A/N: For those wondering about this, yes I am deciding to bring this back albeit a little bit late (with the blessing of psav2005). And yes the Suite Life characters are involved. This is weekend three and yes, I'm throwing in reactions from WrestleMania 30.
A/N 2: Nothing is mine, except Melissa Blanks.
Chapter 5 - Final Four and WrestleMania Reactions
Saturday, April 5
The Cyberspace
Reefside, about 30 minutes before tipoff
Like most years, the Cyberspace was rocking for both national semifinal matchups and this year was no different.
Unlike most national semifinals watched at this haunt about 90 percent of the viewing audience for this game was rooting for a particular team; UConn. That was, except for Billy who had picked Florida to win it. Phil and Kim, the other two who had picked the Gators had gone to Texas to watch both national semifinals in person. There were others too who needed a Florida win, who had picked them to go to the championship game but lose who needed them to win as well.
This game also had a lot on the line for a lot of people; going into the night, there were still six people who could win the competition. As of right now Adam, Melissa, Maya, Bailey, Woody and Billy still had a shot. Wins by Wisconsin and Florida would leave it between Kim, first timer Melissa, Billy and Adam for Monday, while wins from Florida and Kentucky would leave it to a tiebreaker between Kim and Bailey depending on the final score of the championship game.
Meanwhile, wins by UConn and Wisconsin would leave it between Melissa, Adam, Maya and Woody (who had actually picked UConn and Wisconsin for the championship) and wins by UConn and Kentucky would all but lock up the tournament for Maya.
The people who were cheering loudest against Florida, obviously, were the UCLA four; they had nothing on the line as the teams they had picked to win were eliminated and they were beyond sick of Kim's celebrations.
"Man I wish we could be in North Texas for this game," Zack Martin said over Skype; the bar had been closed for the Final Four for this group and Tommy had set up a Skype chat for the whole group both today and tomorrow for WrestleMania. "Florida goes down today!"
"Man I hope you're right," Rocky said. "Thank God Kim is in North Texas or I'd be sick of her taunting five minutes into the game."
"Well they haven't seen Shabazz yet," Maya said. "It's over for Florida today."
Two hours later
Cowboys Stadium
Arlington, Texas
"The Cinderella run for the UConn Huskies continues; the No. 1 seed has been defeated! The final score, UConn 63, Florida 53!"
Kim and Phil just sat there stunned, unable to believe what they were seeing. The Gators had raced out of the gate quickly and had taken a 16-4 lead with a snap of their fingers.
But as quickly as that lead came, it went and Florida never got the lead back and UConn had controlled the game really for the last 30 minutes or so.
"Just can't believe it's over," Kim said. "Absolutely shocking."
"What are you going to do about the flood of texts that are sure to come in?" Phil said.
"I'm going to let them have their fun," Kim said. "We own UCLA and every Pac-12 school so I'm going to let them have their fun."
Reefside
Indeed, the majority of the Cyberspace as well as the UConn four back in Storrs were going crazy.
"We did it, we did it we did it!" Maya screamed as she and Zack Martin hugged over the Skype app in Storrs. "I can't believe it!"
"You guys took on the beast and slayed him," Hayley said. "I'm proud of you guys; it's about time someone shut those guys up."
"Have you guys started with the texts yet?" Addison said.
"Some of us have, but she doesn't really care; she knows she owns most of the Pac-12 schools and we know it too so we can't say much," Tommy said. "Doesn't mean I can't give her a little smirk though when we meet here again tomorrow for WrestleMania."
"I've got mixed feelings," Billy said. "I am kind of glad Florida lost but that eliminates me from the competition."
"Yeah it's down to me, Adam Woody and Melissa believe it or not although Woody could drop out if Wisconsin loses," Maya said. "I can't believe I'm saying this but Go Kentucky."
"Not so fast my friend," Melissa said as she channeled her inner Lee Corso. "On Wisconsin baby plus I hate Calipari."
"Man who doesn't hate that piece of slime?" Adam said. "Go Badgers!"
2 hours later
"Wisconsin holding a two point lead, Harrison holding the ball with eight to go, he puts up a shot from 25 feet GOOD! Another clutch shot by Aaron Harrison and the Wildcats lead 74-73!"
In Storrs and in Reefside, most of the group was cheering for the Badgers so the majority groaned when Harrison hit the shot.
"Under five seconds to go, here comes Jackson for Wisconsin, he puts a shot up off the glass, NO GOOD! And the Wildcats continue on their miracle run and will play on Monday night. They win it 74-73!"
Everyone, both in Storrs and in Reefside, sat there stunned.
"I know I just probably won the competition but that's a sucky way to lose," Maya said. "I can't believe Kentucky got away again."
"Tell me about it, they've been horribly lucky all tournament, barely got by the Shockers by two," Chelsea said.
"Same here," Stone said. "Louisville had them beat and let the game slip."
"Yeah and same here," Tanya said. "I still can't believe they hit that shot to beat Michigan."
"Besides, they play in the SEC and I'm about sick of hearing about how great they are," Rocky said. "It's all anyone at ESPN ever talks about."
"Yep, I hate to agree with a UCLA fan but they would do well to remember that UCLA and USC combined have more national championships than their ENTIRE conference," Trini said. "I hope you guys put the wood to Kentucky Monday, I hate Calipari as well."
"I wonder who finishes second now," Zack Martin said. "Maya's got first place just about wrapped up. So are we all going to be here for WrestleMania tomorrow?"
"You know it, and the start of Daniel Bryan's championship reign," Kira said. "I cannot wait."
The next night
The Cyberspace
Reefside
Once again, the Cyberspace was packed, but not for an NCAA tournament game. This time, it was for the greatest sports entertainment spectacle of the year, WrestleMania 30 in New Orleans. It was also once again closed to the public as Tommy had set up a group Skype call with London and Marcus at St. John's, Cody and Bailey in New Haven and the UConn four.
The show had started off great and continued great and had even seen some shocking moments; it had started with Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin and PBB favorite The Rock giving a 20 minute promo. It had seen Daniel Bryan, another PBB popular, defeat Triple H to make the main event against Batista and Randy Orton.
It had also seen the legendary Undertaker's WrestleMania streak shockingly end at the hands of Brock Lesnar, which had sent shockwaves through the audience.
Now it was the main event and every one of the near 50 was on their feet, hoping it was Daniel Bryan's night.
"Bryan with the knee to Batista and here's the Yes Lock...AND BATISTA TAPS OUT! DANIEL BRYAN IS YOUR NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!"
As soon as the bell rang the celebrations began...not just in New Orleans but all over the world and certainly in California and on the east coast, too.
"That is how you close out WrestleMania," Cody said. "Daniel Bryan, NEW champion!"
"And he deserves it too," Tommy said. "Unlike some I'm a fan of Triple H both heel and face but Bryan worked his ass off. He is great and a very worthy champion."
"That was a great WrestleMania, even though I'm sad the streak ended," Bailey said. "Something is definitely off about that one."
"My hunch tells me Undertaker just can't do it anymore," Kim said. "He barely made it through the match last year with Punk."
"Paul Heyman's promo tomorrow night will be epic. Too bad the championship game will be on," Jason said.
The next night
The Cyberspace
Unlike the last two days, there was no Skype chat as the UConn four had gone off to watch the game from Gampel Pavilion where a party was to be held and Cody, Bailey, London and Marcus had the assignment of keeping up with Raw.
"Man I know a lot is not on the line here, but I want Kentucky to lose so bad," Tanya said.
"UConn beat us so for once I'm with you," Kim said. "I HATE Calipari and Kentucky basketball both, and I think Bailey wants UConn to win this game even more than she wanted Kansas to win two years ago."
"That's impossible!" Jason said. "More than your own team?"
"I talked to her earlier today," Kim said. "She has a chip on her shoulder real bad about Kentucky...she couldn't stand them when she went to the Final Four two years ago. Their fans are pretty nasty so I have no love for the Cats either even though I am SEC."
"I grew up in Cincinnati so you know my feelings towards those banjo playing hicks," Phil said. "Go UCONN."
Two hours later
"One of the greatest Cinderella stories ever is complete! The UConn Huskies have won the 2014 NCAA Men's Division I basketball championship, 60-54 over Kentucky! It is their fourth national championship."
When the final horn sounded, the room erupted into celebration once again.
"Man can you imagine how those kids must be feeling," Rocky said. "They've gotta be on top of the freaking world. Who would have ever thought."
"And they were the only ones that truly believed that team could do it. What a freaking team," Jason said.
"Kevin Ollie did a masterful job and he truly was the coach of this tournament," Kim said. "I thought the Gators had them up 16-4 but he was absolutely amazing in making adjustments. Hard to believe they almost lost to St. Joseph's in the first game."
"Text from Cody and Bailey," Tommy said. "Raw just ended apparently. There was supposed to be a title match between Bryan and Triple H. Batista and Orton beat down Bryan before the match but when the bell sounded and the "match" started the Shield came out and eventually unloaded on the Authority."
"Batista, Orton and Triple H together; does anyone smell a pattern developing here?" Hayley said.
"All they'd need is Ric Flair," Kim said, right as her smartwatch chimed.
"WE DID IT, WE DID IT, NATIONAL CHAMPS BABY!" Zack Martin said before Kim could even get a word out.
"You kids must be on top of the world," Kim said. "I wasn't here Saturday because I was in Dallas for the game with some of my college friends; congratulations you guys earned it."
"We did earn it and I am so proud of this team for what they did," Maya said. "Kevin Ollie is the freaking man."
"We were all pulling for UConn even though you basically have the competition locked up," Jason said. "None of us like Calipari or Kentucky and I think you just made Phil's day."
"Yeah, we know, any time Kentucky loses it's a great day for Phil," Addison said. "Anyone know what happened at Raw?"
"Cody and Bailey just texted Tommy," Jason said. "Match between H and Bryan for the title. Orton and Batista came down and beat Bryan down before the match and then after the match started the Shield beat the crap out of the Authority. Triple H apparently told the Shield and Bryan it's a battle they can't win."
"Hm, Batista, Orton and Triple H. Who's gonna be the new Flair?" Maya joked.
The group continued to laugh and talk as they all headed out of Cyberspace.
TBC...
