Chapter 9
It was the next day at Impact the Uprising was waiting for Chris to arrive. AJ came up to Jake. "Jake what are we going do when Chris arrives?" AJ asked. "Well I want give him the benefit of the doubt," Jake says. "The benefit of doubt. The guy whacked me in the head with a chair and cost me the match," Steve says. "Oh come on Steve, Jarrett ducked it happens all the time. Like that time in Russia," Jake says referring to a time when he and Steve teamed and Jake got hit in the head with a chair. "Yeah well you and I didn't have a major rivalry in our past," Steve says.
"Wow my ears are burning," Chris says as he walks in. "What the hell is the deal with cracking me in the head in a chair?" Steve demands to know. "Jarrett ducked. You would think a guy that calls himself the King of Old School would know that it happens in wrestling a lot," Chris says kind of smugly. "Alright guys calm down. Steve you need to let it go," Sting says. "Oh shut up old man. Don't tell me what to do," Steve says. "Hey back off," Christian yells.
A loud crash it heard shutting everyone up they all turn and see Jake holding Sting's bat having hit the door. "Everybody shut the hell up! I can't believe everyone is proving Jarrett right! One mistake, one misunderstanding and it starts to fall apart! Look Steve I get that you are pissed. But let it go. Chris you don't need to act so damn smug," Jake says. Everyone starts to calm down.
"Good glade to see everyone is willing listen," Jake says. "Jake's right, we have to move on from the mistake and do what we have to do to get rid of Jarrett," Traci says. "Alright fearless leader what do we do?" AJ asks. "I haven't thought that far ahead," Jake says. "Trying to get one of guys a world title shot would be a start," Traci says.
Larry walks in the room with out knocking. "What do you want Larry?" Jake asks annoyed. "I just came in here to make sure you all haven't killed each other yet," Larry says. "Were fine," Brother Ray says. "So unless you going to tell us that you are lifting Rhino's suspicion then get out. "You better start being nice to me Reed. If you remember I am the head of the championship committee meaning I have a hand in booking you next title defense. Hell I decide when you wrestle and when you don't," Larry says. "How about instead of bothering me the guy that defends his belt every PPV. Go make Jarrett defend his title," Jake says. "For you information Jeff does defend his belt. Now I would rather he do it on PPV but some time he does it on Indy shows," Larry says.
"So let me get this straight you can make me defend the belt when ever but Jeff gets to pick when he defends the world title," Jake says. "I don't have time to answer all these questions," Larry says leaving. "Wow he was starting to squirm," Steve says. "You see guys this is why we need to stick together. Because as long as a guy in management is against us we don't have the time to be killing each other," Jake says.
"Look Steve I'm sorry. I was tying hit Jarrett he moved. If I came off a smug that is just the way I am," Chris says. "It's alright. I may have overreacted a little. Oh and Sting I'm sorry about the old man crack," Steve says. "Ah I've been called worse," Sting says. "So it's all cool now?" Jake asks. Everyone nods. "Good because I have something to take of," Jake says as he leaves.
Alex Shelly in the editing room when Jake walked in. "Hey Jake good to see you," Alex says. "You said you had something," Jake says. "Yeah I do. Look it's only a start but it's something," Alex says as he cues up the video. "How did you get permission to use this stuff?" Jake asks. "I didn't," Alex says. "What?" Jake asks a little freaked out. "I'm kidding. One of the editors is an old friend of my mom's," Alex says.
"Oh ok, so show me what you got," Jake says. Alex starts a tape and it play on one of the screens. It shows Larry at a gold course tie his shoe on a bunch with his clubs right next to him. Different people walk around him. "Ok Alex all I'm seeing is Larry's bald spot," Jake says. "It's coming now watch his clubs really close," Alex says slowing the tape down a little. Jake sees what Alex is talking about. "Did that guy in the hat just slip something in the bag?" Jake asks. "Yeah he did," Alex says rewinding the tape and showing it again.
"And Check this out it's after Larry is done playing," Alex says fast forwarding to the place he wants. The tape shows Larry slipping something to guy in that hat. "Your right it is a start," Jake says. "Oh yeah look at the other screen and watch it from the week before," Alex says. This time it showed Larry in the parking lot in his car acting like he was messing with radio. The guy from the other tape walked behind the car and slipped something the clubs again. "Good work Alex," Jake says.
Jarrett was frustrated. Not only had Jake survived his match with Monty and kept the United States Title, but if it hadn't been for Jeff ducking he would have more than likely lost the six man tag. There was no way in hell Jeff was going let Reed take over. He had to know who he was going to face at the next PPV. He also had to get rid of Jake Reed once and for all.
He knew the perfect person to do it. He had already offered once before but now was the perfect time. First was first hurt Reed tonight, then take the US belt and finish him off. Now it was time to start.
Jake and Traci were in ring doing an interview with Mike Tenay. "Jake Reed this past Sunday you proved all your doubters wrong as you retained you title against the Alpha Male Monty Brown not only that you took three Pounces," Mike says. "You Mike I got to thank Mike Tenay I really need to thank Monty Brown for proving me right he is the black Lex Luger," Jake jokes. The crowd starts to chant Jake's name.
"Just wanted to get that one last dig in. But I really can't be happy because Jeff Jarrett is still NWA world champion. Jarrett know this you time is coming. The Uprising will not only knock you off the mountain we will make you hit every jagged rock on the way down," Jake says.
Jarrett's music starts to play. "That was real funny Jake. It must have taken you months to think of it," Jeff says. "Look boys and girls it's the rare blond haired jackass," Jake says. "You know what I am really getting sick of people like you that have no respect for NWA world title," Jeff says. "Stop right there I have all the respect in the world for the title. I just don't respect the guy holding it," Jake says.
"Well maybe it's time I taught you some respect boy," Jeff says putting down the belt and removing his sunglasses. "Bring it Jeff," Jake says. Jeff starts to come down the ramp when he stops. "I'm not that stupid. You not even worth my time. You have to earn getting in the ring with me boy. But I have an idea," Jeff says.
"Wow, it took you thirty nine years but better late than never," Jake says. "Do you want to hear this or not?" Jeff asks getting annoyed at Jake making fun of him. "No I want beat your brains in," Jake says. "Well here's my idea I get to pick you next title defense against any wrestler on the TNA roster," Jeff says.
Before Jake says anything Traci takes the microphone from him. "Jake hold on. Now I know you never back down from a challenge but don't accept this unless he lets you pick his next title match," Traci says. "You know your right. So Jeff I only accept that if I can pick you next defensive," Jake says. Jeff isn't sure what to say but finally decides. "Alright you're on. But Reed you just accepted to die," Jarrett says.
The Monster Abyss hits the ring and hits Jake with the chain. Mitchell and Gail Kim come out and hold Traci back. Abyss gives Jake the black hole slam. The rest of the Uprising comes out to make the save. Jarrett and crew retreat knowing that they have won for now.