Chapter Thirty-One: I've Got Your Back
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Once again, Raw was live, this week from Boston Massachusetts. When the intro ended, for the second time in two weeks, Randy Orton's theme music hit and the Legend Killer headed down to the ring, fresh off of his loss to Machetti at SummerSlam. Orton got a mic and stood in the middle of the ring for a moment and allowed the fans to boo him.
"Last night at SummerSlam was supposed to be my night. I was supposed to finally regain the WWE Championship. I had the match won, I hit Machetti with the RKO and somehow, out of some kind of divine intervention, Machetti kicked out. So after that I followed up by punting Machetti in the head, and this time, instead of divine intervention, Machetti came after me like some type of crazed demon. If it hadn't been for that, I'd be standing here with the WWE Title. So Machetti, I DEMAND a rematch! So you can either come down here and accept my challenge, or…"
Orton was suddenly cut off by, not Machetti's, but John Cena's theme music. Cena was welcomed by a loud ovation from his hometown crowd. Before getting into the ring, Cena stopped to acknowledge his father at ringside. Orton and Cena stared down in the middle of the ring, before Cena got a mic and addressed him.
"Or you'll what?" questioned Cena, "You'll stay out here and whine some more?"
Orton glared at Cena, but didn't respond, "Orton you spent the last few weeks sending message after message to Machetti, some of the time you used me to send them. You almost had the title won last week as well. But come SummerSlam when everything was said and done, you couldn't deliver. The match was even restarted, and you couldn't deliver."
"You know damn well what happened!" Orton yelled at Cena, "the first time Machetti got himself disqualified by attacking the referee. And the second time there were all those run-ins, and Machetti had gone crazy! I deserve a rematch!"
"You deserve a rematch?" repeated Cena, "the last time I had a title match was at Saturday Night's Main Event. But how did that end? You and Carlito ran down and attacked Machetti and me, then you RKO-ed me onto that chair. I was screwed out of my title opportunity, but you don't see me coming out here and complaining."
"Are you saying you deserve a title more than me?" demanded Orton.
"Now, all I'm saying is that I've EARNED my shot," stated Cena, "and I'm willing to EARN another one, so how about you and me face off in a Number One Contender's Match in tonight's main event."
But before Orton could respond, Riot Time hit. WWE Champion Machetti came out from the back and headed down to the ring. Machetti was wearing a casual pair of black pants and his black Chaos Inc sweatshirt. Machetti got in the ring, walked passed the two wrestlers inside and got a mic. Machetti paused to hold his WWE Title up into the air, then turned around and walked back into the middle of the ring.
"Don't I get a say in this?" asked Machetti, "it is my title right?"
Cena shrugged and encouraged Machetti to say what he had to say, while Orton just glared at him "Now, I can't go giving title shots to everyone. Orton, I could face you for the title tonight in the SummerSlam rematch," Machetti paused and the fans booed the idea of Orton getting a title shot, "alright, I guess not." Machetti turned from Orton to Cena, "or I could fight the hometown boy John Cena in another epic encounter for the WWE title." Again Machetti paused, this time the Boston crowd cheered, "Or… or… I could face… Triple H or the title in our first ever one-on-one match." Again Machetti paused, and the fans cheered louder than ever. That was clearly a match they wanted to see."
But before anything else could happen, William Regal's theme music hit and the RAW General Manager came out onto the entrance ramp. "Machetti just what do you think you are doing?" questioned Regal, who then continued without an answer, "you may be the WWE Champion, but you are not the General Manager. That responsibility is mine, and mine alone."
"So what's going to happen?" Machetti asked for the other men in the ring, "who am I fighting?"
"YOU are not fighting anyone!" snapped Regal, "last night you went ballistic, and I'm afraid you might be as much a danger to the other superstars on the roster as young master Gene Snitsky."
"Well if someone hadn't punted me in the head we wouldn't have had the problem," said Machetti as he glanced at Orton out of the corner of his eye.
"Still, you, Machetti are not going to be competing until further notice," resolved Regal, "now Randy… Randy look at me this is important. Last night you had two attempts at the WWE Title and you fail both times. Now, it was Jonathan Coachman's decision to make you the Number One Contender in the first place, but I'm afraid that I am not willing to give you another title shot just yet."
"That's a load of bull!" Orton shouted at Regal, "I deserve a title shot more than anyone!"
"Now that kind of attitude will never get you a title opportunity," replied Regal, before moving onto Cena, "John, you're here in front of your hometown crowd, so I'm glad to say that you are going to be competing tonight. You're going to be competing against a man of majestic stature, an imperial man, who wishes to put SummerSlam behind him. Cena, you will be fighting…"
King Booker's theme music hit and the crowd groaned and booed at the 'King of the World' made his way out from the back and posed on the entrance ramp and flapped his royal cape around. Machetti and Cena stared at Booker, when Orton suddenly came from behind and went to RKO Machetti. But Cena quickly reached out and pushed Orton off of Machetti, causing the Legend Killer to fall down to the mat and tumble down to the floor.
Orton proceeded to throw a fit as he made his way up the entrance ramp. Machetti and Cena bumped fists and Cena reminded Machetti that until he got his title shot, he had Machetti's back. Machetti nodded his response, and told Cena that he'd have his back later on tonight, and would be watching Cena's match later on for anything suspicious. Cena nodded at Machetti and the two of them stood tall in the middle of the ring as RAW went to its first commercial break.
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Raw was still live from Boston, backstage Maria was shown getting ready for her match with Jillian Hall, when Machetti walked up to her.
"Are you ready?" Machetti asked simply.
"I guess so," Maria answered a little uncertainly.
"But Beth is really strong, it might be tough to beat her," explained Maria.
"Well do you want me to return the favor from SummerSlam?" questioned Machetti.
"If you mean hit me in the face with a chair, no thanks, I told you I was sorry," replied Maria.
"Maria," said Machetti in shock, "I'd never hit you with a chair, or anything. I just wanted to know if you wanted me to accompany you to ringside."
"Oh! Sure, that would be great, then I'd stand more of a chance," accepted Maria.
"You know, I have an idea for how you could actually win," suggested Machetti.
"Really? What is it?" asked Maria.
"Here, come with me," instructed Machetti as he took Maria's hand and led her off down the hallway.
"Where are we going?" questioned Maria.
"You'll see," replied Machetti. They eventually stopped in front of a door and Machetti knocked on it. It took a second to open, but when it finally did Women's Champion Candice Michelle walked out, and when she noticed it was Machetti she quickly wrapped her arms around him for a hug.
"Hey Machetti, how are you holding up after last night?" asked Candice, while Machetti looked at Maria and slowly freed himself from Candice.
"I'm alright," Machetti answered, "We just came by to ask you to help us with something."
"What's that?" questioned Candice as she glanced at Maria for the first time.
"I was wondering if you'd be willing to come out to the ring with Maria and me for her match with Beth," explained Machetti, "I figured you could do some scouting and maybe divert some of Beth's attention from the match."
"Um, sure… alright," agreed Candice with a slight smile, "I'd do anything for you Machetti."
Maria didn't seem to understand the hidden meaning in Candice's statement and instead was overjoyed and hugged the Women's Champion for agreeing to help her. "Thanks Candice," beamed Maria.
"No problem," Candice said quickly.
"Alright, let's get going," suggested Machetti, "Maria, you've got a match to win." The two divas nodded and followed after Machetti as Raw went to a commercial break.
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When RAW came back Maria's theme music hit. Maria came out from the back accompanied by WWE Champion Machetti and WWE Women's Champion Candice Michelle. Beth Phoenix, who had made her entrance during the commercial break, and was hiding behind the steps planning on ambushing Maria, decided that that wouldn't be too good of an idea with Machetti and Candice there, so she quickly got into the ring and waited for Maria to get in as well.
The bell rang as Machetti helped Maria up the steps, while Candice jumped up onto the ring apron and got in Beth's face. Beth came over and taunted Candice then told her to watch what happened to Maria in this match. But suddenly Maria came from behind and rolled Beth up for a quick pin, ONE… TWO… THR… but Beth managed to power out.
Both divas quickly made it to their feet, but Beth acted first and grabbed Maria by the hair and tossed her clear across the ring. Maria rolled to a stop near Machetti and Candice who were standing next to the ring apron. Machetti quickly whispered instructions to Maria, while Candice distracted Beth by showing off her Women's Championship.
Machetti finished whispering his instructions and stepped away from Maria, who pulled herself up off of the mat with the ropes. Maria turned around to find Beth charging at her, but quickly ran at the other diva, then dropped down and slid in between her legs. Maria quickly popped up then jumped up onto Beth's back and locked in a sleeper hold, while wrapping her legs around Beth's waist.
Beth stumbled around the ring and attempted to reached back and pull Maria off of her, but she couldn't quite reach. Instead Beth ran in reverse then rammed Maria's back into the corner. Then in one move Beth reached back, then flipped Maria over her head and onto the floor in front of her.
Beth then rushed at Maria and started stomping on her, then reached down and pulled Maria forcefully up to her feet. Then she grabbed Maria, lifted her up off of the mat, then turned around and rammed her back into the corner. Beth grabbed Maria by the throat, lifted her up and sat her on the top turnbuckle. Beth turned around and lifted Maria up behind her, then slammed her down to the mat for a crucifix powerbomb. Beth quickly Maria for a pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… Maria just kicked out.
Suddenly Candice jumped up onto the ring apron and started yelling at Beth. Beth got off of Maria and stalked towards Candice. Candice held her title up in front of Beth and the referee quickly rushed over and separated the two women. While everyone was distracted, Machetti had snuck around the ring, and quickly slid Maria out of the ring, then held her up so she could recover.
Machetti asked if Maria was alright, then offered some more suggestions for what she should do seeing how the sleeper hold didn't work out as planned. Maria eventually nodded and got back into the ring just as the referee had convinced Beth to turn around and refocus on the match.
Beth rushed at Maria, but Maria ran at her, and dove to the side the rolled passed Beth. Maria quickly got back up and rushed at Beth, then ducked down and clipped Beth's knee, causing her to fall forward. Maria quickly rolled across Beth's back and locked in a headlock, hoping to keep Beth down on the ground.
But Beth was too strong and too powerful to keep down. She slowly started push herself up off of the mat, then suddenly, Beth grabbed Maria and hoisted her onto her shoulders and before Maria could do anything, Beth fought up to her feet. But at Machetti's instruction, Candice quickly jumped back up onto the ring apron and shouted at Beth that she isn't afraid of her.
Beth stared at Candice, but suddenly Maria slid to the side, off of Beth's shoulders, and pulled Beth down to the mat for a victory roll pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… Beth just managed to kick out before the three. Beth shot up to her feet and roughly pulled Maria up off of the ground, then hoisted her up into the air for a fisherman's (or woman's) suplex. Beth continued to hold Maria up into the air and turned to taunt Candice, but it wasn't Candice who was on the ring apron this time. Instead it was Machetti, yelling at the referee to get Beth to put Maria down. The referee argued with Machetti and told him that this was all part of the match and couldn't interfere.
But while Machetti was distracting the referee, Candice suddenly rushed into the ring and bashed Beth in the back with the Women's Championship. Beth dropped Maria and went crashing down to the mat. But she quickly turned around and rushed at the Women's Champion, but Candice, dropped her title, then ran at Beth in retaliation, jumped up into the air and took her down with a spinning wheel kick right to the face.
Candice quickly grabbed her title then slid out of the ring just as the referee was turning around. Maria saw her opportunity and quickly crawled over to Beth and made a cover, the referee quickly counted, ONE... TWO… THREE! MARIA WINS! MARIA GETS THE UPSET WIN!
Maria's music hit and Machetti quickly slid into the ring and grabbed Maria for a hug, then raised Maria's arm up into the air. Candice joined Machetti and Maria in the ring but took a moment to stare down at Beth. The three of them celebrated the win together then left the ring and quickly headed to the back. Raw then went to a commercial break.
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When Raw came back Candice was shown backstage talking with Todd Grisham, Machetti and Maria were off to the side holding hands. "Candice," started Todd, "you were out there before for Maria's match against the new Number One Contender Beth Phoenix. What do you think of your new challenger?"
"I think I proved to Beth out there that I'm not afraid of her," answered Candice, "she may be strong, but I'm willing to rise to any challenge I have to."
"CHALLENGE!?" came a loud voice. Candice and Maria both screamed then ducked behind Machetti as Snitsky walked over to them.
"You want to talk challenge?" demanded Snitsky, as he got in Machetti's face, while the two divas hid behind him, "it's a challenge for me to know when to limit my destruction. It's a challenge for me to know when to stop causing pain. Because pain, is my pleasure."
"Is that so?" questioned Machetti, "In my short career I've been Intercontinental Champion, ECW Champion, and WWE Champion. And in that brief span of time I've taken quite a bit of punishment. I've been smashed in the face with a steel chair, had a crowbar buried into my forehead, been choke with a golf club, had a cheese grater raked across my face, hit with a Singapore cane, powerbombed off the top of a ladder, smashed in the face with a barbwire wrapped 2x4, superplex off of the top rope onto a bed of thumbtacks, oh and let's not forget about the time I was piledrived off of a twenty foot ladder through at table!"
Machetti didn't back down, he was starting to actually advance on Snitsky, "I've been, F-Ued, RKOed, Superkicked, Chokeslammed, Samoan Spiked, Piledrived, and even Tombstone Piledrived. I've been hit with the Twist of Fate, the Swanton Bomb, a Double Underhook DDT, powerslammed, choked in an Anaconda Vice and Pedigreed off of the top rope! So I'll tell you what, if you want to inflict pain on someone, I'll take all you've got and then some. And maybe, I'll inflict some on you! When ever your ready, I'll be waiting! But just remember, you'll be in for the fight of your life!"
Machetti quickly turned around, grabbed both Maria and Candice's hand, then walked off with the two divas following after him, leaving the irate psychopath known as Snitsky alone with Todd Grisham. The segment then faded and went to the office where Vince McMahon was talking with Jonathan Coachman.
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Raw was still live, and the Main Event was still underway. After match that was mostly dominated by King Booker, with Cena getting in a few shots here and there, Cena was finally starting to mount an offense and managed to counter out of an armbar and went for an F-U on Booker. But Booker elbowed Cena in the face and got free then connected with a hard kick on Cena and went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THR… Cena kicked out.
Booker backed off and waited for Cena to get up, but Cena came back with a punch to the stomach, then whipped Booker into the corner and followed up with a clothesline. Cena then whipped Booker into the corner across from that one and went off on Booker with a wide array of shots to the stomach. But suddenly Randy Orton hit the ring and attacked Cena from behind.
The referee called for the bell ending the match by disqualification. But the double team continued. Orton pulled Cena back into the middle of the ring and held Cena's arms behind his back, allowing Booker to go after him and connect with some hard shots to the chest.
But suddenly the fans let out a loud cheer as Machetti came sprinting out from the back carrying his pipe. Machetti slid into the ring and went after Booker and Orton, but the two heels quickly dropped Cena down to the mat and bailed out of the ring. Booker took Sharmell and headed to the back while Orton stayed at ringside and glared at Machetti as he helped Cena to his feet.
But suddenly Orton spun around and grabbed Cena's dad and tossed him over the barricade and down to the hard mat floor. He was looking to do some serious damage on Mr. Cena, when Machetti and Cena slid out of the ring on either side of Orton. Orton stared at the two of them, then quickly turned around, hopped the barricade and ran through the crowd.
Cena bent down and checked on his father while Machetti held his pipe and glared after Orton, who was by now, long gone. Cena glanced up from his father at Machetti, and Machetti nodded at him and reminded Cena that he had his back. Cena nodded in respect, then Machetti left and headed to the back as Raw went off the air.
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Most of the extreme spots that Machetti lifted off for Snitsky took place in Can I Ask You Something. So if you haven't read it, please do, because you're missing out. Sorry, no Machetti match in this chapter, I'm still trying to figure out where I'm going to go from here, and I thought this chapter would do alright in furthering some storylines without doing anything too new.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!