Disclaimer: Like Mr. McMahon said; the show must go on. It's what Eddie would have wanted. For the record, I don't own WWE programming or venues.
The Road to WrestleMania: One Man's Journey to the Top
Chapter XI
No Guts, No Glory
Even since winning the United States Championship at SummerSlam, Drake Williams has been on one hell of a roll. He has taken on all comers who wanted to take the gold from him; and he has beaten them. Even some of the recent draft picks from Raw have been unsuccessful in beating Drake the gold. Only one has gotten the best of the Crusader; Kane. The Big Red Machine has bested the young Champion in numerous tag matches until Drake found himself in a one on one match with Kane. The match was labeled a no contest after interference from Booker T, Randy Orton, Chris Benoit and Chris Masters. The following week, Booker T was in the ring whining that he was robbed at SummerSlam and that wanted a rematch with Williams at No Mercy. Kane came out saying he has beaten Drake and he deserves the title shot. Chris Masters came out as did Orton and Benoit, all wanting to state their claims. As the five of them argued, Drake Williams came out as the U.S. Champion and a mic in hand.
"What the hell is this?" Drake asked. "Why are you all just standing there whining and complaining about who should be number one contender? Kane wants the gold, Booker T wants the gold, and Benoit, Masters and Orton all want the gold. Tell you what; I'll take all of ya at No Mercy. I propose a Six-Pack Challenge. What say you?"
All five guys in the ring nodded in approval and later that night, Theodore Long made it official. At No Mercy, it was going to Drake Williams, Booker T, Chris Benoit, Kane, Chris Masters and Randy Orton in the Six-Pack Challenge for the WWE United States Championship. At the same time, everyone on the roster was wonder if Drake was brave or just plain out of his mind. Nine days later, it was time for the event. Drake reviewed the line up for the card tonight to find himself in match number three. Later on during the event, Drake walked down the hall with the belt strapped firmly around his waist. As Drake went down the hall, he once again crossed paths with Triple H. There was a surreal stare down between them before the youthful champion went on his way. Triple H watched Drake with an almost evil glare before snickering to himself.
In the arena, Tony Chimel announced the next contest to be the Six-pack Challenge for the United States Championship. The pyro went off and Kane was the first challenger to come out. Randy Orton came out next followed by Booker T. The next man out was Chris Benoit and after him was Chris Masters. Then Drake Williams came to a great ovation as the United States Champion. The rules of the Six-Pack Challenge are simple; two wrestlers start in the ring while the others remain on the apron. Tags can be made to anyone at anytime and the first man to score the deciding fall, whether it is by pin fall or submission will win the match and the title. What the hell was Drake thinking when he suggested this type of match? In any event, the Crusader handed the belt over to the referee who held it above his head and signaled the bell to start the match.
As a result of a random drawing from earlier that day, Chris Benoit and Randy Orton started the match. They locked up in the ring and started some chain-wrestling with Benoit gaining the quick advantage with an arm bar. Orton countered out the hold with one of his own and Benoit hit a Northern Lights suplex for one. Randy got a quick inside cradle for one, then Benoit went for the Crossface. Randy Orton immediately rolled out and went the RKO but Chris Benoit threw him into the ropes. Orton hits a shoulder block on Benoit and poses for the crowd afterwards, even though they were booing him. Benoit rolled to his stomach as Orton ran off the ropes and Benoit caught him with a hip toss followed another and Orton quickly tags in Kane. The Big Red Monster came in and Benoit started chopping Kane to hell. Kane screamed with every shot delivered until finally grabbing Benoit and pushing him into the corner where Drake Williams got the tag.
Drake got into the ring and started peppering Kane with hard rights hands before the monster tossed the Champion into the corner. Kane and Drake traded shots until Drake got the better and tried to whip Kane into the opposite corner. Chris Masters made a blind tag on Kane as this was happening and caught Drake in the Masterlock. Kane recovered and broke the hold; otherwise Williams would have tapped out. Williams made the tag to Booker T, who took a cheap shot on Williams before going after Masters. The Masterpiece hit a hard clothesline on Booker, then picked him up and scored with a short-arm clothesline for a two count. Masters tagged in Orton who took over on Booker with a modified back breaker. Orton made the cover and Drake made the save; ironically saving the man he defeated to win the gold in the first place, Booker T. Orton and Williams then got into a slugfest, thus renewing their rivalry. Benoit, Kane and Masters all entered the fray and the brawl ensued.
Several minutes later, the referee restored some order to the match. Randy Orton and Chris Masters were now the legal men in the ring and they were trading blows. The Legend Killer nailed a European uppercut on Masters who wound up tagging in Kane. Kane hit a sharp uppercut on Orton but walked into a dropkick from Orton. Randy Orton made the cover but Kane powered out. Orton tagged in Chris Benoit and the Rabid Wolverine chopped and kicked Kane in the midsection before attempting a snap suplex. Seeing that Benoit could not get Kane up and over, Drake came in to help. But Kane reversed the double team and suplexed both Benoit and Williams and all three men wore down.
Kane sat up and went to the top rope before flying off with a clothesline. Benoit and Williams saw it coming and ducked out of the way. The Big Red Monster crashed and burned to say the least. With Kane down for the moment, Williams and Benoit trading chops on each other and Booker T came in only to get chopped himself. Chris Benoit won the chop battle but turned into Kane's death grip. Kane set up for the Chokeslam but Benoit countered into the Crossface. Kane managed to get to his feet and hit a side slam on Benoit before tagging in Drake. The Crusader picked up Benoit only to take more chops before being whipped into the ropes and then getting back dropped. Benoit made the cover for a two count and tagging in Masters.
For the next few minutes, Drake was the target for the rest of the warriors in this match. There were several points in the match where he looked to be done for, but the Crusader showed why he was called that by hanging tough. Now at this point in time, Drake was down and out as was Booker T. Chris Benoit and Chris Masters were out on the floor, so only Randy Orton and Kane were available to make the tag. Booker T managed to tag in Orton but Williams tagged in Kane. Thus far in the match, Kane was the dominate player and he proved that by knocking Orton down. Benoit and Masters returned to the fray and all hell broke loose. At some point, Drake tagged himself in through Kane, making him and Orton the legal men.
Booker T tagged himself in through Orton and hit the Scissors Kick on Williams but Kane stopped the count and Chokeslammed Booker. Chris Benoit came in to give Kane three German suplexes, but Randy Orton hit the RKO on Benoit. Orton celebrated prematurely and walked into a huge powerslam from Chris Masters, who found himself getting the Widowmaker from Williams. By now the ref has lost total control of the match. Kane and Masters both wound up on the outside while Benoit took a chance with a suicide dive through the ropes that scored a direct hit but now they were all down. Back in the ring, Orton and Booker traded blows until Orton tried for the RKO again. Booker T counted and hit the Scissors Kick but instead making the cover, Booker T showboated with his trademark Spinaroonee; not seeing Drake Williams nip up behind him. Booker became disoriented from spinning around and walked right into the Widowmaker from Williams. The Crusader covers Booker T for the three count to retain the United States Championship.
"Here is your winner and still United States Champion, Drake Williams." Chimel announced.
Drake Williams rose to his knees and held the title above his head, proud that he had managed overcome the odds. The other wrestlers looked to be very disappointed with the outcome of the match. Only Chris Benoit was man enough to congratulate Drake on his victory. Later on in the night, Drake was walking down the halls trying to clear his head. He just had a grueling battle with five of the best wrestlers in the business. As he was walking, Drake was confronted by the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels.
"You looked good out there tonight kiddo," Shawn said. "Keep it up, and you'll have a helluva bright future ahead of you." Drake nodded and said, "Thanks HBK. I won't let you down."
"Just don't let yourself done," Shawn said. "If you need some advice, just talk to ol' HBK."
Shawn Michaels went his way and Drake could help but smile to himself. The youthful wrestler continued on his way to wherever he was going, unaware that he was being watched. In the shadows, Triple H creped out and glared at Drake Williams as if he was thinking about killing him. No doubt that he had evil intentions for the Crusader. They do not call him the Cerebral Assassin for nothing.
Author's note: Now I know what you're thinking. What are Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Kane and Chris Masters doing on a Smackdown Pay Per View? It called the Draft Lottery, ladies and germs. Gregory Helms was also drafted. Review if you feel obligated and don't worry; Triple H will have a roll to play when I say. You have to ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya, punk?