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The Road to WrestleMania: One Man's Journey to the Top
Chapter X
Requiem

Three weeks have past since the Great American Bash, and Drake Williams has had his focus one a new goal; championship gold. As such, the Crusader targeted the United States Championship; currently held by Booker T. It was a know fact that Booker lost the title back at No Way Out, but later regained it at Judgment Day thanks to Sharmell. She was going to be a lot of trouble to handle. Drake recently earned the right to go to SummerSlam and challenge Booker T for the gold. But still, Drake needed some back up to ensure that Sharmell would not be factor; and he knew just who to ask. On the night of the event, which emanated from San Francisco's Cow Palace, Drake knocked on a door and Christy Hemme appeared…in a towel.

"Uh…did I come at a bad time?" Drake asked. Christy looked down at herself before answering, "I guess I should've put something on first." Drake shrugged and said, "I can always come back later."

"No, you came here for a reason, Christy said. "So let's hear it." Drake took and a deep breathe and finally said, "I got a U.S. title match tonight and seeing Booker gonna have Sharmell at ringside…" Christy cut him off and said, "Don't worry. I'll be at ringside to support you."

"Hey, thanks Red." Drake said. "The show starts in ten minutes," Christy said. "Gimme some time to get dressed and I'll meet you at the gorilla position." Drake nodded in approval. "Okay, see you there."

Nine and a half minutes passed before SummerSlam was about to kick off and Drake was leaning beside a wall waiting for Christy. Eventually she arrived just as the pyrotechnics went off in the Cow Palace. Drake Williams came out to his entrance music, ready for his United States Championship match and he was in the first match of the night. Before walking down the aisle, Drake motioned to the entrance as his music stopped. The music of Christy Hemme started playing and she came out to accompany Drake to the ring. The music of Booker T hit next and he came out as the WWE United States Champion with his wife Sharmell. Once both men were in the ring, Booker T handed the belt to the referee and came nose to nose with Williams. Referee Nick Patrick raised the belt above his head before signaling for the bell to start the match for the United States Championship.

As Booker and Drake circled around the ring, the San Francisco crowd chanted for Eddie Guerrero; who won his first WWE Championship right here at the Cow Palace. Drake put his arms out as if to pray to God and pointed to the sky before finally locking up with Booker T. The Champion forced the challenger into the corner and went for a right hand, but Drake countered and delivered some hard chops to the chest. Drake whipped Booker T into the ropes before connecting with a backdrop and making a quick cover for a one count, followed by a roll up and Booker bailed out for a breather. Knowing he count win title on a count out, the Crusader went outside and chased the Champion around the ring until Booker reentered the ring. Drake did not fall for that, instead slipping in before Booker could and the Champion off guard with a tough clothesline.

Five minutes into the match and suddenly Booker T was in the driver's seat. He scored with a side kick on Williams for a two count. Booker locked in a headlock as Drake looked to be fading away. The ref lifted the challenger's arm once and it dropped; a second time and it dropped again. On the third time however, Drake's arm dropped halfway as the crowd again chanted "Eddie, Eddie." Drake fought back to his feet and started juck'n jiven out of respect for Latino Heat before throwing elbows to Booker's midsection to get out of the hold. Drake caught Booker T and three vertical suplexes; a move once used by Eddie Guerrero. Drake got back to basics and locked the Sharpshooter but Sharmell got onto the apron and distracted the referee, just as Booker T was tapping out. Drake released the hold before going after Sharmell, but Christy got to her first. Booker T snuck up and rolled up Drake and even hooked the tights; but Williams still kicked out. Booker T then hit a thrust kick.

After Sharmell knocked down Christy, Booker T told his wife to get the belt. She did so and climbed back onto the apron. Sharmell slid the belt into the ring before hand and distracted the ref again. Booker tried to get the belt but Drake got it and clocked Booker with it; then he dropped the belt and then lay down on the mat just as the ref turned around to see both men down and the title belt on the mat; he never saw what happened as he put the belt. Sharmell could not believe this was happening and Christy got up to spear Sharmell the floor. Drake got up while playing hurt, picked up Booker T and hit the Widowmaker. He was just about to go for the cover but stopped as the crowd once again chanted for Eddie Guerrero. Instead, Drake had a very sly grin on his face and positioned Booker on the mat before climbing the turnbuckle before leaping off with another move from Eddie Guerrero's list; the Frog Splash. Drake made the cover, the ref administered the three count and a new United States Champion has been crowned.

"Here is your winner and the NEW WWE Untied States Champion, Drake Williams." Tony Chimel announced. Christy came into the ring with a mic and handed it to Drake and hugged him.

Drake took the mic and said, "I wanna dedicate this win to Eddie Guerrero. This one's for you, Eddie; Viva La Raza!"

Drake then led the San Fran audience in another huge Eddie chant as he and Christy walked back up the aisle. Drake Williams sank to his knees at the entry ramp and held the United States Championship high above his head, paying respect to Latino Heat, Eddie Guerrero.

Author's note: This chapter is dedicated to the memory of Eddie Guerrero. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. On behalf of all your loyal fans, we love you Eddie and will never forget you. Viva La Raza!

R.I.P.
Eddie Guerrero
1967-2005