Chapter 23

Invasion and Returns

It was the first ROH show of the year. Jim Cornett was backstage pacing. "Oh why did I agree to work for two wrestling companies both in management positions?" Jim asked stressed out. He had a lot to worry about not only was his second in command Adam Pearce in a match with Homicide but the ban of his existence (expect Jarrett) Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli still had the ROH tag titles. At least tonight Austin Aries and Roderick Strong had a rematch set for tonight.

Dave Prazak who had been checking out the crowd came though the curtain. "Prazak who the crowd look?" Jim asked. "Well pretty good expect for these two seats in the front row?" Dave says. "Why are Zanding and Necro Butcher out there?" Jim asks. "No it's not that. All the other seats are filled expect for those two," Dave says. "Well we can't do anything about fans showing up late," Jim says.

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After a few dark matches featuring the students of the ROH wrestling school the main show was ready to start with a grudge match featuring Jimmy Jacobs and Colt Cabana. But just before Jimmy's music was about the start the crowd all turned to two people walking for there seats. Suddenly it becomes clear it's Jake and Traci they sit in the two open seats in the front row.

Various chants start in crowd things like "You Choked Jackass" "TNA SUCKS" "Let go Outlaw." Jake and Traci sit down. The crowd is hot not only there going to get a great night of wrestling but now a complete wildcard at ringside. Finally Jimmy Jacobs and Lacey make there way out. "Jake this is nuts," Traci yells so she can be heard. "Hey we bought the tickets as long as we stay on this side of the guard rail will be fine. I just want to rattle Dragon a little," Jake yells.

Copa Cabana starts to play signaling the arrival of "Classic" Colt Cabana. Colt walks around slapping the hands of the fans. Colt makes his way over to Jake and Traci. The Crowd is really hard and it's hard to hear yourself think much less another person talk. "Jake, Traci we need to talk about…" Colt yells but the crowd drowns him out. "What?" Traci asks. Colt tries again but still can't be heard. "We can't hear you!" Jake yells as loud as he can.

Jimmy is sick of waiting and attacks Colt. The next twelve minutes are a back and forth match that Colt finally wins with a stiff lariat. After the match how ever Jimmy snapped and attacked Colt with a chair knocking him out and forcing the EMT's to take him to the hospital leaving Jake and Traci to wonder what Colt had been trying to talk to tell them.

The card moved on. After intermission it was time for the tag title match. The King of Wrestling Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli made there way to the ring with the ROH crowd heckling them. Chris and Double C make there way over and shake hands with Jake witch draws a huge boo from the crowd.

"Oh shut up were old friends!" Jake yells. Austin Aries and Roderick Strong's music plays and the former ROH tag champions make there way to the ring. Like the challengers they make there way over to Jake and Traci, but it turns into an intense stare down. "Hey don't worry about me. Think about the tall guys with long hair," Jake says pointing at The Kings of Wrestling.

Aries turns to leave but Strong shoves Jake to the ground and laughs while Aries pulls him back. Jake gets up and looks like he is going to jump the rail but security stops him. Traci puts a hand on Jake's shoulder to calm him down. Jake sits down but yells out, "You're going to lose those belts tonight! Alex Shelly was the real star of Generation Next!" Meanwhile security manages to get Aries and Strong into the ring.

The match is back and forth, fast and furious. Jake swore he heard every fan's heart stop when Claudio hit the Ricola Bomb on Aries but some how Aries just barley escaped. The match finally ended after Strong was knocked out by Claudio using a chair behind the referee's back and Hero hit the Hero's welcome on Aries.

Hero and Claudio wasted no time in grabbing the titles and running off. Strong got up and was pissed off. He started to point a finger at Jake. "Hey don't go blaming me," Jake yells. Strong starts moving forward at Jake. Strong gets in Jake's face again. "Kick his ass Strong," one fan near by yells out.

Suddenly the music of the Embassy plays and Prince Nana makes his way out. "What the hell is this? We have a loser and choke artist. No body wants to see this in Ring of Honor. Especially when you have the crown jewel Jimmy Rave! The Embassy Forever!" Nana yells.

Aries manages to get Strong to head to the back. "Now Jake Reed, I have been watching you for a long time. And I have seen how you keep getting jumped every where you go," Prince Nana says. "What the hell do you want?" Jake asks just wishing he could enjoy the show in peace. "Now calm down. You should listen to me, I have got an offer that will change your life put some serious dollars in your pocket," Nana says.

"Ok what's the offer?" Jake asks. "I want you to join the Embassy and I promise that the American Dragons and Paul Heymans of the world can't attack you anymore. And you will get all the benefits of the Embassy," Nana says. "Well Nana that is a very big offer and I will put it like this," Jake says before slapping Nana in the face. Nana falls to the ground. "Hell No!" Jake yells as the crowd cheers.

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Backstage Bryan Danielson was stretching for his ROH title defense against AJ Styles. He knew full well that Jake was out in the front row. "I can't think of a better way to show that asshole that I the best in the world than by beating the living crap out of his best friend," Danielson thought as he picked up his ROH world title and FIP title belts and headed for the ring.

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AJ was already in the ring waiting for Danielson. "The Final Countdown," played over the PA. "The American Dragon" came to the ring with his ROH title belt. The champ climbed in the ring but not before flipping off Jake. The match is back and forth for about ten minutes. That is when Danielson hits AJ with a low blow behind the referee's back. From than on Danielson controls the match. Every time AJ starts to fight back Dragon uses another cheap tactic.

The match spills to the outside where Danielson rams AJ in the still ring post repeatedly and eventually busts him open. After getting back in the ring Danielson locks in the Cattle Mutation and AJ taps. Danielson won't break the hold at first before finally letting it go. AJ gets up and shakes hands with Dragon only for Dragon to pull him in and lock the Cross Arm Chicken Wing.

Jake can't take it anymore and jumps the guard rail to go after Dragon. Two camera guys attack Jake just as he is about to get to Danielson. It soon becomes clear it's Team 3-D and they hand cuff Jake to the ropes. Finally Danielson releases the hold on AJ. AJ is hurt and can't get up to help. Danielson and 3-D are beating down on Jake.

In sight no ROH fan ever thought they would see Paul Heyman walks to the ring microphone in hand. "Jake I had a feeling you would show up at this event. And I knew you would stupid enough to try and save your best friend and now I…" Traci has actually jumped rail and has gives Paul E. a low blow. Ray grabs Traci by the hair.

Music begins to play as the crowd erupts in what may be the loudest pop in ROH history as CM Punk walks out from behind the curtain with a chair. He chases off Heyman and company. Punk looks around for a second before leaving with out saying anything.