Chapter Seventy: The Unveiling
---x---
Raw was live from the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Indiana. The commercial break had just ended, previously Umaga had destroyed Super Crazy in a one-on-one match, making things look promising for the Raw end of the Smackdown vs. Raw Brand Supremacy match. Now Chris Jericho was standing in the ring, behind him was the familiar set for the Highlight Reel. Three chairs were set up in the middle of the ring and the extremely expensive Jeritron-6000 was hanging up above the ropes.
"Welcome to the return of the illustrious Highlight Reel!" greeted Jericho. A blast of pyro erupted out each corner. "Now this is the Talk Show that spawned all of the imitators, Carlito Cabana, Cutting Edge, Are You Smarter than Snitsky, Cooking with Goldberg, all those ones and we're back baby!!"
Jericho then continued, "and tonight I want to talk about the Money in the Bank Match at WrestleMania. The highly anticipated spectacle that guarantees the victor a WWE Championship match whenever he chooses to cash it in for up to one year afterwards. My first guest tonight is the man who qualified first for this year's Money in the Bank Match, the man who many believe is the number one, odds on favorite to win the whole kit-and-caboodle, ladies and gentlemen, Jericoholics, and everyone in between… JEFF HARDY!!"
Jeff Hardy's new theme No More Words hit and Jeff Hardy came out from the back wearing street clothes and doing his usual dance moves. Hardy eventually made it to the ring and shook hands with Jericho. The fans cheered and chanted Hardy over and over again. "Welcome Jeff, and it seems like the people of Indianapolis love you tonight!"
The fans cheered, then Hardy changed the subject. "And my second guest, is the most recent qualifier for the Money in the Bank Match, the Intercontinental Champion… MACHETTI!" Riot Time hit and Machetti came out from the back to a large ovation from the crowd. He was wearing street clothes like Jericho and Hardy were and had the Intercontinental Title on his shoulder. Machetti ran down the entrance ramp then jumped up and slid under the bottom rope and into the ring. Machetti jumped up and faced the other two superstars in the ring.
"Now Jeff," continued Jericho. "Machetti here qualified for the Money in the Bank match last week by beating… yours truly. So let's go to the jaw-droppingly, highly, obscenely expensive Jeritron-6000, in high definition and see what transpired… monkeys!"
The Jeritron-6000 showed the clips from the Jericho/Machetti match last week. They showed clips of Machetti locking in the sharpshooter, and Jericho locking in the Walls of Jericho, Machetti hitting the Machete's Blade, Jericho hitting the Code Breaker, Machetti hitting Jericho with a Powerbomb off of the top rope, getting the pin, and finally Machetti celebrating the win with Maria.
"I must say, I enjoyed that particular footage," commented Machetti.
"I'll tell you what Chris…" Hardy started to say, but Jericho cut him off.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" interrupted Jericho. "I know where you're going with this, WrestleMania, a Ladder Match, Jeff Hardy, its your time to shine! I understand coming from but I want you guys to understand where I'm coming from." Jericho turned and glanced at Machetti, who was sitting to the side in one of the chairs. "Jeff, you can climb twenty foot ladder and do a Swanton, crash through half a dozen tables, dip yourself in molten lava, shoot laser beams out of your eyes…"
Jericho then turned to Machetti, "And Machetti, you might have beaten me last week, you might be able smash through glass, tolerate large amounts of pain, withstand bullets, and fly… but it doesn't make one iota of difference… I'm gonna find a way into the Money in the Bank match, and there's nothing either of you, or anybody else can do to stop Y2J from winning at WrestleMania."
The fans cheered and Machetti turned to Hardy, "Can you really shoot lasers out of your eyes?" he asked.
Hardy just shrugged and addressed Jericho, "You know Chris, a lot has changed since you were last here. I few years ago, I would have probably wished you guys luck, nodded my head and walked away, but I'm not that dude any more. I'm not satisfied with just being me now, I'm going to do whatever it takes to beat you, Machetti, and everybody else in the Money in the Bank, climb that ladder, get the briefcase, win the match, and become champion."
Jericho nodded and shrugged, while Machetti spun to the side and put his feet up on the empty chair next to him. "Alright Jeff, fair enough," said Chris. "And if you became champion, I mean that would be a nice feather in your hat, but I wanna remind you, that I was the WWE Champion. I was the very first Undisputed WWE Champion. And I understand how high the stakes are in the Money in the Bank match, but from this point forward I wanna tell you, you're no longer my friend, you're no longer my peer, you're just a target. And I'm going to do whatever it takes to get in to the match, and from then to WrestleMania anything goes."
"You know, I'm starting to feel like a wallflower here," commented Machetti. "But I'd just like to point out, that Chris, you received your last title shot at New Year's Revolution and you lost. Jeff, you received your last title shot at the Royal Rumble, but you lost too. You two have had title shots this year, and as far as I'm concerned, it's my turn now. I lost my title last year back in October and didn't get a rematch, and have received no title shots since then. All three of us lost in the Elimination Chamber, but I remember distinctly pinning both of you. I am going to win the Money in the Bank Match, and I am going to regain the title that is rightfully mine."
Jericho and Hardy both glared at Machetti. "You might have a point, Machetti," admitted Hardy. "You haven't had a shot in the while, but unlike the Savior here, you actually might have a chance of winning this thing. You know what they say, you have to be in it to win it."
"Hold it right there ass-clown!" Jericho cut in, much to Machetti's amusement. "Why don't you and I go at it right now, and we'll see who doesn't have a chance of winning."
Both men stepped forward and stood face-to-face and were practically nose-to-nose. "Look guys," said Machetti as he got off of his chair and stood up, trying to stop the tense moment before it escalated. "Let's see if we can resolve this WWE-Style. All three of us obviously want to be in the Money in the Bank Match at WrestleMania, but only two of us actually have spots in it. So how about this, later tonight, the three of us face off in a triple threat match. The superstar that gets loses is out of the Money in the Bank match, while the winner and the person that isn't involved in the decision get the two spots in the match. How does that sound?" Machetti paused and the fans cheered loudly, after Machetti and Jericho's match last week, this would be great, and adding Jeff Hardy to the mix would only serve to make the match better.
"You know what," commented Jericho, "you might be onto something, Junior. You're on! That is, if the Rainbow-Haired Warrior over here isn't scared."
"Jericho, if you think I'm scared, you obviously don't know me very well," replied Hardy. "I'm possibly the biggest risk-taker in the WWE…"
Machetti interrupted by coughing something that sounded like Mayweather.
"… well he isn't in the WWE," corrected Hardy. "The point is, there's no risk that I wouldn't take. If risking my spot in the Money in the Bank Match tonight proves that I deserve to be in it, then I'm in."
"That's what I thought," commented Machetti as he stepped back and allowed the tense stare down between Jericho and Hardy to continue. Suddenly Machetti shoved Jericho into Hardy, but Hardy grabbed him TWIST OF FATE! No More Words ht and Machetti quickly bailed out of the ring and headed to the back. Hardy stood tall in the middle of the ring over Jericho, then the camera cut to the back and showed Kennedy getting heading down to the ring, his match with John Cena is up next. With that Raw went to a commercial break.
---x---
Raw came back from a commercial break and Jerry Lawler was standing in the middle of the ring, it was time for the unveiling of Maria's Playboy cover. The mat had a Playboy logo in the middle and there was an aisle with a red cover over it was behind him. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you, the diva who is going to be appearing on the cover of this month's Playboy. Right now, joined by her fellow Diva and Playboy Playmate, Candice Michelle, let's welcome, MARIA!!" With Legs Like That hit prompting Maria and Candice to come out from the back. Candice took Maria's hand and the two of them headed down the ramp. While they headed down to the ring King announced that Snopp Dogg was going to be the Master of Ceremonies for BunnyMania.
Maria and Candice got in the ring and Maria got a mic, "What's up all you stars and studs in Indianapolis!!" The fans cheered. "First, I have to say that this is such an honor. It has been such an amazing opportunity and a thrilling experience, and I still can not believe that I am going to be on the cover of PLAYBOY!!!"
"Well, you can believe it," said King, "cause you are. And congratulations are in order."
"Thank you," replied Maria.
"So," continued King. "Are ya ready?" King paused and the fans cheered. "Is everybody ready for a little sneak peak at Playboy's cover featuring Maria? Do you wanna hear it-do you wanna see it!?" The fans cheered loudly, that was a resounding yes. "Okay…" said King as he turned towards it, but La Vittoria e Mia hit and Santino Marella came out and interrupted the ceremony. Marella came out and got in the ring, completely uninvited.
"I'm sorry Maria," apologized Santino. "But I cannot let you do dis. I told you time an time again not to do this Playboy! Now I have been forced to intervene."
"Santino, this isn't your decision," snapped Maria. "This is my decision! Nobody is gonna make this decision for me! I've already posed for Playboy, and I want the whole world to see it."
"Maria, stop being so stubborn!" said Santino. "I am-a only trying to help."
Suddenly Riot Time hit and Machetti ran out from the back, he was wearing his wrestling gear and a t-shirt, he quickly slid in the ring then got up and stared at Santino. "Okay now you're really starting to piss me off," said Machetti. "I've told you countless times that this has nothing to do with you, and that this is not your decision. Maria told you the same thing just now. I'm only going to say this one more time, and if you don't get the hell out of here, then we'll have a problem. I'm going to say this slowly and I'm going to use small one syllable words so that my point can actually get through your thick skull." Machetti took a deep breath and stared directly at Santino. "Not… your… choice… Go… now…"
"You can't talk-a to me like-a dat!" said Santino. "You do not know what you are doing."
"Alright, I'm done with this," snapped Machetti. "King…" King quickly grabbed the still covered poster and threw it to Machetti. Machetti swung it and smashed it over Santino's head. Santino staggered backwards with the cover still over his head and fell out of the ring and down to the floor.
"Machetti!" exclaimed Maria, "you just ruined the cover we were about to unveil!" The crowd booed loudly at that.
Machetti looked sheepish and stared down at the mat in front of him, but then Candice took the mic away from him. "Maria, don't worry," said Maria. "Fortunately, that wasn't the only cover we had planned for tonight." Machetti looked up and seemed relieved, while Candice addressed the fans. "Now, do you all want to see Maria's Playboy cover!?" The fans cheered loudly. "I think that's a unanimous decision. So on the count of three, guys, let's unveil the other cover." Machetti stepped back while Candice, Maria, and Lawler stood in the middle of the ring, "ONE… TWO… THREE!" Red pyro shot up and With Legs Like That hit, a much larger version of Maria's Playboy cover dropped form the rafters.
The fans cheered, while Machetti stood to the side and clapped for Maria with a smile on his face. But on the floor Santino pulled the red drape and the smaller poster off of his head and flipped out on the floor. Machetti got out of the ring and ducked a punch from Santino then hit him with an Impaler. Machetti got up and dragged Santino to his feet then tossed him over his shoulder and headed up the ramp to the back, leaving Maria, Candice, and King to celebrate in the ring. JR promoted the Finlay/JBL confrontation, the Hardy/Jericho/Machetti triple threat match, and then the Orton/HHH main event before Raw went to a commercial break.
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Raw came back from the break after the unveiling and Machetti was shown walking out of the arena with Santino still on his shoulder, Machetti stopped in front of a dumpster and dropped Santino on the ground, then used his freed hands to open up the top of it. Machetti reached down and pulled Santino up then tossed Santino in the dumpster and shut the lid. Machetti smirked then turned and headed back into the arena, but stopped when he saw Jericho standing in front of him. "That was a nice cheap shot you pulled before," commented Jericho. "I didn't see it coming, mainly because you attacked me while my back was turned. Is that really what you're resorting to?"
"Don't take it too personally," replied Machetti. "I saw my opportunity and I took it. Don't start acting like the Golden Boy now. I know both you and Hardy would have done the same thing if you had the opportunity."
"You might be right," admitted Jericho. "But I suppose I should congratulate you."
"Oh, and why's that?" asked Machetti.
"Well, you're girlfriend is in Playboy now," answered Jericho.
"Then you'll probably want to congratulate Maria, not me," said Machetti the smile vanishing from his face. "She's the one who posed, not me."
"Thank God," agreed Jericho. "No one wants to see you naked. But you know when that issue comes out on the seventh everyone will see your girlfriend naked."
Jericho grinned at Machetti but he didn't say anything right away he just looked thoughtful. "Hey you're right!" Machetti suddenly exclaimed, the sarcasm evident in his voice. "So that's why they were taking naked pictures of Maria when I went to the Playboy Mansion with her. How could I have not known that Maria was going to be seen naked if she posed for that magazine? Thank you so much for pointing that out," Machetti paused and stared at Jericho.
"Chris, are you trying to get into my head?" asked Machetti. "I commend your efforts, but they're all for nothing. You see, Maria might be posing for Playboy, but I have no problem with it. Everyone might see her naked, but then they'll all realize why I'm so lucky, since I'm the one who's fortunate enough to be dating her."
"So you have no problems with everyone seeing your girlfriend naked in Playboy?" questioned Jericho.
"Well, you see, here's the thing," explained Machetti, his usual smirk appeared. "You might be able to buy the magazine when it comes out, but when everything is said and done, I'm the one that wakes up next to her and cooks the pancakes. Posing for Playboy is something Maria has always wanted to do, and I support her fully. I can't stop her, and I don't want to stop her. The added bonus of this whole thing is that now I'm dating a Playboy model. Beat that!"
Jericho stayed silent and glared at Machetti. "Oh, and if you want to play mind games, well now it's my turn," continued Machetti. "At No Way Out, who pinned you in the Elimination Chamber? Who pinned you in that triple threat tag team match the Raw before that? And who beat you last week to get a spot in the Money in the Bank Match? Me. Chris, since you made your miraculous return, you haven't beaten me, but I've beat you three separate times. What do you think is going to make this time any different? The same goes for Hardy. He has yet to beat me, and he knows it. I've beaten him twice for the Intercontinental Championship. I've beaten him so many other times that I've lost count. But how many times has he beaten me? None! Neither of you have EVER beaten me. What makes you think you can start now? When the match is over tonight, I'll have my spot in the Money in the Bank Match, but the question is: will you?"
Jericho glared at Machetti, who simply continued smirking. "See you out there," concluded Machetti. Then he turned around and walked off. But he came fact-to-face with Maria and Candice.
"Is that how you really feel?" asked Maria, who had obviously overheard Machetti's banter with Jericho.
"Yeah," answered Machetti. "But I already told you. I'll support whatever decision you make and no matter what you do."
"But you're really okay with her posing?" questioned Candice.
"Of course," replied Machetti not taking his eyes off of Maria. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well Santino…" started Maria.
"Santino is a jerk," interrupted Machetti. "He's sticking his nose in something that is none of his business. So I took care of him. Posing was your choice and in all honesty, I'm proud of you. I'm sure as hell buying an issue on Friday."
"Actually you don't have to," said Candice. "They're probably going to give her a few issues for free like they did with me."
"Well in that case, I'm looking forward to getting my issue on Friday," continued Machetti. "Now, there's a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match up next, and I need to scout my competition."
"We're coming out with you for your match tonight," Maria stated in a way that made it a fact, not an offer.
"I don't know," replied Machetti. "The last time the two of you were both at ringside for one of my matches I got hit with a chair and lost the WWE Championship."
"We'll be good," Candice said quickly. "Don't worry, I'm over you."
Neither of the two divas commented on the sigh of relief Machetti let out. "You just said that you'd support me no matter what I did," Maria reminded him. "We're going to do the same thing for you. Like it or not, we'll be at ringside for your match tonight."
Machetti stared at Maria, who pouted and folded her arms over her chest. She wasn't going to budge on this, Candice quickly followed suit and now both divas were staring right back at Machetti.
"Okay fine," conceded Machetti. "I'll meet up with you two later."
"You'd better," Maria told him. Machetti shook his head then headed off. The camera cut to the ring and Lillian announced the Money in the Bank Qualifying Match between Carlito and Cody Rhodes.
---x---
Raw came back from another commercial break, before it, Mike Adamle announced that Mae Young would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2008 at WrestleMania. The bell rang signaling that start of the next match. "The following contest is a triple threat match, where the losing superstar will not be participating in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania Twenty Four."
Riot Time hit and Machetti came out from the back with the Intercontinental Title around his waist, he was being followed closely by Maria and Candice. "Introducing first, from Detroit Michigan, being accompanied by Maria and Candice, he is the WWE Intercontinental Champion, MACHETTI!" Machetti stood in between the two Divas up on the entrance ramp then bent forward and did a standing backflip, when he landed a blast of white pyro rocketed up and exploded behind them. Maria and Candice headed down the ramp and Machetti followed after them. When they reached the ring, Machetti ran passed them, then jumped up and slid under the bottom rope and into the ring. Machetti stood up and held out his arms while Candice and Maria got in the ring. Machetti undid his Intercontinental Title and handed it to Maria, then escorted both Divas out of the ring.
The count down started, then pyro erupted when it reached zero. Break the Wall Down played as Jericho stood with his back facing the crowd at the top of the entrance ramp. Jericho turned around and headed down to the ring, "From Manhassel New York, Y2J, CHRIS JERICHO!" Jericho stopped before getting in the ring and glanced at Candice and Maria, then slowly got in the ring and stared at Machetti. Who smirked and waved. Jericho turned away from Machetti and faced the entrance ramp.
No More Words hit once again and Jeff Hardy came out from the back to his rock star reception. "And from Cameron North Carolina, JEFF HARDY!!" Hardy ran down to the ring and got in. Jericho and Machetti stared at Hardy, who glanced from Jericho, to Machetti, to the two Divas Machetti had with him at ringside. In this match typical triple threat match rules would apply, but only the loser would actually lose. Unlike a typical triple threat match, the person that is not pinned, still wins and retains their spot in the Money in the Bank Match. The most important thing in this match isn't to win, it's to not lose.
The bell rang again signaling the start of the match, the fans seemed confused and didn't know who to cheer for. Most of them just sat down and got ready to enjoy the match. Maria and Candice loudly cheered for Machetti from their position at ringside. Machetti turned to face his two opponents and shrugged. Machetti started things off quickly and ran across the ring, did a handspring and got his legs around Jericho's neck, he swung to the side, grabbed Hardy and took both of them down for a handspring head-scissors/arm drag combo. Machetti got back up, so did Hardy and Jericho before they rushed at Machetti again, but Machetti caught them both with a pair of backflip hip tosses. Jericho and Hardy landed hard on their backs, but across the ring Machetti got back up and turned to face them again. Maria and Candice applauded and cheered loudly.
Jericho stood up and rushed at Machetti, but Machetti ducked down then launched Jericho up into the air for a back body drop. Jericho hit the mat hard and rolled over to the ropes. Hardy rushed over to Machetti, but Machetti dropped down and rolled passed him, then shot out both of his legs and drove them into Hardy's stomach as he turned around for a mule kick. Machetti rolled forward then got up and did a back-flip, driving both of his feet into Hardy's face for a back-flip kick. Machetti quickly followed up with a pin, ONE… TW… Hardy kicked out.
Machetti got back up and stared down at Hardy, but Jericho ran over and went for a clothesline but Machetti ducked it, then grabbed Jericho and whipped him into the corner. Machetti ran to the corner, did a handspring and the a front-flip, TURNBUCKLE SENTON! Machetti rolled out of the way, and allowed Jericho to go crashing down to the mat, Machetti quickly rolled him on his back and went for the pin, ONE… TWO… Jericho kicked out. Maria and Candice cheered loudly for Machetti and told him to keep it up.
Machetti got up to his feet, but suddenly Hardy came over and spun him around, then kicked him in the stomach, TWIST OF FATE!! Hardy quickly hooked Machetti leg and went for a pin, ONE… TWO… THR… Machetti kicked out! Hardy looked down at Machetti in surprise, then shrugged and pulled him up to his feet then went to whip him into the corner, but Machetti reversed it. Hardy was whipped into the corner and jumped up onto the top rope, then came off and caught Machetti, WHISPER IN THE WIND!! Hardy went for another pin on Machetti, while Maria and Candice looked a bit worried, ONE… TWO… THRE… MACHETTI BARELY GOT HIS SHOULDER UP!
Hardy stood up and stared down at Machetti in surprise, but suddenly Jericho ran in and nailed Hardy with a lightning-fast enzuigiri sending Hardy staggering backwards into the corner. Jericho ran to the ropes and jumped up onto the middle one, then springboarded off of it and dropkicked Hardy in the chest, driving him back into the turnbuckle. Jericho got back up and glanced down at Machetti who was still down in the middle of the ring. Jericho ran to the rope, jumped up onto the middle one, then back-flipped off, LIONSAULT—MACHETTI MOVED!! Jericho hit the mat hard and Machetti quickly capitalized by draping an arm over him for a pin, ONE… TWO… TH… Jericho kicked out.
Machetti got off of Jericho and pulled him up to his feet, Jericho suddenly came back and punched Machetti in the face, then followed up by chopping Machetti across the chest. Machetti staggered backwards into the ropes, then Jericho ran over and hit a clothesline, sending Machetti over the top rope and crashing down to the floor. Maria and Candice quickly rushed over to Machetti and checked on him while Jericho watched from the ring, but suddenly Hardy came from behind with a roll up, ONE… TWO… THRE… JERICHO MANAGED TO KICK OUT!
Hardy staggered away from Jericho, who quickly got back up to his feet. Jericho and Hardy stared down from across the ring, then charged across and locked up, Jericho grabbed Hardy and got in a side headlock, but Hardy lifted him up and went for a back suplex, only Jericho slipped free and landed on his feet behind Hardy, then lifted him up and drove him back-first down to the mat for a back suplex of his own. Jericho went over to Hardy and quickly covered him, ONE… TWO… TH… Hardy kicked out.
Jericho stood up and pulled Hardy up to his feet then he lifted Hardy up and drove him down to the mat back-first. Jericho quickly grabbed both of Hardy's legs and went to roll him to the side, WALLS OF JERICHO—HARDY PUSHED JERICHO OFF!! Jericho went back to the ropes and came off, Hardy jumped back up and grabbed him, TWIST OF FATE!! Hardy stared down at Jericho, and then glanced to his side and saw Candice and Maria helping Machetti to his feet. Hardy shrugged then went to the corner and climbed up onto the top rope, the fans erupted in cheers as Hardy turned to face Jericho, then came off, SWANTON BOMB—JERICHO ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!!
Hardy slammed back-first into the mat and let out a yelled of pain, Jericho got up and grabbed Hardy's legs and hooked them under his arms, then rolled Hardy onto his stomach, WALLS OF JERICHO! THE WALLS OF JERICHO IS LOCKED IN!! Hardy screamed out in pain as Jericho applied pressure to the hold and worked over his back, but suddenly Machetti got in back in the ring, but instead of breaking up the hold he just walked over to Hardy then sat down in front of him. If Hardy tapped out in this match, Jericho might win, but Machetti would still have a spot in the Money in the Bank Match. The only person who lost this match was the person who was pinned, or in Jeff's current case, submitted.
Machetti sat in front of Hardy and smirked at him, "Come on, tap out," taunted Machetti. Hardy screamed and glared at Machetti, then pushed himself up off of the mat, almost in spite of Machetti, Hardy rolled through Jericho's legs, then pushed him off. Jericho went staggering into Machetti, but Machetti caught him with a hip toss, then ran to the ropes, jumped up onto the top rope then back-flipped off of it, SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT! Machetti stayed on top of Jericho and went for the pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… Jericho kicked out!!
Machetti stood up and stared down at Jericho, but Hardy suddenly came over and kicked Machetti in the stomach then grabbed him, TWIST OF FATE—MACHETTI PUSHED HARDY OFF OF HIM! Hardy went into the ropes and bounced off, Machetti dropped down and caught him with a drop toe hold, then got back up and crossed Hardy's legs and put his own leg through, then rolled him onto his stomach, MACHETTI LOCKED IN THE SHARPSHOOTER! Machetti edge backwards and grabbed the upper part of Hardy's legs, now instead of applying pressure on Jeff's legs he was working over his back like Jericho had been doing earlier. Hardy immediately felt the effects and screamed out in pain as the sharpshooter Machetti had in tortured his back.
Maria and Candice both cheered, but a large portion of the fans had a different opinion and started chanting Hardy hoping to will Jeff on to fight out of the sharpshooter. Hardy gritted his teeth then dug down and started crawling across the ring towards the ropes, the fans were going nuts, Hardy was getting closer and closer to the ropes, he was almost there! But the cheers suddenly turned to boos as Machetti dragged Hardy back into the middle of the ring. Jeff screamed as Machetti applied more pressure to the sharpshooter, damaging his back even further.
Hardy shook his head, then lifted his hand up off of the mat and was about to tap out, but suddenly… CODE-BREAKER ON MACHETTI! JERICHO CAME OUT OF NOWHER AND HIT THE CODE-BREAKER!! Both Machetti and Hardy were down in the middle of the ring, Jericho quickly pulled Machetti free from Hardy then hooked his leg for a pin, ONE… TWO… THRE… MACHETTI KICKED OUT!! Candice and Maria jumped up and down and cheered in relief that one had been really close.
Jericho got off of Machetti and stared down in shock, beside him, Hardy was surprised too. But then Jeff got to his feet and ran to the corner then climbed up onto the top rope. Jericho backed away from Machetti as Hardy came off of the top, SWANTON BOMB ON MACHETTI! Hardy rolled off of Machetti and held his back in pain, Jericho quickly grabbed Hardy and practically threw him under the bottom rope and out of the ring. Jericho turned back to Machetti and made the cover, BUT THE REFEREE WAS DISTRACTED BY MARIA AND CANDICE!
Jericho looked up and glared at the two Divas who were standing on the ring apron, making it look like they were going to get in the ring. The referee was trying to restrain them in an attempt to keep the match clean. Jericho got off of Machetti and stormed over to the referee, then grabbed his arm and told him to watch the match. The referee nodded as Jericho went back over to Machetti, but suddenly Candice called out "Hey Chris!" Jericho turned and glanced at Candice, who suddenly grabbed Maria… AND KISSED HER! CANDICE JUST KISSED MARIA! Jericho and the referee both stared in surprise, but suddenly… MACHETTI ROLLED JERICHO UP FROM BEHIND! The referee made the count, ONE… TWO… THREE! MACHETTI GOT IT!
Riot Time hit and Machetti quickly released the pin, Jericho shot up to his feet and raced after Machetti who quickly slid out of the ring and backed up into the barricade with Maria and Candice standing beside him. Machetti smirked at Jericho and mouthed "Gotcha!" The Maria grabbed Machetti's hand and she and Candice let him around the ring and headed up the entrance ramp. Hardy was shown leaning against the announce table barely conscious, while Jericho started flipping out in the ring. Not only had Machetti beat him again, and not only had he used 'questionable' tactics, but Jericho had lost his second opportunity to get into the Money in the Bank Match.
Jericho leaned on the ropes and glared at Machetti, who was standing at the top of the entrance ramp with Maria and Candice. Maria elbowed Machetti in the side, then handed him back his Intercontinental Title. Machetti quickly grabbed Maria and bent her backward, quickly glanced at Candice and said, "My turn," then kissed Maria, Maria quickly brought her arms up and wrapped them around Machetti's neck as she kissed him back. Eventually they broke apart, Machetti grinned at Jericho and wrapped his arm around Maria while Candice grabbed his hand and raised it up into the air.
Machetti, Maria, and Candice headed to the back and the camera cut backstage and showed Finlay headed down to the ring. His 'confrontation' with JBL was up next. Raw then went to a commercial break.
---x---
There, at long last, Machetti's reaction to Maria's Playboy shoot. The Hardy/Machetti/Jericho match was a little short, but I'm hoping it was still decent. I wanted to focus on the unveiling for this chapter.
So far we have five superstars announced for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, Shelton Benjamin, Machetti, and Carlito. Who else will be added before WrestleMania? Honestly, I don't know, maybe Kane.
'Till Next Time…
Peace!