cameras cut to the ring and the bell rang to get everyone's attention for the next match.
Riot Time hit and the fans cheered loudly as Machetti came out from the back wearing his t-shirt and usual blue shorts. Justin Roberts was in the ring for the introduction, "The following contest is scheduled for one-fall, first from Detroit Michigan, weighing in at two hundred fifteen pounds, MACHETTI!!" Machetti sprinted down the ramp and slid into the ring, then went to the corner and climbed up onto the middle rope. While he was on the second rope, Machetti pulled his shirt off and threw it into the crowd, then backflipped out of the corner, prompted a white blast of pyro to erupt out of each of the ring posts. Machetti turned to face the entrance ramp, awaiting his opponent.
Umaga's theme music hit and the Samoan Bulldozer came out from the back. "And the opponent, from the Isle of Samoa, weighing in at three hundred fifty pounds, UMAGA!!" Umaga marched down to the ring and stood at the bottom of the ramp for a moment preparing to get in the ring… but he never did. Machetti went running across the ring and did a backflip over the top rope and onto Umaga, NO-HANDS MOONSAULT PLANCHA!! The referee called for the bell, starting the match despite the fact that the two competitors hadn't started it in the ring. But that didn't stop him from starting the ring out count. ONE!
Umaga went down with Machetti's full body weight on top of him, Machetti rolled off of him then went to the barricade and climbed up onto it. TWO! Umaga was already started to get up, but Machetti launched off of the barricade and landed leg-first on the back of Umaga's head, DIVING LEG DROP OFF OF THE BARRICADE!! THREE! Umaga was driven down into the floor, Machetti rolled off of him and stood up, then did a backflip and went crashing down on Umaga again, STANDING MOONSAULT!! FOUR! Machetti rolled off of Umaga again and pulled him up to his feet, then went to whip him into the steps, BUT UMAGA REVERSED IT!! Machetti went into the steel steps, but at the last minute jumped up onto them, then jumped backwards off of them and caught Umaga as he came down, DIVING DDT ONTO THE FLOOR!! FIVE!!
Machetti fought back up to his feet then quickly rolled back into the ring, Umaga was on the floor and appeared to be out cold the referee continued the ring out count, SIX!! Umaga wasn't moving but at SEVEN he finally pushed himself up to his hands and knees and then stood up and turned to face the ring. Machetti went sprinting passed the referee and dove through the ropes, then grabbed onto Umaga, swung around, and drove his head down to the floor, SUICIDE TORNADO DDT!! Machetti sat up on the floor and rolled Umaga onto his back, then went to the barricade and climbed up on top of it. The referee restarted the ring out count at ONE! Machetti didn't seem to notice, though. He raised his arms up into the air then backflipped up off of the barricade and went crashing down on Umaga. SHOOTING STAR PRESS OFF OF THE BARRICADE!! TWO!!
Machetti staggered up to his feet, a little dizzy from all the flips and jumping he had been doing, but then regained his balance and focused on Umaga again. After a considerable amount of effort, Machetti managed to pull Umaga up to his feet, then brought him over to the ring and rolled him inside. THREE!! Machetti climbed up onto the ring apron only to see that Umaga was getting back up, Machetti changed his mind about getting in the ring and stayed on the apron waiting for Umaga to get to his feet. Umaga eventually stood up and turned around, but Machetti quickly hoisted himself up onto the top rope, springboarded across the ring and landed on Umaga shoulders, SPRINGBOARD SEATED SENTON!! Umaga went crashing down to the mat while Machetti quickly ran to the ropes and bounced off then did a handspring followed by a backflip onto Umaga, HANDSPRING MOONSAULT!! Machetti stayed on top of Umaga and hooked one of his legs for a pin, ONE… TWO… T—UMAGA POWERED OUT!!
Machetti had been hammering Umaga like a railroad spike from before the bell even rang, hitting move after move after move. It was a good strategy, if he kept Umaga off of his feet and on the defensive and kept using high impact, unorthodox moves, he could keep Umaga from using his immense power. But Machetti needed to stay in control, and keep from making any mistakes, because all it would take is one big move from Umaga to turn the match around. Machetti got up and backed away from Umaga, waiting for him to get back up. Umaga got to his feet, then immediately charged at Machetti looking for a clothesline, but Machetti dropped down and rolled under Umaga's arm. Both men spun around, but Machetti quickly jumped up and dropkicked Umaga in the knee, bringing him down to his knees. Machetti stepped backwards then ran at Umaga and jumped up into the air for a backflip, Machetti's legs went passed Umaga's side as he grabbed onto the Samoan's head and drove it down to the mat, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS DDT!! Machetti rolled Umaga onto his back and hooked his leg for another pin attempt, ONE…TWO… TH—UMAGA KICKED OUT AGAIN!!
Machetti got up and backed away from Umaga, then went over to the ropes and got onto the ring apron. Umaga started to pull himself back up, but Machetti hoisted himself up onto the top rope and springboarded across the ring while spinning around in midair, SPRINGBOARD SPINNING CROSSBO—UMAGA CAUGHT MACHETTI IN MIDAR!! In one motion Umaga threw Machetti up onto his shoulders, then jumped up into the air and fell backwards, SAMOAN DROP!! Umaga slammed Machetti down to the mat and crashed down on top of him with a good portion of his weight. Umaga stayed on top of Machetti for a pin, ONE… TWO… T—MACHETTI KICKED OUT!!
Umaga stood back up and pulled Machetti up to his feet, then whipped him across the ring into the ropes. Machetti bounced off and Umaga ducked down then caught Machetti and launched him HIGH up into the air for a back body drop. Machetti went crashing a good eight feet down to the mat and landed with a thud, Umaga turned around and ran at Machetti then jumped up into the air and dropped down on top of him, RUNNING BODY SPLASH!! Umaga stood up and stepped over Machetti so he was standing over his head, HIP DRO—MACHETTI ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!! Umaga landed hard on his ass, but Machetti quickly got up and ran to the ropes, then bounced off and dropkicked Umaga clean in the face, knocking him on his back. Machetti backed away from Umaga then ran at him and jumped up into the air with a backflip, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRE—UMAGA SAT UP AND CAUGHT MACHETTI IN MIDAIR!!
Umaga stood up and shoved Machetti backwards across the ring and into the corner then ran at him and slammed into him at full speed, TURNBUCKLE BODY SPLASH!! Umaga stepped back and Machetti fell down to a sitting position, leaving him sitting against the middle and bottom turnbuckles. Umaga backed across the ring and stood in the opposite corner then raised his arms up into the air and screamed. Umaga sprinted across the ring at full speed, then turned around as he reached Machetti, RUNNING HIP THRU—MACHETTI DOVE OUT OF THE WAY!! Umaga slammed into the corner and slumped against it, but Machetti staggered up to his feet and shoot his head to regain his senses then ran at Umaga, did a handspring followed by a front-flip, TURNBUCKLE SENTON!! Machetti slammed back-first into Umaga's face and chest, then dropped down onto his knees and rolled away. Umaga staggered forward in a daze, Machetti quickly shot up to his feet reached out and grabbed Umaga's shoulders, then leap-frogged him and landed on the top turnbuckle in the corner. Machetti launched himself backwards and landed in a sitting position on Umaga's shoulders, then fell backwards and swung to the side, sending Umaga across the ring with a hurricurana.
Umaga eventually rolled to a stop and ended up on his stomach, but wasted no time in pushing himself up onto his hands and knees. Machetti got up in the corner and ran at Umaga then jumped up into the air and did a front-flip, before going down legs-first on the back of Umaga's head and neck, RUNNING FRONT-FLIP LEG DROP!! Umaga's face was driven down into the mat, but Machetti stayed on him and rolled him onto his back, then shot up and ran to the ropes. Machetti jumped up onto the top rope and backflipped off, and went crashing down on Umaga, SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT!! Machetti quickly grabbed hold of one of Umaga's legs and hooked it for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR—BUT UMAGA MANAGED TO KICK OUT!!
Machetti rolled off of Umaga and got to his feet, he measured Umaga up and waited for him to get to his feet, then rushed him. But Umaga surged forward and turned Machetti inside-out with a big clothesline. Umaga's arm smashed into Machetti's chest and he flipped in the air, then landed on his chest on the mat. Umaga reached down and pulled Machetti up off of the mat then rushed to the corner and threw Machetti shoulder-first into the ring post. Umaga yanked Machetti out of the corner and up to his feet then raised his arm up into the air, SAMOAN SPI—MACHETTI GOT HIS ARMS UP AND CAUGHT UMAGA'S ARM!! Machetti jumped up into the air, grabbed onto Umaga and dropped down to his knees for a jawbreaker. Umaga staggered backwards as Machetti got to his feet and ran at Umaga then did a handspring, launched himself into the air and flipped in the air, HANDSPRING SPINNING WHEEL KICK!! Machetti's foot slammed into Umaga's face and he staggered backwards in a daze, but didn't go down. Before Umaga could recover, Machetti jumped up onto Umaga's shoulders then swung to the side and sent him flying across the ring with a head-scissors take down. Umaga rolled into the corner and started to get up, Machetti walked over to Umaga and kicked him in the stomach then jumped up into the air and drove Umaga's head down to the mat, SPIKE DDT!!
Umaga was laid out and ended up on his back as Machetti staggered back up to his feet. Machetti went to the corner and climbed up onto the top rope, then launched himself up into the air with a spinning backflip, and came crashing down on Umaga legs-first, CORKSCREW SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Machetti hooked Umaga's leg for the pin, ONE… TWO… THREE!! MACHETTI JUST PINNED UMAGA!! Riot Time hit as Machetti staggered back up to his feet, the referee came over and raised Machetti's arm up into the air. "Ladies and gentlemen here is your winner, MACHETTI!!" Machetti noticed that Umaga was starting to move and quickly left the ring and headed to the back, the cameras then cut backstage where Chavo informed Vickie Guerrero that Neely, Hawkins, and Ryder had all been taken out backstage and that they needed Edge for help, Smackdown then went to a commercial break.
--x--
Smackdown came back from another commercial break, before it JR and Tazz had run down the card for SummerSlam. CM Punk was taking on JBL for the World Heavyweight Championship, HHH would be defending the WWE Title against the Great Khali, ECW Mark Henry had his title on the line against Matt Hardy. The Main Event would be Undertaker versus Edge in a Hell in a Cell, Jeff Hardy was taking on MVP, Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix would team up to take on IC Champion Kofi Kingston and Women's Champion Mickie James in a Winner Take All match, and for the First Time Ever, Batista would be going one-on-one with John Cena. The only match left to be decided was a match where former friends would face off the Brian Kendrick versus Machetti, but would Machetti accept Kendrick's challenge?
After they ran down the card Chavo was pleading with Vickie to be civil with Edge, because he didn't want to be taken out backstage like Hawkins, Ryder, and Neely were. Vickie didn't seem overly thrilled with the idea. The cameras then cut to the ring where the bell rang and Justin Roberts was once again in the ring for the introductions, "The following contest is scheduled for one-fall!" Turn up the Trouble played and the fans cheered as Mr. Kennedy came out from the back. "Introducing first from Green Bay Wisconsin, weighing in at two hundred thirty-five pounds, MISTER KENNEDY!!" Kennedy headed down the ramp, slapping hands with an occasional fan then went up the steps and got in the ring, he shooed Roberts out of the way then stood in the middle of the ring and called for his mic, the lights turned down and a spotlight was on Kennedy as the mic was lowered from the rafters into his hand.
"If I can have your attention," Kennedy called out, "I'm pretty sure everybody knows that I hail from GREEN BAY WISCONSIN!!" Kennedy paused before he continued, "but that's not what I'm gonna talk about right now. My opponent 'the Brian Kendrick' as he likes to call himself seems to think that he can come out here and run his mouth without facing any sort of consequences. Well I've got news for you buddy, YOU CAN'T!! And you're gonna learn some those consequences first hand tonight. Sometimes your mouth gets you in trouble and I know all about that because NO ONE runs their mouth like MIIIISSSSTEEEER…" Kennedy paused and the fans chanted Kennedy, "MIIIIISSSSSSTEEEEERRRRRRR!!" KENNEDY!! Kennedy went to the corner and climbed up onto the middle rope, Kennedy took a deep breath and shouted "KENNEEEEEEDYYYYYYYYY!!" The fans cheered as the lights turned up and Kennedy's mic was raised back up to the rafters the lights turned back on and Kennedy climbed down from the corner and stood in the ring awaiting his opponent.
Man with a Plan played the crowd gave a slight negative reaction was Kendrick strutted out from the back… alone. The reaction wasn't the Vickie Guerrero, 'boo-so-loudly-that-they-can't-even-talk' but it wasn't a half-hearted negative reaction either, the Brian Kendrick was starting to develop heat. Kendrick was once again wearing his jacket and the black ring attire he had taken to wearing lately. "And the opponent, from Venice California, weighing in at one hundred eight-five pounds, THE BRIAN KENDRICK!!" Kennedy stood in the ring and motioned for Kendrick to get in the ring, the fans suddenly started booing even louder. EZEKIEL CAME FROM BEHIND AND TOOK KENNEDY DOWN WITH A CLOTHESLINE!! Big Zeke pulled Kennedy up off of the mat then dragged him into the corner and rammed him shoulder-first into the ring post. Ezekiel pulled Kennedy out of the corner, then pressed him up over his head. Kendrick stood at the bottom of the entrance ramp with a cocky grin on his face as Ezekiel walked over to the ropes and THREW Kennedy out of the ring and down to the floor.
The fans were still booing as Kendrick pulled Kennedy up off of the floor, then ran with him and whipped him towards the steel steps. A loud clang rang out as Kennedy went shoulder-first into the steel, then collapsed down to the floor holding his shoulder in pain. Kendrick rushed over and started stomping on Kennedy's shoulder, Ezekiel got out of the ring and Kendrick stepped to the side, allowing Big Zeke to drag Kennedy up off of the floor and whipped him across the ringside area into the ring post. KENNEDY SLAMMED SHOULDER-FIRST INTO THE RING POST!! Kendrick walked after Kennedy and pulled him up off of the floor and leaned him against the ring post, then he grabbed onto Kennedy's arm pulled it back and slammed the upper part of it into the steel ring post. The referee got out of the ring and attempted to stop Kendrick as he pulled Kennedy's arm back again, but Ezekiel came around the corner and stood in front of the referee, who decided that he didn't want to get involved with the big guy. With the referee kept away Kendrick smashed Kennedy's arm into the ring post again, then pulled his arm back and repeated his actions a third time. Kendrick quickly grabbed Kennedy and slammed him down to the floor again, then stood over him with a cocky grin once again on his face.
"So what were those consequences you were talking about?" asked Kendrick as he stood over Kennedy. But his only response was a yell of pain from Kennedy as he held his shoulder in agony. Kendrick reached down and pulled Kennedy up, then shoved him shoulder-first into the steel ring post again. He grabbed onto Kennedy then rolled him under the bottom rope and into the ring followed by Ezekiel. Kendrick turned to Big Zeke and instructed him to lift Kennedy up, Ezekiel did as he was told and put in the Torture Rack. Kennedy screamed out in pain as Ezekiel practically broke him in half over his shoulders, the referee cautiously walked over and pleaded with Kendrick and Ezekiel to stop, Kendrick stared at the referee and after a few seconds of 'thinking' he eventually told his bodyguard to stop. Kennedy dropped down to the mat and clutched his shoulder, it looked like it was hurting him, but Kendrick wasn't about to let him recover. Pulled off his jacket and handed it to Ezekiel then turned to the referee and with Big Zeke standing behind him, ordered the referee to, "Start the match!"
The referee, Charles Robinson, looked reluctant, but when Big Zeke stepped around Kendrick and imposed himself on the referee, Robinson decided to do as he was told and called for the bell, starting the match and making it official. Ezekiel got out of the ring while Kendrick turned his attention to Kennedy, who was still on the ground holding his shoulder. Kendrick grabbed onto Kennedy and pulled him up to his feet then ran to the corner, up the turnbuckle, and backflipped off, KENDRICK NAILED THE KENDRICK ON KENNEDY!! Kennedy was out as Kendrick stood up then simply placed his foot on Kennedy's chest for a very cocky pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! KENDRICK PINNED KENNEDY!!
Man with a Plan played as Kendrick flexed his arms and looked proud of himself, the boos from the fans hadn't stopped the entire time and now got even louder, clearly the fans were displeased with Kendrick's actions. Ezekiel got in the ring and helped Kendrick into his jacket, but suddenly RIOT TIME HIT!! The fans popped and cheered loudly as Machetti came running out from the back wielding a steel chair. But as Machetti slid into the ring with his weapon, Kendrick and Ezekiel decided it was a good time to leave and bailed out of the ring. Machetti glared at Kendrick and his bodyguard as they walked around the ring and over to the entrance ramp then threw his chair out of the ring at them, only to have Ezekiel swat it down to the ground. Machetti glanced over his shoulder and held his hands up for a mic, which was thrown to him.
"Kendrick, you want a match at SummerSlam?" questioned Machetti. "FINE! You're on! At SummerSlam I'll give you, and your bear, the beating of your lives!"
Kendrick just grinned at Machetti and he and Ezekiel headed to the back, Machetti sent them one last glare then turned his attention to Kennedy, who only just regaining consciousness. "Get some EMTs and a stretcher down here!" Machetti ordered. Paramedics and EMTs rushed out from the back with a stretcher and got in the ring. A doctor checked over Kennedy and he was eventually placed on the stretcher and rolled to the back. The cameras then went backstage where Chavo and Vickie were joined by Edge backstage. But most of the live audience's attention was still on what had just happened in the ring. Kendrick had used Kennedy to send a message to Machetti, and had taken him out. Now Machetti had accepted the match and was suitably pissed off. What would happen between the two at SummerSlam? And for that matter, what would happen next week?
--x--
Ken Anderson had been wheeled backstage by the trainers and Zack Tyler had followed after him. Brian Kendrick and Rycklon Stephens (Ezekiel Jackson) were waiting backstage for them. "You alright, man?" Brian asked.
"Yup, no additional damage other that the original dislocation from Monday," answered Ken. "Now at least everyone wins, I was given a way to disappear for a few weeks and recover, and you guys can make your feud more intense heading into SummerSlam."
"And it helped get those two on the fans bad side," added Zack. "Did you hear how their boos changed? At the start of the segment they were still waking up from the Koslov match, by the end you had the majority of the arena booing you."
"I wonder what they'll think of the match at SummerSlam then," commented Kendrick with a smile.
"If they don't get tired of it," said Zack, "we can keep this thing going and turn it into a full blown feud like the one HBK and Triple H had about five years ago. Have you ever wanted to fight in a Hell in a Cell?"
"Did I hear my name?" came a voice, everyone turned to see Paul Levesque walk over carrying his title.
"How's your head?" asked Zack.
"Fine," answered Paul. "Look, the Creative Team is having a meeting backstage and they want to see you two. Oh, and Kendrick, bring your bear."
"I swear, I'm gonna maul somebody, if that catches on," muttered Rycklon.
"What's this about?" questioned Zack.
"We're attempting to plan out the Main Events for Unforgiven," explained Paul. "You guys might be in the picture."
"Seriously?" inquired Brian.
"Well, it depends on whether or not you impress at SummerSlam," replied Paul. "But with Kennedy, Kennedy out, you two are now some of our top choices."
"Kick ass!" exclaimed Zack as he and Brian slapped hands. "You gonna be alright Ken?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine," answered Ken. "I have an ambulance ride to look forward to."
As the show continued, Zack, Brian, Rycklon followed Paul to the meeting while Ken anxiously awaited the ride he was going to get in the ambulance due to his 'injury'. What was going to happen next week?
--x--
That's all folks. Kennedy was taken after action due to dislocating his shoulder in a match against Shelton Benjamin at a House Show. He just disappeared after that, I figured I put the injury to better use. But now the match is on, Machetti versus the Brian Kendrick with Ezekiel at SummerSlam.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!
