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Allo! Here we are then, Victory Road, the 'Phenominal' AJ Styles vs. The X Division champion Jason Cena, who will walk out X Division champion? How far will either one go to earn a victory? Let's find out.

Here We Go!

Rebirth-Chapter Fourteen-The Road To Victory

For the first time since he'd joined either of the big two Jason managed to get a good night's sleep on the eve of a PPV, and he was stunned to realise he wasn't even nervous, where that empty feeling he usually had was instead a feeling of anticipation, anticipation for a great match, anticipation for retaining his title. He had to hand it to Mara, the day off certainly had managed to calm him down, he'd had fun, swam dived off rocks and pissed Mara off by yelling 'SHARK!' whenever she was in the water. He was a lot calmer, almost completely relaxed, and he was ready, he sat up in the bed and noticed Mara had already got up, he rolled out and dropped to the floor before getting up and pulling on some clothes, Mara was sitting in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal, they kissed each other good morning then Jason started to pour himself one.

"Didn't feel like waking me then?"

"Well that's the first good night's sleep you've had before a big match, so I figured I'd let you enjoy it".

"Thanks, I did".

"Good dream?"

"Could say that".

"What was it about?"

"You in that bikini you wore yesterday" he smirked.

"Perv".

Jason just laughed and went back to pouring his cereal, something dropped out.

"Huh?"

"What's up?"

"I just got the prize".

"What is it?"

"Refrigerator magnet" he replied picking it up, then he burst out laughing.

"What?"

"Look" he replied turning to show it to her. "It's a shark" he burst out laughing again then ducked as her spoon flew across the room towards him, taking the hint he ran for his life and locked himself in the bathroom.

That night after a detour to a nearby hotel Jason and Mara, along with Chris, Jay and Sonjay all walked into the arena, it was going to be a busy night for the group, besides Jason's match with AJ Sonjay was facing Maverick Matt on the preshow, Jay was going up against Petey Williams from Team Canada and Chris had Senshi, as well as all three of them entering a twenty man gauntlet to determine a number one contender for the NWA world title, Jason hadn't been entered because of his match, he was a little bitter about that but he took it in good grace, after they had entered the locker room and gotten ready for their matches Sonjay left to take on Matt, the others sat around the screen to watch, Matt semmed extremely pissed off and wasted no time in taking it to Sonjay and superkicked him twice to earn a victory in less than five minutes, Chris sighed and went to turn off the monitor but Jason stopped him when he saw Matt tell Traci to get him a mic.

"Is this what I've been reduced to? A month ago I was the X Division champion! And now I'm reduced to kicking guys teeth down their throats on the damn preshow? Well that's gonna change, you see when Jason Cena beat me I never got a rematch because TNA wanted to give the first shot to Mr. X Division AJ Styles, well this Thursday on Impact I'm gonna get my rematch, I challenge the winner of Jason Cena and AJ Styles to give me the title shot I deserve! If it's AJ, it's gonna be a short reign for him, if it's Jason? Payback's a bitch!"

"Just like your girl" muttered Jason as Matt dropped the mic and left the ring with Traci.

"You gonna accept?" Asked Jay.

"If I beat AJ" replied Jason. "Then he's welcome to a shot".

Victory Road was turning into a bad night for the X Division guys, after Sonjay had lost to Matt Jay had also been beaten by Williams and to top it off Senshi had almost kicked Chris's head off during their match, right now he was laid up in the trainers room unconcious with a possible concussion, Jay and Sonjay were with him but Jason remained in the locker room, it was almost time for the match with AJ, the nerves still hadn't shown up and he allowed himself a small grin, he pulled the X Division title down from where he'd hung it up and put it over his shoulder, AJ had just finished giving an interview on the monitor claiming he was going to beat some respect into Jason and take the X Division gold, he even went as far as to accept Matt's challenge for Impact. Jason sighed and walked out of the locker room, when he was outside he saw Mara standing with JB, he nodded before JB could even get the question out and waited for the interview to begin.

"Jason Cena in a few short moments you defend your X Division title against a man who has repeatedly questioned your respect for TNA and the wrestling business as a whole, and after what went down on Impact do you have any thoughts before going into probably the toughest match of your career".

Jason smirked. "Well JB you're right, this is going to be probably my toughest match ever, maybe not the biggest I mean it takes a lot to top wrestling for your career but I'll give it a shot. Now AJ, you seem to think I have no respect for this business, you couldn't be further from the truth, I do respect this business, I do respect TNA, hell I even respect you because without you this belt over my shoulder wouldn't be here, in fact I don't think TNA would be here without you, and for that you have my respect, but on a personal level? Right now the only person higher than you on my shit list is a certain white rapper up North. For you to question my respect for this business, which puts food on my table, which helped me out during the bad times..." He stopped for a second, JB looked concerned.

"Jason?"

"Sorry, I'm just trying to get my head round this, this business helped support me and my Mom when she was sick, when she was dying, and he thinks I have no respect for it? Allen, yeah I used your real name, tonight I'm going to show you just how badly I took those comments, you may be the greatest X Division champion ever, you may be the guy who built TNA from the ground up, you may be the guy we only see once a generation, the only triple crown champion in TNA history, you may be all that, but one thing you're not is immortal, tonight I'm gonna beat you, I'm gonna hurt you and I'm gonna keep this title!"

Jason went to leave but JB stopped him.

"One more question Jason, what about Maverick Matt's challenge?"

"Matt? He's not important right now, but if he wants his shot on Impact, that's exactly what he'll get".

With that he and Mara walked off as JB sent it back to the guys at ringside.

AJ was already pacing the ring when Jason's music hit and the teen, complete with pyro, made his way down the ramp, he stared down AJ as he got in the ring and taunted him with the belt causing him to try and jump the teen but the referee stepped between them and made AJ back off, Mara kissed Jason good luck and hopped out of the ring as he handed the title belt to the referee. The Phenominal One and the X Division champion stared each other down until the referee rang the bell, they stepped forward and locked up.

The two immediately began battling for position in the lock up, they each tried to push the other back into a corner but whenever one got the other close he would power out and push him back, eventually Jason slapped on a headlock, AJ powered out and threw the teen off the ropes only to get knocked down by a shoulderblock, Jason hit the ropes and AJ went under, then over and caught Jason with an armdrag, Jason quickly rolled to his feet and gave AJ one as he neared, they both jumped up and AJ hit a headlock takedown, Jason applied a headscissor to break it then AJ nipped up to get out of it, he spun round to face Jason but the teen swept his legs out from under him and covered for a one-count, AJ jumped up but Jason pulled him into and inside cradle for a two-count, AJ jumped up again and Jason got a takedown, he stood over AJ to taunt him but AJ nipped up and hurricanrana'd him into a pin for a two-count, they both got up and AJ went to grab Jason but the teen took out his legs and bridged into a pin for another near fall, AJ kicked out but kept a hold on Jason before powering out an twisting into a backslide for a near fall of his own, when they got up again Jason darted behind AJ and got a roll-up for another two-count, he tried another takedown but AJ countered and pulled Jason into a cradle for yet another near fall, they jumped up and AJ gave Jason an elbow, he reeled away and AJ charged but Jason sidestepped and low-bridged him causing him to fly to the outside.

Jason stood by the ropes and waited until AJ was standing then went to vault over the ropes, AJ moved but Jason kept hold of the ropes and landed on the apron, AJ came over but Jason kicked him away then hit a springboard moonsault! He climbed to his feet and posed for the crowd before rolling AJ back into the ring, he retreated to a corner and Jason followed and hit a few chops before whipping him across the ring, AJ came staggering out and Jason hit a backdrop then followed that up with a dropkick, AJ got up by the ropes and Jason charged but AJ ducked and backdropped him over, Jason landed on the apron but AJ spun round and gave him a cutter over the ropes causing the teen to fall to the outside, AJ waited for the teen to get up before diving over the ropes headfirst! He crashed down onto Jason and began hitting right hands before rolling him back into the ring, Jason got up and AJ hit some knees and right hands to back him into a corner, he hit some punches to the teen before pulling him out of the corner and hitting a discus clothesline and a jumping kneedrop for a two-count. He picked Jason up and whipped him, he went for an elbow but Jason ducked only for AJ to nail him with an enziguri as he came back off the ropes, he covered but the teen kicked out a two.

AJ waited until Jason was standing then hit a suplex to put him right back down, Jason climbed back up but AJ just kicked him in the stomach and hit a DDT for a two-count, he went to the ropes and started to climb, he waited until Jason was standing then went for a flying clothesline but Jason sidestepped, AJ landed on his feet and Jason charged but AJ ducked and hit a back-suplex that dropped Jason squarely on the back of his head! He covered but the teen kicked out again, AJ quickly stomped the teen down before he could get back up then set him up in the pumphandle position but when he lifted Jason up the teen countered into a pin! AJ kicked out at two and clotheslined Jason back down, he whipped the teen and tried an elbow but Jason ducked, he went for the enziguri but Jason ducked again and came off the ropes with a flying forearm! AJ recovered quickly but before he could do anymore damage Jason nipped up! AJ went to throw a right hand but Jason blocked it and began unloading with punches of his own, he whipped AJ and caught him with a powerslam for a two-count, they got back up and AJ tried a right hand but Jason ducked and hit a neckbreaker for another two-count.

AJ got up and retreated to a corner, Jason went for the stinger splash but AJ moved, Jason managed to stop himself and land on the middle-rope before hitting a leg-lariat for a two-count, AJ got back up again but Jason just sent him back down with a slam before ascending to the top-rope, he went for the frogsplash but AJ rolled out of the way, Jason rolled out of the move then grabbed AJ and hit a dragon suplex for another two-count, AJ got up near the ropes and Jason charged but AJ backdropped him over again, he then followed the teen to the outside with the fosbury flop! That move took both of them out and AJ only just managed to roll into the ring to break the referee's count before rolling back out again after Jason, he threw the teen into the ring then set him up for a suplex, Jason tried to slip out of it but Jason kept a hold on him and dropped him with a neckbreaker for a two-count, he hit the teen with some stomps before trying to throw him to the outside, Jason landed on the apron and AJ went for another cutter but Jason shoved him away, he went for a right hand but AJ ducked and kicked him in the stomach, as Jason was doubled over AJ vaulted over the ropes and hit a sunset flip powerbomb onto the concrete floor!

AJ smirked as he picked Jason up and rolled him into the ring, apart from that brief fightback he had practically dominated the match, he followed the teen into the ring and hit a backbreaker followed by a gutbuster for a two-count, he picked Jason back up and hit a pumphandle gutbuster for another two-count before locking on a Boston Crab, Jason began fighting to get out of it but whenever he got near the ropes AJ would pull him back out to the middle of the ring, suddenly Jason twisted his own body round and kicked AJ away, the teen stood up favouring his back and tried an impaler but AJ backdropped out of it, he stomped Jason a few times before going to the ropes, he climbed to the top-rope and tried his version of the frogsplash but Jason moved! Unlike the teen AJ hadn't mastered rolling out of the move and crashed to the mat, Jason immediately followed up with an oaklahoma roll for a two-count before going on the offensive, he knocked AJ down with a pair of clotheslines then hit a DDT for a two-count, AJ got up in a corner and Jason hit the stinger splash! AJ staggered out and Jason dropped him with a reverse DDT for a two-count, they got up and Jason tried a whip but AJ reversed it and went for a backdrop, Jason dropped down and punched AJ in the face causing him to reel away then hit an X-Factor! He covered but AJ again kicked out at two.

Jason quickly climbed to the top-rope and waited for AJ to stand, he came down looking for a cross-body and got it! He covered but AJ kicked out at two, AJ rolled to his knees and Jason went for the shining wizard but AJ ducked, took out the teens legs and locked on the Muta Lock! He wrenched back on Jason's neck as the teen kicked and trashed with his arms to try and reach the ropes, he was almost within arms reach then AJ pulled back even harder, Jason's right arm instinctively went to tap but he brought his left hand across to stop it, he closed his eyes and dug down deep before making a deperation dive and grabbing the ropes, AJ kept the hold on for an extra few seconds then broke it and took a moment to recover his breath before picking Jason up, he slapped the teen in the face a couple of times and smirked only to have it wiped off his face when Jason took him down with a reverse STO and locked on the Koji clutch! Now it was AJ's turn to try and reach the ropes but Jason had both arms hooked so he couldn't move! It seemed it was over for AJ but at the last second he countered into a pin causing Jason to break the hold and kick out. AJ rolled out to the apron while Jason pulled himself up in the ring and approached him only to receive a right hand to knock him away before AJ followed up with a springboard flying forearm for another two-count, he picked Jason up and went for a whip but the teen reversed it and went for an elbow but AJ ducked, jumped onto the ropes and hit a moonsault into a reverse DDT! This move drove the air out of him as well and he slowly crawled into a cover on Jason but only got a two-count.

AJ frowned as he got up and looked back down at Jason, the teen was struggling to get to his feet, he pulled the teen the rest of the way up and hit a brainbuster before dragging him near the ropes, he pulled himself to the top and went for the spiral tap but Jason got his knees up! AJ's back was driven hard into them and he bounced to his feet holding it in pain, Jason also jumped up and pulled AJ down with a backcracker! AJ rolled to his knees and Jason hit a shining wizard, he made a cover but AJ got a shoulder up at two. Jason stomped AJ down before picking him up and trying a slam, AJ slipped out and went for a back-suplex but Jason flipped behind him, spun him round and hit the impaler! He covered but AJ kicked out again, he lifted AJ up and went for a suplex, he held AJ upside down and went to drop him across the top-rope but AJ escaped and landed on the apron then hit a cutter across the ropes again, Jason snapped back and landed in the centre of the ring, AJ hesitated for a second before jumping from the apron to the top-rope and using that to hit a 450 splash on Jason! He covered but Jason stunned him by kicking out! He looked to the referee in disbelief before pulling Jason up, he held Jason at arms length and taunted him only for the teen to slap his arms away, fall back and hit a superkick! He crawled over and draped an arm over AJ but the Phenominal One kicked out.

Jason and AJ were both feeling the effects of the match and had to force themselves up, Jason recovered the quickest and took AJ back down with a neckbreaker, he had to crawl to the corner to pull himself up with the ropes then started climbing to the top-rope, AJ got up and tried to cut him off and they exchanged punches on the top-rope, Jason caught AJ off guard with a headbutt and pushed him down before following with a frogsplash and hit it! He hesitated for a second, surprised that he'd actually hit it, then covered but his hesitation allowed AJ to kick out, his frustration growing the teen pulled AJ to a corner and hung him upside down, he choked AJ with his boot then backed off and hit the hesitation dropkick! AJ crumpled to the mat as Jason waited for him to stand, he hit the ropes and tried a clothesline but AJ ducked and hit the Pele! He jumped back to his feet and set Jason up for the Styles Clash! He went to lift Jason up but the teen suddenly twisted out and lifted him up onto his shoulders, he swore as he realised he hadn't set AJ up for the C-Bomb properly so instead he drove him down to the mat with Chris's Cradle Shock! This time he covered immediately but AJ again kicked out! The teen pounded the mat in frustration then stood up, he waited for AJ to stand and lifted him up for the C-Bomb! He got him in the torture rack and started to spin out of it but AJ countered into a hurricarana, he rolled all the way through, kept a hold of Jason, stood up and drove the teen's face into the mat with the Styles Clash! He pumped his fist in triumph then rolled Jason over and covered, the referee counted... but Jason kicked out!

The smile that had been on AJ's face vanished, he grabbed the referee and began screaming, almost pleading that it was a three count, when he got no response he spun round and agressively pulled Jason back up and set him up for another Clash but Jason took out his legs and catapulted AJ into a corner, he staggered backwards and Jason lifted him up before dropping him with the C-Bomb! The teen took a second to recover then covered AJ and hooked both legs... but AJ still kicked out! Jason lost it and began pounding the mat with both hands, Mara began yelling in the ring at him to get him to regain his focus, he slowly came to his senses as AJ pulled himself up in a corner, Jason went over and lifted him to the top-rope, he went for a superplex but AJ began fighting back, they battled it out then AJ caught Jason off guard and dropped him face-first to the mat, he then stood up and hit the spiral tap! He slowly rolled into a cover on the teen but at two Jason put his foot on the ropes! AJ didn't even have the strength to argue with the referee, he just shook his head in disbelief at Jason then pulled the teen up, he tried a whip but Jason reversed it, he went for a clothesline but AJ ducked it, he went for the moonsault into the reverse DDT again but Jason twisted out and hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a two-count.

AJ struggled to get himself up with the ropes while Jason forced himself to his feet, AJ was leaning on the ropes for support but Jason ran forward and hit a clothesline to send him out, the teen then climbed to the top-rope and waited for AJ to stand before coming down with a flying coss-body onto the concrete floor! He opened up on AJ with right hands and whipped him towards the announce table, it was reversed and he jumped onto it to go for a flying clothesline but AJ dropkicked him out of the air! The Phenominal One then picked the teen up and DDT'd him onto the concrete floor as well! He dragged Jason, now almost deadweight, to his feet and threw him into the ring, he followed and pulled Jason up and set him up for the Clash one last time, he went to lift him but Jaso used his strength to pull himself up to AJ's shoulders before dropping back and giving him a hurricanrana, they both got up and Jason superkicked AJ before going to the top, he went to jump but AJ jumped up and dropkicked his legs causing him to crotch himself on the ropes, he went up after him and went for a top-rope hurricanrana but Jason began fighting out of it, they battled it out and Jason suddenly powerbombed AJ down! He stayed on the ropes and stood up as though going for another frogsplash but instead hit a Shooting Star Press! He covered... and got the three-count to retain his title!

Jason rolled off AJ and raised his arm as his music started playing, he went to get to his feet but only managed to stagger for a second before dropping back to his knees in exhaustion, Mara dropped down in front of him and hugged him before giving him a big kiss, normally Jason would have made a funny comment but he couldn't find the energy to, Mara helped him to his feet and supported him as the referee handed him the X Division title belt and raised his arm, the teen dropped back to the mat and rolled out of the ring, he had to hold on the apron to keep himself standing until Mara came out of the ring to help him walk up the ramp, the teen could barely move and didn't seem to notice the fans giving him and AJ a standing ovation. About halfway up the ramp he dropped to the ground again, Mara dropped next to him and held him to her asking if he was alright, he nodded and turned back to the ring, AJ was still there trying to get up but like Jason he was having trouble standing, they locked eyes and AJ dropped back to the mat, Jason gave him a small grin which AJ returned with a glare, the teen forced himself to his feet and held up the title belt yelling. "Do you respect me now?" Before turning and staggering through the tunnel.

When Jason got backstage he dropped into the nearest chair he could find trying to catch his breath, Mara sat next to him waiting for him to recover, for a while he just sat there with his arm around her staring at the X Division title in his hand, then he let out a small laugh.

"What?" She asked.

"Just..." he laughed again. "Who thought I'd be able to go through all that to keep this?"

"I did, but where did that Shooting Star Press come from?"

He sat back. "I have no Earthly idea".

"There he is!"

Jason looked up to see Jay and Sonjay coming over, he stood up and high-fived them.

"Well done man" said Sonjay. "You're a real champ now".

"Thanks, how's Chris?"

"He's fine" replied Jay. "A little dinged but he's fine, they want him to go home but he's desperate to be in the gauntlet match, seems to think he has a chance, and he's a bit PO at you for stealing his move".

Jason laughed. "Yeah well..." he trailed off as Maverick Matt and Traci approached the group.

"Don't mind me guys, I just wanted to congratulate the champ here".

"Really?"

"Really, to be honest I was rooting for you, now I get to take back the title you stole from me last month".

Jason stepped up in Matt's face. "I'll see you Thursday".

"You bet you will" smirked Matt before he and Traci went to leave, then he stopped. "One more thing, I just went to Cornette's office and he's agreed to add a little to our rematch".

"Let me guess, you get Kazarian as a partner? I have to wrestle with one arm tied behind my back? I have to be handcuffed to your girl? What?"

"Well, I sell it to you like this, our match is going to be a match my cousin made famous, a match that put me on the wrestling map, and the match that cost you your job up North!"

Jason's eyes widened.

"Yup, our match on Impact is gonna be a ladder match!" He laughed. "Just think, first your old job and now your title, see ya Thursday" he and Traci walked off laughing leaving Jason looking on with a concerned look on his face.

End of Chapter

Well, there ya go, no sooner has Jason turned back one challenge but now he has to deal with another, how will the teen fair in the match that caused him to leave WWE? Will his amazing win over AJ be for nothing? And speaking of AJ will he come back for another shot? Find out next time?

R&R

See Ya!

HBKJOH