Team Work chapter 247
August 21st, 2020
Shane grins as he once more finds himself in control, content to walk around and greet all of the wrestlers for the evening, getting a feel for the ones he doesn't know that well, trying to understand match types and wrestling styles before he escapes back to the office and begins to book matches. It's the final night of the Summerslam cycle and he has no doubt it's going to be a good one.
Starting the final night of the Summerslam cycle off is Brodie Lee, victorious over Dash Wilder. Dakota Kai defeats Diamante.
In triple threat action, Drew McIntyre and MVP make their way to the ring and wait, watching with impatient gruffness as Velveteen Dream meanders his way to the ring, smirking and quirking his finger at the camera suggestively. Once they're all in and the bell rings, McIntyre goes straight for Dream, but it only lasts for a few moments before MVP kicks him off, and begns striking him with punches and elbows. Dream collects himself in the corner, watching them with wide eyes and slow, deep breaths until he drags himself upright and boots MVP right in the face. He glances left to right, clearly amused by both of them being down, and grips McIntyre by the face, pulling him to his feet as well.
The ref admonishes him when he gets too handsy with the man's long hair, but he ignores it, twisting Drew in a neckbreaker, landing a few more punches just to make sure. Drops an elbow on MVP and unceremoniously kicks him out of the ring before heading to the top rope. He dives and sighs, pleased with himself, when he impacts with Drew's prone body, elbowing him hard in the chest. Drew curls up, coughing roughly, but Dream isn't done yet, hoisting him with for the Dream Valley Driver. He's almost about to spin into the move when MVP appears before him, kicks him roughly in the gut and causes him to double up, dropping McIntyre roughly. MVP continues fighting him, trying to get the upperhand and keep it, but Dream shakes himself back into reality and lands a knee to MVP's jaw, staggering him once more.
Dream grits his teeth, grips MVP by the neck, and hoists him up, finally landing the DVD on him instead. When MVP lays there unmoving, Dream smirks, scrambles and pins him. The referee counts it and the bell rings and Dream laughs, wide eyed and haughty as the ref lifts his hand in victory.
Karrion Kross makes fast work of Jake Atlas, and Ivelisse wins against Mandy Rose. Fandango finds himself partnering with The Fiend against Raul Mendoza and Alex Shelley, only just able to tear his eyes away from his menacing partner long enough to hold his own against their opponents. The Fiend actually tags himself in at one point, laughs in Mendoza's face, and lands the Sister Abigail before slinking back to his corner, leaning against the post while laughing further, which gives Fandango no choice but to tag back in, and finish off Mendoza with his leg drop off the top. Lashley defeats Luchasaurus.
Cash Wheeler is a decent opponent, but it's clear early on he has no idea what to do against Shinsuke's wild offense. Shinsuke all but laughs at him when he stops short once more, confounded by Shinsuke's movements, the way his eyes flash anytime they look at each other. The man is ridiculous, moves to his own rhythm, a song no one else can hear, and sometimes, like now, it flummoxes his opponents just enough for Shinsuke to strike out, hit an early Kinshasa, and end things early. This happens tonight, Wheeler finds himself staring up into the lights as Shinsuke pins him, unable to piece together the energy or will to kick out.
Kylie Rae defeats Asuka, and Santos Escobar finds himself partnering with Jungle Boy against Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander. Despite his visible disdain for his partner, they manage to get the win anyway. Sasha Banks wins against Peyton Royce, and Johnny Gargano wins over Luke Gallows.
The team of Cesaro, Apollo Crews, Angel Garza and Finn Balor defeat Rohit Raju, Moose, Dustin Rhodes and Joaquin Wilde. QT Marshall defeats Adam Cole, and Shotzi Blackheart teams with Bayley in a winning effort against Io Shirai and Natalya.
Drake Maverick makes up for his lack of size with determination and gut, and sometimes that's more than enough to outlast everything else. Angelo Dawkins realizes this when he tries again to pin the man after a splash, just to find himself getting kicked out on for the second time. Before he can even wrap his head around it, Drake is back on him, kicking and punching, something feral coming out of him as he fights back. Dawkins tries to reclaim continue again but all it takes is one solid elbow to the jaw, and he's slipping, barely with it enough to realize that forward momentum he's feeling is Drake running him up the top rope, landing a rough Underdog that leaves him winded and more than a little dazed. After all of that, it's almost not a surprise when Dawkins feels himself pressed into the mat, the bell ringing a minute later to announce Drake's victory. He can't even be mad at it.
Chris Sabin defeats Montez Ford, and Damien Priest wins against Jeff Hardy. Kenny Omega beats Tyler Breeze, and Nick Jackson is successful over Karl Anderson. Shayna Baszler walks out victorious over Rhea Ripley.
Seth Rollins smirks as he makes his way to the ring, eyebrow quirked as he looks up at his tag partner for the night. Big E looks unimpressed but holds his own anyway as Darby Allin and Matt Jackson make their way to the ring. Darby and Matt look about as thrilled to partner as Seth and Big E do, but once the bell rings, all four put their prejudices aside and try to fight to victory, all four men wanting that elusive point. Seth is antsy on the apron as Big E slings Matt around, coming close to a pinfall a couple of times. When Darby comes in, he almost gets a surprise victory as well, and Seth's anxiety only grows. He needs that point, he deserves a chance, and no one's letting him in, so he waits and he watches, and finally his opportunity comes.
He reaches in and sneaks a tag on Big E's massive shoulder, the referee seeing and motioning him in. Big E can't stop running, however, and he lands a heavy splash across Darby's middle. Only then does the referee's rebukes break through and Big E is forced to exit the ring, Seth entering in smooth as can be. Matt is still struggling to regain himself on the apron, forced to watch as Seth hits the ropes, runs forward, and curbstomps Darby into the mat. Big E scoffs and shakes his head when Seth gains the pinfall, glaring daggers into his temporary partner's back as Seth cackles joyfully, hands spread out as he absorbs the moment, relishes in the victory.