Chapter Twenty-Four: The Champions Clash
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Raw was live from Sacramento California. Maria and Mickie James had beaten Melina and Beth Phoenix when Maria planted Melina with a bulldog, and then landed a leg drop to get the pin. This of course came after a little bit of 'help' from Santino Marella, who had accompanied Maria down to the ring. But while Maria, Mickie, and Marella were celebrating in the ring, Riot Time suddenly hit and WWE Champion Machetti came out from the back, and he looked pissed. While he was only wearing a pair of black pants and his Chaos Inc sweatshirt, Machetti didn't look like he was going to compete, but with the look on his face right now, it appeared that Machetti might do some fighting anyway.
Maria and Mickie quickly left the ring, leaving Santino on his own to deal with Maria's enraged boyfriend. Machetti slid into the ring and glared at Santino for a split second, then he charged and started going off on the Italian with hard shots to the face. Machetti ended up grabbing Santino, running with him and then tossing him out of the ring and down to the floor. Machetti stepped back into the middle of the ring and pulled off his sweatshirt while Santino got back up.
Machetti ran at Santino and dropped down to the ground for a baseball slide, but Santino wisely moved to the side so Machetti couldn't slide into him. So instead Machetti just slid out of the ring and stood in front of Marella. Santino charged at Machetti, hoping to catch him off guard, but Machetti quickly side stepped him, then pushed Santino's back, causing him to go face-first into the steel ring post.
"I told you to stay away from her!" shouted Machetti as he stalked over to Santino and pulled him up to his feet. Machetti held Santino's throat and stared right into his eyes, "DIDN'T I!" Machetti whipped Santino into the announce table, knocking it back, and causing King and JR to stand up and back away. Machetti followed Santino over to the announce table, but Santino suddenly spun around and nailed Machetti with a punch to the jaw.
Machetti stumbled backwards and held his chin, while Santino turned around and went to follow up with another punch. But Machetti ducked Santino's next shot, and moved passed him, Santino spun around to face Machetti, but Machetti quickly grabbed him, hoisted him up into the air, then dropped down and slammed Santino's face into the announce table with a flapjack. Machetti got back up and after sending a glare at the announce crew to back off, he grabbed the TV monitor and pulled it away from the table.
Machetti lifted the monitor above his head and slammed it down on top of Santino's, then Machetti took the wires connected to the monitor and wrapped them around Santino's neck effectively choking him. "I've told you countless times to stay away from Maria!" said Machetti into Santino's ear as he continued to choke him, "but you don't seem to listen very well. So now, I'm going to teach you a lesson you'll never forget!" Machetti continued to choke Santino, and surprisingly there were some cheers going on, but suddenly a bunch of referees hit the ring and ran over to Machetti and Marella.
The referees pulled Machetti off of Santino and yelled at him to get the hell out of here. Machetti kept glaring at the now unconscious Santino, and slowly backed off. Machetti glanced one more time at Santino, then he turned around and walked off, leaving the referees to check on Santino and see if he was still breathing. Raw then cut to the 'Triple H return package.'
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The 'Snitsky Promp' had just ended and Machetti was shown talking with London and Kendrick backstage. "Guys," said Machetti, "tonight you're not facing Cade and Murdoch, I AM! But, if you even hope to get your hands on those titles, you need to beat Haas and Benjamin and send a message to the champions. Don't do anything stupid out there, just go out there and win that match."
"And what are you going to do?" asked Brian.
"I am going to go out there later tonight and I'm going to put up the fight of my life," answered Machetti, "the odds might be stacked up against me, but I'm not going to roll over and give up. I'm going to do everything I can to win, now if you excuse me, I'll see you guys later."
"Good luck man," Paul called after Machetti as the WWE Champion walked off.
Machetti kept walking and came across John Cena who was talking with Todd Grisham. "Oh, Machetti," said Grisham, "do you mind if a ask you something?"
"Normally, I'd grab Maria and switch her into your place," said Machetti he turned and glared at Cena for a moment, "but I'm feeling generous so I'll let you ask me your little question."
"Alright, now Machetti, tonight you're teaming up with Women's Champion Candice Michelle against Intercontinental Champion Umaga, and the World Tag Team Champions Cade and Murdoch, how do you feel?"
"How do I feel?" repeated Machetti, "I'll tell you how I feel, I'm pissed off! Our 'beloved' general manager seems to be 'upset' with me, so now he's putting me in this match. We all know that I can't, in good will, tag in Candice, not when I'm facing guys like, Umaga, Cade, and Murdoch. In reality this is what's called a three on one handicap match. I don't think anyone would be feeling to good if they had to fight in the match I'm about to fight in."
"That's what comes with being the champion," interrupted Cena, as Machetti turned to stare at him, "when you're the champion you have to defend your gold against all comers, and sometimes you have to fight in matches that may be a little bit one sided. I know I did, and if you're afraid to do what it takes to be the champion, then why don't you hand the belt over and I'll go out there in your place!"
"I never said anything about not competing," snapped Machetti as he pushed Todd aside and got up in Cena's face, "I'm going to go out there and I'm going to fight in that match, Coach seems to like me enough to make the match no disqualifications. But you on the other hand, I don't think Coach likes you at all."
"What makes you say that?" demanded Cena as he stood face-to-face with Machetti.
"Well," replied Machetti, "tonight Coach is going to be naming a new number one contender for MY title. And he's doing it based on how impressed he in with the matches that are being put on tonight. But you know what's funny? You're not even on the card! That means, there's no way in hell that you're getting a shot at my title. Coach may hate me and may be taking drastic measures to make sure I lose the title, but he seems to hate you even more, and is taking even more drastic measures to make sure you don't regain it. Funny huh?"
Machetti then turned away from Cena and walked off, leaving the former WWE Champion glaring after him. With that Raw cut to the ring for the Sandman/Hacksaw v. Carlito/Regal match.
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Raw was still live, in the ring London and Kendrick were currently facing off against Haas and Benjamin. Kendrick had made the hot tag to London, who had came in and was taking the fight to both Haas and Shelton in his usual fast pace. London and Kendrick hit Shelton with a double dropkick, knocking him out of the ring. Kendrick ran over to the ropes, where Shelton was laying on the floor, then he pulled himself up, and then in a Jeff Hardy-style move, he shot himself under the bottom rope and drove his feet into Shelton's face on the way down, knocking Shelton into the announce table.
London ran at Haas and took him down with a dropsault, then he turned and saw Brian getting into the ring. London whipped Haas into the ropes, Haas bounced off of them and came back, then both London and Kendrick grabbed Haas, launched him up into the air, then slammed him down to the mat face-first. Kendrick quickly bailed out of the ring and London went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! LONDON AND KENDRICK WIN IT!
London and Kendrick's theme music hit and the two of them left the ring and headed to the back, leaving Haas and Benjamin to recover at ringside. They were one step closer to sending that message to Cade and Murdoch, possibly launching themselves into contender's position.
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Lawler had just accepted King Booker's challenge for a match next week when Coach was shown talking with Todd Grisham backstage and he let Todd know that he had made his decision. When Grisham walked off, Coach was approached by Women's Champion, Candice Michelle. Candice asked Coach to reconsider the main event match. She knew that Coach had a problem with Machetti, but asked him not to take it out on her. She didn't want to face Umaga, Umaga is a monster, not to mention Cade and Murdoch.
But Coach wasn't going to let her get out of it. Coach responded by saying that he didn't see Candice as a diva, but he saw her as a champion. Coach then wished Candice good luck before walking off. Leaving Candice on her own, looking very nervous.
But Candice wasn't alone for long, because suddenly her partner for the match, Machetti, walked over. "I'm assuming that he didn't allow you to get out of the match?" questioned Machetti as he glanced at Candice.
"No he didn't," answered Candice, as she turned to look at Machetti, "I'm going to be honest with you, I'm scared. There's not way I'd last more than a couple seconds against Umaga, Cade, and Murdoch."
"Yeah I know," replied Machetti, "but try not to worry. I'll be out there too, and I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
"Really?" asked Candice.
"Hey," snapped Machetti, "I'm not entirely evil, I'll make sure nothing happens to you out there. Now lets get going, our match is up next." Machetti slowly reached out his hand for Candice, and she eventually took it. Then the two of them walked off screen.
The cameras then cut to shown the Red Neck Wrecking Crew and Umaga on their way down to the ring as well, then Raw went to a commercial break.
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Raw was back and in the arena Intercontinental Champion Umaga's theme music hit. The Samoan Bulldozer came out from the back and headed down to the ring, it was time for the main event. Once Umaga was in the ring Cade and Murdoch's theme music hit, and with that the World Tag Team Champions came out from the back. The Redneck Wrecking Crew headed down to the ring and got in along side Umaga.
Then Candice Michelle's theme music hit, the WWE Women's Champion slowly made her way out from the back and stopped walking halfway down the ramp, she was scared for her life. But then Riot Time hit at WWE Champion Machetti came out from the back. Machetti walked down the ramp and stopped next to Candice and put one of his hands on her back and tried to reassure her that she'd be okay. Machetti then took Candice's hand and led her down the ramp and to the ring. Machetti escorted Candice up the steps and made sure she was situated on the apron, before getting into the ring.
Cade and Umaga got out of the ring and now Machetti was left to start off the match against Trevor Murdoch. The bell rang and this match was underway. Machetti quickly sprinted across the ring, then dropped down and slid in between Murdoch's legs. As Murdoch slowly turned around, Machetti jumped back up to his feet, then launched himself up into the air and took Murdoch down with a corkscrew dropkick.
Both Machetti and Murdoch got up at the same time, but this time Murdoch charged at Machetti. But Machetti sides stepped Murdoch then grabbed his arm and launched him over his head for a arm drag. Murdoch got back up but Machetti ran at him, jumped up onto his shoulders, then fell backwards and launched him across the ring with a hurricurana.
Machetti got back up and raised his arms over his head, then Machetti mocked Murdoch by waving at him, then turned to Candice and gave her a nod, he had everything going alright. Murdoch on the other hand saw that things weren't going his way, so he went over to his corner and tagged in Cade. "Get him!" Cade shrugged at Murdoch then got into the ring and stood across from Machetti.
Both men charged, but Machetti ducked down and dodged Cade's clothesline attempt, then he kept running and jumped up onto the middle rope. Machetti springboarded off the ropes and launched himself at Cade, who just turned around, then launched on Cade's shoulders, Machetti quickly swung to the side then planted Cade with a springboard DDT. But instead of going of the pin, Machetti got up and ran to the ropes again, then jumped up to the top one, back-flipped off of it, and came crashing down on Cade for a springboard moonsault. From there Machetti quickly went for a pin, ONE… TWO…. Cade kicked out.
Machetti got back up to his feet and backed away from Cade, Cade quickly got up and glared at Machetti, then looked over his shoulder and glanced at Murdoch. Machetti was making the two of them look like jobbers! This wasn't how the match was supposed to go! They were supposed to beat down Machetti all match, then maybe rough up Candice a little bit. Things had to change and fast!
Cade moved towards the middle of the ring and called for a lock up, Machetti nodded then slowly walked into the middle of the ring and locked up with Cade. Cade was the larger and stronger of the two and started pushing Machetti backwards, but Machetti took Cade by surprise by suddenly crossing his and Cade's arms, then turning around and running towards the corner, pulling Cade along with him. Machetti jumped up onto the middle rope, then pushed himself up onto the top rope, then launched himself off of the top rope, over Cade's head, before coming crashing down to the mat, bringing the back of Cade's head down with him.
Machetti quickly got back up, then ran at Cade, jumped up into the air and did a back-flip, then came crashing down on top of Cade for a standing shooting star press. But instead of going of the pin, like he usually did, Machetti got up off of Cade and walked to his corner. A smirk spread over Machetti's face as he reached out and tagged Candice in. Candice looked shocked but slowly got into the ring. Machetti quickly reached forward and grabbed Candice, then lifted her up into the air.
Machetti carried Candice over to Cade, then tossed her down on top of him. Machetti quickly left the ring and allowed Candice to stay on top of Cade for a cover, which the referee started counting, ONE… TWO… Cade kicked out. Candice quickly got back up and looked down at Cade in shock. In the corner Machetti reached into the ring from the apron and called for Candice to tag him back in, which Candice quickly did. Machetti got into the ring and walked up to Cade, who had gotten back up to his feet.
Cade yelled angrily at Machetti for trying to embarrass him, then reached up and shoved Machetti, pushing him backwards. But Machetti simply came back and shoved Cade back in response. Cade rushed at Machetti for a clothesline, but Machetti ducked down and allowed Cade to run passed, then Machetti swung his legs around and swept Cade's legs out from under him, knocking Cade down to the mat.
Machetti got up off of the knees then ran to the corner, jumping over Cade in the process. Machetti jumped up onto the top rope, smirked down at Candice, then back-flipped off of it and came crashing down on top of Cade with a moonsault. Machetti made a cover, ONE… TWO… THR… Murdoch came in and pulled Machetti off of Cade. Machetti pulled himself away from Murdoch and got back up to his feet, but Murdoch rushed at him for a clothesline. Machetti ducked it, then grabbed Murdoch and dropped down to the mat, brining Murdoch down with him for a neckbreaker.
Machetti got up in time to catch Cade as he ran at him, then launched him up into the air for a back body drop. As Cade came crashing down to the mat, Machetti stumbled forward and eventually leaned against the ropes to catch his breath. But while Machetti's back was to him, Murdoch got back up and rushed at Machetti, since this match was no disqualifications the referee couldn't force him out of the ring.
But what Murdoch didn't see was Machetti, glancing at the TitanTron as he ran at him. When Murdoch got close, Machetti dropped down and pulled the top rope down with him, causing Murdoch to spill over the top rope and go crashing down to the floor. Machetti got back up in time to catch Cade, then launch him up into the air, over the top rope, and down to the floor.
Machetti smirked down at the World Tag Team Champions who were struggling back to their feet, then turned around and sprinted across the ring, bounced off the ropes, then did two handsprings to cross the ring, before following up with a back-flip, which launched himself up into the air, over the top rope, causing him to come crashing down on Cade and Murdoch on the outside, knocking the two of the down to the ground.
Machetti got up off of the tag team champions then got into the ring and found WWE Intercontinental Champion standing across the ring from him. Machetti took a deep breath, glanced at Candice, then walked into the middle of the ring to face off with Umaga. Umaga charged at Machetti, but Machetti quickly dove out of the way, then jumped back up to his feet.
Umaga spun around and stalked towards Machetti again, this time backing him up into an empty corner. Umaga then charged at Machetti looking to squish him against the corner, but Machetti suddenly dropped down and slid in between Umaga's legs, causing Umaga to run full speed into the corner. Machetti quickly got back up, then ran at Umaga and dropkicked him in the back, driving him into the corner once again.
Machetti got up and backed away from Umaga so he was standing in the middle of the ring. Umaga slowly pulled himself away from the corner then turned to face Machetti. Umaga let out loud yell then charged at Machetti looking to take his head off with a Samoan Spike, but Machetti quickly ducked under Umaga's arm and the Samoan ran passed him. Then when Umaga turned around, Machetti launched out his leg and blasted Umaga hard in the chin with a sidekick. Machetti followed up and charged at Umaga, Machetti jumped up into the air, grabbed onto Umaga and swung himself around him, then grabbed onto his head and drove Umaga's head down to the mat with a DDT.
Machetti got back up to his feet, but was almost decapitated as Cade ran into the ring and took him down hard with a vicious clothesline. Cade smirked down at Machetti as Umaga got up and joined Murdoch on the ring apron. With just one move the momentum of the match up had chanced drastically. Cade pulled Machetti up off of the mat and whipped him into his teams corner. Cade walked over and tagged in Murdoch, then pulled Machetti away from the corner and held Machetti's arms behind his back. Murdoch went off on Machetti with some hard shots to the stomach and chest.
Cade eventually tossed Machetti down to the ground and got out of the ring, allowing Murdoch to take over. Murdoch walked over to Machetti and stomped on his back, then walked around him and stomped on Machetti's leg. Murdoch quickly dropped down to his knees and rolled Machetti onto his back. Murdoch pinned Machetti down to the mat and started punching Machetti hard on the forehead. Murdoch eventually got back up and pulled Machetti up with him, then he whipped Machetti across the ring and into the ropes.
Machetti bounced off of the ropes and came back towards Murdoch, who caught Machetti, popped his hips and slammed Machetti down to the mat with a hip toss. Murdoch then went back to his corner and tagged Cade back in. Cade rushed over to Machetti, dropped down to his knees and drove his fists into Machetti's exposed back. Cade jumped back up then dropped back down with an elbow drop to the back. Cade glared down at Machetti then got back up and pulled Machetti with him.
Cade whipped Machetti into the corner, then ran at him and drove him back into the turnbuckle with a clothesline. Cade then grabbed Machetti, lifted him up into the air, then slammed him down to the mat for a vertical suplex. Cade quickly hooked Machetti's leg and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… TH… Machetti kicked out. Cade glared down at Machetti and got up to his feet, then went over to the corner and tagged in Umaga.
The second Umaga got into the ring he charged at Machetti, jumped up into the air, then came crashing down on top of him for a running body splash. Umaga got back up and screamed something that no one seemed to understand, then he reached down and pulled Machetti up off of the mat. Umaga lifted Machetti up and turned him upside down, then slammed him down to the mat with a scoop slam. Umaga ran over to Machetti, jumped up into the air, then came crashing down on Machetti's chest for a seated splash. From there Umaga went for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti just managed to kick out.
Umaga got up and looked down at Machetti in confusion, then he glared at the referee. In the end Umaga decided to go over to his corner and tag in Murdoch. Murdoch got in the ring and went right after Machetti, but Machetti suddenly grabbed him for a small package, ONE… TWO… THR… Murdoch was barely able to kick out. Machetti had taken Murdoch completely by surprise and it had almost cost him the match.
Murdoch shot back up to his feet, but knocked Machetti down with a shoulder tackle. Murdoch dropped down next to Machetti and locked in a reverse chinlock from behind, and cranked on as much pressure as he could. Machetti was stuck in the middle of the ring and saw there was no way he'd be able to make it to the ropes without pulling Murdoch halfway across the ring. So Machetti was left with two options, tap out, or find a way out of it. Seeing how the first option would NEVER happen Machetti tried to think of a way out of the reverse chinlock Murdoch had locked in on him.
Then, as Machetti face was starting to turn red, he got an idea. Machetti suddenly lifted his legs up and took Murdoch by surprise and squeezed them around his neck for a head-scissors. This was a position Murdoch didn't want to be in, so he slowly fought up to his feet and pulled Machetti up with him. Machetti had kept the head-scissors locked in, but Murdoch still had the chinlock locked in to some effect. But suddenly Machetti punched Murdoch hard in the side, causing him to release his hold on Machetti, then in a flash Machetti dropped down and sent Murdoch flying across the ring with a head-scissors take down.
On the ring apron, Cade reached down and tagged himself in, he saw their momentum slipping and didn't want to lose it. Murdoch rushed into the ring and charged at Machetti, but Machetti sidestepped Cade, then pushed him from behind, causing Cade to run into the ropes. When Cade bounced off, Machetti caught him with an arm drag, then when Cade got back up, Machetti send him flying with a hip toss.
As Cade got back up Machetti ran passed him over to the empty corner behind him, Machetti jumped up onto the top rope, then when Cade had gotten to his feet, Machetti back-flipped off of the top rope and took him down with a moonsault. Machetti got up off of Cade, but was suddenly charged by Murdoch, Machetti sidestepped Murdoch, then ran with him and tossed him over the top rope, causing Murdoch to crash down to the floor and roll to the point where he was at the base of the entrance ramp.
Machetti turned around and grabbed Cade, then kicked him in the gut, and planted him with an Impaler. Cade rolled away from Machetti and over to his corner, where Umaga reached down and tagged himself in. Cade rolled under the bottom rope and down to the floor as Machetti ran at Umaga. But when Machetti got close, Umaga caught him and lifted Machetti onto his shoulder. Umaga then fell backwards and drove Machetti down to the mat with a Samoan Slam.
Umaga then went over to his team's empty corner and climbed up onto the middle rope, then he lunged across the ring and connected with a diving head-butt on Machetti. Umaga got back up and glared down at Machetti, while at the same time Cade and Murdoch pulled themselves up to their feet on the outside. Evil smirks crossed their face when they saw Machetti unconscious, and Candice looking worried.
Cade and Murdoch walked around the ring and surrounded Candice, who realized, that Machetti was out of it and it was now just her against the other three. Candice quickly got into the ring to stay away from the Redneck Wrecking Crew, but in her attempt to run away, she ran right into Umaga. Umaga turned to face Candice, causing her to fall down to the ground. Candice tried to move away from Umaga but suddenly found herself backed into a corner, and before she could get out of there, Cade and Murdoch came over and grabbed her arms, forced Candice to stay where she was.
Candice was in a world of trouble, and Umaga seemed to realized this as well. The Intercontinental Champion walked to the other side of the ring, and yelled out something in Samoan. Then Umaga charged looking to ram into Candice and squish her against the ring post.
But when Umaga was half way across the ring, Machetti suddenly jumped up onto Umaga's back and locked in a sleeper hold. Umaga might be little slow, but even he would notice someone jumping onto his back and attempting to put him to sleep. Umaga stopped running and tried to reach back and grab Machetti, but that prove to be a rather difficult task seeing how he couldn't reach him.
But while Machetti kept Umaga busy, London and Kendrick suddenly came from the back and sprinted down to the ring. Paul and Brian split up and ran around went right after the tag team champions. The two rednecks let go of Candice which proceeded to the four men having an all out brawl all over ringside.
Back in the ring, Umaga spun to the side and managed to throw Machetti off of him, but the second Umaga turned around he was suddenly blasted with a steel chair courtesy to Jeff Hardy. Hardy delivered another chair shot, and then another before finally knocking Umaga off of his feet. Across the ring Machetti got up to his feet and glanced at Jeff, who simply shrugged. The two of them had nearly killed each other in the ladder match last week, and now Jeff was attacking Machetti's opponent. Machetti got up to his feet and saw that Candice was still sitting against the corner, clearly she was in shock over what had almost happened to her.
Outside of the ring London and Kendrick had taken control over Cade and Murdoch, but the tag team champions, suddenly got away from Paul and Brian, then hopped the barricade and ran off through the crowd. Back in the ring, Machetti instructed Jeff to put the chair on top of Umaga, which Jeff reluctantly did, then Machetti ran to the corner and jumped onto the top rope. Machetti turned and smirked at Jeff, then flipped forwards off of the top rope and came crashing down back-first onto the chair, driving it into Umaga for a senton, or 'swanton' bomb. Machetti quickly went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! HE GOT IT!
Machetti got up to his feet and was met with a loud ovation from the fans, or maybe they were cheering Jeff, but the bottom line was that the fans were cheering. Machetti and Jeff then pulled Umaga back up to his feet and tossed him over the top rope and down to the floor. Machetti nodded at Jeff, who quickly ran, jumped over the top rope and came crashing down on Umaga on the outside.
Seeing how Jeff just left the ring, Machetti quickly ran over to the corner Candice was sitting against, then dropped down to his knees and slid to a stop in front of her. Machetti checked on Candice to make sure she was okay, only for Candice to launch herself at him and hug him tightly. Machetti looked a little unsure of what he should do, but slowly he hugged Maria back and stood up.
Candice smiled at Machetti, who quickly let go of her and turned around… RIGHT INTO AN RKO FROM RANDY ORTON! In a second London and Kendrick were in the ring, and the two of them quickly pulled Machetti away from Orton and out of the ring, with Candice right behind them. Paul and Brian held Machetti up, while Orton glared at him.
Then Coach came out from the back looking rather smug, "Machetti, meet the man you will be facing at SummerSlam, and the new number one contender, the Legend Killer… RANDY ORTON!" Coach headed to the back, while Orton glared at Machetti. Machetti glared back while London and Kendrick held him up outside of the ring. With that Raw went off the air.
---x---
Right, I guess Machetti is like Stevie Richards on ECW. One week he'll be playing a heel when he's facing CM Punk, then the next week he'll be playing a face when he fights Kevin Thorn. So pretty much Machetti and his faction are neutral, it really depends on who he's facing.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!