RAW 19/11/2012
In-ring, On-screen:
Kaitlyn lifted Aksana with a flapjack, making the Lithuanian land face first.
"Aksana was just tossed face-first into the canvas" Lawler flinched just as Kaitlyn lifted Aksana in a fireman's carry.
"And Kaitlyn, look at the strength of Kaitlyn," Cole said. "and Aksana, in trouble." Kaitlyn then lifted Aksana in the air for a moment before dropping the Lithuanian stomach first onto her knee. "Oh! Into the gut."
Kaitlyn rolled Aksana around and covered the woman.
"One! Two! Three!"
A small cheer rose from the crowd as Kaitlyn's music hit. "And Kaitlyn, victorious. A little revenge tonight." Cole said. The crowd suddenly got louder as Willow Taylor, wearing the same clothing from last night, jumped the barricade and slid into the ring.
"The winner of this match an-" Roberts cut himself off, as did Kaitlyn's music when Willow threw a fierce forearm to the back of Kaitlyn.
"It-It's Willow Taylor! The woman from NXT who attacked Kaitlyn and the Divas Champion, Eve Torres, last night!" Cole was surprised. Willow continued the assault with kicks to Kaitlyn's back. "And Taylor just stomped on the spine of Kaitlyn. What is she doing out here?!"
"She's just mauling Kaitlyn," Lawler said and, just like Cole, was taken by surprise.
"This rookie again?!" JBL groaned.
Willow transitioned into vicious knees straight for Kaitlyn's back, the referee screamed at her. "Stop! Willow, stop it!" However she didn't listen, only focussed on causing pain to Kaitlyn.
Eventually, she slowed down, stood and turned towards Aksana, who, during the attack, moved to stand on the apron. Seeing Willow glare at her, Aksana's eyes turned wide in fright and quickly jumped to the floor
"What a smart move by Aksana." JBL acknowledged. "I don't like this punk just attacking people but I'll admit she's dangerous."
"Kaitlyn hasn't moved. I think she's out." Lawler stared at the scene in the ring.
Willow looked down at the unconscious diva emotionless. Only for her lips to turn in a serene smile.
"And Willow's smiling." Cole looked on with disgust in his voice.
Quickly, Taylor grabbed Kaitlyn's hair and pulled her up to stand and tightly gripped Kaitlyn's wrist.
"I think I know what's coming next," Cole said, already flinching about what was going to happen.
Willow, still smiling in a tranquil manner, pushed Kaitlyn only to pull her back by the arm and practically throw her arm into Kaitlyn's chest. Making the woman to land high on her shoulder, the landing had drawn a loud 'oh!' from the crowd.
"Oh! She calls that the Barghest Lariat!" Cole informed the audience.
"Seems she took a page out of your book there, JBL," Lawler said.
"She needs work." Layfield criticised. On one knee, Willow eyed at her victim with happiness. Glee was the word as a small sadistic smile took the place of the serene one. "What is wrong with her?!" JBL felt sickened at the sight of someone having fun causing pain.
Seeing that she made her point, Taylor left the ring and hopped back over the barricade. The referee knelt next to Kaitlyn and checked on her.
Later
It was the last part of Monday Night RAW and the ring had been changed with a black ring mat with a large red 'X', two photos of CM Punk holding the championship in victory and a list of the 'Top Ten Longest WWE Title Reigns in History' with CM Punk at number eight.
CM Punk and Paul Heyman were in the ring, and Punk bragged about beating John Cena and Ryback at Survivor Series was his best win, single-handedly.
"Because nobody thought I would win." He then pointed accordingly at the crowd. "All of you, maybe it's because your losers yourself thought I was gonna lose. I don't know." He then held up two fingers. "Only two people believed that I could pull off the impossible and they're both standing in this ring. With the odds stacked against me, like they've never been stacked up against me before. CM Punk, your WWE Champion, survived Survivor Series an-"
The words of 'Feed! Me! More!' interrupted Punk before he could finish, Ryback's music played as the man himself power walked onto the stage and advanced to the ring.
"Oh boy!" Cole said, ready to look at another mauling.
"Come on!" Punk complained. "It's a celebration!"
"Yeah," said Cole, a tone of almost happiness. "I don't think Ryback's here to party and the monster cometh."
Ryback reached the end of the ramp when suddenly the three men from last night jumped the monster. Willow, suspiciously absent from the four.
"Ryback has-wait a minute!" Cole cried out. "Look it-it's those guys again!"
"Oh god," King muttered to himself.
The three men and Ryback continued to brawl outside of the ring, Ryback tried to push them away or throw fists to take them out and was able to grab Roman, after pushing both Ambrose and Rollins into the ring apron and chucking him into the barrier.
"Reigns, Rollins and Ambrose! The three men that cost Ryback the title at Survivor Series!" Cole continued to explain.
"But look, Ryback's having better luck hammering here tonight," Lawler said as the monster threw Rollins into the barrier on the other side. "He may have been expecting these clowns to show up."
Ryback turned and went to enter the ring through the middle rope but Dean was able to tightly hold Ryback's ankle. "Ryback trying to get to CM Punk, that's Dean Ambrose holding on." Ryback got stuck between the ropes, allowing Rollins to enter the ring, knocking over a picture as he did so, and jumped the bigger man with clubbing forearms to the back of Ryback, Reigns entering the ring near the corner on the opposite side of the ring. "And know Seth Rollins in the ring. Th-these three kids from NXT, the developmental brand of the WWE and for some reason, they're here." Ryback was able to fight off the two once again, even pushing Ambrose nearly out of the ring. Reigns went to punch the monster only for Ryback to block it and retaliated with a vicious right hook to the face, dropping Roman to the floor and out of the ring. "Reigns takes a right hand." Ambrose and Rollins, able to get their focus back on Ryback, attacked him with more punches. "And this brawl continues. A three on one assault!"
Reigns, still outside, stood and walked around the ring to grab Ryback's ankles, pulling him down and out of the ring. "Trying to drive Ryback out of the ring, that pack of dogs mentality. Their pummeling-" Before Cole could finish, however, the crowd noticed someone else walking downstairs in the crowd area, distracting the commentators.
The camera changed to show Willow Taylor walking down the stairs.
"An-and that's Willow Taylor, the Diva from NXT," Cole said. "I wondered where she was."
As Taylor continued down the stairs and jumped the barricade, the three men never stopped attacking Ryback.
As Willow looked on, she turned to stare at the announce table and pointed at it. "Roman!" The man looked at her and she indicated with her head at the table. Roman nodded and immediately took off the top cover and lights.
"Let's do it again!" He roared.
"No!" Lawler cried out, not wanting Ryback to potentially get injured, yet not able to do anything about it.
"No, no, no, no!" Cole was the same. "That psychopath just said 'Let's do it again! A reference to what they did to Ryback last night."
"Pick him up!" Reigns roared and called for the powerbomb again.
Ambrose cried for the same as he and Rollins pulled Ryback to his feet, Reigns stood forward and now faced the table with Ryback in front of him. Willow entered the ring and gripped the ropes once again.
"Come on, not the second night in a row!" Cole still cried out. Dean and Seth then lifted Ryback to sit on Roman's shoulders, Willow checked and nodded before lifting herself and jumped off the ropes to clothesline Ryback, at the same time as Dean, Seth and Roman all pulled Ryback down. "Oh my god!"
Willow landed hard again but was able to roll onto her knees, Dean went over and helped Taylor to her feet. The crowd didn't know what to do, whether to cheer, boo or clap; in the end, it all became white noise.
CM Punk and Paul Heyman stared at the sight confused, the two left the ring just as the group of four entered the ring, and stood around to drink the atmosphere that their attack caused. Then Punk walked slowly to Ryback's prone body, the monster coughing and groaning, as he kept looking between the group of four and Ryback.
He unclipped the championship belt around his waist before finally reaching Ryback and putting a foot atop the man. Raising his hands and championship in the air and roared into the crowd.
"Best in the world!" The audience booed the man's words, a few even holding up a thumbs down while doing so.
Punk then looked at the group in the ring, a smirk on his face and his eyes showed victory.
Next Week, RAW 26/11/2012
Backstage, Off-Screen:
A knock on the door got all four's attention, Alex walked up and opened the door to see a worker with a box, a tag saying 'The Shield gear' on it, the new name the four were given. Alex quickly grabbed it and thanked the worker, who left with a smile and wave.
Morgan wheeled the crate in and kicked the door closed, Jon, Joe and Colby stepped up as Alex opened the crate to reveal their new gear.
The tactical trousers and black boots were the same, except for the upper body, all four of them were given tactical SWAT-like vests and short sleeve shirts for the men, a simple tank top for Joe, Alex was given a short-sleeved crop top instead.
"Hmm, not bad," Alex noted. "Hoped they gave the rest of us gloves or something? Still, it'll do."
"You just don't want to wear the crop top do you?" Jon teased.
"No, I don't." Alex agreed before shrugging. "But can't exactly ask them to change the gear when we've just been given it. Maybe I could have a sports bra underneath though, in case of wardrobe malfunction." She finished as she grabbed the attire and walked into the changing area.
Exclusive Backstage Interview, On-Screen:
It was after a look back at the group of four, Willow Taylor, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins attacked and put Ryback through the announce table. Michael Cole started the interview, seated opposite the men and women in black in a backstage area. The four at different faces to the interview, either not caring, indifferent or in Ambrose's and Taylor's case, staring coldly at Cole.
All four were wearing their upgraded attires, Willow wearing her tactical vest but unzipped showing off a crop top and sports bra combination - black tape around her wrists.
"Dean, Willow, Seth, Roman." Cole started. "It's been my pleasure to have known you guys for a while now and work with you down in the developmental territory on NXT, and um, it seems a bit odd though, to be conducting this interview tonight under these circumstances. It was eight nights ago at Survivor Series, many people say that-" Cole started to say but was interrupted by Willow and Seth chuckling.
"Many people? Who are these people?" Dean asked, amused. "Michael, if you got a question to ask us, just ask."
"Ok, are you four working directly for WWE champion, CM Punk?" Cole asked.
"Nope," Dean said almost immediately after, there was a long silence making Seth and Willow smile.
"Ok, if you're not working for Punk, then why are you guys here?" Cole asked confused.
Seth groaned as if answering a question they've been asked many times before. "That's the question, Michael. That's the question you should be asking. You see, we sat down in NXT and we saw things clearly, crystal clear actually. You see everybody around here has to answer to the likes of the Vickie Guerrero's and the Booker T's, and Vickie and Booker, they have to answer to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors, ultimately has to answer to the WWE universe, the almighty WWE universe. What is that, Michael? What is that?" Seth asked.
"A popularity contest, that's what it is," Willow spoke, a cold English accent coming from her mouth.
"Exactly," Seth pointed to her, visually and verbally agreeing with the woman. "And that's not right, that's wrong Michael. We saw things heading in the wrong direction. We stepped in and righted those wrongs. Michael, we are a shield from injustice in WWE." Seth explained.
Cole, however, looked both amused and slightly exasperated at the same time. "Come on guys, there's no denying that everything you've done so far has benefited CM Punk,"
Willow's eyes turned even colder, however, narrowing at Michael. "You dare call us liars, Michael?"
Cole was taken aback at the tone of the Diva. "I-I just can't think that CM Pu-"
"Michael," Seth interrupted. As he did Dean leaned into Willow's ears and something not audibly heard, but what was said made Willow's mouth curl upwards in a smirk. "It's a coincidence. Happenstance, you ever heard of it?"
"It's not about benefiting Punk, it's about right and wrong. CM Punk, the WWE Champion was forced to defend his title in a triple threat match against two guy's he'd already defeated. That's wrong. So we stepped in." Dean explained. "If Ryback was champion for 365 days and Punk tried to ruin his party, we would've intervened on Ryback's behalf. 365 days as champion in this era, I mean, that's a huge milestone, that should be celebrated, right?" Dean finished his explanation firmly.
Feeling he wasn't going to get any more answers from Dean, Cole turned to Reigns, who had not said a single word.
"Roman, I'd love to get your take on all this" Cole said, Roman didn't say anything but did turn slowly to Cole and bluntly said.
"When I want to say something, I'll say it."
"Cole, I think it's obvious what you're trying to do," Willow said, still coldly as before. "Talking about how we only seem to protect Punk but it seems that everyone in this world can only think about their hate for Punk when they should focus on how wronged Punk is."
Ambrose then picked up where Willow left off. "Look, Cole, we see where you're getting ok? We hear everything you guys are saying, we read everything that's being written ok? We know what you guys are thinking. We are not renegades, we're not mercenaries, and we're not the nexus. If you're looking for the NWO, Go buy the DVD. we're about principles, we're about honour, where honour no longer exists. We're going to step in" Dean explained. "It's like he said, we're a shield from injustice," Dean said, trailing off before looking at his brothers and sister before finishing while staring at Cole.
"We are The Shield," Dean said, getting the nods from his family in all but blood.
"Ok so-" Cole started to say, hoping to now find out why their fourth member wasn't here but was interrupted by Reigns.
"Hey, hey. I've got something to say. We've said enough. This interview's over man." Roman said as he took off his microphone.
Seth shrugged and agreed as he, Dean and Willow took off their microphones and left the area.
However, the Diva came back, standing behind Michael and put a tight grip on his shoulder.
"Michael Cole, I feel you haven't gotten the message yet." She spoke with an icy sound to her speech. "You ever, ever, think about questioning us about our morality and ideals, then prepare a visit from us in the future. But be warned, you might not like our visit."
Later, On-Screen:
It was the last match of the night, Kane vs CM Punk and the Big Red Monster had just done the taunt for the tombstone piledriver. He was picking Punk up to his feet to have a better chance of picking him up as Lawler started speaking.
"I think Kane is signalling for the Tombstone Piledriver, that he's had enough."
In the background, the camera picked up the newly dubbed Shield running down the northern stairs.
"Yeah, against the man CM Punk who'll defend the WWE title against Ryback in three weeks, in a tables, ladders and chairs match," Cole said. Kane then picked CM Punk and into a Tombstone Piledriver position, looking around as the crowd got loud, he spotted The Shield at two of the barricade corners, glaring at Kane. "Oh, look at this." Cole noticed Roman Reigns and Willow on one side. "That is Roman Reigns and Willow Taylor, they are one half of the group now known as the Shield. We heard these individuals," The camera then showed Dean and Seth looking on at the other side. "There, Seth Rollins, looking on and Dean Ambrose." Cole stopped to point out Rollins and Ambrose on the other side of the ring. Kane was distracted by the four men which allowed CM Punk to get out of the tombstone position and land on his feet. Kane turned around only to be picked up by CM Punk into a GTS position. "CM Punk going for the Go 2 Sleep." Punk, with a great deal of strength for someone his size, was able to lift Kane up and over onto his feet and able to deliver his finisher, dropping Kane to the ring floor. "And he connects! Punk with a Go 2 Sleep and a cover on Kane." Cole finished as the referee counted the pin.
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
"And it's over, Punk knocked off Kane!" Cole said.
CM Punk's theme played as Justin Roberts announced the winner. "The winner of this match, the WWE Champion, CM Punk!" Between Punk hitting the GTS and pinning Kane, The Shield hand quickly charged down the stairs and over the barricade.
"And here comes the Shield." Cole was taken aback at the speed of the four superstars.
"For what?"
"Well, earlier tonight, they claimed that it's about righting the wrongs. That they are The Shield from injustice in the WWE." Cole finished the statement as all members of the Shield were glaring at Punk, eventually getting on the ring apron and entering the ring still glaring at Punk. "Both Kane and CM Punk in the middle of the ring."
"Is it me, or are they eying CM Punk here?" Lawler noticed. "Are they going to make me eat my words?"
"Well, they said earlier tonight they weren't working for Punk. That it was a coincidence." Cole said as the Shield slowly advanced on Punk making the Straight Edged Superstar slowly walk back into a corner.
Suddenly, all of The Shield attacked Kane, jumping, punching and kicking the Demon in the corner.
"And now they attack Kane!" Cole was not surprised by this. "A four on one assault, by this group known as The Shield."
"Come on Cole," Lawler called out to something like it was obvious. "What does it take to prove it?"
Punk left the ring, sliding underneath the bottom rope. "Well, Punk is gonna get out of harm's way of the four on one assault."
"Oh, he's not in harm's way," Jerry said just as Daniel Bryan sprinted down the ramp, towards the ring to try and save his partner.
"Here comes Daniel Bryan," Cole spotted as Bryan slid into the ring and immediately met Seth Rollins pushing Rollins into the corner, gaining the attention of the other Shield members. "This is Kane's tag team partner, taking on Seth Rollins and now the Shield turns their assault to Bryan," Cole said before asking. "Is there a plausible explanation for this?"
"Yeah, there is a plausible explanation, they're in it knee-deep with CM Punk," Lawler answered.
As they finished assaulting Bryan as three of the group - Taylor, Reigns and Ambrose - turned back towards Kane. Stamping on the Big Red Machine as Daniel got hit with an enziguri from Rollins while the other three continued to attack Kane. The crowd chatting around them 'Feed me more!'.
"And again, the assault on Bryan and Kane," Cole said as Daniel rolled out of the ring. "Was their injustice here perhaps directed at Punk tonight?"
"Oh come on!" Jerry rolled his eyes.
"I don't know I'm just asking the questions." Cole justified. "As the assault continues. This mugging."
Then familiar words of 'Feed me more!' played through the arena, the crowd coming unglued. CM Punk, still standing at the end of the ramp, immediately grew fearful and stepped back into the apron before jumping the barricade towards the crowd.
"Here comes Ryback. It's payback time!" Cole called out.
"Oh, baby!" Jerry was excited and it showed before he spotted Punk running, a chuckle escaped him. "And lo-look at CM punk is hightailing."
Ryback walked out, taking down his singlet straps before focussing on the four people in the ring. Willow was pushed back by Roman into the ropes on the other side, as Ryback slid into the ring only to be immediately set upon by the men of The Shield.
"And look at this." Cole started. "This mauling on Ryback, three on one this time." Then Ryback, with amazing strength, pushed all members of the Shield away, making Seth roll away and the others pushed towards the ropes. "And Ryback exploding!" Cole shouted. Ryback went to Dean and hit him in the face with a right hand making him fall down before elbowing Reigns in the face. Ryback turned towards Seth as he tried to boot Ryback in the stomach but the leg was caught. With great strength again, Ryback lifted Rollins into a powerbomb position before throwing him down onto the mat, making the crowd react from the impact. "Here comes Ryback!"
Ryback then clotheslined Dean then Roman. "Ambrose, taken out. There goes Reigns." The crowd was going ballistic, Ryback stood and snarled at Willow who glared coldly at the man, showing no fear. "Ryback setting his sights on Taylor."
"I would get out of there Willow," Lawler warned just as the crowd cried out again when someone else ran from the crowd, through the timekeeper's area. Willow kept her eyes on Ryback however, only realising her mistake when she felt someone tightly grip her ankles and pull her down, face smacking against the mat and forcibly dragged out of the ring. "What the?!"
"It's Kaitlyn! One of the Divas that Willow has attacked over the past couple of weeks! Getting some revenge!" Cole said. Willow landed on her feet on the outside and the two Divas traded blows, landing punch after punch against each other. Inside the ring, CM Punk returned, sliding in the ring and attacking with a jumping forearm that hardly affected Ryback. "And now Punk from behind seizing the opportunity!" Ryback turned and the two went to kick each other in the gut, however, Ryback was quicker and Punk bent over in pain.
"Look at this though, Ryback's got Punk! Ryback's got Punk!" Lawler cheered on the monster.
Ryback lifted Punk into a powerbomb position, however, Reigns immediately charged Ryback and hit him with a Spear. Dropping Punk straight onto Ryback's falling body.
"And Reigns, a Spear!" Cole said. "A Spear by Reigns, flattening Ryback!"
Meanwhile, back outside the ring, Kaitlyn and Willow were still trading blows with Kaitlyn able to get a blow near Taylor's eye, making the woman stumble into the corner post, holding the punched area.
"Oh!" Cole flinched. "Kaitlyn and Willow are still fighting on the outside. A hook stumbling Taylor, I think Kaitlyn caught her eye." Kaitlyn went to attack Willow again, throwing a wild left hook to her jaw, Willow saw it coming and dropped, dodging the attack by moving underneath the hook. Causing Kaitlyn to smack her fist against the metal post and she screamed in pain as the smack against the post was audible. "Oh my god!" Cole screamed. "Willow played possum and moved out of the way! Kaitlyn just smacked the ring post instead!"
"Is her hand okay?!" Jerry, concerned, called out. As Kaitlyn cradled her damaged hand, Willow saw her chance and charged Kaitlyn, quickly grabbing her in a double leg lift before continuing the charge towards the commentary table. "Look out!" The King screamed as Kaitlyn was slammed against the table, it didn't break but instead a massive smack sound echoed and the two rolled onto the other side; falling into the commentators, the sound of warbled sound was heard as Cole and Lawler got out of the way, dropping their headsets along the way.
The crowd reacted and a small 'Holy shit!' chant started before Cole was able to put his headset back on. "Kaitlyn and Willow just landed on the table! Kaitlyn going back and head first, hitting our announce table as Willow drove Kaitlyn into it!" Willow then knelt over Kaitlyn attacking the defenceless Diva with fast punches to the head. "And now Willow, not letting up! Attacking Kaitlyn with rights to the head! Come on Willow! You've done enough damage!"
As if by command, Willow stopped and turned her head to face Cole, a glare focussed on the commentator before she stood and went back inside the ring, seeing Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns pulling Ryback to his feet, calling for the powerbomb again.
"Get him up!" roared Reigns. Willow stepped onto the apron on the outside behind Roman, getting ready as she gripped the top rope.
"This pack mentality. The Shield claims it's about principles," Cole started as Ryback was lifted onto Roman's shoulders before driven down again by the three men and Willow's springboard clothesline. The impact making Lawler and Cole flinch. "and again laying destruction to Ryback."
The Shield stood tall once again, Seth holding the back of his head, Willow checked on him but threw her off with a wave. CM Punk looked on, unsure what to do next, The Shield stared at him, as if asking 'your move'.
"I don't get it." Cole was confused.
"What do you mean, you don't get it, Cole?" Lawler now started to sound more annoyed at his fellow commentator.
"I'm just trying to understand whether or not there was any injustice here tonight." Cole went to defend himself. "Directed towards WWE Champion CM Punk but uh." Cole stopped as replays showed the attack that just happened.
"Well, the initial three on one beat down from the men of The Shield but then Ryback fought valiantly," Lawler explained.
"The only way I can think about this is that Punk, maybe in their mind was again the victim tonight of injustice by Vickie Guerrero, placed the champion in a table, ladders and chairs match."
The two continued to discuss the replays until they changed to when Kaitlyn and Willow started fighting.
"Here is where Kaitlyn joined the brawl. Willow, attacking Kaitlyn at Survivor Series and a couple of weeks ago. She wanted to get some payback of her own and paid for it." Cole said as it showed the replay of Willow and Kaitlyn hitting the table in slow motion; making it appear that Kaitlyn's head bounced off the table. "Oh!" Cole cringed at the impact.
When the replay ended, The Shield stood at the barricade's corner and Lawler continued to speak about how he didn't believe about The Shield's ideology. "I don't buy it." He said firmly. "These guys, The Shield and CM Punk are thick as thieves." Jerry finished as CM Punk once again raised his championship high and put a foot on Ryback's chest.
"Well, for the third time in little more than a week. The Shield has left Ryback down." Punk's music played as The Shield exited the arena through the crowd. Referee's and workers checked on Kaitlyn near the commentary table. "And that man, the WWE Champion CM Punk has benefited. We leave with this question tonight. Does The Shield's argument, that they are not working for CM Punk, still hold water? Goodnight everybody, and thank you for joining us on Monday Night RAW."
Well, that was chapter 2 of The Four Hounds of Justice, remade female version. Good or bad. I'm starting off with the fem version because I feel I can tell a better story (or in fact, have more rivalries to tell) with a female main character than a male one.