Chapter Sixty-Something: Three Way
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(A/N: Alright, I decided to change things around a little bit. I wanted to have a better show before the Pay Per View, so I made a lot of changes to the show. First, there's no Y2J vs. JBL match. Second there's no HBK vs. Jeff Hardy match. Third, Triple H WILL be on the card. Just because he had to attend a funeral in the Real World, doesn't mean he has to do the same thing in mine.)
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Raw was live from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin Texas. Mr. McMahon had just asked William Regal to prepare the dismissal papers for Finlay, but Regal has something else to do first. Raw had just come back from a commercial, General Manager William Regal's theme music hit, and the Brit from Blackpool came down to the ring. "Ladies and gentlemen," said Regal once he got in the ring, "I am here now to announce tonight's main event match. In preparation for No Way Out in six days, all six men involved in the Elimination Chamber match will be in action tonight." Regal paused and allowed the fans to cheer. "In fact, all six competitors are going to be in the same match. Tonight's Main Event is going to be a Triple Threat Tag Team Match." Regal paused again and the fans cheered, but some caught on to the hidden meaning and booed.
"The three teams for tonight's contest will be…" continued Regal. "Triple H and Shawn Michaels, in a Degeneration X reunion." Regal paused and the fans cheered loudly. "Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy…" again Regal paused the fans erupted in cheers. "And finally, John Bradshaw Layfield will be teaming up with WWE Intercontinental Champion, Machetti." The fans booed that last team, no one liked JBL, but someone had to team with him. "The winning team of this contest will have the momentum going into the Elimination Chamber Match. So, good luck to all of the competitors." With that Regal's music hit and the General Manager headed to the back. Raw then went to another commercial break.
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Raw came back and Regal and McMahon were shown backstage again. McMahon had decided against firing Finlay and was going to face Hornswoggle in a Cage Match on next week's Raw. The camera cut and then went backstage with JBL in his locker room, getting read for the Main Event. He still had on his white ten gallon hat, but he was dressed to compete. There was a knock on the door and Machetti came in with the Intercontinental Title on his shoulder. "Well would you look who it is," commented JBL, "the rookie."
"Rookie?" repeated Machetti. "Take it easy cowboy. At least I'm not a washed up Color Commentator."
"Watch your tone you little punk," scolded Layfield. "I am a former WWE Champion, United States Champion, Hardcore Champion, and a three time Tag Team Champion. I am a Stock Market Tycoon, and I am a WRESTLING GOD!!You should be honored to have a superstar of my caliber as your partner. Face it kid, you lucked out tonight."
"Really?" questioned Machetti. "Here I was thinking that I got the short end of this deal."
"I will not be spoken to in that manner, boy!" snapped JBL. "Like it or not, we're partners tonight. If you want to have any chance of winning this match you'll shut up and do what I tell you to! You got that? Or do you need me to repeat it in layman's terms so you can understand the concept?"
"I may be a rookie compared to everyone else in this match," countered Machetti. "But I'm not stupid. Winning this match will give us momentum heading into No Way Out, and given the history of the Elimination Chamber match, and the competition we'll be facing, I'll need as much momentum as I can get. So I'll team with you tonight, but the second I pin one of those other four, and that bell rings, we're back to being enemies. And if we cross paths in that Chamber, I will not hesitate to beat you down and eliminate you. So I'll see you out at the ring, partner." With that Machetti turned and left the room, leaving JBL on his own. Raw cut to the ring for the Paul Burchill/Brian Kendrick match.
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John Cena had just beaten Mark Henry then Raw cut to the back and showed Jeff Hardy and Chris Jericho standing together with Todd Grisham in the interview area. "Jeff, Chris," began Grisham. "Tonight you two will be teaming up in the Triple Threat Tag Team Main Event. How do you feel?"
"You know, I've got no problems with this guy," said Jericho. "In fact, I don't really have a problem with any of my opponents, with the exception of JBL. But if any of them cross me I will do whatever is necessary to win the match."
"We're partners tonight Todd," continued Hardy. "But at No Way Out, it's every man for himself. I want to realize my dream and go on to fight in the Main Event at WrestleMania. So no matter what happens tonight, I'm still going to go all out at No Way Out. I will sacrifice my body to win the Elimination Chamber match on Sunday. I'm issuing a warning to everyone… you get in my way… I'll eliminate you." Hardy turned and glanced at Jericho, who turned and stared back at him. "That goes for you too, but for tonight… I've got your back." With that, Hardy walked off and the segment ended.
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Melina had just defeated Maria in a singles match. Jillian Hall had come to ringside during the match and distracted Maria to allow Melina to get the win. Maria was going to have to make her decision to pose for Playboy next week. Now Triple H was shown in the locker room taping up his wrists. He was once again wearing a D-X t-shirt and was getting ready for the Main Event that was up next. There was a knock on the door and Shawn Michaels came in wearing a D-X shirt of his own.
"Shawn," greeted the Game.
"Hunter," returned the Showstopper.
"We're back again, but that's just for tonight," Triple H told him.
"I know, but I still managed to get a hold of this D-X t-shirt," replied Michaels as he turned and showed his shirt off for the camera. Triple H turned and smiled at the camera as well. "The new D-X t-shirt and all your Degeneration X merchandise can, as always, be found at WWE Shop dot com."
"As I was saying," continued HHH, getting back on subject. "Tonight we're back. But that's just for tonight. At No Way Out if it comes down to just you and me. I won't hesitate to hit you with the Pedigree and pin you, one… two… three…"
"I wouldn't expect anything less," replied HBK. "But it won't be a Pedigree. It will be Sweet Chin Music. But now that that's out of the way, let's get going." Triple H nodded then the two of them headed to the locker room as Raw went to a commercial.
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Are You Ready? The Degeneration X theme hit and Shawn Michaels and Triple H came out from the back to a loud ovation for the Main Event. HBK and HHH headed down to the ring and got in. Triple H got a mic and addressed the crowd. "I've got a question I need answered. Are you ready?" The fans cheered loudly in response. "NO, I SAID ARE… YOU… READY!!?" The fans erupted in an even louder response. "Then… for the thousands in attendance… for the millions watching at home… and for all of our opponents, who are going to get a less than healthy dosage of Degeneration X… LLLLLLLLLETS GET READY TO SUCK IIIIIIT!!!" The fans cheered and started a chant forD-X, then Shawn came over and took the mic.
"And if you're not down with that…" said Shawn, "We've still got two… words… for ya!!" A loud shout of SUCK IT!!! came from all around the arena.
They got rid of the mic and pulled off their shirts as Jeff Hardy's theme hit. The fans jumped up and screamed as Hardy came out from the back and did his 'extreme' dancing. Jeff headed down to the ring and slid in the ran to a corner and jumped up onto the middle rope and did his usual gesture. Hardy jumped down and Break the Walls Down hit. The SaveUs theme played on the TitanTron while Jericho stood with his back facing the crowd in top of the entrance ramp. Then when his pyro exploded he spun around to a loud cheer from the fans. Jericho headed down to the ring and joined the other three men inside. Y2J turned and glared at the TitanTron as JBL's theme hit.
The longhorn limousine came out from the back and drove out onto the entrance ramp. JBL's driver got out and opened the door, allowing the Wrestling God to step out of the limo to a loud chorus of boos. But suddenly Riot Time hit and interrupted JBL's theme, much to the amusement of the crowd. Machetti ran out from the back and down the ramp then jumped up onto the back up JBL's limo and ran up onto the roof. JBL glared at Machetti from down on the ramp, but Machetti turned around and shrugged then walked backwards across the roof down the windshield and onto the hood. Machetti stood on the longhorns then back-flipped off of the limo and landed on the ramp in front of it with his arms up in the air, at the same time a blast of white pyro shot up and ran down the sides of the entrance ramp. Machetti smirked at JBL and turned and headed down the ring. Bradshaw glared after hispartner then reluctantly followed him down to the ring and got inside.
The three teams were now all in the ring, Jericho made to rush at Layfield, but Hardy and the referee held him back and kept the altercation from starting. The three teams circled around the ring the match was about to get underway, but before it could, Raw went to its final commercial break. (A/N: Like I'd do a commercial break in the middle of this match.)
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Raw came back and the three teams were in their corners. Triple H and Shawn Michaels were in the corner closest to the entrance ramp. Jericho and Hardy were in the one opposite them, while JBL and Machetti were in the corner facing the camera without steps. Jericho got in the ring and stared at Layfield. JBL got in the ring and headed for Y2J, but at the last second he turned around, backed into the corner and tagged in Machetti, then got out of the ring and stood on the floor, urging Machetti to started the match. Machetti glared at his partner, then turned to Jericho and shrugged. The bell rang and the match started.
Jericho and Machetti locked up, Machetti took control with a side headlock, then pushed Jericho off of him and into the ropes, Jericho came back and took Machetti down with a shoulder block. Jericho ran back to the ropes, but Machetti rolled to the side after Jericho, so when Y2J came back, he ran right over Machetti. Jericho went into the ropes on the other side of the ring, then came back, Machetti jumped up and grabbed Jericho then dropped down onto his back, and launched Jericho over him for a monkey flip/jaw breaker type of move. Machetti and Jericho rolled to the side and both of them got back up to their feet.
Machetti and Jericho locked up again, after a brief struggle, Jericho started backing Machetti up into the one empty corner. Jericho suddenly broke the lock up and shoved Machetti, causing him to go back-first into the turnbuckle. Jericho went to follow up with a chop, but Machetti quickly grabbed Jericho's arm, then spun around and tossed him into the corner. Machetti went to follow up, but Jericho shot his arms out and shoved Machetti backwards. Machetti staggered back two steps then glared at Jericho while Jericho glared right back.
Jericho charged forward and they did another lock up, Y2J seemed a little aggravated, and managed to back Machetti all the way across the ring and into his corner. Jericho stepped back and glared at Machetti and JBL, who had gotten back on the apron. "Tag him!" ordered Jericho, who clearly wanted a piece of Layfield. Machetti shrugged then quickly slapped his partner across the face and got out of the ring and onto the ring apron. Bradshaw glared at Machetti and swung at him, but Machetti ducked it, then jumped off of the ring apron and stood on the floor with his arms crossed. "Turn about is fair play, partner," Machetti told him.
Jericho suddenly ran over dropped down to his knees in front of JBL, then hit him with an inverted back body drop, launching him over the top rope and into the ring. Jericho turned around and rushed over to JBL who had quickly gotten back up, the two of them started trading shots in the middle of the ring. Jericho took advantage after ducking a punch from Layfield, then chopped him across the chest. Jericho went to hit another chop, but JBL suddenly poked him in the eyes. Jericho staggered backwards, and JBL ran in and took him down with a big clothesline (but not the Clothesline from Hell). JBL dropped down onto his knees and applied a lateral press, ONE… TW… Jericho kicked out. JBL backed away from Jericho, who shot back up to his feet and looked like he wanted to start back up again. But Layfield backed away from Jericho, then reached back and tagged in Michaels, before quickly getting on the ring apron, he didn't want any more of Jericho at the moment.
JBL went back over to his corner and glared at his partner while HBK got in the ring and faced off with Y2J. Jericho and Michaels locked up, Michaels got in a headlock, then took Jericho down onto his back. But Jericho quickly countered by locking in a head scissors, so both men released their hold, then rolled to the side and got up to their feet. They locked up again, but this time Jericho grabbed Michaels' arm, then flipped him over hi shoulder and onto his back with an arm drag, then kept his hold on Michaels' arm for an arm wrench. But Michaels reached up with his legs and locked in a head scissors like Jericho had done, they released their holds, rolled to the side and got back up again.
They locked up a third time, HBK got in a headlock, and then did a headlock takedown. Michaels kept his arm around Jericho's head for a headlock, but sat up and was careful to stay away from Jericho's legs. Jericho grabbed Michaels and rolled him onto his back for a quickly pin, ONE… TW… but Michaels rolled back up into his sitting position, and during the whole time, kept the headlock locked in. Michaels got up, dragging Jericho along with him, but Y2J hit a series of three elbows to get out of the headlock, then ran to the ropes, came off and took Michaels down with a shoulder block.
Jericho ran to the ropes and like Machetti had done in the beginning of the match, Michaels rolled to the side. Jericho ran over him and into the ropes on the other side of the ring. Michaels shot back up then leap-frogged Jericho when he came back Jericho went into the ropes and came off, Michaels jumped up looking for something but Jericho put on the breaks and stayed away from him. Michaels landed and Jericho lashed out and slapped him across the chest. Michaels came back and took Jericho down with a punch Jericho got back up and turned back to Michaels, Michaels went to follow up, but Jericho kneed him in the stomach, then took him down with a short arm clothesline. Jericho pulled Michaels back up and whipped him into the ropes then jumped up when Michaels came back and took him down with a spinning wheel kick to the face.
Michaels rolled away from Jericho and tagged in Triple H, HHH came in and took Jericho down with a clothesline, then pulled him back up and whipped him into the ropes. Triple H bent over looking for a back body drop, but Jericho held onto the ropes, then darted forward and kicked Triple H in the face. Triple H staggered backwards while Jericho went over to his corner and tagged in Hardy. The fans popped loudly as Hardy hopped over the top rope, then ran over and took Triple H down with a flying forearm. HHH and Hardy got back up, but Hardy ran in and took the Game down with an extreme neckbreaker, then made a cover, ONE… TWO… Triple H kicked out.
Triple H and Hardy got back up to their feet, but Hardy rushed over and pushed Triple H back into the corner JBL and Machetti were in. Hardy kneed Triple H in the stomach, then climbed up onto the middle rope, and then onto Triple H's shoulders. Hardy launched HHH across the ring with a hurricurana, but as Hardy was getting back up, Machetti suddenly reached into the ring and slapped Hardy on the back, tagging himself in. Hardy glared at Machetti who just smirked in return. Jeff left the ring, while Machetti turned his attention back to Triple H who was getting back up to his feet.
HHH looked like he was going to do something, but Michaels suddenly called out to him and held his arm out into the ring. "Hunter, I want him," said Michaels. Triple H shrugged then went over and tagged in Michaels. Michaels got in the ring and stood across it from his former protégé Machetti. "Let's see what you've got kid," challenged Michaels. Machetti nodded then they met in the middle of the ring and locked up, Michaels took control by grabbing Machetti's right arm, then he slipped behind Machetti and pinned his arm to his back for a wristlock. But Machetti stepped away from Michaels then did a forward roll to straighten his arm, he pulled Michaels toward him looking for a clothesline, but Michaels ducked it, then regained his hold on Machetti's arm, and slipped behind him once again. "Gotta do better than that kid," taunted Michaels.
Machetti reached back and got his arm around Michaels' neck, possibly looking for a takedown, but Michaels lifted Machetti up from behind and went for a back Suplex, only Machetti slipped out of it and landed behind Michaels. Machetti pushed Michaels into the ropes, then dropped down so Michaels ran over him when he came back. HBK went into the ropes then came off, but Machetti jumped up and leap-frogged him. Michaels kept going and ran into the ropes, then came back. Machetti caught Michaels and went for a hip toss, but Michaels blocked it and went for one of his own, but Machetti blocked that, then jumped up and got his legs around Michaels' head, spun to the side and hit a head scissors take down. Michaels rolled to the side and both of them got back up. "How's that?" asked Machetti, his usual smirk now back again.
Michaels didn't answer, instead he and Machetti locked up again. Michaels whipped Machetti towards the corner, then went after him. Machetti dropped down to his knees and skidded to a stop, then put his arms down in front of him and shot both of his legs out behind him, driving both of his feet into Michaels' stomach for a mule kick. Machetti followed up by rolling forward and up to his feet, then he did a standing back-flip and drove his feet into Michaels' face for a back-flip kick, knocking Michaels on his back. But before Machetti could capitalize, HBK rolled away and got back up to his feet. "When did you start doing that?" wondered Michaels.
"Just now," replied Machetti with a shrug. He charged at Michaels and they locked up, Machetti started pushing Michaels backwards, but HBK quickly whipped Machetti into the ropes. Machetti went into the ropes and came off with a handspring, he went for a back elbow on Michaels, but Michaels side-stepped him and ducked under Machetti's arm, then chopped him squarely across the chest when he landed. Michaels chopped Machetti again and he staggered back into the ropes. HBK then grabbed Machetti and whipped him across the ring, then bent down looking for a back body drop when he came back. But Machetti jumped up and dove over Michaels, then caught him with a roll up pin on the way down, ONE… Michaels pushed himself up off of the mat and flipped Machetti onto his back, ONE… T…Machetti rolled away from Michaels, then grabbed his legs and flipped over him for a bridge, ONE… TW… Michaels pushed both of them up off of the mat and to their feet, Michaels turned around so they were facing, but Machetti quickly grabbed Michaels and got a small package, ONE… TWO… Michaels countered it into an Oklahoma roll, ONE… TWO… Machetti kicked out and both of them rolled away from each other and got up to their feet.
The four wrestlers outside of the ring were watching carefully, the match could have been over with any one of those. Michaels nodded at Machetti, "You're getting better," then he stepped back and tagged in Triple H. Triple H and Machetti met in the middle of the ring and locked up. HHH, who was clearly the stronger of the two, backed Machetti up into the ropes, then whipped him across the ring. Triple H ran at him and took Machetti down wit ha running knee lift. Then he pulled Machetti back up and whipped him into the ropes, then caught him as he came back with his usual facebuster. Triple H grabbed onto Machetti again and whipped him into the ropes. Machetti came off and Triple H reached out looking to hit the spinebuster, but Machetti launched himself up into the air, over Triple H's head, and landed in a roll, Machetti made a diving tag to Jericho, then rolled under the bottom rope and dropped down to the floor. JBL looked pissed that his team was no longer in the match for the time, but Machetti had stopped the Game's rapidly increasing momentum.
Jericho charged at Triple H and ducked a punch, then turned around, only to get knocked on his back by a second punch. Jericho got back up and Triple H punched him again, then whipped him into the ropes. Triple H caught Jericho as he came back with a back body drop and Jericho once again landed hard, back-first, on the mat. Jericho got back up and Triple H went over to him, wrenched his arm, then took him down with a clothesline short arm clothesline. Triple H reached down and pulled Jericho back up, then pulled Y2J towards him and took him down with a second clothesline. Jericho rolled away from Triple H and got up in the corner Michaels was in. Michaels stepped back and raised his arms up in the air, showing he wasn't doing anything. Triple H came over, but Jericho lashed out his leg and kicked the Game in the midsection. Jericho followed up with a series of three chops and back Triple H across the ring and into the ropes.
Jericho went to whip Triple H across the ring, but HHH reversed it and sent Y2J into the ropes instead. Jericho ducked the clothesline from the Game and ran into the ropes, then came back and ran right into a knee lift from Triple H. Jericho rolled over to the ropes and pull himself up then turned to face Triple H, who ran in and took Jericho down with a lou threz press, then started raining down right hands on Jericho's face. The referee came over and scolded Triple H on his excessive use of closed fists. Triple H stared at the referee, then got up off of Jericho and pulled him to his feet. Triple H went to whip Jericho into the ropes but Jericho reversed it, then ran after Triple H to the ropes. HHH hit the ropes and bounced off, Jericho bounced off of the ropes next to him, and nailed a running bulldog. Jericho quickly rolled to the side and tagged in Hardy.
Jeff got in the ring just as Triple H was getting back up, the two of them stared down for a moment. They met in the middle of the ring and locked up, but Triple H quickly took control and whipped Hardy towards the empty corner. Hardy jumped up onto the top rope then came off… WHISPER IN THE WIND! Hardy rolled onto Triple H for the cover, ONE… TWO… T… Triple H kicked out. Hardy got up and whipped Triple H into the empty corner, then climbed up on the middle rope and started raining down punches, the fans counted along, one… two… three… four… five… six… Hardy lunged backwards off of the ropes then launched himself forward looking to drive his feet into Triple H's stomach, TRIPLE H MOVED! Hardy drove his feet into the turnbuckle and fell hard on the mat. Triple H capitalized with a cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Hardy kicked out. Triple H got up and dragged Hardy up to his feet, then went over to his corner and tagged in Michaels.
Michaels came in and he and Triple H whipped Hardy across the ring and into the ropes, then caught Hardy as he came back and planted him with a double hip toss. Michaels pulled Hardy up and whipped him into the ropes then caught him with an inverted atomic drop when he came back. Hardy staggered backwards and Michaels quickly grabbed him, lifted him up then hit a scoop slam. Michaels went to the corner Triple H was in and climbed up onto the top rope, then came off MICHAELS HITS THE ELBOW DROP!! HBK got up and went to the empty corner, then started tuning up the band while Hardy struggled to his feet. Hardy got up and turned to face Michaels SWEET CHIN MUSI—HARDY DUCKS IT—TWIST OF FATE!! Hardy got back up to his feet and went to the empty corner and climbed up top, then launched himself at Michaels SWANTON BOM—MICHAELS MOVED!! JEFF HARDY CRASHED AND BURNED! BOTH MEN WERE DOWN!
Machetti stared down at Michaels, who was lying near his corner, then turned to JBL and said something to him. JBL nodded and carefully held onto the ring post and stepped around the corner so he was on the same side of the ring as Machetti, then he reached down and lifted Machetti's legs, and lifted him over the top rope, causing Machetti to hang into the ring. Machetti reached out and tapped Michaels' shoulder, tagging himself in. JBL dropped Machetti, who quickly got back up to his feet and ran at Hardy, who was just getting back up, and took him down with a running corkscrew dropkick. :Machetti dragged Hardy into the middle of the ring, then hit a standing shooting star press and made the cover, ONE… TWO… THR… Hardy managed to kick out.
Machetti got up and dragged Hardy to his feet then brought him over to the corner JBL was in and tagged in his partner. JBL got in the ring and they both lifted Hardy up into the air for a double vertical suplex. But instead of falling backwards, Machetti and JBL tossed Hardy forwards causing him to land hard on his face and stomach. Machetti got out of the ring, while Hardy pushed himself up onto his hands and knees, JBL ran in and kicked Hardy hard in the ribs, causing Hardy to roll onto his back. JBL got down on Hardy and started raining down hard closed fist punches to Jeff's face, the referee came over and scolded Layfield for the closed fist punches.
JBL glared at the referee and got to his feet, then dragged Hardy into the corner where he tagged in Machetti. Machetti climbed up into the top rope, while JBL lifted Hardy up for a vertical suplex, Machetti came off of the top and caught the upside down Jeff Hardy with a crossbody, while at the same time JBL slammed him down to the mat. JBL got out of the ring while Machetti made the cover, ONE… TWO… THRE… Jericho came in and broke it up. Machetti stared after Jericho while the referee escorted him back to the corner.
Machetti turned his attention back to Hardy and pulled him up to his feet, then kneed him in the midsection before whipping him into the corner. Machetti ran at Hardy, did a handspring then a front-flip, TURNBUCKLE SENTON! Machetti dropped down and rolled to the side, while Hardy dropped down to the mat, Machetti made the cover, ONE… TWO… TH… Hardy got his shoulder up. Machetti got off of Hardy and got up to his feet, then reached down to pull Hardy up. Suddenly Jeff hit a series of shots to Machetti's midsection, and quickly stood back up. But Machetti came back and hit a big uppercut, sending Hardy staggering backwards. Machetti grabbed Hardy and whipped him into the corner JBL was in, Machetti ran over and jumped up into the air and nailed a body splash, then reached out and tagged in JBL.
JBL came in and he and Machetti threw Hardy down onto the mat so he was lying on his back. Layfield grabbed Machetti and lifted him up, then turned him upside down and slammed him down on top of Hardy for a scoop slam. Machetti rolled off of Hardy and out of the ring, while JBL went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… Triple H came in and broke it up! JBL glared at HHH as the Game went back to his corner and stood next to Michaels.
JBL directed his attention back to Jeff and sat him up then locked in a sleeper hold. If everyone was going to keep on coming in to break up the pins, he was going to make Hardy tap out. JBL cranked on the pressure and tried to get Hardy to submit, but then the fans started getting behind Hardy and a HARDY chant broke out. The chant grew louder and louder and motivated Jeff to start fighting out of JBL's sleeper hold. Hardy hit and elbow, and then another one, before getting up onto one knee. Hardy hit a third elbow, and then a fourth and finally got up to his feet, with a final fifth elbow Jeff broke the hold, then grabbed JBL and nailed him with a jawbreaker. JBL staggered backwards towards the ropes, while Hardy turned and crawled over to his corner. JBL TAGGED IN MACHETTI, HARDY TAGGED IN Y2J!
Jericho came in and took Machetti down with a clothesline. Machetti got back up, but Jericho ran into the ropes then came back and took him down with another clothesline. Jericho got back up and pulled Machetti up with him, then whipped him into the ropes, Machetti came back and Jericho launched him up into the air, then slammed him down again for a flapjack. Jericho rolled Machetti onto his back, then got up and ran to the ropes, Jericho jumped up onto the middle rope then back-flipped off of it, LIONSAULT!! Jericho made the pin, ONE... TWO… THRE… MACHETTI KICKED OUT!
Jericho got off of Machetti and pull him up to his feet, and then whipped him into the ropes, and ducked down as Machetti came back. But instead of launching him into the air for a back body drop, he reached down, grabbed Machetti's legs and flipped him onto his back. Jericho held both of Machetti's legs under his arms and rolled Machetti onto his stomach, WALLS OF JERICHO! JERICHO HAS THE WALLS OF JERICHO LOCKED IN!!
Machetti screamed out in pain and attempted to reach for the ropes, but Y2J dragged him back into the middle of the ring, Machetti was stranded in the middle of nowhere. Machetti continued to scream in agony and lifted his arm to tap, but suddenly JBL came in, bounced off of the ropes, CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL TO JERICHO!! JBL stared down at Y2J, then turned around, SWEET CHIN MUSIC FROM MICHAELS!
Bradshaw hit the mat, and rolled out of the ring and dropped down to the floor. But Machetti suddenly shot back up, grabbed HBK, MACHETE'S BLADE! MACHETE'S BLADE TO MICHAELS! Machetti got off of his former mentor, but Triple H came in and spun him around, kicked him in the mid section, bent him over and hooked his arms, PEDIGREE TO MACHETTI! HHH stood over Machetti and did his 'Triple H' taunt, but suddenly Hardy got up and ran in, kicked the Game in the stomach, TWIST OF FATE ON TRIPLE H!!
The fans cheered, Hardy was the only one standing in the ring. Outside of the ring though, Michaels and Layfield had gotten back up and were brawling at ringside. Hardy ran to the ropes, jumped up onto the top one then flipped off, HARDY TOOK OUT JBL AND HBK WITH A SUICIDE PLANCHA!! All three of them were down at ringside, and back in the ring all three competitors were down there. But Jericho stared moving and crawled over to Machetti, then made the cover, ONE… TWO… THRE… TRIPLE H BROKE IT UP!
Jericho got up and Triple H rushed at him at kicked Jericho in the stomach. HHH bent Jericho over, PEDIGRE—JERICHO COUNTERED OUT OF IT… THEN HIT THE CODEBREAKER! CODEBREAKER ON TRIPLE H! HHH was launched backwards and fell to the mat, then rolled out of the ring and dropped down to the floor. Jericho got back up and turned around, IMPALER FROM MACHETTI! Machetti rolled Jericho onto his back and ran to the corner and jumped up onto the top rope. Machetti came off with a back-flip and landed with a leg drop, SHOOTING STAR PRESS LEG DROP! Machetti made the cover, ONE… TWO… THREE! MACHETTI GOT THE PIN!!
Riot Time hit and Machetti got back up to his feet, but Hardy got in the ring and Machetti quickly bailed to the outside. Machetti went to the timekeeper's corner and got his Intercontinental Title back. But then he noticed something else there at ringside. Machetti grabbed JBL's white cowboy hat and put it on his head, then ran around the ring, passed the three men getting up at ringside and up the entrance ramp. Machetti stood tall on top of the entrance ramp wearing JBL's hat. Hardy and Jericho glared from the ring, while down at the floor HHH, HBK, and even JBL glared at the Intercontinental Champion as well. Machetti took JBL's hat off waved it around, he had just won the match and now he had the momentum going into the Elimination Chamber match on Sunday. It wasn't much but it give him a slight mental advantage over everyone else. Machetti had won tonight, but would he be able to win again at No Way Out? Those were the final thoughts running through the minds of the fans as Raw came to a close and went off the air.
---x---
I felt this was a better way to prepare for the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out than what WWE did, they didn't have HHH, and I had all six competitors in one match. I also wanted to show that even though Machetti is the least experienced in the match on Sunday, he still has a shot at winning it.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!