Friday, April 16th, 2021 – Phoenix, Arizona
In about 30 Days, the WWE would be hosting its Backlash Pay-Per-View in the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon and so far, the event was shaping up to be a hell of a show. So far, the card was shaping up as follows:
Bayley vs Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women's Championship
Ced vs Jey Uso for the Intercontinental Championship
Rhea Ripley vs Asuka vs Charlotte Flair for the Raw Women's Championship
Bobby Lashley vs Drew McIntyre vs Braun Strowman for the World Heavyweight Championship
Roman Reigns vs Cesaro for the WWE Championship
So far 5 matches that all had the WWE Universe on the edge of their seats in anticipation. It was reported today by Fightful that 13,000 fans had already purchased their tickets to the event that would follow the aftermath of WrestleMania.
Currently, the man who would defend his Intercontinental Championship sat in catering with a plate of chicken and pasta trying to enjoy a meal before he would have to go out in the ring tonight and try to give the fans the best match that he could possibly give them.
"What's up my boy?" asked Kenneth Crawford AKA Montez Ford, one half of The Street Profits, one of the WWE's most entertaining Tag Teams today.
"Nothing much man just enjoying a little meal before the show, what's going on with you?"
"Nothing at all. Gary's in the trainer's room getting his ankle taped up, he said he felt a little tension there earlier. Tonight, we got a title match. I'm hoping creative can throw us a bone and let us get a title reign again," KC said.
"I'm sure you guys will get something. With WWE, you gotta keep your head on a swivel and expect the unexpected," that was some of the advice that Cedric had heard over the years from various veteran members of the WWE roster.
"Yeah, I'm trying to get like you. Trying to get up to big dog status," KC joked making Cedric chuckle and roll his eyes.
"Man, I'm not even at that level yet."
"Bullshit, man I see a lot of fans out there wearing your shirts, holding up signs with your name and I see your damn face on the intro of the show and on the damn trailer. Trust me, bro, you're up there," KC pointed out making a small smile snake it's way on Cedric's face. All of those factors were true but Cedric never thought that he was already at that level. He felt like he still had a hell of a lot of work to do before he ever made it to that point in the wrestling world.
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"Head of the Table" Hits
The WWE Universe had a mixed reaction, cheering and booing as the music of the WWE Champion, "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns rained out on the PA System. The lights in the arena circulated between red and blue lights as the epic-toned theme of Roman Reigns played out throughout the arena.
Roman walked out onto the stage flanked by his Special Counsel, Paul Heyman and his cousin, the man who will challenge Ced for the Intercontinental Championship, Jey Uso. Roman looked out with a smirk on his face as Jey Uso looked on with a frown. The Champion held his hand out looking for his coveted title as Paul looked on with a smirk while handing the title to the champion. Roman looked down at his title before slowly raising it into the air soaking up the benefit of being a Champion.
Pyro shot up on the stage as Roman Reigns soaked up the applause.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Jey Uso, Paul Heyman and The WWE Champion, Roman Reigns!"
Roman lowered the title and placed it onto his shoulder before sauntering down the ramp followed by his posse. Once "The Tribal Chief" reached the ringside area he looked around once more at the fans in Phoenix, Arizona in the Phoenix Suns Arena. Roman walked around to the steel steps being followed by Paul Heyman as Jey Uso simply rolled into the ring. Once Roman and Paul entered the ring, Paul walked towards the rope receiving a microphone from the ring crew as the music faded away.
Roman walked towards the center of the ring and simply held his hand out with his title resting firmly on his shoulder. Paul Heyman gently placed the microphone in the grasp of Roman Reigns while the fans were still giving their cheers and boos to Roman Reigns.
Roman put the mic up to his lips with a smirk.
"Phoenix, acknowledge me!" Roman said getting a loud reaction from the crowd once again.
"It seems that nobody believes that I am a man of my word anymore. Everybody thinks that the Tribal Chief just makes random claims without validity. Everyone thinks that I just talk to talk. Everyone thinks that I am a liar. But at WrestleMania, I proved I was no liar when I did exactly what I said I was gonna do to Daniel Bryan and Edge. I did exactly what I said I was gonna do. I smashed them, stacked them and pinned them exactly like I said I would. Look at the shirt, it's no lie," Roman said as he pointed to his shirt that read: Stack 'Em, Smash 'Em, Pin 'Em.
"I don't tell lies. Everything I spew is the truth."
"What?!" The crowd started to chant as Roman spoke on the mic.
"If you need proof just ask my cousin, Jey," Roman said as the shot focused on Jey Uso who looked on with a frown as half the crowd booed while the other half chanted "What?"
"I told Jey that I would make him a star."
"What?!"
I told Jey to stick with me and they will never ever ask the question of which one are you?"
"What?!"
"If you what me one more time," Roman threatened as the crowd hit another "What?" chant. He simply shook his head and continued on with his banter.
"I told Jey that if he stuck with me, he'll reach heights he never would've thought were possible. And in a few weeks at Backlash, my family will reign supreme. The Tribal Chief will stay at the top where he belongs and the right-hand man will become the Intercontinental Champion," Roman declared as the fans booed at that statement.
Roman looked on with a smirk as Jey looked around the arena.
"And at Backlash-" Roman was saying as he was cut off by the sound of someone's music cutting him off on the PA system.
"Icon" Hits
The WWE Universe cheered loudly as the music of Ced played out on the PA system while Roman looked on with a smirk as Jey simply looked on with a frown on his face.
The fans cheered even louder as the Intercontinental Champion walked out onto the stage in his ring gear and a t-shirt with the Intercontinental Championship on his shoulder and a microphone in hand. Ced looked down the ramp at the ring with a smile as his music faded away into the background.
"Roman no one thinks you're a liar," Ced said as he put the mic up to his mouth, "we don't man. No one here thinks you're a liar. We just think you're a punk-ass bitch!" Ced said as the fans popped loudly at that statement while Roman chuckled.
"And Jey, you're not that far off from one. You two come out every week and do the same damn thing. You come out here you talk down on the fans, you talk down on the guys and the girls in the back and you boast about your position here on SmackDown. I think I speak for every single one of them when I say we're tired of hearing the same bull every week," Ced said on the mic as the fans gave a light cheer.
"You think it's cute, don't you?" Roman rhetorically asked on the mic, "you think it's cute that you come out here and try to rile them up. These idiots don't pay to see you. They pay to see me," Roman said on the mic as the fans booed while Ced was on the stage with his arms folded.
"Nobody wants to see you. Ced, I hate to break it to you man, but you're not as big as you think you are. Congratulations, you retired an old 52-year-old has-been who was well past his prime," Roman was saying on the mic before Ced interrupted.
"The same could be said about you," Ced interrupted as Roman chuckled and looked down at the canvas.
"Like I said, you're not as big as you think. You haven't done anything in the WWE. You've won the Intercontinental title a few times, sure that's something but it ain't this," Roman said as he pointed to the WWE title.
"You ain't on this level jack. So do me and the rest of these people a favor, stop pretending to be something that you're not. You're not on top of the food chain, I am. So, stay with the midcarders where you belong," The WWE Champion said as Ced stood on the stage looking on with a frown.
"You see Roman, that's the thing. I've never been a good listener. And apparently neither has this man," Ced said as he dropped the mic and turned his head towards the entranceway.
"Return of the Fire" Hits
The music of Cesaro played on the PA system as the fans cheered while Cesaro walked out onto the stage clad in his ring gear. Cesaro looked down the ramp at Roman Reigns with a smirk before walking over to Ced. Ced and Cesaro gave each other a fist bump before they started to make their descent down the ramp as the fans cheered.
Once they got to ringside, Ced discarded the title to the side and slid under the bottom rope, jumping into the fray alongside Cesaro. The music faded as both men went straight at their perspective opponents for Backlash!
The fans were cheering as a massive brawl between Ced, Cesaro, Jey Uso and Roman Reigns was underway. Cesaro was going at Roman with shots to the head as Roman tried to cover up. Roman managed to push Cesaro off and tried hit the "Swiss Superman" with a Superman punch but Cesaro caught him with a European uppercut making Roman drop down to the canvas and roll out of the ring to get away.
Ced had managed to get Jey Uso to the ropes before hitting him with a clothesline sending him crashing to the arena floor on the outside as the fans cheered. Jey Uso and Roman Reigns regrouped together on the outside as Cesaro had walked over to the ropes and had gotten a microphone.
"Tonight, we didn't come to play games. We came for a fight!" Cesaro stated on the mic as the WWE Universe cheered as Cesaro and Ced stood tall in the ring.
"So tonight, we want you two in the middle of this ring!" Cesaro said again as Ced looked on with a smirk while Roman simply shook his head as Paul Heyman had grabbed a microphone and handed it to Roman.
"You two want us in a match! Well, you got it!" Roman said on a mic as the fans cheered as Ced and Cesaro looked on with huge smiles on their faces, "but it won't be tonight." The WWE Champion stated as the fans, who were once cheering, now booed.
"You two will get your match next week on SmackDown. But as for tonight, Cesaro, you're gonna get it. Because you're gonna go one-on-one with Jey Uso tonight!" The crowd cheered while Cesaro turned his attentions over to Jey Uso who stared him down with a frown.
"And as for you, Ced, I would stay out of it, if you know what's best for you," Roman said as he dropped the mic on the ringside floor before Roman's music started playing on the PA system whilst they all had a stare down.
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Cesaro could be seen in the locker room gearing for his singles bout against the likes of Jey Uso as the sound of the fans cheering could be heard in the locker room. Tonight, was a big chance for Cesaro to prove to the WWE Champion, Roman Reigns that he should be worried and it was a chance to build momentum heading into his WWE Championship match.
The sounds of cheers could be heard once again as Ced entered the shot with the Intercontinental title resting firmly on his shoulder.
"I just wanted to wish you luck tonight on your match. Make sure that you kick Jey's ass for me tonight. And if you need me, I'll be on standby," Ced said as he offered a hand for Cesaro to shake. Cesaro turned towards Ced and looked down at his hand with a smirk before giving in and giving the young star a handshake.
"Thanks, and I appreciate your offer to help but I need to do this on my own."
"I can respect that, just watch your back man." Cesaro said nothing but simply nodded at Ced before walking out of the shot, leaving Ced alone. After a minute or so, boos could be heard as "The Visionary" Seth Rollins walked into the shot wearing an obnoxiously colored suit. Ced turned to face Seth looking on with a frown.
"What do you want?"
"I just came to warn you. You should watch your back; Cesaro isn't a man to trust. He doesn't trust my vision to bring SmackDown to my realm of greatness," Seth said as Ced could be seen visibly rolling his eyes.
"Seth, no one sees your vision. I sure as hell don't." Ced said with a frown as he stared down the "The Visionary" Seth Rollins. Seth Rollins simply chuckled and ran a hand through his hair.
"Well, maybe you'll see it after I curb-stomp your head into the canvas tonight." He said as the smile that was once on his face faded away while he looked up at the slightly taller Intercontinental Champion.
"That sounds like a threat Seth. You can surely put your money where your mouth is and step into that ring with me." Ced said before he walked out of the shot with a frown as Seth could be seen standing there looking on.
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Friday Night SmackDown had just returned from a commercial break giving the fans at home a bit of break after witnessing the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Dirty Dawgs retain their coveted tag titles but now it was time the Intercontinental Champion, Ced to shut down "The Visionary" Seth Rollins tonight and build some momentum.
"Icon" Hits
The music of the Intercontinental Champion rang out on the PA system getting a pop from the WWE Universe in Phoenix as the lights went around in a frenzy of color. The Intercontinental Champion walked out onto the stage in his ring gear with the title wrapped around his waist as he looked down at the stage floor. He slowly raised his eyes and set his sights on the ring. He spit out his water in a mist like form and started to make his descent down the ramp as the fans cheered.
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, making his way to the ring, from Charlotte, North Carolina. Weighing in at 252 Pounds. He is the Intercontinental Champion: Ced!"
Once Ced reached the ringside area, he looked down taking a look at his Championship title prior to waking around to the steel steps. He walked up the steps and entered the ring, making a beeline for the corner. He hopped up onto the middle turnbuckle and unhooked his title to raise it in the air getting some cheers from the crowd.
He looked around at the crowd with a frown on his face as he jumped down and stared off into the crowd.
"Visionary" Hits
The WWE Universe immediately started to boo as the music of "The Visionary" Seth Rollins hit the PA System. Rollins walked out onto the stage in his same black and red gear that he sported at WrestleMania with a red leather fur jacket. Seth looked around the arena as he held his arms wide soaking up all the boos from the WWE Universe as he started to make his descent down the ramp.
"And his opponent, making his way to the ring, from Davenport, Iowa. Weighing in at 217 Pounds. "The Visionary" Seth Rollins.
Seth had a smirk as he stared into the eyes of Ced. Seth walked around to the steel steps and walked up the steps, onto the apron. He entered the ring and stood in the center of the ring holding his arms and soaking up the boos as Ced could be seen standing in the corner still staring down "The Visionary".
Rollins took off his jacket and threw it off on the outside before walking off to the corner, gearing up for the bout. The referee stood in the center of the ring before calling for the bell.
Ding-Ding-Ding!
Ced and Seth both charged at each other locking it up in a collar-elbow tie-up. Ced, being the bigger man, was able to use his strength and size to his advantage pushing "The Visionary" into the corner. Ced released the hold and tried to go for a right hook but Seth ducked it and instead allowed Ced to swing into the corner and clock the Intercontinental Champion with a loud stinging knife edge chop to the chest making Ced howl out in pain.
Seth clocked Ced with another chop to the chest with the same effect as the WWE Universe "woo"ed in tribute to the 16-time World Champion, Ric Flair. Seth clocked Ced with another chop to the chest before he grabbed the Champion by the wrist attempting to whip into the turnbuckle across the ring but Ced reversed it and attempted to whip Seth into the corner across the ring but instead did a fake out pulling him back into a hard clothesline!
Ced with the hook of the leg.
1, kick out by Seth Rollins. Ced grabbed a hold of Seth, gripping him by the hair and lifting him up to his feet. The Intercontinental Champion clocked Seth with a right hand that sent him stumbling toward the ropes. "Young Simba" made his way towards his opponent grabbing him by the wrist and whipping him into the ropes. As Seth rebounded off the ropes, Ced bent down looking for a back body drop but Seth had it well scouted and was able to hit Ced with a stiff kick to the chest making Ced hiss out in pain as he stood up to a vertical base with a hand on his chest.
Seth clocked Ced with a punch straight to the jaw making the Champion grunt as he was clocked with the strike from Rollins. Rollins with another strike to the jaw making the Champion stumble back a bit. Rollins grabbed Ced by the head and neck dragging him over to the corner, slamming his face into the turnbuckle pad making him grunt as he leaned over into the corner. "The Visionary" Seth Rollins quickly began putting the boots to the 4-time Intercontinental Champion.
Seth began to mount more offense quickly trying to put down the Intercontinental Champion. He placed his feet on the middle ropes grabbing a hold of Ced's face before relentlessly going at it with a series of right hands to the face making Ced grunt with each blow. But Ced wasn't going to quit, so he grabbed Seth holding him in a powerbomb-like position as the WWE Universe began to cheer.
"Young Simba" walked towards the center of the ring still holding Seth in this position as Seth waved his arms around frantically looking some type of reversal. Ced lifted him up as if he were going for an Elevated Powerbomb but Seth was able to slip out and quickly grab Ced putting him flat on the mat with a Belly-To-Back Suplex. Ced hissed in pain as he felt the effects of his back hitting the hard canvas in the ring while Seth quickly jumped on for the cover.
1...
2, kick out at 2 by the Intercontinental Champion. Ced sat up panting for his breath but Seth wasn't having it and wrapped his arm around the throat of the youngest Intercontinental Champion in WWE History. Ced grunted as he felt Seth's tight clench as he had him locked in chin lock in the center of the ring while the fans were watching.
The WWE Universe began to clap along trying to rally up their hero, Ced.
"Shut up!" Seth shouted.
"Stop it! All of you!" He continued to shout as they continued to clap. And seemingly their energy had got to Ced as he mustered up enough energy to rise up to a knee making Seth do the same. He then fully rose up a vertical base as the fans cheered. Seth was clocked in the gut with an elbow making him grunt out in pain and loosen the hold a bit. Seth was clocked once again with another elbow making fully loosening his grip on the Intercontinental Champion.
The Champion began trying to get back into the fight and started to clock Seth in the jaw with a series of right hands making him stumble back to the ropes. Ced ran back hitting the ropes and tried to clothesline Seth over the top rope as he rebounded off but Seth had dropped him over the top rope. The WWE Universe booed loudly as Ced crashed on the outside.
Seth walked towards the center of the ring, arms wide gloating as the fans booed. Ced took this opportunity to crawl over to the barricade using it as a crutch to help reach a vertical base. Seth paused his gloating to run towards the ropes trying to hit Ced with a suicide dive. As "The Visionary" prepared to dive through the top and middle rope for the dive, Ced clocked in the jaw with a hard left uppercut making his body shamelessly drop on the apron and eventually drop to the outside.
Ced stumbled back and leaned up against the barricade as he panted for his breath. "The Intercontinental Champion" walked towards Seth grabbing him by the hair forcing him up to his feet and threw him back into the ring. Ced slid under the bottom rope and stood up to a vertical base. He stared down at Seth Rollins until he heard someone's music making him turn his head to the stage.
"Done With That (Day One Remix)"
Ced faced the stage with a frown on his face as the music of Jey rained out on the PA system. This gave Seth enough time to recover and reach a vertical base and grab Ced by the shoulder making him turn around before kicking him in the gut as the music faded away. Ced grunted in pain as Seth backed up into ropes and clocked Ced with the Curb Stomp smashing his face into the canvas!
Seth with the hook of the leg.
1...
2...
3...
Ding-Ding-Ding!
"Visionary" Hits
"Here is your winner: Seth Rollins!" The WWE Universe booed as Seth stood up on his feet with a smile on his face. The referee raised his arm in victory as Ced looked up at the ceiling in disappointment and anger. Jey Uso just cost him a match that he had in the bag and now he had no choice but to exact his revenge next week when they get in the ring together.
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Friday, April 23rd, 2021 – Salt Lake City, Utah
"Return of the Fire" Plays
The WWE Universe in Salt Lake City cheered at the top of their lungs as it was finally time for SmackDown to have their high stakes main event Tag Team match between the teams of Ced and Cesaro against Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. Cesaro stood in the ring already from his entrance that he made during the commercial break. He awaited the entrance of his tag team partner and his opponents for tonight. But he wouldn't have to wait too much longer.
"Icon" Hits
The WWE Universe in Salt Lake City cheered as they heard the music of the Intercontinental Champion. Ced walked out onto the stage with the title wrapped around his waist as he gazed down at the stage floor. He slowly raised his eyes and set his sights on the ring. He spit out his water in a mist like form and started to make his descent down the ramp as the WWE Universe cheered.
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, making his way to the ring, from Charlotte, North Carolina. Weighing in at 252 Pounds. He is the Intercontinental Champion: Ced!"
Once Ced reached the ringside area, he looked down taking a look at his Championship title prior to waking around to the steel steps.
"And his tag team partner, standing in the ring, from Lucerne, Switzerland. Weighing in at 232 Pounds. Cesaro!"
He walked up the steps and entered the ring, making a beeline for the corner. He hopped up onto the middle turnbuckle and unhooked his title to raise it in the air getting some cheers from the crowd.
He looked around at the crowd with a frown on his face before he walked over to Cesaro, giving him a fist bump as he handed his title off to the ring crew waiting for Roman Reigns and Jey Uso.
"Head of the Table" Hits
The WWE Universe had a mixed reaction, cheering and booing as the music of the WWE Champion, "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns rained out on the PA System. The lights in the arena circulated between red and blue lights as the epic-toned theme of Roman Reigns played out throughout the arena.
Roman walked out onto the stage flanked by his Special Counsel, Paul Heyman and his cousin, "The Right-Hand Man", Jey Uso. Roman looked out with a smirk on his face as Jey Uso looked on with a frown. The Champion held his hand out looking for his coveted title as Paul looked on with a smirk while handing the title to the champion. Roman looked down at his title before slowly raising it into the air soaking up the benefit of being a Champion as Jey raised a finger pointing it at the sky.
Pyro shot up on the stage as Roman Reigns soaked up the applause.
"And their opponents, at a combined weight of 493 Pounds. Being accompanied to the ring by Paul Heyman, The team of Jey Uso and The WWE Champion, Roman Reigns!"
Roman lowered the title and placed it onto his shoulder before sauntering down the ramp followed by his posse. Once "The Tribal Chief" reached the ringside area he looked around once more at the fans in Salt Lake City. Roman walked around to the steel steps being followed by Paul Heyman as Jey Uso simply rolled into the ring. Once Roman and Paul entered the ring, Ced and Cesaro stepped out onto the apron as Roman walked towards the center of the ring and simply raised his title in the air causing pyro to shoot up onto the stage once more.
Once the smoke cleared, the music started to fade away while Cesaro and Ced stepped into the ring. The fans cheered as the referee tried to get order. Roman handed his title off to Paul before Paul stepped out of the ring as the two groups of men started to go to their perspective corners with Ced and Jey starting the match off.
Ding-Ding-Ding!
The match was underway and it was Ced starting in the ring with the man he would see at Backlash in a few weeks, Jey Uso. Ced immediately jumped into the fray striking Jey Uso with a series of right hands making Jey lean up against the ropes as the fans cheered. There was no doubt he was gonna be taking out his frustrations on "The Right-Hand Man" as Jey cost him his match last week against Seth Rollins.
Ced grabbed a hold of Jey Uso sending him across the ring into the ropes. As Jey rebounded off, Ced went for a clothesline but Jey ducked it and continued to hit the ropes. As Jey rebounded off this time, Ced caught him with a picture-perfect high knee putting the Samoan superstar flat on his back. Ced quickly went for cover.
1, Jey Uso quickly powered out at 1. The Intercontinental Champion bent down picking up "The Right-Hand Man" by the hair but Jey pushed him off and instead clock him in the jaw with a right uppercut making Ced drop down to a knee. Jey grabbed a hold of Ced, making him rise up to his feet before clocking him with another right uppercut making Ced stumble back to the ropes.
Jey Uso walked towards Ced and clocked him in the gut with a kick. Jey Uso grabbed a hold of Ced, pulled the Intercontinental Champion to the center of the ring, and slammed him flat on the mat with a snap e ring and slammed him flat on the mat with a snap suplex. Jey floated on over for the cover.
1..
2, Ced pushed Jey off of him and sat up trying to get some separation from the Samoan tag-team specialist. Jey bent down grabbing Ced, forcing him up to his feet before he clocking him in the jaw with a right forearm that caused Ced to stumble back into the corner. Jey Uso walked towards Ced in the corner and lit him up with a well-placed knife-edge chop to the chest making Ced howl away in pain as the crowd joined in with their "woooo" chants. Jey once again slapped Ced across the chest with a knife edge chop making him scream out in pain as Roman and Paul could be seen looking on with smiles on their faces.
Jey Uso grabbed Ced by the wrist and pulled him into a hard clothesline putting Ced flat on the canvas. Jey with the hook of the leg.
1...
2 and the Intercontinental Champion quickly powered out at 2. Jey Uso wasn't taking any chances of letting "Young Simba" get any space to recuperate so he made it up to his feet and bent down grabbing a hold of the Champion, forcing him up to his feet. He grabbed a hold of Ced and drug his body over to his corner, smashing his face into the turnbuckle allowing Ced to just free fall into the corner. The #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Champion began to stomp out a mudhole on the Champion.
As Ced was slumped in the corner, Jey looked around at the WWE Universe as they were booing him while Cesaro was on the ring apron, itching to get in. Jey Uso walked over to his opponent for Backlash and put his foot on the throat of the current Champion as the referee started his count.
1...
2...
3...
4, Jey released his foot off the throat. He walked toward the center of the ring as the Intercontinental Champion was able to use the ropes to pull himself up to a vertical base before Jey Uso tried running towards him in the corner only to be met with a boot from the Intercontinental Champion that caused Jey to stumble back a bit. This gave Ced enough space to run towards Jey and clock with a hard clothesline damn near knocking him out of his boots!
The Champion dropped down to a knee as Jey Uso stared up at the lights while the fans cheered. Ced walked towards the corner and was able to tag in his partner while Jey Uso started to stir getting up to a knee. Cesaro walked towards Jey and grabbed him by his hair, lifting him up to put him into a suplex-like position before slamming him flat on the mat with a picture-perfect Vertical Suplex. Cesaro quickly popped up and jumped up to hit Jey with a jumping elbow drop, dropping the point of the elbow right into the sternum. Jey sat up with a hand on his chest only for Cesaro to push Jey down and hook the leg.
1...
2, Jey quickly powered out at 2. Cesaro pointed towards Roman in the corner, perhaps trying to send a message prior to Backlash. Roman started jawing at Cesaro momentarily distracting him, allowing Jey to quickly rise up and try to roll up Cesaro with a school-boy roll up.
1...
2, Cesaro kicked out and rolled over onto a knee before Jey Uso was able to clock him with a superkick to the jaw making him fall flat on his back. Jey stumbled back to the ropes leaning up against the ropes as the fans booed while Roman held a hand out wanting to get to Cesaro. "The Wiseman" Paul Heyman could be seen clapping on the outside trying to rally up his "Tribal Chief".
Jey walked over to Roman and slapped his hand tagging him into the match as the fans could be heard giving Roman a loud mixed reaction.
"This is my island! This is my show!" Roman shouted as he walked towards Cesaro. Cesaro shook his head trying to dust off the cobwebs from that superkick from Jey Uso. Roman walked towards Cesaro and grabbed him by the head and neck before clocking him a hard right sending him crashing back to the canvas. Roman mounted over Cesaro and started to pile on an assault of right hands.
He momentarily paused his assault and looked out amongst the WWE Universe listening to their reaction. He rose up to his feet and bent down grabbing a hold of Cesaro by the head and neck forcing him up to his feet. Roman drug Cesaro over to the corner and smashed his head into the turnbuckle. Roman grabbed a hold of Cesaro's wrist and whipped him into the opposite corner across the ring and ran towards Cesaro in the corner only to be met with a boot by Cesaro. This made Roman stumble back a bit.
Cesaro hopped up onto the middle turnbuckle, putting trying to put together some offense. He jumped off looking for a European uppercut but was caught in his tracks when Roman clocked him with an uppercut making him drop to the canvas. Roman put a hand up to his lip possibly checking for bleeding. He turned his attentions over to Cesaro and quickly mounted over him once again starting to pile in an assault of right hands to the jaw. He stopped his assault with punches and instead started to pile in a series of headbutts trying to break down the "Swiss Superman".
Roman hit Cesaro with a final headbutt and rose up to his feet, looking around the arena. "The Tribal Chief" turned his attentions over to Ced on the apron who began jawing at him. Roman took a step closer getting into Ced's face as the fans cheered seeing the WWE Champion and WWE Intercontinental Champion face-to-face. Roman tried to strike Ced down but Ced blocked it and clocked him with a right hand that sent him stumble into Cesaro's clutch. Cesaro lifted Roman up and slammed him flat on his upper shoulders and neck with a German Suplex. Roman grabbed a hold of neck wincing in pain as Cesaro walked towards Roman grabbing him by the legs.
Cesaro looked around the arena with a smile on his face as the fans cheered. Jey stepped through the ropes and ran towards Cesaro only to be met by Ced who rushed into the ring and jumped towards Jey, clubbing him with a clothesline. Jey rolled out of the ring trying to get some separation from the action but Ced followed him on the outside allowing Cesaro execute his offense on Roman. Cesaro tightened his grip on Roman and started spinning around, using his strength to lift Roman off the mat performing his patented, Cesaro Swing. Paul Heyman was on the outside shouting his soul out as his "Tribal Chief" was going for a swing!
Cesaro stopped his swing allowing Roman to crash into the canvas. "The Swiss Superman" kept his grip on the WWE Champion and folded him up before flipping him over. Locking on the famous, Sharpshooter shades of his former tag-team partner, Tyson Kidd. Roman screamed out in agony as the fans cheered while Ced and Jey continued brawling on the outside. Roman reached for the ropes trying to get Cesaro to break the hold. Jey managed to get the upper hand on the outside when he pushed Ced into the steel steps, shoulder-first.
Ced being out allowing Jey Uso to make a difference in the match. Cesaro was momentarily distracted by Jey Uso on the outside making Cesaro release the hold and walk over to the ropes to jaw at the former Tag Team Champion. This time gave Roman a chance to crawl over to the ropes, still feeling the pain from the submission hold. He gripped the ropes tightly and used his body strength to help pull himself up to a knee. Roman was getting some much-needed time to recuperate. Cesaro turned his attentions away from Jey and turned around, walking into a Superman Punch by Roman Reigns. Cesaro crashed down into the mat and Roman quickly went for the cover.
1...
2...
Thr-No, Cesaro kicked out right before the 3.
Jey walked back to his corner, stepping on the apron as Ced crawled around the ringside area trying to get back to his. The WWE Champion looked around the arena with a smirk on his face as he backed up to the corner looking at Cesaro. Roman let out his signature battle cry as Cesaro had slowly started to stir and rise up to a knee. Roman waited for Cesaro turn around to run towards him looking for his devasting finisher. Cesaro caught Roman by the surprise clocking him with a European uppercut!
The WWE Universe cheered as both men crashed to the canvas. The fans in the arena to clap as Ced had stepped up onto the apron and reached his hand out ready for the tag. Jey did the same on his side as both Cesaro and Roman started to make the slow crawl over to their perspective corners.
"Come on!" Ced shouted as he started to slap the turnbuckle pad excitedly while he reached out. Cesaro jumped and tagged Ced in with a hot tag! Jey Uso tagged in with the hot tag!
The fans cheered as Ced rushed into the ring and took Jey Uso off his feet with a clothesline. Jey popped back up and was caught with another clothesline. Jey popped right back up and ran towards Ced looking for a clothesline but Ced ducked it and instead hit the ropes himself. As he rebounded off the ropes, he jumped up clocking Sheamus with a high knee, shades of Harley Race. "The Right-Hand Man" stood up groggily swung at Ced but "Young Simba" blocked it and kicked him in the gut before dropping him a DDT.
The Intercontinental Champion looked around at the fans in Salt Lake City with a smirk on his face as he turned towards Jey clapping along trying to rally the fans behind him. Jey slowly started to rise up to his feet, stumbling around only for Ced to grab him and lifted him up to shoulders. Roman had surprisingly recovered on the outside and ran into the ring going for Ced but Cesaro had intercepted him and kicked him in the gut. Both men looked at each other with smirks on their faces.
Ced had Jey Uso up on his shoulders as the WWE Universe cheered while Cesaro had Roman set up for the Neutralizer. The two faces took a look at each other once again and nodded at one another before hitting their signature finishers simultaneously on their perspective opponents! Ced hooked the leg of Jey Uso.
1...
2...
3...
Ding-Ding-Ding!
"Icon" Hits
"Here are your winners: Ced and Cesaro!" Greg Hamilton announced as the crowd popped while Ced looked at the crowd with a smile on his face as Cesaro looked out at the crowd as Jey and Roman rolled out of the ring. The referee had grabbed Ced's title from the ring crew and handed it to the champion who grabbed it and raised his arms in the air as Cesaro did the same.
Both Jey and Roman leaned up against the barricade looking at the two men in the ring with frowns on their faces. And with this victory tonight, both men have created some momentum heading into their perspective matches in 3 weeks.
A/N: Alright so it's been a long ass minute since I was able to update this story so I sincerely apologize for that but I've been busy with school and work. And as a consolation prize for my absence, I dropped this chapter with 2 matches included. So, I hope you guys enjoyed this and I'll see you guys with next one
