Chapter Fifty Three: A Match With Maria
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(A/N: Okay, changes first
There will be no Diva Tag Match… sorry… but my reasoning will be explained in the first section of the chapter.
Also I'm scheduling a Tag Team Match with Holly/Rhodes against Cade and Murdoch. The winner gets a title shot next week on the Raw Fifteenth Anniversary Show. It'll be mentioned later so remember.)
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Raw was live from Charleston South Carolina, Orton and Jericho had just picked each other's opponent for the night, then the cameras cut and showed all four Chaos Inc members arriving at the arena. But then they were approached by the Highlanders, both of whom seemed a bit pissed off.
"Guys," Machetti said to Paul and Brian, "I've got this." The tag team champions nodded and headed off without a second though. But Machetti grabbed Maria's hand and held onto it to keep her from leaving.
"Well would ya look at dat," Rory commented as he and Robbie walked over, "there he is, Machetti. So, do yeh have a match tonight?"
"What's it to you?" questioned Machetti.
"Well, Robbie and I just wanted to know if your little girlfriend is gonna win that one for yeh too," replied Rory as he glared quickly at Maria, then turned back to Machetti.
"What's the matter?" questioned Machetti, as he placed his arm on Maria's shoulders and held her next to him in a proud manner, "you still upset that she put you through a table last week?"
"She interfered in a match that she had no business interferin' in!" exclaimed Rory, who, unlike Machetti, was starting to lose his composure, "if she hadn't gotten in the way, we would've beaten yer ass last week!" Robbie nodded his head in agreement.
"I doubt that," Machetti commented idly, "now is there a reason for this oh-so-pleasant visit or do you just need some kind of therapy?"
"Actually there is," replied Rory with an evil smirk, while he glared at Maria, "I just had a talk with General Manager Regal…"
"Oh and what pray tell, did you convince him to do?" asked Machetti while rolling his eyes. "Am I going to fight the two of you in a steel cage this week?"
"That's not a bad idea," commented Rory, but then he shook his head, "but this has nothin' teh do with you. Yeh see since yer little girlfriend was so eager to get in the ring with us during our match last week, I convinced Regal to make a legitimate match."
"Maria already has a match, she's teaming with Mickie James and is facing Beth Phoenix and Melina," said Machetti.
"Not any more," replied Rory, his grin grew larger when he saw the angry look on Machetti's face, and the frightened look on Maria's. "Yeh see," continued Rory, "since she laid her hands on me, I get teh face 'er in a one-on-one match tonight!" Both Highlanders laughed in triumph but then Machetti cut in.
"So let me get this straight," said Machetti, "last week, Maria put you through a table and humiliated you. Now in an attempt to regain your masculinity you managed to get yourself put into a singles match with her?"
"Yeah, what's yer point?" demanded Rory.
"Nothing," replied Machetti with a smirk, "but I find it kind of funny that you have to resort to fighting a woman to make yourself feel better about yourself. What's the matter? You can't handle fighting male superstars, so you're taking out your frustrations on the divas? You know, you're already wearing the skirt, maybe you should just join the woman's division, then you'll have some competition you might be able to beat. But then again… Beth Phoenix would probably kick your ass any way."
Rory went to rush at Machetti but was thankfully held back by Robbie, "I'LL KILL YEH YA LITTLE PUNK!" Rory screamed. As he broke free, but backstage crew who had noticed the approaching conflict ran in and grabbed Rory, and held him back, while Machetti continued to taunt him.
"I don't know, I'm not a woman," Machetti shot back at the enraged, restrained, Scotsman, "you probably wouldn't be able to take me on all by yourself."
"FINE! IT'LL BE THE TWO OF US AGAINST THE TWO OF YOU LATER TONIGHT!" shouted Rory, as Robbie and the backstage crew started dragging him off, "YER DAYS ARE NUMBER MACHETTI! I'M GONNA RIP YER HEAD OFF AND FEED IT TEH A PACK A DOGS!!"
Once Robbie and Rory were gone Machetti laughed then turned to Maria, "I believe I just received a death threat…" commented Machetti, "maybe I should take this up with the police…"
"Machetti, I can't fight him in a match!" Maria suddenly exclaimed, "I'm a diva, I can't compete against male superstars! I can't fight either of them!"
"I know…" said Machetti in an attempt to calm Maria, but she kept on going.
"Rory and Robbie are bigger and stronger than me!" Maria continued to rant, "they could injure me!"
"Maria…" Machetti started but Maria kept going, she was in a panic.
"How could Regal make this match!?" Maria ranted, "I didn't break any rules last week! A tables match is no disqualification, everyone knows that!"
Seeing how Maria was showing no signs of stopping Machetti suddenly grabbed her and kissed her hard on the lips… that worked. When they finally broke apart Maria just stared at Machetti, he had successfully stopped her rant.
"Don't worry," Machetti told her as he placed his hands on her shoulders, "Why do you think I provoked him like that? He's gonna storm into Regal's office and demand that he change the match so both of us are fighting both of them. He wants a piece of me now, so I'll be right there beside you, and I won't let them lay and hand on you."
"But you can't beat them both on your own…" argued Maria.
"I beat them last week," Machetti reminded her.
"But I helped you there," said Maria.
"Then you'll help me this week too," resolved Machetti with a smirk. "Come on, let's go get ready." Machetti took Maria's hand and led her off screen as the camera faded.
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The Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes versus Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch match had just ended. (This match followed the Jericho/Umaga match) Holly picked up the win for his team after hitting Murdoch with the Alabama Slam. The camera cut to show Paul London and Brian Kendrick standing in a locker room in front of a TV, they had been watching the last match with great interest due to it being a number one contender's match. Holly and Rhodes were now getting a title shot next week at the Raw Fifteenth Anniversary Show.
"Looks like we've got our work cut out for us," commented Brian.
"That's nothing we can't handle," replied Paul, then he turned his head and called to someone off screen, "Hey guys, I think your match is next!"
The camera panned to the side and showed Machetti and Maria who were both dressed in their wrestling gear and were preparing for their match against the Highlanders. Both of them got to their feet, but Maria looked a little apprehensive, "You okay?" asked Machetti.
"I'm a little nervous," answered Maria.
"Don't worry," said Machetti as he took her hand in his, "I wont let anything bad happen to you."
Maria look at him and smiled, "Does that mean you WILL let good things happen to me?" she asked.
Machetti smiled, "Maybe," he replied with a chuckle, "come on, let's do this." Together they left the locker room, then the camera cut and showed the Highlanders walking down towards the ring too. Rory seemed to still be angry and was punching the air in front of him rather violently. The tag team match was next, but first, Raw took a commercial break.
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Riot Time hit and the fans stood up and cheered as Machetti and Maria came out from the back hand-in-hand. Machetti caught Maria's eye and raised his eyebrow. In response, she smiled and nodded. With that the two of them ran down the entrance ramp then jumped up onto the ring apron and got in the ring together. They both walked across the ring so they were looking directly at the Raw Announce Table and raised their arms up into the air, which was met with a round of cheers from the crowd. Machetti released his hold on Maria's hand and the two of them each went to the corner nearest to them and climbed up onto the middle rope then raised their arms up into the air again and posed for the fans. Machetti turned and caught Maria's eye again, and in response she nodded, then they both did back-flips out of the corner and landed together in the middle of the ring and raised their arms up.
Machetti wrapped his arm around Maria and they turned to face the entrance ramp. A few seconds later the Highlander's theme hit and their opponents came out from the back and headed down the entrance ramp. They got in the ring and Rory made a b-line straight for Machetti, who quickly stepped in front of Maria. But the referee rushed over and got in front of Rory before he could reach Machetti and shouted at him to get in his corner so he could start the match. Behind the referee's back Machetti flipped Rory the bird, which caused the Scotsman to try and charge around the referee to get to Machetti, but the referee restrained him and scolded him saying that if he tried that again, he'd forfeit the match.
Rory glared over the referee's shoulder at Machetti and reluctantly went over to his corner with Robbie. Machetti took Maria's hand and led her to the opposite corner and got her situated on the ring apron. One of the cameramen at ringside got a close enough to hear Machetti ask Maria if she was going to be okay. Maria nodded in response, causing Machetti to smile. "That's my girl," said Machetti as he turned from the corner and walked into the middle of the ring where Rory was waiting anxiously with the referee. Now that Robbie and Maria were out of the ring, the match could be officially started, and so the referee called for the bell.
The second the referee moved out of the way, Rory charged at Machetti and went for a clothesline, but Machetti ducked it. Machetti quickly lashed out his leg and caught Rory in the face with a side kick to the face as he turned around. Rory staggered backwards and Machetti ran at Rory and jumped up onto him, then swung around and drove his head down to the mat with a tornado DDT. Machetti went for a quick pin attempt, ON… but Rory kicked out quickly.
Machetti and Rory both shot up to their feet and Rory stalked towards Machetti. Machetti backed away from Rory and soon found himself backed into a corner. Rory smirked and swung at Machetti, but Machetti ducked down causing Rory's fist to go over his head, then shot up and drove his knee into Rory's stomach. Machetti grabbed Rory and went to whip him into the ropes, but Rory reversed it, sending Machetti into the ropes instead. Machetti approached the ropes and full speed, but quickly did a handspring causing hit back to hit the ropes, then he bounced off and lunged back across the ring and caught Rory for a (Tajiri-style) handspring back elbow. Machetti rolled on top of Rory and made another cover, ONE… T… Rory kicked out.
Machetti rolled off of Rory and the two of them got back up. Machetti rushed at Rory, who ran at Machetti looking for a clothesline, but Machetti ducked under and ran to the ropes, then jumped up onto the middle rope, springboarded across the ring, over Rory's head, then caught him on the way down for a reverse DDT, Over Castle Take Over. Machetti rolled back on top of Rory and went for another cover, ONE… TW… but Rory got his shoulder up.
Machetti quickly rolled away from Rory and got up to his feet then backed up into his corner. Rory got up slower and was showing visible signs of frustration. Rory glared at Machetti who was whispering something to Maria, then charged across the ring. Maria whispered something back to Machetti, and suddenly Machetti dropped down and caught Rory with a drop toe hold, causing him to . go face first into the middle turnbuckle in the corner. Machetti pulled Rory back up off of the ground, then he hooked his arm around Rory's head and fell backwards for a reverse DDT.
Machetti smiled and was about to go for a cover when he changed his mind. Machetti walked over to his corner and tagged in Maria, who looked just as surprised as the fana. Machetti motioned for Maria to get in the ring, which she reluctantly did, then he picked her up from behind and carried her over to Rory. Machetti jumped up into the air, then he and Maria came crashing down on top of the Scotsman for a double leg drop. Machetti quickly got out of the ring and allowed Maria to go for a cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Rory managed to kick out. Maria quickly got back up and tagged Machetti back in. Machetti got in the ring and she got back out. Machetti smirked as Rory realized that he almost got pinned my Maria.
Rory shot to his feet and charged at Machetti for another clothesline attempt, but Machetti dropped down, then did a cartwheel and rolled passed him. Rory looked surprised and turned around to face Machetti again, only to be sent flying across the ring as Machetti jumped up and hit Rory with a hurricurana. Machetti got back up and ran over to Rory then jumped up in the air and did a back-flip before coming crashing down on top of Rory for a standing shooting star press. Machetti quickly hooked the leg and made the cover, ONE… TWO… Rory kicked out.
Machetti got up and pulled Rory back up to his feet, then whipped him across the ring and into the corner Maria was in. Machetti ran at Rory and did a handspring to get across the ring, then landed hard in front of Rory before doing a front-flip,. Causing him to go back-first into Rory who was still in the corner for the turnbuckle senton. Machetti stepped away from Rory then reached out and tagged Maria in again. Machetti held Rory's arms behind his back, then bent him over, allowing Maria to get in the ring and connect with a hard kick to the gut. Machetti got out of the ring and Rory dropped down onto his hands and knees. Maria followed up running forward and hitting a dropkick to Rory's side, knocking him onto his back. Maria made the cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Rory kicked out.
Maria got back up and scampered back into her corner where she stood next to Machetti looking for a tag, but Machetti smirked and shook his head and pointed at Rory. Maria turned around and saw Rory getting back up to his feet. Rory saw who was in the ring and flipped out, that was the second time in the match that Maria had almost pinned him! Rory glared at Machetti and Maria then stormed over to his corner and tagged in Robbie, then pointed in Machetti and Maria's direction, Rory was fed up with this.
Machetti reached out and tagged himself in then got in the ring and charged at Robbie, while Robbie charged at him. Robbie went for a clothesline but Machetti ducked under him. Robbie kept running and almost ran right into Maria, who's loud scream stopped him in his tracks. Then Maria's expression changed to a smile and she pointed at something behind Robbie. Robbie turned around and walked right into a kick to the stomach from Machetti, who followed up and nailed Robbie with an Impaler, then made the cover, ONE… TWO… T… Robbie kicked out.
Machetti got up off of Robbie and shrugged, he hadn't really expected to get the pin there. Machetti pulled Robbie up off of the mat and whipped him into the corner. Machetti ran at Robbie jumped up into the air and hit a turnbuckle crossbody, then he launched Robbie across the ring with a hurricurana. Machetti smirked and pulled himself up to his feet, then he climbed up onto the top rope. Machetti was about to come off with the diving headbutt, but Rory suddenly pushed Machetti off of the top rope, causing Machetti to crash down to the mat and land hard. Robbie rushed over and made a cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Machetti kicked out.
From the corner Rory shouted at Robbie to tag him in. Robbie obediently dragged Machetti over to the corner and tagged in Rory. Both Highlanders stomped over Machetti and eventually Robbie got out of the ring. Rory got down on top of Machetti and started raining down some hard shots to Machetti's face. Rory landed shot after shot, sometimes alternating hands, but suddenly Machetti shot his hand up and caught Rory's fist as it was coming down, then shot his head up and connected with a headbutt. Rory was in a daze and Machetti took full advantage and slipped out from under Rory and got to his feet.
Machetti turned to his corner and normally would have made the tag but then he remembered Maria was his partner (you'd have trouble remembering after receiving that many shots to the head). Machetti reluctantly turned back around to face Rory who had gotten back up and was grinning. Rory motioned towards Maria as if he was urging Machetti to tag in his partner, but Machetti shook his head and flipped Rory off. Rory charged at Machetti looking to take control again, but Machetti ducked under the clothesline attempt and went into the ropes… and Robbie's knee. Machetti staggered forward and Rory capitalized by hitting a DDT, then he went for a cover, ONE…. TWO… TH… Machetti kicked out.
Rory got up and pulled Machetti into the corner then tagged in Robbie. Robbie came in and the two of them delivered a double DDT to Machetti. Rory got out of the ring and Robbie went for the pin, ONE… TWO…THRE… Machetti barely managed to kick out. Robbie got up and watched Machetti roll over to the ropes and attempt to pull himself back up. But just as Machetti had made it up to his knees Robbie ran over and connected with a running knee to the back of Machetti's head. Robbie grabbed Machetti' legs and dragged him away from the ropes then made the cover, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti got his shoulder up.
Robbie got up and dragged Machetti to his feet then reached out and tagged in Rory. Rory came in and grabbed hold of Machetti along with Robbie, then they whipped Machetti into the ropes, but Maria grabbed onto Machetti from on the ring apron, keeping him from coming off of the rope. The Highlanders glared at Maria and Robbie charged across the ring at Machetti. But Maria pushed Machetti to the side, then dropped down and pulled the top rope down with her, causing Robbie to topple over the top and go crashing down to the floor.
Rory glared at Maria then walked over to Machetti and went to pull him up to his feet, but Machetti suddenly grabbed Rory and lifted him up in front of him… MACHETE'S BLADE!! Rory was out cold, but Machetti rolled off of him and didn't go for the cover, instead he staggered over to the corner and tagged in Maria, then he tapped the top turnbuckle pad. Maria stared at Machetti for a moment, wondering if he had taken one too many hits to the head, but she shook her head then climbed up onto the top rope. Machetti stepped out of the way and Maria launched up into the air and out of the corner and hit Rory with a leg drop, then she made the cover, ONE… TWO… THREE! MARIA PINNED RORY!
Maria's theme music hit as Machetti came over and pulled Maria up off of Rory, then raised her arm up into the air, earning a loud cheer from the crowd. Maria smiled at Machetti then she grabbed him and hugged him tightly. Machetti hugged Maria back then brought his lips to her for what he intended to he a quick kiss. Maria had other plans and grabbed the back of Machetti's head and intensified the kiss. When they broke apart both of them were smiling. Machetti then took Maria's hand and led her out of the ring and up the entrance ramp to the back then Raw went to a commercial.
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Raw had just come back from a commercial break, before the break, Jeff Hardy had successfully defended his Intercontinental Title against Snitsky. Now he was shown staggering to the back, but then he was approached by Machetti. "What's up man," greeted Machetti as he held his hand out.
"I'm hanging in there," replied Jeff as he shook Machetti's hand, "that Snitsky doesn't seem to like losing very much."
"Yeah I know," agreed Machetti who had finished his rivalry with Snitsky at Survivor Series. "He seems to be unable to accept the fact that someone could possibly beat him. It took me fighting him in a Parking Lot Brawl and then in that elimination match at Survivor Series for him to realize he'd best keep away from me."
"Well I'm busy, so I'm hoping he doesn't keep this up," commented Jeff.
"Yeah, you've gotta fight Triple H at the pay per view, and you've got to defend that Intercontinental Championship. On top of all that, if you win the match against Triple H you get a shot at the WWE Championship."
"So what do you want?" Hardy suddenly asked.
"Oh me?" questioned Machetti with a smirk, "what makes you think I want anything?"
"Just a feeling," replied Jeff, "what is it?"
"Alright you caught me," admitted Machetti, "you know that next week is the fifteenth anniversary of Raw right?"
"Of course," said Jeff.
"Well we'll need to put on big matches, and I was wondering…" Machetti stalled for a moment and stared at the Intercontinental Title on Hardy's shoulder, "I was wondering if you'd be up to defending the Intercontinental Title next week."
"Are you asking me for a title shot?" questioned Jeff.
"Yeah that's about it," explained Machetti, "Paul and Brian have been riding me about not having a title while they do. So I'm looking to gain one of my own. Look, if you're too busy I'll understand, you've got to prepare for your match against the Game. But I just figured if you wanted to put on a memorable match, the two of us could go out there and tear the house down like we did at Cyber Sunday last year. That and a match against me would probably be a good warm up for the Pay Per View. Hunter is gonna give you everything he has since its for a WWE title shot. You'll have to do a lot in order to beat him, the same goes if you're facing me."
"I'll think about it," answered Jeff. Machetti didn't seem to like that answer, because he kept going.
"But if you're scared," continued Machetti, "that's alright. I mean, you want to keep the belt right? Why risk losing it to me. It's not like you have anything to prove, right?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Jeff.
"Nothing, I was just bringing up the fact that you really have yet to beat me," said Machetti, "I beat you at Cyber Sunday last year, and I beat you in the rematch, I beat you in a three on two handicap match, and I beat you in that ladder match back in July. I'm sure no one thinks any less of you."
Jeff glared at Machetti for a moment, "Fine, you and me, next week, for the Intercontinental Title," resolved Jeff, "but next week, I'm going to beat you, and I'm going to shut you up, once and for all!" Jeff tapped his Intercontinental Title, then turned and walked off, leaving Machetti on his own with a smirk on his face.
"It worked," Machetti laughed, "This manipulating people thing is really starting to pay off!" Then he turned and walked off in the opposite direction from Jeff. The camera cut and then went further backstage and showed Jillian singing for Vince McMahon. After sending Jillian on her way Regal walked in and warned Vince that his daughter, Stephanie McMahon was on her way. With that Raw went to a commercial break.
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That's right Machetti versus Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Title next week on Raw. I don't care what happens on the actual thing, I don't care if I have to re-write the entire show. But it WILL happen. Also London and Kendrick are going to be defending their World Tag Team Titles against Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes. So that's two things to look forward to next week.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!