Chapter 8 - Ladder Match
(Still waiting for those e-mails people. enjoy.)
The atmosphere in the arena was electric, and the fans knew they were going to have a hell of a main event tonight. Rarely did you see Ladder Matches on anything but pay-per-view, and none of them with the kind of wrestlers that they were going to see today.
A suitcase was being held on a rope above the ring, very high above it. To get to the suitcase, the wrestlers would have to manage to climb 15 feet on the ladder without getting knocked off, then pick up the suitcase. The winner would chose the Main Event for No Mercy. And the possibility's were endless.
Scott Sinter, a former World Championship Wrestling Champion. A man who had possibly the most deadly body. Every muscle was like a spring waiting to lash out. His mindset like that of a butcher. A man filled with vanity. Obcessed with himself.
The Rock, arguably the most popular superstar in WWF history. A former WWF Champion, he was one of the fan favorites going into the match. A very well rounded wrestler, who had the most electrifying moves in the history of the WWF.
Chris Jericho, a man who many picked to be the next big name in WWF history. He had almost won the world title on occassion, but was stripped of it and had the decision reversed. He was a jack of all trades. Technical wrestler. Brawler. High Flyer. He did it all. Out of every wrestler in the match, he was the favorite for the match.
Stone Cold Steve Austin, once the most popular man in Wrestling, and a multitime WWF champion. However, he had sold out for gold. No matter what side he was on, he was still a calculating killer, a wild card, a renegade. His Stone Cold Stunner was a move that was quick and vicious.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Otherwise known as Triple H. The Game. The cerebral assassin. He was quite possibly the smartest, most calculating wrestler in the history of wrestling. And quite possibly the most hated man in Wrestling. He was probably the most technically sound wrestler out of all of the six involved in the match.
And then there was Kane. The Big Red Machine. Yet another former World Wrestling Champion. Lately, he had struck the World Wrestling Federation like a hurricane, destroying all who was put in front of him. Angle, Buchanan, X-Pac, the Big Show, Albert, Credible, Regal and finally, Vince McMahon himself. All of them had been taken out by the Big Red Monster. Fueled by revenge and hatred, he was generally considered to be the biggest threat in this matchup. There was speculation on weither he would go for the WWF title, or he would attempt to finally destroy those who took his brother out. Either way, the man was a monster to contend with.
The sound of glass shattering filled the arena as the music them of Stone Cold Steve Austin filled the arena, and the former WWF Champion walked towards the ring, the boo's filling the Arnea.
Entering the ring he looked around at the people in attendence. All of them, idiotic worms to him. Compleatly pathetic. How many times had he heard them whine. Why Stone Cold? Why? It was enough to make him sick. He hated being idolized, he hated being considered some big shot hero. And even though he was in his home state, he still hated everyone in attendence for everything. Asking him for autographs, asking him for favors. Who did they think they were? They didn't make him who he was. They didn't fight his matches. They could all kiss his ass.
Austin picked up the microphone and looked at them all. All of them, pathetic. "I have something I need to get off of my chest." People began to chant the world asshole, and Austin glared at them. "My name is Stone Cold Steve Austin, and I am going to get my World Wrestling Federation Championship back. Commissioner Mick Foley did NOT have the right to take away my title. He didn't have the right to pull anything like that to Stone Cold Steve Austin."
"So it looks like tonight, Stone Cold Steve Austin is going to have to fight his allies and his enemies. Well that is just fine for Stone Cold Steve Austin. I'm going to kick their asses, get that breifcase and make my match for No Mercy. And no one, not the Rock, not Triple H, not even that big red retard Kane can stop me."
Suddenly fire exploded from every ringpost and Austin began to cower for a few moments before picking up his belt and preparing to run. But instead of seeing Kane, he saw someone on the titantron. However, that image did not do much to comfort him.
For on the titantron, was the image of the Undertaker. And the Undertaker just sat and laughed at Austin.
"Well boy, you think you've got all the answers do you?" The Undertaker said, smirking and looking at Austin. "Well I got news for you boy, you didn't destroy the dead man. I'll be back in 6 months and then you and I are going to settle things...that is, if my brother leaves anything left of you for me to destroy."
The Undertaker smiled and began to take a sip of beer from a can. "You see, when you, Triple H and Stiner attacked me in the ring, you boys must have figured that made you the big dogs. But you see, Kane's the big dog now. And you are standing in HIS yard. And tonight, when he beats you all in that ladder match, you are going to with you were never born. You see, what you did to me didn't effect anyone any. No one is more scared of you. All you did was piss Kane off. And you know, I used to worry about restraining him from going all out after you. But now I'm not going to be around to hold him back."
Austin paced back and forth in the ring, frowning.
"And Austin, when I get back, you and I have a little match set up by Foley. Seems I'm going to be back by Wrestlemania. And I get any match I want. So I want you to sit back after you recover from Kane kicking your ass, and train really hard. Beacause at WrestleMania...you will be entering my yard. And I'll be the big dog running that yard. See you at Wrestlemania."
And with that, the image on the titantron disappeared. Austin growled and then exited the ring and spit on the ground, and in anger, punched out a cameraman and gave him the Stunner.
Little did Austin know that this would be the least of his problems.
********
Kane sat alone in the locker room, the lights out, staring straight ahead. He was concentrating on his matchup for tonight. He doubted that he ever had a more important match than tonight's. With the ability to create a match for No Mercy, he could put himself in the ultimate proving ground. He could make it so he could see how good he really was at this.
He kept his opponents in his head, feeding himself. Feeding his knowledge. He knew what he would have to do. The Rock and Chris Jericho, they had heart, but Kane would go through them just the same. However, they would be exempt from serious punishment. Unfortionatly for Triple H and Austin, Kane had plans for them. But that would wait for No Mercy.
Kane heard a knock on the locker room door. He stood up and waited. "It's open." He said. Opening the door, was Tori. Kane narrowed his eyes as he saw her enter the room. Her face was filled with sadness and regret. Kane's own eyes were filled with hatred and disgust.
"What do you want?" Said Kane as he turned his back to her and began to get his gear together.
"Kane...I want to talk to you." Tori said, walking slowly towards him. Kane kept his back turned to her, continuing to get his gear.
"We have nothing to talk about." He responded.
"Kane...I made a big mistake last year. Probably the biggest mistake of my life. I thought I could live with it but...it's starting to become too much for me." Tears streamed down her face as she began to talk. "You were so sweet to me, you were the first person who saw me for me instead of just some other lady in tight clothing."
Kane continued to pack his things.
"You showed me a side that no one had seen before. A sweet, kind, caring person. I loved him. But I did something stupid. And after that...I havn't seen that side of you. No one has. You became someone else. But I can't let the man I knew go."
Kane just turned towards her and narrowed his eyes. "The man you knew is dead." He simply turned around and took off his street mask, and put on his ring mask. "Gone. You and X-Pac killed him."
Tori cried more. "But I want him back."
He turned around and growled. "He won't be coming back. Live with it." He then left the locker room and Tori fell to her knees, her heart broken again.
******
The Rock paced back and forth in his locker room while Kevin Kelly held a microphone.
"Well Rock, you are just minutes away from the 6-man ladder match between you..."
The Rock held his hand up, and Kevin Kelly shut up, and the crowd cheered. They would react to every gesture of the Rock. Every movement. This was the true power of the people's champion. It wasn't his wrestling ability, it wasn't his looks, it was his ability to control the crowd to his very whim. No one could do that better than the Rock.
The Rock grabbed the microphone and raised the eyebrow. "Tonight, Raw is War, here in Dallas Texas, the Rock is facing a challenge. PERHAPS, the biggest challenge of the Rock's career. Six men, one title above the ring. A 15 foot ladder the only way for one of the men to climb it. Now the Rock knows he has pretty tough competition. The Rock is aware, that tonight he will not just be fighting for the chance to make a WWF Championship Matchup, the Rock is fighting for his life. But let the Rock look at the people he's up against. The Rock will be up against Scott Stiner, that muscle bound moron who needs a huge lead pipe to cover up his...shortcomings." The Rock looked downwards, and then he looked at Kevin Kelly. "Perhaps you could use a lead pipe Kevin Kelly." The crowd went nuts, the noise shaking the arena.
"As well, the Rock will have to go through Triple H. One more time, the Rock and the Game on opposite sides of the playing field. ONE MORE TIME, the Rock is going to have to layeth the smackethdown on Triple H's candy ass. One more time the Rock is going to have to make sure that the Game's two cent, no 1 cent, oh what the hell, 3 for the the price of one oh what the hell here's a cupon compleate slut of a wife." The crowd went nuts.
"As well, the Rock will have to fight Mr. 'My name is Stone Cold Steve Austin'. Well Stone Cold the people allready know who the hell you are, and frankly the people and the people's champion doesn't give a rats ass who the hell you are. Tonight, the Rock is going to kick Stone Cold Steve Austin's ass all over this arena."
"And the Rock will have to fight Chris Jericho, Y2J, the Ayotolla of Rock and Rollah. Now the Rock respects Chris Jericho, and Rock sort of likes Chris Jericho. But the fact of the matter is this, if Chris Jericho gets in the Rock's way, the Rock is going to kick Chris Jericho's Canadian ass!"
"Which brings us, to Kane. You know Kane, you and the Rock have been through a lot. Hell, you and the Rock have been through wars. You and the Rock have a lot in common. We both kick a lot of ass. We both are former WWF Champions, and we both think Kevin Kelly is the biggest hermafradite the world has ever seen!!!" Kevin Kelly hung his head in shame as the Rock made fun of him again. The Rock looked at him. "Oh go cry to momma jabroni!" He pushed Kelly out of the way. "But Kane, the one thing the Rock is not, is a psychopath, and tonight, you are going to smell...what the Rock is cookin'." The Rock raised his eyebrow, and then left.
*******
Edge and Christian hid in Kane's locker room, waiting for the big red machine to come in. They had covered the room in gasoline after talking to Austin and Triple H about getting to Kane. It seemed that they figured that Kane had a fear of fire. So, to intimidate Kane and perhaps scare him out of the match, they had decided to burn his room and give him the conchairto.
"Dude this is so totally going to work!" Christian said, giving Edge a thumbs up.
"Yeah I know, this game plan by...the game..." Edge shrugged and continued on. "just reeks of awesomeness. Kane is going to wish he never met team ECK!"
Christian gave him a high five. "Right on." He lit a match.
Then they felt a pat in the back and turned around to see Kane right behind them, nodding to them. "Hello boys." He shook his head at them and then growled. Christian dropped his match and the room became engulfed in flame. Kane, however, just laughed. Standing with flames all around him, he looked like a large demon with hate filled eyes. Edge and Christian backed away from him slowly as his room began to erupt in flames.
"But you are supposed to be scared of fire!! This was supposed to so totally psyche you out!" Edge yelled.
Kane shook his head. "It's called therapy. Read about it." He then grabbed them both by the throat and threw them through his door, one after another. He exited the room and looked at a security guard. "They set my room on fire. Take care of them before I have to."
He looked down at them and then walked away from them.
*******
However, it seemed Triple H had a backup plan. Waiting for Kane in the hallway, was the mean street posse. They all held chairs and smiled to him, gesturing for him to attack them.
Kane shook his head and then took his mask off for a few moments. They all took a look at his hidious scarred face, his hate filled eyes. His huge intimidating figure. "Your move." He said.
They immedietly dropped their chairs and ran for their lives. Kane laughed, put his mask on and walked away.
*******
Jim Ross and Paul Heyman sat at ringside for the main event, preparing to commentate on it. "Well, it all comes down to this. A 15 foot ladder, a suitcase, and the right to name the main event for No Mercy for the World Wrestling Federation title is up for grabs." Yelled Jim Ross.
"And tonight, we are going to possibly see the end of someone's career." Yelled Paul Heyman. "As you know, a Ladder match is one of the deadliest matches in the World Wrestling Federation. And with this caliber of superstars in this match, it's anyone's guess as to who will win this one."
"For once you are right Paul. This one is definetly not for the weak at heart. This one will be, a slobberknocker!"
The Game's theme began to play as Triple H walked towards the ring, his eyes focused on the suitcase that hung high above the ring. What he should have payed attention to was the figure of Scott Stiner running towards him and hitting in the head with a lead pipe, knocking the game to the ground. Stiner hit Triple H on the shoulder and then the kneecap. He continued to hit the kneecap several times. Stiner laughed at him. "That suitcase is mine Hunter."
He turned around only to see Stone Cold Steve Austin, who gave him a kick to the gut and then the Stone Cold Stunner.
Soon the Rock and Chris Jericho began to run out and double team Austin while Triple H slowly got up. He limped towards the ring and suddenly the arena went black.
Then flames erupted beside the Titantron and Kane's them played as he ran towards the ring, a chain wrapped around his fist. He immedietly went after Stone Cold Steve Austin, pounding his head the chain, splitting his head open. He then picked up Austin and threw him into the crowd. He looked around to see the Rock slugging it out with Triple H, who had an obvious limp on his knee. Then he turned his head towards Jericho who was fighting Stiner, but Stiner began to dominate Jericho. Kane shook his head, Jericho could fend for himself.
Kane picked up a ladder and threw it into the ring. No, it wasn't quite time yet. He walked towards Stiner as he reached for a lead pipe to hurt Jericho with. As he was about to nail Jericho with it, Kane grabbed his arm and kicked him in the gut. Wrenching the lead pipe from Stiners hand, Kane nailed him on the small of the back. He slammed the lead pipe against his back again, knocking him to the ground. He then turned to Jericho, who now had a chair in his hand. Jericho slammed the chair onto Kane's head, causing him to stagger backwards. He hit Kane again, bringing Kane to one knee. Jericho hit him again, causing him to fall on his back in pain.
Kane put a hand on top of his head to see if there was any blood. Fortunatly, he was not busted upen. Nor did he have a concussion. Good.
He saw Jericho enter the ring and begin to assemble the ladder. He began to get up, only to be hit on the back of the head by Stiner's boot. Stiner then ran to the ring. Kane began to get up slowly, seeing Stiner get nailed in the face by a missile dropkick by Jericho. Kane smiled. Out of all of the opponents, Kane had considered Jericho his biggest threat. Jericho had something that none of his opponents had, heart. No matter how much Kane or anyone else hurt Jericho, they could never beat him. He would never give up. Kane admired that.
But that didn't mean that Kane would go easy on him. He picked up the chair and walked towards the ring, seeing the Rock get double teamed by Triple H and Austin, then he saw Triple H kick Austin in the gut and go for the pedigree.
Kane entered the ring watching Jericho attempt to climb the ladder, only to get pulled off by Triple H. Swinging the chair with all of his might, Kane nailed Jericho in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground. He began to swing at Triple H, but the game managed to pull the ladder down and it landed on Kane's head, knocking him to the ground, and splitting his head wide open.
Kane looked up as Triple H smiled, looking down on him. "You'll never beat me Kane." Triple H said.
Kane just smiled. "Go fuck yourself." He then threw the ladder upwards with all of his strength, the ladder connecting with Triple H's jaw. Triple H fell to the ground in pain, his body thrashing around the entire ring.
Kane picked up the ladder, seeing Jericho get up. He smashed the ladder over Jericho's back as he struggled to get up. Kane moved his eyes towards Austin and the Rock who were slowly getting up. Kane threw the ladder towards them lightly, and as they caught it, he delivered a kick that knocked the ladders into their faces.
Kane heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Stiner enter the ring. Stiner's own stare reflected Kane's own. The stood for a few moments, united in mutual hatred for each other. Stiner, who hated Kane for interrupting his plans and forcing him into this match. Kane, who was out for revenge after what Stiner did to his brother.
After what seemed like forever, there was only one thing to say.
Kane nodded and smirked under his mask, blood flowing all over it and all over his chest. "Lets do this."
Stiner and Kane attacked each other like wild animals, their strength matching that of each other. It seemed like Stiner and Kane were physical equals. In ancient Greece, many would have seen this kind of battle as a battle that only the gods could preform. Two perfect warriors. One fighting for vanity and glory, the other fighting for revenge and vengence.
Finally, Kane began to get the upper hand, sending a right hand that knocked Stiner right out of the ring. Kane growled and gave Stiner the finger.
Kane turned around and immedietly felt the pain of a sledgehammer being used against his face. Kane fell right down onto the mat, and felt the sledgehammer slam right into his rib cage. He looked up to see Triple H standing above him. Only it was no longer just Triple H and his opponents. Billy Gunn was also in the ring, along with the Road Dogg who had seemingly made his return to the WWF. And as well, the wife of Triple H, Stephanie McMahon Helmsley, also stood in the ring. Kane looked around, seeing the battered bodies of Austin, the Rock and Jericho. Triple H smirked and looked down at Kane.
Triple H smiled and grabbed a microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, you are now about to witness the rebirth of D-Generation X." The crowd began to boo while the Road Dogg and Billy Gunn began to preform the crotch chop and yell 'suck it' to the crowd.
Then the Triple H looked down at Kane as he struggled to get up. He smiled cruelly. "I knew you couldn't play the game. You had your time Kane. Now it's my turn." Triple H lifted the sledgehammer right above his head. "And just like your brother, you are finished."
But as Triple H tried to finish Kane with it, he felt a tug behind him holding the sledge. He turned around and saw Tori. He glared at her and she begged Triple H to leave Kane alone. Then she felt a kick in the back of her head and fell to the ground. Triple H nodded to the Road Dogg, who had ambushed her from behind. Triple H snorted. "Ex-DXmembers." He shook his head.
Suddenly Chyna's theme began to hit and she ran towards the ring. As she slid into the ring, she immedietly began to attack Billy Gunn and the Road Dogg, however, as she fought valiantly, Triple H nailed her in the back of the head with the sledgehammer. She fell to the ground, holding the back of her head in pain. Triple H smirked at her and then spit on her. Traitor. He would finish her soon enough.
"Chyna...you were a good bodyguard and a good fuck, but your use is over." He lifted the sledgehammer but then felt another tug on the sledgehammer, pulling it out of his hands. "I thought you took care of Tori." Triple H said, but as he turned around he saw Kane standing up, covered in his own blood. But Triple H could only see Kane's eyes, filled with more rage and hatred than Hunter had ever seen.
"Goodnight." Kane headbutted Triple H and threw him out of the ring. Kane then clotheslined the Road Dogg and gave a big boot to Billy Gunn. He then picked up the sledgehammer, slamming it down on Billy Gunn, breaking his rib cage. He attempted to nail the Road Dogg with the sledgehammer, but the Road Dogg managed to roll out of the ring just in time to avoid it. Kane growled and then picked up the ladder, setting it up. He then grabbed the sledgehammer, and using both legs and one arm, he climbed the ladder and then grabbed the suitcase. He held it above his head and threw it down into the ring, fire exploding from each turnbuckle.
He looked down and saw Billy Gunn thrashing around in pain, holding his rib cage. Kane smirked and then jumped off the top of the ladder, and preforming an elbowdrop onto his broken ribs.
Looking around him, he could see the Rock and Chris Jericho struggling to get up. Austin had rolled out of the ring and began to make his way towards the titantron, wanting no part of Kane. Stiner had left immedietly after DX ambushed Kane, figuring they would soften him up.
And he looked down at his feet, seeing the body of beautiful Tori as she struggled to get up. He grabbed her gently and helped her up. Her eyes were full of tears and pain. He looked he in her eyes, and she looked into his. He nodded to her, saying the only appropriate words for the moment.
"Thank you."
The words brought a smile to Tori's face and she hugged the Big Red Machine. He hugged her back and then watched as Chyna got back up. She nodded to Kane and rubbed her neck. "I told you some people still cared about you."
Kane just smiled under his mask, but unlike the smile's he had smiled earlier, this one was out of happines, and not out of malice or hatred.
Perhaps Kane could be a monster and a man at the same time after all.
********
Kane sat backstage as the medic began to put staples into Kane's head, since the wound was too big for stitches. Kane wasn't bothered by the pain, he just simply sat there looking straight ahead as the medics began to attend to Tori. He smiled under his mask looking at her. She had risked her life, her entire career just to protect Kane from the DX ambush. And for that he could never fully repay her.
As the medic finished the stitches he walked towards her slowly. The match had taken a higher toll on him than it had before. But he was not concerned with that. He looked her in the eyes and patted her on the shoulder. Her beautiful green eyes stared straight into his. And his eyes began to tell the whole story. Could he love her again? Maybe in the future. Could he be a friend now? Yes.
Then, Kane spoke the only words the he needed to say. Perhaps the hardest words Kane had ever had to say in his entire life. All of his life he had been betrayed and full of hate. Now maybe it was time to let go. "I forgive you." He said, and she smiled.
"Hey Kane." A familiar voice said to him. Kane turned around to see Foley. He nodded to him, smiling under the mask.
"Hey Mick." Kane said, his voice a tad more plesant than usual. His eyes were still filled with anger, but for now that anger seemed to subside a bit.
"You feeling okay?" Foley said. Kane just smirked.
"A lot better than Triple H and Stiner are going to feel after I'm through with them." Kane cracked his neck. "It was allready personal, now it's gone even beyond that."
Foley nodded. "I'm not going to stop you this time."
Kane nodded back to him, his voice very deep now, very dark. It seemed that happiness that had entered his head was lost in a sea of hate. "No one can." Kane stood up and looked at Foley. "I'll announce the match Thursday on Smackdown after I destroy Stiner." He looked towards Tori and Chyna, nodding to them. Then he walked away.
Tori looked at Kane as he walked away, shaking her head. Today she saw a glimpse of the man she loved instead of the monster that Kane acted like. But for now, a glimpse would have to do.
********
Triple H threw a small coffie table into the wall, watching it break in half. He punched a hole in the wall and cursed. "FUCK IT! FUCK THAT MAN! FUCK CHYNA! FUCK TORI! I WANT THEM FINISHED! I WANT THEIR HEADS AND I WANT THEM NOW!!!"
The Road Dogg walked backwards slowly. "Hold on big guy, calm down a bit man. It ain't over 'till it's over."
"MY PLAN WAS PERFECT! YOU HEAR ME? PERFECT! I WOULD TAKE KANE OUT OF THE EQUATION AND THEN I WOULD BOOK A MATCH. MY MATCH!!! AND THEY RUINED EVERYTHING!" He ran his fist through a mirror and stared at it, his breathing beginning to get heavier.
"Hunter, it's just one night. You can still beat him in any match he brings. Any match at all. He's yours for the taking hunter!" Steph said, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Triple H just turned his head towards her and glared at her. Stepping back, she removed her hand from her shoulder, fear beginning to enter her mind.
"I mean, it's not like you can really intimidate him or hurt him more." The Road Dogg said. Triple H just turned his head towards him, his eyes narrowing, his face twisted in rage. The Road Dogg gulped. "I mean, the guy had his face burned in a fire. he can go through anything."
Triple H just snorted and turned his face towards the broken mirror, staring at his own shattered and destroyed reflection. And then it hit him. He looked at his broken mirror, and suddenly rage became amusement. Suddenly his voice turned from that of a raging lunitic to that of laughter.
Triple H just laughed and looked at them all. He smiled to them and walked away from them. He had just figured out the one way to destroy Kane. And he would wait until No Mercy, when the entire world would see that Triple H can destroy everyone.
Even a monster.
(Please R&R. *thumbs up*)
(Still waiting for those e-mails people. enjoy.)
The atmosphere in the arena was electric, and the fans knew they were going to have a hell of a main event tonight. Rarely did you see Ladder Matches on anything but pay-per-view, and none of them with the kind of wrestlers that they were going to see today.
A suitcase was being held on a rope above the ring, very high above it. To get to the suitcase, the wrestlers would have to manage to climb 15 feet on the ladder without getting knocked off, then pick up the suitcase. The winner would chose the Main Event for No Mercy. And the possibility's were endless.
Scott Sinter, a former World Championship Wrestling Champion. A man who had possibly the most deadly body. Every muscle was like a spring waiting to lash out. His mindset like that of a butcher. A man filled with vanity. Obcessed with himself.
The Rock, arguably the most popular superstar in WWF history. A former WWF Champion, he was one of the fan favorites going into the match. A very well rounded wrestler, who had the most electrifying moves in the history of the WWF.
Chris Jericho, a man who many picked to be the next big name in WWF history. He had almost won the world title on occassion, but was stripped of it and had the decision reversed. He was a jack of all trades. Technical wrestler. Brawler. High Flyer. He did it all. Out of every wrestler in the match, he was the favorite for the match.
Stone Cold Steve Austin, once the most popular man in Wrestling, and a multitime WWF champion. However, he had sold out for gold. No matter what side he was on, he was still a calculating killer, a wild card, a renegade. His Stone Cold Stunner was a move that was quick and vicious.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Otherwise known as Triple H. The Game. The cerebral assassin. He was quite possibly the smartest, most calculating wrestler in the history of wrestling. And quite possibly the most hated man in Wrestling. He was probably the most technically sound wrestler out of all of the six involved in the match.
And then there was Kane. The Big Red Machine. Yet another former World Wrestling Champion. Lately, he had struck the World Wrestling Federation like a hurricane, destroying all who was put in front of him. Angle, Buchanan, X-Pac, the Big Show, Albert, Credible, Regal and finally, Vince McMahon himself. All of them had been taken out by the Big Red Monster. Fueled by revenge and hatred, he was generally considered to be the biggest threat in this matchup. There was speculation on weither he would go for the WWF title, or he would attempt to finally destroy those who took his brother out. Either way, the man was a monster to contend with.
The sound of glass shattering filled the arena as the music them of Stone Cold Steve Austin filled the arena, and the former WWF Champion walked towards the ring, the boo's filling the Arnea.
Entering the ring he looked around at the people in attendence. All of them, idiotic worms to him. Compleatly pathetic. How many times had he heard them whine. Why Stone Cold? Why? It was enough to make him sick. He hated being idolized, he hated being considered some big shot hero. And even though he was in his home state, he still hated everyone in attendence for everything. Asking him for autographs, asking him for favors. Who did they think they were? They didn't make him who he was. They didn't fight his matches. They could all kiss his ass.
Austin picked up the microphone and looked at them all. All of them, pathetic. "I have something I need to get off of my chest." People began to chant the world asshole, and Austin glared at them. "My name is Stone Cold Steve Austin, and I am going to get my World Wrestling Federation Championship back. Commissioner Mick Foley did NOT have the right to take away my title. He didn't have the right to pull anything like that to Stone Cold Steve Austin."
"So it looks like tonight, Stone Cold Steve Austin is going to have to fight his allies and his enemies. Well that is just fine for Stone Cold Steve Austin. I'm going to kick their asses, get that breifcase and make my match for No Mercy. And no one, not the Rock, not Triple H, not even that big red retard Kane can stop me."
Suddenly fire exploded from every ringpost and Austin began to cower for a few moments before picking up his belt and preparing to run. But instead of seeing Kane, he saw someone on the titantron. However, that image did not do much to comfort him.
For on the titantron, was the image of the Undertaker. And the Undertaker just sat and laughed at Austin.
"Well boy, you think you've got all the answers do you?" The Undertaker said, smirking and looking at Austin. "Well I got news for you boy, you didn't destroy the dead man. I'll be back in 6 months and then you and I are going to settle things...that is, if my brother leaves anything left of you for me to destroy."
The Undertaker smiled and began to take a sip of beer from a can. "You see, when you, Triple H and Stiner attacked me in the ring, you boys must have figured that made you the big dogs. But you see, Kane's the big dog now. And you are standing in HIS yard. And tonight, when he beats you all in that ladder match, you are going to with you were never born. You see, what you did to me didn't effect anyone any. No one is more scared of you. All you did was piss Kane off. And you know, I used to worry about restraining him from going all out after you. But now I'm not going to be around to hold him back."
Austin paced back and forth in the ring, frowning.
"And Austin, when I get back, you and I have a little match set up by Foley. Seems I'm going to be back by Wrestlemania. And I get any match I want. So I want you to sit back after you recover from Kane kicking your ass, and train really hard. Beacause at WrestleMania...you will be entering my yard. And I'll be the big dog running that yard. See you at Wrestlemania."
And with that, the image on the titantron disappeared. Austin growled and then exited the ring and spit on the ground, and in anger, punched out a cameraman and gave him the Stunner.
Little did Austin know that this would be the least of his problems.
********
Kane sat alone in the locker room, the lights out, staring straight ahead. He was concentrating on his matchup for tonight. He doubted that he ever had a more important match than tonight's. With the ability to create a match for No Mercy, he could put himself in the ultimate proving ground. He could make it so he could see how good he really was at this.
He kept his opponents in his head, feeding himself. Feeding his knowledge. He knew what he would have to do. The Rock and Chris Jericho, they had heart, but Kane would go through them just the same. However, they would be exempt from serious punishment. Unfortionatly for Triple H and Austin, Kane had plans for them. But that would wait for No Mercy.
Kane heard a knock on the locker room door. He stood up and waited. "It's open." He said. Opening the door, was Tori. Kane narrowed his eyes as he saw her enter the room. Her face was filled with sadness and regret. Kane's own eyes were filled with hatred and disgust.
"What do you want?" Said Kane as he turned his back to her and began to get his gear together.
"Kane...I want to talk to you." Tori said, walking slowly towards him. Kane kept his back turned to her, continuing to get his gear.
"We have nothing to talk about." He responded.
"Kane...I made a big mistake last year. Probably the biggest mistake of my life. I thought I could live with it but...it's starting to become too much for me." Tears streamed down her face as she began to talk. "You were so sweet to me, you were the first person who saw me for me instead of just some other lady in tight clothing."
Kane continued to pack his things.
"You showed me a side that no one had seen before. A sweet, kind, caring person. I loved him. But I did something stupid. And after that...I havn't seen that side of you. No one has. You became someone else. But I can't let the man I knew go."
Kane just turned towards her and narrowed his eyes. "The man you knew is dead." He simply turned around and took off his street mask, and put on his ring mask. "Gone. You and X-Pac killed him."
Tori cried more. "But I want him back."
He turned around and growled. "He won't be coming back. Live with it." He then left the locker room and Tori fell to her knees, her heart broken again.
******
The Rock paced back and forth in his locker room while Kevin Kelly held a microphone.
"Well Rock, you are just minutes away from the 6-man ladder match between you..."
The Rock held his hand up, and Kevin Kelly shut up, and the crowd cheered. They would react to every gesture of the Rock. Every movement. This was the true power of the people's champion. It wasn't his wrestling ability, it wasn't his looks, it was his ability to control the crowd to his very whim. No one could do that better than the Rock.
The Rock grabbed the microphone and raised the eyebrow. "Tonight, Raw is War, here in Dallas Texas, the Rock is facing a challenge. PERHAPS, the biggest challenge of the Rock's career. Six men, one title above the ring. A 15 foot ladder the only way for one of the men to climb it. Now the Rock knows he has pretty tough competition. The Rock is aware, that tonight he will not just be fighting for the chance to make a WWF Championship Matchup, the Rock is fighting for his life. But let the Rock look at the people he's up against. The Rock will be up against Scott Stiner, that muscle bound moron who needs a huge lead pipe to cover up his...shortcomings." The Rock looked downwards, and then he looked at Kevin Kelly. "Perhaps you could use a lead pipe Kevin Kelly." The crowd went nuts, the noise shaking the arena.
"As well, the Rock will have to go through Triple H. One more time, the Rock and the Game on opposite sides of the playing field. ONE MORE TIME, the Rock is going to have to layeth the smackethdown on Triple H's candy ass. One more time the Rock is going to have to make sure that the Game's two cent, no 1 cent, oh what the hell, 3 for the the price of one oh what the hell here's a cupon compleate slut of a wife." The crowd went nuts.
"As well, the Rock will have to fight Mr. 'My name is Stone Cold Steve Austin'. Well Stone Cold the people allready know who the hell you are, and frankly the people and the people's champion doesn't give a rats ass who the hell you are. Tonight, the Rock is going to kick Stone Cold Steve Austin's ass all over this arena."
"And the Rock will have to fight Chris Jericho, Y2J, the Ayotolla of Rock and Rollah. Now the Rock respects Chris Jericho, and Rock sort of likes Chris Jericho. But the fact of the matter is this, if Chris Jericho gets in the Rock's way, the Rock is going to kick Chris Jericho's Canadian ass!"
"Which brings us, to Kane. You know Kane, you and the Rock have been through a lot. Hell, you and the Rock have been through wars. You and the Rock have a lot in common. We both kick a lot of ass. We both are former WWF Champions, and we both think Kevin Kelly is the biggest hermafradite the world has ever seen!!!" Kevin Kelly hung his head in shame as the Rock made fun of him again. The Rock looked at him. "Oh go cry to momma jabroni!" He pushed Kelly out of the way. "But Kane, the one thing the Rock is not, is a psychopath, and tonight, you are going to smell...what the Rock is cookin'." The Rock raised his eyebrow, and then left.
*******
Edge and Christian hid in Kane's locker room, waiting for the big red machine to come in. They had covered the room in gasoline after talking to Austin and Triple H about getting to Kane. It seemed that they figured that Kane had a fear of fire. So, to intimidate Kane and perhaps scare him out of the match, they had decided to burn his room and give him the conchairto.
"Dude this is so totally going to work!" Christian said, giving Edge a thumbs up.
"Yeah I know, this game plan by...the game..." Edge shrugged and continued on. "just reeks of awesomeness. Kane is going to wish he never met team ECK!"
Christian gave him a high five. "Right on." He lit a match.
Then they felt a pat in the back and turned around to see Kane right behind them, nodding to them. "Hello boys." He shook his head at them and then growled. Christian dropped his match and the room became engulfed in flame. Kane, however, just laughed. Standing with flames all around him, he looked like a large demon with hate filled eyes. Edge and Christian backed away from him slowly as his room began to erupt in flames.
"But you are supposed to be scared of fire!! This was supposed to so totally psyche you out!" Edge yelled.
Kane shook his head. "It's called therapy. Read about it." He then grabbed them both by the throat and threw them through his door, one after another. He exited the room and looked at a security guard. "They set my room on fire. Take care of them before I have to."
He looked down at them and then walked away from them.
*******
However, it seemed Triple H had a backup plan. Waiting for Kane in the hallway, was the mean street posse. They all held chairs and smiled to him, gesturing for him to attack them.
Kane shook his head and then took his mask off for a few moments. They all took a look at his hidious scarred face, his hate filled eyes. His huge intimidating figure. "Your move." He said.
They immedietly dropped their chairs and ran for their lives. Kane laughed, put his mask on and walked away.
*******
Jim Ross and Paul Heyman sat at ringside for the main event, preparing to commentate on it. "Well, it all comes down to this. A 15 foot ladder, a suitcase, and the right to name the main event for No Mercy for the World Wrestling Federation title is up for grabs." Yelled Jim Ross.
"And tonight, we are going to possibly see the end of someone's career." Yelled Paul Heyman. "As you know, a Ladder match is one of the deadliest matches in the World Wrestling Federation. And with this caliber of superstars in this match, it's anyone's guess as to who will win this one."
"For once you are right Paul. This one is definetly not for the weak at heart. This one will be, a slobberknocker!"
The Game's theme began to play as Triple H walked towards the ring, his eyes focused on the suitcase that hung high above the ring. What he should have payed attention to was the figure of Scott Stiner running towards him and hitting in the head with a lead pipe, knocking the game to the ground. Stiner hit Triple H on the shoulder and then the kneecap. He continued to hit the kneecap several times. Stiner laughed at him. "That suitcase is mine Hunter."
He turned around only to see Stone Cold Steve Austin, who gave him a kick to the gut and then the Stone Cold Stunner.
Soon the Rock and Chris Jericho began to run out and double team Austin while Triple H slowly got up. He limped towards the ring and suddenly the arena went black.
Then flames erupted beside the Titantron and Kane's them played as he ran towards the ring, a chain wrapped around his fist. He immedietly went after Stone Cold Steve Austin, pounding his head the chain, splitting his head open. He then picked up Austin and threw him into the crowd. He looked around to see the Rock slugging it out with Triple H, who had an obvious limp on his knee. Then he turned his head towards Jericho who was fighting Stiner, but Stiner began to dominate Jericho. Kane shook his head, Jericho could fend for himself.
Kane picked up a ladder and threw it into the ring. No, it wasn't quite time yet. He walked towards Stiner as he reached for a lead pipe to hurt Jericho with. As he was about to nail Jericho with it, Kane grabbed his arm and kicked him in the gut. Wrenching the lead pipe from Stiners hand, Kane nailed him on the small of the back. He slammed the lead pipe against his back again, knocking him to the ground. He then turned to Jericho, who now had a chair in his hand. Jericho slammed the chair onto Kane's head, causing him to stagger backwards. He hit Kane again, bringing Kane to one knee. Jericho hit him again, causing him to fall on his back in pain.
Kane put a hand on top of his head to see if there was any blood. Fortunatly, he was not busted upen. Nor did he have a concussion. Good.
He saw Jericho enter the ring and begin to assemble the ladder. He began to get up, only to be hit on the back of the head by Stiner's boot. Stiner then ran to the ring. Kane began to get up slowly, seeing Stiner get nailed in the face by a missile dropkick by Jericho. Kane smiled. Out of all of the opponents, Kane had considered Jericho his biggest threat. Jericho had something that none of his opponents had, heart. No matter how much Kane or anyone else hurt Jericho, they could never beat him. He would never give up. Kane admired that.
But that didn't mean that Kane would go easy on him. He picked up the chair and walked towards the ring, seeing the Rock get double teamed by Triple H and Austin, then he saw Triple H kick Austin in the gut and go for the pedigree.
Kane entered the ring watching Jericho attempt to climb the ladder, only to get pulled off by Triple H. Swinging the chair with all of his might, Kane nailed Jericho in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground. He began to swing at Triple H, but the game managed to pull the ladder down and it landed on Kane's head, knocking him to the ground, and splitting his head wide open.
Kane looked up as Triple H smiled, looking down on him. "You'll never beat me Kane." Triple H said.
Kane just smiled. "Go fuck yourself." He then threw the ladder upwards with all of his strength, the ladder connecting with Triple H's jaw. Triple H fell to the ground in pain, his body thrashing around the entire ring.
Kane picked up the ladder, seeing Jericho get up. He smashed the ladder over Jericho's back as he struggled to get up. Kane moved his eyes towards Austin and the Rock who were slowly getting up. Kane threw the ladder towards them lightly, and as they caught it, he delivered a kick that knocked the ladders into their faces.
Kane heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Stiner enter the ring. Stiner's own stare reflected Kane's own. The stood for a few moments, united in mutual hatred for each other. Stiner, who hated Kane for interrupting his plans and forcing him into this match. Kane, who was out for revenge after what Stiner did to his brother.
After what seemed like forever, there was only one thing to say.
Kane nodded and smirked under his mask, blood flowing all over it and all over his chest. "Lets do this."
Stiner and Kane attacked each other like wild animals, their strength matching that of each other. It seemed like Stiner and Kane were physical equals. In ancient Greece, many would have seen this kind of battle as a battle that only the gods could preform. Two perfect warriors. One fighting for vanity and glory, the other fighting for revenge and vengence.
Finally, Kane began to get the upper hand, sending a right hand that knocked Stiner right out of the ring. Kane growled and gave Stiner the finger.
Kane turned around and immedietly felt the pain of a sledgehammer being used against his face. Kane fell right down onto the mat, and felt the sledgehammer slam right into his rib cage. He looked up to see Triple H standing above him. Only it was no longer just Triple H and his opponents. Billy Gunn was also in the ring, along with the Road Dogg who had seemingly made his return to the WWF. And as well, the wife of Triple H, Stephanie McMahon Helmsley, also stood in the ring. Kane looked around, seeing the battered bodies of Austin, the Rock and Jericho. Triple H smirked and looked down at Kane.
Triple H smiled and grabbed a microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, you are now about to witness the rebirth of D-Generation X." The crowd began to boo while the Road Dogg and Billy Gunn began to preform the crotch chop and yell 'suck it' to the crowd.
Then the Triple H looked down at Kane as he struggled to get up. He smiled cruelly. "I knew you couldn't play the game. You had your time Kane. Now it's my turn." Triple H lifted the sledgehammer right above his head. "And just like your brother, you are finished."
But as Triple H tried to finish Kane with it, he felt a tug behind him holding the sledge. He turned around and saw Tori. He glared at her and she begged Triple H to leave Kane alone. Then she felt a kick in the back of her head and fell to the ground. Triple H nodded to the Road Dogg, who had ambushed her from behind. Triple H snorted. "Ex-DXmembers." He shook his head.
Suddenly Chyna's theme began to hit and she ran towards the ring. As she slid into the ring, she immedietly began to attack Billy Gunn and the Road Dogg, however, as she fought valiantly, Triple H nailed her in the back of the head with the sledgehammer. She fell to the ground, holding the back of her head in pain. Triple H smirked at her and then spit on her. Traitor. He would finish her soon enough.
"Chyna...you were a good bodyguard and a good fuck, but your use is over." He lifted the sledgehammer but then felt another tug on the sledgehammer, pulling it out of his hands. "I thought you took care of Tori." Triple H said, but as he turned around he saw Kane standing up, covered in his own blood. But Triple H could only see Kane's eyes, filled with more rage and hatred than Hunter had ever seen.
"Goodnight." Kane headbutted Triple H and threw him out of the ring. Kane then clotheslined the Road Dogg and gave a big boot to Billy Gunn. He then picked up the sledgehammer, slamming it down on Billy Gunn, breaking his rib cage. He attempted to nail the Road Dogg with the sledgehammer, but the Road Dogg managed to roll out of the ring just in time to avoid it. Kane growled and then picked up the ladder, setting it up. He then grabbed the sledgehammer, and using both legs and one arm, he climbed the ladder and then grabbed the suitcase. He held it above his head and threw it down into the ring, fire exploding from each turnbuckle.
He looked down and saw Billy Gunn thrashing around in pain, holding his rib cage. Kane smirked and then jumped off the top of the ladder, and preforming an elbowdrop onto his broken ribs.
Looking around him, he could see the Rock and Chris Jericho struggling to get up. Austin had rolled out of the ring and began to make his way towards the titantron, wanting no part of Kane. Stiner had left immedietly after DX ambushed Kane, figuring they would soften him up.
And he looked down at his feet, seeing the body of beautiful Tori as she struggled to get up. He grabbed her gently and helped her up. Her eyes were full of tears and pain. He looked he in her eyes, and she looked into his. He nodded to her, saying the only appropriate words for the moment.
"Thank you."
The words brought a smile to Tori's face and she hugged the Big Red Machine. He hugged her back and then watched as Chyna got back up. She nodded to Kane and rubbed her neck. "I told you some people still cared about you."
Kane just smiled under his mask, but unlike the smile's he had smiled earlier, this one was out of happines, and not out of malice or hatred.
Perhaps Kane could be a monster and a man at the same time after all.
********
Kane sat backstage as the medic began to put staples into Kane's head, since the wound was too big for stitches. Kane wasn't bothered by the pain, he just simply sat there looking straight ahead as the medics began to attend to Tori. He smiled under his mask looking at her. She had risked her life, her entire career just to protect Kane from the DX ambush. And for that he could never fully repay her.
As the medic finished the stitches he walked towards her slowly. The match had taken a higher toll on him than it had before. But he was not concerned with that. He looked her in the eyes and patted her on the shoulder. Her beautiful green eyes stared straight into his. And his eyes began to tell the whole story. Could he love her again? Maybe in the future. Could he be a friend now? Yes.
Then, Kane spoke the only words the he needed to say. Perhaps the hardest words Kane had ever had to say in his entire life. All of his life he had been betrayed and full of hate. Now maybe it was time to let go. "I forgive you." He said, and she smiled.
"Hey Kane." A familiar voice said to him. Kane turned around to see Foley. He nodded to him, smiling under the mask.
"Hey Mick." Kane said, his voice a tad more plesant than usual. His eyes were still filled with anger, but for now that anger seemed to subside a bit.
"You feeling okay?" Foley said. Kane just smirked.
"A lot better than Triple H and Stiner are going to feel after I'm through with them." Kane cracked his neck. "It was allready personal, now it's gone even beyond that."
Foley nodded. "I'm not going to stop you this time."
Kane nodded back to him, his voice very deep now, very dark. It seemed that happiness that had entered his head was lost in a sea of hate. "No one can." Kane stood up and looked at Foley. "I'll announce the match Thursday on Smackdown after I destroy Stiner." He looked towards Tori and Chyna, nodding to them. Then he walked away.
Tori looked at Kane as he walked away, shaking her head. Today she saw a glimpse of the man she loved instead of the monster that Kane acted like. But for now, a glimpse would have to do.
********
Triple H threw a small coffie table into the wall, watching it break in half. He punched a hole in the wall and cursed. "FUCK IT! FUCK THAT MAN! FUCK CHYNA! FUCK TORI! I WANT THEM FINISHED! I WANT THEIR HEADS AND I WANT THEM NOW!!!"
The Road Dogg walked backwards slowly. "Hold on big guy, calm down a bit man. It ain't over 'till it's over."
"MY PLAN WAS PERFECT! YOU HEAR ME? PERFECT! I WOULD TAKE KANE OUT OF THE EQUATION AND THEN I WOULD BOOK A MATCH. MY MATCH!!! AND THEY RUINED EVERYTHING!" He ran his fist through a mirror and stared at it, his breathing beginning to get heavier.
"Hunter, it's just one night. You can still beat him in any match he brings. Any match at all. He's yours for the taking hunter!" Steph said, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Triple H just turned his head towards her and glared at her. Stepping back, she removed her hand from her shoulder, fear beginning to enter her mind.
"I mean, it's not like you can really intimidate him or hurt him more." The Road Dogg said. Triple H just turned his head towards him, his eyes narrowing, his face twisted in rage. The Road Dogg gulped. "I mean, the guy had his face burned in a fire. he can go through anything."
Triple H just snorted and turned his face towards the broken mirror, staring at his own shattered and destroyed reflection. And then it hit him. He looked at his broken mirror, and suddenly rage became amusement. Suddenly his voice turned from that of a raging lunitic to that of laughter.
Triple H just laughed and looked at them all. He smiled to them and walked away from them. He had just figured out the one way to destroy Kane. And he would wait until No Mercy, when the entire world would see that Triple H can destroy everyone.
Even a monster.
(Please R&R. *thumbs up*)