The
Evolution of This Business (a WWE/TNA story)
by P. Dizzle
tha Prime Legend Champion
Associative
Disclaimer: This story is completely original and fictional.
Proprietary Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing but the story
itself.
Rating: T
Summary: The former members of Evolution
are in their prime, but facing major problems. After a little
thinking, Triple H decides that enough is enough, not only for their
problem sources, but the entire wrestling business as well!
Chapter
20
Title: Prime Defense
Show: WWE Friday Night
Smackdown (2/3/2006)
Summary: Randy apologizes for an old fault,
Maria is confronted by MNM's Melina, and Batista defends his World
Championship against John Cena.
A limousine with the Evolution shield marked on its doors pulls up at the parking lot. The driver comes out of the front door and opens the back door on his side. The door is opened, and Maria comes out in an extravagant dress. Following Maria is Ric Flair, dressed to strut his stuff as always. Triple H, Randy Orton, then Batista finish the cycle, also dressed in rich Armani suits. Oh, and did I mention they have their five Championships with them. As Trips instructed the driver to get ready to come back after the end of Smackdown, the group headed towards their locker room. Randy Orton and Batista, though, purposely dropped a few steps back behind the others.
"Hey, Batista. You think after you're done with the match, you could go see Stacy one second?" Randy asked, referring to ex-girlfriend Stacy Keibler.
"Alright, Randy, you're gonna have to explain," Batista said with a smirk on his face.
"Oh, come on, man. I'm not in love with her. It's just that we went from being the hot couple on the block to her thinking I'm an asshole in an instant because I did what I had to do last year," Randy explained. Dave shook his head in reply.
"Not that I'm talking to the Undertaker behind everyone's back, I saved that for you guys," he started, "but many would agree that you didn't have to disrespect Eddie's low rider or RKO Stacy just because you really wanted to get rid of the Undertaker."
"I had to get myself in the mode of being willing to do anything to take out the Undertaker, when I did that to her," Randy said, seeming a little remorseful. "Plus, her… what do I call it? Oh, yeah. Her… incomplete allegiance to me made her a distraction and a diversion from that state of mind. I couldn't have that if I was gonna go boldly where no man has gone before. And when I burned Eddie's low rider: the fact that I'm standing before you signifies that. If I relented from my ruthless stance just because it was the late Eddie Guerrero's stuff, Undertaker not only would have beat me at Hell in a Cell, he would have been able to crucify me. I'd be anywhere from injured to crippled to dead and not walking."
"Nobody's gonna buy that. The Ministry of Darkness was a long time ago. He can't crucify anybody,"
"What happened to Orlando Jordan before that last ride match in 2004?" Randy asked in disagreement. "Anyway, let's stop talking about the Undertaker. We got bigger things to worry about in your World Heavyweight Championship match. I'll go talk to Stacy myself. Whatever solidarity you have with her must have gone down a notch or two since we're back in Evolution, so it's not gonna help that much if you're there."
"Guys. We're here, and I heard everything. You can stop pulling back to have your conversation," Trips interrupted their conversation to inform them. "Both of you can go ahead and talk to Stacy right now if you want. Remember, we're all too elite for anyone to lead this time. Decisions are open, as long as they're not stupid. But the main focus of tonight is you, Batista. You keeping the World Heavyweight Championship against Raw's guest to Smackdown tonight, that hip hop poser former champion John Cena. You got that?"
"Trips. I'm all set. There's nothing to worry about," Batista said, coolly and confidently. He then patted Randy's shoulder. "Yo, RKO. Let's go." The two "graduate students" from the last try at Evolution then left for Stacy's locker room, instead of finally going into their own.
It was at that time that the show began. After the introduction and the fireworks came around, Michael Cole plugged that this is Evolution's first Smackdown together ever, and that in it will be the first Evolution Championship defense since the reunion of the team, when "the Animal" Batista puts his World Heavyweight Title on the line against "the Doctor of Thuganomics" John Cena, and as a security measure, all others will be banned from ringside under notice of possible suspension. He also plugged the revelation of the new Smackdown General Manager tonight.
Following this, the words "You think you know me" came accompanied by a background sound, leading to an entrance music people thought they would never hear again. It was "Over the Edge", the music that was once used by the great tag team of Edge and Christian! The lights faded out, then after a second came on only at the stage, revealing that Edge's smoke was pouring out again. Out from the smoke came Edge and Lita, much to the Peeps' chagrin. After their new trademark stage pose, Edge and Lita pointed forward, and the lights came back on in full, revealing Christian Cage at the ramp, back turned to the ring in the usual pose! The crowd went nuts at this sight, then Christian turned around and did the finger kisses to the Peeps again, before both he and Edge rush slid into the ring. Lita walked in using the steps and ropes, though seemed a little jumpy because of the "Rated R Charisma" surrounding her. Christian did his kiss to the Peeps at a turnbuckle, and when Edge finally got up from under Lita, he went to the turnbuckle on the other side from Christian and shouted some words, following which came a big grin on his face. All three of them got microphones, and the music died down, leading the fans to cheer on Edge for the first time ever.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time ever being cheered for together, Edge and Lita!" Christian blasted out on his mic, getting a mini-converted reaction. Mini-converted to jeers, that is. About ¾ of the people that cheered during the entrance cheered again when he said that. Edge and Lita smiled, in the positive limelight for once. "And the sole reason for the cheers siding with Edge and Lita, yours truly, the next NWA Heavyweight Champion of the World, 'Captain Charisma' Christian Cage!"
That second part to it got everyone in the arena off their seat in yayes. Edge and Lita's smiles diminished a little bit, which hinted towards Edge not liking Christian's self promotional stance.
"I know for a fact that everyone is asking themselves how the hell we got here," Edge stated, leading to a smaller eruption of supportive fans which caused him to continue with this observation. "For once, the Edge Army is all in. Anyway, we got bigger things to worry about. Lita and I are the most hated visitors from Raw in the history of Smackdown, and Christian is the one guy to voluntarily leave WWE and Smackdown for TNA's Impact show. (small cheers) I asked Mr. McMahon, he asked Dixie Carter, but whatever in their hearts resulted in us getting permission to do this is none of our business. We came out here to make a few announcements. First of all, I'd like the limited number of Edgeheads and the growing number of Peeps, and I'm not ashamed to admit that fact or that I didn't want any Edgeheads, (boo!) I'd like the Edgeheads and Peeps to know that tomorrow night, from Universal Studios, right here in Orlando, TNA Impact's main event will be a tag team encounter to be remembered. It will be heelish Evolution vs. Rated R Charisma, as 'the Legend Killer' Randy Orton and 'the Game' Triple H (mixed reactions) take on the Rated R Superstar himself, me, (boo.) and TNA's own, basically now accepted as Orlando's hero, the one and only Captain Charisma! (yeah!) fans start "CHRISTIAN!" chant Yeah, right, Chris-tian, Chris-tian, that's all well and good, but there was more that we came out to do. We also wanted to point out something, or should I say, my baby girl Lita wanted to point out something." He then gave Lita the floor.
"Oh, yeah. The Evolution dummy, Maria," she reminded herself almost instantly, leading to a "SHE BEAT YOU!" chant which infuriated her. While Edge complained right alongside Lita, Christian laughed right along. "Shut up! I just wanted to tell your Sweet Little Girl here that I've got my rematch clause ready to execute at any time, and I'm not gonna waste my time getting involved with Trish or anybody else's business before getting my rematch."
"Okay, that takes care of part of my problem, wondering what it's gonna be like to hear Lita in here tonight," Christian joked, "but we also had yet another reason for being out here. We're not done yet. You see, after Smackdown fired Theodore Long, they need a new General Manager, especially with Evolution getting the run of the floor all the time. And as a condition to our coming here, as Mr. Money in the Bank here informed me, we gotta tell ya who the General Manager is. (small cheers) So without further ado, the man who will now be taking over as the General Manager of Smackdown: MICK FOLEY!"
The sound of a car crash could be heard, following a familiar music with claps, and the world was blasted out of its boots as Mick Foley came out in his traditional outfit and charisma (so Captain Charisma isn't the only one with some stuff), and the people's happiness surrounded. He rolled into the ring and raised his arm at the turnbuckle in the usual position he does it in, following which he got a microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first edition of Mick Foley's Friday Night Smackdown, from the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida!" Mick exclaimed, getting the cheap pop which is his trademark. "Now, I could go on and make a big speech about how much of an honor it is for me to be the General Manager of Smackdown and to replace Teddy Long, but I'm sure we've got watchers and readers who don't care how true it is, but they've got more things to do with their time than to hear that. cheers So, let's just cut to the chase. You three had your fun, you had your time, now it's time to leave the ring. But first, since I'm chilling out here in the ring with the tag team that reeks of awesomeness in Edge and Christian Cage, how about a few memories? A five second pose?" (yeah!)
Edge and Lita looked at themselves, then at a smiling Christian. Edge then tapped Christian and asked what he was laughing about. Christian said on his microphone that they'd rather save it for Impact, and that it was time to go now. The fans booed at that notion, then he turned around and said just kidding and it was time to go now. The applause came, and then Christian instructed Edge and Lita to get down. Edge came down on one knee, and Lita laid her back on the other knee. He looked at her passionately.
"Time for the five second pose!" Christian called. The pose basically consisted of Christian pointing back and forth to himself and to his Peeps, and Edge and Lita kissing below in front of him. Mick, who was counting down the seconds, stopped it at the right time, and they were all smiles.
"Oh, and just for the record, I don't like the General Manager title as much as I like the title I had before. So, rather than calling me the General Manager of Smackdown, how about the Smackdown Commissioner instead? (yeah!) And now that I got that across, have a nice day!" Mick called. At that point, his music came back on, and Christian Cage left with Edge and Lita, all smiling.
Cameras then shifted to Stacy Keibler, who was here on Smackdown for the first time since getting involved with "Dancing With the Stars". She was getting her makeup done when someone knocked on the door. She invited the person in, hearing the door open afterwards.
"Hey, Stacy," someone said.
"Hey Dave," she replied, before just realizing something. "Wait a minute. How come they let you out?"
"I thought we made it clear there's no leader on the team this time," Batista answered, certain that they said something about it on Raw. He may have been wrong, though.
"I wasn't paying too much attention, I guess," she said. "So what's up?"
"Stacy, I want to talk," Randy suddenly spurted out. At the realization that he was here, Stacy froze. Batista could see that, despite her back being turned to them. He looked at Randy and shook his head, realizing that if a certain 24-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri was going to get something across to his ex-girlfriend, it was going to be very difficult. Randy, though, looked back and forth at Stacy and Batista with a steely resolve.
"I just wanted to comment, about the way that I mistreated you last year with the RKO," he tried again. "I will still state, whenever anyone brings it up, that I did what I had to do, cause that's what I feel. But it still bothers me a little bit. We went from the hot couple to… that. All because my ego didn't really let me see exactly how much I hurt you. And I'm not looking to get back together, nor do I hope you turn around and kiss me right after this, nor do I even plan on talking to you again like this another second, or on anything more than me getting slapped right in the kisser for this. I just wanted to come here and say, that I'm sorry, Stacy."
"Wait… you're kidding, right?" Stacy said, butterflies entering her all of a sudden. If there was anything she never expected in the history of this earth, it was an apology from that guy for an RKO, including the one that he had given her on Raw back on March 21st, 2005, just thirteen days before his WrestleMania 21 match with the Undertaker. She understood perfectly his reason and his pride, as well as the fact that he would never regret even that act. She had figured that closure would be impossible to find, so the best thing was to shove it in the back of her mind forever. But here he was, finally mentioning it again, and with an apology to boot. Come to think of it, a part of her was seriously hoping he was kidding.
"I'm not kidding," he said, shutting that notion up and nipping it in the bud. "I know three of this world's truths are the earth is round, the sky is blue, and Randy Orton will never apologize," he continued on, letting a little snicker loose at the last part. "Based on that, you're probably shaken up. But I'm not gonna continue here much further. I just wanted to say how I really feel." He looked at Batista, who was nodding respectfully, and at Stacy, who continued to be still. He then told Batista come on, let's go, and the two young men of Evolution turned to leave when Stacy said wait. Orton stopped and turned around, as did Stacy.
"If you really mean it, that you're sorry, then… I guess I accept. And… thank you. For coming here, and being honest with me," she finally said. After closing his eyes and nodding momentarily, Randy turned back around and left for the Evolution locker room. On the way, Orton sighed.
"Yeah. I have to say, that felt good. I took the monkey off my back," he boasted. Batista then patted his shoulder a little bit.
"Randy, you did a good thing back there," Batista stated in confidence, removing his hand. "Now I don't have to answer to why I'm teaming with an asshole."
"Kinda makes it even better, don't you think?" Randy asked with a grin filling his face.
"Don't screw it," Batista quickly shot, telling Randy that now would be as good a time as any to stop.
When the two friends finally arrived at the room, they found that Maria was not there. Nor were Triple H and Ric Flair. In fact, the three were headed to the parking lot to relax in their limo. Unfortunately, they met a hurdle there in Melina, Johnny Nitro, and Joey Mercury standing by the limo.
"Is that… MNM?" Maria asked, noticing the three invaders.
"I don't care if that's MNM, LOD, Hershey's, Russell Stover, Edge & Christian, whatever. These idiots have no right to be standing all over the Evolution limousine!" Flair hollered out, going on one of his legendary hissy fits. "I'm the Nature Boy! This is the Game! And with me is the Sweet Little Girl, and that nickname is misleading, cause she's capable of kickin' ass and takin' names! If you don't want to feel Evolution's wrath, you will step off right now! Wooo!"
"Oh. Maria. Finally, you and a couple of your boyfriends show up," Melina said.
"What kinda crap is coming out of your mouth. At least Lita has some kind of substance circulating in and out," Trips joked.
"Shut up! I am not a slut! Save that job for Edge's little girl! But I came here to make something clear. I don't care what Lita said during that last promo with Edge and Christian. I'm the one that's coming for your Women's Championship, like it or not!" Melina
"Look, Triple H! M&M's! Can I eat some?" Maria asked Trips's permission, making a dumb comment the world could laugh about. In fact, Ric Flair and Triple H, along with fans, did laugh at that. Melina, though, was as upset as Johnny and Joey were, so she slapped Maria, who slapped her right back, and the two ended up in a rolling cat fight. Nitro and Mercury, as well as Trips and Flair, eventually restrained the girls and kept them from tearing each other apart. Trips and Ric then fell forward with Maria as someone attacked them from behind with a steel chair. It was Mark Henry!
"What now? Wanna make jokes?" Henry yelled out as MNM suddenly smiled their butts off. Henry then met the same fate at the hands of Kurt Angle, who engaged in a runaway chase with MNM.
All that insanity aside, 9:45 came time for Batista's World Heavyweight Championship to be defended. John Cena's entrance music finally was heard, many Chain Gang soldiers in tow to cheer for Cena, making his first appearance on Smackdown in over half a year. He came out, the energized Doctor of Thuganomics of old, including getting on the turnbuckle with the Word Life sign around the end of the first verse of his rap after taking off his shirt and (this is the only somewhat bad part of the dude) causing at least two girls to faint in each part of the arena. However, you also see liveliness out of Batista, as he showed during his entrance. The entire Animal World fan base unloaded for Batista as well during his entire entrance. He did the routine muscular pose at all turnbuckles, Cena clapping along the way, then handed his World Title to the referee and went on the turnbuckle again to thump his chest and point up to the sky, starting an "EDDIE!" chant. Cena joined in it eventually as the music died down and the bell rang to finally begin what was billed to be a very great match.
Batista and John Cena, the two men who kept the WWE and World Championships up from WrestleMania 21 into 2006, were fighting for the one belt that was still in the Champ's hands right now. They circled the ring, then grappled each other, Batista being the stronger man there and bulling Cena into the corner. Batista made a clean break, allowing Cena to get out of the corner. They repeated what just happened, except Cena got out of the grapple and had Batista trapped in the corner. Cena then went away at Batista with a flurry of right hands, and eventually stomps when Batista was low enough. There were Cena fans cheering, and there were Batista fans jeering. The referee soon started his DQ count, and Cena got off and did his Word Life sign for the crowd. About 70 cheered, the rest booing. He then sped towards Batista with a clothesline, sent him to the other corner and hit another clothesline, hit him and clotheslined him again, and tried a fourth time, only to get a boot to his face. Batista then got out of the corner and picked Cena up by the head. He irishwhipped him and telegraphed his move, taking a kick to the face for it. Cena went off the ropes and hit a flying shoulder block on Batista, knocking down the Animal. Cena then covered Batista. 1… 2… he kicked out.
Cena got up and went after Batista, who pushed him off. Cena got back up in the corner, and Batista took the opportunity to clothesline him out of his boots to the point of sitting down! Batista then picked up Cena and thrust his shoulder into Cena's lower chest several times. He then irishwhipped Cena and greeted his return with a huge shoulder block. He flexed his pectorial muscles a small strand, before seeing Cena get back up and hitting him with a vertical suplex. Batista circled the ring a little as Cena got back up, then irishwhipped him into a sidewalk slam. Batista took up Cena, irishwhipped him again, and got him with a big back body drop. Cena got halfway off the ground, screaming in pain about his back. Eventually, Cena got up, and Batista hit a devastating forearm shot to the back of his head, knocking down the Master of Word Life. Batista took advantage to go for a cover. 1… 2… Cena kicked out. Batista eventually tried to pick up Cena, only to get tripped to the outside.
Cena went down after the Animal, and tried to irishwhip him straight into the steel steps, a decision he paid for, as a reversal by Batista caused the fate to befall Cena instead. Batista went towards Cena, picked him up, and rolled him into the ring, before going in himself. Cena used the ropes to pull himself up as Batista came towards him. Cena then got in a double leg takedown and started punching away at the downed Batista. The referee started his disqualification count, which he stopped at three when Cena got off. Cena did the Word Life sign to the crowd, half of which didn't exactly like it. When Batista got up, Cena saw it and gave him a well-done missile dropkick, knocking the Leviathan down further. Cena hooked the leg of Batista. 1… 2… and then Batista kicked out. Cena complained to the referee a little bit, then got back up, followed by Batista soon after. Cena first went for a clothesline, which connected. He tried again, only to get himself a powerslam!
Batista did the same taunt he does at the center of the ramp to set off the stage guns, following which he picked up Cena, irishwhipped him, and tried to get in the Leviathan Spinebuster. Cena, however, stopped just short and stunted Batista's motion with a kick to the midsection, then hit him with a DDT! The crowd was excited by this move, and the referee went on his "raise up" ten count. Cena got up, as did Batista, after the count reached seven. The two then engaged in a slugfest which didn't look like anyone would win it, when Cena suddenly took the advantage. Batista was sent back into the ropes, Cena punched away at him, then irishwhipped him. But John Cena paid the price, getting clotheslined by Batista. Cena quickly got back up to his feet, Batista went for another clothesline, but Cena ducked it and nailed the Protoplex side slam!
Cena then went down to Batista and did the "you can't see me" taunt, before going off the ropes, shimmying a little bit, dusting himself off, checking for spots, and hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Batista! Cena covered the Animal, 1… 2… -oh, just short of the three-count! Cena awaited Batista's rise. Once it occurred, Cena hit Batista with a clothesline. Batista got up, Cena got behind him for a school kid coer, Batista kicked out at two. Batista got up, Cena charged at him again, he ducked, both men turned around, Batista hit the Leviathan Spinebuster on Cena! Batista did the Ultimate Warrior rope taunt, took Cena, set him under, and lifted him for the sit-down Batista Bomb, but Cena gave a few punches before Batista could come down for the powerbomb. Eventually, Cena even got Batista in his first ever hurracanrana! Cena paced around the ring showing the now completely cheering crowd the Word Life sign, then pumped up his sneakers when Batista got back up on his feet. Cena finally lifted Batista on his shoulder, set up for the F-U. It took a while before Batista finally used a strong forearm to the chest to force Cena to let go because of back and shoulder pain from carrying the weight of the heavy Capital Destroyer. Batista took advantage to kick him in the midsection, do the thumbs up thumbs down, and finally execute the Batista Bomb! Batista covered Cena… 1… 2… 3!
"The winner of this match, and still the World Heavyweight Champion, Batista!"
At that sound, the Animal was cheered like nobody's business. He got up on his feet, and was returned his World Heavyweight Championship, which he lifted high in the air at the turnbuckle. He saw Cena get back up, then had a few words with the Franchise. Batista let Cena hold the Championship for a few seconds, since he had apparently earned enough of Batista's respect to be given this honor. The two then shook hands and bumped shoulders, following which Cena left. Batista pointed upwards again, signaling towards Eddie. The show then went off the air.
"Great job, champ! You got it done!" Randy burst out later when Batista got back to the locker room. "So, how did it feel taking down that piece of crap Cena?"
"I wouldn't call him a piece of crap, but I will say this; I was the king of my environment," Batista said, taking a little bit of a proud tone to his words.
"That's what I'm talkin' about, Batista. That's what I'm talkin' about!" Trips added happily, slapping fives with the World Champ. Ric Flair burst out with his "Wooo!", and Maria jumpily hugged the Leviathan for a second.
"Now, what we're gonna do is, we're gonna get outta here, head into our limo, find one of those clubs, and party only like Evolution can!" Ric instructed in the liveliest of manners, already ready to go.
"Remember, Ric, I gotta get dressed first," Batista reminded the Nature Boy.
"Damn! Work faster, Batista!" Ric yelled in a sudden rush of impatience. "I can't wait over here! I'm about to go on a hissy fit if I gotta stand here too much longer. Wooo!"
