Wrestling Universe
iMPACT 7
Note: I do not own these characters and do not own the titles of the events or anything in this series. This is merely a writing exercise for myself and for any whom wish to read.
"Welcome to iMPACT!" Nathan said with excitement. "We have new additions to the roster: Santino Marella, Gail Kim, Christian, Chris Jericho, Umaga, Matt Hardy, Tyson Kidd, James, Amy Vapor, Melina, AJ Styles, and the man they call Sting." He continued, "Sting comes to iMPACT as World Heavyweight Champion and it will be exciting to see how this effects the contendership for the title here on a different brand."
"Also, I might add, David Hart Smith is on the roster now as a result of Natalya. The entire Hart Foundation is finally joined together." Don West said.
Their commentary was cut short by the song associated with Randy Orton. He walked out onto the stage with Cody Rhodes and Brian Christopher behind him. Together, they walked down to the ring dressed to wrestle, but also wears "Legacy" shirts. They didn't intend on getting into a match right off the bat, but you could tell that it was likely to happen during the night. They were pumped and ready to teach the newcomers to the brand that nothing defeated the new Legacy.
Orton stared off into the crowds with an arrogant expression across his face saying, "I'm Randy Orton. A third-generation wrestler. I was a reigning champion in WWE and I should still be champion. Instead there is Sting. A man old enough to have wrestled Mammoths in the ice age." He paused, waiting for the booing to die down. "Sting is on his way out, but Legacy is just making its impact now. I deserve a title shot. I deserve it tonight."
"Orton." Said Nathan from the commentary tables, his voice projecting throughout the arena. "You want a match with Sting tonight for the World Heavyweight Championship?"
"Yes! I deserve it." Orton turned to the owner at the tables. "I'll do anything to get that title, because I know that when it's mine, I'll never lose it."
"I don't know, Orton. Don't you think it would be redundant to have a title match fresh off of Wrestle Jam? I'll do this for you, you'll get a match against Sting tonight, but it won't be a title bout."
"Then I'm not doing it." Orton complained, "I want to see exactly why Sting has the title in the first place! How about Brian Christopher and Cody Rhodes faces Sting tonight?"
"That isn't very fair for Sting, but I suppose it can be a No Disqualification match. Consider it done, but if you interfere, I'll send you to ROH with the other nobodies." Nathan replied.
"It's a deal." Orton glared, dropping the mic as he left the ring.
After a break, David Hart Smith stepped out from behind the curtains. Accompanied by Jimmy Hart, he stepped down the aisle toward the ring. They could feel the energy and excitement of the crowds mounting with the arrival of the Harts to iMPACT. He stepped inside the squared circle with Hart standing outside of the ring to support him. This was going to be the first match David Hart Smith finally addressed his new rivals Edge, Christian, and Jericho in a one on one match. He was going to teach them not to mess with the affairs of the Hart Dynasty, starting with Edge.
Until now, Edge had only ran out later in matches during pay-per-vies and the combined supershows. Now that Christian and Jericho were all on iMPACT, they had formed a partnership to take out the Harts and tag division. Unlike Orton, Brian Christopher, and Cody Rhodes, they weren't a faction. Edge came out to the ring after posing in the fog at the edge of the stage. He slid into the ring and turned to bounce on the middle and lower rope for a brief moment before turning to his opponent. After removing his coat and shades, Edge was ready to get the show on the road.
Edge had been waiting for this moment. Finally he could take on the Harts in a proper match. All there had been on iMPACT was Bret Hart and Natalya. He wasn't in the business of attacking retired veterans and women. He stared down David Hart Smith and scrutinized his every move. When the bell rang, Edge was the first to make a move. Like a hawk diving onto its prey, he lunged and tackled his opponent. He hooked Smith into a quick headlock that then transitioned into an irish whip. With a swift spinning wheel kick, Edge knocked his opponent on his back.
Harry bounced back from it quickly. He was up on his feet by the time Edge was and the two locked again into a grapple. Smith swung Edge onto his butt with an arm drag and wrapped arm around in a wrist lock. Edge quickly countered the weak hold and whipped his opponent across the ring again, but this time he ran up the ropes in the opposite direction. Both man ran toward one another with great speed. It seemed like forever to them, but only seconds to the audience. David Hart Smith hooked an arm around Edge's head, grabbed the waistline of his blue tights and lifted Edge up for a suplex, but he hesitated.
He held Edge up with the delayed vertical suplex, adopted from the great British Bulldog, before he then slammed him back into the canvas below. Edge rubbed his back after the fall and turned over onto his stomach. He felt pain at the top of his skull. David Hart Smith was pulled him up and positioning him for his signature maneuver: The running powerslam. He was lifted horizontally by his opponent and then tried frantically to turn himself right-side up on his feet again. He managed to, just barely. Edge pushed Smith away, hunched down on the toes of his boots and charged. He speared his opponent quickly, but sickeningly. He pinned the Hart Foundation member successfully and escaped the ring to celebrate.
Backstage, as shown from the screen in the arena, was Mick Foley. He was speaking with an interviewer when suddenly he had been attacked from behind. Foley crashed forward into the camera man and a table. The camera tilted upward and the man tried to back away to film the incident. When he was able to refocus and film the scene, he saw it was Santino Marella that had attacked. Santino used his fists and elbows to pound the back and head of Mick Foley. Once Foley fell to his knees, Santino called for a referee and then backed away to wait for one to turn the corner.
Santino was frustrated with the loss of the European Title. A championship he coveted. He had to make a name for himself on the other brand right away. So he planned to take the Hardcore Championship Title from Foley. It was open to anyone that wished a match. Anywhere, anytime. Those were the rules of the title defense. A referee rushed to the scene and the match was official. Santino covered Mick Foley for the pin, but Foley wasn't going to just lay there and allow the attacker to get away with his title without a fight. Santino was pushed off and Foley struck him with a pepsi bottle -- it was the only thing Foley could reach for from the fallen table.
Confused, Santino backed away to wipe the black liquid from his eyes. He looked across at Foley and saw the legend holding a folded chair to his side. Santino let out a high pitched shriek in anticipation of the strike. Foley struck Santino over the head with the chair. It dented. He then hooked Santino's head and drew him closer to his body for a DDT on the hard floor of the stadium. Santino managed to wiggle out and attack Foley, but Foley was stronger. Santino's initial attack had failed and now he had an angry robust man after him. He thought of running, but this was now an official match and if he did, he'd be disqualified.
Foley dragged Santino around the corridor with a tight grip around his head. He would occasionally shove Santino into the wall to keep him under control. Foley eventually lead his opponent through the black curtains that hid the backstage stadium from the crowds seated on each side of the stage. He stepped past crew members and camera men, bringing Santino with him. Once on the steel mesh of the aisle, Foley dropped his opponent with a DDT. The impact caused Santino to jump in pain, rolling himself off the ramp way and in the small lane that divided the aisle from the crowd barricade.
Foley pulled him up by the short hairs on his head and dragged Santino to the ring. There, he smacked his opponent's head into the pole and the steel steps before rolling him inside the squared circle. The crowds chanted Foley's name and cheered him on. He pulled in Santino close to the side of his body again, wrapping both arms under his hands. He brought down his opponent with a double-arm DDT. It sent a clear lesson to Santino after Foley picked up the win. Next time Santino would try to pick an opponent he could actually take on evenly before surprising and angering them. Foley celebrated with the fans afterward as the show went to break.
Returning from break, the audience booed the man in the ring. Newcomer, and roulette switch; James. He stood in the ring with a microphone and spoke, "this sickens me. I'm here on iMPACT when the clear talent is on Raw. I am disgusted, but I'm not going to let it get me. I vow to change this brand around. I'm going to defeat every loser on the roster until I get a title match with Sting! I don't care who comes out here, be it the idiot Batista, the has-been Ric Flair, the joke known as Sting, or that pathetic excuse for a basement baby: Abyss." he continued, "actually, you know what? I'll start with you Abyss! I'm going to show that I have more talent that you and everyone else in the iMPACT locker room. I've seen you on TNA and I have to say I'm not impressed, so why don't you come down here and let me show just how much of a joke you are to everyone here tonight."
Abyss walked down to the ring. He was tempted to bring a weapon with him, but he didn't think this match would last too long. He watched James in the ring, smirking a cocky grin and waiting as if he was bored already. It pissed Abyss off. How dare he come on iMPACT and start verbally assaulted the brand he was sent to. It was part of the Wrestling Universe all the same, but this cocky newcomer thought he was more talented than those that didn't get drawn to Raw on the first pull. Abyss would show him the ropes, the hard way. Abyss entered the ring and then immediately lunged for the attack!
Abyss kicked James down and quickly applied a submission hold around his head. He held James tight with the twisting chinlock. Curving his jaw and head at an awkward angle. James yelled and scraped at the muscular forearms of his opponent. He wasn't ready to quit just yet, even with the referee asking him every few seconds wether he wanted to, but James would always ignore him. He despised the annoying referees that plagued the iMPACT brand. None of the other wrestlers seemed to notice it though. James was finally released and he rubbed his neck and chin before he turned around on his feet to face his opponent once again. Abyss knocked him back down with a clothesline, just as James was ready to retaliate.
James rolled away from the coming boot. He looked up at the white shirt of Abyss and tugged at it to try and bring himself up to his feet. He managed to reach his knees when Abyss smacked his arm over James' back. He had certainly bitten off more than he could chew in this one. James stumbled away and tried to escape the ring, but Abyss pulled him back from the ropes. In what seemed like a desperate effert, James used a super kick on Abyss. A move often associated with Shawn Michaels or Stevie Richards. It didn't phase Abyss, but then James connected again and successfully knocked his opponent clean onto his back.
James pinned Abyss. He covered him by pinning Abyss' arms to the canvas and his knees. He hadn't the need to, but it was precaution. He had tried to pin the bigger man twice with devastating results, but this time he felt would be the final nail on the coffin for Abyss. It was. After the number three was counted and slapped onto the canvas, James leapt up in victory. He taunted Abyss and undid his ponytail. He felt excited to have backed up his words. He brought his first victim down. The first of many, he hoped, for a world tour of destruction James planned. To defeat every iMPACT wrestler until he reached the champion, be it Sting or anyone else in his way.
After break, Ric Flair walked out to the stage in his sparkling signature robe. He stepped down proudly along the aisle, strutting and wooing. He was quite content with himself after his victory over Shawn Michaels at Wrestle Jam. He had even forgotten the sour taste the consecutive losses gave him. He was now confident enough to challenge Ultimate Warrior for the National Championship Title. He stepped into the ring, under the top rope, and swirled slowly to show himself off to the crowd. He held his robe off the side of the ring for a crew member to take so that he could free himself up for the match ahead.
Though older, and short haired, Ultimate Warrior still showed off the same pride and energy he had back in the day. He rushed to the rings with his arms pumped and held up to beat the air to the music that played for him. He ascended the ring and then shook at the top rope, yelling madly into the air. Flair watched on with a cocked eyebrow, and a smirk of ridiculousness. Warrior was a has-been to him, and an easy target for a championship match. Warrior entered the ring, snarling and pumping himself up as he used to do. His old rival, Flair, would get a taste of the new Warrior's power.
Warrior started the match off with multiple clotheslines. It seemed to Ric that just as he could get up to his feet, his opponent would knock him back down with ferocity. The turbulence of the attacks disoriented Ric and he kept himself down after five consecutive clotheslines by the snarling Ultimate Warrior. In a valiant attempt to end the mayhem, Ric Flair rolled out of the way as Warrior charged, leapt, then jumped down at him with a running splash. A signature maneuver for the Ultimate Warrior. Flair successfully turned the tables on his old rival and then pulled himself up to his feet.
Neither men were fan-favorites. Both had displayed heel tendencies in Wrestling Universe, but the fans cheered for the lesser of two evils and in this case, it had been Ultimate Warrior. It was an absurd notion for Flair to think he'd win over a Texas crowd. The home state of Shawn Michaels. Warrior powered himself up, absorbing Flair's quick jabs and then he was knocked down again when Flair used a dirty trick. The referee hadn't seen the kick to the midsection that turned Warrior into a crooked statue. He keeled over in pain. Flair then went for the Figure-Four Leg Lock.
One leg secured, now to hook the other, Flair thought. A sound broke his concentration. The classic theme song to a man he had feuded greatly with. Hulk Hogan. He saw the yellow and red stripes of the pants, the famous mustache and hair. Hogan was coming down to the ring and he looked mad. Flair rushed to lock the hold onto Ultimate Warrior before Hogan could enter the ring, but Warrior wasn't having it. He turned the maneuver on Flair and escaped submission. Hogan slid into the ring and attacked Flair with a big right first. The referee called for disqualification as Hogan then suddenly attacked Ultimate Warrior with the same smashing blow. Flair had won via disqualification, but he didn't look like a winner.
Hogan asked for a microphone. He grabbed one from the side and said, "now listen here, brothers! I've had enough of watching you two make a mockery of this industry and yourselves day in and day out with your attitudes. Flair, you couldn't wrestle a proper match even if you were trained in the best gym possible and as for you, Warrior, I'm tired of you talking about such disrespect about my friends and my country." He said, adrenaline pumping through his words. "I'm going to give the hulkamaniacs and all the fans watching at home a real wrestling match and that it takes guts and passion to earn respect in this industry. Something you two lost, years ago!"
"How dare you say that to me!" Flair yelled through a microphone, stolen from Hogan. "I am Ric Flair! Sixteen time Heavyweight champion! Woo! Woo! What are you? You're nothing! You're known more for the failure of your children then your career in the ring." Flair snapped back, "so don't lecture me about guts and passion, Hogan."
"Let me tell you something, I challenge both of you to a triple threat match at Summer Bash! I'm going to show that I may be older, heck, all of us are older, but I still am better than you -- and you!" He turned to Warrior saying, "for the title! I am a real American, and I will fight for what I believe in, unlike either of you!"
"You're on!" Flair shouted as he left the ring, red-faced with anger.
"Hokogan" Warrior tried to utter his name. "The Warrior will imbue the gods in his toes and kick you with the lizard's tongue back to VH1 where you rain down the blood of the hate and despair of the lemur!"
"Apparently we have ourselves a triple threat for the National Championship Title at Summber Bash." Nathan uttered, still trying to decipher exactly what Ultimate Warrior had said. "I think."
"I would say that's a definite yes!" Said Don West. "That is going to be quite a matchup, Nathan. I'm excited to see who can prove themselves to the world that they still have what it takes to make it in this business."
"I think they're all fantastic athletes, but also fantastically egotistical. I think this match is going to find the losers eating humble pie when it's over. We'll find out then, but for now we have that intriguing main event between Sting and Legacy." Nathan announced, "now this is a no Disqualification match, so anything goes. Sting can use his bat and Legacy can double-team this great legend, but I have stated earlier that I don't want Orton near the ring."
"Right. Orton is a dangerous wild card. I can't imagine the kind of things he'd do to Sting, but I am sure that if you put them both in a match without anyone interfering, Sting would come out as the victor. He has triumphed many times in far more difficult situations, Nathan, and no doubt is my money on him." Don replied.
Legacy walked out onto stage. Without the back-up of Randy Orton, they still held their arrogance and pride. The night was certainly full of egos that would soon meet their demise, or grow larger than life. Rhodes and Brian Christopher stepped down to the ring and entered. There they waited for their opponent, but they hadn't a clue where Sting may come from. He made random entrances and would often come when you least expected it. Rhodes ascended the ropes to taunt the crowds as they booed the team. Brian Christopher simply ignored them. They weren't worth his attention, he felt.
Sting appeared on the stage. He stepped out from behind the curtain with his trademark bat, but he seemed different. He seemed more interested than he normally showed in his matches with egotistical heel-types like Orton and his goons. Perhaps he had something up his sleeves, or just felt amused that Rhodes and Christopher could take on such a legend as he. The champion no-less. Sting entered the ring after a slow walk, intimidating Legacy just a slight bit. He let it simmer in their minds that he did not fear them and that they should fear him. Fear his bat. Fear what he could do to them when there were no rules to hold the legend back.
Sting didn't move after the bell signaled the start of the match. He just stood there with his famed black bat. Rhodes and Christopher slowly circled him and came in for the kill. Like cheetahs stalking a gazelle before the swift attack. Sting swung the bat and knocked Brian Christopher clear through the ropes as he lunged forth. He then smacked Rhodes with the back over his shoulder and down into his back. Rhodes cried out. Fell to his knees with the burning feeling coursing through his spine. He reached for his partner trying to pull him outside of the ring, but Sting turned and struck the ropes.
Sting slid out of the ring and followed Brian Christopher half a circle around the ring before his scared opponent slid back in to aid his partner. Now Sting stood outside with the two Legacy members recuperating and preparing to fight him off. Sting was mildly amused. Legacy stood in the ring anticipating the legend to attack, but he stood his ground. Brian Christopher was losing patience. He knew they could be in the ring for a while and then both go out to attack, only to have Sting strike them with that bat, but he was going to take the initiative first.
Brian Christopher slid out of the ring, he could see Sting's eyes watch him from across the floor. He reached under. A chair was pulled out from the ring. He slowly stalked toward Sting. Distracting him from Cody Rhodes when he drew closer and closer. Inching toward the face-painted legend with a folded steel chair held in the air, ready to come down at any time. He charged. Swinging the chair down at Sting. It was a mock attack, but it convinced Sting and Rhodes took the opportunity to slide under the ropes and kick their opponent into the barricade. Christopher then struck his opponent over the head with the chair.
They pulled the beaten body of Sting into the ring for a pin, but they weren't going to stop the match just yet. Rhodes insisted they each perform their signature finishers for good measure. Sting had risen from chair shots before, so this would not be any different than those previous times in the past when the man had overcome the odds. Brian Christopher positioned Sting for a russian leg sweep, but instead pulled him into a full nelson hold. After maneuvering his opponent into the hold, he dropped Sting down to the canvas where Rhodes then followed up the attack.
Rhodes pulled Sting up and forced his head under one arm. He then jumped down onto his back, bringing his opponent with him for his Silver Spoon DDT. Sting lay on the canvas like a log. Motionless and defeated. Rhodes and Brian Christopher taunted him and the crowds. Proud of their achievements and posing to press the pump in their egos larger and larger. They had taken down Sting, but they had still yet to pin the legend. They were under strict orders, however, to annihilate the man. Brian Christopher retrieved the chair and handed it to Rhodes. Rhodes grinned, having missed the opportunity to smash it over their opponent, he then took the liberties of fulfilling that opportunity.
It was mayhem and carnage in the ring. Christopher and Rhodes both took turns kneeing, leg dropping, punching, and using any signature maneuver under their name on Sting. If he had not been after the initial beat down with the chair, he was now. The audience chanted for Sting. They booed toward Legacy in hopes of arousing some kind of response from the legend. Sting began to stir. Legacy responded by pumping up the volume of intensity. They used the chair more and had even brought in a second one. Rhodes pulled Sting up and pushed him into the corner of the ring where each wrestler punched the legend before Sting finally snapped.
Enough was enough. Sting punched Brian and threw him over the top rope. As for Cody Rhodes, he brought the arrogant boy down after turning him and slamming his back into the canvas with a Scorpion Death Drop. Suddenly the table had been turned on Legacy. Sting had one more surprise for the boys. Once the bat was back in his hands, he pointed to the stage and there stood Booker T. Booker raced down the aisle and attacked Legacy with Sting. Both of them on the outside of the ring began to pummel and teach the younger boys a lesson in respect.
As former members of the Main Event Mafia, Sting and Booker were more than well off against Brian Christopher and Cody Rhodes. The two rolled Legacy into the ring where Sting pinned them for the final three count. Booker cut his leg down on Cody as he the boy kneeled over from the exhaustion. He was pumped to be working with Sting again and Sting too regained the vigor and vitality he had prior to the match. Reforming the faction from TNA would make an impact on the show and be a definite obstacle for the rising reformation of Legacy. The show ended with Sting and Booker standing over the fallen remains of Legacy as Orton stood on stage in anger, uncertain what to do or what to think of these turn of events.