Blitzkrieg 1.15
Andy sighed as he sat with his elbow on his knee and his face in his hand while chewing gum. He was waiting for his match with Seth. He hadn't seen the other members of the Bullet Club all day, for various reasons. Karl had gotten sick, and bother he and Luke were given the night off. Meanwhile Andy and Seth had agreed not to meet with each other until after their match to keep things civil. The message had been relayed to him, however, that if Seth beat him he would get a shot at the United States Championship held by Sami Zayne at Fastlane. "Deep thought?" A familiar voice asked. Andy glanced up and smiled as he found Bayley staring down at him.
"Hey." He spoke with an upbeat town. Ever since bringing Bullet Club together it seemed like he got to be around Bayley less and less. He loved the Bullet Club, but it was nice not having them by his side every second. "How are you doing stranger?" Bayley smiled at his question.
"Good. Nervous. Sasha is going to get to challenge for my title soon. Maybe Fastlane, but it could be Wrestlemania. She's a phenomenal wrestler." Andy gave the woman a half smile as he stood to his feet. Her hair wasn't in its ponytail and Andy brushed in behind her ear.
"Not as phenomenal as you." Andy returned. Bayley laughed at these words and looked away.
"So, I know Bullet Club isn't really here tonight, and I was wondering... Would you want to go out? Like we used to?" Andy stared down at Bayley before smiling and pulling her into a hug.
"I'd love to."
"And here we go with Seth Rollins vs Andy Mercier!" Michael Cole called as Second Coming played through the arena. Andy waited backstage by the curtains as his fellow Bullet Club member made his way down to the ring. His music died away and Andy waited until One for the Money began playing. He burst through the curtain wearing his black gear and a black leather jacket with a hood and his title strapped around his waist. He reached up and removed his hood from his head before slowly lowering his arms to point his hands at Seth like guns. Andy walked down the ramp and paused at the end. He lifted his right arm up to "Bullet!" Before lifting his left to "Style!". He jumped onto the apron before climbing the turnbuckle and doing his Hangman's Draw. He unstrapped his belt and took off his jacket before handing them to an official outside. Andy stared at Seth as his music died before his music died.
The two wrestlers broke out of their corners and began circling each other. They slowly moved forward to lock up and began struggling for dominance. They broke away and circled each other again before locking back up. Seth pulled Andy into a headlock, but Andy shoved him away. Andy wrapped his arms around Seth's waist before Seth flipped him over his shoulder. Andy rolled and came back to his feet before lashing out with a kick. Seth caught it and made to elbow his leg but Andy pulled his leg back. Seth stumbled forward into a headlock before he twisted out and wrenched Andy's arm. Andy pried his arm fried and kicked at Seth who dodged away before going for a dropkick. Andy pushed his legs to the side before bouncing off the ropes and coming back for a Yakuza kick. Seth rolled away and went for an Enzuigiri as Andy ducked down. Seth pulled to his feet and doubled over as Andy kicked him in the gut. Andy pulled him in for a DDT, but Seth twisted out. A kick caused Andy to double over before he was dropped by a DDT of Seth's own. Andy rolled away holding his face before Seth stomped on his chest. Andy sat up before he was kneed in the face. Andy clutched at his nose before Seth pulled him to his feet. Seth hit a suplex before following up with a Falcon Arrow.
Seth went for the cover, but Andy quickly kicked out. Seth made to pick Andy up, but Andy pulled him into a small package. Seth broke the count and stood to his feet only for Andy to plow his knee into his gut. Seth stumbled forward before Andy caught him with a running Bulldog. Seth rolled over onto his back and Andy lightly bounced off of the ropes before walking forward and dropping his knee into Seth's face. Face thrashed as he rolled away before coming to his feet. Andy grabbed Seth's arm and Irish whipped him into the corner before following after for a Stinger Splash. Seth dodged to the side and Andy crashed into the turnbuckle. Andy held his chest as he turned around before Seth forced him up onto his shoulders and power bombed him into the corner. Andy held his neck as he fell forward before pushing to his knees where Seth caught him with a super kick. Andy hit the mat and Seth went for the cover. Again Andy was able to kick out of the pin. Seth grabbed Andy by his head and dragged him to his feet before Andy shoved him away. When Seth regained his footing he was caught with a super kick.
Seth hit the mat and Andy climbed the turnbuckle before going for a Coup De Grace. Seth rolled out of the way before popping to his feet. Andy turned and was caught with a Sling blade. Seth took Andy's place on top of the turnbuckle before hitting a frog splash on Andy. Both men held their abdomens before Seth crawled over to cover again. Andy placed his foot on the bottom rope, stopping the count. Seth slapped the mat angrily as he pushed himself to his feet before picking Andy up. Andy lashed out with a knee to the abdomen that caused him to bend over before he pulled Seth into an inverted DDT. "Andy with the Scorpion Death Drop!" Andy went for a cover, but Seth was able to get his shoulder up at two. Andy slowly picked Seth up for an Asai DDT, but was shoved away as he flipped through the air. Andy stood and was kicked in the abdomen. He bent over and Seth hooked him for a pedigree.
Andy twisted out and pulled Seth into a Pedigree of his own. "Pedigree! That could be it! This could be just like Roadblock!" Andy pushed Seth onto his back before pinning him. The referee began his count but stopped when he saw Seth's foot on the bottom rope. "Seth surviving on instinct here. And we're in one of those situations where these two are wondering how to put the other away." Andy pulled Seth up and locked his arm behind his back for another Pedigree. Seth hurriedly reversed by flipping Andy over onto his back. Andy arched his back in pain before rolling over onto his stomach. He pushed up off of the mat onto his hands and knees.
"Curb Stomp! Curb Stomp from Seth Rollins!" Corey called as Seth covered Andy. The crowd cheered as Second Coming played. Seth rolled off of Andy and the two men tiredly laid side by side.
"What a contest these two put on. Seth Rollins said he felt he had something to prove by beating Andy Mercier, and if that's true he definitely proved it here tonight." Andy lifted his arm off of the mat with his his hand in a fist. Seth lifted his own and placed his fist against Andy's as they laughed together while the crowd cheered.
"Sierra, Hotel, India, Echo, Lima, Delta... Shield." Seth popped up into a sitting position as Andy tried to push up off the mat.
"Oh no, this doesn't look good for Andy and Seth! The Shield are here, they have the numbers game and those two are exhausted." Seth looked around from his position as Dean, Roman and Jax surrounded the rings apron. Seth shook his head and yelled at the men before they entered the ring. Andy pushed up to his hands and knees before Jax kneed him in the ribs. Andy fell back to the mat and Seth jumped up to attack Roman. He got a few shots in before Roman shoved him away. He was caught in a Dirty Deeds from Dean. Roman roared as Dean shoved Seth out of the ring with his foot.
"A Dirty Deeds to lay Seth out! And now the leader of the Bullet Club is in there alone with the Shield!" Andy pulled himself to his knees using Jax's pants. The Shield member stared down at him with a grimace as Andy stared darkly at him.
"Just know, I'm going to end your career for this." Andy shot at Jax who grabbed him by his head and pulled him to his feet. The two stared at each other before Andy lashed out and punched Jax. Dean and Roman were on him in a second and he was quickly returned to the mat. The three members of the Shield stalked around him before Roman roared. Jax and Dean placed Andy on Roman's shoulders before he was Triple power bombed. The Shield stared down at Andy before vacating the ring and making their way back through the crowd.
"Well, the last time Shield was here they left Andy alone. Tonight they laid waste to him." Seth slowly got back into the ring and crawled across the mat to shake Andy. The fans cheered as Bayley came running down the ramp to check on Andy. The crowd cheered louder when Seth and Bayley helped Andy to his feet where he looked around in a daze as Raw faded.
"Hello everybody and welcome to Smackdown Live!"
"I'm here with the Intercontinental Champion, Matthew Rodriguez." Renee Young spoke as the backstage camera panned out. "Matthew, last week it was revealed that you and Jax Austin not only know each other, you were former tag team partners and ROH Champions together. The Shield attacked the Miz and then continued their assault later that night when you were addressing the WWE Universe. Now-"
"I think I've let the rumors about me working with the Shield go on too long." Matthew spoke, causing Renee to quit talking. "I am not, and have not since my WWE debut, worked behind the scenes with any member of the Shield. Jax and I were partners. Yes. And we're friends. Yes. But I did not hire them to attack the Miz at any point, and I'm not part of them. I don't wear my vest as some sort of Allegiance to them. I wear it because it's my ring gear.
"Two months from now, if they're gone, I'll still be wearing my vest. I didn't show up for some hostile takeover. I Came here for the fans. To give them a fighting champion. Now, for whatever reason, Jax and I coincidently debut at the same time and he targeted the Miz with the Shield. I don't know why, and I can't say that I care."
"I care." A voice called and the crowd cheered as Jordan stepped on screen. Jordan lowered his head with a smirk as he rubbed his chin before he spoke. "I like Matt. I really do. You're a great guy, you're funny, Becky loves to have you around. And I look forward to having you around as a friend. But I have another friend. Someone that I'm a little at odds with right now. And he got attacked by the Shield last night. Now, this isn't Becky's boyfriend to Becky's brother. This is Jordan Sterling to Matthew Rodriguez. I need to know if you are working with the Shield." Matthew opened his mouth to respond but stopped.
Jordan's jaw clenched as he looked behind him to find the Shield standing in a Semi circle around him. Jax stood with his hands hooked in the neck of his vest. "I thought that I made myself abundantly clear last week. Unless you have proof that he's working with us, or anybody, just let it die. Now we're going to make an example out of you."
"Jax, don't do this." Matthew spoke, causing Jax to glance to him. "Just let this one go, man."
"I'd like to do that for you." Jax spoke with a chuckle. "I really do. But if I did that for you, then everybody would think the Shields in your pocket. And that's just not true." Matthew grimaced at these words and glanced to his title before dropping it to the ground.
"I don't care about Jacen Knight. I really don't care about the Miz. But I'm not going to let you three run over Jordan." Jax frowned at the words before giving a half shrug.
"I'll try not to hurt you too much, Hardcore."
"You better take me down with the first shot, Bad Luck." The Shield began to move forward bus stopped as hands grabbed their shoulders.
"Hey muppets, what are you doing." Andy Mercier spoke as the Bullet Club surrounded the Shield as they had done Jordan.
"You're on the wrong show." Jax spoke without looking over his shoulder.
"Am I? I was being lead to believe that it doesn't hardly matter. I mean, Dean is on Smackdown. Roman is on Raw. You don't even fit into the picture."
"We do what has to be done." Jax returned.
"Funny story about that. Last night I had a match with Seth here, you all know Seth." Seth smiled as he patted Jax's shoulder.
"Hey. I'm the guy you replaced."
"And when it was over, three blind Muppets came down to the ring and Triple power bombed me. Ring a bell? Don't answer that. You see, what happened last night didn't really feel personal after I sat down and thought about it. It was too... mercenary like. But, that bloke right there you were about to attack despite everything going on, well he's my best mate. And that makes this very personal." Jax glanced over his shoulder and chuckled at Andy.
"You going to let this happen, Hardcore?" Jax questioned Matthew who shrugged in response.
"You're my friend Jax. But you said it yourself. You're not in my pocket. And I'm definitely not in yours. I think it's best if we just keep this civil and everybody goes their own way." Jax chuckled as he moved forward.
"I don't back down from fights Matt. You know that." Jax glanced around before motioning with his head to Dean and Roman. "But this Fight happens... another time." The Shield backed away from the situation and disappeared down the hallway as the remaining men watched after them. Jordan glanced over to Andy.
"Thanks for coming."
"Finally got around to your messages." Andy responded with a shrug. "And I wasn't about to let what happened to me last night happen to you. We have some things to work out between us though. It's a matter of time before the New Day quit licking their wounds and come at us again. I'm not looking forward to that as much as I'd like to anymore." Jordan gave him a slight smile as he placed his hand on his shoulder.
"That'll get worked out when it has too. What happened to you won't happen again. And Matthew, I'm sorry about doubting you. I had to make sure." Matthew shook his head as he replaced his Intercontinental Championship on his shoulder.
"Don't sweat it." Andy raised an eyebrow at the Phrase and Jordan laughed as he placed his hand on Andy's shoulder.
"Andy, this is Becky's Surrogate brother, Matthew Rodriguez. Matthew, well you know Andy Mercier." Matthew nodded in response as he outstretched his hand. Andy stared at it before slowly taking it.
"It's great to meet you. You and Jordan are part of a wrestling breed I thought was dead." Andy glanced to Seth with a knowing look in his eyes before he shook his head.
"No mate, our breed isn't dying. It was just halted in the WWE, it's prevalent in the indies. Nevertheless, it's good to meet you too mate. In friend of Jordan's or Becky is a friend of mine. Until you punch me." Matthew laughed at these words. "Speaking of punches, nice one you gave Jacen last week." Jordan nodded in response before they heard Over and Under playing through the speaker. "Oh, speak of the devil."
Jacen walked down the ramp in a sleeveless Venum hoodie, white Tiger Muay Thai sweats and black sneakers. He rolled into the ring and gave a dismissive wave of his arm as the crowd booed him. "You can boo me all you want when I'm walking up the ramp but right now you need to shut your mouths. Last week, Jordan Sterling, you punched me dead in the face. Busted my lip. Now, if there's one thing I hate more than losing, it's the sight of my own blood. So, if you're half the fighter you say you are, why don't you come down the ramp and get in this ring with me because I don't really want to wait until Fastlane to knock you out anymore." Jacen stood in place, waiting until You're Going Down blared through the speakers.
Jordan walked onto the stage and stared down at Jacen with a shake of his head before making his way down the ramp. He climbed the stairs and entered the ring where he came face to face with Jacen as the fans cheered. "I notice that you like to run your mouth a lot, Jacen." Jordan spoke. "You like to talk about being a God. But I haven't really seen anything from you to back it up. Sure, you've won a couple matches. But you've lost a couple already too. You haven't won a Royal Rumble. Actually, now that I think about it, you haven't really won anything worth mentioning since you got here, have you?" Jacen clenched his jaw and chuckled.
"I'm glad you're able to keep what little pride you have left bottled up in you. I'm about to wipe it away, because your arms are too short to box with god. And God's about to strike you down." Both men dropped their microphones and got ready to throw punches.
"Sierra, Hotel, India, Echo, Lima, Delta... Shield." Jordan spun around and looked into the crowd for the three blacked out figures. Jacen slammed into Jordan from behind. Jordan stumbled forward and turned before the two men began trading blows. The three members of the Shield made to jump the barricade when they were attacked by Bullet Club. Jacen slammed his fist into Jordan's face and turned around into a Super Kick from Andy. His body spun around and Jordan caught him with a spear. Andy and Jordan nodded to each other before they exited the ring and helped Bullet Club fend off the Shield.
"The numbers aren't in the Shields favor anymore! It's five on three and the Shield is high tailing it out of here!" Phillips called as he looked to his new broadcast partner, John Bradshaw Layfield.
"Oh please, that's called a tactical retreat!" JBL shot back as Jordan stood in the ring with Andy and his group. You're going down played through the arena as the Shield stared down at the five from the top of the crowd while Jacen retreated up the ramp.
Backstage, Matthew stood with his arms crossed over his chest with his title over his shoulder. "Good on them." Matthew spoke as he looked to Becky. "Jax will come back around, but if they can keep the numbers game out of the factor it'll be on more even ground." Becky nodded and made to talk, but screamed as Miz plowed into Matthew from behind.
"No Shield for you tonight!" Miz yelled as he slammed Matthew's head into the monitor he'd been watching. "How's it feel!? Not so funny now is it!? Get up!" Miz pulled Matthew to his feet as Becky screamed at him. He drove Matthew's skull down into the pavement with a Skull Crushing Finale. Miz breathed angrily as he stared at Matthew before he grabbed the Intercontinental Championship and held it to the side of Matthew's face. "At Fastlane, the never ending Intercontinental title reign returns." Miz threw the title down and stood to his feet as he looked at Becky.
"Just get out of here!" Becky yelled angrily as she pointed down the hall. Miz gave a mocking smile to her before he stomped away.
"Hey, Andy!" Brianna called happily as she noticed the Universal Champion passing the gorilla position from the Trainers room. He paused and glanced to her while chewing gum. "Still running your Bullet Club with authority I see."
"4 Life." Andy responded as he placed his hands inside the pockets of his leather jacket. "How are things going for you?" Andy questioned as he walked closer. Brianna smiled in response.
"Things are going good. I'm set on getting to fight Becky one on one and finally beating her." Andy chuckled at the words as he blew a bubble.
"That's wrestling. How about life outside these walls? I've heard a few rumors on the internet." Brianna gave a shy smile at these words as she brushed her hair behind her ear.
"Steve and I started dating." She responded.
"Hey! Good for you two!" Andy exclaimed as he pulled her into a half hug. "Maybe you can teach him how to say Bullet Club 4-4-4 4 Life. Saying it with NWO, no problem. But Bullet Club? Then I'm stuttering." Brianna laughed at his words before giving him a brief hug as she heard Carmella's music playing.
"I'll see you later, Andy. I have to go." Andy nodded and gave her a brief wave as she disappeared into the gorilla position. Meteor began playing and Brianna stepped out onto the stage. She waved to the fans with a smile and began making her way down to the ring. She entered the ring and took her corner as her music ended. The referee glanced between her and Carmella before calling for the bell. Brianna and Carmella moved forward before locking up. Brianna caught Carmella with an arm drag. Carmella popped back up and ducked under a spinning heel kick. She stood back to full height and slapped Brianna. Brianna stumbled to the side before Carmella kicked her in the stomach. Carmella dragged her in for a DDT, but Brianna twisted out of it.
Brianna hit Carmella with a spinning kick to the abdomen. Carmella doubled over before Brianna bounced off the ropes. When she came back, Brianna ducked down under a clothesline and bounced off the opposite ropes before launching herself through the air with a flying hip attack. Carmella hit the mat and Brianna waved the Shaka sign to the fans before dragging Carmella up. Brianna planted her foot in her opponent's abdomen, causing her to double over before she pulled her in for a lifting single underhook DDT. Brianna pushed Carmella away, however, as The Future began playing and Asuka walked down the ramp. Carmella grabbed Brianna and pulled her into a roll up. Carmella slid out of the ring and mockingly waved the Shaka sign as her music played. Brianna looked at the referee in surprise. She turned into a kick to the head from Asuka that laid her down on the mat.
Asuka stared down at Brianna with a smile before placing her hands over her face and moving it back and forth, paroding Brianna's own taunt. "And how smart is that, Asuka playing mind games with Brianna?" JBL spoke causing Phillips to shake his head.
"You call that smart? I call it underhanded. Asuka cost Brianna her match and then attacked her."
"Brianna is a two time Women's Champion, she should know that that's the nature of the beast by now!" Brianna stood to her feet and the crowd cheered. They chanted 'Hawaii Five 0' as Smackdown went to commercial.
XXX
Wrap. Getting closer to Fastlane, and Wrestlemania. I don't have much to say, so, thanks for reading guys.