Chapter Thirty Nine: A Cool Match Up
---x---
Raw was live from Grand Rapids Michigan, the reluctant team of Maria, Candice Michelle, and Mickie James had just defeated Melina, Jillian Hall, and Beth Phoenix. Machetti was shown in the back talking with London and Kendrick. But then they were approached by with two arguing divas and one diva who looked like she would rather be any place but here at the moment.
"Well, now you know what its like to actually WIN a match for once," Candice snapped at Maria.
"I've won matches before!" retorted Maria, "Machetti trained me personally, and I might be forgetting but I do have a victory of you."
"Well with the way you've been wrestling lately, I doubt that will ever happen again," argued Candice.
"Don't be so sure," said Maria, "you might be surprised."
"Oh please," taunted Candice, "the only reason you'll ever win a match now is if you do what you did tonight, and that's just tag in someone else and stand on the ring apron looking pretty."
Kendrick, London, and Machetti looked like a group of spectators watching a ping pong match, or a fast paced chess game, their eyes went from one diva to the other as they continued their argument, until Machetti rolled his eyes and turned away, "So Mickie, how are you doing?"
"I'm alright," replied Mickie, "but that Beth Phoenix is a beast, did you see her powerbomb me on the outside?"
"Yeah, I saw that," said Machetti, "it looked harsh."
"Well it hurt a bit too," commented Mickie.
"Well, once you've been powerbombed off of the top of a ladder and onto another ladder that's been set up on a pair of chairs, that'll feel like nothing," pointed out Machetti.
"No offense, but that's nothing I want to try any time soon," Mickie told him.
"None taken," said Machetti, before checking on the Maria and Candice, who were actually still arguing, "have they been going at it since they came to the back?"
"Yeah," said Mickie with a slight groan, "its getting really annoying."
"Tell me about it," replied Machetti, "but for the sake of our sanity I have actually done something to get to the bottom of it."
"The bottom of what?" demanded Maria and Candice at the same time, obviously they had been paying a small bit of attention.
"I actually talked with a Psychiatrist," answered Machetti, "if anything, he might be able to resolve all this."
"Umm… Machetti… you don't know any Psychiatrists," pointed out Maria.
"Okay fine," snapped Machetti, "he's not a REAL Psychiatrist, some people may actually refer to him as a genuine psychopath, but either way, I'm going to see him next week on Raw," Candice and Maria immediately started to protest, "and I'll be greatly upset with you two if either of you don't show up." That got them to quiet down.
Machetti gave Paul and nudge with his elbow, "Guys, I've got to go pick a fight tonight, do you think you can handle your title match on your own?"
"Yeah, we'll manage," said Paul.
"We've beaten them before," added Brian.
Machetti nodded to them, then turned to the divas, "Ladies, I'll see you later," said Machetti as he headed off.
Candice, Maria, and Mickie stared after them for a while before Maria turned back to Candice, "This is all you're fault, you know."
"My fault?" questioned Candice, as she and Maria started arguing again. Mickie rolled her eyes as London and Kendrick, and without saying anything else, the three of them walked off. Leaving Candice and Maria arguing on their own.
---x---
Triple H was currently fighting both Randy Orton and Umaga in a Two-on-One Handicap Match. Umaga charged at Triple H, but Trips ducked down and pulled down the ropes, causing the Samoan Bulldozer to tumble to the outside. HHH stepped into the middle of the ring and caught Orton with a Spinebuster, then he pulled Orton back up off of the mat and went for the Pedigree, but Umaga came from behind and bashed Triple H across the back with a steel chair, ending the match via Disqualification.
Umaga and Orton started double teaming the Game, Umaga pulled Hunter up off of the mat and held him, allowing Orton to rush in and nail Triple H with an RKO. The Game was down, Orton left the ring, but Umaga wasn't quite done yet. The Samoan Bulldozer dragged HHH over to a corner and sat him down against the turnbuckle. Umaga rushed across the ring and hit Trips with the Running Butt Smash. Umaga wasn't done there and backed across the ring and went set up for a second Butt Smash.
But suddenly the crowd erupted in cheers as Michigan Native, Machetti sprinted down to the ring and slid inside. Umaga rushed at Machetti, but Machetti grabbed the chair Umaga had used on Triple H and blasted the Samoan Bulldozer in the face. Umaga stopped running forward, but didn't fall down. Machetti quickly followed up with another chair shot, causing the Samoan to stagger backwards. Machetti backed into the ropes, then ran at Umaga, jumped up into the air and smashed the chair down on the top of Umaga's head. Finally, the Samoan Bulldozer fell backwards and hit the mat.
Machetti put the chair down then went over to Triple H and pulled him up out of the corner and helped him out of the ring. Machetti made sure HHH could stand, then walked beside him up the ramp. But halfway up, Triple H, who had been physically abused during the course of the handicap match, collapsed. Machetti reached down and pulled Triple H up off of the ramp, and threw the Game's arm over his shoulder and helped him up to the back.
The cameras cut to the back and showed Machetti helping Triple H around backstage, but then Vince McMahon approached them. "What happened?" asked Vince as he glanced at Triple H.
"What do you think?" snapped Machetti.
"Watch it, you little punk!" growled Vince as he glared at Machetti then turned back to HHH.
"I bet you're pretty hurt huh?" questioned Vince, "well, that's not going to stop you from coming out and shaking Randy Orton's hand tonight."
"Yeah, right," laughed Machetti, "he's not going to shake Orton's hand, and I'm not either."
"Oh you'll shake Randy Orton's hand," said Vince as he glared at Machetti, "and if you're not going to respect the new champion, then I'm going to have to beat some into you!"
"Oh yeah?" challenged Machetti, "You're going to get in the ring and fight me like you did Hunter here?"
"I'm not going to waste my time getting in the ring with you," replied Vince, "you're going to fight in a match, just like your pal did here."
"What did you have in mind?" asked Machetti.
"Well, in tonight's Main Event," said Vince, "you, Machetti, are going to fight in a Handicap Match. And you're going to be fighting Carlito and Shelton Benjamin. You'll get exactly what's coming to you, Machetti and you know what… that's cool."
"Are you done?" questioned Machetti.
"We'll see if you feel the same way after your match," snapped Vince as he turned and headed off.
"I'm pretty sure I will," Machetti called after him with a small chuckle, as he helped Triple H to the locker room.
---x---
Machetti was walking backstage when he was approached by London and Kendrick, and they looked pissed, "Did you see what happened out there?" demanded London, "Brian and I had called out Cade and Murdoch for our title match, but instead we get those kilt-wearing freaks."
"And if that wasn't enough, those bearded bastards had to cheat to beat us," snapped Kendrick.
"Yeah I saw that," commented Machetti, "if you ask me, I'd say those Rednecks are scared of you. You've got their number and they know it, so they're doing everything to stop your from getting a shot and taking away their titles."
"So what do you think we should do?" asked Paul.
"Well, you've got your title shot, and you can use it when ever you want," answered Machetti, "I think you should take out the Highlanders, to prove that you mean business, then get the belts."
"Sounds good," said Brian, "what are you going to do about your match?"
"Me?" asked Machetti, "I'm going to go out there, and I'm going to fight. If I'm going down, I'm going down fighting, and there's no way I'm shaking that cocky son of a btch's hand, neither are you guys, and neither is anyone else. I can assure you of that." Machetti gave London and Kendrick a nod then headed off.
---x---
"Ladies and gentlemen," announced Lillian Garcia, "the following Handicap Match is scheduled for one-fall," with that Riot Time hit and Machetti came out from the back looking determined, "Introducing first, from Detroit Michigan, weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds… MACHETTI!" The fan in the arena erupted in cheers for their fellow Michigan-native.
While Machetti headed down the ramp he slapped hands with a few fans, and posed so a girl wearing Machetti t-shirt in the front row could take a picture of him. Eventually he slid into the ring and climbed up onto the middle rope in one of the corners. He did a back-flip and landed on his feet in the middle of the ring, but then Carlito's theme music hit.
"And the opponents, introducing first, from the Caribbean, weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds… CARLITO!" Carlito came out from the back, but unlike Machetti he was met with loud boos. Carlito glared at a fan that had a sign making fun of his shorter hair style. Carlito stopped short of getting in the ring and mouthed off at Machetti, until the World's Greatest Tag Team's theme music hit.
Shelton Benjamin came out from the back, but he wasn't alone. "And the partner, from Orangeburg South Carolina, weighing in at two hundred and forty five pounds, being accompanied by Charlie Haas, he is one half of the World's Greatest Tag Team… SHELTON BENJAMIN!"
Haas and Benjamin stopped at the bottom of the ramp next to Carlito, then Carlito gave Shelton a nod and the two of them split up and started walking around the ring in opposite directions. Machetti backed up and attempted to keep both Shelton and Carlito in his line of sight.
Carlito climbed up onto the apron and was about to get in the ring, but Machetti rushed at him, prompting Machetti to rush at him. But before Machetti even got close to reaching Carlito, the Crafty Caribbean jumped down off of the ring apron. Machetti glared at Carlito the turned around in time to catch Shelton with a big Hip Toss, launching him out of the ring, and causing him to come crashing down on top of Carlito. The fans cheered while Machetti stood tall in the middle of the ring. The camera showed Shelton and Carlito attempting to untangle themselves before cutting to a commercial break.
---x---
When Raw came back the match was just about to get under way, Machetti was leaning back against one corner, while across the ring, Shelton, Carlito, and even Charlie who was standing nearby at ringside. Eventually Carlito was out voted and Shelton got out onto the ring apron, meaning Carlito was going to start the match. The referee called for the bell and Machetti walked into the middle of the ring.
Carlito approached Machetti and started circling him, as if he was looking for an opening. But there was no mistaking the smirk on his face, the Crafty Caribbean was up to something. Machetti turned to face Carlito, and motioned for him to 'come on'. Carlito glared at Machetti and walked forward, as if going of a lock up, but Machetti suddenly ducked down, causing Shelton to rush passed him and hit his own partner with a Clothesline. Machetti quickly took advantage by grabbing Shelton and rolling him up from behind, ONE… TW… Shelton kicked out.
Machetti got up off of Shelton and backed off, allowing Shelton and Carlito to slide out of the ring and start to argue, much to the amusement of Machetti and the Michigan crowd. Carlito yelled at Shelton and told him to get in the ring, since he never 'officially' started the match. Shelton rolled his eyes at Carlito then climbed up onto the ring apron and reluctantly got in the ring.
Machetti walked up to Shelton and asked him something along the lines of, 'are you ready now?' Shelton glared at Machetti then held up his hand for a Lock Up. Machetti checked on Carlito and saw that he was heading around the ring to his corner, then reached out and locked up with Shelton. Shelton quickly slipped behind Machetti and went to take him down from behind, but Machetti reached around and hooked his arm around Shelton's head, then flipped him onto his back with a Hip Toss.
Machetti quickly hooked his arm under Shelton's chin, but Shelton quickly pushed himself up off of the mat, then grabbed Machetti's arm and quickly bent it backwards and pinned it behind his back with a Wrist Lock. Machetti pulled himself away from Shelton straightening Shelton's arm, then he quickly rolled forward and pulled Shelton towards him before taking him down with a Short Arm Clothesline.
Machetti quickly dropped down looking for a Standing Elbow Drop, but Shelton quickly rolled out of the way, then jumped up to his feet as Machetti was getting up, then took Machetti down with a Dropkick right to the face. Shelton got back up to his feet, while Machetti rolled to the side and pull himself up with the ropes. Shelton ran in and grabbed Machetti, then whipped him into the ropes. Machetti came back and Shelton when for a Hip Toss, but Machetti wrapped his leg around Shelton's and countered Shelton's Hip Toss with one of his own.
Machetti quickly did a front-flip and came crashing down on top of Shelton for a Front Flip Senton. Machetti rolled off of Shelton and went to pull him up off of the mat, but Shelton pushed up off of the ground and slipped behind Machetti and took him down with a Double Leg Take Down. Shelton quickly rolled across Machetti's back and locked in a Headlock, but Machetti pushed himself up off of the mat, wrapped his arm around Shelton, then flipped over to the side onto his back, flipped Shelton onto his back in the process.
With the additional leverage Machetti pulled himself free from Shelton's Headlock and got back up to his feet. Shelton quickly got back up as well, prompting the two of them to engage in a stare down. Shelton rushed at Machetti, but Machetti quickly dropped down onto his stomach, causing Shelton to run passed him, missing him with the Clothesline. Shelton ran into the ropes and came back in time for Machetti to jump up off of the mat and launch him up into the air with a Back Body Drop. But while in mid air, Shelton maneuvered around and grabbed Machetti, then took Machetti down with a Reverse Neckbreaker. Shelton rolled on top of Machetti and went for a pin, ONE… TW… but Machetti kicked managed to kick out.
Shelton rolled off of Machetti and quickly got back up to his feet. Machetti went to get up, but Shelton lashed his leg around for a hard kick to the head, but Machetti dropped down, causing Shelton to swing his leg over him. Machetti jumped up off of the mat and nailed Shelton in the back with a Corkscrew Dropkick. Shelton fell down onto his face, but Machetti quickly grabbed Shelton around the waist, then flipped him onto his back and went for a Cradle Pin, ONE… TWO… but Shelton shot his legs out, forcing Machetti off of him in the process.
Machetti rolled around and got back up to his feet at the same time as Shelton. Machetti sprinted at Shelton, but Shelton caught him with a Hip Toss. Only while he was flipped up off of the mat, Machetti spun around in mid air and landed on his feet behind Benjamin. Shelton turned around and Machetti kicked him in the stomach, then followed up by going for an Impaler. But Shelton did a Back Body Drop, shooting Machetti up into the air and off of him.
Machetti rolled off of the mat and got up, then glared at Shelton as he walked to his corner and tagged in Carlito. Carlito got in the ring, the he and Shelton headed over to Machetti, but split up so one was on either side of him. But in a flash Machetti lashed his leg out at Shelton and took him down with a surprise Super Kick, then quickly spun around, and connecting with a Spinning Wheel Kick to Carlito's face. Machetti ran across the ring to the ropes while Carlito sat up, then connected with a hard Dropkick to the face, causing Carlito to flop down onto his back.
Machetti came forward and lifted Carlito's legs up off of the ground. But Carlito quickly pulled them in, then pushed outward, forcing Machetti backwards. Carlito shot up to his feet and rushed at the rope, then jumped up onto the middle on and did a Springboard Back Elbow. But Machetti caught him and went for a Back Suplex. But Carlito slipped out of Machetti hold and landed behind him, then went for the Back Stabber, but Machetti reached back and grabbed Carlito, then flipped him over his head and onto the mat in front of him. Carlito quickly slid under the bottom rope and bailed to the outside so Machetti couldn't follow up.
Shelton climbed down off of the ring apron and had brief conversation with Carlito and Charlie. Machetti stepped backwards and glanced out at the three superstars at ring side, he made a big deal over yawning and checking his 'watch' in a way to let his opponents know that he was still there. Carlito nodded to Shelton and climbed up onto the ring apron, then got in the ring. Carlito held out his hands calling for a Lock Up, Machetti slowly reached out and locked up with Carlito.
The two superstars pushed on each other as hard as they could, they were both around the same size so it proved to be a pretty even Test of Strength. Machetti pushed into Carlito as hard as he could and pushed off of the mat with his legs, eventually managing to push Carlito back into the ropes. The referee rushed over and pulled Machetti off of Carlito, saying that since he was in the ropes Machetti needed to 'break clean'. Machetti gave the referee a brief glare then broke the Lock Up and stepped away from Carlito.
But the second Machetti stepped away, Carlito rushed forward and took him down with a cheat shot, much to the dislike of the fans, who made it clear that they were unhappy by booing loudly. Carlito stomped over Machetti a little bit, then went to the corner and tagged in Shelton. Carlito rushed over to Machetti and pulled him up to his feet, then held him up from behind, leaving Shelton opened to rush forward and nail Machetti with a hard kick to the stomach.
Carlito stepped back and Shelton quickly grabbed Machetti and planted him with a DDT, then went for a cover while Carlito got out of the ring. ONE… TWO… TH… Machetti kicked out of it. Shelton stared down at Machetti for a moment, then pulled him up off of the mat and whipped him into an empty corner. Shelton rushed at Machetti and nailed him with a Crossbody against the turnbuckle, then he jumped back and sent Machetti flying with a Hurricurana, Shelton just hit Machetti with the Thunder and Lightning Combo! That was Machetti's move! The fans realized this and had started booing before Machetti's back even hit the mat on the other side of the ring.
Shelton did seem to care and rushed over to Machetti, then pulled him up to a sitting position. From there Shelton went to push his knee into Machetti's spine, while grabbing onto Machetti's shoulders and pulling back on them. Machetti gritted his teeth and fought against the pain as Shelton worked over his back. But eventually, Shelton released the hold on his own accord, but when Machetti was about to stand up, Shelton rushed at him and blasted him across the back with a hard kick to the spine.
Machetti rolled onto his stomach and held his back in pain, while Shelton went to his corner and tagged in Carlito. Carlito and Shelton pulled Machetti up off of the mat, then held him from behind and snapped him down onto their knees for a Double Backbreaker. Shelton got out of the ring, and Carlito went for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti managed to kick out.
Carlito stood up and glared at the referee and started arguing with him, shouting that that was a three count. But the referee argued right back and told Carlito that it was only two. Carlito eventually turned away from Machetti, then started stomping on Machetti's back, before jumping up into the air, and coming down with an Elbow Drop, right to Machetti's spine.
Carlito pulled Machetti up off of the mat, then whipped him into the ropes. Machetti bounced off of them and Carlito ducked down for a Back Body Drop, but he ducked too early, and Machetti stopped short and promptly kicked Carlito in the face, causing the Carlito to snap up right, then Machetti quickly followed up by nailing Carlito with an Impaler, ONE… TWO… Shelton broke it up by kicked Machetti in the back, enabling Carlito to throw him off.
The referee yelled at Shelton and backed him to his corner and yelled at him to get out of the ring, but behind the referee's back, Carlito pulled Machetti up to his feet, then dragged him over to the ropes. Carlito stuck Machetti head under the top rope, then pulled it up and pulled back on Machetti's shoulders, pulling his back into the rope in the process. Machetti screamed out in pain as Carlito used his illegal hold on the ropes to take advantage.
The referee had managed to force Shelton out of the ring, and turned around to see Carlito illegally using the ropes. The referee rushed over and yelled at Carlito to break the hold. But the Crafty Caribbean shook his head and told the referee that he had a five count. The referee glared at Carlito then started counting, ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… Carlito reluctantly let go and stepped away from Machetti, who leaned down against the middle rope panting.
The referee bent down next to Machetti and checked on him, but suddenly Carlito rushed over, jumped up and drove his knee down into Machetti's back. The referee forcefully pulled Carlito away from Machetti and yelled at him not to use the ropes. Charlie Haas, who was standing right in front of Machetti, climbed up onto the ring apron and clubbed him across the back with a closed fist. Haas followed up with another closed fist to the back, then another, and another. He only stopped and jumped down off of the apron when the referee was turning around.
Carlito quickly rushed passed the referee at Machetti and grabbed onto the top rope, then climbed up onto Machetti's back and pressed his feet into Machetti's spine, choking him against the rope in the process. The referee immediately began shouting at Carlito and almost dragged him off of Machetti. While Carlito and the referee argued, Machetti fell from the ropes and collapsed down to the mat, holding his back in pain.
Carlito snapped at the referee and conceded that the wouldn't use the ropes any more. So he quickly went over to Machetti and pulled him up off of the mat, then dragged him into the corner and tagged Shelton back in. Shelton nodded to Carlito, then gestured to Haas with his head. Carlito nodded, then he and Shelton lifted Machetti up and placed his neck on top of the top rope. Carlito held Machetti's legs on his shoulders, while Shelton sprinted across the ring, bounced off of the ropes, and came back and landed hard on Machetti's back for the Leapfrog Senton. Carlito quickly got out of the ring, while Shelton went for a pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… Machetti JUST kicked out, the crowd erupted in cheers, happy that Machetti had kicked out of the double team move.
Shelton stared down at Machetti in disbelief, how did he kick out of that? Shelton slowly shook his head and pulled Machetti up off of the mat, then whipped him across the ring and into the corner opposite the one Carlito was in. Shelton rushed at Machetti, but Machetti quickly ran out of the way. But instead of running into the turnbuckle, Shelton jumped up onto the top rope, then did a back-flip and turned sideways, going for a Top Rope Crossbody. But Machetti reached up and caught Machetti in mid air, he was going to go for the Machete's Blade!
Charlie Haas jumped up onto the ring apron and attempted to get in the ring and save Shelton, but the referee turned around and yelled at Haas to get off of the ring apron. While the referee's back was turned, Carlito got in the ring, rushed across it, then grabbed Machetti and nailed him with the Back Stabber from behind. Carlito rolled out from under Machetti and got out of the ring, Shelton was still laying on top of him for a pin. Haas jumped down off of the ring apron, and the referee turned around. He rushed over and checked Machetti's shoulders, then counted for the pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… MACHETIT KICKED OUT!! The fans erupted in cheers and started screaming loudly for Machetti.
While at the same time, Shelton completely flipped out and turned to the referee and started yelling at him that that was a three count. The referee shook his head, and warned Shelton not to question his counting. But while Shelton was arguing with the referee, Machetti suddenly came from behind and grabbed Shelton for a School Boy Roll Up, ONE… TWO… Shelton kicked out.
Shelton quickly rolled onto his stomach and got up onto his knees, then grabbed Machetti and clubbed him across the back to take advantage again. Shelton pulled Machetti up off of the mat, then whipped him across the ring into the corner Carlito was in. Shelton sprinted across the ring and rammed his shoulder into Machetti stomach for a Running Spear into the corner, ramming Machetti's back into the middle turnbuckle.
Shelton stepped back and kept Machetti pinned against the corner before tagging in Carlito. Shelton and Carlito whipped Machetti across the ring, sending him back-first into the opposite corner, Shelton ran at Machetti and hit him with a Running Crossbody into the turnbuckle, then pulled him away and whipped him back at Carlito. Carlito caught Machetti, lifted him up, then drove him down to the mat with a Spinebuster. Carlito followed up by going for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR… but Machetti kicked out.
Carlito stared down at Machetti for a moment, then rolled him onto his stomach and drove his knee into the middle of Machetti's spine, while at the same time, he reached out and grabbed Machetti's shoulder and pulled back on them, forcing Machetti's spine to bend painfully with Carlito's knee pressed into it. With everything that had happened to his back during the course of the match, Machetti couldn't help yelling out in pain.
The fans realized that Machetti was in trouble and started chanting MACHETTI in an attempt to urge him to fight out of Carlito's hold. Machetti heard the chants and forced himself up off of the mat and onto his hands and knees. Machetti quickly drove an elbow into Carlito's stomach, then fought up onto one off and one knee. With another elbow Machetti managed to fight up onto both feet. Carlito was still holding onto Machetti shoulders, but Machetti managed to pull free, and whipped him into the ropes.
Machetti rushed at Carlito and took him down with a Clothesline. Carlito got back up and rushed Machetti, but Machetti side-stepped him and took him down with a second Clothesline. Machetti quickly ran over to the ropes, jumped up onto the middle rope, then Springboarded off of it and drove Carlito's head down to the mat with a Springboard DDT. Machetti quickly followed up by going for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR… Carlito kicked out.
Machetti got up off of Carlito and went to the corner, then climbed up onto the top rope. Haas jumped up onto the ring apron and looked like he was going to push Machetti off of the top, but the referee ran over and intercepted him. But while the referee was dealing with Charlie, Shelton climbed off of the apron, then jumped up and shoved Machetti, causing him to tumble off of the top rope and go crashing down to the mat below. The fans let out a loud round of boos as Shelton climbed down off of the ring apron, and went back to his corner.
In the ring, once Haas had gotten down off of the ring apron, Carlito capitalized on Shelton's attack and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… TH… Machetti kicked out. Carlito reached down and dragged Machetti across the ring over to Shelton's corner, and tagged him in. Shelton got in the ring and he and Carlito pulled Machetti up off of the mat, then hoisted him up into the air for a Double Vertical Suplex. But while in mid air, Machetti thrashed his legs around and fought his way back down to the ground. Seeing how the Double Suplex didn't work, Shelton and Carlito whipped Machetti across the ring and into the ropes instead.
Machetti bounced off of the ropes as Carlito and Shelton, who were standing against the ropes on the other side of the ring, prepared to catch him with a Double Back Body Drop, which would launch Machetti out of the ring and sent him crashing down to the thinly padded floor. But when he reached them, Machetti dropped down and did a Baseball Slide in between the two superstars, under the bottom rope, and right into the face of Charlie Haas.
Haas crashed to the ground and was out cold, while Machetti pulled himself up onto the apron. Benjamin and Carlito turned around, but Machetti reached up, grabbed them around the neck, then dropped down off of the apron, snapped the two superstars' neck off of the top rope, sending them staggering backwards. Machetti quickly followed up by hoisting himself up onto the top rope, then he Springboarded at them and took them down with an 'Eddie Guerrero Style' Head Scissors / Arm Drag Take Down. Both opponents hit the ground, so Machetti quickly rushed at Carlito and hit him with a Baseball Slide to the side, launching him under the bottom rope and down to the floor.
Machetti got back up in time to grab Shelton who was rushing at him, lift him up in front of him, then nail him with the Machete's Blade. Machetti hooked both of Shelton's legs for the pin, ONE… TWO… THREE! MACHETTI WINS IT! Riot Time hit as Machetti staggered up to his feet and stood tall in the middle of the ring. The fans went nuts and started cheering like crazy, while Machetti slid out of the ring and staggered over to the barricade and slapped hands with a few of the fans at ringside. Machetti celebrated with the Michigan crowd as the cameras eventually went to the back and showed Vince McMahon in William Regal's office.
---x---
Raw came back from a commercial break and most of the males superstars on the Raw roster were standing out on the entrance ramp. Vince McMahon's music hit, and the Chairman of the WWE came out from the back, walked passed the superstars on the ramp, and got in the ring, which was covered in a red mat, and had a pedestal of sorts standing the middle of it. Vince McMahon turned to the crowd, and told them that tonight history was going to be made. Every superstar was going to come out down to the ring and shake hands with the new WWE Champion. With that Burn In My Light hit and Randy Orton came out from the back, wearing a blazer and holding the WWE Title over his shoulder.
Orton got in the ring and stood on the pedestal, and addressed the Raw roster, saying how no one deserved this more than him and that he was the total package, he was the perfect combination of size, speed, strength, and skill. Orton said he saw a lot of jealous faces, but that is only because they are witnessing the beginning of the Orton Dynasty and that he will be champion for a long time. Orton told the superstars to come down to the ring and shake his hand and wish him good luck.
Vince McMahon shook Orton's hand first then turned to the superstars and addressed them, "Now the first ones I want to come down here are… where the hell are they?" Vince scanned the superstars on the stage and saw that while Paul London and Brian Kendrick were standing there, Machetti was no where to be seen, and the same thing went for Triple H. Vince turned to Orton and told him that if Machetti and Triple H weren't going to come out, he would go to the back and get them.
Orton nodded and took off his blazer then got out of the ring and headed up the ramp. But before he came halfway up Machetti and Triple H walked out from the back, both with an evil smirk on their face. "Randy," said Triple H, "there's no way in hell, we're shaking your hand."
"And there's no way in hell, ANY of these guys up here are shaking your hand either," added Machetti as he motioned to the superstars standing beside him and the Game. "Orton, you're a cocky, arrogant, stuck up, cheating piece of crap, and your are tarnishing a legacy by even HOLDING that title."
"Randy, no one is shaking your hand," continued HHH, "but you are still going to get what is coming to you."
"You're going to get the ass kick of you life!" Machetti told him, causing Orton to give the two of them a look that said 'Bring It'.
"Oh, Randy, you must be confused," pointed out Triple H as he turned and smirked at Machetti. "We never said that WE were going to kick your ass."
"On the contrary," said Machetti, "we've got something much better." At the same time, Triple H and Machetti turned and motioned to the stage, and with that Sexy Boy hit and the fans exploded in a loud ovation of cheers as HBK, Shawn Michaels came out from the back. Shawn walked in between Machetti and HHH, who patted him on the back, before heading down the ramp right at Orton.
Orton and Michaels met at the base of the ramp and Michaels quickly grabbed Orton and rolled him into the ring, then got in after him. Orton got up, but Michaels took him down with Spear then went off on him with a flurry of hard punches to the face. Michaels got off of Orton and got up to his feet. Orton got up too, and turned to face Shawn, SWEET CHIN MUSIC!
Orton was knocked out cold, and HBK stood over him and saluted Machetti and HHH before celebrating in the ring as Raw went off the air.
---x---
The main reason I had Machetti help out Triple H because, if you remember correctly, back in the first story, they were sort of 'friends' to a degree. Machetti's a nice guy, and since he's as close to his home town as he was going to be this year, I figured that helping out an old friend would be a nice thing to do. Also, I figured that the Game would have recovered enough to come out at the end segment, since Machetti had lessened the actual beat down.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!