LIII: Double Trouble Tag Action
---x---
Raw was live from the Scottsdale Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Raw opening theme had finished playing and the pyro had gone off. Cole and King welcome the viewers at home to the show and announced John Cena versus Chris Jericho for the Main Event. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Shane McMahon!"
Here comes the money… Here comes the money!
Shane McMahon came out from the back dressed in a blazer and jeans. The fans cheered as he danced on the stage and slowly made his away down the ramp towards the ring. Shane got in the ring and continued to dance as a recap of what happened at the end of Raw last week was shown. Stephanie McMahon had called out Machetti as her ace-in-the-hole, he would face Randy Orton at No Way Out. If Orton won, he'd be the official 2009 Royal Rumble Winner, but if he lost, he'd be sent away to seek mental help for an indefinite period of time. As Machetti came down the ramp, Orton had sent Rhodes and DiBiase to attack him, but Machetti made quick work out of Priceless, and continued down to the ring, only for Shane McMahon to return and hit Orton from behind. Then with Machetti's help, he hit and elbow drop to Orton's black heart. This brought us back to tonight, where Shane McMahon was probably going to explain what was going on.
"As we all know by now, my sister, Stephanie, made a match last week. At No Way Out, Machetti and Randy Orton will be fighting one-on-one to determine the true winner of the 2009 Royal Rumble." Shane paused and the fans cheered the match. "If Machetti beats Randy Orton, my sister and I will be free to deal with Randy Orton without the threat of his contract-breech lawsuit looming over us."
"But you know what, that's not enough. Randy, I know you can hear me, and listen up, what you did to my father was deplorable and cowardly, and I want some payback of my own. I spoke with my sister. You're still a superstar in this company and on this brand, and since she is the acting Raw General Manager, she can place you in a match. Next week, I get my turn. Randy, next week, it's you and me, one-on-one, in a No-Holds-Barred match. And I won't be out there to pin your shoulders to the mat, I want some payback and I'm gonna get it. Randy, it doesn't matter about the amazing accomplishment you almost achieved at the Royal Rumble, because I'm gonna do everything in my power, I'm gonna sacrifice my body, and I'm gonna ensure that you won't be one hundred percent going into No Way Out. In fact, you might not even make it there when I'm through with you."
Voices sounded through the arena and Randy Orton received a positive reaction from his hometown crowd. Orton walked out from the back carrying a mic and was wearing his wrestling gear and a new t-shirt. Shane stood by the ropes and watched Orton, who seemed content to stay on the stage and address his opponent for next week.
"Shane, you seem pretty sure of yourself," said Randy after the crowd had died down. "But after last week, after what you pulled off, why wouldn't you be? You blindsided me, and beat me two-on-one thanks to that annoyance, and then you hit me with an elbow drop while I was being held down. Shane, one-on-one, you don't stand a chance against me, I'm the best superstar in this business. No one can beat me one-on-one. Not you, not Machetti, not anyone else. But did you ever stop to ask yourself, how you got away with it?"
Orton was pacing on the stage as he continued, "The answer is: I let you. After Raw was over, I consulted my lawyers, and I was well within my rights to sue you for assaulting me. But I didn't. It was a small price to pay for what I'm after now, Shane, a match… with you. You played right into my hands, and now, it's official. Next week, No-Holds-Barred, I can do anything I wanna do to you, without any consequences. So Shane, if I were you, I'd call that hospital that I put your father in, and I would order a bed and put it right along side him, 'cause after I'm through with you next week, your father is gonna have some company. Then, with you out of the way, I can move on to No Way Out, I can face Machetti and earn the title that was denied to me because of a technicality. And when I beat him, I'll go onto the Main Event of WrestleMania, win a World Title of my choosing, and there will be nothing ANYONE can do to stop me."
Shane just stared at Orton, who held his mic at his side and began walking down the ramp, the fans cheered, hoping for an altercation between the two. Shane started undoing the cuffs on his sleeves, he didn't appear adverse to fighting Orton now. Orton walked down to the bottom of the ramp, but then stopped and turned around. The fans booed as Orton headed back up the ramp, but then stopped when he bent down and placed his mic down o the ramp. He looked over his shoulder at Shane, then headed down the ramp again and approached the ring, he reached out and grabbed the rope to tease getting in. Shane took off his blazer and rolled up his sleeves, he was ready, but Orton stepped back and let go of the rope, earning himself another round of boos.
Orton slowly started to get in the ring again, but suddenly Shane glanced around him and darted to the side where he grabbed a kendo stick that had been stored under the ring skirt on the ring apron. Shane swung the stick at Orton, who just managed to drop down and dodge it. Cody Rhodes, who had come through the crowd and had entered the ring from behind, wasn't so lucky and got hit in the stomach. Ted DiBiase rushed in after Rhodes but Shane took him down with the kendo stick and then beat on him while he was down. Priceless was barely able to escape, and headed up the ramp while Orton looked pissed that his surprise attack had failed.
Shane turned around and got a mic, then went over to the ropes to address Legacy. "That reminds me. My sister thinks I'm out of practice, so she made another match. Orton, tonight, I'm going to be facing your boys Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes, with Machetti as my tag-team partner. And Randy, you're more than welcome to come down to the ring with them to get a sneak peek at what's in store for you next week."
Here Comes the Money played as Shane swung his kendo stick around in the ring, Legacy glared at him as they headed up the ramp to the back. Raw went to a commercial break while the fans processed what had just happened. Tonight, Machetti and Shane McMahon were teaming up to take on Team Priceless. Next week, Randy Orton and Shane McMahon would be fighting in a No-Holds-Barred Match. And at No Way Out, what was left of Randy Orton would be facing Machetti, and the winner would be declared the 2009 Royal Rumble Winner.
(A/N: It goes without saying that there will be no Priceless v. Cryme Tyme Match.)
---x---
Kane and Mike Knox had beaten Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston in a tag team match. That win earned Kane the final spot in the Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out. Now it was, Cena vs. Jericho vs. Kingston vs. Mysterio vs. Knox vs. Kane for the World Heavyweight Championship. The winner of that match, might have to look out for Randy Orton or Machetti, depending on who won their match at No Way Out.
The cameras cut backstage, where Shane and Stephanie McMahon were walking down the hallway. Shane had changed into one of his jerseys and looked ready to compete tonight. "I mean, next week's a very big night, you know its No-Holds-Barred and you need to be ready…"
Orton ran in out of nowhere and slammed into Shane, knocking both him and Stephanie into the wall. Rhodes and DiBiase ran over and the three Legacy Members began beating on Shane while Stephanie was left lying on the floor next to him. Legacy dragged Shane across the hall and threw him into a wall, then continued to beat on him, getting in as many shots as they could. Two staff security guys ran over to break it up, but Orton, DiBiase, and Rhodes attacked them and beat up the security team too. Rhodes and DiBiase were left to tend to the security while Orton turned back to Shane.
Orton backed up so he was standing on the other side of the hall from Shane, who was on his hands and knees. Orton charged across the hall, PUNT KI—Orton put on the breaks and stopped himself. Then he turned and set his sights on Stephanie McMahon, deciding that she was a better target. Orton waited for Stephanie to get in position then rushed at her, PUNT KI—SHANE INTERCEPTED THE KICK—CK!! Shane got punted in the side and ended up on his back, writhing in pain. More security rushed in and took control of the situation, getting Legacy away from the McMahon's. Stephanie was asking her brother if he was okay as Raw went to another commercial break. But one had to wonder, what did this mean for the tag match later on? Would Shane still be able to compete, or would Machetti find himself in a possible three-on-one handicap situation when he went out to the ring tonight?
---x---
Raw came back from a commercial break following the HBK/JBL altercation, the two were facing off at No Way Out. A recap of Shane's announcements at the beginning of the show, and then Legacy's attack on Shane and Stephanie was shown. The cameras went backstage where Machetti, Stephanie, and Shane were shown in the General Manager's office. Shane was still getting checked over by a trainer after being punted in the ribs.
"I should've been there," said Machetti. "Those cowards wouldn't have attacked you if there were three of us. They don't like it when the numbers are close enough to make it a fair fight."
The trainer looked up from checking on Shane and glanced at Stephanie and Machetti, "It looks like its going to bruise, but there are no broken bones. I'd advise against competing tonight."
"I guess it's just me then," commented Machetti, as he turned to the door.
"No!" gasped Shane as he shakily stood up. "You can't go out there alone. Whatever happens between me and Randy next week, happens. Your match at No Way Out is the one that counts. We can't give them the chance to injure you tonight before the match. He's right about one thing, if he goes onto WrestleMania, and somehow manages to win the title, no one can touch him. It's up to you to beat him at No Way Out and keep that from happening. I'm going with you."
Stephanie didn't look too thrilled with the idea, but what Shane had said was right. Sending Machetti out there alone, would be like sending a lamb – well, Machetti's wasn't exactly helpless – like sending a lone wolf into a lions den. They'd be falling right into Orton's trap, and they couldn't do that. There was too much on the line.
Machetti stared at Shane and shook his head, "And they call me the stupid one. Fine, you can come, but don't expect me to tag you in. I can handle Tweedledee and Tweedledum." Shane nodded and the two of them headed out of the office, the pain Shane was in was clearly visible, but he was just as clearly ignoring it so Machetti wouldn't go out there alone.
"Be careful," advised Stephanie as the cameras cut to the ring.
---x---
In the arena, the bell rang and Lillian Garcia stood in the ring with a mic, "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one-fall."
Priceless played and Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase came out from the back accompanied by their leader Randy Orton. Their shirts were off and the two second generation stars looked ready to compete, Orton was smirking, having missed the conversation that had taken place in the General Manager's office. "Introducing first, being accompanied by Randy Orton, at a combined weight of four hundred and fifty-four pounds, the team of CODY RHODES AND TED DIBIASE!!" Orton receiving a positive reaction from his hometown crowd was one thing, but after their cheap attack on the McMahon's earlier, the response Priceless was getting was anything but positive. The three Legacy members got in the ring and stood there watching the stage, waiting for their opponent.
Riot Time hit and the fans stood up and cheered, despite this being Randy Orton's hometown, Machetti was still a fan favorite and he got a loud reaction from the fans because of that. Orton, Rhodes, and DiBiase stared in shock as Machetti came out from the back with Shane McMahon hobbling along next to him. Machetti was dressed in his metallic blue tights and looked ready to compete, Shane was still in his gear from when he got attacked, but he didn't look as ready, "And their opponents, MACHETTI AND SHANE MCMAHON!!" Machetti didn't sprint down to the ring tonight, he knew his partner wouldn't be able to keep up. The two of them headed down the ramp and while Machetti slid in the ring and stared across at Legacy, Shane opted to take the stairs. Machetti tensed and got ready to fight off all three superstars, but the referee kept them separated and ordered Orton out of the ring. Rhodes went to the corner while Shane got out of the ring, leaving Machetti and DiBiase to start the match. The referee called for the bell, and this match was officially underway.
Machetti and DiBiase met in the middle of the ring and went to lock up, but DiBiase quickly kneed him in the stomach, then grabbed him and whipped him into the ropes. Machetti bounced off and came back with a handspring, then vaulted up into the air and swung his leg around, HANDSPRING SPINNING WHEEL KICK! DiBiase went down and Machetti quickly sprang back up, then he jumped up into the air and did a stand backflip before coming crashing down on top of his opponent, STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Machetti hooked DiBiase's leg and went for the pin, looking to end the match before Priceless could take advantage of his team's state, ONE… TW—DiBiase kicked out.
Machetti got up and pulled DiBiase up to his feet, then grabbed him in a side headlock. But DiBiase grabbed Machetti and lifted him up, BACKDRO—Machetti slipped out of it and landed on the mat behind his opponent. Machetti quickly hoisted himself up onto DiBiase's shoulders, then spun around and fell backwards, launching DiBiase across the ring, HURRICURANA!! DiBiase went rolling across the ring and ended up in front of Orton, "Get up!" Orton ordered, "You're embarrassing me!" DiBiase sat up and held onto the ropes beside him, but Machetti ran over a dove through the ropes, Orton dove out of the way as Machetti swung around and came back through the ropes and drove both feet into the side of DiBiase's head, BOOMERANG KICK!! With DiBiase down Machetti quickly went for a pin, ONE… TW—DiBiase kicked out again!
Machetti got back up and locked eyes with Orton as he reached down and pulled DiBiase back up and then turned and whipped him into the corner. Machetti raced at DiBiase and jumped up into the air, TURNBUCKLE BODY SPLASH!! Machetti smashed chest-first into DiBiase and held onto the top rope to keep from dropping down, he changed his hold and hopped up onto DiBiase's shoulders, then fell backwards and sent DiBiase flying across the ring again, HURRICURANA! Machetti got back up and turned to the corner, he climbed up onto the top rope as DiBiase staggered back up to his feet. Machetti launched out of the corner and maneuvered his legs out in front of him, then went feet-first into DiBiase's face and chest as he turned around, MISSILE DROPKICK!! Machetti rolled away as DiBiase hit the floor, but Machetti quickly came back and went for yet another pin, ONE… TWO… T—DiBiase kicked out yet again.
Machetti got up and stared down at DiBiase, he was trying to beat him down enough to get a pin, keeping Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton from getting involved on their stable-mates' behalf. But DiBiase kept kicking out, which was drawing the whole thing out. Machetti pulled his opponent up off of the mat and up to his feet, he pulled DiBiase into the middle of the ring then lifted him up in front of him, he bent forward and went to launch him over his head, MACHETE'S BLA—DIBIASE SLIPPED OUT! DiBiase landed on his feet, then jumped up, grabbed Machetti and drove his face down into the mat, DDT! DiBiase rolled Machetti onto his back and went for a pin, ONE… T—Machetti kicked out.
Machetti pushed DiBiase off of him and they both scrambled back up. DiBiase grabbed Machetti by the arm, then dropped down and launched Machetti over his head for an arm drag, MACHETTI LANDED ON HIS FEET! DiBiase got up and turned around, only for Machetti to grab him and send him flying with an arm drag of his own. DiBiase got back up but Machetti jumped up into the air and spun around then drove both of his feet into DiBiase's chest, CORKSCREW DROPKICK! DiBiase went down and rolled away into the corner, but then he sat up and Rhodes reached down AND TAGGED HIMSELF IN!!
Rhodes got in the ring and rushed Machetti, but Machetti ducked a clothesline then dropped down onto his hands and shot his legs out behind him as Rhodes turned around, MULE KICK! Rhodes held his arm as Machetti shot up and did a backflip, BACKFLIP KICK! Machetti drove his feet into Rhodes' face and chest and knocked him down onto the back. Machetti shot back up and ran to the ropes, he bounced off and came back with a handspring and then a backflip, HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Machetti bounced off of Rhodes and ended up on his feet, then jumped over Rhodes and ran to the ropes, he jumped up onto the top rope and backflipped off, SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT!! Machetti hooked both of Rhodes' legs and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… T—Rhodes kicked out!
Machetti got off of Rhodes and pulled him up to his feet, then whipped him into the corner Shane was in. Machetti rushed into the corner TURNBUCKLE CLOTHESLINE! Machetti pushed Rhodes back into the corner, then jumped up and dropped down, he shot Rhodes up off of him and into the middle of the ring, MONKEY FLIP!! Machetti got back up and went to climb up onto the top rope, but Shane cut him off and tagged himself in. Machetti stared at Shane as he climbed up onto the top rope, "Are you crazy?" Shane shrugged, he wanted revenge after Legacy blind-sided him earlier. This seemed like the best time to do it. Shane launched himself out of the corner and went crashing down elbow-first, DIVING ELBOW DROP!! Shane maneuvered around and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… TH—RHODES KICKED OUT!!
Shane got off of Rhodes and stood to the side as he slowly got back up, Rhodes finally stood up and turned to face Shane, but received a punch right to the face for his troubles. McMahon continued to pummel Rhodes with a series of punches, while he didn't do the Shane O' Shuffle to its fullest due to the beating he had taken earlier, he was still on fire. Shane hit one, two, three, four shots then spun around and leveled Rhodes with a fifth shot. Shane ran to the ropes and bounced off, then jumped up into the air, RUNNING ELBOW DR—RHODES MOVED! Shane hit the mat and held his elbow, but Rhodes got up and then began stomping all over Shane, Shane attempted to cover up and protect himself, but Rhodes' assault was relentless, he eventually broke through and kicked Shane in the side. Rhodes reached down and pulled Shane back up, then whipped him into the corner, Rhodes ran after him, TURNBUCKLE CLOTHESLINE! Rhode slammed into Shane then stepped back AND TAGGED IN DIBIASE!!
Rhodes grabbed a hold of Shane and held his arms behind his back, then bent him over. DiBiase got in the ring AND KICKED SHANE IN THE GUT! Rhodes threw Shane down on the mat and got out of the ring, allowing DiBiase to continued the assault and stomp all over McMahon. DiBiase reached down and dragged Shane up, then shoved him back into the corner and continued to stomp on him. DiBiase kept working over Shane until he dropped down and ended up sitting against the corner, but DiBiase didn't stop and kept beating on Shane in the corner until the referee came over and pulled him off. DiBiase pulled away from the referee and got Shane back on his feet, then he grabbed him and lifted him up over his head, then fell backwards, VERTICAL SUPLEX! DiBiase rolled on top of Shane and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… TH—MCMAHON KICKED OUT!
DiBiase got back up and stomped all over Shane again, then grabbed him in a headlock and pulled him up to his feet. DiBiase pushed Shane off of him into the ropes, Shane bounced off but DiBiase rushed at him AND TOOK HIM DOWN WITH A BIG CLOTHESLINE! DiBiase got back up and ran to the ropes, he bounced off and jumped up into the air, then came down knee-first on Shane's face, RUNNING KNEE DROP!! DiBiase hammered Shane with a few punches to the face to further beat him down, before finally hooking his legs and going for a pin, ONE… TWO… TH—SHANE KICKED OUT AGAIN!
DiBiase stared down at Shane then pulled him back up and dragged him into the corner, HE TAGGED IN RHODES! Rhodes came in and grabbed a hold of Shane then Priceless doubled whipped him into the ropes. Shane bounced off and came back, Rhodes and DiBiase jumped up into the air, DOUBLE DROPKICK!! Two pairs of feet connected right to Shane's face and knocked him on his back, DiBiase got out of the ring while Rhodes pulled Shane back up. Shane was whipped across the ring into the ropes, but Rhodes bent down, then shot up and launched Shane over his head, BACK BODY DROP! Shane sat up and held his back in pain, but Rhodes got up AND DROPKICKED HIM IN THE HEAD! Shane fell flat on the mat as Rhodes climbed on top of him and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR—MCMAHAN MANAGED TO KICK OUT!
Rhodes rolled off of Shane and quickly got him in a headlock, "Come one Shane, fight out of it. Their leader punted your father in the head, they attacked you and your sister before the match. Are you gonna lay there and let them beat you and get away with it? Get up and fight back!" Shane seemed to have heard Machetti because he fought through the pain and struggled up to his knees, he hit Rhodes with a shot to the stomach, then followed up with another before getting up to his feet. Rhodes still had the headlock locked in, but not for long, Shane elbowed Rhodes in the stomach, then followed up with another pair of shots. Rhodes shoved Shane off of him into the ropes, but Shane bounced off and jumped up into the air, NECKBREAKER! The fans popped as Shane went off on Rhodes with a barrage of punches to the face, then he rolled away and crawled for the corner, while a groggy Rhodes did the same in the opposite direction. RHODES TAGGED DIBIASE! MCMAHON TAGGED MACHETTI!!
Machetti got in the ring and ran across it, he ducked a clothesline from DiBiase, then spun around and booted him in the stomach, he grabbed him in a front facelock, then lifted him up and drove his face into the mat, IMPALER!! Machetti rolled DiBiase into his back and got to his feet, then ran to the corner BASEBALL SLIDE TO RHODES! Rhodes went flying under the bottom rope and went crashing down to the floor. Machetti stared at Orton for a moment, then climbed up onto the top rope. Orton jumped up onto the ring apron and went to grab Machetti, but Machetti kicked out his leg and knocked Orton off the apron and down to the floor. Machetti turned back to DiBiase who had gotten back up, he launched himself across the ring, FLYING CROSSBODY! Machetti rolled off of DiBiase and picked him up all in one motion. Machetti stood up and held DiBiase up in front of him, he stared out of the ring at Randy and mouthed, "Watch this!" Then launched DiBaise over his head and did a backflip, MACHETE'S BLADE!! Machetti grabbed both of DiBiase's legs and folded him in half for a pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! MACHETTI GOT THE WIN!
Riot Time hit and the fans cheered as Machetti stood up and was joined in the ring by Shane McMahon who was holding his back. "Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners: MACHETTI AND SHANE MCMAHON!!" DiBiase and Rhodes were rolled out of the ring to the floor while Machetti and Shane stared at Orton as he stood on the floor glaring at them. Shane had Orton next week in a No-Holds-Barred Match, then Machetti had him the Sunday after that at No Way Out. The Main Event, Chris Jericho versus World Heavyweight Champion John Cena was still to come, with that Raw went to a commercial break.
---x---
On Friday Night, Smackdown was airing from Indianapolis Indiana, Vladimir Kozlov had won a Battle Royal to become the final participant in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out. Now the match was Edge vs. Triple H vs. Undertaker vs. Big Show vs. Hardy vs. Kozlov for the WWE Championship. Hurricane Helms had a interview with Todd Grisham and gave his opinion on the Matt Hardy/ Jeff Hardy situation. The cameras then went further backstage to General Manager Vickie Guerrero's office.
"Are you okay?" Vickie asked him.
"Oh, I'm fine," said Edge sarcastically. "I just have to defend the WWE Championship against Vladimir Kozlov, Big Show, Jeff Hardy, Triple H, and the Undertaker in the most dangerous match known to mankind, the Elimination Chamber."
"Everything will be fine," Vickie consoled him. "You've made a career out of defying the odds and as a result, I believe in you."
Big Show walked in and looked serious, "Unlike last time, I won't walk out on you. I believe in you too."
There was a knock on the door and the Brian Kendrick entered the office accompanied by Michelle McCool and Ezekiel. "Is this a bad time?" asked Kendrick.
"Yeah, so get out of here!" growled Edge.
"Oh, well I guess we'll just leave then," agreed Kendrick as he turned around and started to walk out. "Pity, we would've taken care of your Machetti problem. You do know, that even if you manage to retain your title at No Way Out, you'll still have him do deal with if he wins too right?"
"Wait," Vickie called after him. "What do you have in mind?"
Kendrick grinned and turned back around, he motioned to the diva standing next to him, "You've met my new friend Michelle McCool, right?"
"Yes," answered Vickie, "please get to the point."
"I hear she has a Number One Contenders Match for the Divas Championship against Maria tonight," commented Kendrick.
"We want it to be made an Inter-Gender Tag Team Match," said Michelle, getting to the point.
"What good would that do?" asked Edge, who was still in a bad mood and was highly critical of the idea as a result.
"There's two things you should know about Machetti," said Kendrick. "First, is that he hates to see Maria get hurt. Second, he doesn't fight women. In an Inter-Gender Match, the men are allowed to wrestle the women. Do you see where we're going with this?"
"Machetti won't fight me," pointed out Michelle.
"But I won't have the same restrictions against Maria," stated Kendrick.
"If Machetti tags in Maria, she'll be beaten down two-on-one," continued Michelle.
"But if he doesn't, he gets beaten down two-on-one," said Kendrick.
"Either way, we win," concluded Michelle.
"I like it," commented Edge, it sounded like something he would do.
"I'm still the General Manager of Smackdown," Vickie told them. "And even though the McMahon's seem to like Machetti at the moment, they can't stop me from doing my job tonight and putting him in a match. You've got it, Machetti and Maria versus the Brian Kendrick and Michelle McCool in an Inter-Gender Tag Team Match. And the same stipulations apply, the winning Diva is the Number One Contender for the Divas Championship and those pictures I've heard about."
"Thank you for seeing it our way," replied Kendrick, with a nod, he, Michelle, and Ezekiel left the office. The cameras faded and went to commercial break.
---x---
Smackdown came back from the commercial break following the Miz and Morrison versus the Colons tag match. Morrison had won with a roll-up on Primo while Miz had him distracted. The bell rang and Justin Roberts stood in the ring, "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is an Inter-Gender Tag Team Match!"
With Legs Like That played and the fans cheered as Maria and Machetti came out from the back, they were both wearing blue, but they didn't look happy. Obviously they had been informed about the match change, "Introducing first, the team of MARIA AND MACHETTI!!" Machetti turned and nodded at Maria, then the two of them ran down to the ring and slid inside, he got back up and each went to a separate corner. Machetti pulled off his 'There's Insane' t-shirt and tossed it out into the crowd while Maria removed her furry hood. Machetti glanced over his shoulder across the ring at her and nodded, then the two of them backflipped out of the corners and landed together in the middle of the ring. Blue pyro shot up out of the ring posts as they stood in the ring with their arms raised, the fans were still cheering when the music cut. Machetti and Maria turned to the entrance ramp and awaited their opponents.
Not Enough For Me sounded through the arena and the fans booed as Michelle McCool came out from the back with the Brian Kendrick and Ezekiel Jackson, their team was wearing black, with the exception of Ezekiel's usual white clothing, "And their opponents, being accompanied by Ezekiel, the team of MICHELLE MCCOOL AND THE BRIAN KENDRICK!!" Kendrick and McCool came down the ramp, both of them sporting evil grins while Machetti and Maria glared at them from the ring. For Michelle, this was about getting revenge, Maria had those pictures of her, and she was going to beat her, and then step over her lifeless body before going back to the locker room to retrieve them, then she'd beat Maryse and become the Divas Champion. For Kendrick, this was about proving that he was better than Machetti. Kendrick won at SummerSlam and in the Cage Match on Smackdown. Machetti won at No Mercy in the Falls Count Anywhere Match and at Cyber Sunday in the Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match. Kendrick had interfered in Machetti's match with Big Show, and had contributed to him getting suspended. Machetti had eliminated Kendrick from the Royal Rumble, dashing his WrestleMania Main Event Dreams. This match was the ultimate rubber match, the winner of this match, would be the better man. Ezekiel took Kendrick's jacket, allowing him to get in the ring with Michelle and their opponents. Kendrick went to the corner and got out of the ring, leaving Michelle to start the match. Predictably, Machetti left the ring, leaving the two divas to start the match. The referee called for the bell and this match was officially underway.
The two divas locked up in the middle of the ring, but Michelle was the stronger of the two and almost immediately gained the advantage. She lashed out her leg and kneed Maria in the stomach, then pulled free and clubbed her on the back bringing her down to her knees. Michelle grab hold of Maria's hair then spun to the side and threw her across the ring. Michelle walked over to Maria and kicked her in the side as she started to get up, knocking her on her back. Michelle reached down and pulled Maria up to her feet then whipped her across the ring. Maria bounced off of the ropes then came back and jumped up into the air, she got her legs around Michelle's head, then swung around and sent her flying, HEAD-SCISSORS TAKEDOWN!!
Michelle went rolling over to the ropes but quickly pushed herself up onto her hands and knee and attempted to get up. Maria ran at her and hit her in the side with a low dropkick, Michelle was sent flying through the ropes and down to the floor. Maria stood up and raised her arms up above her head as she watched Michelle rolled away from the ring and start to get up. Michelle stood up and turned to face the ring, but Maria grabbed the top rope then launched herself over it and out of the ring, BODY PRESS PLANCHA! Maria slammed into Michelle and took her down, the fans cheered loudly at the high-flying move performed by the divas. On the ring apron Machetti smiled and mouthed, "That's my girl!" You can't hang out with someone like Machetti as long as Maria has and not gain some of his odd personality quirks, the plancha proved that.
Maria got off of the floor and pulled Michelle up off of the mat then rolled her into the ring. Maria got up on the apron and started going through the ropes, but Michelle suddenly sprang up and clubbed her on the back. Michelle grabbed Maria in a headlock and pulled her into the ring but left her legs on the bottom rope, with an evil grin Michelle fell backwards and drove Maria's face down to the mat, HANGING DDT! (Ala Randy Orton) Michelle quickly rolled Maria onto her back and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… T—Maria got her foot on the bottom rope.
Michelle got off of Maria and pulled her up off of the mat, she grabbed the front of Maria's shirt and threw her into the corner. Maria's back hit the turnbuckle pads and she started to bounce off but Michelle got her leg out and pressed it into Maria's throat, effectively pinning her into the corner while cutting off her air supply at the same time. The referee came over and ordered Michelle to stop the choke and to let Maria off the ropes, but when Michelle didn't even give him a look of acknowledgement he started the count, ONE… TWO… THREE… F—Michelle broke the choke and stepped away. Maria staggered forward out of the corner and Michelle grabbed her, then lifted her up into the air and snapped her over her head before falling backwards and slamming Maria down to the mat, SNAP SUPLEX! Michelle rolled on top of Maria and hooked her legs for a pin, ONE… TW—Maria kicked out.
Michelle got up then reached down and grabbed Maria by the hair, she flashed Machetti an evil smile before dragging Maria over to the corner and tagging in Kendrick. Unlike a mixed-tag match in an inter-gender match the male competitors are allowed to wrestle the female competitors. Right now Kendrick could do anything somewhat legal to Maria and get away with it. Maria seemed to realize this and started backing away from Maria, hoping to escape him before he could do any lasting damage, but before Maria could reach the corner Machetti was in Kendrick darted forward and grabbed her ankle, then grinned at Machetti as he dragged Maria back into the middle of the ring. Machetti was holding onto the top rope with a death grip, "Don't you dare! Let her tag me, I'm the one you want."
But Kendrick merely shook his head and continued to hold Maria back in the middle of the ring. Maria pushed herself up off of the mat and up onto one leg, but Kendrick was still holding onto her leg. With a flash of inspiration, Maria swung her leg around and aimed at Kendrick's head, ENZUIGI—KENDRICK DUCKED!! Maria managed to land on her foot, but was off balance, Kendrick shoved her forward into the ropes then she bounced off AND KENDRICK CLOTHESLINED HER FROM BEHIND! Machetti looked absolutely livid while Kendrick looked proud of himself while he rolled Maria onto her back and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… T—Maria kicked out.
Kendrick got off of Maria and smiled at Machetti, then reached down and pulled her up off of the mat. Kendrick whipped Maria across the ring then charged at her and went for a clothesline, but Maria ducked it! Maria ran to the ropes and bounced off, then rushed full speed at Kendrick as he turned around. But Kendrick caught Maria, and launched her up into the air, before stepping to the side and allowing her to fall flat on her face, FREE FALL DROP!! Kendrick reached down and grabbed Maria in a headlock, then dragged her into the corner and tagged Michelle back in. Kendrick held Maria's arms behind her back and allowed Michelle to connect with a hard kick to the midsection. Maria doubled over and Kendrick shoved her into Michelle, Michelle caught Maria in a headlock then fell backwards and drove her face into the mat, DDT! Michelle rolled Maria onto her back and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… TH—Maria managed to kick out!
Michelle got off of Maria and dragged her back up to her feet, she clubbed her on her back and dragged her into the middle of the ring, then booted her in the stomach, doubling her over. Michelle turned and ran away from Maria over to the ropes, then bounced off as Maria was standing back up. As Michelle got closer she lifted her leg, BIG BOOT TO THE HEAD! Once again Maria's head was jarred backwards and she went crashing down to the mat, Michelle quickly dropped down on top of her and made another pin attempt, ONE… TWO… THR—MARIA KICKED OUT!
Michelle got up and stood over Maria, she watched her as she held her neck in pain and attempted to get back up. "See, you shouldn't have messed with me. You could never beat me in a fair match." Growing impatient, Michelle reached down and pulled Maria up off of the mat, then whipped her into the ropes. Maria bounced off and came back but suddenly jumped up into the air, FLYING FOREARM SMASH!! Michelle went down and Maria got back up and held the back of her head, looking to keep her momentum she ran to the ropes, BUT KENDRICK PULLED THE TOP ROPE DOWN! Maria fell over the top rope and went crashing down to the floor, the fans booed loudly while the referee yelled at Kendrick for getting involved. But while Kendrick had the referee distracted Ezekiel pulled Maria up off of the floor and shoved her back into the ring apron. Maria hit the ring back-first and fell to the floor, but Ezekiel came over and quickly dragged her back up, then rolled her into the ring. Michelle had recovered and quickly covered Maria and went to capitalize with a pin, ONE… TWO… THRE—MARIA MANAGED TO KICK OUT!!
Michelle looked frustrated that she hadn't managed to get the pin, but that was nothing in comparison to the look that Machetti was giving everyone on the other side of the ring. There'd be hell to pay the second he got tagged in. Michelle stood up and tagged in Kendrick, hoping he'd have better luck at pinning Maria than she would. Kendrick came in and seemed to take an odd joy in yanking Maria up off of the mat by her hair. Maria let out a pained yelp and tried to pull away, but Kendrick held her still then grabbed her in a headlock. Kendrick turned to the corner and ran towards it, pulling Maria behind him, THE KENDRI—MARIA PUSHED HIM OFF! Kendrick slammed into the corner and Maria quickly turned around and staggered across the ring, BUT KENDRICK TRIPPED HER FROM BEHIND!
Kendrick smiled evilly at Machetti, happy to have once again stopped Maria from tagging his hated rival in. Kendrick dragged Maria up off of the mat, the diva swung at him, looking to fight him off, but Kendrick caught her hand then reached down and lifted her up before turning her upside-down. It wasn't often that Kendrick fought someone he was bigger than and could lift, so he enjoyed it when slammed Maria down to the mat, SCOOP SLAM! "You're a dead man," Machetti informed Kendrick as he glared at him from the ring apron. "That's big talk," taunted Kendrick. "But I'm in here, and you're allll the way out there."
Kendrick pulled Maria up off of the mat and whipped her across the ring, he waited until she bounced off of the ropes then bent over, BACK BODY DRO—taking a page out of Machetti's book, Maria jumped up over him and drove her feet down into his back, MUSHROOM STOMP! Kendrick was driven down to the mat and Maria desperately crawled for the corner, she dove and reached out her hand, AND TAGGED MACHETTI!!
Machetti got in the ring and approached Kendrick from behind and he waited until his opponent stood up then smiled when he turned around. "You were saying?" he asked before lashing out and kicked him in the stomach. Kendrick doubled over, but Machetti quickly dropped down to his knees and nailed him with an uppercut, Kendrick snapped back up to his full height, but then Machetti launched up off of the mat and drove her feet into his chest, CORKSCREW DROPKICK! Machetti ran to the ropes and bounced off then came back with a handspring and a backflip, HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Machetti bounced off of Kendrick and ran to the ropes, he cast a quick glance at Michelle before jumping up onto the top rope and backflipping off of it, SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT ONTO KENDRICK! Machetti came crashing down on top of Machetti and laid on top of him for a pin, ONE… TW—Machetti stood up.
Machetti stared down at Kendrick. He wasn't out to win the match just yet. He wanted to make Kendrick pay for DARING to lay a hand on his girlfriend. Machetti watched as Kendrick rolled onto his stomach and started to push himself up off of the mat, but he ran to the ropes and bounced off, then came back with a handspring and landed legs-first on the back of Kendrick's head and neck, HANDSPRING LEG DROP! Machetti rolled off of Kendrick and pulled him back up then whipped him hard into the corner. Machetti waited for him to hit, then ran after him did a handspring and then a front-flip, TURNBUCKLE SENTON!! Machetti smashed into Kendrick and dropped down to the floor, then quickly shot back up and ended up on Kendrick's shoulders, he fell backwards and launched Kendrick across the ring, HURRICURANA! Machetti got back up and turned back to the corner, he climbed up onto the top rope and launched himself forward at Kendrick while doing a backflip, SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Machetti smashed down on top of Kendrick, but rolled off of him and didn't even bother going for a pin.
Machetti got up and walked back over to Kendrick who looked like he was out cold, he probably could have gotten the pin there, but oddly enough, he didn't feel like it. Machetti reached down and crossed one of Kendrick's legs behind the other, then rolled him onto his stomach and bent the one leg around the other one, DETROIT DEATHLOCK!! The fans cheered loudly while Kendrick seemingly woke up and started yelling in pain. Kendrick pushed himself up off of the mat and attempted to drag himself towards the ropes, with a smile Machetti seemingly humored him and followed along behind him while keeping the submission hold locked in. Kendrick gave out a surprised yelp and grabbed the bottom rope, BUT MACHETTI DRAGGED HIM BACK INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
Maria pulled herself back up on the apron and leaned on the ropes as she watched Machetti torture Kendrick in the ring. She was pretty sure he could've ended the match earlier, but he was just toying with him now. Obviously he was frustrated with had had happened to her during the first half of the match. Kendrick continued to yelled out in pain in the middle of the ring, Machetti changed his hold on Kendrick's legs then suddenly spun to the side and threw him into the corner. Kendrick rolled into the turnbuckle and used the ropes to pull himself up, the first thing he noticed was that Maria was in front of him, that meant he was in the wrong corner. And the second thing he noticed was that he didn't like the smile she was sporting. Before Kendrick could move Machetti ran to the corner jumped up into the air and smashed into him, TURNBUCKLE BODY SPLASH!
Machetti ducked down and put his head between Kendrick's legs, then he stood up and lifted Kendrick up with him so he was sitting on his shoulders in 'Electric Chair' position. Machetti held Kendrick with one arm then reached out and tagged in Maria, he turned away from the turnbuckle and kept Kendrick on his shoulders as he faced the middle of the ring. Maria climbed up onto the top rope then launched herself off at Kendrick and Machetti from behind. Maria grabbed Kendrick as she went passed while Machetti threw Kendrick off of him, the two of them drove Kendrick face-first down into the mat, FLYING BULLDOG/ELECTRIC CHAIR FACEBUSTER!!
Machetti got up and pulled Maria up to her feet, then whipped her into the corner, MARIA KNOCKED MICHELLE OFF OF THE APRON! Maria bounced off and came back, Machetti caught her and lifted her up then slammed her down on top of Kendrick who had rolled onto his back, FLAPJACK ONTO KENDRICK! With Maria on top of Kendrick, Machetti ran to the ropes, jumped up onto the top one, and backflipped off, he went flying through the air and hit Kendrick's bear who was tending to Michelle, SHOOTING STAR PRESS PLANCHA ON EZEKIEL!! Back in the ring Maria hooked Kendrick's leg for a pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! MARIA PINNED KENDRICK!!
With Legs Like That played again as the referee helped Maria up and raised her arm up into the air. "Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners: MARIA AND MACHETTI!" Machetti managed to pull himself up off of the floor and Ezekiel and slid back into the ring, Maria ran over and hugged him so he smiled and hugged her back. Kendrick probably wasn't going to be happy when he learned that Maria was the one to pin him, he hated losing to Machetti enough as it is. Machetti hoped deep down that their rivalry was over now, but he knew Kendrick well enough that he wasn't one to drop a grudge, especially after being 'humiliated'. Maria on the other hand had beaten Michelle, or at least her partner. This meant that Maria was now the Number One Contender for the Divas Championship, and she didn't have to give back those pictures. Machetti took Maria's hand and the two of them left the ring and headed up the ramp to the back. Smackdown then cut to the back for an interview with Matt Hardy, then went to a commercial break.
---x---
Two tag matches, I hope that was worth the wait. I got caught up in a bunch of projects I was working on. But I'll try to get the next chapter out a little sooner.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!
