(A/N: I'm…BAAAACK! Anyone miss me? Yeah I got in a car accident a few days ago and the air bag broke a few of my ribs. So I was stuck in the hospital for a few days, but now I'm out and I'm confined to my house for a few weeks. It sucks, but it does explain why it took me a week to get this chapter out. I had my brother release this chapter while I was gone, but I wasn't nearly done with it, and I couldn't possibly post it with out it being completely finished so here's the finished version.)

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Chapter Twenty Two: The Bash Before the Bash

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Raw was live from Corpus Christi Texas and Chaos Inc was shown backstage. Machetti was being followed by London, Kendrick, and Maria down to the ring for his ladder match against Jeff Hardy, but suddenly, Machetti stopped, and then turned to the other members of his faction.

"Hey guys," started Machetti, "do you think it'll be alright if I handle this one on my own?"

"Are you sure man?" asked Paul as he and Brian eyed Machetti suspiciously.

"You have your match against Lashley on Sunday," added Brian, "I thought you wanted to stay healthy?"

"I do," answered Machetti, "but I've always wanted to face one of the Hardys in a ladder match, and well, to be totally honest with you guys, I want to win it fair and square. I might never get another chance to face Jeff in a ladder match and I want to make this the best one I can."

London and Kendrick eyed Machetti skeptically, "alright," conceded Paul, "we'll stay backstage if that's what you want."

"Besides, it doesn't even matter if you win or lose this match anyway," pointed out Brian, "its non-title."

"Alright thanks guys," said Machetti as a smile spread across his face, "I'll catch up with you later, before I go out for the 'press conference' thing that Coach has set up."

"Just be careful," warned Maria, who finally spoke, "and good luck."

Machetti quickly grabbed Maria and got in a quick kiss, then he smiled and headed off down the hallway. One his own.

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In the arena the fans rose to their feet and cheered as Jeff Hardy's music hit. Jeff came out from the back and did his usual actions before heading down to the ring. Once he reached the ring Jeff lifted the ring apron and pulled out a large ten foot ladder, then lifted it up and slid it into the ring. While Jeff got in the ring after his ladder, it was announced that he was going to be facing Umaga for the Intercontinental Championship at the Great American Bash.

This match was a ladder match, but it wasn't for the title like the one at the Great American Bash. Tonight's ladder match can be won by pinfall or submission and the ladders can be used any way possible. In the ring Jeff lifted his ladder up and set it up in the middle of the ring, and then… Riot Time hit. The crowd start booing as the WWE Champion came from the back followed by London and Kendrick. Machetti was once again wearing his Chaos Inc zip up sweatshirt, as were London and Kendrick. But while Paul and Brian were wearing black jeans, Machetti was simply wearing a long black pair of shorts.

But in Machetti's arms was an eight foot ladder. The same ladder that Chaos Inc had taken out Jeff Hardy with last week, and the same ladder that Machetti, alone with King Booker and Ken Kennedy, had dissected Bobby Lashley with last week. Machetti made his way down to the ring, but came to a stop when he reached the ring apron. Machetti was holding his ladder up in front of him but seemed deep in thought, then slowly he turned around to face London and Kendrick.

Since Machetti didn't have a mic with him no one could hear was he was saying to the other two members of his faction. Paul and Brian looked a little confused and said something back to Machetti. But then Machetti nodded and said something else. London and Kendrick slowly nodded, then they turned around and walked back up the entrance ramp and to the back. Machetti was now going to be facing Jeff Hardy one on one, the fans gave a slight cheer as the WWE Champion slid his ladder into the ring then got in after it.

Machetti leaned the ladder against the corner, then walked into the middle of the ring and stood beside the ten foot ladder and across from Jeff. Machetti handed the referee his WWE Championship the referee then took it and handed it to someone at ringside. The referee got back into the middle of the ring, glanced at Machetti, then at Jeff, then signaled for the bell. This match was underway.

Machetti and Jeff stared down then Machetti reached out with both arms and called for a lock up. Jeff slowly reached forward and locked up with Machetti, but Machetti quickly slipped behind Jeff, then took him by surprise and whipped him into the eight foot ladder that was leaning against the corner. Machetti charged at Jeff and then jumped up into the air, and crashed into Jeff with a running crossbody, driving him into the ladder, then Machetti jumped up, wrapped his legs around Jeff's head, and fell back for a hurricurana. Machetti launched Jeff across the ring, causing him to crashing into the ladder that was set up and knock it over so it was leaning against the top rope.

Jeff laid on his back next to the over turned ladder, while in the corner Machetti turned around and sprinted towards Jeff. Machetti jumped up into the air and came crashing down on Jeff with a Standing Shooting Star Press. Machetti got up and pulled Jeff up to his feet and went to whip him across the ring, but Jeff suddenly reversed and sent Machetti into the ropes instead. But when Machetti reached the ropes he held onto them and stopped himself from bouncing off of them.

Jeff charged at Machetti, but Machetti quickly jumped up and positioned himself on top of Jeff's shoulders, then fell back and nailed another hurricurana, but this time, he sent himself and Jeff out of the ring. While Machetti managed to grab the top rope and stayed on the ring apron, Jeff wasn't so lucky, and instead he hit the ground hard. Machetti slowly pulled himself up with the ropes and got into the ring. Jeff on the other hand took a little bit longer to stand up.

Once in the ring Machetti went over to the ladder that was leaning against the top rope, then pulled it back up and folded it up so it was flat. Machetti took the ladder and lifted it up above his head with both hands, then he ran across the ring and tossed the ladder over the top rope, and onto Jeff on the outside, causing Jeff to be knocked back down to the ground when the ladder came crashing down on top of him. Machetti stood tall in the middle of the ring and raised his arms up into the air.

Back on the outside, Jeff slowly pushed the ladder off of him and slowly got back up to his feet. Jeff reached down and picked up the ladder then slid it into the ring. But suddenly, Machetti ran at the ladder and drove his feet into it, causing the ladder to smash into Jeff, knocking him back down to the ground. Machetti pulled himself up with the ropes, then hoisted himself up onto the top, then springboarded off of the top rope, did a back-flip and came crashing down on Jeff with a Springboard Shooting Star Press.

Machetti slowly got back up to his feet, then he pulled Jeff up with him. Machetti rolled Jeff into the ring and quickly got in after him, then went for a pin, ONE… TWO… Jeff kicked out. Machetti glared down at Jeff and slowly got back up to his feet. Then Machetti quickly got out of the ring and picked up the abandoned ten foot ladder and then slid it into the ring. Machetti got into the ring after the ladder, while Jeff was just getting back up to his feet.

Machetti picked up the ladder and held it beside him, then Machetti charged at Jeff and drove the end of the ladder into Jeff's stomach like a battering ram, knocking Jeff down to the mat. Machetti lifted the ladder higher up into the air and went over to Jeff and attempted to drive the bottom part of the ladder into Jeff's stomach, but Jeff suddenly reached up and caught the ladder, preventing it from being driven into him.

Jeff maintained his hold on the ladder and slowly got back up to his feet, Machetti stepped back a bit and now both men were holding an end of the ladder, but Machetti suddenly rushed forward, while pushed the ladder in front of him, and drove Jeff back-first into the turnbuckle, causing the bottom rung of the ladder to slam into Jeff's chest, while the two legs of the ladder went passed Jeff's sides.

Machetti placed his end of the ladder on the ground, and noticed that the ladder was now leaning against the corner, with Jeff being pinned against the turnbuckle. Machetti smirked, then quickly charged up the ladder and when he reached the top, he jumped up and nailed a hard spinning kick right to the side of Jeff's head, Machetti landed safely on the mat, and Jeff was out cold from the hard kick. Machetti pulled the ladder away from Jeff, prompting Hardy to fall forward on his face.

Machetti quickly rolled Jeff onto his back and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR… Jeff just managed to kicked out. Machetti got back up to his feet and glared down at Jeff, but instead of attacking him again, Machetti went over to the ladder and lifted it up on its end. Machetti then took the ladder and walked over to the ropes, then leaned the ladder against the ropes so it was almost standing vertically. The ladder was much higher than the top rope so the very top rung was a good four feet above the top rope.

Satisfied with his work, Machetti went back over to Jeff and pulled him up to his feet, then dragged him over to the middle of the ring. Machetti smirked then went to whip Jeff into the ladder, but Jeff suddenly reversed, causing Machetti to go crashing, full speed, into the ladder he had just set up. Jeff quickly ran up to Machetti and rolled him up from behind, ONE… TWO… TH… Machetti kicked out.

Jeff got back up and pulled Machetti up to his feet then went to ram him into the ladder, but Machetti reached out and grabbed one of the rungs, successfully preventing Jeff from ramming his head into the steel ladder. Jeff, frustrated that Machetti had stopped him, pulled Machetti backwards, then attempted to ram him into the ladder again. But Machetti suddenly grabbed Jeff and whipped him into the ropes on the other side of the ring.

When Jeff came back Machetti stepped to the side and launched him up into the air. Jeff kept moving forward and smashed into the part of the ladder that was above the ropes, knocking it backwards. Jeff's momentum knocked the ladder backwards causing it to flip, and Jeff to go crashing down onto the floor on the outside. Machetti smirked as the ladder crashed down on top of Jeff.

Machetti suddenly spun around then ran to the opposite side of the ring, then bounced off of the ropes. Machetti sprinted back across the ring and jumped up onto the top rope, Machetti springboarded up off of the top rope and launched himself high into the air, then flipped two times before coming crashing down, chest-first, on top of the ladder, driving it down onto Jeff.

Machetti slowly rolled off of the ladder and clutched his chest in pain, many people were probably wondered whether the move had done more damage to Jeff, or to Machetti himself. Jeff was barely even able to push the heavy metal ladder off of him, but luckily he did and now he could breath properly. But slowly Machetti started fighting up fighting up to his feet, then he staggered over to Jeff and pulled him up, then rolled him into the ring.

Machetti slowly climbed into the ring after Jeff and went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… JEFF KICKED OUT! The fans cheered loudly as Jeff's resiliency, but Machetti looked absolutely livid. Machetti got up and pulled Jeff to his feet, then he kicked Jeff in the gut and nailed him with an Impaler. Machetti smirked to himself then went for another pin attempt, ONE… TWO… THRE… AGAIN JEFF KICKED OUT!

Machetti slowly got up and walked over to the corner and grabbed the eight foot ladder that had been leaning there. Machetti took the ladder and carried it back into the middle of the ring, then set it up next to Jeff. Once he was sure that the ladder was sturdy, Machetti started climbing up it. Machetti quickly reached the top of the ladder and stared down at Jeff.

Machetti moved so that he was standing on the very top of the ladder, then launched himself up off of the ladder and into the air. Machetti did a back flip, while spinning sideways, then came crashing down for a corkscrew shooting star pre… NO! JEFF MOVED! Machetti ate mat and smashed face first into the canvas. Now both Jeff and Machetti were down, but if there was a time for Jeff to gain some momentum now was the time!

Jeff started crawling back over to Machetti, and went for a quick cover, hoping to capitalize off of Machetti eating mat. ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti kicked out. Jeff slowly shook his head then got up to his feet. Now it was Jeff's turn to climb the ladder, but while he was climbing up he missed seeing Machetti roll onto his stomach. Jeff looked down at Machetti, who still seemed to be unconscious, and stood up on the very top of the ladder.

But that was when Machetti struck, Machetti suddenly leapt up to his feet and charged forward. Machetti rammed into the ladder and knocked it over, causing Jeff to fall and go crashing down to the mat. Machetti staggered over to the ladder and folded it back up then lifted it up and held it in front of him as he watched Jeff trying to pull himself up with the ropes.

Machetti held the ladder sideways, then charged. Jeff turned around and Machetti rammed the ladder into his face, knocking him down to the mat. Machetti then tossed the ladder down on top of Jeff, then quickly jumped up into the air, and came crashing down on top of Jeff for a standing leg drop. Machetti rolled off of the ladder and got back up to his feet, then he walked over to the other side of the ring.

Then in a flash, Machetti spun around and sprinted back over to Jeff, and when he got closer he jumped up into the air and did a spinning back flip, then came crashing down on top of the ladder with a standing corkscrew shooting star press, driving it down into Jeff. While clutching his ribs, which had smashed down onto the ladder twice so far, Machetti pushed the ladder off of Jeff and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… T… but Jeff managed to kick out.

Machetti got up and grabbed the ladder then turned around and set it up. He was getting a little tired of this and wanted to end this soon. Machetti turned around and glanced at Jeff, then walked around the ladder and started climbing up the side further away from his opponent. But when Machetti was halfway up the ladder, Jeff started stirring. Jeff got up to his feet and stood up, then went over to the ladder and climbed up the opposite side from Machetti, now both men were in no man's land on top of the ladder.

Jeff and Machetti started trading punches on top of the ladder, both desperate to come out on top. But when Jeff was starting to take advantage, Machetti suddenly nailed an uppercut, then grabbed Jeff's head and slammed it down onto the top of the ladder. Machetti then went off on Jeff and landed a string of three punches. Jeff seemed dazed but when Machetti went for another punch, Jeff suddenly ducked. In a flash Jeff grabbed Machetti then nailed him with a neck breaker, taking both of them off of the ladder, and causing them both to crash down to the mat.

The fans in the arena were on their feet cheering, then they started chanting, HARDY over and over again. Jeff heard the fans cheering, and even though he was in a great deal of pain, he crawled over to Machetti and draped his arm over him for a pin, ONE… TWO… TH… Machetti rolled his shoulder up off of the mat. Jeff looked up at the referee in shock, but didn't complain and slowly got back up to his feet.

But instead of going of another pin, or attacking Machetti, Jeff went back over to the ladder, and once again climbed up onto the top of it. On the top, Jeff straddled the top of the ladder and did his trademark 'Jeff Hardy' taunt. Then Jeff quickly jumped up off of the ladder and flipped forward, SWANTON BO--- NO! At the last second, Machetti brought his knees up to his chest, causing Jeff to go crashing back first into Machetti's hard knees.

Machetti held his knees, while Jeff rolled around on the mat and clutched his back, both men were in a great deal of pain, but were still giving the match their all. Both of them knew they had big matches coming up at the pay per view, but neither of them cared. This wasn't about a title, this was about pride, and right now that was all that mattered, and neither of them was going to give up easily.

Both Machetti and Jeff were attempting to pull themselves back up to their feet, with hopes of gaining much needed momentum in the hard fought match. Jeff was closer to the ladder, and was pulling himself up to his feet using that, while Machetti was using the ropes, which he had rolled over to. The two wrestlers were back on their feet and were once again facing off.

Both men charged, Jeff went for a clothesline, but Machetti ducked under his arm, then stopped running when Jeff ran passed him. But as Jeff stopped and turned around, Machetti quickly did a standing back-flip and drove his feet into Jeff's face, knocking him down to the ground. Machetti smirked then went over to the ladder and folded it up, the laid it down on the ground.

Machetti turned around and walked back over to Jeff, but Jeff to Machetti by surprised and caught him with a punch to the face while on his knees. Machetti staggered backwards, allowing Jeff to get back up onto the feet, but when Jeff charged at him, Machetti quickly side-stepped him, then clubbed Jeff hard across the lower back, causing Jeff to scream out in pain and drop down to his knees.

Jeff's back had come in hard contact with Machetti's knees before, and had taken a lot of damage though the course of the match. Even though it didn't look like it, Machetti was picking Jeff apart. Machetti quickly grabbed Jeff for a side headlock, then hoisted him up into the air for a vertical suplex. With Jeff still up in the air, Machetti walked backwards so his back was to the ladder, then he fell down to the mat, and brought Jeff down with him, causing Jeff's back to slam down hard onto the ladder.

Machetti got back up to his feet. Once he regained his balance Machetti went over to Jeff and pulled him up off of the ladder. Once Jeff was on his feet, Machetti whipped him into the corner, then charged after him. But as he came close to the corner, Jeff jumped up onto the top rope, then came off of it and connected with the Whisper in the Wind on Machetti, knocking him down to the mat. Jeff quickly went for the pin, ONE… TWO… T… Machetti managed to kick out.

Jeff slowly got off of Machetti and then went over to the ladder and once again set it up, but this time, the ladder was in the corner, instead of the middle. Jeff got out of the ring and onto the apron, the walked around and climbed up onto the top turnbuckle. Jeff was just climbing from the turnbuckle, to the top of the ladder, when Machetti made it back to his feet. Machetti staggered over to the ladder, and started climbed up the side of it, but Jeff had already reached the top.

As Machetti climbed higher and higher up the ladder, Jeff started clubbing Machetti on the head, hoping to wear him down and push him off of the ladder. But despite the hard shots Jeff was landing on him, Machetti kept climbing, he kept climbed and enduring until finally, he was level with Jeff. Jeff kept his momentum and hit Machetti with a series of one… two… three… four… five, punches to the face, then Jeff brought his hands up and pushed Machetti backwards, hoping to knock him off the ladder.

But Machetti reached up and managed to grab the sides of the ladder, stopping him from falling. Then Machetti held on with one hand, while bringing up his other and connecting with a punch to the side of Jeff's head. Jeff's head snapped back from Machetti's punch, but quickly came back as he landed one of his own. The two wrestlers traded shots evenly on top of the ladder, but Machetti suddenly took the advantage when he blocked one of Jeff's shots and landed a hard one of his own.

Machetti followed up with a hard hook punch, and then an uppercut, causing Jeff's head to snap upward. Machetti then grabbed the sides of Jeff's head and then drove Jeff's face down into the top part of the ladder. Flesh met steels as Machetti continually drove Jeff's face into the steel ladder. Jeff seemed to be clearly out of it, because Machetti had sensed that Jeff was no longer fighting.

Machetti quickly grabbed Jeff and held him sideways in front of him, then Machetti lunged backwards off of the ladder while hitting Jeff with the Machete's Blade. Cameras flashed all over the arena as Machetti and Jeff fell through air, eventually Machetti came crashing down on top of Jeff, squishing him underneath him, then he laid there for a pin, ONE…. TWO… THREE! MACHETTI WINS IT!

Riot Time hit as Machetti slowly got back up to his feet and stood victorious in the middle of the ring. The referee handed Machetti back his WWE Championship, which Machetti held over his head, to signify that he was still the champ and was still the best. Machetti gave Jeff a brief nod then left the ring and headed to the back. Many of the fans were thinking, 'if this was a simply, non-title match, I wonder what the ladder match at the pay-per view is going to be like.'

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Raw was back and Machetti was shown walking backstage when he came across Maria and Santino. Machetti glared at Santino and was positively seething.

"I guess you didn't learn your lesson last week," snapped Machetti as he continued glaring at Santino. "Maria, get away from him."

Maria looked like she was about to do what Machetti told her to, but Santino suddenly grabbed her and pulled her back. Machetti suddenly ran forward and went over Maria's head to hit Santino with a clothesline. Santino let go of Maria and fell down to the ground.

Machetti ran forward and kicked Santino hard in the ribs, then bent over and glared down at him, "this is the last time I'm going to tell you!" snapped Machetti, "the next time you put a hand on Maria, I'm going to break that hand!"

Machetti then turned away from Marella, grabbed Maria's hand then walked off, he still had his 'Face to Face' with Lashley later on tonight.

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Coach came down to the ring, then wasted no time in announcing the number one contender for the WWE Championship, Bobby Lashley. Lashley's music hit and he came out from the back, but unfortunately was still taped up. (A/N: I know just how he feels) Lashley glared at Coach then walked over to his podium. Coach then announced the WWE Champion, Machetti.

Machetti came out from the back wearing his Chaos Inc sweatshirt. But what caught most of the crowd's reaction was what Machetti was carrying with him. As he came down the entrance ramp, Machetti was holding a rather small six foot ladder. Machetti had a huge smirk on his face as he slid the ladder in the ring, then got in after it. Machetti picked up the ladder and leaned it against the corner, then turned around and stood at his podium.

"Alright guys," said Coach, "this face off will be a series of questions, and your answers will be directed towards your opponent. Now, Machetti, the first question is for you; why have you been attacking Lashley? Some people believe that you're intimidated by Bobby Lashley, he has already won one title from you. Are you worried that he might be able to do it again on Sunday?"

Machetti turned and glared at Coach, then turned and faced Lashley, "Lashley, I'm not intimidated by you, you can't hold a candle to me. On Sunday you're going to end up just like Jeff Hardy did tonight, you're going to lose. You're not going to beat me, especially in a ladder match!"

Lashley glared daggers at Machetti, but didn't do anything as far as attacking him went. "Lashley," said Coach, "week after week Machetti has been attacking you, and has been targeting your ribs. Now you have to face him in a ladder match on Sunday. Do you have anything to say?"

"Yeah, I have something to say!" snapped Lashley as he knocked his podium to the side, then started over towards Machetti..

"Hey! You two settle down!" yelled Coach, who wasn't in the ring, "this is a verbal confrontation, not a physical one!"

Lashley wasn't listening, he had waited a long time to get his hands on Machetti, and now was his time. Once Lashley reached Machetti's podium, he reached out and knocked it to the side, then reached out and grabbed Machetti. But Machetti suddenly kneed Lashley in the ribs, causing Lashley to let go of him. Machetti took a few steps back while Lashley clutched his ribs, then Machetti ran forward and nailed Lashley with a corkscrew dropkick, knocking Lashley on his back.

Machetti then ran to the corner and grabbed his ladder, then walked back into the middle of the ring. Lashley slowly got back up and held his ribs gingerly, but then Machetti ran forward and drove the end of the ladder right into Lashley ribs. Machetti quickly dropped the ladder, then kicked Lashley in the gut and planted him with an Impaler. Machetti had jumped backwards and sat down during the Impaler, causing Lashley's head to come in hard contact with the bottom rung of the ladder.

Machetti got back up and smirked down at Lashley, then ran over to the ropes and climbed out onto the ring apron, then watched Lashley and waited for him to get up. Lashley slowly pushed himself off of the mat and onto his hands and knees. Machetti quickly grabbed the top rope and hoisted himself up onto it, then he springboarded across the ring while moving his legs out in front of him. Machetti ended up smashing his legs down across Lashley's back, knocking him back down to the mat.

Machetti smirk down at Lashley, who was out cold now. Machetti dragged Lashley away from the ladder and rolled him onto his back, then Machetti went back to the ladder and set it up. Machetti climbed on top of the six foot ladder, which was in reality only a little bit higher than the top turn buckle, then he lunged off of the top and brought his legs out in front of him for a leg drop.

But instead of hitting a typical leg drop, Machetti came crashing down on top of Lashley's ribs, crushing the number one contender under his entire body weight. Machetti rolled off of Lashley and smirked down at him. "See you at the Bash, BITCH!" Machetti turned and left the ring, and with that Raw faded and ended. Would this be the case come the Great American Bash?

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Yeah, that's the real version. It's good to be back.

'Till Next Time…

Peace!