By: Jay Winger
Note: This is set immediately after "Storm Warning: Radical Damage." To recap: following his triumphant return on RAW, where the Storm got some measure of revenge against former tag team partner Chris Benoit, the Force of Nature was still searching for Benoit on Smackdown!. (See Kevin Kelly get beat up by getting the Storm's way.) Running across Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, Chyna, and Tori (the reunited DX), the Storm learned they were fighting the Radicalz that night and needed a fourth man. When the Storm agreed, Billy even made him an honorary member of DX. During the match, the Storm did manage to get his hands on Benoit at one point, but the match degenerated (no pun intended) into a brawl, until Road Dogg reversed a Saturn flying elbow into a modified pumphandle slam for the win. The next two shows saw the Storm run in during Benoit's match with Austin and attack Benoit with a steel chair, which was returned the next show, when Benoit did the same to the Storm in his match with Test, then locked him in the Crippler Crossface. After several minutes in the hold, Benoit released him, but then Commissioner Foley decreed the two men (as well as their respective teams, the Radicalz and DX) could not lay a finger on one another, because Benoit and the Storm would face each other at Fully Loaded in a Submission Match. On RAW, the Storm teamed up with Road Dogg against Tazz and Raven, and after winning, Benoit came out and taunted the Storm into pursuing him backstage and down into a darkened basement room. Benoit trapped him inside, where two mysterious assailants worked over the Storm with two-by-fours. It wasn't the Radicalz, so who was it?
THURSDAY: Smackdown!, Jul. 16
Halfway through the show, neither the Radicalz nor D-Generation X had seen hide or hair of the Storm. Already, one backstage segment showed Chris Benoit acting cocky, taking the Storm's absence as proof that he was afraid of him. During Benoit's match against Kurt Angle that night, in addition to the traditional "Angle sucks!" and "Benoit sucks!" chants, the fans gave an "Asshole!" chant when Benoit spoke after the match, which he won with the Crippler Crossface.
Benoit took the microphone and said, "You know, you people can chant that word all you like, and it won't change the fact that I cannot be proven wrong!" A chorus of boos. "No one has been able to prove it -- not Stone Cold Steve Austin, not the People's Joke, not even that Olympic sissy-boy Kurt Angle -- and especially not the man who is so cowardly that he can't even show his face here tonight, `cuz someone broke it last Monday on RAW and sent him to the hospital." Big boos. The fans started chanting, "Storm! Storm!" "You can chant his name all you like. But come Sunday, at Fully Loaded, not all the chanting in the world is going to stop me from once again showing that I am the greatest technical wrestler in the WWF today, and I dare the Storm -- when he wakes up -- to prove me wrong!"
After Benoit had left, during the next segment, the siren lights started flashing and the Storm Warning symbol flashed on the OvalTron. The fans started cheering as the siren stopped and the voice spoke: "The Storm...has...ARRIVED!" The lightning pyro shot off, and striding out of the smoke came the Storm himself. He wore his 'Force of Nature' t-shirt, but the fans could see bruises on his head and a couple bandages on his hands and fingers. His face was a mask of intensity as he paced down to the ring and took the microphone from Tony Chimel.
"So...," the Storm said, "...Wrestlemania -- I'm up on that table on top of the ladders...I'm looking down at Hardys, who have just made off with the WWF Tag Team titles...and I'm thinkin', 'it's no big deal, Benoit and I can get the titles back easy.' But then, Benoit comes up there, starts screamin' at me, 'How could you lose our titles? Why didn't you stop them?' I'm sittin' there, blood all over my face, barely able to see straight from the con-chair-to and my bruised ribs, and I'm just like," the Storm spread his arm out, "'whaddaya want me to say, Chris?' And he just picks up that steel chair, winds up, and knocks me off that table, out of the ring, crashing through two tables. I wake up in the hospital...and they tell me I'm gonna be out for at least three months. And meanwhile, I'm sittin' at home, watching to see what that som'bitch is up to.
"So," the Storm said after a pause, "let's just see what Benoit's done. He goes and teams back up with his shifty-ass buddies, the Radicalz, and they wreck havoc on the Federation. So what? So Benoit mixes it up with The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. So what? And Benoit manages to win the King of the Ring. Well, whoopty-fuggin'-do! Long live the King!" But here, the Storm gestured and nodded toward Jerry Lawler. "But Benoit -- none of that matters, because, you see, boyo, you tried to knock out a Force of Nature. And none of your buddies or your accolades are gonna help you when you get in the ring with me on Sunday, because I've been waiting for an opportunity like this.
"Let's remember what happened last Thursday, Benoit. You came down to the ring, hit me not once, but twice in the head with a steel chair, then you put me in the Crossface for almost five minutes...and what happened? I cussed your ass out like the dog you are. I didn't tap out, I didn't pass out. And when those refs pulled you off me, what'd I do? I stood back up. I didn't need no EMTs to do it or those referees. I was ready to take you on right there. But I can wait till Fully Loaded. But Benoit, you made a mistake on Monday. You lured me into that basement, and then you had two black-masked yahoos beat me over the head with two-by-fours. And now you're calling me a coward? Benoit, if Mick Foley hadn't ordered me not to, I'd be back there kickin' your gap-toothed ass back to Canuck Country. And if your Radical buddies interfere in the match...then that just proves to me that you are a coward and the furthest thing from the great technical wrestler you claim to be!
"It's like Mick Foley told you three weeks ago, Benoit -- you should seek shelter `cuz you got an unstoppable Force of Nature comin' for ya...and that is your Storm Warning!" He threw down his microphone, gave his two-fingered salute and left as his music played.
SATURDAY: Livewire, Jul. 18
Promotional video transcript for Benoit-Storm feud...aired during broadcast
[Slow-motion image of Chris Benoit walking down the ramp.]
Voice-Over (VO): A Rabid Wolverine...
[Video of Benoit locking Just Joe in the Crossface.]
J.R. Jim Ross: (shouting) Chris Benoit is possessed, a monster!
[Slow-motion image of the Storm walking down the ramp.]
VO: A Force of Nature...
[Video of the Storm dislocating Christian's shoulder.]
Michael Cole: (shouting) And the Storm's just popped out Christian's shoulder!
[Slow-motion image of Benoit and the Storm side by side on the ramp, leering back at the ring.]
VO: A vicious team...
[Videos of Benoit and the Storm brutalizing Just Joe, the Acolytes, and the Hardys.]
Benoit: (v.o.) We are the most brutal tag team in the history of the WWF!
The Storm: (v.o.) Prove us wrong!
[Slow-motion image of Benoit and the Storm raising the Tag Team Championship belts at No Way Out.]
VO: Tag Team Champions...
[Videos of the No-DQ Match, including the Storm clobbering Christian in the Crossface with a shovel, the tandem Windfall-swandive heabutt.]
J.R.: (shouting) Somebody stop these monsters!
Jerry "the King" Lawler: (shouting) Look at Benoit! These men are sick!
[Slow-motion images of the Storm, bloody and battered, after the Hardys win the titles at Wrestlemania.]
VO: A betrayal...
[Video of Benoit berating the Storm, then hitting him with a steel chair and sending him through two tables.]
J.R.: (shouting) Oh my God! Benoit just hit the Storm, and by God, he must have broken him in half!
[Slow-motion image of Benoit being crowned King of the Ring.]
VO: A rise to glory...
[Video of Benoit kicking out of the Censorbomb and putting Val Venis in the Crossface.]
Benoit: (v.o.) I am still the greatest technical wrestler in the history of the WWF, and nobody can prove me wrong!
[Slow-motion image of the Storm striding through the smoke of his pyro, angry face.]
VO: A vengeful partner...
[Videos of the Storm in his return match, the DX-Radicalz match, and hitting Benoit in the head with a steel chair.]
The Storm: (shouting) Chris Benoit! This is your Storm Warning!
[Slow-motion video of Benoit with the Storm in the Crossface.]
VO: A Submission Match...
[Video of Mick Foley addressing Benoit and the Storm.]
Mick Foley: I can understand why you two have all this hatred for each other, and that's fine and dandy. That's why I've decided to exercise my powers to book you two in a Submission Match, at Fully Loaded.
[Slow-motion video of Benoit and the Storm going at it in the Storm's return match.]
VO: A blood feud...
[Videos of the Storm and Benoit cutting promos, of the Storm chasing Benoit through the backstage area.]
Benoit: (v.o.) At Fully Loaded, not all the chanting in the world is going to stop me from once again showing that I am the greatest technical wrestler in the WWF today, and I dare the Storm to prove me wrong!
The Storm: (v.o.) None of your buddies or your accolades are gonna help you when you get in the ring with me, because I've been waiting for an opportunity like this.
[Slow-motion image of Foley and Road Dogg finding the Storm beat-up in the basement.]
The Storm: (v.o.) You lured me into that basement, and then you had two black-masked yahoos beat me over the head with two-by-fours. And now you're calling me a coward?
[Videos of the two in the midst of their matches, furiously attacking their opponents.]
Benoit: (v.o.) I became the King of the Ring because no one can prove me wrong, and neither can you!
The Storm: (v.o.) Benoit, it's time for you to reap the Windfall!
VO: Sunday at Fully Loaded...
[Promotional image of Chris Benoit for the PPV.]
VO: Chris Benoit--
[Promotional image of the Storm for the PPV.]
VO: The Storm--
[Promotional image of the two for the match at the PPV.]
VO: A Submission Match, this Sunday at Fully Loaded.
SUNDAY: Fully Loaded, Jul. 19
Again, it was a fairly well-stacked card for the WWF's latest PPV. And like it predecessor, there was a "triple main event" of sorts, with Austin defending his title against The Rock again, Triple H fighting Kurt Angle for number-one contendership at Summerslam, and the Submission Match between Benoit and the Storm. In addition, there was a decent undercard. X-Pac took on former running buddy Road Dogg again, and lost when the DXer reversed an X-Factor into a pumphandle slam. Lo Down took on Too Cool in a tag-team matchup, and Chaz kicked out of the Worm to hit a superplex on Grandmaster Sexay, which was followed up by a D'Lo frog splash. The Acolytes and T&A went head-to-head again in a Street Fight match, which was brutal and fast-paced, and soon Bradshaw hit his Clothesline from Hell lariat on Albert while Faarooq hit a Dominator on Test to pick up the win. Jacqueline challenged Lita for her Women's title, but got hit with a Lita Twist of Fate, a hurcanrana off the top rope, and then a moonsault. Val Venis attempted to capture William Regal's European title, but the good will ambassador kicked out of the Censorbomb and put on the Regal Stretch to get the win.
The Hardy Boyz defended their Tag Team titles against Mr. Buchanan and the Goodfather of Right to Censor, accompanied by Steven Richards. Matt got a Censorkick from Richards at one point, but Jeff flattened him with a flying plancha from the top turnbuckle, leaving Matt to hit a Twist of Fate on the Goodfather and pick up a win while Buchanan was distracted outside with Jeff. Eddie Guerrero was accompanied by "Chynette" Kat against Intercontinental Champion Billy Gunn, who was accompanied by Chyna. During the match, Kat was chased around a great deal by Chyna, who eventually pulled her off the apron for a powerbomb, and Billy hit the Fame-Asser on Eddie.
Now the triple main event was due to start, first with the Submission Match. A lot of pro-Storm and anti-Benoit signs littered the arena, and these signs were waved when the siren hit. The Storm Warning symbol flashed, and then came his voice, "Seek shelter...because the Storm...has...ARRIVED!" Lightning shot down and set off his blinding pyro, and the Storm strode out of the smoke, wearing a new t-shirt. It had his symbol on the front, but it also had a dark-blue silhouette of a man standing with arms raised to the sides in front of it. Lettering said, SEEK SHELTER, and on the back, THE STORM HAS ARRIVED!
"The following match is a Submission Match. Introducing first, from Dallas, Texas, weighing in at 235 pounds...THE STORM!"
The Storm crouched in the ring, still wearing bandages on his hands and fingers, but the bruises had begun to recede from his face. He threw off his sunglasses and waited impatiently. The lights flashed blue, and Benoit's music started up. "And his opponent, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, weighing in at 220 pounds...he is the King of the Ring...CHRIS BENOIT!" King Crippler walked out in black-on-gold tights, pointed at the Storm, and gave a slow throat cut. The Storm charged out of the ring as Benoit ran down the ramp and met him halfway. They locked up and began trading punches with incredible fury. The Storm managed to pull ahead and grabbed Benoit's head for a knee to the face, then threw him down the ramp.
Benoit got back up quickly, however, and stopped the Storm with an elbow to the gut. He followed up with a rake to the eyes, then grabbed his arm and threw him into the steel stairs. The Storm started to get up slowly as he rubbed his head where he'd hit, and Benoit was quick to grab him for a death suplex, but the Storm elbowed free and turned it into a Russian leg sweep, driving the Wolverine's head into the floor. Referee Teddy Long shouted at him to get Benoit into the ring, so the Storm reluctantly pulled Benoit up and threw him in the ring. He followed, and the ring bell rang, officially starting the match.
Benoit got to his feet in time to be thrown into the ropes, coming back into a Thesz press from the Storm, who began to unload punches to Benoit's head, fast starting blood to coat his knuckles and Benoit's face. Teddy Long told him to get him off the mat, so the Storm did so, allowing a woozy Benoit to stagger on his feet as the Storm examined the blood on his fingers. He licked some of it up, then made a face and spit on the mat before flooring Benoit with a right cross. The Storm quickly stomped on his ankle, then grabbed up a leg and sneered at his former partner before putting on the Twister. The referee was down on the mat to ask Benoit if he would submit, but Benoit shook his head, snarling and lunging forward to grab the Storm's face. He raked the eyes, causing the Force of Nature to stumble back.
Benoit came over and threw the Storm into the ropes, hitting him with a reverse elbow on the rebound. The Storm started to get back up, but Benoit started to stomp on him, not letting him get to his feet. He stopped for a moment as Teddy Long had words with him, and when he turned back, the Storm grabbed the back of his knee and yanked him down. The Storm grabbed Benoit's legs, and intertwined them with his own, locking on the Figure-Four Leglock. Benoit shouted in pain as the Storm twitched his leg muscles, intensifying the hold, but Benoit shook his head and reached for the ropes. The Storm kept him back as long as he could, but then Benoit managed a lunge and grabbed the bottom rope. Reluctantly, the Storm released him, but he walked over to Benoit, grabbed his foot and dragged him to the center of the ring, where he started to twist Benoit's leg for the Texas Cloverleaf.
Benoit, however, shoved himself off the mat and hit the Storm with an enzuigiri. With catlike quickness, King Crippler moved over to the Storm, who was pushing himself up, grabbed his arm, and locked on the Crippler Crossface. The Storm hissed through his teeth as he grimaced in pain, but he clenched his free fist and braced his elbow, starting to push himself off the mat. Benoit blinked in surprise and leaned back, tightening his grip, but the Storm growled and continued to push himself upright. He was on his knees and placed his hand on the mat to help steady himself, but then Benoit snarled and threw his weight back on the Storm, flattening him back out and locking the Crossface back on.
His eyes almost squinted tight from the pain and stress of trying to pull himself free, the Storm clenched his fist again and began to reach for the nearest bottom rope. Pain shot through his arm as stress was put on the bruises he still had from the sneak attack on RAW. Growling again, the Storm reached again for the ropes, but missed. Benoit started to pull him back, so he couldn't reach the ropes. The Storm clenched his fist again, then swung his elbow back, managing to catch Benoit in the side of the head as he leaned back to increase the hold. Benoit, surprised and a little stunned from the blow, released the hold, allowing the Storm to move as fast as he could, turning around and sliding his hand through Benoit's legs as the other arm bent the Wolverine's head forward, then the Storm linked his hands together, bending Benoit's back. To add more pain, the Storm leaned with all his weight on Benoit as he held him, pressing him against the mat.
Benoit's arms flailed, trying vainly to find a rope, but he couldn't see them from his position. The Storm maintained this hold for a minute before Benoit swung his hands into the Storm's head, striking his ears. Shouting in pain, the Storm released him. Benoit got up, wincing, then charged at the Storm, who sidestepped and threw him against the ropes. When he came back at him, the Storm grabbed Benoit and executed a textbook tilt-a-whirl powerslam. With Benoit down again, the Storm went to put on the Texas Cloverleaf, and this time managed to lock it in. Benoit cast about for the ropes, then seeing the nearest set, started leaning in that direction. The Storm let him go when the ropes were grabbed, then charged. Benoit ducked and back dropped him over the ropes. The Storm fell on the floor, landing on his left arm -- the one that had been injured in the Crossface. He shouted in pain and grabbed it, then got up.
Benoit stepped out of the ring and came at him, landing a single arm chop to the hurt shoulder before the Storm grabbed Benoit's head and slammed it into the security barrier. He did it two more times, then threw Benoit back in the ring. The Storm followed, grabbing Benoit's arm and hitting him with a short-arm clothesline. He kept his grip on Benoit's arm, then dropped to the mat and wrapped his legs around it for an armbar. He held on the armbar for a minute, then removed his legs and pulled Benoit up. King Crippler stood groggily as the Storm looked up at the audience, still gripping Benoit's arm, and gave a chop to his shoulder. The fans cheered, and then the Storm gave Benoit an Irish whip, but he held onto the arm, yanking back and dislocating Benoit's arm with an audible pop. The Storm bent down over Benoit and gave several short jabs to the shoulder before he stood him back up.
"All right," the Storm growled, "let's finish this." He twisted Benoit's dislocated arm around in a hammerlock, pushed him to the mat, then brought up his knee and pinned down Benoit's hand as his arms locked around Benoit's jaw and stretched him back in the camel clutch position. The Storm raised his head, his face wild, and shouted, "Let's hear the snap!" Referee Teddy Long was down, asking if Benoit wanted to submit, but the Wolverine stoically kept his mouth shut. Benoit's body could be seen quivering as he fought the hold, but the Storm had him against the mat, and Benoit couldn't get any leverage.
The hold was maintained for a while, the fans cheering the Storm, and then the referee checked Benoit's free arm. He raised it in the air and dropped it. It flopped limply. "One!" Long shouted. He raised it in the air again, and again it flopped limply. "Two!" The fans were ready for it... Again, up, and the arm flopped limply once more! "Three! Ring the bell!" Long shouted. He turned back to the Storm and told him to let Benoit go, but the Force of Nature held on for a few more seconds before pulling his hands away. Benoit's head fell to the mat, and then the Storm stood up after digging his knee into Benoit's back a few more times. Teddy Long raised the Storm's arm in the air.
"And the winner of this match...THE STORM!"
The Storm, admittedly looking a bit fatigued himself from the way he was holding his left arm, asked for the microphone. Howard Finkel handed it to him, and the Storm looked down at the unconscious Benoit, then up at the crowd. "The King is dead," the Storm said. He raised his fist in the air. "Long live the king!" He lowered his hand, looked down at Benoit, gave his carcass an Italian arm chop, then a two-fingered salute. He crouched over Benoit, picked up Benoit's head by the hair, leaned forward and said into the mic: "And that, Benoit, was your Storm Warning." He threw Benoit's head back down, then tossed aside the microphone as he left the ring, feeling his injured shoulder.
-more to come-
Disclaimer: All things WWF are property of Titan Sports. The Storm is a completely fictional character. I do incorporate a few traits from existing WWF wrestlers, but for the most part, he's my idea. This is not the end of the Storm's feud with Benoit, not by a long shot. If you have any ideas for who you think the Storm would team up with or go up against, let me know. Drop me a line at jay_winger_2k@hotmail.com
-=Jay 2K Winger=-