Disclaimer: WWE belongs to Vince, how can I compete with that?
Welcome back, coming up: the semi-finals of the 'Deadly Games' tournament, Jason faces Shawn in a rematch from Summerslam, John faces 'Taker', and you gotta believe JBL's gonna be in there somewhere. Who's gonna advance? Will Jason's ankle hold up? Let's find out!
Here We Go!
Brotherly Hate-Chapter Twenty Five-Summerslam Rematch
No sooner had the pyro's finished going off in the arena, when JBL's music hit and the WWE champion came out to the ring, the Baltimore crowd gave him the usual reception that he received, deafening boo's. The champion obviously had something to say, although most people would have already heard it about a hundred times already, not that it stopped JBL from talking.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself, my name is John 'Bradshaw' Layfield, wrestling god, American hero and WWE champion!" The crowd booed again.
"Now I'd just like to take a moment of your time to address a little issue, that being the number one contendership 'Deadly Games' tournament. Now as you all know the semi-finals are tonight and I'd just like to say this… what's the point? What's the point in going through all the effort to find a new number one contender when I'm just gonna beat them down and retain my title at No Mercy? This just proves that Teddy Long has lost the plot, I mean, just look at my prospective challengers. John Cena, I beat his ass for the title at Summerslam and I'd do it again at No Mercy! Shawn Michaels, he's a has-been, he doesn't have what it takes anymore! The Undertaker, I beat him at No Mercy last year! History would just be repeating itself, please just accept it, there is no-one on this roster who can beat me, I am, as I said earlier A WRESTLING…"
Before JBL could finish his speech Jason's music hit and the younger Cena, ankle brace and all, made his way to the ring.
"Can I help you? You better have a damn good reason for interrupting me!"
"Oh I have a good reason alright… champ, but first may I ask you something? When you went over your prospective challengers did you forget someone?"
"I don't think so, should I care?"
"You should, considering it was me you left off that list".
"You? Oh yeah, I remember now! You're Shawn Michaels' opponent tonight, I didn't forget, I just thought that it would be a waste of breathe going over what I've done to you as you're not gonna advance tonight".
"Well, if I were you, I'd hope I don't advance, cause as much as you like to think otherwise there is one thing I have over you, Ibeat your ass one, two, threeback at the Great American Bash!"
JBL went nuts. "You know damn well that was a fluke! That will never happen again! Besides you're talking as though you have a hope in hell of winning that tournament, get it into your thick skull, you little degenerate! Even if you somehow beat Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, after he's done destroying your brother, is gonna put you six feet under! Of course, he won't beat me but…"
"Sorry, but did you just call me a degenerate? Cause if you did then you'll understand what I mean when I say that I got two words for ya!"
"Listen, boy, just because your Mom did that doesn't mean everyone else…"
That was all JBL managed to get out before being mugged by Jason, the cocky grin on the teen's face had been replaced by a look of pure rage, he pounded JBL back into the corner and gave him punch after punch after punch until Orlando hit the ring, he faired little better and was quickly beaten down as well, Danny and a hesitant Doug ran in to help but also felt the teen's wrath. Eventually the three lackeys gained an advantage over Jason but before they could press it John charged the ring to help his brother, he beat down all three and sent them outside, he helped Jason up and tried to reason with him.
"Jason, calm down, you're gonna hurt yourself" He yelled in his brothers' face, it didn't seem to register, the comment about their mother had Jason in such a rage that he didn't seem to care whose ass he kicked, if you were within a ten-mile radius you'd get a beating, he took a step forward towards John, the older Cena stood firm.
"Kid, don't make me fight you" he warned, Jason seemed to calm down but before John could continue to reason with his brother, he noticed JBL charging Jason with the title, he pushed Jason to one side and took the full force of the belt to his face and went down in a heap. Jason spun round and took JBL down opening up with right hands again, the cabinet returned and began beating him down again but now Shawn was coming down to even the score, he, like John, cleared the ring of JBL's lackeys and noticed the leader getting to his feet, he spun round with Sweet Chin Music but JBL seemed to know it was coming and dodged to one side leaving Jason to receive Shawn's foot to his jaw laying him out, it took a second for Shawn to realise that he hadn't hit his intended target, he forgot all about JBL a turned his attention to seeing if the teen was alright, when his back was turned JBL came up behind him with the belt preparing to lay him out as he had done to John…
GONG!
The lights in the arena went out which could only mean one thing, JBL decided he'd rather not face the 'Deadman' and bailed from the ring. Undertaker and Shawn watched him leave; Shawn went back to checking on Jason but noticed Undertaker's eyes turn to him, as concerned for Jason as he was, Shawn didn't like the look he was being given and slowly left the ring, fortunately for his conscience Undertaker didn't do anything to the two Cena's but instead stared Shawn down until he had left.
Once Jason regained his awareness of where he was both Shawn and Undertaker were gone, John was being helped to his feet by referee's and Mara was checking if he was alright, in reality she was trying to keep him from exploding when he remembered why it was he'd been laid out, he slowly got to his feet and shook his head to clear it, once he'd regained his composure he spun round and walked right passed Mara up the aisle. When he got backstage he headed straight for the locker room, as he'd thought Shawn was there, a concerned look came over his face as Jason approached.
"Look kid I'm sorry about…"
"What the hell happened out there?" Jason yelled causing the whole room to go silent. Shawn remained in his seat looking Jason dead in the eye.
"Look, it was an accident, I didn't mean…"
"Accident? If it was an accident why didn't you see if I was alright?"
"Because if I'd have stayed in that ring then 'Taker' would have had my head on a plate, I may be your friend, but I ain't gonna risk losing a spot in a number one contenders tournament, especially when you're my opponent".
"So you just decided to run and leave me for him to finish off for you huh? In fact how do I know that superkick was an accident?"
"You think I'd try and take you out? Paranoid much?"
"Paranoid?"
"Yeah, paranoid". Shawn was now standing and he and Jason were standing inches apart, something had to give.
"How's this for paranoid?" To the shock of the other guys watching Jason suddenly bitch-slapped Shawn across the face! Shawn looked shocked, then hurt, then responded with a slap of his own!
"Don't you EVER do that to me again!" He screamed at Jason, who had fallen backwards, the teen glared at Shawn, then went for him! Fortunately the superstars in the room dived in between the two before a full-scale brawl could break out, John ran in to find his brother being dragged out of the room and Shawn being prevented from going after him by the other guys.
"You need to calm that kid down" said Shawn when he noticed him. "I was already gonna give him a beating in the match now he's gone and pissed me off!"
John nodded and went in search of his brother, he found him sitting with Mara in the catering area, he backed up, if anyone could calm him down it was Mara.
"How did I know you were gonna start a fight tonight?" She asked.
"It's not my fault, you heard what JBL said about Mom".
"But you didn't need to take it out on Shawn".
"He superkicked me!"
"Jason, if you couldn't tell it was an accident then you really are the most brain dead guy I've ever met".
"More than Chris? I doubt it" thought Jason, he responded to Mara with a shrug.
"I think you should go apologise to Shawn".
"For what?" Jason cringed when he realised how childish that sounded.
"You slapped him across the face and tried to start a fight in the locker room, that's 'what for'".
"Yeah alright" Jason conceded. "Just as soon as Teddy and Cannon are done talking to me".
Sure enough the GM and the network representative came over to the two teens.
"Jason" began Teddy gently. "You feeling alright playa?"
"I feel fine Teddy, why?"
"Well, ya seem a little on edge, you sure you wanna compete tonight?"
"Please don't tell me you want me to forfeit".
"I don't, I just wanna know if your head's on straight, I saw what ya did to JBL and I heard about what happened with Shawn".
"That was a mistake, I'm going to apologise now".
Cannon laughed. "Yeah right".
"I am, just cause you're an ass doesn't mean I am".
Cannon frowned and walked away, Teddy and Jason exchanged a grin before the GM went on his way.
"Right, now to find Shawn".
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Josh Mathews and my guest at this time, the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels". Shawn walked into the camera shot, Josh continued.
"Shawn we are just moments away from your Summerslam rematch with Jason Cena in the 'Deadly Games' tournament but you and Jason have already clashed tonight according to locker room reports".
"Really? What do these reports say?"
"That you and Jason nearly came to blows in the locker room".
"Let me set the record straight, the kid was a little fired up and we had a disagreement, that's all, as to why he was fired up, maybe it's nerves, maybe it's head games or maybe he's starting to feel the pressure of being a seventeen year old kid in a number one contendership tournament, I don't know but…"
Shawn trailed off as Jason came up to him, the two stared each other down before Jason spoke.
"Look, about earlier…"
"No need, it's cool".
"No, I really am sorry about it".
"Like I said it's cool, takes a real man to come up and admit he's wrong like that".
"So we're even now?"
"Yeah".
"O.K. sorry to interrupt and all, but I had to get that off my chest, but since I'm here I figured I'd ask you somethin'"
"Go ahead".
"At Summerslam I shook your hand when you beat me, are you gonna do the same thing?"
Shawn laughed. "You sound confident, course I will".
"I am confident, see ya out there".
"And may the best man win".
"I plan too!" Yelled Jason, already leaving before Shawn could reply. HBK laughed and shook his head.
"Man that kid has an ego".
Tony Chimel stood the mid-ring. "Ladies and gentlemen the following contest, scheduled for one fall, is a 'Deadly Games' semi-final match" he paused, Shawn's music hit. "Introducing first from San Antonio Texas, The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels!"
Shawn danced his way to the ring to a lot of love from the Baltimore crowd, as soon as he got to the ring Jason's music hit.
"And his opponent, from West Newbury Massachusetts, Jason Cena!"
Jason and Mara came out to a mixed reaction from the crowd, the teen entered the ring and the match began.
Shawn dominated the early going with his usual technical approach until, as at Summerslam, Jason broke it up and began brawling, the teen had added some new moves to his repotoire since Summerslam however, he had studied the tape of his match with Shawn countless times to see if he could improve, it seemed to have worked as he kept Shawn on the back foot for several minutes until the inevitable happened, Jason's ego got in the way. Shawn had been attempting a comeback but the teen had stopped it with a slam, he walked to the corner and played to the crowd when an idea came into his head to try a move that he hadn't used since the Indy days, taking a two-step run-up he jumped into the air for a standing shooting-star press, the technique was there but the execution wasn't as Shawn moved causing Jason to land flat on his face to the laughter of the crowd, Shawn followed up with a roll up for a two-count, Jason jumped to his feet to be met with a clothesline that sent him down, he pulled himself up using the ropes and received another clothesline that sent both Jason and Shawn over the top, Shawn however, grabbed the ropes and skinned the cat back in, when Jason was standing he came flying over the top onto the teen.
Shawn took control from then but couldn't put Jason away, finally the teen's resilience managed to frustrate Shawn and he got sloppy, when Jason was leaning on the ropes for support Shawn charged, only for Jason to lift him up and drop him, neck-first, over the top-rope, Shawn spun round and dropped to his knees allowing Jason to run forward and hit the shining wizard, the ankle brace added extra impact but the teen felt the pain as he hit it, he covered, but Shawn kicked out. Jason picked Shawn up and hit a powerslam for two, he tried to follow with an impaler but Shawn escaped and tried a clothesline, Jason ducked and hit the impaler at the second time of asking for a two again, Jason picked Shawn up and went for a slam but Shawn rolled through it for a two-count, he then clotheslined Jason, gave him a slam, and went to the top-rope. As Shawn was climbing Jason recovered his feet, he saw where Shawn was and jumped from the floor to the top-rope to try and hit the impaler, as he had at Summerslam, Shawn however, had learned how to escape this, he gave Jason some punches to the gut and pushed him back down, Jason's momentum caused him to backwards roll and he ended up on his hands and knees, Shawn came down with an axe-handle but Jason, in fluent movement, jumped from his knees to his feet and then used his momentum from that to dropkick while HBK was still in the air! The crowd went nuts as Jason rolled into a cover, but only got two.
The crowd was now split with a TNA-esque "LET'S GO JAY-SON! LET'S GO SHAWN!" chant as both superstars pulled themselves up in separate corners, Jason was up first and came across the ring looking for a Stinger Splash but Shawn moved and tried a clothesline, Jason dodged and hit a superkick sending Shawn to the outside, however his ankle gave another twinge of pain as he hit it. Jason stood on the opposite side of the ring, once Shawn was back up he charged across and came flying over the top-rope, popping a flip as he did, but Shawn moved to one side, that was bad enough but as Jason crashed to the floor he caught his injured ankle on the announce table, pain shot through the teen's leg and he felt tears come to his eyes it was so painful, Shawn looked concerned for a moment then a steely look came across his face, there were no friends in a number one contenders tournament regardless of who it was between, the kid would probably hate him, but all he could do was continue the match, he stepped forwards and put the boots to Jason before rolling back into the ring a continuing the match, he worked Jason over but didn't go after the ankle, the kid was screaming in pain if he so much as twitched it and Shawn didn't want to do him permanent damage, he stepped back and watched Jason try to pull himself to his feet with both Mara and the ref asking if he wanted to stop, both received a resounding 'NO!' from the teen as he pulled himself up and told Shawn to 'bring it!' Shawn came forward but Jason went behind him and tried to lift him but his ankle went again, he hobbled away but walked right into a suplex from Shawn for a two-count.
Shawn continued to press his advantage and gave Jason a slam, he went up top again and came down looking for the elbow, Jason moved to one-side causing Shawn to crash into the mat, both men got back up and Jason drove Shawn back down with a DDT, he crawled to the ropes and began to climb, it took so long that by the time he had reached the top Shawn was back up, the teen came down with a cross-body but Shawn rolled through into a pin, Jason however rolled through that, instead of pinning Shawn he stood up, grabbed his legs and put on the Sharpshooter! Now it was Shawn's turn to scream in pain as Jason had it locked in.
Despite the severe pain he was in Jason had a smile on his face, he was truly enjoying this match, sure his ankle was killing him and it felt like giving out after every move he hit, the crowd was loving it, he was loving it and both he and Shawn were giving it all they had, the only problem was when he put the move on he had used his right leg to set it up and now he was in almost as much pain as Shawn…almost. He turned his head and saw Shawn reaching for the ropes, HBK's fingers managed to graze them but Jason pulled him away, Shawn summoned his strength and crawled for the ropes again but once again Jason pulled him away, however the teen's ankle gave out again causing him to drop to the floor and release the hold, the two got back up and Shawn went for a clothesline, but Jason ducked and hit one of his own, he then went for the five-knuckle-shuffle but paused and made the DX 'Suck It' gesture before landing it, he called for the F-U and lifted Shawn up… but his ankle AGAIN gave out allowing Shawn to slip behind him and hit a reverse DDT for two.
Shawn was back to his feet first, Jason crawled to a corner and pulled himself up, Shawn came over and gave Jason a few chops before lifting him to the top, he followed with the intention of hitting a superplex but Jason countered and dropped him face-first to the ground, the teen stood up and then followed Shawn down with a frog splash but Shawn rolled out of the way, Jason had learned since his match with Kurt Angle and popped a forward roll on landing, he climbed to his feet, ducked a clothesline from Shawn and came off the ropes looking for a flying forearm just as Shawn had the same idea and the two collided. The referee began counting and at nine both men nipped up, only for Jason to almost collapse right back down as his ankle gave out yet again, Shawn came over and hit a weak atomic drop, deliberately shifting his weight so Jason wouldn't come down on his injured ankle, Shawn hit two clotheslines and slammed Jason, he went to the top-rope and he, like Jason, made the 'Suck It!' gesture before coming down with an elbow. Shawn crawled to the corner and tuned up the band as Jason pulled himself up across the ring, he went for Sweet Chin Music but Jason used the ropes to lift him up into position for the F-U, Shawn escaped and went for the same roll up that won the match at Summerslam but Jason rolled through into one of his own! The referee counted… and got the three! Jason advances!
Jason's music hit as he and Shawn both lay in the ring in states of exhaustion, pain, ecstasy, and disbelief. When Shawn pulled himself to his feet he had a small grin on his face in spite of himself, the kid got him good he had to give him that, he looked across the ring and saw Jason still only halfway to his feet hugging Mara, he walked over and pulled the teen up. They stared each other down and Shawn held out his hand, Jason looked at it, then slapped it away! Then pulled Shawn into a hug, Shawn looked confused for a moment then returned the hug, when they broke apart Shawn raised Jason's arm and the two went to leave, as they were getting out of the ring Jason's ankle went again and he dropped into both Shawn and Mara's arms, the younger Cena, his girlfriend and the Heartbreak Kid, walked out of the arena as the crowd gave them a standing ovation.
End of ChapterWell there ya have it, Jason is going to the final! Who will he face? The Undertaker? Or maybe his big brother John? Find out next time.
R&R
HOO-RAH!