The Counter-Invasion
By: Jay Winger

Timeline Note: This chapter picks up the Monday after the last one.

Teaser: Another shot has been fired in the brewing war between The Storm and Stone Cold. Other problems are fast coming to a head as well. Will cooler heads prevail, or will this powder keg even make it to WrestleMania?

Rating: R - for violence and profanity

Disclaimer: All things WWF and WCW are property of WWE, Inc. All things ECW are property of whomever the frell owns ECW. All things CIW are property of me. The characters of "The Storm" Matthew Skinner, Claire "Rain" Whittaker, Billy Rose, Brad "Brick" Dickerson, the band Cold Steel, et al. are also my property. Please ask before you use them. Lyrics from "Defy You" by Offspring are used without permission.

Previously: The show kicked off with The Storm coming out to declare he simply attacked Austin because he could, and because he wants to beat Triple H himself at WrestleMania. Jericho, of course, came out for the rebuttal, pointing out he was #1 contender, prompting The Storm to point out that Jericho's never beaten him. Close to blows, the two are finally separated by Mr. McMahon, who then booked a two-falls match, the first being for the WCW Title, the second for #1 contendership. Scion offered words of warning about The Storm's succumbing to the Darkside. Scion def. Test with the Fall from Grace. Backstage, The Hurricane and Mighty Molly attempted -- in their own unique way -- to cheer up Lance Storm (who still had a green stain on his face from Tajiri's mist attack on Monday) by declaring they would defeat him in a match. The Gemini gloated and boasted to themselves about how great they were, only to get jumped in their own locker room by Undertaker & Kane, who left them lying. Tajiri def. The Hurricane despite interference from Lance Storm. Both Alliance members got a faceful of mist -- Helms the green mist, and Lance the red mist. In the main event, The Storm def. Chris Jericho in the first fall to retain his WCW Championship, evading the Lionsault and landing a Downdraft to score the first fall. Chris Jericho def. The Storm in the second fall to retain his #1 Contendership, with Jericho locking him in the Liontamer (-NOT- the Walls of Jericho) for several minutes before he broke the hold. In the end, the referee took a bump, and The Storm hit Jericho with the Southern Lightning Driver, then a flying elbow drop, but then Stone Cold ran out, gave The Storm a Stunner, trash-talked him, and left Jericho to hit the Lionsault to retain his #1 contendership. Jericho and Austin exchanged "Stone Cold salutes," before Austin and The Storm ended the show with a tense staredown.

FYI: List of Champions: WWF - Triple H (Alliance); Intercontinental - Christian (WWF); European - vacant; Hardcore - Rob Van Dam (Alliance); Light-Heavyweight - X-Pac (WWF); WWF Tag Team - Dudley Boyz (Alliance); Women's - vacant; WCW - The Storm (WWF); U.S. - Victor E (CIW); Cruiserweight - Billy Kidman (Alliance); WCW Tag Team - The Gemini (CIW)

Chapter 25: Escalating Conflicts

Monday: Raw, March 3 - 8 days after No Way Out

The mood in the Alliance leadership's limo was quite tense. Shane's injuries that he'd suffered at the hands of The Storm had all but healed, as had Paul Heyman's throat. Stephanie was staying as close as possible to her husband, more frightened for her safety than ever after recent events. Triple H himself was staring down at the WWF Championship belt in his hands. He rubbed at a small smudge on the gold with his thumb, then glared up at Shane and Paul. "Why can't you get the damn belt off The Storm?" the Game asked with quiet threat.

"The guy's a psychopath!" Heyman whined. "Did that belt-shot he gave you last week scramble your brains, or have you just forgotten what he's done to everyone we've sent after him?"

Triple H scowled. "No, I haven't forgotten, Paul. I'm asking why we don't just take the damn belt off of him!"

Shane shook his head. "We can't do that. The Storm's out of control as it is, and if we take the belt away from him, he's going to snap completely. I dunno about you, but I'd rather avoid getting him any angrier than he already is." He seemed remarkably calm, unlike Heyman and Stephanie.

"Why are you so calm?!" Heyman yelled. "This maniac's out for blood -- our blood -- and-and you're just sitting there talking about it like it's no concern!"

Shane smiled now. "That's because, Paul, I have a plan. It might not get the belt back in our hands--" He silenced squawks of protest from his comrades with a hand, then continued, "--but what it will do is tear the WWF apart."

Triple H arched an eyebrow, sitting back in his seat. "I'm listening."

* * *

Not much later, a similar meeting took place in Vince McMahon's office at the arena. Mr. McMahon was there, along with Commissioner Regal, Billy Rose, and Jenny Black. The Chairman was massaging his scalp with both hands, elbows on his desk. "This is turning into a nightmare," the certified billionaire moaned. "Shane and Stephanie are going to put me out of business!"

"Mr. McMahon," Regal said placatingly, "you need to calm down. You've faced threats like this before. I mean, come on, you managed to weather the assault by the old WCW, didn't you?"

Rose glanced up from his couch. "Yes, Willie, but at the time, he was competing with a billionaire in Ted Turner -- someone who could afford to spend millions of dollars to try and put the WWF out of business -- and he was competing against guys like Eric Bischoff, who didn't know the inner workings of the WWF the way the McMahons do.

"This time around, however, things are a lot different." Rose sat up to look at Regal as he enumerated them. "This time he's going up against his children, who sold their stock in the WWF so they could purchase WCW and ECW. They don't have millions of dollars to spend. They've got nothing left to lose. And furthermore, since they helped Vince run the company, they're intimately familiar with how Vince does things. Combine those, and the Alliance is far more dangerous than the old WCW, moreso when you consider they've actually invaded the WWF, instead of waging war via the ratings."

Vince looked up miserably. "It doesn't help that we've got all this internal friction going on between our superstars! Stone Cold and Matthew Skinner fighting each other, Skinner and Jericho fighting, Taker and Kane fighting these Gemini of yours, Billy." Then he glared over at Regal. "And now you go and make this damn Women's Title tournament! You're giving the Alliance a fair chance at one of our belts!"

Regal spread his hands, looking perhaps a bit nervous. "Well, what was I supposed to do, Mr. McMahon?"

"Not book a damn tournament!" Vince banged a fist into his desk. "Dammit, now they could get another one of our belts! It's bad enough they've got our Tag Titles and Hardcore Title -- not to mention the WWF Title! -- now you wanna give them a shot at the Women's Title?!"

Jenny Black spoke up. "To be fair, Vince, we've gotten them back for it. We still hold the Intercontinental and Light-Heavyweight Titles, and the European Title, as it's vacant. Also, CIW has helped bring the U.S. and WCW Tag Titles over to our camp, and Matthew Skinner's got the WCW Title, of course. It balances out."

"Dammit, I don't want 'balanced out!'" Vince roared. "I want to get rid of the Alliance! They're trying to destroy my company!"

Rose stood up. "Relax, Vince. That's the way things are right now. Shane and Stephanie have to realize that while they are young, they do know how you run your company, and they have gotten some key victories, you've dealt with this sort of thing before, and you beat it then. And then you didn't have me or CIW to back you up."

"Mr. McMahon," Regal pleaded, "Mr. Rose is correct. You've handled much more strenuous situations and always come out on top."

Rose and Jenny both managed to stifle a bit of a snicker, which went unnoticed. The CIW ringleader spoke up again, "Relax, Vince, even if Shane and Stephanie do come up with some scheme, you've got the Mental Elite working for you. Trust me, I can outthink them."

* * *

As the show officially got underway, the fans were treated to the arrival of The Storm, who came out without the usual roll of thunder, just straight from the pyros into the music. He wore a plain black T-Shirt again and no sunglasses, carrying his WCW Title in one hand as he marched into the ring, grabbing a microphone to start talking. The fans were booing him on sight now, chanting "Skinner Sucks!" as he glared up at them. He paced a bit, swinging his belt up onto his shoulder before speaking. "Last Thursday night," the Force of Nature started, "I was this close to getting a shot at Triple H so I could become the Unified Champion." More boos and jeers followed this remark. "I beat that little Canuck bastard Jericho once to keep my title, and then, just as I was about to beat him again to take his number-one contendership, what happens?" ("What?" chanted some smart-alleck fans.) "That no-good redneck hyena goes and gets himself involved in my business!"

Now the rest of the crowd was getting into the act as they chanted, "What?" The Storm ignored them and snapped, "You all know the guy I'm talking about." "What?" "He's the Texas Rattlesnake." "What?" "The Bionic Redneck." "What?" "The second most toughest S.O.B. in the World Wrestling Federation!" Skinner chuckled at the "What?" from the last one. "Oh, hadn't you heard? Stone Cold Steve Austin ain't the toughest son of a bitch anymore. Enh-enh!" He snarled, imitating Austin. "The toughest son of a bitch is none other than the Texan Tornado." "What?" "The Force of Nature." "What?" He raised his belt in the air. "The WCW World Heavyweight Champion." "What?" "The man I'm talking about is myself, The Storm, Matthew Skinner!"

He sneered at the fresh round of boos he received. "Austin, I don't care if you're pissed off at me. I've never backed down from a challenge in my life. If you've got a problem with me, Austin, don't be a gutless coward and attack me when I ain't looking. Be a man and look me straight in the eyes, meet me face-to-face so I can punch your teeth down your throat."

The fans started cheering as they anticipated the confrontation between The Storm and Stone Cold, but instead of hearing the telltale sound of breaking glass, they heard: "Here comes the Money! (Here we go - Money talks) Here comes the Money! Money money money..." The Storm's sneer turned into an outright scowl as Shane McMahon came bounding out onto the stage. The fans were likewise displeased at this turn of events as the WCW Owner walked down to the ring, taking a microphone as he faced Skinner, who was popping his knuckles irritably.

"What the hell are you doing out here?" The Storm demanded. "Last time you were this close to me, I put you in the hospital. What, you didn't get the message last time?"

Shane just smiled. "Storm, I didn't come out here to get another beating from you. I will, however, warn you, that -- regardless of any repercussions from you -- should you lay your hands on me again, I will strip you of the WCW Title." The Storm plainly thought this idea sucked, as did the fans, who booed again. Shane continued. "What I came out here to say is to announce two things. First off, however, let me call out the WCW Tag Team Champions... CIW's Gemini Twins."

The Storm and the fans weren't quite sure what to make of this, however, as Castor and Pollux made their way to the ring, the crowd did give them a decent chorus of boos, recalling their defeat of Undertaker & Kane. The Gemini stood in the ring, forming a triangle with The Storm at one corner, Shane at another, and themselves at the third. Shane smiled. "Now, first off, since we now know for certain that it will be Chris Jericho facing Triple H at Wrestlemania and not you, Storm, we have to figure out just who you will face at Wrestlemania -- provided, of course, you're still WCW Champion by then."

"Trust me, Shane-O, I will be."

Shane smiled. "I'm sure, Storm. Tonight, in this very ring, we will have ourselves a number-one contendership match for the WCW Title at Wrestlemania, between the Alliance's Rhyno and..." He paused, then grinned: "Stone Cold Steve Austin." The crowd actually perked up and cheered at the mention of the Rattlesnake's name. The Storm, however, was scolwing.

Shane grinned at him. "Now, as for you, Storm, you will, of course, be defending your WCW Title tonight. But -- and here's the thing I'm sure you'll like -- if you successfully retain your title tonight, then out of sheer generosity, I will nullify the stipulation on your matches, and you will not have to defend them in every match."

The Storm looked intrigued. "You may have something there, Shane. But what's the catch?"

The WCW Owner smirked. "It will be a Handicap Match -- against the Gemini!"

The fans -- not to mention Skinner and the Twins -- were surprised. The brothers exchanged a few words together, then Pollux grabbed a microphone. "Whoa, wait a sec, here, Shane-O. You want us--" he gestured at himself and Castor, "--to fight him?" He pointed at The Storm. When Shane nodded, Pol shook his head. "No dice, man. He's WWF, and we're CIW. We're on the same team. We don't wanna fight him."

Shane smiled again. "I had a feeling you might say that, but if you don't want to fight The Storm, then you will have to defend the WCW Tag Titles against the Dudley Boyz here tonight!" The fans cheered for that, but the Gemini immediately started looking upset, clutching their title belts a little closer to themselves. "So it's either face one guy and win some double gold for yourselves, or face one of the best tag teams in the business today and lose your coveted titles."

The Twins shared a look, then looked over at The Storm. Slowly, they began to smile identically. Finally, they nodded, leering at the WCW Champion. Shane smiled. "Excellent! It's done, then!"

Before Shane could go on, the TitanTron lit up again. "We... are... ALIVE!" The CIW entrance music played as Billy Rose made his way out, wearing his red over-shirt over a CIW T-Shirt and a pair of khakis. He was frowning a bit, carrying a microphone. He stopped at the base of the ramp, looking up into the ring. Both Skinner and Shane gave him a look of loathing, while the Gemini just stared at him. Rose raised his mic, then gestured for the producers to 'cut the music.' "Shane-O, I see what you're trying to do here. You're trying to make the WWF and CIW tear themselves apart! Well, if you can dictate the matches for WCW titles, then you should know that Vince McMahon and Commissioner Regal have empowered me to book some matches of my own tonight -- and they're for WWF titles!

"First off, the Dudleys will have to defend their WWF Tag Titles tonight, and just to be sure the team you call one of the best in the business today have some suitable competition, it will be a Table Match against..." Rose stopped, looking thoughtful, then grinned. "The Undertaker and Kane!" The fans popped loudly, and then Rose raised a finger. "Oh, but let's not forget a few other titles that the Alliance happens to hold! Tonight, just so you don't get any funny ideas, Shane, and try to make my man Victor E. defend his U.S. Title tonight, he's going to get a shot at the WWF Hardcore Championship against Mr. Monday Night himself -- Rob - Van - Dam." The CIW ringleader even remembered to do the "thumbs" gimmick.

Shane was now looking quite upset, but Rose wasn't done yet. "Oh, but it gets better! Triple H has to defend his WWF Championship tonight against your Olympic Hero -- Kurt Angle!" The fans cheered again, though slightly less so, as Shane shouted from inside the ring. Rose just waved at him, grinning. "That's all I have to say, Shane-O. If you have any problems with it, feel free to take it up with me in the back -- I'll be in the CIW locker room."

Rose left up the ramp, with the Gemini following him. The Twins were still looking at The Storm in the ring. Shane quickly realized he was in the ring with someone who currently wanted to tear his head off and rapidly left the ring before said event could take place. Skinner, however, was busy glaring at his hated rival, too preoccupied to care about the would-be heir.

* * *

Not too long after the opening interview, two matches passed. The first was part of the Women's Title tournament, pitting the Alliance's delusional superhero's sidekick, Mighty Molly, against CIW's brunette bombshell, Dee Meaner. In the early going, Dee had the definite advantage, being not impressed in the least by Molly's posturing and meant-to-be-intimidating posing. Soon, however, Molly started a rally and had Dee almost beat for a moment before the CIW diva hit her savate kick to the head, stunning Molly, and softening her up for the double-underhook suplex (which she called the Felonyplex). Molly was able to get a foot on the rope, however, and just before Dee could strike again, The Hurricane emerged from the ramp and tripped her up from ringside, allowing Molly to hit a fierce legdrop, then the Molly-Go-Round for the pin. Superhero and sidekick retreated up the ramp quickly as Dee got back up, quite peeved at the cheating tactics.

The second match stemmed from the Tajiri/Hurricane match the previous show, in which Lance Storm had gotten a faceful of the Japanese Buzzsaw's red mist. William Regal had denied Lance's demand to face Tajiri, booking the Canadian against himself instead. Lance came out the early aggressor, but then his superkick went high and struck the Commissioner in the nose instead of the jaw. Regal's nose was bloodied, but he was able to kick out of the pin attempt. Furious now, Regal started pounding away on Lance, finally hitting him with the Regal Cutter before locking on the Regal Stretch, getting the submission victory.

The ring was cleared, but the next segment turned out to be another interview. The TitanTron lit up. "Christian! Chris-TIAAN! At last you are on your OOOOOOWN!" Rock music erupted as golden pyros rained from the light structure, more golden sparks fountaining under the screen. The fans booed as the fountaining sparks cut off, revealing Christian himself standing there, pointing at his Intercontinental Title around his waist before strutting out onto the ramp, gesturing dramatically like a maestro. The fans booed him greatly as he reached the ring, giving him chants of "Christian Sucks!"

Christian took a microphone, looking around at the jeering crowd. "You know something, I just don't get it. I thought after I won the Intercontinental Title, I'd start to get a little respect around here. I mean, last week, a group of people like you, only with teeth -- oh, wait, I forgot, this is Baton Rouge -- I mean, people like you, only avec l'teeth --" He shook his head, then pointed eastward. "C'mon people, Paris is thataway, I mean I can understand you trying to be French, but you don't have to try and copy their hygiene - try l'deodorant once in awhile." The fans jeered and booed, chanting "Asshole!" at him.

"Anyway, these people in the airport had the audacity to start shouting at me 'Christian sucks!'" The fans popped and laughed at him. "I mean, I can't believe it! What does everybody have against me, why does everybody hate me? Do you have any idea what it's like to have everybody hate you? Huh?"

Christian glared at the crowd, then turned to the TitanTron as the lights turned purple. "Hey, yo, you're dealin' with th' X-Factor!" Rock music started up as X-Pac marched out, wearing his Light-Heavyweight Title on his waist as well. He came down to the ramp as the fans immediately started chanting "X-Pac Sucks!" on sight.

The former 1-2-3 Kid ignored them as he hit the ring with a microphone of his own. The chants died down for a moment as X-Pac put a hand on Christian's shoulder. "Hey man, Christian, bro, I feel your pain, man. I know what it's like. I know what it's like, man." He paused as the fans started the familiar chant again. "Hey, in case you hadn't remembered, I was on top of the world around here. You know? I was part of the most popular group in World Wrestling Federation history!" X-Pac stopped to raise his hands in the air in the DX handsign. "You know what I mean? And you know what happened? I went out on my own -- you know people love me," he commented to Christian, who nodded, "I went out on my own, became a successful singles competitor, you know what they did?"

Christian shook his head, and X-Pac pointed accusingly out at the crowd. "They turned on me, man, just like you, they turned on me. You know what? They chewed me up and they spit me out."

Christian, horrified, turned and shouted at the audience. "Shame on you people! Shame on you all!"

X-Pac calmed him down. "Hey, hey, hey, that's all right, bro. Let 'em have their fun. Let these nimrods have their fun, because you know what? The fact of the matter is," he turned and pointed out at the fans, sneering, "all you people are losers! And you and I, you know," he grinned, pointing at their respective titles. "We're winners." The two shared a grin.

"You think you know me..." The fun stopped and the two men in the ring looked to the TitanTron. "You will never know me... Yeeeeah, my durango..." The fans started cheering as Edge walked out of the large cloud of dry ice fog that spewed from the stage. He carried a mic and grinned at the two in the ring. He held up a finger. "X-Pac, my good man, a few corrections if I may. These people didn't chew you up and spit you out, you simply make them wanna puke!" X-Pac looked displeased. "And as far as being part of the most popular group in WWF history, well... hanging out with cool people does not make you a really cool person." Christian held X-Pac back as the former DXer seethed beside him. Edge continued, "Oh, and by the way, 1998 called and they're sick and tired of you, so feel free to join us in the year 2003 any time!"

Christian and X-Pac stared at him somewhat, so Edge grinned and continued, "Now you look confused, so let me explain. You see, at one point I was into this whole goth thing, but then I developed my very own persona - it's called 'character development,'" he said, making the quote motions with his fingers. "You should look into it sometime."

Now Christian sneered and spoke. "You know something, Edge? You're pretty cocky for a guy that just had his ass handed to him less than a week ago."

Then X-Pac got brave and chimed in, "Yeah! Pretty cocky!"

Edge just smirked and waited out a brief "Edge!" chat. "Ah, Christian. My dear, sweet little brother Christian. You wonder why all these people hate you? Well...why don't we just ask them." Christian looked wary. "Now....don't be shy, people! Do you hate Christian because he's extremely annoying?" "YEAH!" "Do you hate him becuase he totally sucks?" "YEAH!" "Or do you hate him because simply, he's a jealous, bitter, paranoid coward--" The fans started laughing as Christian seethed, now being held back by X-Pac, but then Edge added, "--who after years of therapy STILL wets his bed?"

X-Pac quickly let go of Christian, drawing back. Edge just chuckled, started to go on, but then X-Pac's running buddy, Albert, showed up, yelling and driving his foot straight into the back of Edge's neck with a bicycle kick. Edge was rolled down the ramp, where the two men in the ring dragged him inside, pummeling him and putting him in the corner. Albert reached the ring, stood in the opposite corner, then charged forward, shouting ("Yaaaaaaaaah!"), and crashing into Edge with an avalanche. Albert grabbed him by the back of the head, then hurled him forward into a spinning heel kick by X-Pac.

Christian left the ring, bringing in a pair of chairs, handing one to X-Pac. But before they could swing, Zed and Zeta came running out, chasing X-Factor and Christian off. Zeta shouted various profane remarks after them as Zed helped Edge to his feet, the Z-Men's music playing.

* * *

"The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is a Handicap Tag-Team Match, and it is for the WCW Championship!"

The CIW bumper played prior to the ominous rock music signalling the arrival of the Gemini. The fans booed as the two came down to the ring, dressed virtually identically, only Pollux's tattoos giving him away. They carried their WCW Tag Title belts on their shoulders and both men stepped over the top rope at the same time, tossing their belts to stagehands before facing the ramp. "Introducing first, representing CIW, from Seattle, Washington, weighing in at 270 pounds each... they are the WCW Tag Team Champions, Castor & Pollux, the GEMINI!"

Castor started stretching his legs, standing on one foot as he held the knee of the other leg against his body for a moment before switching. Pollux swung out his arms, then cracked his knuckles. Their music faded, replaced by the crash of thunder. "This is your Storm Warning!" The fans cheered only slightly, since it was clear to them that The Storm was the de facto face against these two heels. "And their opponent, representing the WWF, from Dallas, Texas, weighing in at 240 pounds... he is the WCW Champion, Matthew Skinner, THE STORM!"

The Storm came down the ramp, slid into the ring and was immediately attacked by the Twins. They stomped him down, then yanked him to his feet, throwing him into the corner, where they began to whale on him with right hands and kicks. The Storm hadn't even taken his title belt off yet. Pollux grabbed him by the head and threw him face-first to the mat, then ripped the belt off his waist and held it in the air. The fans booed. Castor yanked the belt away and raised it in the air himself, only to get into a tug-of-war with his brother.

This allowed The Storm the time he needed to recover. He got to his feet, came off the ropes and took them both down with a double clothesline. He tore his belt from their grip, holding it in the air as he stood over them. "It's my fucking belt! Keep your fucking hands off it!" He threw it to the timekeeper, then started to turn Pollux over, setting him up for the Necksnapper. Castor saw him, however, and kicked him in the head, following it up with a legdrop across the throat, going for the cover.

At two, The Storm kicked out just moments before Polllux pulled his twin off the cover. The two shared a few heated words again, arguing over who was going to make the pin before The Storm tripped Castor up and slapped on the Twister Anklelock. Pollux quickly broke it up with a clothesline, then an elbow drop to the chest, followed by a second. Cas got up, limping a bit, and added a few stomps.

The Gemini pulled Skinner to his feet and put him in the corner for a few tandem chops to the chest before they both whipped him across the ring. Cas put himself in the corner, and did a "do-si-do" whip, resulting in Pollux barrelling across the ring, intending to clothesline their victim in the corner. The Force of Nature, however, slipped aside, leaving Pol to crash hard into the turnbuckle. Skinner launched at Cas, taking him down with a forearm smash, then got up and clipped the other twin with a drop toe-hold, sending Pollux's face square into Castor's groin.

The fans cheered a bit as Cas doubled over, groaning. Pol got up, looking surprised at what he just inadvertantly did. The Storm stepped up behind him and grabbed him in a full nelson, preparing to deliver the Downdraft. The tattoo-sporting Twin slipped his leg back, hooking Skinner's to block the move, then swung his arm free, whirling around and clobbering him with a short-arm clothesline. He covered, but he was way too close to the ropes, so the champion got his foot up on the bottom rope to break the pin.

Getting frustrated, Pollux pulled him up and gave him a hard scoop slam, then went for an elbow drop, but The Storm rolled away, leaving Pollux to land hard on the mat. The Storm slipped to his feet and snapped back down with an elbow drop of his own square to the back of Pol's head. He started to go for the Necksnapper again, but Castor had recovered and hit a low dropkick to Skinner's face, knocking him off and sending him rolling out of the ring. The Storm leaned against the barricade to catch his breath, then lunged out of the way as Castor rolled out and tried to deliver an axe-kick to him while he was on the barrier. Skinner, however, slipped aside again, then quickly kicked upwards into the Twin's thigh after his foot came down on the padded steel. The Twin with the educated feet fell to the mat, clutching his leg and yelling.

The Storm rolled back in the ring and grabbed Pollux's leg, locking on an anklelock and trying to hold down the other leg to make it the Twister Anklelock. The tattooed Twin, however, rolled through and twisted around Skinner's leg, dropping an elbow across the knee to wear him down. He sneered, pulling him up and sending him into the ropes, going off the opposite side to attempt the Apollo-Line. The WCW Champion, however, spoiled that by holding onto the ropes with both arms, so Pol's lunge landed far short, and ended up striking the referee, knocking him down. Pollux stared down at the ref in surprise.

Quickly, The Storm kicked him in the stomach, then landed a swinging neckbreaker before starting to go for the Necksnapper again. Castor hit the ring out of nowhere, breaking the submission up before it could be locked in, then stood him up and kicked him in the stomach, going for a Scissors Kick. The Storm sidestepped it and kicked him in the leg again before setting up for the Necksnapper on Castor instead, but the other Twin broke it up.

Pollux snarled and turned to Castor. "Fuck this! Let's just end this now, we'll be co-champs!" The Twins nodded as one, then picked The Storm up, sending him into the ropes and catching him on the rebound, swinging him around and into the Twin Terror Bomb. The fans were booing heavily as the Twins made a simultaneous cover, but the referee was still down. The Gemini stood up, looking angrily at the referee's motionless carcass.

As they were so distracted, however, the fans started cheering, and the reason soon became clear as Kane and the Undertaker slid into the ring. The Gemini whipped around, gawking for mere moments before they were grabbed for stereo chokeslams. The Brothers of Destruction, their mission finished, left the ring, leaving The Storm to crawl over and drape an arm over both men, just in time for the recovered referee to weakly count the three for the pin and the win.

The Storm rolled out of the ring, stretching his neck in a circle as he reclaimed his title. He looked at the Gemini, then over at `Taker and Kane, who were backing up the ramp. Skinner glared at them, then left along the side of the ramp, rubbing the back of his neck. The Twins, for their part, sat up slowly, throwing furious looks at the Brothers of Destruction for costing them their coveted "double gold."

* * *

The next match-up was the Hardcore Championship Match between Victor E. and Rob Van Dam. Shane had sent Palumbo & O'Haire to try and "convince" Rose to put Victor's U.S. Title on the line, but the two Alliance members met up with Brick, who "convinced" them to keep their noses out of it.

In the early going, the two exchanged a series of quick mat-wrestling moves -- armdrags, hiptosses, armbars and the like -- with neither man gaining the upper hand. Finally, after Van Dam hit an armdrag and Victor rolled out of, the two stood up and faced each other, pausing. The fans applauded the skill of the two men as they circled each other again.

RVD built some momentum following this, working the arm of the CIWer with his educated feet and martial arts skills, finally scoop-slamming him near the corner and setting up for a split-legged moonsault. As the Whole F'n Show swung down, however, Victor got his knees up, causing Van Dam to bounce off and roll away, clutching his ribs and groaning.

Now Victor got the upper hand, working over RVD's legs and knees, trying to weaken his kick-oriented offense. He slapped on a single-leg crab to further wear out the high-flier, then left the ring to grab a chair and a trashcan from under the ring. The fans popped, sensing things about to get extreme as Victor spiked the chair into Van Dam's ribs, then stood him up in the corner before going to get the trashcan.

As the last CIW Champion approached, however, RVD lunged out of the corner with a leg lariat, his foot sending the can back into Victor's face. He fell close to the ropes, the can falling outside the ring. Van Dam got up, wobbling, spotted Victor lying on the mat, then ran to the ropes, sprang off and somersalted toward him, jumping up and flipping over to hit the Rolling Thunder. He went for the cover, but the Californian kicked out rather easily.

RVD did a few more stomps, then tried to go upstairs for the Five-Star Frog Splash. As he looked left and right, however, Van Dam left himself open for attack, which is just what Victor did. He bealed the Alliance member out of the corner and to the mat, then slid out of the ring to grab the trashcan again. He rolled back in, then slipped the can over Van Dam's head, then went for the chair, intending to give him a major headache.

The ECWer, however, managed to lash out with a foot and double Victor over, buying him enough time to worm the can off his head. He hit the CIWer in the back with it, then took the chair away from him. He waited for Victor to stand back up and tossed him the chair, then spun his foot around for the Van Daminator. The "always triumphant" superstar, however, ducked it, then swung for the bleachers. RVD, however, ducked under this, then promptly launched another kick as Victor turned back around, this time landing the Van Daminator.

The fans cheered as Van Dam went to the corner, swinging himself up to the top rope, where he perched himself, looked left, looked right, gauged the distance, then launched himself into the air. In midair, RVD swung his arms down, then back up, stretching himself out as he came down onto Victor in the Five-Star Frog Splash. Mr. Monday Night bounced up, clutching his ribs, then turned back into a cover. 1... 2.... 3!

"Here is your winner, and still the World Wrestling Federation Hardcore Champion... ROB VAN DAM!"

* * *

Backstage, everyone -- from wrestlers to officials to stagehands -- gave Matthew Skinner a wide berth as he made his way back to his private dressing room. As he reached the door, however, he was stopped by Jonathon Coachman. "Mr. Skinner! Mr. Skinner, now that you've successfully defended your WCW Championship for the last time until Wrestlemania, do you have any thoughts on who you'd like to face at Wrestlemania for your title? Do you want to face Stone Cold or do you want to face Rhyno again?"

The Storm stopped in the doorway, then turned his head to look back over his shoulder at Coach. The interviewer, for his part, quickly backed away until Skinner shut the door in his face.

* * *

The final match before the two main events was the Dudleys WWF Tag Title defense against Undertaker & Kane. In spite of the Dudley Boyz' major experience, and their being lauded as "the best tag team in the business today," the champions were hard-pressed to get any sort of advantage over the larger Brothers of Destruction. The ECWers tried to wear down Kane, but the Big Red Machine just shrugged off everything they threw at him, though they were able to keep him from making the tag to `Taker.

Finally, Bubba Ray was able to get Kane down on the mat, allowing him to rush over and slug Taker once, distracting him and the referee as he spread Kane's legs for the Wassap Drop (sans Wassap). After delivering the headbutt, D-Von got up and did his war dance, crossing Kane's carcass before Bubba shoved him. "D-Von!" "What?!" Bubba pointed. "Get the tables!"

Both Dudleys left the ring to get the wood out, with Bubba setting one table up at ringside, and D-Von bringing another out by the announce table. Then Undertaker came back with a vengeance. He blindsided Bubba and hurled him back in to Kane, who started taking him apart. Taker then sent D-Von hard into the steel steps before going to his corner to recieve the "hot tag" from his brother. The Dead Man began to beat the living hell out of Bubba, then D-Von, before sending Kane outside to collect the table.

There, however, Kane was double-teamed by the Gemini Twins, who turned up from alongside the ramp. The identical twins beat on Kane before dropping him through the table with a double flapjack. Taker was busy with D-Von, who had recovered, the referee trying to tell him to stop using closed fists. Bubba brought the extra table into the ring, setting it up, distracting the referee again as the Twins then jumped on the apron, attracting Taker's attention. When the American Badass got close enough, they both grabbed his head and hot-shotted him off the ropes, right into D-Von's waiting grip. He carried him up and into Bubba's waiting grasp, bringing him crashing down through the table in a 3-D for the win.

The Dudley Boyz locked eyes with the Gemini, who were backing up the ramp. The two sets of champions stared each other down, then nodded to each other with sadistic grins. They might have been on different sides of the Invasion, but the Dudleys obviously saw kindred spirits in the Twins. The Brothers of Destruction were too dazed to get back up right away, but it was clear that the growing animosity between themselves and the Gemini was going to erupt soon.

* * *

Following the WWF Title Match between Triple H and Kurt Angle (which the Game won yet again through duplicitous means -- this time involving a sledgehammer shot and a Pedigree), the main event pitted Stone Cold Steve Austin against Rhyno to determine the #1 Contender for the WCW Championship at Wrestlemania.

The Man-Beast withered under Austin's initial assault, but soon he turned the tide and started to wear down the Rattlesnake. He continued to work the back and ribs, also putting some focus on the the once-broken neck of Austin, but was unable to get the coveted pinfall. Finally, he set Austin up for the Gore, intending to put him down for good with the colossal spear.

As Austin struggled to get up in the corner, the fans started jeering as The Storm appeared at the top of the ramp, carrying his title belt on his shoulder. He stood and watched as Rhyno charged, only to plow into the turnbuckle as Austin sidestepped. The Bionic Redneck flipped him the double bird as he turned back, kicked him in the gut, then dropped him in the Stunner, covering for the 1... 2... 3! Austin was going to Wrestlemania to face The Storm.

The Force of Nature promptly hit the ring, sprinting over and tattooing Austin across his bald head with the title belt before the referee could even raise his hand in victory. The fans booed heavily as Austin's music cut out, replaced instead by Cold Steel's "Force of Nature" as The Storm stood over Austin, taunting him by holding the belt above him. "It don't matter if it's you or anyone else, Austin!" The Storm roared. "This is MY fucking title, and NOBODY'S taking it from me!"

more to come-

Next: Now it's clear that The Storm and Austin will collide at Wrestlemania, but will either of them make it there?

If you have any ideas for possible feuds/relationships for any of my characters, drop me a line at jay_winger_2k@hotmail.com.

-=Jay 2K Winger=-
February 5, 2003