The Counter-Invasion
By: Jay Winger
Timeline Note: This chapter picks up the Monday after the last one.
Teaser: Stone Cold stepped up the conflict, but how will The Storm retaliate as the Coalition continues to crumble?
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: Edge & The Z-Men def. Christian & X-Factor, following a Buzz Killer/Edgeacution DDT. Backstage, The Storm and Stone Cold were told to cooperate and keep from losing their tempers with each other or face suspension by Mr. McMahon. Victor E def. Rob Van Dam to retain US Title., then the two showed each other mutual respect. Backstage, Edge got a call telling him his mother had been in an accident, then rushed to inform Christian. As the two prepared to leave, however, it was revealed it was a ruse and Christian -- now a member of the Alliance -- attacked Edge with several WECW cohorts. Trish Stratus def. Ivory with the Stratusfaction to advance in the Women's Title Tournament. Backstage again, Victor E was accosted by the Gemini, who didn't take too kindly to Victor's respect for RVD earlier that night, but Victor threw their animosity with Undertaker & Kane in their faces. Dudleyz def. Hardyz to retain WWF Tag Titles, after the Gemini (ringside to commentate) got involved in a brawl with Taker & Kane at ringside. Following the match, Kane got Twin Terror Bombed off the stage and through the electrical equipment. In the main event, The Storm & Stone Cold def. Triple H & Rhyno, following a Stunner on Triple H. After the match, Austin then promptly turned around and Stunner'd The Storm before drinking beer to close the show.
FYI: List of Champions:
WWF World - Triple H (WECW) / WCW World - The Storm (WWF)
Intercontinental - Christian (WWF) / U.S. - Victor E (CIW)
WWF Tag - Dudley Boyz (WECW) / WCW Tag - The Gemini (CIW)
Light-Heavyweight - X-Pac (WWF) / Cruiserweight - Billy Kidman (WECW)
European - vacant / Women's - vacant / Hardcore - Rob Van Dam (WECW)
Chapter 27: Break His Neck
Monday: Raw is War, March 10 - 13 days to Wrestlemania
Vince McMahon walked backstage in the arena, looking extremely worried. The invasion wasn't going well at all. The Alliance was fully in control of itself, while the WWF was at its own throat. Rose and his blasted "counter-invasion" of CIW hadn't helped in the slightest. If anything, it was making matters worse. Kane was still injured from being powerbombed off the stage by the Gemini, and Undertaker was stationed outside the CIW locker room, waiting for them to step out so he could exact his revenge. Rose was currently in said locker room, berating everyone in the CIW colors about their fighting with the WWF.
And then there was the matter of Matthew Skinner. Vince knew that after getting Stunner'd on Thursday, The Storm would be out for vengeance, and with things the way they were, he couldn't have them killing each other, no matter what may happen at Wrestlemania. They were two of his best superstars, and right now he needed every one he could get. He stopped a stagehand. "Have you seen Skinner?"
The stagehand pointed. "Yeah, he's in that dressing room there."
McMahon nodded to him, then went directly to said room. The door had a placard on it that bore The Storm's lightning-bolt-and-exclamation-point symbol as well as his name. Without knocking, the Chairman barged inside, finding the Force of Nature standing in a darkened room, sunglasses on, watching a TV monitor, the glow providing the most illumination. It reflected off his sunglasses, his mouth set in a firm line as he watched whatever-it-was. His WCW Title belt was draped over one shoulder, both hands holding the strap, the gold contrasting against his black T-Shirt.
"Skinner, I want to talk to you," Vince said as he stepped inside. The Storm made no sign that he'd heard him. He moved one hand -- which McMahon now saw held a remote control -- and rewound the tape in the the VCR atop the monitor, watching whatever-it-was again, the light flickering over his sunglasses. "All right, fine, then, if you won't talk, I will. I know you're probably thinking about going after Stone Cold tonight, and I don't blame you -- I've been on the receiving end of a few Stunners in my lifetime, and I know the experience isn't pleasant. But I don't want you doing anything to Austin tonight, do you get me?"
"You don't want me doing anything to Austin?" The Storm said at last. "I'm not sure if I can promise that, Vince." His gaze had not moved from the TV set.
"I don't care if you can't promise that!" Vince snapped. "I'm telling you, if you so much as lay a finger on Austin tonight, I will suspend you."
"You won't suspend me." He glanced up, pausing and rewinding the video. "You need loyal superstars to take on the Alliance, and I fit the bill."
"You're set to take on Stone Cold at Wrestlemania," McMahon agreed. "I can't do anything to stop that. But, dammit, I won't have my company go down to those ungrateful children of mine!"
"You have my assurances, Vince," The Storm said, "that I won't do anything that hasn't been done already."
He gave Vince an eerie little smirk, then calmly walked around the monitor and out the door, past the dumbfounded Chairman. Vince frowned a bit, then went into the darkened room and looked at the monitor. He gaped a bit at what he saw, grabbing the remote and playing the video, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was. Unfortunately, it was exactly what it seemed. He turned off the monitor and ran out of the locker room, but by now The Storm was gone. He found the stagehand again and asked him, "Where did Skinner go?" but only got a shrug in response.
The tape in the VCR was from Summerslam `97.
* * *
Elsewhere, Castor and Pollux swaggered into the hallways from the garage, dressed identically in sleeveless shirts and slacks, wearing their WCW Tag Titles over their shoulders. They had very cocky grins on their faces as they made their way toward the CIW locker room. After all, why shouldn't they be cocky? Last Thursday they not only powerbombed Kane, they delivered their infamous Twin Terror Bomb to the masked superstar -- and sent him off the stage and into the electrical equipment.
The Gemini had very quickly made a name for themselves this way. They had already gotten a great deal of attention by defeating three teams at No Way Out to capture the WCW Tag Team Championship -- Tommy Dreamer and Raven, Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon, and of course Undertaker and Kane. In defeating the Brothers of Destruction, the Twins became the first people in recollection to have given Taker a powerbomb. And now they made history again by being the first ones to give a powerbomb to Kane. Who in their right minds would mess with them?
The answer, apparently, was Billy Rose, for as the Gemini walked into the locker room, they found the CIW ringleader waiting for them. "Hello, boys, glad you could make it, now go home."
Castor raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
"You heard me," Rose scowled. "Go home. I managed to talk Heyman into not putting booking you guys in a match, and I convinced Regal to keep you out of action as well. So you don't have any reason to be here. Go. Home."
Pollux sneered. "Well what if we don't wanna go home, Billy? Suppose Cas and I--"
"--wanna stick around?" Castor finished.
Rose's eyes blazed. "Look, after what you two pulled last week, Kane is still out of action, and Undertaker's lurking about with murder on his mind. Now I told you guys that we're on the same team as the WWF, and I told you not to provoke Taker and Kane, but you guys went out and did it again, and now you've stepped into some deep shit. I don't want you trying anything stupid, and I don't want Taker killing you guys. So go home before something happens."
The Twins frowned and moved forward in unison, looming over him. "Look, Billy, if we wanna stick around," Castor started, "then who's gonna make us leave?" Pollux finished.
"Me," came a deep voice behind them. The Gemini blinked and turned. Standing behind them, arms folded, was Brick. He glowered down at them, biceps bulging. They could see he'd gotten his catchphrase tattooed on his right arm: Do Not Taunt.
"Ah," Castor said.
"Yeah, ah," Pollux echoed.
"We'll just, ah, be going, then," they said in unison, edging around Brick and out the door.
The Breaker-Man followed them, keeping them in his sight until they got into their car and drove off. He turned to head back to the CIW locker room, but the Undertaker was right behind him. "What the hell was that about?" the Phenom demanded.
"Rose sent 'em home," Brick told him. "So there wouldn't be any trouble."
"Trouble? The little sons of bitches powerbombed Kane off the stage!" Taker advanced, looking him square in the eye. "I'd say there is trouble! You just lettin' 'em walk away?"
"Wasn't my idea," Brick growled at him. "Talk to Rose." He went to leave, but Taker grabbed his arm.
"You tell Rose this, then: if those twin assholes show their face around here again, I'll make them famous!" The Dead Man glared Brick in the eyes for a few more seconds, but the Breaker-Man stared right back. Finally, they both backed up and walked away at the same time.
* * *
Clips of these backstage happenings all aired after the opening match, another part of the Women's Championship Tournament, which had the WWF's Jacqueline pitted against the Alliance's Stacy Keibler. As one might expect, Stacy was out of her element against the tough Texas diva, and with the Dudleys yet to arrive, Jackie had a clear path to victory, which she scored after a spinning heel kick to the face. Following the backstage clips, the lights dimmed and the big screen lit up.
"Christian!" sang the TitanTron, causing a chorus of boos to rise up to counter the chorus of operatic voices, "Chris-TIAAN! At last, you are on your OOOOOOWN!" The rock music started up as golden pyro sparks rained from the top of the TitanTron, a fountain of the same sparks springing up in the entryway. The fountain faded, revealing the traitorous Intercontinental Champion. The jeering increased as Christian strutted down the ramp, gesturing grandly to either side, pointing smugly at his title belt around his waist.
"Well here comes the latest traitor to the cause," Jim Ross remarked sourly. "Last week on Smackdown, we learned that the Intercontinental Champion, Christian, will go to any lengths to take down his brother, Edge, when he tricked Edge into a heinous backstage attack."
"Yes, J.R.," Paul Heyman gloated, "but you forget to mention the fact that Christian was assisted in said attack by his new family! Ladies and gentlemen at home, the Alliance is proud to welcome into the family, the WWF Intercontinental Champion, Christian!" Surprisingly, Jim Pickett, the CIW commentator seated on the farside of J.R. from Heyman, said nothing to this, instead looking at a little index card he had in his hands.
Christian headed around the ring toward the announce position, but stopped en route to look at a young boy in the front row. In a startling act of generosity, Christian removed his trademark pair of "crazy-ass" sunglasses and put them on the boy's face. "Aw, isn't that nice?" Heyman smirked.
"Shades of the great Bret Hart," J.R. agreed, "though why would he-- wait a minute!" He interrupted himself when Christian suddenly snatched the shades back and replaced them on his face, laughing cruelly as he sat himself next to Heyman and took an extra headset. "What was the meaning of that?" J.R. demanded when he put the headset on.
"You know something," Chrisitan smirked, "I was about to do something nice... but then I just realised how ugly that kid was!" He shook his head. "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's ugly kids." Pickett was still quiet, tapping the index card on the table as he looked over at Christian. The traitorous champion noticed him. "What're you lookin' at?"
"Oh, just wondering how ugly you're going to be in thirteen days, after Wrestlemania," Pickett replied.
"Why's that?" Christian sneered.
"Just that I was informed by Billy Rose and Commissioner Regal earlier today that a match was just signed for Wrestlemania," the Voice of CIW chuckled. "You'll put your Intercontinental Championship on the line against your brother, Edge--" Christian just scoffed, until Pickett finished: "--in a ladder match!"
"What?!" the champion shrieked, but then the lights dimmed again as the music heralded the arrival of Rhyno. The Detroit native stalked out to the ring, squeezing his wrist and breathing heavily in anticipation as he faced the ramp.
The lights dimmed again, theatrical smoke billowing up from the stage. "You think you know me..." The fans cheered as the TitanTron lit up with the face of the arriving superstar. "You will never know me... yeeeeah my Durango..." Edge came bounding out of the smoke, wearing one of his black trenchcoats and sunglasses, jumping back and forth to fire up the crowd before he threw off his coat and sunglasses, sprinting into the ring.
Rhyno got things started by halting Edge's momentum with a kick to the gut. He continued by unloading punches to his face, then drove more wind out of him with a kneelift. Rhyno sent the Edgester into the corner, then charged in with a ferocious shoulder to the stomach. Turning around from the blow, he gave Edge a snapmare, then shot off the ropes and drove his knee into the head of the young Canadian.
At ringside, Heyman was singing the praises of the Man-Beast. "Here you see the ferocity that is Rhyno's trademark. He's literally not giving Edge a chance to catch his breath here."
"That's the way, Rhyno!" Christian shouted. "Less work for me to do at the pay-per-view."
In the ring, Rhyno throttled Edge against the second rope, then charged off the ropes, intending to deliver a Bossman stradle, but Edge got up and stopped him in his tracks with a spinning wheel kick. Both men got to their feet, but Edge blocked a swing from Rhyno and delivered a punch. Pissed off, the ECWer swung his arm, only to get ducked and feel an atomic drop from the former Brood member. Edge shot off the ropes and hit a clothesline of his own. He went for the whip to the ropes, but Rhyno reversed and lowered his head for a backdrop. Edge, however, put the brakes on and kicked him upright.
Pissed off again, Rhyno booted him in the stomach, then punched him in the head. Edge retaliated in kind, then paused and looked to the outside. Christian looked back at him, but snarled as he saw Edge turn back and avoid a wild lunge by Rhyno. The Canadian punched him until he fought back and sent him to the outside. The last ECW Champion followed, throwing him against the apron and rolling him back in. "Not that easy, Edge," Rhyno muttered as he slipped back in to deliver a snapmare. He followed up with a legdrop, then made the first cover of the match, but only got a one-count.
Edge got up and started feeding him right hands again, then went off the ropes for a bigger move -- only to get stopped in his tracks. He turned around to see Christian holding onto his ankle. Smirking, the Edgester leaned over and pulled his brother onto the apron by his hair. "Hey, little bro! Long time no see!" he taunted, then jumped aside as Rhyno barreled into Christian, driving him off the apron. Before the Man-Beast could react, Edge grabbed him under the jaw and delivered the Edge-O-Matic. He grabbed the legs and held the arms down with his knees, but only got a two-count. Edge pulled him up and went for the whip, but Rhyno reversed, then caught him on the rebound, pivoting around to plant him in a monstrous spinebuster. Snarling, Rhyno pulled him up and swung him up for a powerbomb, but Edge leaned himself backwards and reversed it into a facebuster. Getting up dizzy, Rhyno swung wildly, only to be dodged and kicked in the gut. Edge hooked his head, grabbed the tights and lifted him up and dropped him in the Buzzkiller DDT. He covered, 1... 2... and Christian pulled him from the ring and hurled him into the barricade. Nick Patrick -- in a surprising move for the blatantly biased official -- called for the disqualification.
"Leave me to take a spear, Edge?!" Christian shouted at him. "Well, time for you to feel one!" He rolled Edge back in, where Rhyno was waiting in the crouch. The Man-Beast charged -- and hit nothing but turnbuckle as Edge dodged aside. Gaping, Christian shoved the timekeeper aside, grabbed his chair and charged the ring. Edge, however, spotted him and took off like a bullet, catching him with a spear.
"I've been waiting all night to say this," Pickett smirked. "SPEAR! SPEAR! SPEAR!"
"Shut up! Shut up!" Heyman snapped. "Edge just speared a defenseless man!"
"He had a steel chair!" J.R. pointed out.
"He-he was just bringing Edge something to sit in to catch his breath!"
In the ring, Edge put the stomps to his brother before the treacherous Canadian managed to roll out of the ring and escape up the ramp, Edge shouting taunts after him.
* * *
Somewhere in the arena, a wooden door had been set up in front of an alcove. Within the alcove was a table, a hanging light bulb, and a filing cabinet. (This cabinet's drawers were labeled thusly: "Beer, Cigars, More Beer, Playing Cards, Liquor.") The door, as you may have surmised, had a sign reading "APA Protection." Within, Bradshaw and Faarooq were in the midst of setting up shop for the night when two men walked around their door. The APA looked up and shouted at them: "Hey, what're you doin'?" "You can't just walk through the walls like that!" "Show a little sense!"
The Gemini looked at each other, shrugged, stepped back around the door, then knocked on it before opening it. Bradshaw faced them, taking a draw on his booze before asking, "What can we do for you boys?"
Castor walked in and laid his belt across the back of a chair and said, "Well, me and my brother don't really wanna go away for the night like Billy Rose asked us to."
Pollux walked up next and put his own belt on the back of another chair and added, "But seeing as how we have... a certain individual angry at us, we figured it best to seek means of protection."
"In other words," they said in unison, "you guys."
Faarooq pulled his cigar out of his mouth and leaned forward. "Yeah, but you guys are the reason why the Coalition's fallin' apart."
"Ah, not the only reason," Cas said with a smirk as he seated himself. "You could put some of the blame on Christian..."
"And Kurt Angle..." Pol added as he sat down.
"...and The Storm," they said together. They put their boots up on the table.
"Give us one good reason why we shouldn't kick your asses right now for puttin' one of our top guys on the shelf?" Bradshaw demanded.
The Twins looked at each other, sighed, then pulled a bundle of money out of their coat pockets and tossed them on the table. "Two. Thousand. Dollars," they said in unison.
The APA paused in thought, but then Bradshaw smacked the money off the table and into their laps. "You two assholes don't have any respect for people around here!" the brash Texan snarled. "Sounds to me like you two need some respect beat into you!"
Frowning, the two CIWers stood up and picked up their belts. "Yeah?" Pollux sneered. "Who's gonna do it? You two?"
"You're too drunk to pose any kinda threat to us," Castor scoffed.
"Tell you what," Bradshaw poked first one twin in the chest, then the other, "you two jackasses get your gear on, and we'll meet you out in the ring! And bring those shiny belts of yours -- we'll enjoy takin' them from you!"
"You're on!" the Gemini snapped, then turned around and left, taking belts and money with them.
* * *
A few minutes later, the two teams clashed in the ring in an impromptu tag-title match. In the early going, the Gemini took it to the older team, until Bradshaw managed to catch a lunge by Pollux and turn it into a fallaway slam. The APA then took turns beating on either one of the Twins, until the closing moments.
Things had broken down into a typical brawl. The Gemini managed to drop Faarooq with the Twin Terror Bomb, only to leave themselves open to a beer-powered beatdown by Bradshaw. He chopped and clubbed at the two in turn, before whipping Castor into the ropes and catching him with a big boot. The Twin with the educated feet rolled out the ring, while Pollux staggered to his feet.
Bradshaw whipped Pol into the corner hard, preparing to catch him in the corner with the Clothesline from Hell, but the CIWer ducked under and shot off the ropes as the Texan hit the corner hard. Pollux came back and all but decapitated Bradshaw with his own version of the finisher -- the Apollo-line. The burly Texan actually spun in the air from the impact, then got folded over by the tattooed Twin for the three-count and the victory.
The Gemini stomped Bradshaw until he rolled out of the ring and staggered off with Faarooq along the ramp, helped by the referee. Triumphant, the two CIWers posed in the ring, then prepared to leave when the TitanTron suddenly went BONG! "Keep rollin' rollin' rollin'!" The fans leapt to their feet and started cheering madly as the Gemini jumped in alarm. The telltale sound of a motorcycle engine revving filled the arena as the Undertaker appeared at the top of the ramp, pausing only long enough to fix his gaze on the two men who'd hospitalized his brother. Both twins dropped their belts and dropped into ready stances, calling, beckoning, daring the Dead Man to step in the ring.
Sneering, 'Taker rode down the ramp and circled the ring, ignoring the taunts from the twins. He parked at the ramp, then climbed off his bike, adjusted his gloves, then pulled a steel chain off the handlebars. The Gemini saw this and backed off, enabling Taker to climb in the ring. Once inside, they charged, only to be blocked, then beaten off with the chain. Taker beat them until they were in opposite corners, then worked Castor's ribs over before turning and running at Pollux for a corner clothesline. After colliding, he promptly turned around and did the same thing to Cas, then went back and did it to Pol again before turning around and flooring Cas with his second big boot of the night.
Pollux fell over, but the American Badass pulled him to his knees, wrapping the chain around his neck. The fans cheered as the tattooed twin turned three shades of red while Taker pulled back on both ends of the chain. Castor got up and lunged, but the Houston native cut him off with a chokeslam, stomping him until he rolled out of the ring. When he turned back to the other Gemini, he saw Pollux roll out of the ring and pull the chain from his neck, choking and gasping. He threw this back through the ropes and backed up the ramp with his brother, clutching his throat, staring at the Dead Man in the ring, who picked up the chain and swung it overhead as his music started up again.
Things weren't over between the Brothers of Destruction and the Gemini yet.
* * *
Backstage, following a quick and decisive victory over Stacy Keibler by Jacqueline in the Women's Title Tournament, Victor E was sampling some food in the catering room when Billy Rose walked up to him. "Vic, my man, how's it?"
The Triumphant One smirked and shrugged a shoulder. "Hey, can't complain. United States Champion, baby! Ain't nothin' wrong with that."
"Of course not," Rose agreed. "But, listen, there's been some talk going around in the locker room with this whole thing with RVD last Thursday."
Victor rolled his eyes. "Did the Twins complain because I shook his hand? God! Look, Billy, I know we're on opposite sides, but Alliance or not, I respect RVD's ability. He beat me for his title, I beat him for mine. I got my skills, he's got his. That's it. I respect what he can do."
Rose nodded, sighing. "I know, Vic, I know. Just thought I'd say, careful around the Alliance. After seeing how Cas and Pol are stirring things up, I wouldn't put it past Shane or Stephanie or Heyman to try and recruit you or further complicate things. Both you and the Gemini hold WCW belts right now, and they're going to try and break the Coalition apart." He trailed off and glared slightly as someone came up behind Victor.
Victor turned around to see Rob Van Dam behind him, wearing his usual lazy smile and carrying his decrepit Hardcore Title on his shoulder. "Hey, dudes, chill!" the Whole Dam Show said smoothly. "I'm just here to get some munchies." He reached for some of the food, then looked up at Rose's rather suspicious look. RVD thought a moment, then raised his hands. "Hey, dude, relax! Just so you know, Shane and Steph did ask me to try and recruit Victor, but I know that Vic's not gonna go for it." He took a grape out of a bowl and tossed it in his mouth. "So chill out! But just in case, Vic, you should know you'll always have a buddy in the Alliance... named--" he raised his thumbs and did his usual schtick, "Rob - Van - Dam."
Victor just chuckled a bit and shook his head, turning to Rose. "See, man, I told you he's cool."
"Hey!" Van Dam grinned. "I'm all cool. If I were any cooler, you could keep a side of meat in me."
Rose smirked slightly, then shrugged. "Okay, but you go back and tell Shane and Steph we're on to them, okay, dude?" Van Dam nodded.
"And Rob," Victor said. "Same goes to you. If you ever decide to switch sides, I'm sure there's some room for you in CIW, and you'll always have a buddy in CIW..." He slapped his chest and flashed a V with his fingers. "...Victor E, baby!"
RVD grinned and nodded as the CIWers left. "Yeah... that's cool, man, that's cool." But as he turned to leave, he found himself staring into Test's pectorals. The Alliance turncoat glared down at him.
"What was that all about?" Test demanded.
"Hey, just lettin' Victor know we're cool and all, that's it," Van Dam assured him.
"That you're cool?" Test sneered. "He's CIW, you're Alliance! You're the Hardcore Champion! Why didn't you kick his ass?"
RVD looked up at him, slightly puzzled. "Why do you care? I'm doin' things my way."
"Listen, punk," Test snapped, "don't get too cocky with me. I'm tight with Steph, Shane, and Hunter, remember, so I can get you kicked out of the Alliance."
Van Dam frowned a bit. "Man, that would suck," but then he looked up with a smile. "But hey! It's all good! Vic can get me a place in CIW!" He grinned lazily, and ambled off, while Test fumed behind him.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Finally, it came time for the main event, between Stone Cold and Booker T. The early part of the match was all Austin, as the Rattlesnake beat the Alliance member around the ring, stomping mudholes (or rather What?-holes, considering the fans were chanting that with each stomp now) in him and walking them dry. But then, Alliance referee Nick Patrick, biased as usual, "didn't see" Booker grab the timekeeper's chair and use it on Austin's back, putting him on the defensive and letting the Bookerman dominate.
Booker chopped and slapped Austin about, wearing him down and always preparing for the Scissor Kick. His first attempt at it missed, as Austin stood up and went for the Stunner. The Houston native countered, however, and went for the Book End. Austin elbowed out of it and went for the Stunner again. Again, Booker countered and this time landed the Book End, but only got two before Stone Cold got his foot on the rope. Booker went for the chair again, but Austin ducked the swing, waited for him to turn around, then kicked him in the stomach and landed the Stone Cold Stunner clean. Nick Patrick refused to count the fall, so Austin gave him a Stunner too. A WWF referee ran out and watched as Austin put the chair aside, stood Booker up, gave him a "Stone Cold salute," then Stunnered him once more for good measure before covering him for the win.
As the fans cheered and Austin celebrated with his traditional case of beer, the fans didn't notice a man slip out of the crowd and creep into the ring until he scooped up the chair and clobbered Stone Cold over the head with it as he turned around. It was The Storm. The Force of Nature laughed and set the chair on the mat as the Bionic Redneck clutched his head in pain. Matthew Skinner pulled Austin up, then gave him the half-nelson snap suplex he'd been using lately before he looked around at the crowd with an evil look in his eye.
Using his foot, The Storm positioned the chair on the mat, then picked Austin up. He glared right in his eye and gave him the finger before suddenly scooping him up as though for a body slam. But then, to the audience and commentators' horror, he repositioned him in a Tombstone position over the chair. "Oh my God, he's not!" Jim Ross exclaimed.
"I think he is!" Heyman agreed.
"Not the Owendriver!" Pickett said in a shocked whisper.
Sure enough, The Storm kept his arms locked around Austin's inverted waist, then jumped up slightly before dropping back in a seated position, delivering a vicious inverted piledriver onto the steel chair. Stone Cold spasmed once, clutching his neck, but didn't move apart from that, screaming in pain. The Storm stood up, grinning evilly as the show went off the air.
Matthew Skinner had just rebroken Stone Cold Steve Austin's neck, exactly the way it had been broken in the first place by Owen Hart at Summerslam 1997 -- with an inverted piledriver.
more to come-
Next: The Storm has broken Stone Cold's neck. The Gemini continue to cause problems, and who's the Alliance's fourth entrant in the Women's Title Tournament?
If you have any ideas for possible feuds/relationships for any of my characters, drop me a line at jay_winger_2k@hotmail.com.
Apologies about the long delay between chapters. I got involved in other writing projects which distracted me, and I ran into some writer's block with this story. Enjoy!
-=Jay 2K Winger=-
February 21, 2004
By: Jay Winger
Timeline Note: This chapter picks up the Monday after the last one.
Teaser: Stone Cold stepped up the conflict, but how will The Storm retaliate as the Coalition continues to crumble?
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: Edge & The Z-Men def. Christian & X-Factor, following a Buzz Killer/Edgeacution DDT. Backstage, The Storm and Stone Cold were told to cooperate and keep from losing their tempers with each other or face suspension by Mr. McMahon. Victor E def. Rob Van Dam to retain US Title., then the two showed each other mutual respect. Backstage, Edge got a call telling him his mother had been in an accident, then rushed to inform Christian. As the two prepared to leave, however, it was revealed it was a ruse and Christian -- now a member of the Alliance -- attacked Edge with several WECW cohorts. Trish Stratus def. Ivory with the Stratusfaction to advance in the Women's Title Tournament. Backstage again, Victor E was accosted by the Gemini, who didn't take too kindly to Victor's respect for RVD earlier that night, but Victor threw their animosity with Undertaker & Kane in their faces. Dudleyz def. Hardyz to retain WWF Tag Titles, after the Gemini (ringside to commentate) got involved in a brawl with Taker & Kane at ringside. Following the match, Kane got Twin Terror Bombed off the stage and through the electrical equipment. In the main event, The Storm & Stone Cold def. Triple H & Rhyno, following a Stunner on Triple H. After the match, Austin then promptly turned around and Stunner'd The Storm before drinking beer to close the show.
FYI: List of Champions:
WWF World - Triple H (WECW) / WCW World - The Storm (WWF)
Intercontinental - Christian (WWF) / U.S. - Victor E (CIW)
WWF Tag - Dudley Boyz (WECW) / WCW Tag - The Gemini (CIW)
Light-Heavyweight - X-Pac (WWF) / Cruiserweight - Billy Kidman (WECW)
European - vacant / Women's - vacant / Hardcore - Rob Van Dam (WECW)
Chapter 27: Break His Neck
Monday: Raw is War, March 10 - 13 days to Wrestlemania
Vince McMahon walked backstage in the arena, looking extremely worried. The invasion wasn't going well at all. The Alliance was fully in control of itself, while the WWF was at its own throat. Rose and his blasted "counter-invasion" of CIW hadn't helped in the slightest. If anything, it was making matters worse. Kane was still injured from being powerbombed off the stage by the Gemini, and Undertaker was stationed outside the CIW locker room, waiting for them to step out so he could exact his revenge. Rose was currently in said locker room, berating everyone in the CIW colors about their fighting with the WWF.
And then there was the matter of Matthew Skinner. Vince knew that after getting Stunner'd on Thursday, The Storm would be out for vengeance, and with things the way they were, he couldn't have them killing each other, no matter what may happen at Wrestlemania. They were two of his best superstars, and right now he needed every one he could get. He stopped a stagehand. "Have you seen Skinner?"
The stagehand pointed. "Yeah, he's in that dressing room there."
McMahon nodded to him, then went directly to said room. The door had a placard on it that bore The Storm's lightning-bolt-and-exclamation-point symbol as well as his name. Without knocking, the Chairman barged inside, finding the Force of Nature standing in a darkened room, sunglasses on, watching a TV monitor, the glow providing the most illumination. It reflected off his sunglasses, his mouth set in a firm line as he watched whatever-it-was. His WCW Title belt was draped over one shoulder, both hands holding the strap, the gold contrasting against his black T-Shirt.
"Skinner, I want to talk to you," Vince said as he stepped inside. The Storm made no sign that he'd heard him. He moved one hand -- which McMahon now saw held a remote control -- and rewound the tape in the the VCR atop the monitor, watching whatever-it-was again, the light flickering over his sunglasses. "All right, fine, then, if you won't talk, I will. I know you're probably thinking about going after Stone Cold tonight, and I don't blame you -- I've been on the receiving end of a few Stunners in my lifetime, and I know the experience isn't pleasant. But I don't want you doing anything to Austin tonight, do you get me?"
"You don't want me doing anything to Austin?" The Storm said at last. "I'm not sure if I can promise that, Vince." His gaze had not moved from the TV set.
"I don't care if you can't promise that!" Vince snapped. "I'm telling you, if you so much as lay a finger on Austin tonight, I will suspend you."
"You won't suspend me." He glanced up, pausing and rewinding the video. "You need loyal superstars to take on the Alliance, and I fit the bill."
"You're set to take on Stone Cold at Wrestlemania," McMahon agreed. "I can't do anything to stop that. But, dammit, I won't have my company go down to those ungrateful children of mine!"
"You have my assurances, Vince," The Storm said, "that I won't do anything that hasn't been done already."
He gave Vince an eerie little smirk, then calmly walked around the monitor and out the door, past the dumbfounded Chairman. Vince frowned a bit, then went into the darkened room and looked at the monitor. He gaped a bit at what he saw, grabbing the remote and playing the video, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was. Unfortunately, it was exactly what it seemed. He turned off the monitor and ran out of the locker room, but by now The Storm was gone. He found the stagehand again and asked him, "Where did Skinner go?" but only got a shrug in response.
The tape in the VCR was from Summerslam `97.
* * *
Elsewhere, Castor and Pollux swaggered into the hallways from the garage, dressed identically in sleeveless shirts and slacks, wearing their WCW Tag Titles over their shoulders. They had very cocky grins on their faces as they made their way toward the CIW locker room. After all, why shouldn't they be cocky? Last Thursday they not only powerbombed Kane, they delivered their infamous Twin Terror Bomb to the masked superstar -- and sent him off the stage and into the electrical equipment.
The Gemini had very quickly made a name for themselves this way. They had already gotten a great deal of attention by defeating three teams at No Way Out to capture the WCW Tag Team Championship -- Tommy Dreamer and Raven, Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon, and of course Undertaker and Kane. In defeating the Brothers of Destruction, the Twins became the first people in recollection to have given Taker a powerbomb. And now they made history again by being the first ones to give a powerbomb to Kane. Who in their right minds would mess with them?
The answer, apparently, was Billy Rose, for as the Gemini walked into the locker room, they found the CIW ringleader waiting for them. "Hello, boys, glad you could make it, now go home."
Castor raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
"You heard me," Rose scowled. "Go home. I managed to talk Heyman into not putting booking you guys in a match, and I convinced Regal to keep you out of action as well. So you don't have any reason to be here. Go. Home."
Pollux sneered. "Well what if we don't wanna go home, Billy? Suppose Cas and I--"
"--wanna stick around?" Castor finished.
Rose's eyes blazed. "Look, after what you two pulled last week, Kane is still out of action, and Undertaker's lurking about with murder on his mind. Now I told you guys that we're on the same team as the WWF, and I told you not to provoke Taker and Kane, but you guys went out and did it again, and now you've stepped into some deep shit. I don't want you trying anything stupid, and I don't want Taker killing you guys. So go home before something happens."
The Twins frowned and moved forward in unison, looming over him. "Look, Billy, if we wanna stick around," Castor started, "then who's gonna make us leave?" Pollux finished.
"Me," came a deep voice behind them. The Gemini blinked and turned. Standing behind them, arms folded, was Brick. He glowered down at them, biceps bulging. They could see he'd gotten his catchphrase tattooed on his right arm: Do Not Taunt.
"Ah," Castor said.
"Yeah, ah," Pollux echoed.
"We'll just, ah, be going, then," they said in unison, edging around Brick and out the door.
The Breaker-Man followed them, keeping them in his sight until they got into their car and drove off. He turned to head back to the CIW locker room, but the Undertaker was right behind him. "What the hell was that about?" the Phenom demanded.
"Rose sent 'em home," Brick told him. "So there wouldn't be any trouble."
"Trouble? The little sons of bitches powerbombed Kane off the stage!" Taker advanced, looking him square in the eye. "I'd say there is trouble! You just lettin' 'em walk away?"
"Wasn't my idea," Brick growled at him. "Talk to Rose." He went to leave, but Taker grabbed his arm.
"You tell Rose this, then: if those twin assholes show their face around here again, I'll make them famous!" The Dead Man glared Brick in the eyes for a few more seconds, but the Breaker-Man stared right back. Finally, they both backed up and walked away at the same time.
* * *
Clips of these backstage happenings all aired after the opening match, another part of the Women's Championship Tournament, which had the WWF's Jacqueline pitted against the Alliance's Stacy Keibler. As one might expect, Stacy was out of her element against the tough Texas diva, and with the Dudleys yet to arrive, Jackie had a clear path to victory, which she scored after a spinning heel kick to the face. Following the backstage clips, the lights dimmed and the big screen lit up.
"Christian!" sang the TitanTron, causing a chorus of boos to rise up to counter the chorus of operatic voices, "Chris-TIAAN! At last, you are on your OOOOOOWN!" The rock music started up as golden pyro sparks rained from the top of the TitanTron, a fountain of the same sparks springing up in the entryway. The fountain faded, revealing the traitorous Intercontinental Champion. The jeering increased as Christian strutted down the ramp, gesturing grandly to either side, pointing smugly at his title belt around his waist.
"Well here comes the latest traitor to the cause," Jim Ross remarked sourly. "Last week on Smackdown, we learned that the Intercontinental Champion, Christian, will go to any lengths to take down his brother, Edge, when he tricked Edge into a heinous backstage attack."
"Yes, J.R.," Paul Heyman gloated, "but you forget to mention the fact that Christian was assisted in said attack by his new family! Ladies and gentlemen at home, the Alliance is proud to welcome into the family, the WWF Intercontinental Champion, Christian!" Surprisingly, Jim Pickett, the CIW commentator seated on the farside of J.R. from Heyman, said nothing to this, instead looking at a little index card he had in his hands.
Christian headed around the ring toward the announce position, but stopped en route to look at a young boy in the front row. In a startling act of generosity, Christian removed his trademark pair of "crazy-ass" sunglasses and put them on the boy's face. "Aw, isn't that nice?" Heyman smirked.
"Shades of the great Bret Hart," J.R. agreed, "though why would he-- wait a minute!" He interrupted himself when Christian suddenly snatched the shades back and replaced them on his face, laughing cruelly as he sat himself next to Heyman and took an extra headset. "What was the meaning of that?" J.R. demanded when he put the headset on.
"You know something," Chrisitan smirked, "I was about to do something nice... but then I just realised how ugly that kid was!" He shook his head. "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's ugly kids." Pickett was still quiet, tapping the index card on the table as he looked over at Christian. The traitorous champion noticed him. "What're you lookin' at?"
"Oh, just wondering how ugly you're going to be in thirteen days, after Wrestlemania," Pickett replied.
"Why's that?" Christian sneered.
"Just that I was informed by Billy Rose and Commissioner Regal earlier today that a match was just signed for Wrestlemania," the Voice of CIW chuckled. "You'll put your Intercontinental Championship on the line against your brother, Edge--" Christian just scoffed, until Pickett finished: "--in a ladder match!"
"What?!" the champion shrieked, but then the lights dimmed again as the music heralded the arrival of Rhyno. The Detroit native stalked out to the ring, squeezing his wrist and breathing heavily in anticipation as he faced the ramp.
The lights dimmed again, theatrical smoke billowing up from the stage. "You think you know me..." The fans cheered as the TitanTron lit up with the face of the arriving superstar. "You will never know me... yeeeeah my Durango..." Edge came bounding out of the smoke, wearing one of his black trenchcoats and sunglasses, jumping back and forth to fire up the crowd before he threw off his coat and sunglasses, sprinting into the ring.
Rhyno got things started by halting Edge's momentum with a kick to the gut. He continued by unloading punches to his face, then drove more wind out of him with a kneelift. Rhyno sent the Edgester into the corner, then charged in with a ferocious shoulder to the stomach. Turning around from the blow, he gave Edge a snapmare, then shot off the ropes and drove his knee into the head of the young Canadian.
At ringside, Heyman was singing the praises of the Man-Beast. "Here you see the ferocity that is Rhyno's trademark. He's literally not giving Edge a chance to catch his breath here."
"That's the way, Rhyno!" Christian shouted. "Less work for me to do at the pay-per-view."
In the ring, Rhyno throttled Edge against the second rope, then charged off the ropes, intending to deliver a Bossman stradle, but Edge got up and stopped him in his tracks with a spinning wheel kick. Both men got to their feet, but Edge blocked a swing from Rhyno and delivered a punch. Pissed off, the ECWer swung his arm, only to get ducked and feel an atomic drop from the former Brood member. Edge shot off the ropes and hit a clothesline of his own. He went for the whip to the ropes, but Rhyno reversed and lowered his head for a backdrop. Edge, however, put the brakes on and kicked him upright.
Pissed off again, Rhyno booted him in the stomach, then punched him in the head. Edge retaliated in kind, then paused and looked to the outside. Christian looked back at him, but snarled as he saw Edge turn back and avoid a wild lunge by Rhyno. The Canadian punched him until he fought back and sent him to the outside. The last ECW Champion followed, throwing him against the apron and rolling him back in. "Not that easy, Edge," Rhyno muttered as he slipped back in to deliver a snapmare. He followed up with a legdrop, then made the first cover of the match, but only got a one-count.
Edge got up and started feeding him right hands again, then went off the ropes for a bigger move -- only to get stopped in his tracks. He turned around to see Christian holding onto his ankle. Smirking, the Edgester leaned over and pulled his brother onto the apron by his hair. "Hey, little bro! Long time no see!" he taunted, then jumped aside as Rhyno barreled into Christian, driving him off the apron. Before the Man-Beast could react, Edge grabbed him under the jaw and delivered the Edge-O-Matic. He grabbed the legs and held the arms down with his knees, but only got a two-count. Edge pulled him up and went for the whip, but Rhyno reversed, then caught him on the rebound, pivoting around to plant him in a monstrous spinebuster. Snarling, Rhyno pulled him up and swung him up for a powerbomb, but Edge leaned himself backwards and reversed it into a facebuster. Getting up dizzy, Rhyno swung wildly, only to be dodged and kicked in the gut. Edge hooked his head, grabbed the tights and lifted him up and dropped him in the Buzzkiller DDT. He covered, 1... 2... and Christian pulled him from the ring and hurled him into the barricade. Nick Patrick -- in a surprising move for the blatantly biased official -- called for the disqualification.
"Leave me to take a spear, Edge?!" Christian shouted at him. "Well, time for you to feel one!" He rolled Edge back in, where Rhyno was waiting in the crouch. The Man-Beast charged -- and hit nothing but turnbuckle as Edge dodged aside. Gaping, Christian shoved the timekeeper aside, grabbed his chair and charged the ring. Edge, however, spotted him and took off like a bullet, catching him with a spear.
"I've been waiting all night to say this," Pickett smirked. "SPEAR! SPEAR! SPEAR!"
"Shut up! Shut up!" Heyman snapped. "Edge just speared a defenseless man!"
"He had a steel chair!" J.R. pointed out.
"He-he was just bringing Edge something to sit in to catch his breath!"
In the ring, Edge put the stomps to his brother before the treacherous Canadian managed to roll out of the ring and escape up the ramp, Edge shouting taunts after him.
* * *
Somewhere in the arena, a wooden door had been set up in front of an alcove. Within the alcove was a table, a hanging light bulb, and a filing cabinet. (This cabinet's drawers were labeled thusly: "Beer, Cigars, More Beer, Playing Cards, Liquor.") The door, as you may have surmised, had a sign reading "APA Protection." Within, Bradshaw and Faarooq were in the midst of setting up shop for the night when two men walked around their door. The APA looked up and shouted at them: "Hey, what're you doin'?" "You can't just walk through the walls like that!" "Show a little sense!"
The Gemini looked at each other, shrugged, stepped back around the door, then knocked on it before opening it. Bradshaw faced them, taking a draw on his booze before asking, "What can we do for you boys?"
Castor walked in and laid his belt across the back of a chair and said, "Well, me and my brother don't really wanna go away for the night like Billy Rose asked us to."
Pollux walked up next and put his own belt on the back of another chair and added, "But seeing as how we have... a certain individual angry at us, we figured it best to seek means of protection."
"In other words," they said in unison, "you guys."
Faarooq pulled his cigar out of his mouth and leaned forward. "Yeah, but you guys are the reason why the Coalition's fallin' apart."
"Ah, not the only reason," Cas said with a smirk as he seated himself. "You could put some of the blame on Christian..."
"And Kurt Angle..." Pol added as he sat down.
"...and The Storm," they said together. They put their boots up on the table.
"Give us one good reason why we shouldn't kick your asses right now for puttin' one of our top guys on the shelf?" Bradshaw demanded.
The Twins looked at each other, sighed, then pulled a bundle of money out of their coat pockets and tossed them on the table. "Two. Thousand. Dollars," they said in unison.
The APA paused in thought, but then Bradshaw smacked the money off the table and into their laps. "You two assholes don't have any respect for people around here!" the brash Texan snarled. "Sounds to me like you two need some respect beat into you!"
Frowning, the two CIWers stood up and picked up their belts. "Yeah?" Pollux sneered. "Who's gonna do it? You two?"
"You're too drunk to pose any kinda threat to us," Castor scoffed.
"Tell you what," Bradshaw poked first one twin in the chest, then the other, "you two jackasses get your gear on, and we'll meet you out in the ring! And bring those shiny belts of yours -- we'll enjoy takin' them from you!"
"You're on!" the Gemini snapped, then turned around and left, taking belts and money with them.
* * *
A few minutes later, the two teams clashed in the ring in an impromptu tag-title match. In the early going, the Gemini took it to the older team, until Bradshaw managed to catch a lunge by Pollux and turn it into a fallaway slam. The APA then took turns beating on either one of the Twins, until the closing moments.
Things had broken down into a typical brawl. The Gemini managed to drop Faarooq with the Twin Terror Bomb, only to leave themselves open to a beer-powered beatdown by Bradshaw. He chopped and clubbed at the two in turn, before whipping Castor into the ropes and catching him with a big boot. The Twin with the educated feet rolled out the ring, while Pollux staggered to his feet.
Bradshaw whipped Pol into the corner hard, preparing to catch him in the corner with the Clothesline from Hell, but the CIWer ducked under and shot off the ropes as the Texan hit the corner hard. Pollux came back and all but decapitated Bradshaw with his own version of the finisher -- the Apollo-line. The burly Texan actually spun in the air from the impact, then got folded over by the tattooed Twin for the three-count and the victory.
The Gemini stomped Bradshaw until he rolled out of the ring and staggered off with Faarooq along the ramp, helped by the referee. Triumphant, the two CIWers posed in the ring, then prepared to leave when the TitanTron suddenly went BONG! "Keep rollin' rollin' rollin'!" The fans leapt to their feet and started cheering madly as the Gemini jumped in alarm. The telltale sound of a motorcycle engine revving filled the arena as the Undertaker appeared at the top of the ramp, pausing only long enough to fix his gaze on the two men who'd hospitalized his brother. Both twins dropped their belts and dropped into ready stances, calling, beckoning, daring the Dead Man to step in the ring.
Sneering, 'Taker rode down the ramp and circled the ring, ignoring the taunts from the twins. He parked at the ramp, then climbed off his bike, adjusted his gloves, then pulled a steel chain off the handlebars. The Gemini saw this and backed off, enabling Taker to climb in the ring. Once inside, they charged, only to be blocked, then beaten off with the chain. Taker beat them until they were in opposite corners, then worked Castor's ribs over before turning and running at Pollux for a corner clothesline. After colliding, he promptly turned around and did the same thing to Cas, then went back and did it to Pol again before turning around and flooring Cas with his second big boot of the night.
Pollux fell over, but the American Badass pulled him to his knees, wrapping the chain around his neck. The fans cheered as the tattooed twin turned three shades of red while Taker pulled back on both ends of the chain. Castor got up and lunged, but the Houston native cut him off with a chokeslam, stomping him until he rolled out of the ring. When he turned back to the other Gemini, he saw Pollux roll out of the ring and pull the chain from his neck, choking and gasping. He threw this back through the ropes and backed up the ramp with his brother, clutching his throat, staring at the Dead Man in the ring, who picked up the chain and swung it overhead as his music started up again.
Things weren't over between the Brothers of Destruction and the Gemini yet.
* * *
Backstage, following a quick and decisive victory over Stacy Keibler by Jacqueline in the Women's Title Tournament, Victor E was sampling some food in the catering room when Billy Rose walked up to him. "Vic, my man, how's it?"
The Triumphant One smirked and shrugged a shoulder. "Hey, can't complain. United States Champion, baby! Ain't nothin' wrong with that."
"Of course not," Rose agreed. "But, listen, there's been some talk going around in the locker room with this whole thing with RVD last Thursday."
Victor rolled his eyes. "Did the Twins complain because I shook his hand? God! Look, Billy, I know we're on opposite sides, but Alliance or not, I respect RVD's ability. He beat me for his title, I beat him for mine. I got my skills, he's got his. That's it. I respect what he can do."
Rose nodded, sighing. "I know, Vic, I know. Just thought I'd say, careful around the Alliance. After seeing how Cas and Pol are stirring things up, I wouldn't put it past Shane or Stephanie or Heyman to try and recruit you or further complicate things. Both you and the Gemini hold WCW belts right now, and they're going to try and break the Coalition apart." He trailed off and glared slightly as someone came up behind Victor.
Victor turned around to see Rob Van Dam behind him, wearing his usual lazy smile and carrying his decrepit Hardcore Title on his shoulder. "Hey, dudes, chill!" the Whole Dam Show said smoothly. "I'm just here to get some munchies." He reached for some of the food, then looked up at Rose's rather suspicious look. RVD thought a moment, then raised his hands. "Hey, dude, relax! Just so you know, Shane and Steph did ask me to try and recruit Victor, but I know that Vic's not gonna go for it." He took a grape out of a bowl and tossed it in his mouth. "So chill out! But just in case, Vic, you should know you'll always have a buddy in the Alliance... named--" he raised his thumbs and did his usual schtick, "Rob - Van - Dam."
Victor just chuckled a bit and shook his head, turning to Rose. "See, man, I told you he's cool."
"Hey!" Van Dam grinned. "I'm all cool. If I were any cooler, you could keep a side of meat in me."
Rose smirked slightly, then shrugged. "Okay, but you go back and tell Shane and Steph we're on to them, okay, dude?" Van Dam nodded.
"And Rob," Victor said. "Same goes to you. If you ever decide to switch sides, I'm sure there's some room for you in CIW, and you'll always have a buddy in CIW..." He slapped his chest and flashed a V with his fingers. "...Victor E, baby!"
RVD grinned and nodded as the CIWers left. "Yeah... that's cool, man, that's cool." But as he turned to leave, he found himself staring into Test's pectorals. The Alliance turncoat glared down at him.
"What was that all about?" Test demanded.
"Hey, just lettin' Victor know we're cool and all, that's it," Van Dam assured him.
"That you're cool?" Test sneered. "He's CIW, you're Alliance! You're the Hardcore Champion! Why didn't you kick his ass?"
RVD looked up at him, slightly puzzled. "Why do you care? I'm doin' things my way."
"Listen, punk," Test snapped, "don't get too cocky with me. I'm tight with Steph, Shane, and Hunter, remember, so I can get you kicked out of the Alliance."
Van Dam frowned a bit. "Man, that would suck," but then he looked up with a smile. "But hey! It's all good! Vic can get me a place in CIW!" He grinned lazily, and ambled off, while Test fumed behind him.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Finally, it came time for the main event, between Stone Cold and Booker T. The early part of the match was all Austin, as the Rattlesnake beat the Alliance member around the ring, stomping mudholes (or rather What?-holes, considering the fans were chanting that with each stomp now) in him and walking them dry. But then, Alliance referee Nick Patrick, biased as usual, "didn't see" Booker grab the timekeeper's chair and use it on Austin's back, putting him on the defensive and letting the Bookerman dominate.
Booker chopped and slapped Austin about, wearing him down and always preparing for the Scissor Kick. His first attempt at it missed, as Austin stood up and went for the Stunner. The Houston native countered, however, and went for the Book End. Austin elbowed out of it and went for the Stunner again. Again, Booker countered and this time landed the Book End, but only got two before Stone Cold got his foot on the rope. Booker went for the chair again, but Austin ducked the swing, waited for him to turn around, then kicked him in the stomach and landed the Stone Cold Stunner clean. Nick Patrick refused to count the fall, so Austin gave him a Stunner too. A WWF referee ran out and watched as Austin put the chair aside, stood Booker up, gave him a "Stone Cold salute," then Stunnered him once more for good measure before covering him for the win.
As the fans cheered and Austin celebrated with his traditional case of beer, the fans didn't notice a man slip out of the crowd and creep into the ring until he scooped up the chair and clobbered Stone Cold over the head with it as he turned around. It was The Storm. The Force of Nature laughed and set the chair on the mat as the Bionic Redneck clutched his head in pain. Matthew Skinner pulled Austin up, then gave him the half-nelson snap suplex he'd been using lately before he looked around at the crowd with an evil look in his eye.
Using his foot, The Storm positioned the chair on the mat, then picked Austin up. He glared right in his eye and gave him the finger before suddenly scooping him up as though for a body slam. But then, to the audience and commentators' horror, he repositioned him in a Tombstone position over the chair. "Oh my God, he's not!" Jim Ross exclaimed.
"I think he is!" Heyman agreed.
"Not the Owendriver!" Pickett said in a shocked whisper.
Sure enough, The Storm kept his arms locked around Austin's inverted waist, then jumped up slightly before dropping back in a seated position, delivering a vicious inverted piledriver onto the steel chair. Stone Cold spasmed once, clutching his neck, but didn't move apart from that, screaming in pain. The Storm stood up, grinning evilly as the show went off the air.
Matthew Skinner had just rebroken Stone Cold Steve Austin's neck, exactly the way it had been broken in the first place by Owen Hart at Summerslam 1997 -- with an inverted piledriver.
more to come-
Next: The Storm has broken Stone Cold's neck. The Gemini continue to cause problems, and who's the Alliance's fourth entrant in the Women's Title Tournament?
If you have any ideas for possible feuds/relationships for any of my characters, drop me a line at jay_winger_2k@hotmail.com.
Apologies about the long delay between chapters. I got involved in other writing projects which distracted me, and I ran into some writer's block with this story. Enjoy!
-=Jay 2K Winger=-
February 21, 2004