Chapter 10: Fallout from Backlash

Tuesday, September 13th, 2016 - No Mercy: 26 Days Away - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

For the past few days, it's been rough for the former Intercontinental Champion, Zack Mercer and even rougher for Andrew James McGrady. Zack Mercer had only one goal. One want and that was to get the Intercontinental Champion back and erase the bad luck around his first reign. For James, he wanted his girlfriend, Cassie. She seemed to be ignoring him but for what reason, he didn't know. He wished he did but he didn't.

But so far, Lexi had managed to take some of the attention away from the negativity in his life. Lexi had been hanging out with him for most of yesterday and it made things a little bit better for him taking the tension away. She even helped him out in the gym and in the ring for a bit. Of course, he had to buy her Starbucks afterwards and beforehand but hey, it was worth it.

Earlier today, it was announced that at No Mercy in Sacramento, California that Zack Mercer would go one on one with The Miz in his Intercontinental Championship rematch. And the great thing about it being in Sacramento, he could get tickets for his sister and her family to be able to come watch him put on a show. Being able to put on a show for his niece, Annabeth and his nephew, Alvin.

James currently sat in the locker room with a frown on his face. He wore a pair of grey skinny jeans with black leather chelsea boots with one of his t-shirts. He had his earbuds in

Minutes Later - Smackdown Live Ringside Area

The Miz stood in the ring with Maryse as the lights were dimmed down while the ring was set up for Miz TV. Miz was dressed in a suit of course while his wife was wearing a glamorous dress and Miz had the Intercontinental Championship on his shoulder. He had a microphone in his hand as he stood in the ring with a smirk on his face. He put the mic up to his mouth while the fans booed him He opened his mouth to say something but he was cut off by a certain theme music.

"Bully" Hits

Zack Mercer walked out onto the stage with entrance video being the only the video on in the arena while all the lights were currently off within the arena. He raised his index fingers and middle fingers up in the air as the lights of the arena came back on and began going back and forth between blue, red and white lights.

"Let's go it's Mercer Time baby!" Zack Mercer yelled as he walked down the ramp slapping the hands of the fans in the front row.

Once he reached the ringside area he looked around at the walked around the ringside area to the ring and got up onto the ring apron similar to the Miz's style. He held onto the middle rope while he raised up his index finger and middle finger with his other hand. He got up to his feet and entered the ring before went over to the turnbuckle and did his pose over again while the fans cheered loudly.

He jumped down from the ropes and walked towards the center of the ring requesting a microphone.

"Bully" Stops

"Philly, How you doin?" Zack asked into the mic as the fans cheered loudly while Miz took off his shades and looked at Zack with a look of disrespect.

"Man I got to give you props Miz. You did it. You gained back your WWE Intercontinental Championship and hell you gave me my first loss on the Main Roster in the process. A trend I hope to not start. But man you did it. Let's give it up for The Miz." Zack said on the mic with a smile as he then started to clap along trying to get the fans to clap but they booed instead.

"Congratulations you've put yourself in elite company. 6-time you've held that Intercontinental Championships. 6 freaking times. You're tied for the second most reigns all time with the likes of RVD and Jeff Jarrett. The only man who has more reigns than you is Chris Jericho. And that's amazing man. You can add that to your already impressive resume, 2-time United States Champion, multiple time Tag Team Champion, former Mr. Money in the Bank, former WWE Champion and former WrestleMania main eventer, you are if not one of the best WWE Superstars of all time and I truly mean that." Zack said on the mic as the Miz smirked looking around the arena at the mention of his accomplishments.

"And add this to the resume, the man who handed Zack Mercer his first loss on SmackDown Live."

"As much as I appreciate you acknowledging my hall of fame worthy career, what is the meaning of this?" The Miz asked putting the mic up to his mouth.

"I'm getting there, just hold on. Now while your careers has had it's ups and it damn sure has had it's downs." Zack said pointing to the titantron showing The Miz back in his tough enough days posing for a picture.

"That's not all." The titantron showed another picture but this time The Miz back in 2009 when he was partnering with John Morrison. "I mean talk about a fashion no-no." Zack said as some of the fans laughed at his insult while The Miz just looked at Zack, clearly annoyed by his attempts to make him a joke.

"Now I can keep going down the list if you want but-"

"Are you done?" Miz asked.

"I'm pretty sure that's what she asked you in bed." Zack said on the mic once more making the crowd chuckled as Zack looked at Maryse who rolled her eyes as his petty insults.

"You think you're so funny don't you. You come out here and you run your mouth and make jokes. That's what you do around here isn't it. All you do is make jokes. You made this Intercontinental Championship look like a joke. Around your waist it wasn't taken as serious as it should have been. But around my waist, it's the main championship here on Smackdown Live. Around my waist, this Intercontinental Championship is the main event. This is marquee, this is the reason people come to SmackDown Live." The Miz started to rant as Zack backed up and leaned on the ropes shaking his head as he chuckled.

"I'm glad you find this funny because I find that joke you call a career to be funny." The fans chanted "What" in response as Zack looked around at the crowd.

"You're a phony."

What?

"You're pathetic."

What?

"You've always been a joke."

"You were a joke down in NXT."

"You're a joke now."

"Your own family-" The Miz was saying until he was clocked in the jaw with an Ace of Spades making him drop the mic and drop the title while the fans cheered.

"Don't you ever talk about my family again!" Zack shouted as he then dropped the mic while his music started to play around the arena while Maryse tended to her husband. Zack exited the ring and put the title on his shoulder while he walked up the ramp not turning back.

This is the ZackAttack signing out!

Peace!