Wrestling Universe

SUMMER BASH

I do not own any of the characters, people, or events involved that are associated with either ROH, WWE, TNA, and independent rights. This series is a writing exercise for myself and posted for those that wish to read.

The event began with a bang. The host stadium was overstuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. Thousands were in were in attendance, but not a one was seated.

BOOM!

CRACK!

BANG!

An deafening explosion of fireworks dropped the cheering spectators volume to a modest murmur, shrouded over like a thick blanket. As soon as the theatrical display reached its climactic demise, the stadium was deafened again by the full roar of the crowds that awaited what the night had in store for them.

"And welcome to Summer Bash in the Wrestling Universe!" the voice of the owner spoke over the dulling crowds, clear only because of his headset that allowed the commentary team to speak over the action for those that watched from their homes.

"We have a great night ahead from beginning to end." Jim Ross announced, "we first have Rob Terry challenging for the European Championship Title--"

"Held, of course, by the swift and talented Rey Mysterio Jr." Nathan finished the announcement for Ross.

The first man to grace the 'S' shaped stage: Rob Terry. Born in Swansea, Wales, he was one of the few eligible to challenge for the prestigious European title. It hung in his mind as if it was a holy grail suspended above him by a thread. He was only inches from it, reaching, seizing the title. A reward for his hard work and enthusiasm to step up to greater heights. He could see it before him, but there was still one obstacle in his otherwise clear path to the prestigious belt that he so wished was around his waist as he entered the ring. That obstacle was the luchador known as Rey Mysterio Jr.

Rey Mysterio pounced onto the scene soon after his challenger was settled inside the squared circle. His energy and speed was unmatched by any in the company, but his attire distinguished him from the rest of the roster. For this occasion, he wore his mask with the colors of his billed country; Mexico.

He entered the ring with one swift glide over the smooth flat surface of the white canvas. In his hands was the object of Terry's desires and the object that also distinguished Rey Mysterio from the other wrestlers on the Raw Roster. Rey was cautious about handing it over to the referee coming to his side, but he felt confident that his opponent hadn't any chance in seizing it from him, so he finally relinquished the title over to the man dressed in the famous striped shirt every referee seemed to have.

Across from Mysterio, dressed in red biker shorts, which sported the flag of his country, was Rob Terry. The two met in the ring momentarily after Rey shot out like a bullet into action. Rob swung his right arm around to stop the speeding luchador, but the smaller stature of the champion allowed him to slip through unscathed. Rob turned himself around quickly to try and catch the champion in mid-air. The running crossbody attack connected for Mysterio and he toppled the challenger over. He had not pinned Rob, but instead rolled off to try another swift running maneuver: a diving moonsault off the top rope.

"A high flying maneuver from Rey Mysterio!" Jim Ross exclaimed.

"If he keeps light on his feet and in control of his surroundings, he may very well successfully defend his title," Nathan said, impressed with Rey's maneuverability in the match.

Exhaustion was starting to peel away at the champion. His movement slowed and his moves became more close-ranged and direct. Rob Terry now had the opportunity to grab his swift opponent and hold him still in a horizontal position across his chest. Rob fell back and slammed his opponent down onto the canvas simultaneously. The execution of the Fallaway Slam brought Rey Mysterio to a dead halt.

Rey lifted himself onto one hip and tried to sooth the pain that spread from his upper back. Its territory grew as Rob pounded Mysterio with an elbow and a regular body slam.

Rob wiped his face clean of sweat. He took much of the abuse during the first half of the match, but now things were going in his direction. He had the smaller wrestler in his arms, positioned into a Full Nelson that transitioned into a slam with Mysterio plummeting down into the canvas. The challenger then dropped to his knees and pinned the incapacitated.

The referee raced into action! "One!" He called out. "Two!" the crowds stood at the edge of their seats. "Three!" He delcared as he tapped the ring for a third time, then he signaled for the bell to ring.

"Astonishing," Jim Ross said excitedly, "we have a new European Champion!"

"Rob Terry has overcome the odds tonight and defeated Rey Mysterio." Nathan said. "I can't wait to see if the Outlaws are as successful in their match, which is next, against the two World Tag Title holders of Kai En Tai: Sun Xun and his partner Taka Michinoku."

Together the Outlaws stepped out to the entry stage with charisma and energy. The wore matched black and green attire. This time, secrecy was no longer a object they had tried hide there scheme inside of. The crossed their crotches with their arms and sparkling green pyro bursted outward in the shape of an 'X' behind them. It was clear these two were trying to revive the old faction of Degeneration-X. If Shawn Michaels and Triple H were involved -- or if they were even asked to be involved -- was still unknown, but hints were scattered like diamonds among rock in their behavior leading up to the pay-per-view event.

The Outlaws of Degeneration-X entered the ring and once again used the cross chop pose toward the roaring crowds. Unlike Kai En Tai, the Outlaws came alone. The entire assemblage of Japanese wrestlers within Kai En Tai came out for the match to support the current and reigning World Tag Champions. The marched down proudly in rows of two: Sun Xun and Taka Michinoku at front, Tajiri and Funaki in the back. It was futile to think that Kai En Tai would, for once, appear in a match without bringing the entire horde to the ring. The tag champions slid in and after handing in their titles, the bell rang.

The tallest member of Kai En Tai was Sun Xun. At 5'11", he was close to giant proportions compared to his smaller partners Tajiri and Funaki. He had his purple hair tied up in a pony-tail and his trunks, also purple, had the Kanji symbol for 'Strength' etched in black along his backside. His strength was under question when Kip had easily knocked him down with a few punches. Kip continued his assault with a leg-drop bulldog -- The Fame-Ass-Er as it was known during his time with WWE. Purple rain hit the canvas hard and often with each hard strike Kip successfully managed to dish out.

It was time for a little change in gameplay, Sun Xun thought to himself. Kip's knees buckled under the weight of Sun Xun's high flying huricanrana. The Japanese star swept the challenger off his green boots and into the air. The time was brief, but the scattered flashing of cameras like flickering star-light around the arena was just able to turn that moment into an everlasting photograph. Sun Xun was up in no time and his was the first partner to be tagged in. Taka was swift. Like a tiger lunging after its prey. He lunged after Kip, but the tag was already made.

Like a tyrannosaurus, burning with rage and adrenaline, B.G. stomped out Taka's advances with a big boot and a shoulder thrust to halt the speedy lightweight in his tracks. Unlike a Tyrannosaurus, however, B.G. James was quite easily overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of assaults from each member of Kai En Tai. Funaki and Tajiri interjected themselves between Kip and Taka Michinoku. It was as if they planned to cause the disqualification. They would not win, but they would continue to hold the tag titles. B.G. James and Kip felt defeated as they tried hard to fight off the cunning assassins of dignity.

Suddenly the tides turned! A wave crashed over Kai En Tai with the force of ten thousand tsunamis. A power they could not defend themselves against had clear objections to their chaotic rampage. Shawn Michaels and Triple H fought off the rest of Kai En Tai for their friends in the ring. Soon only they stood tall whilst the Japanese wrestlers held their heads in shame and defeat. They ran to the back. Tails between their legs.

Together, they posed the classic D-X chop. This could mean only one thing: Degeneration-X has returned!

"D-X is back! What could this mean for the Wrestling Universe?" Jim Ross pondered. "What could this mean for Raw and Kai En Tai?"

"It can't be good for Kai En Tai, now that a faction has risen up to oppose it," Nathan explained. "As individuals they are just that, but as a united front, they are stronger than anything that comes their way."

"Speaking of great factions, The Hart Foundation is up next defending their pride and honor against the grim reapers of good sportsmanship: Chris Jericho; and of course, Christian."

The time has finally come for Jericho and Christian. The two of them, as well as their absent partner -- Edge -- had bullied and tested the new Hart Foundation. This would finally be their night to silence the Dynasty that wished to rise up and reach greater heights, but they knew it was going to be an uphill battle. Jericho and Christian entered the arena together and then made their entrance to the ring. Like a pack of cunning Hyenas, they had finalized a dirty plan that would pick off the bones of their prey until nothing was left to be devoured.

The team of David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd presented themselves to the crowds within the arena. They arrived wearing their trademark pink attire with Natalya following close behind them. There was a noticeable emptiness in the Hart Dynasty and that was Jimmy and Bret Hart. After the ruthless assault on the legendary Hart, they opted to bring out a member to accompany them that would not fall prey to the cruel jaws of Christian and Jericho. This match was purely revenge for them and they needed to focus on that. Anyone else, including the distractions of managers would be too much of a liability in their pathway to destroying the villainy of their opponents.

The two partners entered the ring and decided together that it would be David Hart Smith starting off against Christian. They met near Christian and Jericho's corner, which suited the two, but David Hart Smith wasn't about to give them any leads when he charged and struck Christian hard. He fell with a loud thud onto the white canvas and was soon forced up to his feet so that he could meet another devastating suplex, courtesy of Smith. He believed that if he kept the offensive and kept little room for Christian to break through, he should be able to tire his opponent quickly and hopefully escape without having to deal with in the vicious Chris Jericho.

The match began to pick up pace. Smith would use an arm drag to manipulate the growing speed and frustration of his opponent. This would just make Christian quicker in his attempts, but his saving grace finally came when tried to apply a submission hold -- an elevated boston crab -- on Christian. He reversed it, breaking through and pulling Smith into a falling inverted DDT. Smith's head connected with the canvas like a bowling ball on wood and the sound echoed loudly as one too. Smith's prior thoughts were scrambled into his current ones. He felt like a bull had suddenly begun stomping at his chest and head and then drag him up to impale him, but it was no bull, it was Chris Jericho.

Jericho kneed his opponent and held him over in a hunched position. He could drive his elbow like a steak knife into Smith's back and use any suplex, DDT, or slam he desired, but instead he had whipped his rival horizontally across the ring. Smith ducked his head under Jericho's swinging kick and leaped into the air toward his partner.

Tyson Kidd was finally in the match! He was pumped full of fresh energy and charged Jericho like a lion running down a beast larger than it could get its claws around, but that didn't matter, he knew he was going to bring this beast down. He dodged Jericho's second attempt to kick a Dynasty member and hoisted his opponent up over his shoulders -- in fireman's carry position -- and dropped him over onto the canvas.

Christian rushed in, pushing aside the referee in the heat of the moment. David Hart Smith knocked away the attacker and then threw him swiftly over the ropes where he could not interfere with Tyson's pin. After the count was finished, the victorious Hart Foundation celebrated triumphantly. They had defeated Jericho and Christian! The men that had harassed and tormented them well before they even were collected on the same brand had finally been decimated by the united power of the Harts.

"Serves Jericho and Christian right to try and destroy a great lineage out of whatever jealousy or rage convinced them to strike in the first place," said Jim Ross, happy to see justice prevail.

"Together they rise and much harder do they fall. The Harts are one group you better hope you're stronger than if you want to attack them as a whole." Nathan replied. "I'm sure Jericho will think twice before he throws his fists into another legend of the business like Bret Hart, but speaking of legends; I can't help but anticipate the next match up greatly."

"Ultimate Warrior, the reigning National Champion defending that prestigious title against Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan."

The first one to enter the arena was Ric Flair. His presence was heavily unappreciated and the man himself could feel the shroud of distaste blanket over him when the crowds booed and gestured vulgarly toward him. He had insulted the greats of the industry and whined when he could not win a match until having finally forced Shawn Michaels into submission during Wrestle Jam. His poor sportsmanship and horrid attitude had garnered him no spot in the hearts of the fans, but as a villain, he triumphed and relished the negative attention. Flair entered the ring and removed his sparkling robe to reveal the matching blue trucks and black pads, and boots beneath.

The real hero of the match was the man that had been the savior of integrity for so long and his name was Hulk Hogan. Though he was much older now, he still had some fight left in him to go a few more rounds with his old rivals and even a few youngsters. He played to the crowds as he entered the ring. He posed continuously for the crowds that loudly for the legendary Hulkster. With the support of the crowds behind him, he felt he could do anything and especially win a match consisting of two men with poorer in-ring ability than he had.

All the was left was Ultimate Warrior.

Crashing through the curtains and racing down to the ring like a rogue freight train was the Warrior himself! He unleashed his energy to reach the ring and then as he ascended the rim, he shook the ropes like a savage bear. Once he entered, the charismatic and energetic attributes of the man seems to evaporate off of him. He handed his title to the referee and then confronted the two challengers with an immediate outburst of violence. Flair and Hogan were surprised by the viciousness of their assailant, it was as if he had no respect for anything around him.

Flair was the one to burst Warrior's bubble of energy and mayhem. With a low blow, he ceased all of Warrior's activities and then turned his attention to Hulk Hogan. Hogan had seen the strike and was well prepared for Flair. He booted his old rival square in the face and then knocked him back down after Flair attempted to jump back up, as if the boot hadn't even affected by it. Hogan figured that his rival would refuse to sell his attacks properly, so to remedy this nagging troll of a man -- as he considered him, of course -- he grabbed Ric Flair by the throat and threw him into the upper-left corner. There he used Flair's own signature chest slaps against him to humiliate him in front of the cheering crowds.

"Hogan is staying on the offensive with Flair." Jim Ross announced.

"The all American legend has the ability to win this, but it is a triple threat and there is certainly a wild card in the match. I personally think the ball could be in anyone's court with this one," Nathan replied.

"One thing is for sure, Flair's chest will be hurting after this match."

"That it will, J.R."

Hogan freed Flair from the corner and let him fall to the canvas. The Hulkster turned, he had almost completely forgotten Ultimate Warrior was even in the match. This was something he'd never soon forget again as Warrior dropped him like a ton of bricks after a stiff clothesline. The face-painted madman raised his rival up onto his shoulders with both hands pushing him up in an almost unfathomable display of strength. Hogan knew what was next, he couldn't punch out of it, because when he had tried to, Warrior still dropped him harshly onto the canvas behind him.

Warrior was known for being a stiff competitor with hips opponents. Whether this was because he had little respect for his opponents or little in-ring ability was still unknown. Only Warrior had the real answer to this, but he wasn't one to share. He ran the ropes and upon return, he splashed down onto Hogan's back and pinned him.

SMACK!

Warrior was kicked away by Ric Flair. This infuriated the wild man. He charged the Nature Boy and clotheslined him into the ropes. Warrior pinned Flair for the full three count and retained his National Championship Title once again. It came as a deafening blow to the egos of both Flair and Hogan, but it would heal in time. Warrior was like a shadow that would attack and attack with great ferocity, but he wasn't anymore than that. Just a shell that knew how to attack, but not live. Either way, he escaped with his title to celebrate alone.

"What an event it has been, thus far, but it promises to get even greater!" Jim Ross said.

"Right J.R. Up next is the hell in a cell match between the two brothers of Undertaker and Kane," replied nathan Black.

"This all started when Paul Bearer and returned to exact revenge on Undertaker for burying him in a prison of cement."

"Then suddenly, out of the fires of hell came Kane. Kane helped Paul bury Undertaker into the ground, and taking the Urn in doing so."

"Right, Nathan, but one must wonder what will happen when these two finally collide once again tonight." Jim Ross said, "when Undertaker returned from the grave, he burnt his brother and took back the Urn. He had taken it to Death Valley where he has promised to bury Kane after tonight. Tension has risen up to this point and it's finally at its breaking point."

"Kane and Undertaker. Hell in a Cell. The brothers of destruction finally destroy each other and it's all coming up now." Nathan announced, excited to see what could come of the match.

The lights inside the arena dimmed to a blood red color. All eyes were on the stage when suddenly an explosion of fire overtook the entirety of the stage. Kane, now healed of his minor burns and without his mask once again, stepped through the smoke and fiery plumes that jet up into the air like geysers from hell. They lowered and eventually ceased once he reached ring. One thing everyone had noticed from his entrance was that Paul Bearer seemed to be no where in sight. Kane was utterly and entirely alone in this fight against his powerful brother.

Kane entered the ring as the lights blackened. The flashes that flickered around the arena like stars bursting in the night reflected off of the steel caging that boxed Kane inside the squared circle. Soon Undertaker would step inside the cell with him and once the door closed, there would be no escape for either man. The cage was twenty-feet high with a steel mesh roof that would seal the two off from the outside world. It didn't worry Kane, but he did know that this was Undertaker's match. The cell was where Undertaker was at his most dangerous.

Undertaker appeared like a ghostly figure behind the dense fog and blue lights that drained out all other colors from the arena. The black figure turned the corner and slowly ascended the steps that brought him into the cell. Kane watched his brother as dead man removed his coat and hat, handing them to whom ever was brave enough to grab the items from him.

An eerie silence clouded the arena. The bell had rung, but Undertaker and his brother stood face to face exchanging cold and piercing glares. Each brother waiting for the other to strike first, but it was finally Kane that broke the silent fog and swung a heavy fist toward his brother.

Undertaker stepped out from the realm of shadows and into one of pain and destruction. He countered his brother's advances with a choke toss that managed to push Kane into the ropes and cage wall behind them. Kane used the momentum to charge, but they both had struck one another with equally powerful boots to their opponent's chest. Both fell flat against the canvas and then raised up as if compelled by an unknown magical force that commanded Kane and Undertaker to sit up. Being the first to his feet, Kane gained the advantage and pummeled his older brother with a forearm smash and punches to his back.

The assault had given Kane the gift of a deeply angered Undertaker. Undertaker punched at Kane's sides, scraping his gloved knuckles into his brother's rib cage. When he had Kane backed into the upper-right corner, he decided to take a risk; he raised himself up onto the top rope with Kane's arm in his grasp, then leapt down after him with an old school lariat. The risk had proven to have not been worth taking when Kane caught his brother by the throat. Undertaker didn't seemed phased by failure, he simply had grabbed Kane as well by the throat and soon the struggle became a battle of will. Who would falter and fall prey to the chokeslam of his brother?

"Undertaker and Kane in a parlous situation," said Jim Ross, his eyes glued to the screen on the desk as it gave him a better view of the action inside the ring than watching through the steel mesh.

"It seems that Undertaker is trying to push Kane against the cage, and Kane is trying to force Undertaker to his knees." Nathan said, "this could really go either way, I believe."

The conflict between the two brothers ended with Undertaker achieving his goal. He pushed Kane into the cage and then broke off from the choke hold by whipping his opponent across the ring. Undertaker stopped his running brother dead center in the ring with a devastating chokeslam that ended in a thunderous thud that shook the canvas below them. Undertaker sealed the assault off with a high leaping leg drop that crashed down onto his brother's chest like a wrecking ball smashing down into its target. Undertaker threw himself onto Kane with a pin, but the big red machine had quickly kicked out to continue the match.

As the match raged on, it seemed as if the two brothers had forgotten that they were boxed in by steel and mesh. Rarely had the metal walls partook in the family quarrel in the form of one man pushing the other away or using it as a means to box in their opponent further and assault them with direct close-combat strikes. This changed when Undertaker had ran Kane's skull into the frail door. It burst open like a bullet shattering through glass. Kane spilled onto the matted floor outside the ring and wasn't far behind, stalking his prey.

The change of scenery changed everything for the two men. Suddenly they were no longer caged in and forced to fight within the restrictions that the cell enforced on them as if they were prisoners trapped inside a small room, limiting the destruction they were more than capable of breaking out.

Kane struck Undertaker in the ribs and after having his head slammed into the barricade that separated them from the cheering, excited fans, he was able to turn the tables around with a thrust to the throat and an irish whip. Stopping at the steel steps, Undertaker turned and used a hip toss to smack his brother's back into the metallic steps, the sound echoing throughout the arena.

Undertaker began to ascend the steel cell. As he did, Chavo Guerrero race down the aisle to aid Kane. He was able to latch himself onto the left leg of the Dead Man, but Undertaker easily kicked the intruder away. Kane and Chavo soon followed the Phenom up to the top surface where they could look almost eye-level with the balcony seated fans. Undertaker urged them to near him, but Kane and Chavo would take their time and planned out a strategy. The divided on each side of Undertaker, slowly closing in. They were close to Undertaker when they heard a familiar, high pitched noise coming from the 'S' shape stage.

"You think you can defeat Undertaker in a hell in a cell match, Kane?" Paul Bearer yelled to them. Mick Foley ran down to the ring from behind Bearer to aid Undertaker in fighting off the two attackers. "Oh, yes!" Paul raised the urn high for Undertaker to draw further power from.

Kane and Chavo charged forth! Undertaker struck down the smaller wrestler, but Kane was more than a match for his brother. Kane, ready to drop his brother through the cell, was forced around by Mick Foley and found himself coming close to the edge after the legend pulled the sock out from his brown sweatpants and jammed it as far into Kane's throat as he could. Chavo was now left to the hands of Undertaker. As he stalked the intruder, Undertaker raised his right hand to signal a coming chokeslam. Chavo made a hasty retreat, climbing down faster a speeding torpedo.

Undertaker sharply turned his head toward Kane. Mick Foley climbed down to catch up with Chavo and soon it was just the brother's at ringside with Paul Bearer far below. Kane had betrayed Paul when he and Chavo ditched him during Undertaker's rampage. When unguarded, the Urn was easy to steal back from Kane's dressing room, it would serve little help to the Dead Man who had now become far greater than the power of the urn, but it still served a sentimental purpose to Paul and he raised it high in support.

Undertaker ripped Kane off the steel mesh surface of the cell and in a display of his great strength, held him up high for a chokeslam that inevitably collapsed a section of the cell with the crashing body of Kane. He hit the ring with a loud thud and the fans roared in surprise and excitement. Undertaker hung over the side of the opening and dropped to his feet. At seven feet, he was able to take the impact of the landing well, even with a slight wobble of his knees, he managed to keep upright and standing tall over his fallen opponent.

Undertaker pinned Kane and the victory was his.

"Undertaker wins!" Jim Ross exclaimed, unable to hold in his excitement. "Undertaker wins! My god, Kane crashed through the cell and I don't know how anyone could have survived such a long fall!"

"Kane will walk it off tonight, but I know that he'll be feeling that fall in the morning," Nathan replied with an amused grin. "I honestly did not expect Undertaker to overcome the odds when Chavo came to the ring, but then Mick Foley and Paul Bearer helped turn the tables around and Undertaker took that opportunity that Foley gave him to chokeslam his brother through the steel cell. The Dead man prevails still."

The ring stood empty in the middle of the arena. A lone referee entered the squared circle and soon followed a flood music. The crowds booed with displeasure and rejection when the music was accompanied by the challenger for the World Heavyweight Championship Title: Randy Orton.

Orton wore a shroud of confidence, but though it could fool the fans, it couldn't fool himself. He was nervous to step into the ring with Sting. His attempts to overcome the Main Event Mafia had mostly ended in failure and he knew if it came down to bringing Legacy against the other faction, he'd have a higher chance of walking out without the championship.

He entered the ring at the corner where he would often pose for the crowds -- probably for himself -- then hopped down and waited for the champion to enter the arena. That man had finally come and he wasn't alone.

Beside Sting was Kevin Nash and Booker T, but they had not followed him down to the ring. Sting walked alone whilst the rest of the members of their faction remained on the 'S' shaped stage to police it for any interruptions from the cowardice members of Legacy. They won't soon be ruining the last chance for Sting to beat respect into the cocky youngster.

When inside, Sting allowed the referee to hold up his championship title belt for all to see. It was sparkling, golden, and demanded all eyes focus onto it as if it was the most precious, most prestigious thing in the world. Orton took his eyes off to focus on Sting who had started to disrobe his trench coat and ready himself for the battle ahead.

The first combatant to make physical contact with their opponent was Orton. He didn't believe in wasting time when there wasn't any to squander. He kneed Sting and pulled him into a suplex. With Sting being first on the canvas surface, Orton attempted to keep him planted on his back with a jumping knee drop.

Sting dodged.

Sting rose up to his feet rather quickly. Orton lunged forth to jab him in the ribs, but Sting had connected his fist with Orton's face first. He used an irish whip to send his opponent horizontally across the ring. Orton ran himself into Sting's belly to back suplex and found himself being locked into a Scorpion Deathlock. He managed, just barely, to pull himself away in time and roll under the ropes to escape outside of the ring. Orton recuperated for a brief moment before he was forced back into the ring when Sting eagerly climbed outside after him.

He took the initiative against the champion and connected a sudden RKO finisher on Sting. Out of the corner of Orton's eye, he noticed Nash and Booker coming down to the ring to stop his pin, but Sting was the one who finally ended it at the two count. He continued to keep his opponent covered with attacks and moves that would press Sting to the ring more and longer. Eventually he pulled the desire to try the RKO once more.

A feeling broke through the grip adrenaline and will held over Orton. It was like a boiling feeling that forced him into a dark primitive world of instinct and mindless rage. He lost himself in the moment, waiting for Sting to slowly arise from his feet. When he saw a moment to kick the champion, he took it. The RKO, he thought, would come after as a parting gift to the defeated.

Orton missed!

Sting dodged the punt and turned the tables on the challenger by grabbing his legs from behind and pulling him down for another Scorpion Deathlock. It was successful in its second attempt to quell the viper. Orton, overtaken with pain and rage had been forced to tap out to Sting's submission hold.

The champion celebrated with the two members of the newly reformed Main Event Mafia and the championship title was returned to him. Orton lay defeated until his own faction came to retrieve him. The Main Event Mafia quickly ran them out of the arena so not to interrupt the victory of their champion and group. The youngsters in the company had finally been shown the ropes and put in their place.

"We've come finally to the main event of the night. Universal Championship Title holder Triple H will defend that prestigious belt against Jeff Jarrett." Said Jim Ross

"Previous owner of the Heavyweight title, Jarrett lost to Sting before the shift in the Roster had caused the titles to cross brands," Nathan explained. "Ever since Triple H came to Raw, Jarrett had had his eye on that title and finally they will come together in a battle of strength, will, and pride."

"Who will come out the champion?"

The challenger was first onto the stage. He stood, ready and certain of his chances. Jarrett walked down to the ring and soon entered it, not hesitating to force his opponent out quickly so that they may bring on the match that he had been waiting for ever since losing the prestigious Heavyweight Championship.

Inside the ring, Jarrett watched onward. It seemed to take forever for his opponent to arrive, but he knew the match would happen and the title would soon be in his grasp. When he finally heard theme song that accompanied Triple H. Jarrett was ready for the fight of his life.

Coming out in a casual manner, Triple H sipped at his water bottle and then tossed it toward the fans to his left. He tugged on the belt that draped over his right shoulder and held it up as he posed, showing off his built physique in front of a dazzling and enormous display of sparks and pyro. It ended with a mist of water and the champion walking down to the ring.

Jarrett watched on as Hunter Hearst Helmsley as he rose up onto the outside rim of the ring. He let out one last spray before Triple H came in with his eyes locking immediately onto the challenger of his golden title belt. It was soon handed off to the referee for the fans to see that this would indeed be a title match.

The bell rang and the match started off with both combatants slowly coming toward one another to meet at the center of the ring. Unsure how to begin, Jarrett tugged his opponent in with a grapple lock and manuevered himself around the back of his opponent. There he tightened his arms around Triple H's neck and forehead into a sleeperhold.

Pushed into a defensive position, Triple H elbowed Jarrett until he was able to force off hold and run toward the ropes. When he lunged toward Jeff, he brought him down with a knee lift. The match was now was going at his pace, and he decided to inflict as much direct, heavy damage upon Jarrett as possible to punish and torture him before he would decide to use the pedigree.

Jarrett seemed to have another plan.

He dodged the knee drop Triple H slammed into the canvas with, then Jarrett climbed up to his feet and used a running DDT to plant his opponent face first on the white ring surface. He would ensure Triple H did not get another chance to switch the position of power with him again. All he needed to do is try submission holds that he had planned to utilize prior to the match and hope that by wearing down the champion, he would exhaust him quicker for an easier pin. That was Jarrett's plan, but with an opponent like Triple H, he knew it would be a hard task to achieve.

Triple H had his own idea of how he would eliminate the competition for his title. It did not include being pummeled by a less muscular opponent with a larger ego than his own. He worked hard to fight back against Jarrett's second submission hold and soon he was released from it -- of course, in part to Jarrett's inability to pry him from the ropes -- and then pulled himself back up to his feet. Triple H drove over Jarrett with a hard first like he was an unstoppable freight train breaking through a wall of bricks laid out in a row just for him. He enjoyed smashing through his opponent and he pulled Jarrett up between his knees for a pedigree, but it had ultimate failed to succeed with the man worming out to clothesline Triple H in retaliation.

The two wrestlers continued their struggle to gain the upperhand from one another. Back and forth they battled, one would gain momentum just to have it snatched away by the other and so on the loop went. It finally ended when Triple H was dropkicked over the top rope and toppled outside of the ring like a wet noodle.

Something has to be done, he thought. He reached under the fabric that draped over the ring and showed off the organization logo and event title. His grip on the wooden handle that he had started to pull out was so tight that his knuckles began to whiten. A sledgehammer, he thought to himself. Perfect!

The match was under the common pinfall rules and he knew it would not benefit him to use it, but he would still, at least, hold the title afterward. If anything, he could distract Jarrett and then use that to force him into a pedigree. Triple H found himself face to face with his impatient opponent outside of the ring. Jarrett saw the weapon and tried to pry it from Hunter's clutches.

The tug-o-war for the weapon ended with it falling to the floor where they watched it rest against the black barricade. With it out of the picture, Jarrett clasped his fingers around his opponent's hair and tried to slam the head of the champion into the rim of the ring. Triple H excluded that from the playing field with a chop across Jarrett's chest. The grip around his air loosened and he freely took the advantage with the Flair-inspired chops.

Before the ten count, the two men were back in the ring. Triple H pulled the defeated mass between his knees and hooked his arms up with his. Triple H then jumped back, bringing Jarrett with him for the Pedigree. It smacked the top of Jeff's skull with the ring canvas and the match was seemingly over. Triple H pinned Jarrett and victorious in his attempt.

The champion retained his title!

"Triple H is still Universal Champion!" Declared Jim Ross. His voice straining with excitement. "Triple H! Triple H has done it!"

"That he has. I don't believe that these two have finished their quarrel however, but tonight, Triple H deserves a celebration fit for the king of kings. The champion goes home with his title once again," said Nathan Black, trying to calm Jim Ross before his commentary partner could lose his voice in the heat of the moment. The show ended with the champion reuniting with the other members of Degeneration X and celebrating inside the ring together.