Chapter Fifty-Six: Find a Partner
---x---
Raw was live from Buffalo New York. Triple H had just beaten Jonathan Coachman and William Regal in a handicap match. Jeff Hardy was walking backstage when he came across the World Tag Team Champions and the Intercontinental Champion. "Hey Jeff," greeted Machetti, "nice win last night. Not only did you earn yourself a WWE Title match at the Royal Rumble, but you beat Triple H to do it. That's gotta make you feel good."
"Actually, I feel great," replied Hardy, "sure I was a little sore going into Armageddon after our Ladder Match, but I managed to hang in there and I won. Now I've elevated my career to the next level. Instead of competing in the Intercontinental Title scene, now I'm in the WWE title scene."
"That's great," commented Machetti, "but you know, that has me thinking. Now that you're going after the WWE Championship, do you still want your rematch for the Intercontinental Title?" Machetti paused and held up his Intercontinental Championship, "or is this thing not important to you anymore?"
"The Intercontinental Title is always important to me," answered Hardy, "but at the moment I'm really busy. I'm in a tag team match with Shawn Michaels in the main event. I've got to take care of that, and I might not be able to get my rematch in right away."
"So you're saying that the WWE Championship is your first priority and the Intercontinental Title comes second," said Machetti.
"Unfortunately, yes," Jeff answered.
"Figures," muttered Machetti, "but just remember, you still have yet to beat me. Last week I beat you in your own match when you were at one hundred percent. You might want to think about that when you're getting ready for your WWE Title match. Whether you're in the first match of the night, or the main event, I'll always have your number."
Machetti then turned and headed off with London and Kendrick, but they didn't get far, because after only two steps Santino Marella approached them and blocked their path.
"So Machetti," said Santino, "you must-a think your tough stuff now that you're Intercontinental Champion."
"Why, yes, yes I do," replied Machetti with grin (not necessarily a smirk), "what's it to you?"
"I do not think that you can beat-a me any more!" challenged Santino. "You once were WWE Champion but that was months ago. Where is Maria by-the-way-a?" Santino smiled evilly at Machetti, Maria was the reason Machetti no longer held the WWE Championship, but Machetti didn't seem to get the point that Santino was making.
"Not that it's any of your business," Machetti told him, "but she changing out of her Santa's Helper outfit. I volunteered to help her but seeing as the other divas were going to be around, we decided that would be inappropriate. Anyway, you and I both know that I can beat you any day of the week."
"Is that so?" questioned Santino, he decided not to say anything else about Maria, or he'd end up messing up his plan, "well why don't you face me and a partner tonight-a in a tag team match!"
"Alright," Machetti turned and glanced at London and Kendrick, "either of you want to tag up with me tonight?"
"Um… look man…" said London uneasily, "we kind of have a match tonight."
"Yeah, fighting Rhodes and Holly for the tag team championship again," added Kendrick.
Santino let out a laugh, "It looks like-a you're out of friends," chuckled Santino, "I know for a fact-a that Triple H already competed tonight-a, and KBH Shawn-a Michaels is in the main event. And after watching your recent exchange-a with Jeff-a Hardy I can tell you aren't necessarily good friends with him-a any more."
"I think he's right," commented Kendrick.
"Of course I'm-a right!" snapped Santino, "Machetti, if you can't find-a a partner for tonight-a. You will have to face me and my new friend in a handicap match-a. Or are you going to hide-a behind Maria again, and have her be your partner?" Santino walked off laughing, everything was going according to plan.
Suddenly the camera moved to the side and revealed Vince McMahon, who still seemed to be showing signs of being mentally deranged. "No one seems to care about you either," growled the WWE Chairman, in his creepy voice that scares little children. "We might have that in common."
"Actually," replied Machetti, "people do care about me. I know a bunch of people who normally would jump at a chance to fight beside me in this match."
"We would," London put in.
"See?" said Machetti, "Tommy Dreamer and Kane aren't really here tonight, and I don't think Jerry Lawler is up to competing tonight. But I know he'd usually jump at the chance to beat some more respect into Santino. Triple H and HBK already have their matches. And with Maria's new attitude I'll actually have to convince her not to team up with me. Vince, we're nothing alike."
The Chairman glared at the Intercontinental Champion, "I hate you," snarled Vince, "I hope you don't find a partner tonight. And I hope you get hurt." With that Vince stalked off.
"Well, we definitely wont be sending him a Christmas card," commented Machetti, "guys, good luck with your title match tonight, I've gotta find a partner." The camera faded and went to a commercial.
---x---
Raw was back, during the break they showed the Raw Rewind featuring London and Kendrick retaining their titles against Holly and Rhodes. Then they showed London and Kendrick offering Holly and Rhodes a rematch. Tonight Rhodes and Holly were taking up that offer and were fighting London and Kendrick for the titles again. Hardcore Holly's music hit and the challengers came out from the back, "The following tag team match is scheduled for one-fall, and is for the World Tag Team Championships, introducing first, the challengers, Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes!" Rhodes and Holly got in the ring and turned to face the entrance ramp. Last week they didn't quite pull it off, they were hoping for better luck this week.
London and Kendrick's them hit and the World Tag Team Champions came out from the back and sprinted down to the ring. "And their opponents, the World Tag Team Champions, Paul London and Brian Kendrick!" London and Kendrick slid into the ring and climbed up onto the middle rope in corners on one side of the ring, then they back-flipped out of the corner and landed on their feet in the middle of the ring. London and Kendrick handed their titles to the referee, who showed them to Holly and Rhodes then told the four men to get to their corners before handing the titles over to one of the crew members at ringside. London and Holly went to their respective corners and got out of the ring, while Kendrick and Rhodes met in the middle of the ring to start off the match.
As soon as the bell rang Rhodes rushed at Kendrick and slipped behind him, then took him down with a double leg. But Kendrick pulled himself free and rolled forward and up to his feet. Kendrick jumped up into the air and went for a spinning kick as Rhodes rushed at him, but Rhodes ducked it and ran into the ropes then came back looking for a clothesline. Kendrick ducked it, both men turned around to face each other, but Kendrick caught Rhodes and sent him flying with an arm drag. Rhodes got back up and came at Kendrick, but he came back and got caught with a second arm drag. Rhodes staggered back up, but Kendrick jumped up and took him down with a jumping calf kick.
Kendrick turned around and jumped over Rhodes and ran to the ropes, then grabbed onto the top rope and slingshotted himself up into the air, then he lashed out it legs and came crashing down on top of Rhodes for a splash. Kendrick made the cover, ONE… TW… Rhodes kicked out. Kendrick pulled Cody back up and whipped him into the corner, then charged after him. Kendrick jumped up and did back-flip off of Rhodes then jumped back up and hit a dropkick, Dr. Smoothie's Secret Recipe. Rhodes staggered forward and collapsed to the mat, Kendrick went for the pin, ONE… TWO… T… Rhodes kicked out.
Kendrick got up and pulled Rhodes to his feet and whipped him into the corner London was in. Kendrick charged at Rhodes and jumped up in the air, and nailed him with crossbody into the turnbuckle. Kendrick stepped back and tagged in London. London and Kendrick whipped Rhodes into the empty corner next to them. London lifted Kendrick up as Rhodes staggered out of the corner, then London threw Kendrick at Rhodes, KENDRICK HIT RHODES WITH A MISSILE DROPKICK! Kendrick rolled under the bottom rope and out of the ring, while London ran over and made the pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… Rhodes just kicked out.
London pulled Rhodes up to his feet and whipped him across the ring, but Rhodes reversed it, sending London running towards the empty corner he had just been in. Rhodes ran after London, but London jumped up onto the top rope, then back-flipped off looking for a moonsault, but Rhodes darted forward and jumped up onto the top rope, then came off, FLYING CROSSBODY—LONDON ROLLED THROUGH! ONE… TWO… THR… Rhodes managed to kick out and sat up in surprise, while London got back up to his feet.
Rhodes staggered up but London came over and whipped him across the ring into the ropes. London jumped up in the air for a dropsault, but Rhodes hung onto the ropes, causing London to slam, stomach-first down to the mat. Rhodes ran forward and hit London with a low dropkick to the face, knocking the tag team champion on his back, then Rhodes collapsed on top of London for a pin, ONE… TWO… London kicked out.
Rhodes rolled off of London and into his corner then he reached up and tagged in Holly. Holly came in and took London down with a clothesline, then took him down with another one when he got back up. Holly grabbed London and went for a hip toss, but London blocked it then hit Holly with a hip toss of his own. Holly got back up and charged at London, but London caught him and slammed Holly down on his knee for an inverted atomic drop, then he jumped up and sent Holly flying with a hurricurana. Holly rolled away onto his back, then London ran over and hit him with a RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS! London made the cover, ONE… TWO… THRE… HOLLY KICKED OUT!
London got up and bent down to pulled Holly up to his feet, but Holly shot back up and got London on his shoulders for the Alabama Slam(mer), but just like last week London reversed it and caught Holly with a victory roll pin, ONE…, Holly pushed himself off of the mat and flipped London onto his back, then he hooked London's legs under his arms for a pin of his own, ONE… TWO… T… London got his shoulder up.
Holly pulled London up to his feet, then powered him back-first into a corner. Holly brought his hand back and slapped London across the chest. Then he went to follow up with another, but London ducked it. London grabbed Holly and switched places with him so Holly was leaning back against the turnbuckle. London raised his arm and slapped Holly across the chest in retaliation. London jumped up onto the middle rope, then to the top rope, then up onto Holly's shoulder and sent him flying across the ring with a hurricurana.
London came out of the corner and pulled Holly up to his feet then he kneed Holly in the stomach, causing him to double over and ran to the ropes. London came back and jumped up in the air… MUSHROOM STO—HOLLY CAUGHT LONDON ON HIS SHOULDER!! Holly spun around… ALABAMA SLAM! Holly staggered backwards and collapsed to the ground, he had taken a lot of punishment during the match and desperately needed to made the cover. Holly crawled over to London and draped his arm over him, ONE… TWO… THRE… KENDRICK BROKE IT UP!
Rhodes came in and attacked Kendrick, the two competitors traded blows in the middle of the ring. Rhodes suddenly blocked a punch from Kendrick and got in a right jab, then followed up with another, and then another. Rhodes continued until he took his elbow and drove it down into Kendrick's head for the Bionic Elbow. The fans cheered the physical tribute Rhodes paid his father while Kendrick staggered backwards. Rhodes then ran in and took both Kendrick and himself out of the ring with a clothesline.
London and Holly were alone in the ring. Holly was just getting up to his feet, while London had rolled over to the ropes and was pulling himself up. Holly stormed over to London and yanked him up to his feet, then chopped him across the chest. Holly dragged London back into the middle of the ring, then bent down and hoisted London up on his shoulders, third time's the charm! He was going for the Alabama Slam again. Holly staggered backwards but London suddenly reached out and grabbed the top rope behind Holly. Holly struggled and couldn't get London off of him with the leverage London had on the ropes. London suddenly pushed off and swung around, then took Holly down with a head scissors.
Holly rolled across the ring and onto his back. London ran to the corner, jumped over Holly on the way, and climbed up onto the top rope. London stood up top, then launched off, 450 SPLASH! London made the cover, ONE… TWO… Rhodes tried to get in the ring to break it up, but Kendrick grabbed his foot and kept him from making it to his partner, THREE! LONDON GOT THE PIN! London and Kendrick's theme hit as the bell rang signaling the end of the match up. London quickly rolled off of Holly and got out of the ring Rhodes crawled over to Holly and checked on him, while Kendrick got the World Tag Team Titles from the time keeper, then ran around the ring and handed London his belt. "Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners, and still, the World Tag Team Champions, Paul London and Brian Kendrick!" London and Kendrick backed up the ramp with their titles raised high. Rhodes and Holly stared at them from the ring as Raw went to a commercial.
---x---
Raw was still live, Jericho and JBL had just had their 'face-to-screen' confrontation. Now, Machetti was shown walking backstage with Maria.
"You mean you couldn't find a partner?" Maria asked Machetti.
"Well it wasn't for lack of trying," said Machetti, "I asked Super Crazy, but he didn't seem to understand what I was staying. And then Jim Duggan called me a 'ho'. I should've brought Paul with me, he speaks Spanish. I was stupid and decided to take French in high school, a lot of help that did me there. Then I asked Ron Simmons, but all he did was shake his head and say 'damn'. I even asked Beth Phoenix, but she's still angry at me for helping you beat her in that match a few weeks back." The Buffalo crowd cheered slightly at the mention of the Women's Champion (she's a hometown girl).
"Why would you ask Beth to be your partner?" asked Maria.
"Well I figured she'd be strong enough to beat Santino, which really isn't saying much for Santino's abilities."
"So what are you going to do?"
"I guess I'm in a handicap match," replied Machetti.
"You know I could…"
"Don't even think about it!" Machetti interrupted before Maria even finished. "You're not teaming with me. You know how Santino gets around you."
"Do you think you can win?" asked Maria.
"I beat Carlito and Shelton Benjamin in a handicap match a couple months back," Machetti reminded her, "I think I'll be able to handle Santino and a partner of his choice."
"I hope so," said Maria.
"Well, at least I'll have you out there with me," concluded Machetti, "come on, let's get out there."
Machetti turned around and started walking, only bump into someone off camera and accidentally knocked them to the ground. "Watch where you're going, Junior!" snapped Jericho as he pulled himself back up. "I'm not in a good mood right now, and dealing with an ass clown like you will only serve to make it worse!"
"Oh, is that right?" asked Machetti. "So I guess you're still upset about being screwed out of winning the WWE Championship."
"You're damn right I am," Jericho shot back, "that Wrestling Fraud JBL cost me the WWE Championship. You don't know what I'm going through right now."
"Oh really?" questioned Machetti, "I bet you're really frustrated. You had the match going your way. You had your opponent right where you wanted him. You were seconds… maybe even milliseconds from winning the WWE Championship. But then someone not involved with the match ran in and blasted you in the face, knocking you out cold. When you finally came to, you heard your opponent's theme music playing. You lost the match and your chance with the WWE Title. Now, you're angry and upset and for some circumstances out of your control you can't vent your anger on the person that cost you the title. You feel like part of you is missing, and there's nothing you can do to get it back. Yeah, Bon Jericho, I have no idea what you're talking about. You must be the only person on the roster who has gone through that, no one could possibly know how you feel." Through Machetti's whole rant Maria stared at the ground and refused to look up. It was her chair shot that had cost him the WWE Championship in his match with John Cena back in October.
"Alright then," said Jericho, "since you seem to know exactly what I'm going through… I'll humor you. What do you think I should do?"
"Well, when I was in your situation, I vented my frustrations and fought in a three-on-four handicap match. It was a nice way to take out my anger."
"So you're suggesting that I get myself in a handicap match and vent on my opponents?"
"It helps," replied Machetti with a shrug and then a wink. Y2J caught on.
"Ohhh… well if that's the case… do you know how I could get myself booked in a handicap match in such short notice?" asked Jericho in a sarcastic tone.
"Well, I don't know about a handicap match," said Machetti, "but I might no of acertain superstar that needs a tag team partner for a match that happens to be up next."
"Alright, cut the crap, do you want me to be your partner or not?"
"Well in my current state, I'd take team with Hornswoggle, so, yeah, I want you to be my partner. Are you up to fighting in jeans?"
"I've fought in plenty of Street Fights before, Junior, don't worry about me," said Jericho, "So who are we fighting… partner?"
"One opponent is a mystery, the other is Santino," said Machetti.
"Santiko?" questioned Jericho.
"Santino," repeated Machetti.
"Sandusky?"
"Yeah, him," said Machetti in an attempt to keep the conversation from getting out of control.
"Alright, I'm up for him," commented Jericho, "let's get going. Just one thing…"
"What?"
"Did you really just call me Bon Jericho?"
"Dude, with that haircut, can you blame me?" Jericho shrugged, then Machetti grabbed Maria's hand and they headed off screen as Raw went to a commercial. Machetti had struck gold in the partner he had recruited.
(A/N: Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks Jericho's new look makes him look like Bon Jovi.)
---x---
Raw came back and Santino Marella's theme music hit. Marella came down to the ring with a mic ready for his match against Machetti. "Ladies and gentlemen-a, tonight-a, I, Santino Marella, along with my new partner, am going to beat Machetti within an inch of his life! Machetti has no one to help him now-a, so let me introduce you to my surprise-a partner." Apparently Santino hadn't seen the previous segment, so he didn't know that Machetti had found a partner.
I spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool! Carlito's theme music hit as the Crafty Caribbean came down to the ramp and joined the Irritating Italian in the ring. "You see-a?" Santino said to the crowd, "finally for the first time-a an Italian, and a Columbian, are teaming up-a, nobody can beat us!"
"Hey, I'm Puerto Rican," Carlito corrected him.
"Exactly," said Santino as he continued, "you see, we can't-a lose! I am a former Intercontinental Champion, and he loves to, how do you say? Swap spit with men who don't like to be cool! We're going to be great-a!" Carlito looked at Santino and shook his head, then Riot Time hit. Machetti came out from the back with Maria and walked halfway down the ramp. "As I-a expected Machetti," bragged Santino, "nobody gives a damn-a about you. You couldn't find a partner."
"What are you talking about?" questioned Machetti, "I have my partner right here?" Machetti placed his hand on Maria's shoulder, "Oh wait… you meant for the match?" Maria smiled and blushed slightly as Machetti continued, "Well, in that case, I did find this guy…" Machetti smirked (smirking is totally called for in this situation) at Carlito and Santino as Jericho's Save Us them hit.
For the second time that night Y2J came out from the back and headed down towards the ring. Jericho stood next to Machetti and Maria for a moment and they took in the shocked expressions on Santino and Carlito's face. That wasn't the plan! This was supposed to be a handicap match, Machetti wasn't supposed to have a partner!
Machetti and Jericho pulled off their shirts and tossed them to the side, Machetti handed the Intercontinental Title to Maria, then he and Jericho ran down to the ring and slid in. Machetti and Jericho jumped up to their feet while the referee stopped Santino and Carlito from trying to jump Machetti and Jericho before the bell. The referee yelled at Santino and Carlito to get to their corner while Machetti slapped Jericho on the shoulder and told him to have fun, then got out of the ring and stood in his own corner.
Jericho walked into the middle of the ring and was met with Santino, who seemed to think that he could beat Jericho if he wasn't ready. Santino reached out to grab Jericho, but Jericho grabbed Santino's hand and slipped behind him with a hammer lock. Then he shoved Santino forward and away from him. Santino turned around and Jericho hit him with a hard chop across the chest, knocking Santino on his back. Santino rolled onto his stomach and got back up, but Jericho ran at him then took him down with a Lou Threz press, then rained down a series of hard right hands on Santino's face. Jericho really seemed to be embracing the concept of taking his frustrations out on his opponent.
Jericho rolled off of Santino and got back up. Santino crawled away and pulled himself up with the ropes on the other side of the ring. Santino then charged at Jericho, but Jericho ducked down then sent Santino flying with a back body drop. Santino rolled away and slipped under the bottom rope and got out of the ring. But Machetti suddenly jumped off of the ring apron and took him down with a flying clothesline. Machetti pulled Santino back up to his feet while the referee yelled at him, then rolled him back in the ring.
Santino used the ropes to pull himself back up then he turned around. Jericho ran at Santino and went behind him, and hit a flash back. Jericho reached down and pulled Santino back up to his feet, then whipped him into the empty corner next to him. Jericho ran at Santino and hit him with a clothesline into the turnbuckle, then lifted his leg and pressed it into Santino's throat. The referee came over and reprimanded Jericho, who quickly removed his foot. Jericho drove his knee into Santino's stomach a couple of times. Jericho stepped back and Santino slumped down against the middle and bottom turnbuckle.
But Y2J didn't let Santino rest for long, he quickly jumped onto the middle rope beside him, then springboarded off of it and drove his feet into Santino's chest for a dropkick. Jericho rolled away and got back up to his feet, then dragged Santino back into the middle of the ring and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… Santino kicked out. Jericho got off of Santino and got up to his feet while Santino rolled over to the ropes and pulled himself back up.
Jericho came over and punched Santino in the back, knocking him into the ropes. Santino stood back up only for Jericho to grab Santino and hit another big right hand, knocking Santino back into the ropes. Jericho pulled Santino forward then hoisted him up to the air and slammed him down to the mat with a vertical suplex. Santino rolled away from Jericho and nursed his back then pulled himself up and sat in the corner behind him. The only problem was that that corner was the one Machetti was in.
Jericho came over and Santino pulled himself up, only to get clocked with a right from Machetti. Santino staggered towards Jericho who jumped up and took him down with a big dropkick. Jericho grabbed Santino's arm and pulled him up off the mat, then reached out and tagged in Machetti. Jericho held Santino's arms behind his back, and allowed Machetti to go off on the Irritating Italian with a barrage of punches to the face and stomach. Jericho let go of Santino and let Machetti have him, then got out of the ring.
Machetti whipped Santino into the ropes, then stuck out his arm as Santino came back, causing Marella to run right into a clothesline. Machetti glanced down at Santino then ran to the ropes and came off with a handspring, into a back-flip and came crashing down on top of Marella for a moonsault, then he went for a pin, ONE… TWO… T… Santino kicked out.
Machetti got up and Santino rolled away and attempted to make it to his corner. But Machetti grabbed onto his ankle and pulled him back into the middle of the ring. Machetti stood behind Santino as he stood up, then Marella suddenly spun around and swung at Machetti for a right hand, but Machetti saw it coming and ducked it, then drove his knee into Santino's stomach. Machetti grabbed Marella and whipped him into the corner, then ran at him did a handspring and nailed him with the turnbuckle senton. Machetti jumped back and sent Santino flying across the ring with a hurricurana, then he ran over did a back-flip and came crashing down on Santino with a running shooting star press. Machetti stayed on Marella and made the cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Santino kicked out.
Machetti got up to his knees and Jericho called out to him and reached his hand into the ring, he wanted back in. Machetti pulled Santino back up and dragged him into the corner where he tagged in Jericho. Jericho got in the ring and together he and Machetti lifted Santino up into the air for a delayed double vertical suplex. They kept Santino hanging there for a few seconds, then slammed him down to the mat. Machetti got up and got out of the ring while Jericho bent down and went to pull Santino back up.
But Santino suddenly shot his arm out and caught Jericho with a punch to the stomach, then he turned and ran to the ropes. But Jericho ran after Santino and reached the ropes with him. Santino turned around to see where Y2J had gone, only to get leveled with a running clothesline. Jericho ran to the ropes and jumped up onto the middle one, back-flipped off of it… LIONSAULT! Jericho made the cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Carlito came in and broke it up.
While the referee escorted Carlito back to his corner, Jericho whipped Santino into the corner Machetti was in. With the referee dealing with Carlito, Machetti quickly reached in the ring and kept Santino pinned against the turnbuckle. Jericho ran in and jumped up into the air and hit Santino in the face with a running knee into the corner. The referee turned back around as Machetti let go of Santino and allowed him to tumble down to the mat.
Jericho pulled Santino back up and pushed him back into the corner, then tagged in Machetti. Jericho lifted Santino up and situated him on the top rope then climbed up across from him as Machetti got in the ring. Machetti came over and stood under Jericho and grabbed onto his sides, then fell backwards for an electric chair drop, while at the same time, Jericho hit Santino with a superplex. Santino and Jericho hit the mat hard, Machetti quickly scrambled over to Santino and went for a pin, ONE… TWO…. THRE… Santino barely managed to kick out.
Machetti stood up and pulled Santino to his feet, then ran to the ropes, but as he was bouncing off, Carlito brought up his knee and drove it into Machetti's back. Machetti staggered forward and bent over, allowing Santino to rush in and plant him with a DDT. Santino quickly made the cover, the referee turned around after escorted Jericho out of the ring and saw the pin, then made the count, ONE… TWO… Machetti kicked out.
Santino got up and staggered over to his corner and tagged in Carlito. Carlito came in and rushed over to Machetti and started stomping on him, then got down on top of him and rained down some hard left hands to the face. Carlito eventually got off of Machetti and pulled him up then went to whip him into the ropes, but Machetti reversed it. Carlito went into the ropes and jumped up onto the middle one, then came off and hit Machetti with a springboard back elbow, then made the cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Machetti kicked out.
Carlito dragged Machetti to his feet and whipped him into the corner across the ring, then ran at him and drove his shoulder into Machetti's stomach for a running shoulder thrust. Carlito the grabbed Machetti's legs and lifted him up so he was sitting on the top rope. Carlito climbed up across from Machetti then went off on him and hit him with a series of hard left hands. Carlito then jumped up onto Machetti's shoulders and took Machetti down with a super hurricurana. Machetti flew across the ring and hit the mat hard. Carlito jumped back up off of the mat, but instead of going for a pin, he climbed up onto the top where Machetti had just been. Carlito lunged across the ring and connected with an diving elbow drop on Machetti, then did a lateral press, ONE… TWO… THRE… Machetti just managed to get his shoulder up.
In the corner Santino had apparently recovered, because now he was shouting at Carlito to tag him in. Carlito went over to the corner and tagged his partner in then got out of the ring. Santino rushed over to Machetti and viciously stomped on him. Then he jumped up into the air and came crashing down with and elbow to the chest. Santino got back up pulled Machetti. Santino slipped behind Machetti then lifted him up from behind and slammed him back-first down to the mat for a back suplex. Then he went for a cover, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti got out of it.
Santino glared down at Machetti then he sat him up and wrapped his legs around Machetti's waist for a body scissors. Marella applied as much pressure as he could, if he could make Machetti tap out here, he'd prove he was the better man once and for all. Machetti screamed out as Santino's legs squeezed his sides. In the corner Jericho climbed up onto the middle rope and leaned in the ring, "Don't you quit on me!" said Jericho, "hang in there, junior!"
That set off something in Machetti because he moved his legs and started fighting up off the mat. But Santino kept his body scissors locked in and clubbed Machetti across the back. Machetti screamed out and dropped back down to the mat, but now he was on his stomach and Santino was on top of him, allowing Marella to use his weight to squish Machetti and apply even more pressure.
Machetti gritted his teeth and stared in front of him, and locked eyes with Maria. Maria ,who was still holding Machetti's Intercontinental Title, tapped the title belt and urged Machetti to get up to his feet. Machetti stared at Maria and the Intercontinental Championship she was holding, then fought to take a deep breath and pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. Santino moved himself, so that he was sitting on Machetti's back, then clubbed him in between the shoulders, hoping to stop the Intercontinental Champion from making a comeback.
But Machetti kept fighting, he seemed to have found the inspiration he needed and managed to fight back up to his feet. Santino held onto Machetti's shoulders then quickly got Machetti in a sleeper hold, while keeping his legs wrapped around Machetti's waist for the body scissors. Machetti screamed then ran backwards and rammed Santino back-first into the turnbuckle. Santino lost the sleeper hold. Machetti then, one what might have been pure adrenaline, rushed across the ring and drove Santino back-first into the opposite corner. Santino fought desperately and managed to keep his hold on Machetti. But suddenly Machetti ran forward again, then did a front-flip, slamming Santino back-first down to the mat.
Santino lost the body scissors and Machetti rolled across the ring and made the desperate tag to Jericho. Jericho rushed in the ring jumped over Santino and took down Carlito, who had come in the ring illegally, with a running clothesline. Santino got back up, but Jericho ran in and took him down with a flying forearm .Jericho got back up and caught Carlito as he was running at him with a hip toss. Santino fought up to his feet, but Jericho came over, reached down and grabbed his legs, and took Santino down onto his back. Jericho rolled Santino onto his stomach, THE WALLS OF JERICHO IS LOCKED IN!
Santino screamed in agony and was seconds away from tapping out when… BACK-STABBER BY CARLITO! Carlito got up but suddenly Machetti charged across the ring and took both of them over the top rope and out of the ring with a clothesline. Jericho and Santino were both down, but Santino managed to drape an arm over Jericho for a pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… JERICHO KICKED OUT!
Santino sat up and shouted at the referee, then got up to his feet and pulled Jericho up, but Jericho grabbed Santino's face, then dropped down to his knees and hit a jawbreaker. Santino staggered backwards as Jericho got up, then ran at him… CODEBREAKER! Jericho made the cover, ONE… TWO… THREE! JERICHO AND MACHETTI WIN IT! Jericho's theme hit as Maria helped Machetti up to his feet on the outside then helped him into the ring. "Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners, Chris Jericho, and Machetti!" Maria stood in between the two superstars on the winning team and raised their arms up in the air. Machetti turned to Jericho and stuck out his hand. Jericho glanced down at it, then shook it. "Thanks," Machetti said to Jericho, then he and Maria left the ring, and headed to the back, leaving Jericho to celebrate on his own at Raw went to a commercial break.
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So when Santino proposed the match, who actually thought Machetti would get Jericho as his partner? Did anyone? I had fun doing the Jericho match, but I had to restrict him a bit due to the fact that he wasn't in wrestling gear. Hope you enjoyed it, I sure did.
Also, I'm going to do a six-man tag match featuring Chaos Inc for the Tribute to the Troops show. As a Christmas present, I'll let you guys pick their opponents. Submit a review naming three superstars you want them to fight, they can be a superstar from any brand, and I'll do my best to make it happen.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!