16. BACKSTAGE
Chris Daniels is still looking around for people. He looks in all the locker rooms and nobody's there. Daniels looks out of a window to see if he can see anyone outside when all of a sudden someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns around and to his disgust sees the Brooklyn Brawler.
BRAWLER : Excuse me, who are you looking for ?
DANIELS : The Brooklyn Brawler ?
BRAWLER : Yes ?
DANIELS : Oh my god, oh my god. I love you, man. (He kisses Brawler on the top of the head) You're just the man I'm looking for.
BRAWLER : I am ?
DANIELS : Yeah. From now on you're gonna be part of something special. You're gonna be part of my Prophecy and together we will tear this promotion to pieces and help me win this tournament. The question is, are you man enough for this challenge ?
BRAWLER : You damn right I am.
DANIELS : Then let's go. Let's go kick The Undertaker's ass.
Chris Daniels and the Brooklyn Brawler walk off when they bump into the Ultimo Dragon who is walking with his head down, not looking where he's going, looking completely rejected.
DANIELS : What's your problem ?
ULTIMO : Not in tournament.
DANIELS : You're not in the tournament ? Man that must suck, I'm glad I'm not in that situation cause I'd probably hang myself. Hey, hang on a sec, I've got an idea. The legendary Ultimo Dragon, how would you like to better your career and join my prophecy ?
ULTIMO : Me ?
DANIELS : Yeah, you'll be part of something special. And I guarantee nothing but success. If you join us, you'll be joing a winning team. Whaddya say ?
Chris Daniels extends his hand for a hand shake and the Ultimo Dragon stares at it thinking about what he's gonna do.
DANIELS : Shake my hand. It's not like you've got anything else to do. I mean you're not booked in any matches and your career's gonna go nowhere where it is so you might as well just go for it, man. Shake my hand.
BRAWLER : C'mon, join the greatest group of wrestlers in the world.
The Ultimo Dragon then shakes the hand of Chris Daniels.
DANIELS : Alright, let's get out there and kick some dead ass.
Chris Daniels, the Booklyn Brawler and the Ultimo Dragon then head out towards the ring.
17. ARENA
The Prophecy are in the ring warming up. Taker's music hits and suddenly Chris Daniels starts getting a little more nervous. Taker comes out on his bike and circles the ring. When he gets in the ring he appraoches Chris Daniels, he could see the fear in his eyes. Brawler and Dragon backed away as Taker stared down Daniels.
Then Dragon and the Brawler come up behind Taker and attack him from behind, but it doesn't even phase him. Undertaker turns around and Dragon and the Brawler run out of the ring. Daniels the strikes the Undertaker with a right hand. Taker's head snaps back as he stares Daniels down. Daniels strikes him again but Taker doesn't budge. Daniels then starts to back away but the Undertaker stalks him. Chris Daniels backs into the ropes but Taker continues to stalk him. Chris Daniels then throws another punch at him and then again. He bounces off the ropes but the Undertaker hits him with a huge boot to the face.
Chris Daniels rolls outside the ring. The Undertaker follows him. Dragon and the Brawler then try to attack him from behind again but Taker pounds on them and throws them both into the ring steps. Chris Daniels then sneaks up behind the Undertaker and hits a bulldog right into the ring steps. He then throws him back into the ring.
Chris Daniels then hits the Undertaker with a suplex. Cover : 1 - 2 - kickout. He whips Taker off the ropes and hits a dropkick. Daniels says that the match is over and climbs to the top rope. Taker staggers to his feet and Chris Daniels hits a moonsault. But the Undertaker catches him in a tombstone position, he's about to hit it when Ultimo Dragon grabs his foot. Taker drops Daniels and drags Ultimo Dragon up onto the apron and then punches him down. He turns around but Daniels is waiting for him and hits with the Last Rights. Cover : 1 - 2 - 3. Chris Daniels wins. The rest of the prophecy get in the ring to celebrate with him. Chris Daniels can hardly believe it. The Undertaker then sits up and the Prophecy run out of the ring as fast as they can.
18. BACKSTAGE
The Prophecy are backstage celebrating.
DANIELS : We won, I can't believe it. We're gonna win this tournament. Nothing can stop us now, nothing can stop us. We are the greatest.
ULTIMO : Number one.
BRAWLER : Damn it, yeah, we make the greatest team ever. No one else stands a chance against us.
Chris Daniels then opens up a bottle of champagne and they pour it all over themselves as go off cheering.
19. BACKSTAGE
A J Styles is in his locker room putting his boots on when Chris Jericho walks in. Styles immediately gets up to confront him.
JERICHO : Hey, hey, take it easy there, junior. I just came to wish you good luck that's all.
STYLES : Yeah ? Well guess what, I don't need luck.
JERICHO : Well you sound mighty confident about yourself. But that's good, kid. You need confidence to be able to do anything in life so it's nice to see. But it's not gonna help you tonght, junior. You see tonight you are facing the young Lion, the ayatolla of rock and rolla, the living legend, larger than life, Chris Jericho. So that confidence is going to get you nowhere and it's going to be me who advances in the tournament.
STYLES : Well, we'll just see about that won't we.
JERICHO : Yes, we will.
20. ARENA
A J Styles comes out and takes a look around. The crowd completely silent, they don't know what to make of this young kid yet. Then he turns his head to the TitanTron as the Y2J countdown begins. A bang of fireworks and Chris Jericho comes out looking as brash and as confident as ever. Jericho sizes up his opponent in the ring and just laughs. Jericho with an obvious weight advantage and is using it to out-psych his opponent, taunting him at every possible opportunity.
The bell rings. A collar and elbow tie-up, both men trying to work their way into the match. Styles then forces Jericho back into the corner, the referee tells them to break and Styles gives a clean break extending his hand to Y2J. Another collar and elbow tie-up, Styles once again with the advantage but this time Jericho turns it round and forces Styles back into the corner. The referee asks for a clean break again and Jericho backs off, but slaps Styles in the face hard and then shows off to the crowd.
Styles remains focused and doesn't let it bother him. Jericho then offers Styles a test of strength, he knows he has the advantage with this. Styles isn't sure whether to accept or not, Y2J isn't exactly one of the most trustworthy people in the world. He goes for it anyway and locks up with Jericho, Y2J surprisingly doesn't pull a dirty trick and the test of strength is on. Both men trying to force their way into an advantage but it seems dead even. Jericho is then shocked as Styles manages to push him down into a bridge. Jericho isn't done yet though as he powers his way back up to a standing position. Jericho is then the one pushing Styles down into a bridge. Jericho then sweeps the back of Styles' leg out which makes him land flat on his back. Jericho then gets himself on top of Styles but Styles wraps his legs around his waist. Jericho releases Styles' hands to gets his legs off from around his waist but then Styles grabs Jericho around the neck, pushes him off with his legs and delivers a huge monkey flip.
Styles holds onto his neck as he's monkey flipped and rolls on top of him. Styles then delivers a couple of forearms to Jericho. He then gets Jericho in a front face choke. Jericho tries to roll off him, but Styles still holds on. Jericho then gives Styles a couple of punches to the ribs which makes and they both get up to a standing position, A J Styles still with a front face choke on Chris Jericho. Jericho looks for a way out, but there doesn't seem to be one. Jericho then grabs Styles around the waist, bridging over in a northern-lights suplex. Cover : 1 - 2 - kickout. Still in the northen lights position, Styles grabs Jericho around the waist and then powers his way up from the mat bringing Jericho with him. Styles then spins around and gets a backslide on Chris Jericho. Cover : 1 - 2 - kickout. Jericho backs off, he wasn't expecting this type of fight, especially not one so tough. He re-thinks his strategy.
Jericho comes in for another collar and elbow tie-up but Styles grabs him in a headlock and then into a headlock takedown. Jericho then brings his legs up and grapevines Styles' neck in between his legs, but Styles kips out and straight back into the headlock. Jericho then rolls Styles backwards onto his shoulders, cover : 1-2-kickout. Styles then rolls back and back in control. Jericho then tries to roll Styles off again but he hangs on to the headlock and rolls all the way through back to his original position. Jericho and Styles then get up to a standing position still with the headlock applied. Jericho tries to shoot Styles off the ropes but Styles hangs on to the headlock again. Jericho tries everything to try and break the hold, but nothing works. Styles then takes Jericho down again with another headlock takedown. Jericho rolls a little to his side and then suddenly pops straight out of the headlock and grabs Styles in an ankle lock. Styles quickly looks for a way out, then he brings his free leg up and places it on top of the one Jericho has grabbed which pulls Jericho down and then Styles re-applies the headlock. Jericho is starting to get frustrated and gives a couple of shots to the kidneys of A J Styles. He tries to shoot Styles off the ropes but once again Styles keeps control of the headlock. Jericho then hits a couple of elbows right to Styles' stomach and now he is finally able to release the headlock. Jericho whips Styles off the ropes, goes for a hip toss, but it's blocked and Styles counters into a hip toss of his own. Jericho gets right back up only to be body slammed hard onto the ring canvas. Jericho backs off again, completely bewildered as to how Styles is able to dominate the matchup. He re-thinks his strategy once again.
Jericho then starts walking towards Styles. Styles goes for a clothesline but Jericho ducks and then Jericho hits a dropkick to the knee of A J Styles. Jericho then picks Styles up and slams him to the mat. Jericho starts delivering some stiff kicks to the thigh of A J Styles. He then elbows the thigh muscle twice. Jericho then gets Styles in a figure 4 leg lock with Styles screaming in pain. Styles deperately tries to reach for the ropes but he can't quite make it. Jericho cinches the move up tighter. Styles then tries to turn over to put the pressure on Chris Jericho, he gets halfway but Jericho pulls him back and slaps him in the face. With Styles just moments away from tapping out he tries to turn again and this time get all the way over which reversing the pressure back on Chris Jericho. Jericho though quickly gets to the ropes. Styles is having to use the ropes to pull himself up while Jericho gets up quickly and kicks the back of Styles' leg away. Jericho then grabs his leg, lifts him up and hits a kneebreaker, then with Styles in a standing position and with the leg he's already got and gives him a dragon screw leg whip. A J Styles screams in pain and the referee asks him if he wants to give it up right now, but Styles refuses and tries to get to his feet.
He gives Jericho a couple of forearms, then swungs for punch but misses and Jericho sweeps both his legs away and has him hooked up for the Walls of Jericho. Y2J applies the Walls of Jericho and Styles tries tro make it to the ropes. He knows that it's the only way out of the hold and there is no reversal. Styles inches nearer and nearer the ropes, the referee constantly asking if he wants to give it up, but it's clear that Styles doesn't. Finally A J Styles reaches the ropes. He tries to catch his breath, but before he can, Jericho pulls him back into the center of the ring and back into the Walls of Jericho. Styles' leg surely can't take anymore punishment, it had been brutally beaten so far in the matchup and now the Walls of Jericho is just the finishing touch. Styles realises this time that he's too far from the ropes, he's going to have to give it up. Then suddenly with a burst of guts and determination he pushes himself up with his hands and manages to make Jericho break the hold.
Once again Styles tries to stand up, but can't as he keeps falling back down and Jericho watches on, mocking him. Jericho then kicks Styles hard in the leg again knocking him back down. Jericho puts Styles' leg on the bottom rope, goes up to the middle rope and thn sits down right on the knee joint, Styles screams in pain. Jericho smiles and then does it again. Jericho then gets Styles in a leg grapevine and Styles tries to roll over but in doing so they both roll off the apron outside the ring.
Chris Jericho drags A J Styles up by the hair, picks him up by the leg and delivers another kneebreaker, this time on the steel steps. Jericho crawls back in the ring to break the count but then immediately goes back out to get Styles. Jericho grabs a chair and goes to hit Styles with it, but the referee pulls it out of his hands. Jericho turns around but when he turns back A J Styles meets him with a superkick.
Styles then pulls himself back into the ring but Jericho quickly follows. That kick didn't do enough damage and with Styles already hurt he wasn't able to capitalize on the advantage. Jericho takes him down, wraps his legs and around the injured leg of Styles and delivers a Mr Perfect style knee crusher. Jericho then drags Styles back up hits a suplex. Now Jericho feels he has the match won. He signals to the crowd that he's going to hit the Lionsault. Jericho then jumps off the ropes, goes for the Lionsault but Styles gets his knees up right into the chest of Y2J Chris Jericho.
Both men then stagger to their feet, Styles clearly injured, barely able to stand on his leg and Jericho a little winded from the missed Lionsault. Styles gives Jericho a series of forearms and then chops. He whips Jericho off the ropes and gives him a huge back body drop. Jericho staggers up but then Styles comes at him hitting a tornado DDT. Cover : 1 - 2 - kickout. Styles then grabs Jericho back in the headlock he had earlier and then into a headlock takedown. Styles realises that this is the perfect opportunity to give his leg a rest and to heal up a little bit, as long as he can keep Chris Jericho grounded. Jericho though makes his way so they are both in standing position. Styles tries to do another headlock takedown but Jericho blocks it and escapes from the headlock. He then grabs his legs from behind and trips him up. Styles tries to crawl away but Jericho stops him and stamps on his throat. Jericho then does a few more kicks to the already injured leg of A J Styles.
Jericho then starts choking him on the middle rope but is told to back off by the referee. Jericho then gets Styles and hits him with a powerbomb. Jericho nudges Styles with the tip of his boot, Styles unmoving. He tries to drag him up but Styles keeps falling down, completely unconscious. He then grabs him to pull him up again but Styles quickly rolls him up in a small package. Cover : 1 - 2 - 3 ! A J Styles wins ! Chris Jericho can't believe it as he holds his head in his hands, he threw the match away by being too over confident and a quick roll up was all it took for him to pay the price. Jericho watched as A J Styles limped to the back being supported by the referee. Jericho then stared at his hands, he had put so much work in and after all that he was not going to be the King of the World.
21. SOMEWHERE UNKNOWN
A dakr figure paced back and forth biding his time. He was wearing a hodded cloak and was rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
MAN : Soon, very soon, it will all come together. This tournament will be mine and so will she.
He holds a photograph of Stephanie McMahon, kisses it and then burns it.
Chris Daniels is still looking around for people. He looks in all the locker rooms and nobody's there. Daniels looks out of a window to see if he can see anyone outside when all of a sudden someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns around and to his disgust sees the Brooklyn Brawler.
BRAWLER : Excuse me, who are you looking for ?
DANIELS : The Brooklyn Brawler ?
BRAWLER : Yes ?
DANIELS : Oh my god, oh my god. I love you, man. (He kisses Brawler on the top of the head) You're just the man I'm looking for.
BRAWLER : I am ?
DANIELS : Yeah. From now on you're gonna be part of something special. You're gonna be part of my Prophecy and together we will tear this promotion to pieces and help me win this tournament. The question is, are you man enough for this challenge ?
BRAWLER : You damn right I am.
DANIELS : Then let's go. Let's go kick The Undertaker's ass.
Chris Daniels and the Brooklyn Brawler walk off when they bump into the Ultimo Dragon who is walking with his head down, not looking where he's going, looking completely rejected.
DANIELS : What's your problem ?
ULTIMO : Not in tournament.
DANIELS : You're not in the tournament ? Man that must suck, I'm glad I'm not in that situation cause I'd probably hang myself. Hey, hang on a sec, I've got an idea. The legendary Ultimo Dragon, how would you like to better your career and join my prophecy ?
ULTIMO : Me ?
DANIELS : Yeah, you'll be part of something special. And I guarantee nothing but success. If you join us, you'll be joing a winning team. Whaddya say ?
Chris Daniels extends his hand for a hand shake and the Ultimo Dragon stares at it thinking about what he's gonna do.
DANIELS : Shake my hand. It's not like you've got anything else to do. I mean you're not booked in any matches and your career's gonna go nowhere where it is so you might as well just go for it, man. Shake my hand.
BRAWLER : C'mon, join the greatest group of wrestlers in the world.
The Ultimo Dragon then shakes the hand of Chris Daniels.
DANIELS : Alright, let's get out there and kick some dead ass.
Chris Daniels, the Booklyn Brawler and the Ultimo Dragon then head out towards the ring.
17. ARENA
The Prophecy are in the ring warming up. Taker's music hits and suddenly Chris Daniels starts getting a little more nervous. Taker comes out on his bike and circles the ring. When he gets in the ring he appraoches Chris Daniels, he could see the fear in his eyes. Brawler and Dragon backed away as Taker stared down Daniels.
Then Dragon and the Brawler come up behind Taker and attack him from behind, but it doesn't even phase him. Undertaker turns around and Dragon and the Brawler run out of the ring. Daniels the strikes the Undertaker with a right hand. Taker's head snaps back as he stares Daniels down. Daniels strikes him again but Taker doesn't budge. Daniels then starts to back away but the Undertaker stalks him. Chris Daniels backs into the ropes but Taker continues to stalk him. Chris Daniels then throws another punch at him and then again. He bounces off the ropes but the Undertaker hits him with a huge boot to the face.
Chris Daniels rolls outside the ring. The Undertaker follows him. Dragon and the Brawler then try to attack him from behind again but Taker pounds on them and throws them both into the ring steps. Chris Daniels then sneaks up behind the Undertaker and hits a bulldog right into the ring steps. He then throws him back into the ring.
Chris Daniels then hits the Undertaker with a suplex. Cover : 1 - 2 - kickout. He whips Taker off the ropes and hits a dropkick. Daniels says that the match is over and climbs to the top rope. Taker staggers to his feet and Chris Daniels hits a moonsault. But the Undertaker catches him in a tombstone position, he's about to hit it when Ultimo Dragon grabs his foot. Taker drops Daniels and drags Ultimo Dragon up onto the apron and then punches him down. He turns around but Daniels is waiting for him and hits with the Last Rights. Cover : 1 - 2 - 3. Chris Daniels wins. The rest of the prophecy get in the ring to celebrate with him. Chris Daniels can hardly believe it. The Undertaker then sits up and the Prophecy run out of the ring as fast as they can.
18. BACKSTAGE
The Prophecy are backstage celebrating.
DANIELS : We won, I can't believe it. We're gonna win this tournament. Nothing can stop us now, nothing can stop us. We are the greatest.
ULTIMO : Number one.
BRAWLER : Damn it, yeah, we make the greatest team ever. No one else stands a chance against us.
Chris Daniels then opens up a bottle of champagne and they pour it all over themselves as go off cheering.
19. BACKSTAGE
A J Styles is in his locker room putting his boots on when Chris Jericho walks in. Styles immediately gets up to confront him.
JERICHO : Hey, hey, take it easy there, junior. I just came to wish you good luck that's all.
STYLES : Yeah ? Well guess what, I don't need luck.
JERICHO : Well you sound mighty confident about yourself. But that's good, kid. You need confidence to be able to do anything in life so it's nice to see. But it's not gonna help you tonght, junior. You see tonight you are facing the young Lion, the ayatolla of rock and rolla, the living legend, larger than life, Chris Jericho. So that confidence is going to get you nowhere and it's going to be me who advances in the tournament.
STYLES : Well, we'll just see about that won't we.
JERICHO : Yes, we will.
20. ARENA
A J Styles comes out and takes a look around. The crowd completely silent, they don't know what to make of this young kid yet. Then he turns his head to the TitanTron as the Y2J countdown begins. A bang of fireworks and Chris Jericho comes out looking as brash and as confident as ever. Jericho sizes up his opponent in the ring and just laughs. Jericho with an obvious weight advantage and is using it to out-psych his opponent, taunting him at every possible opportunity.
The bell rings. A collar and elbow tie-up, both men trying to work their way into the match. Styles then forces Jericho back into the corner, the referee tells them to break and Styles gives a clean break extending his hand to Y2J. Another collar and elbow tie-up, Styles once again with the advantage but this time Jericho turns it round and forces Styles back into the corner. The referee asks for a clean break again and Jericho backs off, but slaps Styles in the face hard and then shows off to the crowd.
Styles remains focused and doesn't let it bother him. Jericho then offers Styles a test of strength, he knows he has the advantage with this. Styles isn't sure whether to accept or not, Y2J isn't exactly one of the most trustworthy people in the world. He goes for it anyway and locks up with Jericho, Y2J surprisingly doesn't pull a dirty trick and the test of strength is on. Both men trying to force their way into an advantage but it seems dead even. Jericho is then shocked as Styles manages to push him down into a bridge. Jericho isn't done yet though as he powers his way back up to a standing position. Jericho is then the one pushing Styles down into a bridge. Jericho then sweeps the back of Styles' leg out which makes him land flat on his back. Jericho then gets himself on top of Styles but Styles wraps his legs around his waist. Jericho releases Styles' hands to gets his legs off from around his waist but then Styles grabs Jericho around the neck, pushes him off with his legs and delivers a huge monkey flip.
Styles holds onto his neck as he's monkey flipped and rolls on top of him. Styles then delivers a couple of forearms to Jericho. He then gets Jericho in a front face choke. Jericho tries to roll off him, but Styles still holds on. Jericho then gives Styles a couple of punches to the ribs which makes and they both get up to a standing position, A J Styles still with a front face choke on Chris Jericho. Jericho looks for a way out, but there doesn't seem to be one. Jericho then grabs Styles around the waist, bridging over in a northern-lights suplex. Cover : 1 - 2 - kickout. Still in the northen lights position, Styles grabs Jericho around the waist and then powers his way up from the mat bringing Jericho with him. Styles then spins around and gets a backslide on Chris Jericho. Cover : 1 - 2 - kickout. Jericho backs off, he wasn't expecting this type of fight, especially not one so tough. He re-thinks his strategy.
Jericho comes in for another collar and elbow tie-up but Styles grabs him in a headlock and then into a headlock takedown. Jericho then brings his legs up and grapevines Styles' neck in between his legs, but Styles kips out and straight back into the headlock. Jericho then rolls Styles backwards onto his shoulders, cover : 1-2-kickout. Styles then rolls back and back in control. Jericho then tries to roll Styles off again but he hangs on to the headlock and rolls all the way through back to his original position. Jericho and Styles then get up to a standing position still with the headlock applied. Jericho tries to shoot Styles off the ropes but Styles hangs on to the headlock again. Jericho tries everything to try and break the hold, but nothing works. Styles then takes Jericho down again with another headlock takedown. Jericho rolls a little to his side and then suddenly pops straight out of the headlock and grabs Styles in an ankle lock. Styles quickly looks for a way out, then he brings his free leg up and places it on top of the one Jericho has grabbed which pulls Jericho down and then Styles re-applies the headlock. Jericho is starting to get frustrated and gives a couple of shots to the kidneys of A J Styles. He tries to shoot Styles off the ropes but once again Styles keeps control of the headlock. Jericho then hits a couple of elbows right to Styles' stomach and now he is finally able to release the headlock. Jericho whips Styles off the ropes, goes for a hip toss, but it's blocked and Styles counters into a hip toss of his own. Jericho gets right back up only to be body slammed hard onto the ring canvas. Jericho backs off again, completely bewildered as to how Styles is able to dominate the matchup. He re-thinks his strategy once again.
Jericho then starts walking towards Styles. Styles goes for a clothesline but Jericho ducks and then Jericho hits a dropkick to the knee of A J Styles. Jericho then picks Styles up and slams him to the mat. Jericho starts delivering some stiff kicks to the thigh of A J Styles. He then elbows the thigh muscle twice. Jericho then gets Styles in a figure 4 leg lock with Styles screaming in pain. Styles deperately tries to reach for the ropes but he can't quite make it. Jericho cinches the move up tighter. Styles then tries to turn over to put the pressure on Chris Jericho, he gets halfway but Jericho pulls him back and slaps him in the face. With Styles just moments away from tapping out he tries to turn again and this time get all the way over which reversing the pressure back on Chris Jericho. Jericho though quickly gets to the ropes. Styles is having to use the ropes to pull himself up while Jericho gets up quickly and kicks the back of Styles' leg away. Jericho then grabs his leg, lifts him up and hits a kneebreaker, then with Styles in a standing position and with the leg he's already got and gives him a dragon screw leg whip. A J Styles screams in pain and the referee asks him if he wants to give it up right now, but Styles refuses and tries to get to his feet.
He gives Jericho a couple of forearms, then swungs for punch but misses and Jericho sweeps both his legs away and has him hooked up for the Walls of Jericho. Y2J applies the Walls of Jericho and Styles tries tro make it to the ropes. He knows that it's the only way out of the hold and there is no reversal. Styles inches nearer and nearer the ropes, the referee constantly asking if he wants to give it up, but it's clear that Styles doesn't. Finally A J Styles reaches the ropes. He tries to catch his breath, but before he can, Jericho pulls him back into the center of the ring and back into the Walls of Jericho. Styles' leg surely can't take anymore punishment, it had been brutally beaten so far in the matchup and now the Walls of Jericho is just the finishing touch. Styles realises this time that he's too far from the ropes, he's going to have to give it up. Then suddenly with a burst of guts and determination he pushes himself up with his hands and manages to make Jericho break the hold.
Once again Styles tries to stand up, but can't as he keeps falling back down and Jericho watches on, mocking him. Jericho then kicks Styles hard in the leg again knocking him back down. Jericho puts Styles' leg on the bottom rope, goes up to the middle rope and thn sits down right on the knee joint, Styles screams in pain. Jericho smiles and then does it again. Jericho then gets Styles in a leg grapevine and Styles tries to roll over but in doing so they both roll off the apron outside the ring.
Chris Jericho drags A J Styles up by the hair, picks him up by the leg and delivers another kneebreaker, this time on the steel steps. Jericho crawls back in the ring to break the count but then immediately goes back out to get Styles. Jericho grabs a chair and goes to hit Styles with it, but the referee pulls it out of his hands. Jericho turns around but when he turns back A J Styles meets him with a superkick.
Styles then pulls himself back into the ring but Jericho quickly follows. That kick didn't do enough damage and with Styles already hurt he wasn't able to capitalize on the advantage. Jericho takes him down, wraps his legs and around the injured leg of Styles and delivers a Mr Perfect style knee crusher. Jericho then drags Styles back up hits a suplex. Now Jericho feels he has the match won. He signals to the crowd that he's going to hit the Lionsault. Jericho then jumps off the ropes, goes for the Lionsault but Styles gets his knees up right into the chest of Y2J Chris Jericho.
Both men then stagger to their feet, Styles clearly injured, barely able to stand on his leg and Jericho a little winded from the missed Lionsault. Styles gives Jericho a series of forearms and then chops. He whips Jericho off the ropes and gives him a huge back body drop. Jericho staggers up but then Styles comes at him hitting a tornado DDT. Cover : 1 - 2 - kickout. Styles then grabs Jericho back in the headlock he had earlier and then into a headlock takedown. Styles realises that this is the perfect opportunity to give his leg a rest and to heal up a little bit, as long as he can keep Chris Jericho grounded. Jericho though makes his way so they are both in standing position. Styles tries to do another headlock takedown but Jericho blocks it and escapes from the headlock. He then grabs his legs from behind and trips him up. Styles tries to crawl away but Jericho stops him and stamps on his throat. Jericho then does a few more kicks to the already injured leg of A J Styles.
Jericho then starts choking him on the middle rope but is told to back off by the referee. Jericho then gets Styles and hits him with a powerbomb. Jericho nudges Styles with the tip of his boot, Styles unmoving. He tries to drag him up but Styles keeps falling down, completely unconscious. He then grabs him to pull him up again but Styles quickly rolls him up in a small package. Cover : 1 - 2 - 3 ! A J Styles wins ! Chris Jericho can't believe it as he holds his head in his hands, he threw the match away by being too over confident and a quick roll up was all it took for him to pay the price. Jericho watched as A J Styles limped to the back being supported by the referee. Jericho then stared at his hands, he had put so much work in and after all that he was not going to be the King of the World.
21. SOMEWHERE UNKNOWN
A dakr figure paced back and forth biding his time. He was wearing a hodded cloak and was rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
MAN : Soon, very soon, it will all come together. This tournament will be mine and so will she.
He holds a photograph of Stephanie McMahon, kisses it and then burns it.