Chapter Thirteen: One Night Stand
---x---
WWE One Nights Stand was live from Jacksonville Florida. The show started off with all three announce teams introducing themselves, but before anything else could happen, the camera went into the crowd and showed one of the entrances into the arena. Machetti and Maria then came walking through the curtain and stood out in the crowd for a moment and glanced down at the ring, then started heading down the stairs. Machetti was dressed in a simple pair of jean, a 'Go Hard Or Go Home' t-shirt and a black baseball cap, over one shoulder Machetti had his WWE Championship, one hand was holding Maria's hand, and the other was holding a bag of popcorn.
But halfway down the steps, Maria suddenly stopped. Machetti turned to see what was going on. Maria looked sheepish and whispered something to Machetti, who slowly nodded and gestured for Maria to go. Maria stayed for a moment seemingly asking if Machetti was sure, and when he nodded she quickly turned and ran back up the steps. Machetti shook his head then turned and continued his way down the steps. Maria had once again forgotten one of her interviews.
Machetti continued down the steps and finally came to a stop at the very first row, then he walked along the row and sat down right behind J.R. and King's announce table. Machetti placed his popcorn down on the empty seat next to him, then put his feet up on the barricade, he was ready to watch the show. And in no time, Randy Orton's theme music hit. It was time for the Stretcher match and One Night Stand was underway.
---x---
The Great Khali was had just cut his promo saying that he'd beat Cena tonight and then he would destroy Machetti. When the promo was over the camera went to Machetti who was still sitting in his seat in the crowd. Machetti stared at the Titan-Tron for a moment, then shrugged and took another handful of popcorn, he was having a great time tonight. The ladder match had him jumping up to his feet and the tables match had been pretty good too.
But now it was time for the Extreme Lumberjack Match. The lumberjacks came out from the back and headed down to the ring. Once Benoit, Venis, Marella, Mahoney, Richards, the Miz, Thorn, Masters, Nitro, Chavo, Dykstra, and Carlito were at ringside Kane and Mark Henry made their entrances.
Once both Kane and Mark Henry were in the ring the referee signaled for the bell, but just as it rang Henry tossed Kane from the ring and out to the floor. The lumberjacks were a little apprehensive about attacking Kane, so they allowed the Big Red Monster to get back into the ring on his own.
Kane went after Henry and hit a throat thrust, then ducked a clothesline and went off on the World's Strongest Man with some punches to the stomach, knocking Henry back into the ropes, then Kane ran forward and knocked Mark Henry out of the ring with a big boot to the face.
The lumberjacks went to grab Mark Henry and get him back in the ring, but the enraged Silverback tossed the lumberjacks off if him and got back in the ring on his own. The two super heavyweights met in the middle of the ring and started trading punches. But Kane was the better striker and started to get an advantage. Henry pushed Kane away then got out of the ring.
Kane followed Mark Henry out to the floor and went after him, Chavo Guerrero got in between Kane and Mark Henry, but that proved to be really stupid and the Cruiserweight Champion ended up being swatted away into the barricade. Mark Henry charged at Kane and rammed him back into the ring apron, then the World's Strongest Man lifted Kane, then ran and rammed him back-first into the ring post.
Henry let Kane fall to the floor, then got in the ring. The lumberjacks pulled Kane up and rolled him into the ring with Henry. Kane got up to his feet but Henry hit a hard shot to the back then dropped down and drove both of his hand into Kane's back for a double arm bat.
Henry went to keep on Kane, but Kane hit an uppercut, then hit another one and got back up to his feet. Kane charged at Mark Henry, but the World's Strongest Man caught Kane, lifted him up into the air, then slammed him down to the mat with a powerslam. Henry went for the pin, but only got a two count.
Henry pulled Kane up to his feet and went for the bearhug, but Kane smashed his head into Henry's and knocked him backwards with a headbutt. Kane charged at Henry, but Henry charged back at Kane and knocked him down to the mat with a shoulder block. Henry pulled Kane up then locked in the bearhug and drove Kane hard into the corner. The referee called for Henry to break the hold, which he reluctantly did.
Henry stepped back up Kane suddenly stepped forward and clasped his hand to Henry's throat for a goozle and signaled for the chokeslam. Kane went to lift Henry off of the mat, but his back was hurting too much and he couldn't lift the four hundred pounder. Henry attacked Kane and locked the bearhug back in, but Kane struggled and eventually fought out of it, then pushed Henry, and knocked him through the ropes and out to the floor.
On the outside Masters and Nitro pulled Mark Henry back up to his feet, but in the ring Kane scaled the top rope then jumped off and took down all three men with a flying clothesline. Henry and Kane were rolled back into the ring, and while Henry was leaning back against the turnbuckle, Kane rushed at him and nailed him with a clothesline into the corner.
Kane stepped back and Henry stumbled forward, then Kane climbed up onto the top rope. When Henry turned around Kane came flying off and connected with the flying clothesline, knocking Henry down to the mat. Kane stepped back and stood in the corner while Henry fought up to his feet. Henry turned around and Kane rushed forward, goozle, KANE NAILED THE CHOKESLAM!
The move had done a lot to his back though and it was hard to tell who got the worst of it. While Kane was recovering Kenny Dykstra and Chavo Guerrero rushed into the ring and started attacking Kane, forcing him down to the mat. But suddenly, from his place in the crowd, Machetti hopped the barrier, sprinted passed the lumberjacks and got in the ring. He couldn't remain an idol spectator much longer, Kenny and Chavo were supposed to stay outside of the ring, the match was supposed to be a fair contest. Machetti pulled Chavo away from Kane, allowing the Big Red Machine to destroy Kenny with a chokeslam.
Machetti pulled Chavo up then tossed him at Kane, who caught the cruiserweight champion in mid air and glared at Machetti. Machetti smirked then gestured his head in Mark Henry's direction. Kane stared at Machetti, then suddenly smiled evilly. Once Henry was on his feet, Kane tossed Chavo at him, the World's Strongest Man reaches up and caught him in mid air.
But then Kane and Machetti charged at Henry and took him down with a double clothesline, causing Chavo to crash down on top of him. Machetti smirked at Kane then dragged Chavo off of Henry and rolled him out of the ring. Kane went for the pin, but Henry managed to kick out at two.
Machetti shrugged then walked over to the corner and tapped the top turnbuckle pad. Kane nodded and made his way over to Machetti and climbed up onto the top rope. Kane lunged off of the top and connected with an elbow drop on Mark Henry, then he quickly went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! KANE PINNED MARK HENRY!
Kane got back up to his feet and stared at Machetti, who stood across from him and nodded with a smirk on his face. Kane stood across from Machetti then raised his arms up above his head, then snapped them downward, while at the same time red pyro exploded out of all four corners of the ring.
Kane's theme song played as Machetti quickly left the ring returned to his seat in the crowd. Kane nodded then turned and left the ring, the lumberjacks jumped away from Kane to avoid being attacked, then the Big Red Machine headed to the back. Once he was gone the lumberjacks quickly followed after him, leaving Mark Henry on his own in the ring.
The World's Strongest Man slowly sat up and stood up and glanced around the arena. Then he got out of the ring and stormed over to the Raw announce table. Henry grabbed the side of Jerry Lawler's chair and yanked him out of the way, then came to a stop in front of Machetti.
J.R. quickly back off while Machetti slowly got to his feet. Henry got in his face and started yelling him, "What the hell were you doing? I'm the World's Strongest Man! And you've just gotten on my bad side!"
Mark Henry drew back his fist and swung at Machetti, who quickly stepped back, then quickly grabbed the steel chair he was sitting on and blasted Mark Henry in the face with it. Henry stumbled backwards against the announce table and was dazed from the shot. Machetti quickly climbed up onto the barricade, then threw the chair at Henry, causing it to smash into his face, then Machetti launched himself at Henry and connected with a missile dropkick, driving the chair into Henry's face so hard that he was knocked onto the announce table, then he rolled off of it and fell to the floor with a thud.
Machetti got back up to his feet and picked up his chair, then climbed back over the barricade, unfolded his chair, and sat down. Henry slowly stirred and got back up to his feet and glared at Machetti, "You just made the biggest mistake of your career!" he shouted. "I'll break you in half!"
Machetti simply replied, "Yeah what are you going to do? Get injured on me? Please, learn to wrestle, then maybe you'd stand a chance!" Machetti then picked up his popcorn bag and took another handful. "Just you wait! I'm coming for you, you son of a bitch!" Henry turned around and started back around the ring, but before leaving he shoved the steels steps, knocking them away from the ring post, causing them to smash into the barricade. Henry walked back around the ring and eventually headed to the back, but before going through the curtain he glared at Machetti one last time.
---x---
One Night Stand was still live and the Pudding Match had just ended. Maria came down to the ring to interview Candice about winning the match, but Melina, who was in a bad mood from losing threw pudding at Maria, who got angry, then jumped onto Melina and took her down with a Lou Threz press into the pudding. Candice came over and together she and Maria double teamed Melina.
After a while Melina made her escape, so the two pudding covered divas set their sites on the referee and pulled him into the pudding too. Candice and Maria eventually got out of the pool of pudding and were completely covered. Maria smiled and walked around the ring, while dripping some pudding in her wake. Maria eventually walked around to the Raw announce table and came to a stop in front of Machetti.
Machetti smiled and reached out then ran his finger along Maria's face and took off some of the pudding. Machetti stuck his finger in his mouth and licked off the pudding then smiled, it was pretty good. Maria informed Machetti that she couldn't sit with him and that she needed to take a shower, so Machetti nodded and let her leave. The seat next to him was still empty.
---x---
The Steel Cage match had just ended and Edge had jumped into the crowd to escape Batista, now there was only one match left, the Number One Contender Falls Count Anywhere Match. Machetti was once again shown at ring side, but he didn't stay in his seat for long, Machetti quickly hopped the barricade and took an empty seat at the announce table next to Jerry Lawler.
"Well, folks," said J.R. as Machetti pulled on a headset, "it looks like we have a special guest at the announce table for this match."
"It's been a while since we've had you at our announce table," commented King, "how are you doing Machetti?"
"I'm pretty good," answered Machetti, "tonight has been a great night. I got to watch the Pay Per View from a fan's perspective, and I must say, the show had been pretty good."
"Well, you certainly haven't just been an ordinary fan though," said J.R., "why did you interfere in that Lumberjack Match?"
"It looked to me like Kane needed some help," answered Machetti, "the Lumberjacks weren't really doing their job, two of them actually got in the ring and attacked one of the participants. Seeing how it was Extreme Rules the match didn't end, but I figured if everything was going to be on the up and up I'd have to step in."
"Well you certainly did," said J.R., "it was probably because of you that Kane even won that match. But enough about that, let's focus on the number one contender's match that's about to start."
My Time Is Now hit and John Cena came out through the curtain. The walked down to the ring with a purpose, he didn't to his usual shtick where he'd run to the edge of the stage and pose for the fans, tonight it was all business. Cena got in the ring and pulled off his shirt then turned and glared at Machetti, who quickly pushed his seat back and stood up at the announce table, then held up his WWE Title.
"You want this?" questioned Machetti, "then turn around!"
The Great Khali's theme hit and the Punjabi Giant made his way down to the ring. Cena turned away from Machetti and stared at Khali.
"Now Machetti, what's going on between you and John Cena?" asked J.R. "you know he gunning for you title, but Monday on Raw he was your partner in that six man tag match, but you attacked him from behind. Why did you do that?"
"Actually I've heard that question a lot," answered Machetti, "most people think I blind sided him because I was trying to get an advantage for Saturday Night's Main Event. But that's not the case here. You see, I attacked Cena to send him a message, I wanted to show him that it was every man for himself, when it comes to the title. Everyone knows that Cena's looking to regain the title, you know it, I know it, King knows it, I wanted to show Cena that as much as he wants to regain the title, I'm just as much determined to retain it. As long as Cena's coming after me, the two of us are opponents, and I felt I needed to remind him of that."
Before anything else could be asked the bell rang, starting the match, Cena rushed forward and kicked Khali's leg. Cena circled around then kicked Khali's leg again, looking to chop him down. Cena went for a third kick, but Khali suddenly reached out and grabbed Cena's leg, then brought up his hand and clubbed it down on Cena's back, knocking him down to his knees.
Khali then charged at Cena and rammed him back into the turnbuckle, then hit a kick to the mid section and elbowed Cena in the side of the head, before finally taking him down with a huge headbutt.
"What I'm wondering Machetti," started King, "is why you seem to be focused more on Cena then on Khali. I mean, Khali goes out there week after week and beats down Cena, it's almost like he's unstoppable. Wouldn't you be more worried about facing Khali for the title than facing Cena?"
"King, incase you forgot," said Machetti, "I've already beaten Khali. Everyone talks about how Khali is unstoppable and can't be beaten. Well I've already beaten him, and since I've beaten him once I KNOW I can do it again. I'm not scared of anyone, I'm not scared of Khali, I'm not scared of Mark Henry, I'm not scared of John Cena. As long as I'm champion I'll defend my title against anyone. But the one who I see winning this thing is John Cena, and once he does, I'll put the title on the line, and I'll kick his ass again."
"I don't know Machetti, from the looks of things, Khali is controlling this match up," King pointed out..
In the ring Khali kicked Cena in the gut, then whipped him across the ring into the opposite corner. Khali went after Cena, who bounced off of the turnbuckle and punches him in the head, knocking Cena down to the mat. Cena struggled to up to his feet, but Khali reached out and whipped him across the ring, and leveled him with a big boot to the face.
Cena got back up and staggered towards Khali, but Khali swung around and nailed Cena with a spinning kick, knocking him on his back. Khali then reached down and pulled Cena up to his feet, then lifted him up into the air and turned him upside down, before slamming him down to the mat with a scoop slam. Khali went back after Cena, but Cena suddenly knocked one of Khali's legs out from under him, then ran to the ropes and nailed the throwback.
"See that's the thing about John Cena," said Machetti, "if you let your guard down for one second he'll pounce on you and take advantage, that's why he's such a dangerous competitor."
Cena went over to the corner and climbed up onto the top rope, but before he could do anything Khali stood up and hit Cena with a huge chop, knocking Cena off of the turnbuckle and down to the floor with a loud thud. Khali got out of the ring and placed his foot on top of Cena, and went for the pin on the outside, ONE… TWO… but Cena kicked out.
"But this is what's so dangerous about the Great Khali," pointed out J.R., "it's like he isn't even human! With just one chop he knocked Cena down to the floor. How can Cena fight a man that's almost twice his size?"
"I know Cena," answered Machetti, "he's not going to give up and he's going to do everything he can to get the win here."
Khali reached down to pulled Cena up to his feet, but Cena suddenly started to mount a comeback with some hard punches to Khali's stomach. Cena stepped back then charged at Khali, but Khali moved out of the way, causing Cena to smashed into the steel ring steps with a loud crash. Khali reached down and pulled him up to his feet then dragged Cena over to an announce table and smashed his head into the TV monitor.
Khali raised his hand into the air and went for a huge over head chop, but Cena reached up and blocked Khali's hand. But Khali simply grabbed Cena then tossed him over the guard rail and into the crowd.
"Look at this!" said King, "every time Cena tries to start some kind of a comeback, Khali just swats him away."
"Yeah, but this is getting interesting now," commented Machetti, "now they're fighting in the crowd."
"And since it's a Falls Count Anywhere Match, Cena or Khali could pin each other right out there in the crowd," added J.R.
Khali followed Cena into the crowd and pulled him up to his feet, then Khali grabbed Cena and whipped him into the sound desk. But while he was leaning against the sound desk Cena grabbed a TV monitor and pulled it loose, then turned around and bashed Khali in the head, sending him staggering backwards. Cena came forwards and went for the F-U, but couldn't get the move off.
Khali slipped off of Cena and hit him with a forearm to the back, knocking him down to the ground. Khali then walked around Cena, who rolled onto his side, and kicked him hard in the back, causing Cena to roll away from him and cry out in pain.
"I don't know how much of this Cena can endure," commented J.R., "Khali's beating him like a government mule!"
"Cena will find a way," replied Machetti.
Cena pulled himself up to his feet using the boom mic, then grabbed the top part and swung it around, causing it to smash into Khali and knock him off of his feet. Cena rushed over to Khali and went for the pin, ONE… TWO… but Khali kicked out. Cena got off of Khali and stalked him as Khali staggered forward, then Cena hoisted Khali up onto his shoulders and went for the F-U, but before he could get it off, Khali elbowed Cena in the head and fought out of it.
Cena staggered through the crowd while Khali went after him, then Khali grabbed Cena and hoisted him up into the air for an overhead press. Khali tossed Cena out of the crowd, causing him to land hard on a crane that was part of the set. Khali stepped out of the crowd and climbed up onto the crane with Cena, then pulled him up to his feet and went for the chokebomb.
"This could be it," said J.R., "if Khali hits this I think it's over for Cena!"
"Come on Cena," snapped Machetti, "I could get out of that!"
Either Cena heard Machetti, or he was just acting out of instinct, but suddenly he reached out and raked Khali's eyes, causing the Punjabi Giant to drop him. While Khali was dazed Cena came forward and hoisted him up onto his shoulders, then tossed him off of the crane with an F-U.
"Oh my god!" shouted J.R., "John Cena just F-Ued the Great Khali off of that crane!"
"And I think it's a safe bet to say that this one's over," commented Machetti.
Cena jumped down off of the crane and went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! HE GOT IT! My Time Is Now started playing as Cena slowly got to his feet, he did it, be pinned the Great Khali, he did the almost impossible and beat the Punjabi Giant in a Falls Count Anywhere Match, and now he was the number one contender!
"Well there you have it guys," said Machetti, as he applauded Cena, "Cena is the New Number One Contender. And I'll tell you one thing, I'm looking forward to our title match. In fact…"
Machetti suddenly climbed up onto announce table and called for a mic, which was tossed to him. "Hey Cena," said Machetti, causing the number one contender's glance to fall on him. "You did it, you're the number one contender. And if you're as excited for a title match as I am, why don't we have our match tomorrow night!" Machetti held the WWE Title up over his head, "what do you say?"
From the ramp Cena glance at Machetti and the WWE Championship, Khali had been hammering him like a rail road spike for the last ten minutes, would he really be up to fighting for the title? Wait, who was Cena kidding, he might not be Champ, but he still never backs down from a challenge.
"MACHETTI YOU'RE ON!" shouted Cena while he glared at Machetti.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow," replied Machetti, as he dropped the mic on the announce table the jumped down and went back into the crowd. Machetti headed out for the exit while Cena stood up on the entrance ramp and posed for the fans. Then eventually the camera faded, the WWE logo flashed and WWE One Night Stand went off the air.
---x---
I honestly would have love to give Machetti a match at One Night Stand, I always have fun writing Extreme Rules matches, but the 'ban' came back to bite me on the butt. I did the best I could, the two matches that I mentioned were pretty much the same as they were on the Pay Per View.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!