Chapter Sixty One: Ready 2 Rumble
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(A/N: Whoops! What i had up before was just a repeat of last chapter. Props go to Phillip Clark for pointing it out. Here's the real chapter...
Okay, so the WWE totally stole my idea with the Kendrick match on Raw. I had Machetti fight somebody already in the Rumble for a spot in the Rumble last week! So that match is NOT going to happen.
On top of that, I was planning on putting Machetti in a 'Second Chance' Royal Rumble match this week but since Regal kind of did that with Triple H, I scrapped that idea.
I'd also like to wish Paul London a speedy recovery, I only just found out he was injured. There's nothing on the internet about London being injured, which sucks because if there was I would have been the first to know. But all the same, get well soon Paul, Spanky needs you!)
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Raw was live from Hampton Virginia, the video clip highlighting the Y2J/JBL rivalry played, then Brian Kendrick was shown backstage in the locker room talking with Cody Rhodes. "Hey man, congratulations on getting in the rumble," said Kendrick.
"Thanks," replied Rhodes, "you know, I grew up watching the Royal Rumble, and I can't believe I get to compete in it. How's London doing? I might be in the Rumble, but Holly and I are still looking to beat you guys and win back the World Tag Team Titles."
"Would you believe Regal is making me defend the belts on my own tonight?" questioned Kendrick, "I have to fight in a handicap match."
"No you don't," came a voice, as WWE Intercontinental Champion Machetti walked over. But he wasn't only holding the Intercontinental Title, he was also holding Paul London's World Tag Team Title. "Dude, I'm not going to let you go out there on your own tonight. I managed topersuade Vince McMahon to allow me to be your partner tonight."
"You serious?" asked Kendrick, "how'd you do it?"
"Yup," answered Machetti, "I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. I offered to put my Intercontinental Title and my spot in the Royal Rumble on the line at the Pay Per View on Sunday in a match against Umaga. If I lose, I lose the Intercontinental Title and I'm out of the Rumble and Umaga is back in. If I win, I keep my belt and I'm still in the Rumble."
"But won't you be exhausted after facing Umaga?" asked Rhodes, who was still standing nearby.
"Most likely, that's probably why Mr. McMahon accepted so quickly," commented Machetti, "I'm hoping for a later number. Otherwise the Rumble will be much harder."
"Well, don't expect us to take it easy on you," said Hardcore Holly as he walked over, "I don't care if you compete in a match before the Rumble, I'll still chuck you out the second I come across you."
"Good luck with that," replied Machetti, "and good luck with your match against Carlito tonight. I guess it's a good thing you don't have to dress like him again." Both Kendrick and Rhodes laughed.
"Is that supposed to be funny?" demanded Holly.
"Did you not see yourself in that wig?" asked Machetti, "that was the worst Carlito wig I've ever seen and you're the last person I'd think would wear one of those."
"That kind of attitude is what's going get you tossed out of the Rumble early," Holly told him, "I want the belt, and if anyone comes near me during the Rumble, they're going over the top rope." With that Holly walked off. Machetti and Kendrick turned and glanced at Rhodes.
"That's him on a good day," pointed out Rhodes.
"I'd hate to see him on a bad day," commented Kendrick.
"I faced him before back in my ECW days," said Machetti, "he was always in a bad mood back then too."
"I guess not much has changed," observed Rhodes.
"Look man," Kendrick eventually said, "once Paul gets back and you and Holly settle this thing with Santino and Carlito, we'll be waiting to defend our belts."
"But until then, not hard feelings when I toss you out of the Rumble, right?" asked Machetti.
"I was going to ask you the same thing," replied Cody.
"See ya around," said Machetti, then he and Kendrick headed off.
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London and Kendrick's theme music hit, then Kendrick and Machetti came out from the back with Maria. Maria was holding Machetti's Intercontinental Title, while Machetti was holding London's half of the tag team gold. "The following tag team contest is for the World Tag Team Championships and is scheduled for one-fall. Introducing first, Brian Kendrick and Machetti!" Kendrick, Machetti, and Maria sprinted down to the ring, Machetti and Kendrick slid in the ring and ran to separate corners while Maria climbed up onto the apron and got in the ring after them. Kendrick and Machetti back-flipped out of the corner and landed next to Maria. The referee came over and they handed them all three titles.
HOOO!!! Hacksaw Jim Duggan's theme music hit and he came out from the back with his partner Super Crazy. Hacksaw had an American flag and his 2x4 with him, while Crazy was carrying a Mexican flag. "And the challengers, the team of Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Super Crazy!" Duggan and Crazy circled around the ring with their flags then eventually they left them by the ring steps and got in the ring. The referee came over and showed both teams the World Tag Team Titles then handed them to someone at ringside. He came back and stood in between the two teams and made them go to their corners.
Kendrick and Super Crazy opted to start the match, so Duggan and Machetti got out of the ring and onto the ring apron. Crazy and Kendrick met in the middle of the ring and the referee called for the bell. Kendrick and Crazy circled around the ring, then locked up in the middle of it, Crazy quickly turned it into a headlock, but Kendrick grabbed Crazy's arm and countered with a wrist lock and pinned Crazy's arm behind his back. Crazy stepped away from Kendrick then did a front roll to straighten his arm, then he pulled Kendrick back towards him and went for a short arm clothesline, but Kendrick ducked under it, then whipped his leg back around and swept Crazy's leg out from under him. Kendrick reached down and went to keep up on Crazy, but Crazy suddenly caught him with a small package, ONE… TW… Kendrick kicked out.
Both competitors shot back up to their feet, they locked up but Kendrick pushed Crazy back into the ropes, then whipped him across the ring. Crazy came back and Kendrick went to catch him with a hip toss, but Crazy countered and nailed a hip toss of his own, then he turned around and hit Kendrick with a standing moonsault, ONE… TWO… Kendrick kicked out. Crazy got up and pulled Kendrick up to his feet, but Kendrick dropped down and hit a jaw breaker, sending Crazy staggering backwards. Kendrick ran at him and hit a running neckbreaker. Kendrick quickly made the cover, ONE… TWO… Super Crazy kicked out.
Kendrick got up and pulled Crazy up to his feet, then whipped him across the ring into the corner Machetti was in. Kendrick sprinted at Crazy and jumped up hit a running dropkick into the corner. Kendrick got up and tagged in Machetti. Machetti and Kendrick dragged Super Crazy into the middle of the ring, then whipped him into the ropes. Crazy came back and Kendrick and Machetti caught him then both did back-flips, flipping Crazy onto his back in the process. Kendrick got in the ring and Machetti made the cover, ONE… TWO… THR… Crazy kicked out.
Machetti pulled Crazy up to his feet and went to whip him across the ring, but Crazy reversed it and sent Machetti into the ropes instead. Machetti came back and Crazy jumped up into the air for a big dropkick. But Machetti reached out and grabbed Crazy's legs then slammed him down to the mat. He quickly slipped his foot in between Crazy's legs then rolled him onto his stomach and locked in the sharpshooter. Crazy started screaming out as the pain shot through his legs, Machetti kept on the pressure and attempted to get Crazy to tap out.
Super Crazy pushed himself up off of the mat and attempted to drag Machetti over to the ropes and tried to get a rope break. But Machetti wasn't going to let Crazy go anywhere and kept the pressure on. Duggan turned to the fans and started chanting USA. Some of the fans joined in others were more reluctant. "Isn't he Mexican?" Machetti asked Duggan, who he was almost facing. Duggan shrugged, but suddenly Crazy pushed himself up and rolled in between Machetti's legs, then pushed Machetti off of him and across the ring.
Crazy started crawling over to Duggan, but Machetti came back and grabbed his leg and attempted to drag him back into the middle of the ring. But Crazy fought up to his feet, then caught Machetti with an enzuigiri. Machetti staggered backwards into his corner where Kendrick tagged himself in, but at the same time, Crazy made a diving tag and brought in Hacksaw. Duggan rushed in the ring and took down Kendrick with a clothesline. When Kendrick got back up Duggan took him down with another clothesline. Hacksaw reached down and picked Kendrick up, and hit a scoop slam. Duggan hit a standing elbow drop and then made a cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Kendrick kicked out.
Duggan got back up and backed up into the corner Crazy was recovering in and got in Three Point Stance. Kendrick staggered up to his feet then slowly turned around. Duggan ran in and went for the clothesline, but Machetti suddenly reached in the ring and grabbed Kendrick's legs then pulled, causing Kendrick to fall on his face. Hacksaw ran over Kendrick and ended up eating the turnbuckle. Kendrick got back up and tagged in Machetti, Kendrick grabbed Hacksaw while Machetti came over jumped up and connected with a jumping enzuigiri while at the same time Kendrick hit a reverse STO (like Kennedy's Mic Check), GET WELL SOON! Kendrick got back up, then he and Machetti turned and faced the camera and saluted, that was for London.
Machetti suddenly grabbed Kendrick and picked him up then threw him at Super Crazy who had just gotten in the ring. Kendrick flew through the air and nailed Crazy with a dropkick to the face. Crazy fell to the ground and rolled under the bottom rope and dropped down to the floor. Machetti pulled Hacksaw up to his feet and whipped him into the corner Kendrick was getting up in. Kendrick saw Duggan coming and grabbed him, then ran to the corner SLICED BREAD NUMBER TWO! Kendrick landed on his knees, and Machetti quickly ran in, ran up Kendrick's back, did a back-flip, and came crashing down on top of Duggan SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Machetti made the cover, ONE… TWO… THREE! MACHETTI AND KENDRICK WIN IT! With Machetti's help, London and Kendrick retained the World Tag Team Championships.
London and Kendrick's theme hit as Machetti got to his feet. The referee came over and handed Kendrick and Machetti the World Tag Team Titles then stood in between them and raised their arms up into the air. Machetti nodded at Kendrick then turned and hugged Maria when she got in the ring. The referee came back and held out Machetti's Intercontinental Title. Maria smiled and let go of Machetti and took the IC title from the referee she took the Intercontinental Championship and put it on one of Machetti's shoulders, then put London's half of the World Tag Team Championships on Machetti's other shoulder.
The three of them left the ring but Machetti held Maria and Kendrick back and turned to face the camera that was next to them. "That was for you Paul," Machetti said to the camera then he turned and the three of them headed to the back. The camera stayed at ringside as Super Crazy helped Duggan back up. They looked a little disappointed but shook it off and got out of the ring. Hacksaw and Crazy took the flags they had left at ringside and waved them, then turned and headed up the entrance ramp to the back.
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The camera cut and showed Mickie James sitting on her own, apparently crying. "Mickie what's wrong?" asked Maria, while Machetti turned around and started up a random conversation with Kendrick in an attempt to make Mickie feel more comfortable.
"It's nothing, I'm alright," said Mickie, denying the obvious.
"No something's wrong," stated Maria, "what's wrong?"
"Well, Maria," explained Mickie, "it's just… every time I go out there… I always give Beth everything I have and… I feel like I can't beat her. And I don't know what to do."
"It's going to be okay," said Maria in an attempt to comfort Mickie.
"No… its not going to be okay Maria…" sobbed Mickie, "it's…"
"Hey Maria," came a voice as Ashley walked over, "look, I went to this party at Playboy Mansion that I just have to tell you about."
"Oh but…" Maria attempted to protest only to get dragged off by Ashley.
Machetti turned and stared after Maria and shook his head, then he turned to Kendrick and handed him the two titles he had, "I'll meet you back at the locker room." Kendrick nodded and headed off, then Machetti went over to Mickie and sat down next to her.
"Are you going to tell me it's going to be okay too?" asked Mickie who seemed to be getting a bit agitated.
"No," answered Machetti, "I was going to tell you I know how you feel."
"How could you possibly know how I feel?" questioned Mickie.
"From what I've seen from Beth Phoenix, it appears that the lady is freakishly strong and nearly impossible to beat."
"Thank you Captain Obvious. What's you point?"
"I'm fighting Umaga at the Royal Rumble. That guy is freakishly strong, and went undefeated for almost a year. Even Triple H and Shawn Michaels had a hard time beating him. Now I'm supposed to defend my Intercontinental Title against him, and then somehow win the Royal Rumble. It seems to me that we're in the same boat."
"Is that right?" questioned Mickie, "well, since you're obviously the expert on the subject, what do you think I should do?"
"I don't pretend to be an expert in anything," replied Machetti, "but if I can't do something, I learn from my mistakes and figure out where I went wrong. Then I get right back in there and I try again. Only this time I try not to make the same mistakes I did last time."
"So what do I do?"
"Well the current way you're fighting Beth doesn't seem to be working. So I think you should try something different. First of all, if she gets her hands on you and hits that fisherman's suplex its all over. You need to have it scouted and figure out some good ways to counter it. Also, keep moving, don't let her get her hands on you. Then keep working her over with quick attacks. And if that doesn't work, just try something else. You need to keep getting back up on that horse and keep trying until you get it right."
Mickie nodded, "You know, I'm actually looking forward to the Royal Rumble this Sunday," said Machetti.
"Why's that?" asked Mickie.
"Everyone else out there has the beat twenty nine other superstars, I have to beat thirty," explained Machetti, "the deck is stacked against me, but you know what, what I'm trying to do has been done at least once before, so I know its possible. Just like you know beating Beth Phoenix is possible. Candice has done it. I'm not worried about facing Umaga and then going into the Rumble, I'm looking forward to it! Because when I beat him, and then go on to win the Rumble, I'll be on top of the world! The harder something is to do, the better I feel when I do it. You lost a match, big deal, I know you can beat her, so stop doubting yourself. Keep going and don't stop until you win."
"You really think I can do it?" questioned Mickie.
"No," answered Machetti, "I KNOW you can do it."
Mickie looked at Machetti and smiled slightly, "Wow."
"Wow, what?" asked Machetti.
"Now I know why Maria's so crazy about you," Mickie told him.
"I do what I can," replied Machetti, with a shrug, then he stood up, "I'll see you around." Then he turned and started walking off.
"I'll be routing for you on Sunday," Mickie called after him as the camera faded.
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Right, Machetti versus Umaga at the Royal Rumble for the Intercontinental Title and a spot in the Royal Rumble. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, so I'll wait until the actual Royal Rumble before I decide. I can't wait for the Rumble, my pick to win it this year is Undertaker, then he'll probably go on to face Edge at 'Mania in a streak vs. streak thing. But that's just a guess.
The match in this chapter was a little short, but that's just the way it played out in my head. I compensated with the conversation between Mickie and Machetti. It really annoyed me that Mickie had to go off feeling miserable Monday night, the WWE can plug Playboy all they want, but seeing how this is my story, I can change it. I don't think I did too much. Ashley still got to tell Maria about Playboy on camera and Machetti, being the all around great guy that he is, comforted Mickie, while at the same time he did a promo for the Rumble. Santino got cut out of it because in my world he and Maria aren't dating, if he had said that in my story Machetti, and probably Kendrick, would have kicked his ass. I don't care how funny in what he says is, I can't just break things off between Machetti and Maria in order for Santino to make perverted comments. Anyway...
'Till Next Time…
Peace!