Chapter Eighteen: A Tribute to Chris Benoit
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(A/N: Sorry this took a little longer than I thought it would to get out. I had planned on finishing and posting it on Tuesday, but I was graduating from High School and I didn't come home until four in the morning. So yeah, I finished it up and posted it as soon as I could.)
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It was around six p.m. when a visibly tense Zack Tyler knocked on the door to Vince McMahon's office. "Come in," came a voice from inside.
Zack let himself in and walked up to the desk, where Vince turned his chair around to face him, "So it really happened huh?" asked Zack.
"Yeah, Chris Benoit is dead. As are his wife and son," answered Vince, "Chris was a great worker, and I'll never forget everything he's done for this business."
"That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about," said Zack, "look, I know where probably going to do a special tribute to Chris Benoit tonight, instead of the tribute to you, but there's just one problem…"
"What's that?" asked Vince.
"Well, I have never faced Benoit, and even though I grew up watching him wrestling. I know you'll probably want me to say something, being the WWE Champion, but unfortunately I have nothing to say. I've heard great stories about Benoit, everyone I've talked to who's wrestled him says that he was a great wrestler, was tough a great competitor, and was a hard worker, but really it's only stuff that I've heard, nothing I've experienced. So I was wondering if I could do something a little different tonight."
"What did you have in mind?" asked Vince.
"I wanted to perform a tribute match for Benoit," replied Zack, "I was hoping I could do a real technical style match, one that would make Benoit proud."
"Alright, you've peaked my interest, but who are you going to face?"
"Well there's someone else who feels the same way that I do, and I think that the two of us could put on a great match."
"You do realize that the arena is empty right? All we have are the announce teams and some crew men."
"That's fine, I'm pretty sure the Benoit I've heard about wouldn't care."
"Alright, you can have your match, just find a referee and I'll let you know when you're up."
"Great, thanks for allowing this," said Zack, "I won't let you down."
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William Regal had done his tribute to Benoit and Raw had gone to a commercial. When Raw came back WWE Champion Machetti was shown sitting in the chair, He looked somber and determined. "I grew up watching Chris Benoit wrestle," started Machetti, "he was a great competitor and you could tell that he put everything he had into this business. My greatest regret about Benoit passing on was that I never got to face him. Because I know, if Benoit and I have ever faced off in the ring, we would tear the house down. I can't sit here and talk about the good old times I had with Chris Benoit, because I never really had any. But what I can do is put on a tribute match that would make Benoit proud, and that's just what I'm going to do. Right here, tonight." Machetti slowly stood up and walked off screen as the camera faded to black for a few seconds, then cut to the arena.
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Riot Time played in the arena and WWE Champion Machetti came out from the back wearing a pair of black wrestling shorts, followed by referee Chad Patton. There was no ring announcer out at ringside, and the arena was silent except for the sound of Machetti's music. But Machetti kept going and got in the ring then got in the ring. Machetti walked into the middle of the ring and pointed up into the air then turned to face the TitanTron.
This Fire Burns by Killswitch Engage hit and CM Punk came out from the back wearing his usual wrestling gear. The only sound in the arena was Punk's theme music, Punk locked eyes with Machetti as he made his way down to the ring. Machetti held up a finger and left the ring, then got the ring bell from ringside. Machetti got back in the ring just as CM Punk did, then Machetti handed the bell to Patton. Patton took the bell and rang the bell
Machetti put down the bell and slid it out of the ring with his foot. CM Punk's music was cut and the arena was completely silent. Machetti and Punk walked into the middle of the ring and Machetti reached out his hand to shake hands with Punk. CM Punk took Machetti's hand and shook it, then both of them stepped back and started circling the ring.
Machetti and Punk met back in the center and locked up, but Machetti quickly slipped behind Punk and went to take him down from behind, but Punk quickly spun around and grabbed Machetti in a side headlock, then grabbed Machetti's arm and wrenched it for a wristlock. Punk slipped behind Machetti and pinned Machetti's arm to his back, but Machetti quickly reached back and wrapped his free arm around Punk's head, then popped his hip and flipped CM Punk over him and onto his back on the mat in front of him.
Machetti sat CM Punk up and hooked his arm under Punk's jaw then pulled back while bringing around his other hand to lock in a sleeper hold. Machetti maneuvered himself up onto his knees and pressed down on Punk, applying even more pressure to the sleeper hold. But suddenly Punk leaned back, reached up with his legs and wrapped them around Machetti's head. Punk popped his hips and sent Machetti flying off of him, causing Machetti to crash back-first down to the mat.
Punk and Machetti quickly got back up to their feet and stood across the ring from each other. Punk and Machetti charged back into the middle of the ring and locked up, Punk pushed Machetti backwards then brought back his arm and chopped Machetti hard across the chest, the sound of Punk's hand on Machetti's skin echoed through the empty arena. Machetti stumbled backwards in an attempt to escape Punk, but Punk kept on him and hit Machetti with another chop across the chest.
Machetti staggered away from Punk and ended up leaning back against the corner. Punk charged at Machetti then jumped up and drove his knee into Machetti's face for the running knee lift. Punk then turned around and wrapped his arm around Machetti's head, then Punk ran forward and drove Machetti's head down to the mat with a bulldog. Punk went back over to Machetti and rolled him onto his back, then went for the pin, ONE… TWO… Machetti kicked out.
CM Punk shook his head and got to his feet, then went over to the corner and climbed up onto the top rope. Across the ring Machetti fought up to his feet and spun around; that was exactly what Punk was waiting for as he lunged across the ring for a flying crossbody. But as CM Punk got close, Machetti dropped down onto his back and brought his knees up, causing CM Punk to come crashing down, stomach first on Machetti's knees. Machetti pulled himself out from under Punk and rolled him onto his back, then went for the pin, ONE… TWO… TH… Punk kicked out.
Machetti slowly got up to his feet and then reached down and pulled Punk up. But Punk suddenly brought back his hand and once against chopped Machetti hard across the chest. Machetti stumbled backwards and Punk charged at him then took Machetti down with a flying forearm. Machetti hit the mat hard and Punk quickly ran across the ring and got out onto the ring apron. Machetti fought up to his feet, then turned around to face Punk, Punk quickly hoisted himself onto the top rope, then springboarded across the ring for the springboard clothesline.
But as Punk got close, Machetti reached up, grabbed Punk's legs, and used his hold on Punk to slam him back-first down to the mat. Machetti lifted up Punk's legs and stuck his own leg in between them, Machetti then spun around and rolled Punk onto his stomach and locked in the sharpshooter. Machetti pulled back on Punk's legs and applied as much pressure as he could.
Punk screamed in pain and clawed at the mat as Machetti clenched in one of Chris Benoit's signature holds. Punk reached down in front of him and pushed himself up off of the mat, then Punk quickly rolled through, launching Machetti passed him and onto the mat in front of him. Punk shot up and ran at Machetti, grabbed Machetti's legs, then flipped over him and applied a pin with a bridge, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti pushed himself up off of the mat for a bridge of his own.
Machetti locked arms with Punk then spun around and popped his hips successfully planting Punk down to the mat with a backslide pin, ONE… TWO… TH… Punk rolled to the side to get his shoulder up. Punk then reached up with his legs and wrapped them around Machetti's head, popped his hips and flipped Machetti onto his back, Punk maneuvered himself and placed his legs on top of Machetti's shoulders and went for a victory roll pin, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti rolled to the side and got his shoulder up.
Machetti then brought his leg around and hooked it on Punk's arm, and turned the victory roll into a cradle pin, ONE… TWO… TH… Punk pushed off of the mat as hard as he could to kick out. Machetti rolled away from Punk and rolled onto his back, panting for breath. The referee started counting to ten due to both men being down on the mat. But slowly the two of them started struggling to their feet. Machetti reached out and pulled himself up with the ropes, while Punk staggered up to his feet on his own.
Machetti and Punk turned around to face each other, then Punk charged at Machetti for a clothesline, but Machetti dropped down and slipped behind Punk, then wrapped his arms around Punk's waist. Machetti popped his hips and launched Punk over his head with a release German Suplex, but in mid air Punk flipped and landed on his feet. Machetti turned around to face Punk, but was taken by surprise as Punk ran forward and nailed and enzuigiri.
Punk went over to Machetti and pulled him up to his feet, but Machetti suddenly nailed Punk with a shot to the gut. Machetti followed up with a forearm to the face, but suddenly Punk slipped behind Machetti, then locked in a full nelson. Punk launched Machetti over his head and drove him down to the mat for a Dragon Suplex, then kept Machetti's shoulders pressed down to the mat for a bridge pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… Machetti just rolled to the side for a kick out.
Punk slowly got to his feet and stared down at Machetti. Punk knew that Machetti was going all out for this match, and knew he need to also. Punk grabbed Machetti's legs and lifted them up, then stuck his leg in between them, Punk went to roll Machetti onto his stomach for the sharpshooter, but Machetti suddenly brought back his legs, then pushed them out and launched Punk off of him and into the ropes. As Punk came back Machetti jumped up to his feet, caught Punk with an armbar… MACHETTI LOCKED IN THE CROSSFACE!
Machetti pulled back on Punk's face as he used Benoit's signature hold. Punk's screams of pain were muffled by Machetti's hands in his mouth. Punk was starting to see spots as Machetti kept cracking down and applying as much pressure as he could. Punk clawed at the mat and reached out for the ropes, but they were too far away, Punk was stranded in the middle of the ring and was in an extremely bad situation. Punk slapped the mat with both of his hands in frustration, planted his hands down to the mat.
Punk pushed himself up off of the mat and brought his knees under him, Machetti kept the crossface locked, but suddenly Punk rolled to the side, causing Machetti to land on his back. Punk pushed down on Machetti and pressed Machetti's shoulders to the mat for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti released the crossface and managed to pull himself up off of the mat.
Machetti crawled away from Punk and then both men slowly got back up to their feet. Punk started walking towards Machetti, who retreated and found himself backed into a corner. But Machetti wasn't going to back down, he quickly ran forward, but Punk caught him with an arm drag. But while Machetti was in mid air he maneuvered himself and landed on his feet behind Punk.
Punk turned around and charged at Machetti, but Machetti ducked down then launched Punk up over him for a back body drop. Punk came crashing down to the mat back-first with a loud thud, which echoed loudly through the empty arena. Machetti ran forward and lifted up Punk's legs, stuck his leg in between them, rolled Punk onto his stomach, and locked in the sharpshooter. Punk screamed in pain as Machetti once again worked over his legs with the sharpshooter.
Punk screamed in pain and clawed at the mat, then started pulling himself and Machetti towards the ropes. Punk launched himself at the ropes and grabbed onto the bottom rope. The referee ran over and counted for the rope break, ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… Machetti released the hold. Machetti got up to his feet and stepped away from Punk, who quickly pulled himself over to the ropes and wrapped his legs around the bottom one.
Machetti backed away across the ring and leaned back against the turnbuckle. Punk pulled himself away from the ropes and got up to his feet. But just as Punk stepped away from the ropes, Machetti ran at him and went for a clothesline. But Punk knew this was coming and quickly dropped down and caught Machetti with a drop toe hold, causing Machetti's face to slam down to the mat.
Punk jumped on Machetti and wrapped his arm around Machetti's head for a headlock. But Machetti quickly swung his legs around and wrapped them around Punk's head for a head scissors. Machetti squeezed his legs around Punk's head and applied as much pressure as he could. Punk released the headlock he had on Machetti then brought up his hand and drove his fist hard into Machetti's face. Over and over again Punk drove his fist down into Machetti's skull.
But Machetti brought up his arms, while keeping his legs wrapped around Punk's head and started trading punches with Punk. Punk saw this wasn't going his way and fought up to his knees, while Machetti kept his legs wrapped around Punk's head. Punk kept struggling and fought up to his feet. Machetti was doing a handstand in an attempt to keep his head scissors locked in. Machetti suddenly dropped down and rolled through, sending Punk down to the mat with a head scissors take down.
Machetti quickly jumped up to his feet, ran at Punk, jumped up did a back-flip in midair, then came crashing down on top of him with a standing shooting star press. Machetti quickly went for the pin, ONE… TWO… TH… Punk kicked out. Machetti shook his head as he got up to his feet, then he pulled Punk up with him and whipped him into the corner. Machetti ran at Punk looking for the Thunder and Lightning Combo, but as Machetti was going for the crossbody, Punk dove out of the way, and Machetti ate the turnbuckle.
Machetti bounced off of the turnbuckle and staggered backwards into the middle of the ring, Punk quickly seized the opportunity and went off on Machetti with some hard kicks and chops, then Punk hooked his arm around Machetti's throat and arm, then nailed the Uranage. From his place on the ground Punk then went on to lock in the Anaconda Vice and started strangling Machetti.
Machetti felt his breath leaving him and started kicking his legs and clawing at the mat with his free hand. Machetti reached out with one of his legs and tried to grab the bottom rope with it, but he was stranded in the middle of the ring and wasn't going anywhere. Machetti's face was starting to turn red as Punk kept cranking on the pressure with the Anaconda Vice.
Machetti realized that if he was going to get out of this he was going to have to counter. With his face getting redder by the second Machetti started fighting and started to push himself up off of the mat with his legs. Machetti bridged himself up off of the mat and Punk slowly followed Machetti up to a standing position, but kept the Anaconda Vice locked in, he didn't want to lose any leverage and wanted to keep the Vice in as long as he could.
Now that he was standing, the pressure on his neck had lessened, Machetti quickly drove his elbow into Punk's stomach, but Punk suddenly dropped down to the mat, slammed the back of Machetti's head down to the canvas with an inverted DDT. A small smirk spread over Punk's face as he continued to apply pressure with the Anaconda Vice. Machetti's face was bright red and he was starting to fade, he knew that if he didn't get out of this soon, he'd have to tap out.
Machetti dug deep and once again pushed himself up off of the mat with a bridge, but only slightly, then he grabbed Punk with his free arm and spun around, flipping Punk over and off of him. Machetti quickly got back up to his feet and charged at Punk, but when he got close Punk suddenly reached out and lifted Machetti up onto his shoulders. GTS… NO! Machetti suddenly countered by swinging around to the front and drove Punk's head down to the mat for a DDT.
Machetti quickly maneuvered himself around and placed one of Punk's arms in between his legs, then wrapped his arms around Punk's head, CROSSFACE! Now it was Punk's turn to struggle as he once again found himself locked in the Crossface. Punk clawed at Machetti's hands with his free hand but knew that Machetti had too much leverage for him to simply pull the hands away from his mouth. Punk screamed out in pain as the Crossface started to take its toll.
Punk quickly swung his fist and connected with Machetti's face, then Punk quickly pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. With the crossface still locked Punk suddenly rolled to the side in an attempt to escape, but Machetti stayed with Punk and rolled with him and managed to keep the Crossface locked in. But that didn't matter much because now that he was closer to the ropes, Punk reached out and grabbed the bottom rope for a rope break.
Machetti waited until the referee counted to three then slowly released the hold and got up to his feet. Punk slowly got up to his feet then charged at Machetti, Machetti quickly side-stepped Punk and then grabbed him and wrapped his arms around Punks waist. Machetti launched Punk over his head and drove him down to the mat for a 'Chris Benoit' style German Suplex. Machetti dragged Punk back up to his feet and connected with a second German Suplex.
Machetti got up to his feet and dragged Punk up with him, but as Machetti went to his the hat trick Punk started elbowing Machetti in the stomach, then when Machetti's hold on him was loosened, Punk slipped behind Machetti, wrapped his arms around Machetti's waist, then connected with a German Suplex of his own. Punk fought up to his feet with Machetti, and then hit a second German Suplex on Machetti.
Finally Punk fought up to his feet with Machetti for the third time and launched Machetti over his head, this time for a release German Suplex. But while he was in mid air, Machetti did a flip and landed on his feet behind Punk, then he quickly rushed in, wrapped his arms around Punk's waist and connected with a third German Suplex. Machetti got up off the mat and stared down at Punk, then Machetti reached up and did the 'Chris Benoit Cut Throat', then pointed up into the air.
Machetti then went over to the corner, which was halfway across the ring, and climbed up onto the top rope. Machetti then lunged half way across the ring and connected with a Diving Headbutt on CM Punk. Machetti quickly went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! HE GOT IT! Machetti wins! Machetti rolled off of Punk and fought up to his feet with his arms raised up above his head. Riot Time played in the empty arena as Machetti celebrated the win. Machetti then reached down and pulled Punk up to his feet, then reached out his hand and offered it to Punk.
Punk stared at Machetti's hand for a moment then reached out and shook it. Then the two of them left the ring and headed to the back, with Chad Patton following after them.
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There you go, my tribute to Chris Benoit, granted I started this on Monday night, when it wasn't clear how Benoit died, and when we actually found out what had happened I felt too lazy to change it. So yeah, RIP Chris Benoit.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!