Wrestling Universe
Raw iMPACT 9
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.
The arena was drenched in a blood red fog and the lights screened with the color. The slowly building chords of Kane's song stretched out as Paul Bearer walked out before him. He stood with the urn finally in his possession once again. The moment the explosion happened, the stage lit up in a mushroom cloud of fire and smoke. Paul's face lit up with excitement as he cried out a high pitched "yes!" Kane walked out through the fire with his manager and they slowly descended toward the ring. The black sleeve used to cover the burns on his arm was finally removed. Soon, even the burns to his face would heal over and he would feel confident enough to remove the mask he had once worn during his time in WWE.
He reached up and grasped the top rope with a grip as strong as steel. Kane then lifted himself up and climbed over all three ropes with ease. Inside the ring, he looked around as the lights faded to normal and the fans booed him. His head cocked and surveyed the arena until he finally moved off with Paul Bearer to the end of the ring where he would wait for his opponents. Paul had requested a handicap match that would test Kane's abilities. Show Undertaker that he was stronger than ever and ready to bury him six feet under. Kane wanted revenge for what happened at Wrestle Jam and revenge for Undertaker's sneak attack that forced Kane to feel the horrid sensation of his skin boiling and burning once again.
His opponents were Kai En Tai. All of them. Funaki, Sun Xun, Tajiri, and Taka Michinoku all came out. Unsure, but feeling confident in their chances. Strength in numbers, they would tell themselves. They took their time entering the ring, but once they were in, they were in. There would be no escaping the clutches of the Big Red Machine once he was locked onto them. Kane was going to unleash hellfire and brimstone on them that he could save for Undertaker later on, but this would equally appease his need for destruction. The bell rang and the entirety of the faction charged the monster -- Kane -- head on!
It didn't take long for him to clear the ring. He threw an uppercut into Sun Xun that thrust him downward into the canvas. Funaki tossed over the ropes and both Taka Michinoku and his partner, Tajiri, were chokeslammed. All of the bodies were eventually tossed out of the ring. Kane watched them squirm in fear and huddle together. Planning how to take him down, but of course their plan was futile in the end of it all. Kane could not be stopped by a simple faction like theirs. Only someone that knew him well could defeat him. Paul Bearer simply laughed and yelled at the Japanese wrestlers.
They attempted to strike simultaneously. Each man was thwarted time and time again by Kane. Finally he grabbed Sun Xun and Tajiri. Slammed them down. Then he grabbed Taka and Funaki and dropped him as well with a chokeslam. Kane hoisted the tallest, Sun Xun upside-down. He was preparing him for a tombstone piledriver. Kane dropped the Japanese wrestler with the deathly maneuver and followed through with a victorious pin. Paul celebrated, raising the urn, calling out in excitement. He felt Kane was ready to face his brother once again. This time, the outcome would be different. Kane and Paul Bearer left the massacre behind as they slowly left the arena through a dense wall of a red fog that rose up from the stage.
Once the ring was cleared and readied with a fresh referee, the second match was underway. Beside James was another newcomer. His attire was similar to James: long wrestling tights and matching colored pads on the elbows and knees. Brandon Powers as he called himself, stood a few inches taller than his partner and had short brown hair and used a different color scheme to his purple-black partner. James slid into the ring as his partner used the steps to enter the squared circle. Many believed James could not even find a partner, but apparently they had been wrong.
They settled themselves in the ring, standing in a corner where they would tag one another during the match. It would appear as if James wanted to take the lead, standing closer to the center with his partner resting by the ropes. The lights dimmed to a red, much like Kane's entrance. Instead of an explosion of fire, however, was a ring of fire slowly licking at the crisp air and a platform raising up from under the stage. Gangrel and Abyss stood together inside the fiery circle. Without his goblet and shades, Gangrel simply slid into the ring after descending with Abyss.
It was a tornado tag match, but Brandon Powers let James handle the first wave of attacks before coming in to support his partner. The only way to win the match was to smash an opponent through one of the tables placed around the ring. James used a spinning wheel kick to deter Abyss. Gangrel closed in and struck his rival with a forearm, but James was quick to counter and knock him away. Brandon charged, using the middle rope as lift and then dropped over Abyss with a flying lariat. The chaos did not hesitate to crash through the match and break loose.
Gangrel whipped James across the ring. Gangrel raced forth to meet him in a head on collision. They two struck with James trying a shoulder block and Gangrel using a dropkick. James fell back, his shoulder having taken the blow. Across the ring, Abyss managed to take the newcomer under control and had him on the floor outside of the ring. He climbed out to follow up his leading attacks. Brandon countered and kicked Abyss in the knees and shin until he dropped down to them. His face was open for a punch and soon he tried for a german suplex on the larger opponent. Abyss through him off, nearly pushing him onto the table set in front of them.
James and Gangrel continued inside the ring. One would try a headlock and move on from there. The other would try an irish whip and bring more arial maneuvers against his opponent. They seemed matched when forced into an even stipulation where either could cheat and not be disqualified or carry a sneaky win. Gangrel and Abyss were considered heels, cheating wasn't below them, but under the conditions of the match and whom they were facing, they were cheered and chanted for. It gave them the edge when hope seemed loss during beat downs or submissive holds. They had to keep their energy up and continuously fight back to hold on to control.
Soon Gangrel and James were outside of the ring. They switched opponents so that Gangrel to take on the newcomer, Brandon Powers. James and Abyss used the table displayed before them. Abyss pushed it into him, aggravated that his weak opponent tried to use it to hide behind. With a fading red line across his stomach where the table was jabbed into him, he bent forward and moved away. He won't be using that tactic again, but worse than that was Abyss finally had his grip on James hair, undoing the ponytail as he pulled him into the ring. With James laying flat in the ring -- Gangrel and Brandon were on the stage -- Abyss had a clean chance to try to break the table. He slid it into the ring next to his opponent and climbed in after it.
The table was set. Abyss was ready to do it. Better not screw this up, Abyss thought, kid is getting what he deserves. He pulled up his opponent and laid him out on the thin wooden table. After that, Abyss climbed up the nearest turn-post that he could reach the table from and took a leap of faith. As he crashed down, James was pushed out of the way. The table toppled over and instead of crashing through, Abyss landed flat on his face. Brandon Powers had saved his partner just in time. The match would continue.
Gangrel took his time coming back. He was beaten and bleeding. When he entered the ring, Abyss was relieved and unloaded James onto Gangrel once again. The two had been fighting to restore power in the match against the men James had week previous. James felt content where he stood with Gangrel. The vampire warrior was down on his knees and James continued the onslaught of fists, kicks, and slams that weakened his enemy further. Abyss on the other hand, was harder to take down. He fought valiantly and often matched Brandon's cunning ability with strength and experience. Eventually the tug-o-war was won with Abyss tossing his opponent over the top rope through a hip toss.
Brandon was displayed for the the crowds at the front row seats along the side of the ring. He was flattened and bruised. He was a tough opponent, though. Not the speedster that James was, but had he built on more muscle, he could have out matched the likes of Triple H. A John Cena, without the lack of personality and he definitely had a better in-ring ability than him as well. But anyone could do better than Cena in the ring if they asserted themselves. Brandon was up as Abyss came down upon him like a sledge hammer.
Gangrel used the table still in the ring to fight off his attacker. James backed off quickly. Any more strikes to the stomach with that and things could go downhill quick. Gangrel raised the light table higher and swiped James face with it. The man fell to the side and lay flat. Nearly knocked cold, Gangrel thought, time to move in! He pulled his limp opponent on the table after leaning it into the corner turn-post. He backed off, then charged with all his might. Brandon saw this in slow motion as Abyss banged his head into the barricade. He tried to push off Abyss to help his partner, but the clutches of the monster were too tight. He winced when he heard the cracking of the table. Just by that sound, he knew it was over. The match was done.
"Well, that is that." Said Jim Ross.
"Right. I gave James the opportunity to switch back over to Raw if he could just win this fair match. He didn't, and therefor he is stuck on the brand that is allegedly the minor leagues." Nathan replied with a disappointed sigh.
"Perhaps this will finally knock some sense into the cocky bastard." Don West wasn't as kind, "he thought he could just rush through Gangrel and Abyss? Respect is earned and this life is tough. Better find his place and pipe down."
"Well, later tonight we have Bret Hart in action against Chris Jericho and for the main event: The Main Event Mafia team up with Triple H to defeat Legacy." Michael Cole announced, "also in action will be The Undertaker squaring off in a first blood match against Chavo Guerrero."
"Yes, but up next is European Championship Title contender Rob Terry versus the dangerous Umaga." Nathan added.
On the screen was a red curtain with the warriors signature face paint in black enlarged across the center of it. In front was Warrior and a young interviewer. He seemed angry, pumped, and ready to fight. A casual mood for Ultimate Warrior.
"Your title will be on the line this Friday at Summer Bash against Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. What do you want to say about that?" Asked the Interviewer.
"All the Warrior needs to say is that the gods have shined down on his bones and fused them into armor of the demons that have haunted the auras of Ho-kogan and Ric Flair!" He snarled, "I may be aging, but the power of the warrior never fades! Like a river carving out a jungle through the rock and the debris of mayhem and insanity!"
"So, you still feel that after all these years that you have what it takes to keep this successful title reign going?"
"I have walked through the red rain of those that came before us! I have spoken to the bodies of the animals that have clawed and faced the power of the shadow that has walked into the furthest plain of the blazing heat that has come down upon them like a hammer on a metal nail. Digging and digging into the bones of the warriors that have made them stronger, through pain and destruction, that the warrior will continue to face!"
"What?" The interviewer tried to hide a chuckle, but bit his lip and continued on with the last question. "You started your wrestling career as a tag team formed with Sting. Do you think you two would ever encounter one another in the ring at one time or another?"
"Sting, or no sting, the power of the Warrior grows! He will take the scorpions that have fed his spirit and crush them into meat and bone that will further the destruction from the Gods that speak to the Warrior! Ho-kogan! Ric Flair. . . I will sting you with the might of a thousand warriors all coming down like lightning forming the eyes of the gods as they open their maws and speak the words of the destruction that will take place in the future."
"Alright, I guess." Said the interviewer as the screen returned to normal. Showing a view of the arena.
Former TNA under-star, Rob Terry walked out to the ring. He entered the ring casually and awaited Umaga to enter. Instead of the Samoan Bulldozer, it was Rey Mysterio made his presence known. The current European Championship Title holder. He decided to take a closer look. It would be easier for him to scrutinize every move his opponent makes if he was closer to the ring, and able to comment on the match with the four commentators already present. Rob wasn't pleased to see the villainous Mysterio. When their eyes met, something clicked in his mind, as if he saw that moment was foreshadowing something in the future, but he didn't know what that would be. Perhaps their title match at Summer Bash, or something different.
Umaga stepped down the ring, no one accompanying him any longer now that he had switched to iMPACT. Bearer had decided Umaga was not worth his efforts. Undertaker was just too powerful for him and only the likes of Kane could compete with the Dead Man. Umaga hadn't even anything to gain in this match with Terry other than to show that it could have been he who challenged for the title had Mysterio been on iMPACT. Umaga was still eager to continue ascending the ladder of power. If he could take out the contender of the European title, then maybe he could try to work on taking out the winner of the National title and from there he'd certainly be a candidate for higher opportunities.
Umaga entered the ring and just glared. He was taking in deep, hefty breaths and his teeth gnashed primitively. Rob Terry was put off by his various odors, but the Samoan Bulldozer was just another obstacle he had to over come. Terry had only recently signed with the company, like many others before the new season and he was going to make a name for himself. He may even think about reforming a British tag team, if Regal was willing to turn face. The two finally met at the center and locked in a grapple. Umaga drove his wide palm into the chest of his opponent and then yelled out unintelligibly.
Rob backed down. He wasn't going to win a brawl with this man if he charged head on. He would need to use speed and agility. A man of his size, though big, would still be able to pull out some swiftness that could be an asset against the much larger Umaga. He ran up the ropes and nudged his opponent with a shoulder block. Umaga didn't budge more than a foot. Rob then tried a shorter distance, the side ropes. Again Umaga didn't budge far, but he did lift up his right foot. Rob feeling the momentum and adrenaline building his body, he could feel Umaga fall, but he needed to see it happen, to make it real. He charged one last time and finally Umaga crashed down like a giant jurassic conifer tree. The ring shook and the thud created a soundwave that carried throughout the arena.
He was no Yokozuna, but Umaga was still a big man and getting him down was quite an effort. Umaga was soon up on his feet again and countered his opponent's various attacks. He would forearm him, punch him, clothesline him, but Terry would gain control again and continue to weaken Umaga with quick maneuvers. Finally, Rey felt he had seen enough. He lunged forth from the commentary table and into the ring. Rob and Umaga turned to find the smaller man charging and for one brief unbelievable moment, they combined forces. Together they cancelled out any chance of Rey interfering with the match, but it was too late for either of them to resume any fair competition. The bell was rung and winner had been the man Rey struck first, the challenger of his title.
Another interview was displayed on the large screen after break. This time it was Chris Jericho. He had a smug grin on his face. He was proud of what was going to happen to Bret Hart once they met in the ring. He could play it over and over again in his head as he planned it all out. There were chances it could go different, but this plan was fool proof for Jericho. He turned his head toward the gorgeous blonde. The interviewer looked up at Jericho and spoke, "what brought you to challenge Bret Hart for Raw iMPACT tonight?"
"Bret Hart is a parasite. Leaching off of the talent he parades around to the ring every time they get called. Harry Smith, or otherwise known as David Hart Smith is incredibly talented and skilled as a wrestler. The same can be said for Tyson Kidd, but the thing those two lack that Edge, Christian, and I hold is charisma and experience." He said, "I challenged Bret because I'm tired of seeing his face every night. I'm tired of his interferences. I'm going to take away his title, here tonight."
"His title?" She asked.
"Soon, it won't be Bret Hart they refer to when people say the phrase, 'best there is, best there was, and best there ever will be.' They'll be talking about me. Chris Jericho." He explained.
Jericho froze. He let the pupils of his eyes slowly drift to his left when he felt a large black presence stand facing him. His eyes followed the black tank top up to its thick root-like neck and the beard, lips, nose, and then white eyes of the Undertaker. He just looked up, not wanting to make any sudden moves or insults. Undertaker broke like a bolt of lightning. He grasped the throat of Jericho and shoved him backward into the white brick wall of the stadium's backstage corridors. He then punched Jericho onto the floor and turned to the interviewer.
She was frightened, clenching the microphone and retracting her arms to her face, almost as if she was trying to hide from Undertaker. He moved onward. He hadn't any desire to strike a mere interviewer, but Jericho had it coming. The screens returned to normal and the crowds cheered what the scene enthusiastically. The lights blackened and soon Undertaker emerged from the dense white fog that suddenly filled the arena. He slowly walked down to the ring where he stopped at the end of the stage and took a slow, but sharp turn toward the steps. After he raised the lights, stepped into the ring, and removed his hat and coat, Undertaker stood still and gazed at his opponent with eyes that pierced through his soul. Surveying the fears and weaknesses hidden within the man that stood across from him.
That man was Chavo Guerrero. Once the ring signaled the two to begin the match, Chavo hesitated to close in on Undertaker. He knew the man's in ring abilities well. He also knew that sooner or later, Undertaker have him in his clutch. He decided to take a quick approach. Like a raptor on a large prey, he would strike with a weakening blow and then back away. Strike and back off. He maneuvered himself toward Undertaker, dodging a big boot and a haymaker punch. He got in a jab before Undertaker was able to ring Chavo's neck with one gloved hand.
He hoisted up his opponent and with one motion of his arm, dropped him down hard into the white canvas below. The chokeslam was enough to give Undertaker a quick pin over Chavo. He hadn't pinned him though. Undertaker instead pulled Chavo up and holding onto one arm, dragged him toward the corner turn-post. There he climbed up and balanced himself on the side ropes. In an almost unfathomable display of agility and power, Undertaker leapt high into the air and crashed his forearm down into Chavo's chest. His opponent crumbled to the ring. This beast was simply too big for the raptor to take on.
Undertaker was preparing the tombstone piledriver when he spotted Paul Bearer atop the stage. He planted the finisher on Chavo and pinned him slowly. His eyes pierced the crisp air across the arena and into the pupils of Paul's weasle-like gaze. In Paul's hands was the golden urn of Undertaker and Kane's parents. It had been laid to rest in Death Valley where Undertaker had dug a lone grave for Kane. It frustrated him to see that Paul had robbed that grave too. Was this man's greed endless? The only kind thing he had done for Kane would be the last thing Kane ever lived to see, and this man took it away from him. Undertaker stood up and stepped toward the ropes to confront Paul as the portly man came closer.
Kane would have the urn, but only if he was buried with it. Undertaker had no need for it any longer and it no longer held any control over him. Undertaker's power was too much for even it to handle anymore. There he stood however, smiling with greed and mischief. Paul shouted at Undertaker, distracting him from Chavo and Kane's sneak attack. When Undertaker realized that Paul Bearer had been the decoy, he turned to find Kane's big boot in his face and Chavo dent a chair over his head. Undertaker fell flat on the canvas. Motionless. Paul and Chavo celebrated, but Kane knew better. He would rise, he thought. Before he could, Kane and Chavo exited the ring and watched as, sure enough, Undertaker stood straight up. The Dead Man was furious.
"Kane and Chavo are now escaping as Undertaker is chasing them up the aisle!" Said Jim Ross, "oh no! He's got Paul Bearer and the urn! What is he going to do?"
"Wait a minute, Kane and Chavo have returned!" Said Cole as the two charged Undertaker, but instead of saving Paul, they stole back the Urn from Undertaker.
Undertaker lifted Paul up for a chokeslam and the rotund man fell with a loud metallic thud on the steel mesh of the ramp. Undertaker then set his sights on the two escaping through the curtain. Kane and Chavo deserted Paul and left him to his destruction. Undertaker would assure that theirs come soon as well. He followed behind them and disappeared behind the black curtains.
"You do not anger the Undertaker." Don West commented.
"The match they will have, by the way, will be the very match they met in. The Hell in a Cell!" Nathan announced.
The screen revealed the newly formed tag team of James and Brandon Powers dressed in normal clothing. Before they could enter the parking lot and leave the stadium, they were stopped by Shawn Michaels. HBK tried poorly to hide a grin behind his lips and he said, "so, uh, how did it go?"
"Back off Shawn." James was in no mood for any more boasting. He had lost and ate his words as a result. He didn't need Shawn or anyone else badgering him about it, saying, "I respect you Michaels, but if you get in my face then I'm going to do something about it."
"What exactly is that?" Shawn was intrigued, stepping closer.
"You lost to Flair. Even I would never do that." James spat. "Also, if memory serves right, you were the one who really screwed Bret."
"That's in the past." Shawn glared.
"Is it though? You betrayed your fellow wrestlers by doing what you did. I may have an ego, but if I was in your position then, even I wouldn't have done that." He then poked Shawn's chest, saying through gritted teeth, "you're a coward, but what can anyone expect from a Christian?"
James and Brandon left Shawn standing, reddened with anger that started to boil hotter and hotter. Shawn was flabbergasted someone would even dare insult him for his faith, or call him out as a coward to his face. He clenched his fist and shook his head slowly as the two younger men exited. The screen returned to a view of the ring and then entrance where Chris Jericho was now making his entrance to the arena. He stepped slowly down to the ring with a smug grin. He ignored the audience booing as loud as they could to let the wrestler know just what they felt of him challenging Bret Hart.
He entered the ring and adjusted his wrist brands as his opponent's theme brought the attending fans up off their feet. Bret stepped out from the back and stood at the edge of the stage with David Hart Smith and Jimmy Hart. Together they all walked down the aisle and tapped hands with fans. He wasn't going to trust Jericho and for good reason. With Smith and Jimmy at his side, Hart felt secure in his chances that it would not end with Jericho and Christian beating him down just to be smug villains. He handed off his pink shades to a young kid has he had done many times in the past and then entered the ring.
The match was slow to begin. Neither man knew how they would come at one another, but soon they inched forward and locked themselves in a grapple hold. Jericho twisted Bret's head under his arm and tried to pull down into a DDT, but the veteran pushed himself out of his opponent's grasp. Bret kicked Jericho in the abdomen and landed that same DDT. He maneuvered around his opponent to apply an ankle lock. He knew his best chances at winning the match would be to get Jericho in a hold that would force him to tap out, but the ankle lock only lasted a few seconds before Bret was kicked away.
Jericho backed himself into the ropes and ran up to Bret quickly. Bret tried to use the momentum of his running opponent in a sleeperhold, but Jericho had other plans. He used one foot to step up on Bret's abdomen and then swung his other over to kick the legend across the face. Bret collapsed to the ring and Jericho quickly took that as an opportunity to pin, but it wasn't going through to a full three count. Bret kicked out at the last second and forced Jericho to rethink how he approached the match. Jericho slid his hand through his slick, blonde hair and then he knew exactly what he would do to this man.
He positioned Bret Hart for the Walls of Jericho. After being locked in, Bret sprung to life with the pain that began to form in his legs and lower back. He tried to reach and climb toward the ropes. He needed to get out of this. You can do it, he thought to himself, get to the ropes! Jericho casually looked behind his shoulder and when he saw Bret's hand nearly touch the lower rope, he simply dragged his opponent back to the center of the ring. Bret Hart was in a horrible predicament. With the ropes and escape seeming far away, he was almost ready to tap, hand above the canvas.
Strength was draining from the veteran. His will was strong, but soon, that too would dry up. The canvas looked like a long white desert to the Hitman. A sea of white with the ropes seeming like they were just illusion. He reached for them, crawled. Never truly reaching the blissful oasis. Jericho too was beginning to feel the strain of keeping that hold locked in tight. Out of the corner of his eye he could see David Hart Smith unable to take much of this any longer. He was almost completely inside the ring when Bret finally tapped out to Chris Jericho. It pained him worse to do that than to endure the punishment of Jericho's submission hold, but it had to be done.
David Hart Smith fell Jericho with a swift clothesline and then threw him out of the ring. Jericho crashing down into the side of the black barricade, his head and back hitting the matting with a hard thud. With help of Jimmy Hart and Tyson Kidd, they aided Bret up the aisle. Jericho felt vindicated in victory. His tirade would continue, but perhaps this time he would aim for higher goals that involved gold around his waist.
"I can not believe that sick bastard won," Jim Ross complained.
"Jericho is tough and Bret was an easy target. I think, in the coming months, Jericho will find his opponents get as tough as he -- if not tougher." Nathan Black replied.
"We'll see what happens when Jericho and Christian collide with Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith at Summber Bash!" Michael Cole said, "should be helluva match and hopefully we can see good triumph over evil unlike what happened here tonight."
"Next we have our main event: The Main Event Mafia teaming up with Trip H against Legacy," announced Don West.
The World Heavyweight Champion -- Sting -- stood at the edge of the stage with his partner Booker T. After a display of white sparks and pyro blew off behind them, they descended to the ring. Sting felt that the experienced wrestlers were beginning to take control of the company once again after seeing Gangrel and Abyss put James in his place. Soon Orton and his buffoons would be put in theirs. They were going to have respect beaten in to them. Booker T stepped into the ring first, followed by Sting with his championship belt tugged off his waist as he entered.
He handed the title to the referee to be set aside. It wouldn't be on the line until Summer Bash, but he was certain had it been a title match, Triple H may even take a shot at him just for the chance to hold both titles at once. With them in the ring, Triple H made his entrance. He came down with his own title draped proudly over his right shoulder. After a sip and misty spray of water, he stepped down the aisle, pumped with energy. The bottle was tossed into the crowds on the side of the aisle and he made the turn toward ringside.
He let out one last mist of water before entering the ring and joining the Main Event Mafia on the side, waiting for Legacy's entry -- eagerly awaiting. The three spread out across the ring as Orton appeared with his goons from behind the black curtains. Orton had been a terror for Triple H and Sting since coming into Wrestling Universe and now it was time to shut him down. For good. Three one three gave them the chance to eliminate any run-in encounters with Orton and he too would not be able to run any longer if there was always someone open to tackle him. It might as well have been a cage match.
Orton was slow to move. He let Brian Christopher and Cody Rhodes do most of the walking ahead of him. Orton was slow because he knew that Sting, Triple H, and Booker T weren't after his goons. They were after blood. Orton's blood. He knew if he didn't enter the ring, they'd come get him so he finally slid in. Orton etched his normal routine out of his entrance and simply backed off behind the ropes where he and Rhodes left Brian Christopher in the ring to deal with Booker T first. Booker T wasn't complaining, grinning, ready to battle.
Brian ducked under Booker T when he charged. Booker T turned, confused, his clothesline thwarted. Brian Christopher used a dropkick to bring down his veteran opponent. Booker fell, but he wasn't easily taken by such a common maneuver. He rose up to his feet with his opponent sending him to the side ropes. SMACK! They collided in a thunderous smack and thud. Both had tried to take down the other with a clothesline. Brian Christopher was first to his feet and he was quick to cover Booker T with a chin-lock. Booker T easily broke the hold and smacked the back of his forearm across Brian's chest. It started to redden with the image of Booker's arm that stretched over Brian's chest, shoulder to shoulder.
He pushed his opponent into the corner and tagged in Triple H. If Brian Christopher thought the forearm smack across his bare chest was tough, the word was redefined when Triple H burst out the pedigree as his first move on the man. Triple H pinned Brian Christopher, but Orton and Rhodes ensured it would only reach until the count of two. Triple H tried to grab Orton! Damn, he thought when Orton escaped his clutches. He was so frustrated that he shoved Brian Christopher into his corner, but it was Cody Rhodes who took the tag. He was met with a heavy and very power punch to the fist that planted him into the canvas. Nearly flattened.
Orton was waiting. Hiding would be the word that Triple would have said. He was a coward and he knew it, but he hid behind the guise of a viper. Striking when it was opportunistic to him, which meant when his opponents were incapacitated or his goons at his side. Triple H used the pedigree to fell Cody Rhodes and then pushed him into the corner as well. He wanted Orton. When Brian Christopher tagged back in for his leader, Triple H threw up the flag. He knocked out Brian in a sudden burst of energy, taking the chance to side swipe Rhodes and Orton on the ropes as well before he tagged Sting into the match.
Sting took control of the match when the entirety of Legacy lashed back after Triple H's sudden assault. He ran Rhodes and Christopher over the top rope. Orton wasn't the legal man in, but Sting wasn't going to let that come in between his chance to strike down the man that has been a thorn in his side for the past few months. He struck down Orton with a Scorpion Death Drop, just in time for Brian Christopher to slide back in and receive one of his very own. A gift from Sting to Legacy. Each member earned the signature finisher, but he wanted to safe the deathlock for Orton.
Finally that chance had come. Orton's lackeys were out of commission. Both had taken the brunt of the impact from all three opponents and it was only Orton who could carry onward. Brian Christopher tagged him in and rolled outside to recuperate his lungs, his bruised body, and defeated will. Sting and Orton stood face to face, eye to eye. Orton snapped! He tried for the RKO, but Sting pulled out. Sting tried for the Scorpion Death Drop, but Orton twisted out of it! Orton whipped Sting to the ropes. Sting leapt into the air for a body splash! Orton snatched his championed opponent and slammed him down into the canvas below.
Sting was quick to evade the cover, but Orton was on him fast. His face reddening with rage and his grip became tighter and tighter. He tried another RKO, but this time, Booker T and Triple H intercepted the finisher. With just enough of an interruption to spare Sting and get a good hit on their enemy, they withdrew so not to be disqualified. The last thing the Main Event Mafia and Triple H needed was for Orton to feel like he had won fairly, because they knew he'd take a DQ victory as a clean cut win over them. Sting finally pulled his rival into the Scorpion Deathlock and within mere seconds, Orton was forced into submission. He tapped and cried out.
After the bell, there were no rules keeping them back. Like a gang of bloodthirsty vultures, advanced toward Orton and torn at his fallen body. Any attempts to save him from his punishment was met with violence. Brian Christopher and Cody Rhodes were forced to stand by as their leader was taught to respect the industry's veterans that paved the way for people like him. Booker T used the book end to drop Orton. Sting pulled him up, whipped him to a corner, and smacked into him with a Stinger Splash. Triple H finished the mafia hit with a classic, devastating Pedigree that left Orton in pieces -- metaphorically speaking.
"Orton has gotten what he had coming to him." Jim Ross stated.
"I can't wait to see if Orton will be able to even fight for that title with Sting at Summer Bash. He has been utterly annihilated. Good Bye Iowa, indeed," said Don West.
"This Friday, the Heavyweight Championship title is on the line and both Orton and Sting have an uphill battle against one another. Jeff Jarrett and Triple H should also be a match up of the century when Triple H defends his Universal Title against the TNA original," said Nathan Black as the show ended.