Chapter Five: Backlash
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Backlash was live from Atlanta Georgia and it was time for the main event. The crowd was red hot having just witnessed Shawn Michaels defeating Edge and Randy Orton in a triple threat match for a number one contender shot at the WWE title. But now the steel cage, which had been looming above the ring since the beginning of the night was being lowered downward as lights flashed in the arena and music played making the atmosphere tenser. The twelve foot high cage eventually came to a stop and was fasten down to the ring, and then the cage door was pulled open.
Todd Grisham stood in the time keeper's corner and got ready to start his introduction, "the following steel cage match is for the WWE Championship and is scheduled for one-fall. In order to win a superstar can; pin their opponent, make them submit, or escape from the cage by either climbing over the top or through the door."
John Cena's music started playing and the current WWE Champion came out from the back to his usual mixed reaction from the crowd. Cena stood at the top of the stage and showed off his WWE Title. Cena spun the spinner for what might be the last time and headed down to the ring. "Introducing first," announced Todd, "from West Newbury Massachusetts, weighing in at two hundred and forty pounds, he is the WWE Champion… JOHN CENA!!"
Cena reached the ringside area and paused in front of the opened cage door and looked around at the crowd. Cena took a deep breath and pulled his shirt off and tossed it into the crowd, then climbed up onto the ring apron, went in between the ropes and stood in the middle of the encaged ring. Cena stood in the middle of the cage and raised his WWE Title up above his head and was met with a really loud mixed reaction, though the cheers were present, the boos were easy to hear as well.
John Cena's music was stopped and then Riot Time started playing. A loud cheer that put John Cena's cheer to shame rose from the crowd as Machetti and Maria came through the curtain holding hands. Tonight Machetti was sporting his first ever WWE t-shirt. It was the traditional black t-shirt, but on the front in orange letters it said, "GO HARD OR GO HOME" then on the back, "MACHETTI" was written and was underlined with what looked like a pipe. Machetti and Maria stood on the stage and stared out at the crowd, almost everyone was cheering, even the fans that had been booing Cena were cheering Machetti.
As Machetti and Maria headed down the ramp Todd continued his introduction, "and the challenger, from Detroit Michigan, weighing in at two hundred and fifteen pounds, being accompanied by Maria… MACHETTI!" Machetti smiled as he walked the rest of the way down the ramp, occasionally stopping to high-five some fans. Then Machetti came to a stop in front of the cage door. Inside the cage Cena gestured for Machetti to 'bring it' and get his ass in the cage. But Machetti held up his index finger and told Cena to hold it.
Cena glared at Machetti, who smiled and turned to Maria. Maria grabbed Machetti for a tight hug and promptly kissed him. When Maria pulled away she quickly whispered good luck in Machetti's ear. Machetti smiled then pulled off his t-shirt and handed it to Maria, before getting up on the ring apron and getting into the ring, and the cage. Machetti walked into the middle of the ring where Cena and the referee were standing. Machetti smirked at Cena as the referee took away the WWE Title.
The referee came over to Machetti and showed him the belt, then took it over to the door, and handed it to an official on the outside. The official took the belt and the door to the cage finally closed, locking Cena and Machetti inside. Outside of the ring the bell rang signaling the start of the match. Machetti and Cena started off with a stare down, but then Machetti stepped forward and held his hand out to Cena. The champ stared down at Machetti's hand, then slowly took it and shook it.
Machetti attempted to pull his hand away, but Cena held on, then used his hold on Machetti's arm to raise it up and then wrench it at a weird angle. Cena kept his hold on Machetti's arm and quickly slipped behind him and pressed the arm into Machetti's back. Machetti shook his head, then pulled away from Cena and un-wrenched his arm by flipping onto his back. Machetti then brought his legs up to his chest, then kicked up, pulled Cena to him, and took him down with a clothesline.
But before anything else could happen Cena rolled to the side and got back up to his feet. Machetti smirked at him and shook his head. Cena glared at Machetti and held both of his hands up in front of him, signaling he wanted to do a lock up. Machetti looked at Cena's hands then turned to glance at Maria, who was outside of the cage. Machetti gave Maria a nod then stepped forward and locked hands with Cena.
But Cena was clearly the stronger of the two combatants and immediately started backing Machetti up towards the ropes. But before he could get too far, Machetti slipped behind Cena, grabbed his legs and pulled them up, tripping Cena and knocking him onto his face. Machetti stayed on top and dropped down, rolled across Cena's back and locked in a headlock while on the ground.
Machetti wrapped his arm tightly around Cena's throat, cutting off his air supply, then pulled back on Cena's head, while applying pressure to the back of his neck. Cena struggled in the headlock for a bit then fought his way up to his feet, but Machetti managed to keep the headlock locked in, only now it was a standing side headlock. Cena dug deep and wrapped his arm around Machetti's side, then lifted him up off of the mat, and went to fall onto his back for a back drop.
But in mid air, Machetti swung his legs forward then flipping himself upside down and out of Cena's grasp, then as Machetti fell downwards, he grabbed onto Cena's head and drove it down to the mat for an inverted DDT. Cena clutched the back of his head and rolled away from Machetti then slowly got back to his feet and once again glared at Machetti, who simply smirked and gave the champ a little wave.
That pissed Cena off. Machetti was enjoying this and was making him look like a fool. And that was one thing that John Cena could never stand for. The only person who could make John Cena look stupid was John Cena. Cena charged across the ring at Machetti looking for a clothesline, but as he got close Machetti ducked down, causing Cena to overrun him. Both Cena and Machetti quickly turned around to face each other, with Cena swinging his arm for a strong right hook, but Machetti quickly ducked down, causing the punch to go over his head. Machetti then shot up and started punching Cena in the stomach with short jabs from each hand.
Cena stumbled backwards, to escape Machetti's punches then swung his left arm, hoping to get Machetti this time, but again Machetti ducked down and dodged Cena's fist, then went off on Cena and started working over the champ's stomach. Cena quickly brought his arms up and pushed Machetti backwards, while taking a step back himself, putting some distance between the two of them.
At the same time Cena and Machetti charged, but as Cena raised his arm for a clothesline, Machetti dropped down and slid in between Cena's legs with a baseball slide, then jumped up, rolled horizontally in mid air, then drove his feet into Cena's back for a corkscrew dropkick, knocking Cena down to the mat. Machetti didn't waste a second and quickly dropped down and once again locked in a headlock on Cena.
As Machetti cut off Cena's air supply and wrenched his neck backwards, Cena started wondering how Machetti was beating him. Here was Machetti a wrestler who wasn't even here for a year, taking him, John Cena, the champ, to the limit. Cena refused to give up, not to Machetti, not to anyone. He was NOT going to lose his title, and he was definitely not going to tap out to a headlock.
Cena moved his hands under his chest and pushed himself up off of the mat and onto his knees. Machetti didn't want to lose his hold on Cena so he got up to his knees while keeping the headlock locked in. Cena's face was turning red as he continued to fight and eventually managed to fight his way up to his feet. Machetti saw he was losing his hold on Cena, but quickly maneuvered his arms and changed the headlock into a side headlock.
Cena took a deep breath, then brought his arms to Machetti's back and pushed him off of him. Machetti lost his hold on Cena but kept running from the push, Machetti reached the ropes and jumped up onto the middle rope, then backflipped off of it and took Cena down with a springboard moonsault, driving the Champ back first down to the mat. While on top of Cena, Machetti went for a quick pin, ONE… TWO… THR… NO! Cena struggled and just managed to get his shoulder up.
Machetti smirked and rolled off of Cena the got up to his feet. Cena quickly stood up and glared at Machetti. But Machetti responded by smirking then holding up his hand while keeping his index finger and thumb less then a centimeter apart, signaling that Cena was, 'this close' to losing his title. Cena scowled at Machetti then charged at him, but Machetti quickly side stepped Cena and pushed him forward, causing Cena to go face first into the steel cage.
As Cena was knocked back off of the cage, Machetti grabbed Cena's shoulders, then pulled him down back-first onto his knee for a backbreaker. Machetti rolled Cena off of his knee and went for another pinfall attempt, ONE… TWO… but Cena kicked out. Machetti got up off of Cena, then turned around so his back was to him. Machetti then did a backflip and landed on Cena for a standing moonsault. Again Machetti went for the pin, ONE… TWO… but again Cena kicked out at two.
This was not how Cena thought the match would go at all. He though he would have had Machetti easily beaten and would be controlling most of the match. But for some reason, he couldn't even touch Machetti. The kid was really going all out, and judging from the sound of the cheering crowd, the fans were enjoying Machetti's efforts, and really seemed to be behind him.
Machetti got up after the standing moonsault and pulled Cena up to his feet. Machetti then took Cena and whipped him into the corner. Machetti then charged at Cena looking for a crossbody, but the Champ moved out of the way. But Machetti took it all in stride and quickly jumped up onto the top rope, then springboarded backwards off of the ropes, and caught Cena with the back of his arm for a reverse springboard clothesline. Machetti went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THR… NO! Cena just got his shoulder up.
Machetti simply shrugged it off and got back to his feet then ran over to the ropes and jumped up onto the middle rope as Cena got to his feet. Machetti launched himself across the ring and caught Cena's head as he turned around and drove it down to the mat for a springboard DDT. Machetti quickly rolled the Champ onto his back and went for the pin, ONE… TWO… T… but Cena kicked out.
Machetti got up off of Cena and shook his head, then ran to the corner and climbed up onto the top rope. Machetti smirked as Cena struggled to his feet and slowly turned around. Machetti quickly launched himself out of the corner and went for a diving spear, but Cena suddenly caught Machetti in mid air and positioned him on his shoulders for an F-U. Cena held Machetti on his shoulders and walked into the middle of the ring, he was going to end this right now.
But as Cena went for the F-U, Machetti wrapped his legs around Cena's head, then swung around brought Cena down to the mat with a headscissors takedown. Cena rolled across the mat and eventually came to a stop when his side met the side of the steel cage. Machetti wasn't going to let Cena recover, to he quickly got to his feet then ran at Cena and drove his feet into Cena's side with a baseball slide, smashing Cena's side hard into the steel cage.
Machetti smirked and dragged Cena back into the middle of the ring, then went for a pin, ONE… TWO… but Cena managed to kick out. Machetti got up onto his knees then sat Cena up in the middle of the ring, then hooked his arm under Cena's chin and locked in a sleeper hold. Machetti dropped to his side and wrapped his legs around Cena's waist, increasing his leverage on the sleeper while adding more pain to Cena's aching body.
Cena was in deep trouble. Machetti's intense offense was really wearing him down and this sleeper really wasn't helping at all. The fans saw this so a little kid in the second row started chanting Cena, Cena. More Cena fans joined in until the chant was noticeable and heard by a lot of the people in the arena. But as the Cena fans continued chanting, the fans who couldn't give a crap about him started chanting sucks at the end of the Cena chant.
Inside the cage Cena heard the fans chanting what sounded like a Cena Sucks chant. Cena shook his head and started to dig deep hoping to once again over come the odds. Cena struggled valiantly and started elbowing Machetti in the stomach, then rolled on the mat and managed to get onto his stomach. Cena positioned his hands under his chest and pushed himself up off of the mat and onto his knees. But Machetti wasn't letting go and kept the sleeper locked in, and his legs tightly wrapped around Cena's waist.
Cena continued struggling and finally managed to get up to his feet. The fans responded by cheering on Cena's efforts. But along with the cheer were a few loud boos, only earning Cena a mixed reaction. Cena's face was bright red as he stood in the middle of the ring with Machetti on his back, but then the Champ quickly ran toward the ropes. then spun around and rammed Machetti back-first into the wall of the steel cage.
Cena smirked a little as he felt Machetti's hold loosen a little bit. Cena shook his head and ran across the ring, and rammed Machetti's back into the opposite cage wall. Again Machetti's hold on Cena started to weaken and falter. Cena dug deep and ran across the ring then turned and rammed Machetti's back into the corner turnbuckle. Cena quickly reached back and grabbed Machetti's shoulders, then flipped him off of his back and onto the mat.
But before he could do anything else Cena's legs gave out and he fell down onto his ass and leaned back against the cage in a desperate attempt to catch his breath. Across the ring Machetti rolled onto his stomach and started fighting up to his feet. Machetti smirked as he saw Cena down on the other side of the ring and charged at him. But suddenly Cena fought up to his feet and met Machetti in the middle of the ring and took him down with a shoulder block.
Cena kept running and bounced off of the ropes as Machetti got up, then took him down with a second shoulder block. Cena ran passed Machetti and stood behind him as Machetti fought to his feet. Once Machetti stood up Cena grabbed him and lifted Machetti up off of the mat and then slammed him back-first down to the mat with a spinout powerslam. Cena staggered around Machetti and stood by his head, then bent down and did the 'You Can't See Me!' taunt.
Cena then turned and ran to the ropes, bounced off and his Machetti with the five knuckle shuffle. Cena walked around Machetti and saluted him as he got up to his feet, Cena quickly grabbed Machetti and hoisted him up onto his shoulders, then quickly planted him with an F-U, which was met with a combination of cheers and boos. Cena crawled back over to Machetti and quickly went for the pin. ONE… TWO… THRE… MACHETTI JUST KICKS OUT!!
The fans erupted in loud cheers, and started a MACHETTI chant, while Cena looked down in shock. Just to make sure he wasn't seeing things Cena went for another pin, ONE… TWO… but again Machetti kicked out. Cena slowly got to his feet and looked down at Machetti in shock. This kid really was going all out! He just kicked out of an F-U! But not just that, Machetti kicked out of the Five Moves of Doom! There was no doubt in Cena's mind that Machetti was in the match to win. But unfortunately for Machetti, so was he.
Cena quickly got on top of Machetti, then took his fist and drove it hard into Machetti's forehead, up above Machetti's right eye. Cena continued driving his fist into Machetti's head, hoping to wear him down and weaken him. Cena got up off of Machetti, then pulled him up to his feet. Cena then ran with Machetti, and rammed him head first into the side of the steel cage. A gash was opened above Machetti's right eye, and blood was slowly starting to trickle out of it.
But Cena didn't care, he kept on his assault and brought Machetti's head back, then smashed it into the steel. Cena then took Machetti's head and slid it sideways, grating it against the steel. Again Cena brought Machetti's head back, then slammed it into the cage, causing Machetti to drop limply down to his knees. But Cena stayed on the attack and brought Machetti's head back, then again rammed it into the cage, but Cena didn't stop there and again and again smashed Machetti's face into the cage.
By the time Cena was done and let Machetti fall limply to the mat the gash above Machetti's eye was now an opened wound and the blood was starting to thickly coat the right side of Machetti's face. Cena pulled Machetti back into the middle of the ring and rolled him onto his back, then went for the pin. ONE… TWO…T…MACHETTI KICKED OUT!
Cena groaned in frustration and got back up to his feet. Cena pulled Machetti up then ran with Machetti into the corner and rammed him head-first into the steel ring post, causing Machetti's head to make hard contact with the hard steel. Cena stepped back as Machetti dropped to his knees and stayed there leaning against the ring post. Cena stepped back then jumped up and hit Machetti with a low dropkick, once again driving his face into the ring post.
Cena dropped down and grabbed Machetti's sides, then rolled him onto his back and went for a pin with a roll up. The referee came over and made the count, ONE… TWO… TH…NO! Again Machetti managed to kick out. Cena rolled off of Machetti and sat up in disbelief, how was Machetti still able to kick out? Machetti rolled onto his back, revealing that the right half of his face was almost completely coated with blood.
Cena glared down at Machetti and decided he wanted to end this right now. Cena stood in front of Machetti and waited for him to fight up to his feet. Cena quickly grabbed Machetti and lifted him up onto his shoulders, looking for another F-U. But as Cena went to drive Machetti down to the mat, Machetti swung around and landed safely on his feet in front of Cena. Machetti quickly kicked Cena in the chest, then drove his head down to the mat with an Impaler. Machetti went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THR… CENA KICKS OUT!
Machetti rolled onto his back and looked up at the rafters. That counter had taken a lot out of him, and Cena's viscous assault really did a number on him. Both Cena and Machetti were in the middle of the ring panting and trying to catch their breath. Cena fought up to his feet while Machetti crawled to the ropes and pulled himself up. Cena and Machetti staggered around to face each other, both completely exhausted. Cena glared at Machetti, who slowly reached up and wiped some of the blood off of his face.
Cena quickly seized the opportunity and charged at Machetti. Machetti shook his head and charged at Cena. Both men met in the middle of the ring and Machetti swung at Cena for a punch, but Machetti ducked down and kneed Cena in the stomach, then grabbed him with a side headlock, looking for an Impaler. But Cena grabbed Machetti and lifted him up onto his shoulders, looking for the F-U, but Machetti fought out of it and slid down Cena's back and caught him with a Sunset Flip, but before the referee could make the count, Cena rolled to his side and fought back up to his feet, with Machetti on his shoulders.
Cena went for an F-U, but Machetti landed on his feet, then turned around and drove his foot into Cena's stomach. Machetti brought his other leg up and went for an enzuigiri, but Cena ducked down and dodged Machetti's leg, then quickly slipped his leg behind Machetti's and tripped him, causing Machetti to land on his face. Cena moved quickly and suddenly had Machetti locked in the STF-U.
Machetti struggled desperately, with blood dripping down into his eye, hoping to somehow get out of Cena's signature submission hold. Fans all around the arena saw Machetti was in trouble and started chanting Machetti, Machetti, but unlike Cena, there were very few fans that still hated him, so the chant rang out loud and clear and could be heard throughout the arena.
Machetti struggled and started clawing at the mat, and started dragging himself and Cena over towards the side of the ring. Machetti continued crawling and finally managed to grab the bottom rope, despite Cena still holding in the STF-U. But this was a steel cage match, and even though Machetti had grabbed the rope, the referee couldn't break the hold. Cage matches were no disqualifications, so Machetti was going to have to fight his way out of it.
Maria ran around the ring and stood in front of Machetti, begging him not to tap out. Machetti stared at her, with blood still dripping down his face. Maria saw Machetti was in trouble, but she couldn't do anything to get him out of the hold… or could she? Maria quickly bent down and lifted the ring apron, hoping to find the thing she needed.
Cena was still working over Machetti and was pulling back as hard as he could. Cena looked behind him as he pulled back with all of his might, but suddenly something metal was smashed into the back of his head, knocking him off of Machetti. Cena rolled onto his stomach and looked up, only to see Machetti getting back to his feet with the iron pipe in his hands. Maria must have slipped it through the cage wall and given it to Machetti to help him break the hold.
Machetti came at Cena like a blur and suddenly smacked him in the face with the pipe, knocking him onto his back. Machetti then jumped up into the air, while positioning his pipe under his legs, then landed across Cena's chest with the pipe-aided leg drop. Machetti rolled off of Cena and got up to his feet. Cena rolled onto his side and fought up to his feet. Cena turned around, only for Machetti to come at him and smash him in the stomach with the pipe.
Cena doubled over in pain, as Machetti jumped up in the air and raised the pipe up above his head. Machetti brought he pipe down on the back of Cena's neck, sending the Champ crashing face-first down to the mat. Machetti stayed on Cena, and quickly went over and hooked his pipe under Cena's chin. Machetti quickly maneuvered himself onto Cena's back and pulled back, effectively locking in the Iron Clutch.
Cena couldn't breathe, the iron pipe was being pressed hard into his throat, and his neck was being jarred at an angle it wasn't meant to go in. But no matter how hard he fought he could get out of the hold. For a second he was contemplating tapping out, that way the intense pain would end. But he was John Cena, and he never quit! So Cena dug deep and kept on fighting.
Meanwhile the fans were having a great time. This match was turning out to be quite the main event. The Cena fans saw that the Champ was in trouble and started chanting LETS GO CENA! But the anti-Cena fans want Cena's unbearably long title reign to end right here and started chanting, CENA SUCKS!! The fans went back and forth and the chants got louder and louder and started filling the entire arena. Every single fan was involved in one chant or the other.
Cena figured that this was the best that he was going to get so he started fighting and managed to get up onto his knees. Machetti wanted to keep the hold in so he moved quickly and wrapped his legs around Cena's waist, while keeping the pipe pressed into Cena's neck. Cena continue fighting and started elbowing Machetti in the stomach, then slowly Cena fought up to his feet, with Machetti still on his back.
Cena's face was bright red, he was running really low on air and was in a great deal of pain. Cena dug deep then ran across the ring towards the cage wall, then bent down as he got closer, but kept running, causing Machetti to go face first into the wall of the steel cage. The pressure from the pipe on Cena's neck was slightly lessened, and that was all Cena needed. Quickly Cena reached behind him and grabbed Machetti's sides, then flipped Machetti off of his back and onto the mat in front of him, causing the pipe to fall down on top of Machetti.
Cena slowly reached down then picked up Machetti's pipe and looked down at it as he held it in front of him. The Machetti fans out side of the ring started to boo loudly and started a CENA SUCKS chant. Only Machetti could use that pipe, Cena even holding that iron pipe was almost sacrilegious. Cena looked up and heard the fans booing and chanting, but a sadistic look had crossed his face. He was going to beat Machetti with in an inch of his life, and he was going to do it using Machetti's pipe.
Cena changed his grip on the pipe then raised it up above his head, then brought it crashing down, but suddenly Machetti rolled to the side, causing Cena to miss him and smash the pipe down to the mat. Machetti quickly got up to his feet and backed away from Cena. Cena charged at Machetti and brought back the pipe, looking to connect with Machetti's face. But Machetti suddenly ducked and slipped behind Cena, causing the champ to smash the pipe into the wall of the steel cage with a loud clang.
Cena turned around but suddenly Machetti kicked him in the groin for a blatant low blow, then grabbed the pipe and pulled it away from Cena. "THAT'S MY PIPE!" Machetti shouted at Cena, who had dropped down to his knees, "NEVER TOUCH IT AGAIN!" Cena glared up at Machetti, expecting him to smash him in the face with the pipe, but instead Machetti tossed his pipe to the side and shook his head. "I'll beat you without it!" snapped Machetti.
Cena got up to his and nodded at Machetti. So far this match had shown many thing to Cena. First, Machetti could certainly fight in a main event, he might even win. Second, Machetti was a fan favorite, Machetti's cheers from the crowd were louder than his! Third, Machetti had earned his respect. Machetti was doing everything he could to come out on top, but now he was tossing aside an advantage that was in his pipe, saying he'd win on his own.
Suddenly Machetti rushed forward and jumped up into the air, looking for a spinning wheel kick. But Cena quickly ducked down and ran under Machetti while he was in mid air. Machetti landed on his feet and then turned and rushed at Cena, who was on the other side of the ring. Cena side stepped Machetti, but instead Machetti jumped up onto the top rope then started frantically climbing the wall of the cage. Machetti was at the top and was straddling the top of the cage before Cena even realized what was happening.
But Cena quickly ran and jumped up onto the top rope and managed to grab Machetti's foot just as he was pulling it over. Cena kept climbing until he was side-by-side with Machetti, now both men were almost twelve feet up in the air. As Cena climbed up Machetti quickly raked his eyes, then pulled his leg free from Cena and brought it over the top of the cage. Now all he had to do was drop down.
But Cena suddenly came back and hit Machetti with a hard uppercut, then Cena locked in a side headlock. Everyone in the arena was watching as Cena suddenly lifted Machetti up over his head then fell backwards for a superplex from off of the top of the cage. Cena brought Machetti's back smashing down to the canvas with a sickening thud. Both Machetti and Cena were down in the middle of the ring. Cena might have done the superplex, but he still fell a good ten feet.
Slowly Cena rolled over and placed his arm on top of Machetti for a pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… NO! Machetti just got the shoulder up! Cena sat up, he couldn't believe it! He just superplexed Machetti from twelve feet up in the air, and the kid kicked out! It was at that point that Cena realized he wouldn't be able to pin Machetti. The kid wasn't going to give up and as long as he was breathing he wouldn't let himself be pinned.
Cena really didn't want to win this way but he was left with no choice a win was a win. Cena slowly got up and headed for the door, the officials on the outside slowly pulled it opened to let him out. But as Cena was about to step through the ropes and get out of the cage, Machetti grabbed his ankle. Cena looked down and suddenly found himself flat on the mat. Machetti had crawled over and pulled his legs out from under him.
Machetti slowly staggered to his feet, then pulled Cena back into the middle of the ring. On the outside the referee closed the door and locked it. Machetti lifted Cena's legs up, then rolled him over onto his back. Then before Cena could push him off, Machetti locked in a sharpshooter. Cena screamed as hot jolts of pain shot through his legs. Machetti was applying as much pressure as he could to the submission move and it felt to Cena like his legs could snap at any second.
Cena struggled as valiantly as he could, but Machetti wasn't letting go. The longer Cena was in the sharpshooter, the more damage it did to his legs and judging from how Cena was fairing on getting out of the hold, he'd be in it for a while. But Cena wasn't going to give up. He was not going to tap out and surrender his WWE Title. He'd keep fighting and he would NOT give up.
Cena dug deep and used his arms to push himself up off of the mat, then slowly he started pulling himself, and Machetti, across the ring. Cena kept struggling and managed to make it to the bottom rope, but just like with Machetti and the STF-U, Cena couldn't break the hold by grabbing the ropes, this was a cage match. Meanwhile, Machetti saw that Cena was really fighting and might have a chance of getting out of the hold, so he slowly dragged Cena back into the middle of the ring, leaving him stranded and stuck in the sharpshooter.
Finally Machetti smirked and released the hold. Cena groaned in pain on the mat he couldn't feel his legs. Machetti slowly pulled Cena up to his feet, then kicked him in the stomach and drove his head down to the mat with an Impaler. Machetti quickly got back up then ran to the ropes, stepped through them so he was between the cage wall and the ropes, and then hoisted himself up onto the top rope, then Machetti springboarded across the ring and landed on Cena with the springboard body splash.
But Machetti wasn't done yet. Slowly he rolled to the side and got back up to his feet, then he went over to the corner and climbed up onto the top rope. Machetti jumped out of the corner and flipped in mid air, then landed across Cena's throat with the Decapitator. With that done Machetti slowly got back up to his feet. Then Machetti made his way back over to the cage wall and started climbing. Cena was out cold in the middle of the ring, so Machetti made it all the way to the top of the cage, but once he was straddling the top of the wall, he stopped.
Machetti looked to one side and down to the floor, he only had to jump down and he'd win the WWE title. Then he looked to the other side and saw Cena out cold in the middle of the ring. Slowly a smile spread across Machetti's face and he pulled himself up so he was standing on top of the cage wall. Machetti took a deep breath and stared out at the crowd. Every one in the arena was on their feet, awaiting what Machetti was going to do. Machetti brought two fingers to his right eye, which was still coated with blood, for a two finger salute to the fans, then he jumped.
Machetti lunged off of the top of the cage and did a back flip in mid air, while at the same time spinning sideways, making it a corkscrew shooting star press, from more than twelve feet up in the air! But suddenly, Cena rolled out of the way and Machetti went crashing hard into the canvas. At ringside, Maria let out a loud scream. Machetti wasn't moving and was out cold, the fans in the arena started chanting, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT! Cena, who had rolled onto his stomach started crawling towards the door. The referee on the outside pulled it open, and Cena slid under the bottom rope and down to the floor.
The bell rang and Todd Grisham stood up, "Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner and still, the WWE Champion, John Cena." Cena was handed his title once he had gotten up to his feet, but he didn't receive the ovation he had hoped for, instead the crowd was freakishly quiet. Everyone was watching Machetti, who still hadn't moved. The referee in the ring was standing over Machetti and signaled for the cage to be raised. Cena's music was playing, but no one was listening, everyone's eyes were on Machetti, who had been rolled onto his back, but was showing no signs of movement.
Maria had gotten in the ring before the cage was even starting to be lifted and was at Machetti's side. EMTs came out and wheeled out a stretcher from the back, Machetti's whole body had smashed into the mat at an alarmingly fast speed, he could have a concussion, or something even worse. The EMTs got in the ring and fitted a stabilizer collar around Machetti's neck, then they carefully placed him on stretcher and slid it out of the ring.
But as the EMTs were rolling the stretcher up the ramp, Machetti started moving. The EMTs at his sides tried to restrain him, but Machetti persisted and slowly pulled off the stabilizer collar and tossed it to the side, then he shoved and EMT and rolled off the side of the stretcher, and collapsed on the entrance ramp. Maria rushed to Machetti side in an attempt to help him up but Machetti shakily sat up and shook his head. Using the stretcher at his side, Machetti managed to pull himself up to his feet and finally took his hand off of the stretcher so he was standing on his own.
Machetti held out his hands signaling that he didn't want anyone to touch him, then he shakily started to walked up the ramp. The fans, who were still standing, started applauding, and Riot Time was played as Machetti continued up the ramp. Maria followed closely behind Machetti to make sure he didn't fall, and the last thing that the viewers at home saw before the screen faded and the logo showed, was Machetti going through the curtain to the back.
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That's Backlash! Review and tell me what you thought!
'Till Next Time…
Peace!