Chapter 16
Thank you to my reviewers- This chapter has a little business and a little fun
The entire wrestling was buzzing with the fact that Jake would challenge Jeff Jarrett for the NWA title. Jake was already making out his training plan. But now it was time for Impact. Mike Teney stood in the ring microphone in hand to start the show. "Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome the man that will challenge for the NWA world title at Lockdown. The "Omaha Outlaw" Jake Reed," Mike says as Jake and Traci make there way to the ring. "Jake Reed since coming to TNA you have quickly one of if not the best wrestler in TNA to not get a title shot," Mike says.
"Thank Mike. And your right I climbed up the ladder of success very quickly," Jake says. "But Jake I have to ask what are you going to do to prepare for the biggest match of you life?" Mike asks. Before Jake can answer Raven's music starts to play and he makes his way out. Raven grabs the microphone away from Mike. "What crap is this? Now that piss ant Larry Zybsko and Jeff Jarrett screw me out of my world title then Larry keeps me out of title matches for months. Now that Zybsko is gone everyone know I never got a rematch yet look who gets the first match under the new regime the golden boy. What about me? What about Raven?" Raven says.
Jake gets a microphone of his own. "First off I'm not a Golden Boy. Second I'll admit you were screwed. But it's about Raven. It's about someone getting that title off Jarrett. And I'm the guy that can do that," Jake says. "Everybody here knows I can beat Jeff. Regaining the NWA title is my destiny," Raven says. "Is there a reason your out?" Jake asks. "Well I have a little challenge for you. You see it's a title vs. title match. So if you don't have a title then you not in that match. So next week you and me for the US title," Raven says.
"Wow is the great Raven actually challenging me for the United States title. You even going to give me a whole week to let my broken hand heal," Jake says. "It's nothing personal Reed hell if I liked people I would like you, but I want my title back," Raven says. "You know I get that. So I'll accept," Jake says. The crowd erupts. Jeff's music hits and he make his way with the entire Jarrett army. "You know it doesn't matter who the US champ because neither of you are going to make it to Lockdown. Because we are taking you boys out tonight," Jeff says. Jeff and the Army start to come down the ramp.
The Uprising hits the ring and stand toe to toe with there leader. The Uprising is armed. The Jarrett Army stops and backs up. "You know isn't matter who is US champ I will not lose this belt," Jeff says trying to save face as he backs up. Suddenly Raven kicks Jake in the stomach and hits the Raven effect. Raven slides out of ring and leaves through the crowd.
After the Impact tapings Jake and Traci walk into there house. "How's you head?" Traci asked. "For the hundredth time it's fine," Jake says. "And…" "My hand's fine to," Jake says. "You know that was a really stupid move to accept Raven's challenge," Traci says. "Guess I am just gluten for punishment," Jake says. "I think you just want to prove your better than Raven," Traci says. "Something wrong with that," Jake says. "What's wrong is you still have a bad hand and you are still sore from going into the tacks," Traci says.
"I'll be fine," Jake says. "Jake you have the biggest match of you life coming up you need to take care of yourself," Traci says. "Yes mother," Jake says jokingly. "Sure make jokes expect this may be you only chance to win the World title," Traci says. "I know," Jake says. "Expect now you may not get the title match if you lose to Raven," Traci says. "I won't lose," Jake says. "I don't know that Raven effect put you out today," Traci says. Jake realizes she is tying to get under his skin with those comments.
"That's true I was out like you after you last match with Gail Kim," Jake says. Traci playfully slaps him. "Now that was mean," she says. "Ah I'm sorry," Jake says giving her a kiss on the check. "Jake you realize that in a few week you really could be NWA world champ," Traci says turning serious. "Yeah I do. It really doesn't seem like I was just out of rehab. I mean I thought I was done as a wrestler. The only Indy work I could get were shows where you are having a record night if twenty-four people show up," Jake says.
Traci starts laughing. "That's not funny," Jake says. "I'm not laughing about that. I just remembered from when we first meet," Traci says still laughing. "Ok I'll admit I wasn't all smooth but nothing I did was that funny," Jake says. "Maybe not then but now for some reason I find it hilarious," Traci says. "Ok what?" Jake asks. "When you wrestling after you hit a big move you always slapped you thigh," Traci says. "I did not," Jake says.
"Yes you did. I mean it was like this over head belly to belly, slap. Flying back elbow stand up and slap. Death Valley Driver you would slap twice. It's a miracle your thigh was not bruised all the time," Traci says. "Oh my God now I know what Mike was talking about," Jake says. "What?" Traci asks confused. "Mike the agent from the promotion where we meet once he told me I was a great wrestler but I would be better if I cut off the crap I did between moves," Jake says.
"Way to go it's been years and Mike is retired now but you finally know," Traci says. "Hey wait why didn't you tell me that back then?" Jake asks. "I figured it was just some nervously habit you had. Turns out I was right, after you four match up there you stopped slapping yourself," Traci says. "Oh yeah because by then I had won my first title," Jake says.
"And look at how far you have come," Traci says. "Yeah from the thigh slapping dork to the Omaha Outlaw," Jake says. "And the next NWA world champion. If you beat Raven," Traci says. "What is with this if stuff? I am going to beat Raven," Jake says.
In a run down part of Orlando Raven was walking. In seven days he would take the US title and be the man getting a title shot. His destiny was once again unfolding. Soon he would regain the NWA world title. And the chance to beat the living hell out of Jarrett in a cage was a dream come true.
All he had to do was beat Jake Reed. Reed may be good but Raven knew he could beat him. He had counted after the Raven Effect it took Reed a good twenty seconds to even begin to stir. That was more than enough time to beat Jake.
Jeff Jarrett walked into the house he rented in Orlando. Jeff felt like the weight of the world was about to crash down on him. If it wasn't Raven it would be Reed. He wasn't about let either of those two freaks take his title. He was going to have take them out. One way or another.