Chapter 18: "The Rematch"
It was Monday night RAW, and Cody was more determined than ever to beat Hardcore. He wanted to earn his respect. He would show Holly, Shannon, and his friends. Cody had trained very hard, and he wasn't going to just lose again.
Without any delay, Cody entered the ring. Hardcore, seeing that Cody was pumped up, reached for a microphone.
Hardcore: See? This was what I wanted last time. I want your all, Cody. I actually am shocked that you asked for a rematch, knowing that you will never beat me. (he dropped the microphone)
The bell rang. Hardcore charged at him, but Cody tripped him. Cody got Hardcore into a headlock. Hardcore pushed Cody on the ropes. Holly bent over, but Cody kicked his chest. Hardcore then ran towards Cody, but Cody pulled the ropes down, causing Holly to fall outside the ring. When Hardcore got up, Cody jumped on him. They both fell flat on the ground. Hardcore got up first, and rolled Cody into the ring. He pinned Cody, but he kicked out. Holly picked him up and was going to do the Alabama Slamma, but Cody squirmed out of his grasp. Cody performed a bulldog and pinned Hardcore quickly. Cody had won! The ref held Cody's hand up high. Hardcore's face was blank. He couldn't believe that he had lost to Cody Rhodes. Cody turned around and found Hardcore looking at him. He gave Cody a handshake and patted him on the back. Hardcore was going to leave the ring, but Regal stopped him.
Regal: Hold on there, Hardcore Holly. You two aren't done wrestling yet. You two will tag team to face Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin in a number one tag team contender match. Whichever tag team wins will face Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch for the tag team championships. Oh, and by the way, that match starts right now.
Regal left, and Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, the so-called "World's Greatest Tag Team" entered the ring. Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch came and sat by JR and Jerry Lawler, ready to ambush whichever tag team that would win the match.
The bell rang. Shelton and Cody squared off first. They started with a test of strength. Shelton then got Cody into a headlock. Cody flipped Shelton off of him. Shelton bounced off of the ropes, and elbowed Cody in the face. Cody fell on his face. He began to crawl over to Hardcore, who was shouting orders. Shelton pulled him back to his corner. He then tagged Charlie in. Charlie kicked Cody's head, mocking and laughing at him. Charlie went over and started to disrespect Hardcore Holly. Hardcore slapped Charlie's face, and Charlie fell down. Cody gained the strength to crawl over to Hardcore. He tagged him in. Hardcore dropkicked Charlie and pinned him, but Shelton broke the count. Cody came in and began a fight with Shelton outside the ring. Cody left Shelton, and went back to his corner. Charlie jumped off the turnbuckle, and kicked Hardcore square in the jaw. He pinned Hardcore, but he kicked out. Charlie tagged in Shelton. Shelton charged at Holly, but Holly punched him. Exhausted, he tagged in Cody. Cody stood on the ropes, ready to jump, but then he spotted Shannon covering Jasmine's mouth on the giant TV screen.
Shannon: If you care about her Cody, then come back here and get her.
Cody was going to, but Hardcore told him to control his feelings and to get his head in the game. By this time, Shelton had thrown Cody flat on his back with a suplex off of the top rope. Cody looked onto the screen, and saw that Shannon was still there with Jasmine. Then he saw John, Jeff, and Chris rescue Jazz and beat Shannon up. Shelton got frustrated, so he decided to jump off the top ropes. Cody had rolled to tag in Hardcore just in time. Hardcore caught a dazed Shelton and performed the Alabama Slamma. Charlie was going to interfere, but Cody took care of him. Hardcore pinned Shelton, and he and Cody had won! They were the number one contenders for the tag team championships. Shelton and Charlie left the ring, while Lance and Murdoch entered it. Cody and Hardcore took care of them, and raised their hands victoriously. They knew they would become the tag team champs.
Will Hardcore Holly and Cody become the Tag Team Champions?