Chapter Sixty-Two: Royal Rumble pt I
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The Royal Rumble was live from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The opening pyro exploded and JR and King welcomed everyone to the show. But then Riot Time hit, the first contest of the night was about to start. "Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for one-fall and is for the WWE Intercontinental Championship AND a spot in the Royal Rumble later tonight." The fans cheered as Machetti, Maria, and Brian Kendrick came out from the back and headed down to the ring. Machetti had his Intercontinental Championship draped over his shoulder and Kendrick was holding his half of the World tag Team Titles. "Introducing first, from Detroit Michigan, weighing in at two hundred and fifteen pounds, he is the current Intercontinental Champion, MACHETTI!"
Machetti and Kendrick sprinted down to the ring and Maria chased after them. Kendrick and Machetti slid into the ring then ran to two corners just as Maria was getting into the ring. At the same time Machetti and Kendrick back-flipped out of the corners and landed in the middle of the ring. White pyro exploded out of all four corners at the same time that they landed. Machetti turned to Maria and hugged her. Then she and Kendrick left the ring leaving Machetti on his own, he turned and faced the TitanTron, ready for his opponent.
Umaga's theme music hit and the Samoan Bulldozer came out from the back looking intense as usual. "And the opponent, from the Isle of Samoa, weighing in at three hundred and forty-eight pounds, UMAGA!" Umaga came down to the ring and got in, Machetti backed up against the ropes while Umaga walked into the middle ring. Machetti handed the referee his title. The referee showed the belt to Umaga who didn't even look at it and instead glared at Machetti. Tonight wasn't really about the Intercontinental Championship, it was about the Royal Rumble. Both men wanted to win the spot and then go on to win the Rumble. If they won the match, the IC title was just an added bonus.
The referee handed the belt to someone at ringside, then cautiously stepped in between the two competitors and called for the bell. Machetti circled around the ring looking for an opening, while Umaga stayed in the middle of it just waiting for Machetti to get close enough so he could crush him. Machetti rushed at Umaga and hit a clothesline, but Umaga stayed standing and seemed unaffected. Machetti backed away from Umaga and ran to the ropes, then came off and did a handspring, and managed to get his legs around Umaga's neck, Machetti spun to the side and took Umaga down with a handspring head-scissors take down.
Machetti jumped back up to his feet and ran to the ropes while Umaga rolled onto his back. Machetti came off of the ropes, did another handspring, followed by a back-flip, causing him to go crashing down on top of Umaga for a handspring moonsault. Machetti went for a quick pin, ONE… Umaga bench pressed Machetti off of him and across the ring. Machetti and Umaga got back up to their feet and faced each other.
Umaga raised his arms up into the air and let out a primal yell and glared at Machetti. Machetti backed away from Umaga into the corner, then raised an eyebrow at the Samoan Bulldozer. In response Machetti raised his arms up in the air and mocked Umaga by letting out a yell of his own. Machetti brought his arms back down and flipped off Umaga with both hands. But Umaga just stood there, Machetti started to wonder if Umaga understood the concept of the middle finger, but suddenly Umaga rushed at Machetti looking to tear him apart.
Machetti dove out of the way and Umaga ran full speed into the turnbuckle, then staggered backwards. Machetti jumped back up and ran across the ring to the ropes, then raced back to the corner and hit Umaga with a corkscrew dropkick to the back, launching Umaga forward and sending him right into the turnbuckle again. Machetti got back up started viciously clubbing Umaga on the back, pushing Umaga back into the corner. But Umaga brought up his arm and elbowed Machetti in the jaw, sending him staggering backwards.
Umaga pushed away from the turnbuckle and turned around, then rushed at Machetti and leveled him with a running clothesline. Umaga stood over Machetti and let out a roar then he lashed out his leg and kicked Machetti hard in the side, causing Machetti to roll across the ring, under the bottom rope, then drop down to the floor with a thud. Kendrick and Maria hurried over to Machetti and helped him up. Machetti managed to stand on his own after a few seconds and stared at Umaga who was standing the middle of the ring waiting to pounce on Machetti and destroy him.
Machetti climbed up onto the ring apron and was about to get in the ring, but Umaga rushed at him. Machetti quickly jumped off of the apron and down to the floor to keep Umaga from hitting him. Umaga stood by the ropes and glared down at Machetti. The referee came over and told Umaga to step away from the ropes. Umaga glared at the referee who backed away from Umaga. Umaga glared at Machetti then got out of the ring. Kendrick and Maria quickly backed away from Umaga, but Machetti stayed where he was in front of the Samoan Bulldozer. Umaga rushed at Machetti, but Machetti side-stepped him, causing Umaga to run into the announce table behind Machetti. Machetti capitalized and grabbed Umaga then whipped him into the steps. Umaga hit the steel so hard he knocked the steps on their side.
Machetti got back in the ring and motioned for Kendrick and Maria to get on the other side of the ring from Umaga, the two of them did what Machetti instructed without question, neither of them thought staying near Umaga was a good idea. Machetti glanced at the referee and shrugged. The referee caught on and started the ring out could, ONE… TWO… THREE… Umaga pulled himself off of the steps and held onto the ring post. FOUR… FIVE… Umaga pulled himself up to his feet with the ring post, then turned and went to get in the ring. SIX… Machetti suddenly ran over and looked for a baseball slide. Machetti slid under the bottom rope, but Umaga caught Machetti's legs swung to the side and sent Machetti flying into the announce table behind him.
The referee glanced at the two competitors and started over the ring out count, ONE… TWO… Umaga pulled Machetti up and lifted him up onto his shoulder. Umaga ran and rammed Machetti shoulder-first into the steel ring post. THREE… FOUR… Umaga let Machetti drop down to the floor. Umaga reached down and pulled Machetti up with his hair, FIVE… SIX… Umaga whipped Machetti into the barricade, causing Machetti to go crashing down to the floor. Umaga glared down at Machetti then turned and got in the ring. Kendrick and Maria headed over to Machetti who was down on the floor. SEVEN… Umaga didn't seem interested in the title, he just wanted the spot in the Rumble. He only had to win the match to get that. On the outside Kendrick and Maria pulled Machetti up to his feet, then helped him over to the ring, EIGHT… Machetti was rolled back into the ring.
Umaga came over and yanked Machetti up to his feet, then whipped him across the ring and into the turnbuckle. Machetti hit the corner so hard that he bounced off and fell flat on his face. Umaga walked over to Machetti and yanked him up off of the mat, then rammed him back into the corner. Umaga pulled back and rammed his shoulder into Machetti's stomach over and over again. Umaga eventually stopped and stepped back, allowing Machetti to fall down and slump against the bottom and middle turnbuckles. Umaga saw the position Machetti was in and backed up into the opposite corner. Umaga let out a scream and ran across the ring, but Machetti suddenly pushed himself up and jumped out of the way. Umaga ended up going full speed into the turnbuckle and bounced off of it in a daze.
Machetti got back up and backed into the ropes on the opposite side of the ring from Umaga. Machetti ran at Umaga and hit a clothesline, but Umaga stayed standing. Machetti backed up into the ropes again then ran at Umaga and hit him with spinning wheel kick to the jaw, causing Umaga to stagger backwards into the ropes, Machetti ran at him, but Umaga ducked down then launched Machetti up into the air, and over the top rope with a back body drop. Machetti hit the floor with a loud thud, if he managed to win this, and that happened to him in the Rumble, he would have been eliminated from the match and it would be all over. But at the current moment, it looked like Machetti hadno chance in winning the match right now.
Kendrick and Maria went over to Machetti, Kendrick helped him up and made sure Machetti was standing. Machetti staggered away from Kendrick and climbed up onto the ring apron. Umaga came over and went to grab Machetti but Machetti ducked down and rammed his shoulder into Umaga's stomach from in between the top and middle rope. Umaga was taken off guard and staggered backwards. Machetti hoisted himself up and he flipped over the top rope, then caught Umaga as he was coming down for an attempted sunset flip, but Umaga reached out and grabbed the top rope and remained standing. Umaga glanced down at Machetti and let go of the top rope, then he jumped up into the air looking to drop down on Machetti, but Machetti rolled out of the way causing Umaga to slam down to the mat. Machetti shot back up and ran to the ropes, jumped up onto the top rope, back-flipped off of it, and came crashing down on top of Umaga for a springboard moonsault. Machetti quickly followed up with a cover, ONE… TWO… Umaga kicked out.
Machetti rolled off of Umaga and both of them got back up to their feet. Machetti rushed at Umaga looking to stay in control. But Umaga caught Machetti, launched him up into the air, then caught him on the way down SAMOAN DROP! Umaga made a cover on Machetti, ONE… TWO… THRE… MACHETTI BARELY KICKED OUT! Umaga got back up and stared down at Machetti. Machetti rolled away from Umaga and attempted to crawl over to the ropes, but Umaga grabbed Machetti's leg and dragged him back towards the middle of the ring. Machetti fought up onto one leg, then whipped his other leg around and connected with the back of Umaga's head for an enzuigiri. Umaga stood dazed and staggered backwards. Machetti pushed himself back up to his feet then jumped up and did a back-flip while driving his feet into Umaga's chest for a drop-sault. Umaga staggered backwards and ended up in the corner.
Machetti ran at Umaga did a handspring, then a front flip and nailed the turnbuckle senton, driving Umaga back into the turnbuckle. Machetti rolled away from Umaga and got back up to his feet. Machetti jumped up onto the middle rope, then jumped up onto Umaga's shoulders, looking for a hurricurana, but Umaga reached up and grabbed Machetti's sides, then turned around… POWERBOMB ONTO.THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! Machetti screamed out in pain, his back had to be killing him by now. But Umaga was showing no signs of stopping. Umaga reached down and grabbed Machetti then lifted him up and sat him up on the top turnbuckle.
Umaga turned around and placed Machetti on his shoulder then he ran across the ring RUNNING POWERSLA-- Machetti slipped free of Umaga's grip and shoved him into the turnbuckle. Umaga went shoulder first into the steel ring post and dropped down to his knees. Machetti got up and ran towards the corner, up Umaga's back and onto the top rope. Machetti turned around on the top rope, then he flipped off, caught Umaga on the way down for a sunset flip, ONE… TWO… TH… Umaga kicked out.
Machetti got back up, Umaga followed shortly after. Machetti lashed out his leg at Umaga for a kick, but Umaga caught his leg, then flipped it up into the air. But Machetti ended up doing a back-flip in mid air and landed on his feet. Machetti rushed back at Umaga, but he ran right into a clothesline. Umaga dragged Machetti up to his feet then chopped him across the chest, knocking Machetti on his back. Machetti rolled away from Umaga and fought up to his hands and knees, but Umaga came over and pulled him back up. Umaga lifted Machetti up into the air and turned him upside down for what looked like a scoop slam, but instead Umaga ran to the corner and rammed Machetti back-first into the top turnbuckle. Umaga let go of Machetti and stepped back, Machetti fell down, but his legs got caught on the top turnbuckle, leaving him in 'the tree of woe'. Umaga backed across the ring into the opposite corner, he sprinted across the ring, jumped up into the air and drove his head into Machetti's RUNNING HEADBUTT!
Umaga rolled out of the way and Machetti dropped down to the mat, Umaga dragged Machetti into the middle of the ring. Umaga dropped down on top of Machetti and made a cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Machetti kicked out! Umaga glared down at Machetti and got back up to his feet, then went to the corner and climbed up onto the middle rope. Umaga launched across the ring DIVING HEADBUTT ON MACHETTI! Umaga made the cover, ONE… TWO… THRE… MACHETTI GOT HIS SHOULDER UP! The crowd erupted with cheers as Umaga glared down at Machetti it was obvious to anyone watching that Umaga had thought it was over after that.
Umaga screamed and got up to his feet then went back to the corner, and climbed up onto the top rope. Suddenly Kendrick jumped up onto the ring apron in an attempt to save Machetti, but the referee came over and intercepted him. The referee argued with Kendrick and yelled at him to get off of the apron. Umaga launched off of the top rope BODY SPLA—MARIA PULLED MACHETTI OUT OF THE WAY!! Umaga slammed hard into the mat and rolled onto his back in a daze. Machetti crawled over to Umaga and draped an arm over him, Kendrick jumped down off of the ring apron and the referee made the count, ONE… TWO… THRE… UMAGA KICKED OUT!
Machetti stared down at Umaga in disbelief. Then got up to his feet and went to the corner. Machetti climbed up onto the top rope, but Umaga was already starting to get up up. Machetti took it all in stride and came off of the top rope with a back-flip just as Umaga made it up to his feet. Machetti caught Umaga with a DDT on the way down, SHOOTING STAR PRESS DDT! Machetti quickly rolled Umaga onto his back and made the cover, ONE… TWO… THRE… UMAGA KICKED OUT AGAIN! Machetti rolled off of Umaga and stared at the referee in shock. What did he have to do to put this guy away?
Machetti turned around and glared at Umaga, then reached down to pull Umaga up to his feet, but Umaga grabbed Machetti, lifted him up SPINEBUSTER! Umaga made the cover, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti got his shoulder up. Umaga got up and grabbed Machetti by the throat, then pulled him up to his feet. Umaga raised his arm up into the air and called for the Samoan Spike. Umaga shot his hand down with his thumb poised, SAMOAN SPI… MACHETTI DUCKED! Machetti lashed out his leg and kicked Umaga in the stomach then grabbed him and IMPALER! MACHETTI COUNTERED WITH THE IMPALER! Machetti rolled Umaga onto his back and made a cover, ONE… TWO… THRE… UMAGA STILL MANAGED TO KICK OUT!!
Machetti got up and stared down at Umaga, this guy was a freak!! Machetti jumped up and did a back-flip, STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRE—UMAGA GOT HIS KNEES UP! Machetti rolled off of Umaga and clutched his stomach in pain. Both competitors were going all out, and one of them still had to compete in the Rumble later tonight! Would either of them have anything left? Both men were down, the referee started the double KO count, ONE… TWO… Umaga rolled onto his side. THREE…. FOUR… Machetti rolled over to the ropes. FIVE… SIX… Umaga fought up to his hands and knees while Machetti started pulling himself up with the ropes. SEVEN… EIGHT… Umaga made it back up. NINE… Machetti was back up. The referee stopped the count.
Umaga went over to Machetti and grabbed him, then whipped him across the ring towards the ropes. But Machetti jumped up onto the middle one, springboarded off of it and caught Umaga on the way back OVER CASTLE TAKE OVER!! Umaga was out cold on his back. Machetti staggered up to his feet and went over to the corner, then climbed up onto the top rope. Machetti lunged out of the corner and did a back-flip then landed with a leg drop, SHOOTING STAR PRESS LEG DROP! Machetti made the cover, ONE… TWO… THREE! HE GOT IT! MACHETTI RETAINS THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE AND KEPT HIS SPOT IN THE ROYAL RUMBLE LATER TONIGHT!
The fans cheered loudly as Riot Time hit, but Machetti just laid there on top of Umaga, completely exhausted. That match hadn't even been I match, I had been a high impact war! Machetti might have won this match, but what condition would he be in for the Rumble? "Ladies and gentlemen here is your winner and STILL the WWE Intercontinental Champion, MACHETTI!" Kendrick and Maria got in the ring and helped Machetti up off of Umaga and to his feet, Kendrick threw Machetti's arm over his shoulder and helped support the tired Intercontinental Champion. The referee came over and held out the championship for Machetti. Machetti reached out for it, but instead Maria grabbed it and put it around Machetti's waist. Machetti nodded at Maria in appreciation, Maria just smiled and gave Machetti a quick kiss on the cheek.
The fans were still cheering as Kendrick and Maria helped Machetti out of the ring and headed to the back. Machetti might have won this match, but he was only half way done. He still had to compete in the Royal Rumble later which would probably be much more of a challenge. The first match of the night was over, but there were still five more to go. The crowd was already fired up and it was likely to continue for the rest of the night. The camera cut to Michael Cole and Jonathan Coachman and they ran down the storyline for the Flair/MVP match. They showed clips of Flair's passed Career Threatening Matches against Orton, Umaga, Triple H, and Regal, then the highlights from the last two weeks on Smackdown between Flair and MVP. Meanwhile Umaga rolled out of the ring and headed to the back.
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(A/N: This next segment replaces the Santino/Maria/Ashley BACKSTAGE segment.)
JBL had just beaten Y2J by disqualification. Maria and Brian were sitting next to Machetti who was recovering backstage. He had two more matches to rest, then he had to fight in the Rumble.
There was a knock on the door and Ashley came in. "Hey Ashley," greeted Maria.
"Hi Maria," replied Ashley, "Are you busy? I wanted to ask you something."
"I actually have to do the KissCam," answered Maria.
"You do?" asked Machetti, that was a surprise to him.
"Yeah, sorry," apologized Maria. "Will you be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be alright," replied Machetti, "go on out there."
"Thanks," said Maria, "I'll see you later." Maria quickly left the locker room. Ashley glanced at Machetti and Kendrick then followed after Maria. Kendrick turned to Machetti and looked at him curiously, Machetti simply shrugged. Then the camera faded and went to the ring for the World Heavyweight Championship Match.
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That's the end of Part One. Machetti retained the Intercontinental Championship and now has a spot in the Royal Rumble (Entry Number Fourteen). But being in it is one thing, winning it is another. Can Machetti win the Rumble? You'll have to wait until next chapter to find out.
P.S. The next part might not be out for a while. I need to find a clip of the Royal Rumble online somewhere. If any of you have recorded it, please post it on YouTube, it'll help me have the next chapter out faster. But I'll try to get it out as fast as I can.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!