Wrestling Universe

iMPACT 10

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.

To open the show, Orton stood in the ring with the rest of Legacy. Orton held a microphone to his lips, but waited for the heat that crashed over him like a tsunami from the crowds settled. He shouted to them, telling them to shut up, but it had only made the noise deafening in response to his attitude.
"I am speaking!" Said Orton, glaring around the arena and turning to the stage where Sting appeared with Booker T.

"What are you doing out here, Orton? I beat you at Summer Bash and the Main Event Mafia has proven to be more than a match for your lackeys," said Sting.

"Shut up! I demand to be in the qualifying match for iMPACT's fatal-four-way at Night of Hell." Orton spat.

"You had your shot, Orton. It is time for someone else to have a turn." Sting added, "haven't you been beaten enough?"

"You know what?" Booker T intervened, "I think we should give him a shot. This sucka can get in if he beats our newest member to the Main Event Mafia. You dig?"

"I'll take it!" Orton shouted.

"Orton, I'll give you that chance, but if you lose, then I don't want to hear any more from you. You'll shut up and find your place in the back of the line like all the other up and coming talent here." Sting agreed.

"Fine. Just put me in the match." Orton said, his face reddened with rage that he had not even been considered in the first place for the qualifying matches.

From behind Orton came a loud smacking sound. He had been pelted over the back of the head with a chair. The rest of Legacy were laid out just has Orton had and the man standing in the ring was Edge. He had returned from injury and ready to kick as much ass as needed to get a title shot.

Edge picked up the microphone, grinning, he said, "hello Sting, Booker T. Orton had his chance and he was annihilated every time." He looked back at the mess he had created, his grin widening. "I don't think it's fair to people like me that we have to wait while the same four people get chosen for every title event."

"You want in now, too?" Booker T griped, hoping no one else tried to step to the plate after Edge.

"Edge, I'm really not in the liberty to book matches. That belongs to the owner, but if you think you can get that title shot, then you go right ahead," Sting responded. "Either way, I've come through hell and back and held this title for a good while now, I doubt you or Oton, or anyone else that wins the qualifying matches tonight will be able to take it away from me."

"I'd like to bet on that." Edge challenged Sting.

"How about we have our new member take him on, instead of Orton?" Booker turned to Sting.

All eyes watched the stage as suddenly the man in question appeared. The newest member of the Main Event Mafia was none other than Batista. He joined with Sting and Booker T at the edge of the stage and, mic in hand, spoke in regards to whom he would be facing in the qualifying match.

"It's good to be back." Batista said, scanning the excited fans around the arena. "Since I've returned and Edge has returned, I think I'll take you on. I've faced Orton far too many times to be scared of losing to him."

"Good." Edge smirked deviously, seeing the championship draw closer in his mind.

"Then it is settled. Edge versus Batista for the main event qaulifying match to see who will join the other two contestants in the fatal-four-way at Night of Hell." Sting said.

After a commercial break that allowed the ring to be cleared and readied for the first match of the night, the combatants arrived. Newcomer Amy Vapor, dressed in a blue top and black skirt -- with matching boots and pads -- descended the aisle with her tag partner, Melina. Dressed in similar colors, but in a tighter, shorter outfit, Melina extended her legs in a split as she climbed the rim. She then crawled inside and rose up to greet her partner at the center. Together, the decision was that it would be Melina to start first. She had more experience with the wrestling industry and the newer heel still had some to learn from the dirty tricks of the game.

Also new, but not to wrestling, was Lisa Marie Varon, formerly known in TNA as Tara and in WWE as Victoria, she used her own name this time to halt any chance of disappointment in selection. Most of the wrestlers had carried over which name they had been going as, but some changed due to a personal distaste for what ever they were forced to pen themselves as.

Lisa Varon and Natalya entered the ring and it was Natalya who began the match against Melina. The other women took their places behind the ropes, waiting for a tag, waiting for their chance to shine. Not only was this match a female tag bout, but the winner had been promised a chance at a qualifying match for a brand new title, a title yet to be placed on either brand.

What the name of the title was unknown, but it involved the entirety of the roster being able to challenge for it. It, however, was only in the back of the girls minds as they wrestled in the ring. Melina twisted Natalya's arm for a wrist lock and she then was elbowed in retaliation. Natalya whipped her opponent toward the corner where her own partner stood in wait.

As a member of the new dynasty of Harts and the reformed Hart Foundation, Natalya was a great tag partner to have. She knew the ropes and she knew the moves, but she had not been given the chance to tag with anyone since her early WWE days. This was that chance and she tagged in her partner as they double-teamed the opposing female.

As far as Melina was concerned, the ring seemed to have shrunken. She became quite familiar with the corner Natalya and Varon occupied. They interchanged tags and not once did a first, submission hold, or kick stray far from their opponent. Hope was fading fast, but energy was boiling up inside the newcomer. She wanted in. Now! In order to save her partner and the match for the heel females of iMPACT, Amy dropped off the rim of the ring and raced around to attack Natalya off the rim. It singled out Lisa Varon and soon Melina began to find her footing and the slow rise against the 'good' fight.

Natalya clenched her eyes shut as her head smacked into the steel steps and then was thrown into the steel pole that held the ring in place in its respective corner. It seemed that the heels were returning to power. Melina held Lisa Varon in a tight body scissors hold, whilst Amy pummeled the Hart member into the outer mats.

Lisa reached the ropes. Natalya struck her attacker in the eyes with a flying right fist. The tables were quickly turning. Natalya raced to her corner when her partner lunged in for the tag. Got it! She rushed toward Melina before the woman could regain her senses and once the sharpshooter was locked in tight, no interference from Amy could have helped her. Melina tapped quickly and the side of good triumphed once again.

"Natalya and Lisa Varon win!" Don West said, "it was told that the winners of this match would be able to decide which of them got the chance to qualify for the title shot."

"Of course I told them that. Only one can take it, and I'm sure they'll choose right. The new belt can go to either Raw or iMPACT, but maybe if I want it to, it could be shared by both brands," Nathan teased.

"What is this new belt?"

"I'm not telling. We'll find out at Night of Hell. Next week, though, we'll see either Lisa or Natalya battle Santino Marella for the official qualifying match for the title shot."
"Yeah, you mentioned the entire roster was entitled to a shot, but what does that mean?" Don pondered, "Santino has already held the women's championship, so why would he be in line for this?"

"Because he bothers me all the time for title shots. I give them to him in hopes that he can triumph and shut up, but he keeps losing. This is his absolute last chance." Nathan complained. "Hear me Santino? If you lose your match next week against either Natalya or Lisa Marie Varon, then you will not receive another title shot until you prove yourself worthy."

The screen atop the stage revealed the ever-temperamental James backstage with his newfound partner, Brandon Powers. James sat on the bench in the dressing room as Brandon wrapped set his wristbands in place and punched the air, preparing for his upcoming match.

"Take out Tyson Kidd, man." James cheered him on.

"I will. I'm glad you came to me when you needed a partner, you're cockiness is getting us a lot of attention." Brandon chortled, almost speaking to himself.

"What do you mean?" James gave his partner a stern glance.

Brandon stopped and turned toward James, throwing his hands up and laughing lightly, "heh, don't worry. I'm with you, man. I just mean, maybe we should take this a notch further? So far you've been getting by on just brass balls alone. Calling out Shawn Michaels' faith, insulting Abyss and Gangrel, not too mention our victory over them last week, I'm thinking if we take it to higher extre--" he was cut off by his partner.

"Extremes? Higher?" James pondered to himself, "our careers 'are' taking off like rockets, if you think about it. Perhaps, we should call ourselves. . ." he paused to think, then lit up, saying, "Team Rocket!"
"Sounds great! Now, we're going to crash those tightwad Harts back down to Earth!" Brandon and James slapped hands and left the dressing room together, possibly hinting that James would be accompanying him to the ring in the match. They expect as much from Tyson Kidd as well.

Accompanied by Jimmy Hart, Tyson Kidd stepped out from behind the black curtains. He entered the ring and his manager set himself outside of the ring to oversee the match. His opponent entered the arena soon after Tyson stepped through the ropes.

Taller than his partner -- nearing 6'0" -- Brandon Brandon also had the signs of a build similar to that of The Rock or John Cena. New to the organization gave him the advantage to surprise opponents with his abilities, which were far more flexible than any John Cena type could -- for one, he had more than six moves.

Brandon came alone. It relieved the Hart member that the mouthy counterpart to his opponent would not be showing his face in the match. It is the reason he had not brought Bret Hart down to the ring as James was beginning to harass Michaels each chance he got and didn't want any of that to rub off on a man that has already been forced into more altercations than he had thought would come of managing the Hart Foundation.

Brandon slid into the ring, his smooth orange pants helping him glide easily inward without too much trouble. The canvas was cloth, and sometimes wrestlers would gain a slight skin burn from sliding too hard. Brandon pulled up his brown elbow pads and Tyson Kidd stood waiting for the bell to ring.

They met at the center with Tyson striking quickly through Brandon's attempt to grapple. With a roundhouse kick, Tyson knocked his opponent into the ropes and then whipped him across the ring to setup a high speed attack. Powers hooked around Kidd's dropkick and then crash down onto his opponent with a high jumping leg drop.

Brandon pinned!

Tyson quickly escaped by rolling his shoulder out of the cover and the referee called off the count immediately afterward. Brandon ran his hands through his short brown hair and complained to the referee, it was ridiculous to him, but the match still had to continue wether he thought he should have gotten the pin or not.

As he ascended off his knees, Powers found himself in the air through Tyson's suplex and then the young Hart member decided to pull his opponent into an ankle lock. Danger Powers grunted and yelled as the pain began to grow and expand through his body. It burned from the ankle down and he knew it wouldn't be much longer until he would have to tap out. Something had to be done to escape. Fortunately for him, the ropes were near and Brandon managed to -- just barely -- reach the ropes to break off the submission hold. He rolled out of the ring and favored the leg until he felt it was sound to apply pressure to the soft spot again.

Once again, they met. Brandon dodged a near hitting elbow and maneuvered out of a back body-drop. Tyson tried a different method: Speed. He raced toward the ropes. Powers ducked under his leaping opponent and then lowered himself to the canvas. Tyson, instead of hopping over and continuing his race to the ropes, slammed down on his opponent with a hard hitting knee drop and then tried to plug in the initiate another ankle lock.

Brandon was smart enough to avoid it this time. He Twisted out onto his back and kicked Tyson away. He then rushed and covered the Hart member, making a small package of their bodies to keep Tyson limited to movement. Brandon also held a the bottom rope when he noticed the referee was counting behind him. Once the pin was final, he broke off from his opponent and slid out of the ring to celebrate. He stole the win.

"How convenient that he just happened to cheat his way to victory." Said Don West.

"You got to do anything you can to win, sometimes. Don't forget that behind that heartthrob face is a heel just like his partner," Nathan explained to his commentary partner.

"I almost prefer James."

"How so?"

"At least with him, you know what you're going to get. Sometimes with these newer talent, you expect one thing and get something entirely different."

"I think you can apply that to just about everyone in the business and outside world."

After the match, James stepped out from behind the curtain with a microphone in hand and said, "Tj Wilson -- if you don't mind me calling you by your name -- you're adopted member of the Hart Dynasty. You're not really one of them, are you?"

Brandon stopped at the stage with his partner as Jimmy Hart and Tyson stood in the ring, inquisitive as to incisively critical comments he would have to say about them.

"Right, you have nothing to say for yourself, as it would appear." He slowly paced the stage as he spoke, "speaking of appearances: what exactly is that on your head?" He was referring to the small tussock of hair at Tyson's forehead. "It makes you look like an overly tanned robot," he began to do a twitchy robot dance, singing, "beep boop beep-beep badoop--"

"What do you want?" The Hart member cut off the quirky dance.

"Brandon and I want the titles." James answered, handing the microphone to his grabby partner.

"We here-tell that Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith of the new formed Hart Foundation -- or Hart Dynasty as it pertains to the two of you -- are the contenders to the Universal Tag Team Championship titles."

"Held by Cody Rhodes and Brian Christopher, of course," added James.

"You want to challenge us for the a chance at our future titles?" Tyson replied, wondering what Legacy may have to think about this. They would probably find it hilarious to see their rivals fighting over titles they don't have.

"Yeah, I think that is it. Right, Powers?"

"Yes, James. I think that's about right."

The owner suddenly stepped into the ring. Deciding to hold off his position as commentator for the time being if a scene like this was to play out before them instead of a match. He took the microphone from Tyson, and looked toward the two on stage and Tyson in the ring before he said, "well, we're all rushing to catch up here, aren't we? Next week will see Christian and Chris Jericho face Legacy for the tag titles." He said, "you guys will have to wait your turn, but I'll allow you two teams to battle it out next week as well to see who might step up if the title stays in the hands of Legacy."

"So the match is on? Because, I'm just hearing you run your mouth where it doesn't belong." James spat. "We're going to blast off to stardom, the fuel is lit and the coordinates are in. Just make the match and go back to your desk, Mr. Black."

"I don't think I like that attitude from you, but I'll make the match. I'll even go a step further and book James against David Hart Smith in a first blood match for Night of Hell," replied the Owner. "If you lose that match, James, I'm going to ban you from appearing on three pay-per-view events."

"We'll take that risk." Brandon answered for his partner.

"Alright, next week we'll have a tornado tag match between the team of James and Brandon Powers versus Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith. Winner will receive the first title shot for the Universal Tag Team Championship against who ever wins the title match between Christian and Jericho versus Legacy."

Satisfied with the results of the challenge, James and Brandon retreated to the back. Nathan returned to the table as the commercial break broke up the segment.

Upon return from the break, Abyss made his descent to the ring. It was finally time for the iMPACT brand qualifying matches that would determine which three individuals would go up against on another and the title holder -- Sting -- at the coming pay-per-view event.

Abyss entered the ring and stood in wait for his opponent to arrive on the scene. He knew it was Booker T, a member of the newly reformed Main Event Mafia, and he knew Booker T would do anything he could to ensure himself a spot in the fatal-four-way match to secure the title for his faction.

After Booker T made his entrance to the ring, the two quickly got the match underway. Booker chopped his opponent across his broad chest and then whipped him horizontally across the ring. He raised his leg and whacked Abyss, but didn't topple him over. Booker then ran the ropes and came back with a powerful forearm smash that Abyss had managed to transition into a devastating, and ring shaking belly to belly suplex that evened the playing field.

Abyss turns his opponent around as he pulled him up and hooked an arm around his waist to hoist him horizontally against him. One arm held Booker's leg to keep him suspended over the canvas as he took a few steps and then dropped down on his butt, landing Booker on his back.

Booker T found himself planted against the ring by right and left punches from his opponent, then his hair was almost ripped from their roots as Abyss dragged the Main Event Mafia member to his feet. Book jabbed at Abyss' ribs.

A punch to the right! Punch to the left! He continued to strike until he managed to break free and run up the ropes for a quick burst of momentum that might help him regain control over his opponent. He finally whacked his masked opponent with a spinning crescent kick. It dropped Abyss with a loud thud and gave Book the opportunity for a quick, but futile cover. He broke out at two.

Frustrated from the failed pin, Booker dug his forearm into Abyss' face, pressing the mask to the man's squished face. After a short while, he released and pulled himself up to continue the offensive.

If Abyss wanted to win, he needed to do something quick. Booker T was leading the man into his finisher, an axe kick driven into a bent over opponent. As he saw Booker T racing toward him, he jerked his body up, grabbed the raised boot and pulled his opponent down into a leg lock. It broke off quickly, but Abyss was just as quick to then apply a chinlock against Booker T.

Booker T held onto his pride for as long as he could. On his stomach with his neck stretched back with Abyss' grasp on his chin, and body weight on Booker's back, he was reluctant to pin. Eventually the member of the Main Event Mafia had tapped out to Abyss. He was unable to break free or pull himself around to find any reachable rope.

As the first qualifying contender for iMPACT's fatal-four-way, Abyss celebrated by exiting the ring immediately before Booker T could recover from the brutal submission hold. He didn't need to pander to the crowd as a heel so the victory was fine with him without celebration.

The next match was between Randy Orton and AJ Styles. Two opponents that would have never met had the two companies not joined under the wallet of an ambitious and rich man.

Randy Orton was first to the ring, then AJ Styles. Orton, accompanied by his goons in Legacy, felt confident in his chances. He would do what he needed to do, which meant he was probably going to cheat in order to win the title shot at Night of Hell. Cheating was what the viper did best, for he had yet to properly dispense of his opponents in a fair and balanced match.

Alone, AJ Styles didn't need anyone to make himself feel safe in a match. He just needed his fists and wit. He entered the ring and as he did, Randy Orton immediately pulled him into an assault that ended with an RKO. Orton quickly pinned AJ Styles for a hasty victory. The pin hadn't finished to three and the match would have to continue. Orton wasn't pleased by the results, but if it meant punishing a man he detested, then it would just have to do.

THUD!

Orton dropped AJ Styles with another RKO and this time, the pin went through. He stood victorious over his fallen opponent.

Like vultures over a fresh kill, Legacy pecked at the man with their feet and fists until there was nothing left but a defeated clump of flesh and bones. They continued the assault in a brutal frenzy as if they were sharks ripping apart a large whale that dared to challenge their hierarchy in the oceanic kingdom.

Orton watched on as his men annihilated AJ Styles kick by kick, punch by punch, and almost leaving nothing left for their ravenous leader to devour when they were finished. As leader of the bloodthirsty pack, Orton wanted the best for himself.

He wanted to end AJ Styles career.

He had already earned the spot in the fatal-four-way match, but he wanted to ensure that AJ Styles would never be a threat to him ever again. How would he do this? A deadly punt to the head. He crouched down into the upper-right corner of the ring, watching Styles barely manage to pull himself on all fours like a scolded dog beaten by a pack of cold, vicious knaves. He had no awareness of where he was or what he was doing, only that he was alive and in pain. A lot of pain. He had no clue of the dangerous kick that would soon hit him in mere seconds.

Orton charged!

Just a foot away from kicking in AJ Styles' skull, Orton found himself falling backward into the white flat surface of the ring canvas. A spear from Batista slammed him hard. Next to Batatista were three men: Sting, Booker T, and even Hulk Hogan -- he had taken it upon himself to interfere -- all of which were ensuring Legacy could not stop Batista's own violent assault on the bruising viper.

Randy Orton may have one, but he was left in the ring as a defeated man. Hulk Hogan and Booker T helped slip AJ Styles back to the locker rooms whilst the leader of the newly reformed Main Event Mafia was able to hold his own against the exhausted goons of Legacy. They then soon escaped to leave the tattered mess crawling like sliced worms in the ring. Victory was theirs.

"What a rampage!" Don West exclaimed. "Randy Orton was about to punt Styles, but the Main Event Mafia and Hulk Hogan came down to rescue him."

"I'm sure they saw that, but what is intriguing is that next we'll see the newest member of the MEM face Edge for the last open spot in the fatal-four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship," Nathan responded.

"Edge, returning from injury, will have to prove himself here tonight if he really is ready to get back into action and a major title challenge at that."

The main event was the final match that would determine who of the remaining two competitors would win the last open slot for the fatal-four-way match at Night of Hell. It starred the returning wrestlers: Edge and Batista.

Edge was the first one out. Edge had beaten the main event spot away from Orton of the show to prove that he was back and ready -- more than ever -- to get this title shot and possibly even the title itself. He entered the ring confidently, bouncing on the ropes before his boots touched the white canvas inside.
Now it was Batista's turn.

Stepping out of the shadows, Batista hadn't seen much action in the Wrestling Universe other than obscure bouts. After sealing himself in seclusion, he was ready to burst into the light and that explosion of confidence expanded further with the forceful push of Sting and Booker T initiating him into the Main Event Mafia. The first man from the former WWE to have even been considered to unite with an elite panel of champions like Sting and Booker T. He would prove himself in this match. His only job: defeat Edge or weaken him so that he is not a threat in the fatal-four-way match. Sting had enough things to worry about, Edge was a wild card now and the idea that all of the competitors in the match were heels did not evade his mind.

With a grapple lock, the match began. Batista easily over powered age in the struggle of strength, but it was known early on that it would be Edge who would out-wit the larger man. Edge maneuvered Batista out of an attempt at a spinebuster and dropped his opponent down with a hasty counter DDT.

Edge pinned Batista, but it was quick and the match continued after only a two count. Unphased by the failure of his initial cover, Edge ran up the ropes and kneed his opponent back down into the canvas. He then stomped and taunted Batista before running horizontally across the ring for further momentum. He crashed down on his opponent with a high elbow drop, but Batista quickly recovered as it if was merely a mosquito bite.

Edge may have been quicker and possibly smarter than Batista, but he didn't have the muscle mass and the stamina of 'the animal.' He tried an enzuiguri, but it dawned on Batista as Edges boot came swinging around, and he grabbed that too.

Now on his back with his legs spread and held by his opponent, Edge was twisted and molded into an elevated single-leg Boston Crab submission hold. Edge tossed and turned, trying to rid himself of the pressure and weight of his opponent, but it was a swift kick to the inner thigh that caused Batista to back off.

Neither men were showing signs of wear or tear yet. Their bodies still in peak shape, no exhaustion settling in. Edge returned to his feet and grappled Batista's arm to send him running with an irish whip, but the transitional maneuver was reversed and soon Edge found himself against the ropes instead. He'd have to evolve and adapt to the retaliation, or find himself meeting the big boot of his muscular opponent.

Edge ducked!

Batista turned to find Edge coming back at him with a cross body. He hadn't enough time to react and catch him. Edge pinned his opponent once again, but this time, Batista managed to shove him off with enough force that Edge nearly flew several feet over the canvas before landing on his right hip.

"Edge can't seem to keep the animal under control," Don West commented about the struggle for power being displayed in the ring. "If Batista is able to keep Edge at bay, he may be able to pick up the win and possibly lighten the load Sting has during his match at Night of Hell."

"That would be too easy for him. Edge is a tough opponent and you can ask the Hart's for confirmation on that. Edge won't go down without a fight, I assure you that much." Nathan replied.

He was right. Edge refused to let Batista's constant counter attacks and unstoppable retaliations bring his spirits down. He didn't care that Orton was making it into the match. Edge didn't care that Abyss and Sting were in the match either; the title was what he wanted. He wanted to be the champion, the greatest heel and greatest wrestler in the industry. That was his goal for this match: Beat Batista and then take on whatever came.

What did come to him, was a large muscular man, ready to spear him in half. Edge reversed the charging bull by using his opponent's own weight and speed to smack him into the steel pole in the corner of the ring. Batista stopped almost immediately, reeling back from the pain that suddenly pulsated between his neck and shoulder.

Edge then threw down his rival with an impressive, long jumping bulldog facebuster. He didn't pin after, but he didn't want to. Pinning Batista now would have wasted the one thing that would allow Edge true victory in this match: The spear.

The very move that had betrayed Batista was the closest ally Edge ever had besides his former partner -- Christian. It never let him down and it always did what he wanted it to do and that was to annihilate the opposition. This time would be no different. He knew it was all that stood between Batista winning or him winning.

Batista slowly rose up to his feet. He wasn't yet facing Edge and so as the long-haired, wrestler squirmed with anticipation, his brain shot off like a bullet before its time. He couldn't handle it any longer. He needed to strike!

Batista turned.

Edge charged!

SMACK!

Edge smashed into his bulkier opponent like a runaway freight train crashing through a ton of bricks. The spear was devastating and the sound of their bodies connecting echoed the arena, but not as loud as the thunderous thud that came after 'the animal' slammed dramatically down into the canvas below him. Edge rolled over him and pinned as quickly as he could and as best as he was able to cover.

One! Two! Three!

Edge won! He had succeeded in returning with the biggest explosion possible. He rose up, victorious and celebratory! He kicked Batista, to the shagrin of the referee and booing crowds, but after a few strikes, the body of his opponent seemed to slip his mind and the reality of victory set in! This is my chance for the gold, he thought! I'm going to take down Sting and his Main Event Mafia!

The victory was short lived. Orton and Legacy raced down to the ring to pummel the opposing challenger for the Orton's future title. It was going to be Orton, not Edge that pinned Sting! That's what raced through Orton's mind, whereas the opposite played over in Edge's. Both heel, it didn't strike the crowd as shocking, but they wandered what would come of the sudden burst of aggression that broke out in the ring. Batista rolled out after Abyss then joined the fight.

It was only when Sting joined forces with Booker T and the deflated Batista did was the ring once again clear of the violence and mayhem that Orton and Edge brought forth in their war to be the one who would walk into the match in the best of shape to take out the champion.

The defeat was forgiven, but Batista still had some things to learn from these two before he'd be a fully trusted and accepted member of the Main Event Mafia. He was a main eventer, but he was also new to the group, that meant he'd have to prove himself even more now that Edge managed to wipe the canvas with him. One more wrong step, and Batista may find himself back with the lower card stars, jobbing to the mid-carders.

For now, however, the Main Event Mafia stood tall and proudly. They lost their matches, but it didn't matter. Sting was the one with the title and it wasn't going to be pretty if he had to defend it against both Booker T and Batista. They watched the squabbling heels back away as the show closed.