No Way Out:

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There will be no Lashley/Kennedy promo in this chapter, I have no use for it.

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No Way Out was live from the Staples Center in Los Angelus California. Zack was currently dressed in his green and black wrestling gear and was sitting backstage in the heel locker room. Usually Zack would be warming up or wondering the hallways but now he was just sitting on the bench with the ECW World Title in his hands. Zack just stared down at the belt and didn't even notice when Ken (Kennedy) Anderson sat down next to him.

"Hey man," said Ken, bringing Zack out of his thoughts.

"Hey," Zack said back as he slowly looked up at him.

"You ready for tonight?" asked Ken as he looked at Zack with a little bit of concern.

"As ready as I'll ever be," replied Zack.

"Alright," said Ken, "just remember, you're still one of the businesses top stars, and one way or the other, you'll still have a match at Wrestlemania."

"I guess you're right," said Zack as he got up to his feet, "let's make this happen."

Zack and Ken got up and left the locker room and headed over to the entrance ramp, where Lashley was waiting for them.

"Ready?" asked Lashley, Zack and Ken nodded.

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Misteeeer Kennedyyyy… Kennedyyyyy! Ken Kennedy's theme music started playing in the arena, and Ken Kennedy appeared on the entrance ramp ready for his title shot at the ECW World Title. As Ken got in the ring he shook his head at Tony Chimel and ran him out of the ring. The lights then went down and a spotlight went up on Mr. Kennedy as his signature mic descended to the ring.

"Now that I have everyone's attention," Kennedy announced into the mic, "tonight I weight in at two hundred and forty six pounds… I hail from Green Bay Wisconsin… and I will be the NEW ECW World Champion, Miiiiiiiisteeeeeeeer Keeeeeennedyyyyy…" Ken paused and walked over to the ring corner with his mic and climbed up onto the middle rope, "KEEENEDYYYYYY!!"

The lights turned up and Tony Chimel got back in the ring as Bobby Lashley's theme music hit, the fans cheered noticeably, seeing how Lashley was the only decent superstar in the match up, they hated Ken Kennedy, and they hated Machetti, so they were all hoping to see Lashley whoop the both of them. The Hard Hitting, Soft Spoken Smackdown Superstar was ready to make an impact. He was going to win the ECW World Title that he rightfully deserved. If Machetti hadn't stolen the contract in the first place HE, Bobby Lashley, would be the ECW World Champion.

"And the opponent, from Colorado Springs Colorado, weighing in at two hundred and seventy three pounds… Bobby Lashley!!" Bobby Lashley walked down to the rung and jumped up onto the ring apron causing fireworks to go off in all four corners of the ring. Ken Kennedy looked at Bobby Lashley with disgust, "I don't even need fireworks to make and entrance," Kennedy mouthed off to Lashley, who just walked up to Ken and looked him right in the eye, but said nothing.

Then a loud beeping sounded through the arena and a pulse rate appeared on the Titan Tron. The beeping got faster and faster until it was one solid beeping then a loud explosion of green fireworks and smoke went off on the entrance ramp and the ECW World Champion Machetti walked right through it. "And the Champion, from Detroit Michigan, weighing in at two hundred and ten pounds, he is the ECW World Champion… Machetti!" Machetti got into the ring and raised his arms into the air, but only received a loud chorus of boos from the fans, who started chanting You Suck over and over again.

Machetti looked over at Ken who shrugged then he glanced down at his title and handed it to the referee, who took it around the ring and showed it to Lashley and then Mr. Kennedy, before handing it to someone outside of the ring. Machetti reached into the pocket of his green shorts and pulled out his black bandana and tied it on his head, just as the bell rang signaling the start of the match.

Machetti looked over at Kennedy, then as one the two of them charged at Lashley and took him down with a double clothesline. Machetti and Kennedy then went off on Lashley and stomped the hell out of him. Machetti and Kennedy stepped back for a second and Lashley rolled onto his side, but Machetti simply kicked Lashley hard in the back, causing a thud that echoed through the arena. Machetti and Kennedy then went back to stomping on Lashley and smashed their feet into Lashley's lower back, where Machetti had kicked him.

Machetti and Kennedy worked together and whipped Lashley into the far corner of the ring, then Ken ran at Lashley and drove his shoulder into his stomach. Ken then stepped back and whipped Lashley towards Machetti, who, when Lashley got close, jumped up into the air, wrapped his legs around Lashley's head, then fell backwards taking Lashley down with a hurricurana. Lashley landed on his back, and Machetti landed on top of Lashley, then he began raining down hard right hands to Lashley's forehead, punching every inch of Lashley's skull that he could find.

Machetti eventually got off of Lashley, only for Kennedy to take Machetti's place on top of Lashley and start working him over with punches of his own. But instead of using only right hands Ken alternated hands but continued driving his fists into Lashley's skull, hoping to do some permanent damage. While Ken was working over Lashley, Machetti walked over to Lashley's legs and lifted his right leg up into the air, then drove his foot into the back of Lashley's knee, causing and intense pain to shoot through the limb.

Machetti continued his attack and kicked the back of Lashley's leg continually, over and over again Machetti drove his foot into the back of Lashley's knee. Machetti wasn't looking to defend his title, he was looking to cripple Bobby Lashley. Eventually Ken got off of Lashley, and Machetti stopped kicked the back of Lashley knee. Machetti then pulled Lashley up to his feet, while Ken ran to the ropes, bounced off of them, then went low and drove his shoulder into the back of Lashley's right knee, knocking the biggest man in the match up down to the mat.

Machetti and Kennedy stepped back and smirked at each other as they watched Lashley suffer on the ground. Then the fans started chanting You Both Suck, both Machetti and Kennedy laughed, then at the same time they turned their backs to each other and flipped off a different side of the audience. The boos that followed almost blew the roof off of the arena. Machetti and Kennedy turned and faced each other again, then they looked over at Lashley, who had just pulled himself to his feet using the ropes.

Machetti ran at Lashley from behind then kicked the back of Lashley's right knee, knocking him back down to the mat. Machetti then grabbed Lashley's leg and dragged him into the middle of the ring. Machetti then pressed his knee into the back of Lashley's knee then bent Lashley's leg at the knee and pulled back applying as much pressure as he could to Lashley's exploited knee. Kennedy then came over, and then he pulled back on Machetti, increasing the pressure Machetti was applying to Lashley's knee, which was originally excruciating, now it was driving Lashley to the brink of insanity.

But Lashley was a tough superstar, and wasn't going to tap out. Kennedy let got of Machetti and then walked over to Lashley's head, then got down on his hands and knees and started talking trash. "You're nothing you son of a bitch!" Kennedy shouted at him, "you hear me! NOTHING!" Lashley, while on the ground swung at Kennedy, looking to shut him up, but Kennedy moved back and got out of the way. Lashley glared angrily at Kennedy then pushed himself up off of the mat with his arms, then pressed his left knee down to the mat.

Even though Lashley was on his hands and knee Machetti still kept the pressure on Lashley's right knee. Kennedy then got down on his knees looked Lashley right in the eye, and then flipped him the bird. Lashley was seething and at that moment he snapped. Lashley started crawling towards Kennedy who quickly slid out of the ring and taunted Lashley from the outside. But Lashley kept on going, then he reached out to grab the bottom rope, but Kennedy pulled it way from him. Lashley stared at Kennedy with hatred in his eyes, then in one movement he lunged forward, dragging Machetti with him, and grabbed the bottom rope in Kennedy's hands.

Nick Patrick, the referee, ran over and shouted at Machetti to break the hold. Machetti looked backwards and saw Lashley's hand on the bottom rope, despite Kennedy pulling it back, then Machetti smirked at the and kept the hold locked in. Nick Patrick started the five count that would disqualify Machetti, but at the very last second Machetti released the hold and allowed Lashley's leg to fall limply to the mat.

Kennedy got back in the ring and stood next to Machetti, then together the pulled Lashley up to his feet. Suddenly Lashley dug deep and shoved both Machetti and Kennedy, pushing them off of him, then, on one leg, Lashley ran forward and blasted Kennedy with a hard clothesline. Ken quickly rolled out of the ring and held his mouth while Lashley pulled himself up with the ring ropes and glared at him. Machetti, who Lashley had stupidly forgotten about, ran at Lashley and kicked the back of his knee, knocking him down to the mat.

Then Machetti dragged Lashley back into the middle of the ring, while Kennedy got back inside. Machetti stomped on the back of Lashley's knee, then when Kennedy came over Machetti pointed to him then Lashley's knee. Kennedy nodded his head then went down and locked in a half Boston crap on Lashley's right knee, bending it backwards at a sickening angle. While Kennedy had the crab locked in, Machetti ran to the ropes, bounced off and landed across the back of Lashley's head with a running leg drop.

Machetti then rolled off of Lashley and got to his feet, then taunted the crowd, who booed him viciously. Then the fans started chanting Lash-ley over and over again, willing Lashley back into the match up. Machetti just leaned back against the ropes and watched Lashley suffer. But Lashley dug deep and pushed himself up off of the mat with his arms, then he pulled back on the leg that Kennedy had the Half Crab on, and then pushed Kennedy off, sending him through the middle and bottom rope and out of the ring.

This left just Lashley and Machetti in the ring. Lashley got up to his feet, and Machetti charged at him, but Lashley silenced him with a vicious clothesline, which floor Machetti. Lashley then stood gingerly on his right leg and lifted Machetti up to his feet, then Lashley whipped Machetti into the ropes and as Machetti came back Lashley caught him and lifted him up into the air for a vertical suplex. Machetti was straight up in the air, and Lashley slowly let go of him with his left arm and only held Machetti with his right arm.

But suddenly Lashley's knee gave out and he fell down to the mat. Machetti landed on top of Lashley for a pin, but Lashley kicked out at two. Machetti then lifted Lashley up to his feet and whipped him into the ropes, then when Lashley came back, Machetti jumped up slightly and dropkicked him in the knee. Causing Lashley to fall to the mat and clutch his knee in pain. Machetti walked over to Lashley as Lashley tried to crawl away, but Machetti caught him when he was near the ropes and dragged him back into the middle of the ring.

Machetti had Lashley on his back, then he crossed Lashley's legs and stuck his own leg in between them, Machetti then rolled Lashley onto his stomach and pulled back. He know had Lashley in a sharpshooter, and the fans were hating every second of it. The boos were almost deafening and the people at home could barely hear Cole and JBL over the loud ruckus. Then instead of booing the fans started a new chant, Machetti Sucks! Machetti Sucks!

Machetti smirked evilly as the fans addressed him in their chant, and then pulled back even further and applied even more pressure, Lashley who was normally a quiet superstar started screaming in pain, this was too much. But Lashley showed testicular fortitude that would make any man proud and pushed himself up off of the mat. Then Lashley rolled through and managed to move so he had Machetti's shoulders pressed down to the mat. One… two… thr… Kennedy breaks it up!

Kennedy pulled Lashley off of Machetti and to his feet, then he went to whip him across the ring, but Lashley reversed it. Kennedy bounced off of the ropes, then Lashley caught him and lifted him up into the air for a Military Press. But suddenly Machetti came from behind and clipped the back of Lashley's knee. Lashley fell back-first down to the mat. Kennedy landed on top of Lashley and almost got the pin, but Machetti grabbed his leg and pulled him off.

Kennedy got up to his feet and got in Machetti's face, he almost had the match won. But Machetti argued right back, he was the one who clipped Lashley's knee, and had been working on it while Kennedy was taking his nap outside of the ring. The two were so busy arguing they didn't notice Lashley getting to his feet. Lashley then ran at them and took down both Machetti and Kennedy with a double clothesline. Lashley then lifted Kennedy up to his feet and whipped him into a corner. Then Lashley pulled Machetti to his feet and Lashley whipped him into Kennedy.

Lashley then ran and nailed Machetti with a running spear, driving him backwards into Kennedy. Lashley then pulled Machetti forward, and without Machetti in front of him Kennedy stumbled forward, so Lashley grabbed him too. Lashley then put both Machetti and Kennedy in side headlocks, looking for a double DDT, but at the same time Machetti and Kennedy struck and kicked Lashley in the gut. Ken and Machetti then whipped Lashley into the ropes, then when he came back they hoisted him up into the air, then drove his face down into the mat for a double Flat-Liner.

Lashley was out cold, and Machetti and Kennedy got back to their feet and shook hands as the crowd booed loudly. Then together they lifted Lashley to his feet, ran with him to the ropes, then tossed him over the top rope and down to the floor. Machetti and Kennedy had worked together and had eliminated Lashley from the match up, there was no way he was getting up any time soon. This left Machetti and Kennedy to face off one on one, and if no body knew any better, they'd say that they had planned it this way.

Kennedy quickly grabbed Machetti and went to whip him into the ropes, but Machetti reversed it and sent Kennedy into the ropes instead, then when Kennedy came back Machetti jumped up and nailed him with a lightning fast enzuigiri. Machetti then went for the cover, but only got a two count. Machetti got back to his feet then took a few steps back. Machetti then ran forward jumped up into the air, did a back flip and landed on Kennedy for a Standing Shooting Star Press. Machetti then went for the pin, but Kennedy kicked out at two.

Machetti then lifted Kennedy to his feet and went for a DDT, but Kennedy quickly countered out of it and hit Machetti with a snap suplex. Kennedy then ran to the corner and climbed up to the top rope, he was looking for the Kenton Bomb. But Machetti quickly got up to his feet, then ran to the corner Kennedy was in and jumped up to the middle rope. Machetti and Kennedy started trading punches up above the ring, then Machetti came back with a hard head butt and jumped up and wrapped his legs around Kennedy's head, then fell backwards for a Super Hurricurana.

Machetti crawled over to Kennedy and went for a pin, but Kennedy kicked out. The fans once again started chanting, You Both Suck! You Both Suck! Machetti then lifted Kennedy up to his feet and whipped him into the ropes, then when Kennedy came back Machetti hoisted him up into the air then brought him down with the Flat-Liner. Machetti then went for the pin, but Kennedy kicked out!! Machetti looked down at Kennedy in disbelief, then he got up and walked to the corner and climbed up to the top rope, looking for a Springboard Shooting Star Press.

Machetti lunged off of the top rope, did the back-flip, but at the last second Kennedy just rolled out of the way, causing Machetti to land face first on the mat. Kennedy crawled over to Machetti and draped his arm over him, but Machetti kicked out at two and seven eights. Kennedy glared down at Machetti then went for a pin where he hooked Machetti's leg, but again, Machetti just kicked out. Kennedy lifted Machetti up to his feet, then whipped him into the corner, Kennedy then went after him and lifted Machetti up onto the top rope.

Kennedy then climbed up to the middle rope, he was thinking Green Bay Plunge. Kennedy had grabbed Machetti and was about to pulled him up onto his shoulders, when suddenly Lashley got into the ring, to a loud ovation from the fans. Lashley went over to Kennedy and stuck his head in between Kennedy's tights, then Lashley fell backwards for an Electric Chair Drop, but at the same time, Kennedy suplexed Machetti off of the top rope with a Superplex.

Machetti and Kennedy both hit the mat hard, and Machetti rolled out of the ring and down to the floor. Lashley then went for the pin on Kennedy, but Ken kicked out at two. Lashley got up and lifted Kennedy to his feet, then he whipped him into the corner and ran at him, nailing a running shoulder thrust, driving Kennedy back into the turnbuckle. Lashley then stepped back and whipped Kennedy into the ropes, then bent down as Kennedy came back and launched him up into the air for a back body drop.

Lashley then lifted Kennedy back up to his feet and went to whip him into the corner, but Kennedy suddenly kicked Lashley in the stomach. Kennedy then reversed and whipped Lashley into the corner, right at referee Nick Patrick! Nick quickly found himself between the hard turnbuckle pad and the rapidly approaching Lashley. But just as Lashley was nearing the referee he put on the breaks, stopping himself from knocking the referee unconscious. But Ken Kennedy quickly seized the opportunity and nailed Lashley with a low blow, Nick Patrick didn't see it because he was still fearing for his life.

Kennedy then whipped Lashley into the opposite corner then ran at him and hit a clothesline, driving Lashley back into the turnbuckle. Kennedy then lifted Lashley up to the top rope, before climbing up to the middle rope. Kennedy the punched Lashley in the face a few time, before turning around and hoisting Lashley up onto his shoulders. Kennedy then rolled forward off of the middle rope and drove Lashley back first down to the mat in the process. GREEN BAY PLUNGE!!

But Kennedy wasn't done there, he quickly got to his feet and ran to the corner which Nick Patrick had been in and climbed up to the top rope, looking for the Kenton Bomb. But suddenly Machetti climbed up to the top rope of another corner, spring-boarded off of it and nailed Lashley with a Springboard Shooting Star Press. Machetti then went for the pin, but Kennedy jumped off of the top rope and landed across Machetti's back for a Kenton Bomb.

Machetti and Kennedy slowly got to their feet while Lashley recovered on the mat. "What the hell are you doing!" Machetti yelled at Kennedy, "I had the match won!"

"I'm in the match too!" Kennedy retorted, "and I had it in the bag until you interfered!"

"It's MY title!" snapped Machetti.

"It's going to be MINE!" Kennedy yelled back, then he shove Machetti, causing him to go backwards a few steps. Then Lashley suddenly shoved Kennedy into Machetti, knocking Machetti through the ropes, out of the ring, and down to the floor. Kennedy turned around as Lashley took a few steps back, then Lashley ran forward and nailed Kennedy with a spear. Lashley then got up and lifted Kennedy up, then hoisted him up onto his shoulders, then hit a Running Powerslam. Lashley then went for the cover and got the three count! LASHLEY WINS!!

Bobby Lashley's music played in the arena as Machetti sat up on the arena floor and looked up in disbelief. He had just lost his title with out being pinned. AGAIN!! Lashley was handed the ECW World Title and he raised it up into the air and began his celebration. Lashley walked to the corner and climbed up onto the middle rope, then lifted the title up into the air. The fans cheered loudly Lashley had won a great match and was now the ECW World Champion. Now they wouldn't have to deal with Machetti every week, things just kept getting better.

But as Lashley climbed down from the middle rope Machetti came from behind and clipped Lashley's bad knee with a steel chair. The music immediately stopped as Machetti started smashing the chair on Lashley's knee. Over and over again Machetti drove the chair down into the knee of the new champ. Machetti may not have crippled Lashley during the match, but he was going to do it now. He was tired of being screwed.

Machetti then dropped the chair on Lashley's leg and went to leave the ring as Mr. Kennedy, who had just gotten up stood in the way. Machetti shoved him back into the ropes then caught him as he came back with the Flat-Liner. Machetti then left the ring and got a second chair. Machetti came back into the ring, stepped over Kennedy and walked over to Lashley.

Machetti then placed the new chair on the ground, then slid the old chair under Lashley's knee. Then Machetti took the other chair and lifted it high above his head, then brought it down hard on Lashley's knee for a con-chair-to. Machetti then lifted the chair and brought it down again, and again. MACHETTI HAD SNAPPED!! Machetti then threw the chair in his hands out of the ring, but he wasn't done yet.

Machetti took the chair under Lashley's knee, then opened it slightly and slid it onto Lashley's leg and finally stopped when it was situated around Lashley's bad knee. Machetti then walked to the nearest corner and climbed up to the middle rope, then he jumped off and drove his foot down into the chair as he landed, sandwiching the chair around Lashley's knee. Lashley, who was previously unconscious, suddenly woke up screaming then started thrashing around the ring in pain.

Nick Patrick ran over to Machetti and stood in front of him, blocking Lashley for Machetti's view, enough was enough. But Machetti simply grabbed the stupid referee and nailed him with a Flat-Liner. Then Machetti got out of the ring and headed to the back, leaving Nick Patrick, Ken Kennedy, and Bobby Lashley all laid out in the ring. Once Machetti had gone to the back trainers and EMTs ran out and down to the ring, they quickly swarmed over Lashley and checked his knee. Eventually they called out a stretcher and ended up rolling Lashley to the back.

But while this was going on Machetti was shown walking backstage on the Titan Tron, then he was approached by Paul London and Brian Kendrick.

"Dude, Machetti, what was that all about?" asked Paul.

"Yeah man," said Brian, "I know you lost your title, but you didn't have to cripple Lashley, get a rematch, there's no need to be a soar loser."

That had set something off in Machetti and suddenly he charged at Brian and tackled him to the ground, then started raining down punches on his former friend's face. Paul came from behind and pulled Machetti off of Brian, but Machetti quickly turned around and kicked Paul in the stomach, then he lifted him up and slammed him face first down to the concrete floor for a Flat-Liner. Machetti then walked off down the hallway as Brian crawled over to Paul to see if he was okay.

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The Diva Talent show had just ended and the door to the locker room was suddenly kicked open. Machetti then stormed out with his ring gear over his shoulder. Machetti walked backstage until he came to the exit to the arena.

"Hold up there playa!" came the voice of Smackdown General Manager Theodore Long.

Long walked up to Machetti, who had stopped walking and stood in front of him, blocking his path to the door.

"What in the hell are you thinking?" asked Teddy, "I just watched the EMTs place Bobby Lashley in an ambulance, and then I heard that you attacked my tag team champions. I'm in the right mind to fire you right now!"

"Wrong Teddy," said Machetti in a cold sadistic voice as he dropped his bag, "you can't fire me. I'm not on your brand. And also I'm not in the right mind right now anyway."

Machetti suddenly grabbed Teddy Long, hoisted him up into the air, and slammed him down to the hard floor for the Flat-Liner. "Stay out of my way, you stupid bastard," said Machetti in the same cold voice. Then Machetti picked up his bag, stepped over the unconscious Smackdown General Manager, kicked the door open and walked out of the arena. The door shut closed behind Machetti as the camera faded, leaving all the fans to think, HOLY CRAP!

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That's No Way Out! I hate Teddy Long, so seeing him get hit with the Flat-Liner makes me smile.

'Till Next Time…

Peace!