Chapter 16: Triple Threat at TLC?

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016 - TLC 2016: 12 Days Away - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Fresh off the Survivor Series Pay-Per-View, SmackDown couldn't be any happier. SmackDown had proved their dominance in the Men's Survivor Series match and in the title match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship when "The Las Vegas Ace" Zack Mercer proved to be a true ace as he captured the victory of the Raw superstar, Sami Zayn.

The man who had secured the victory for the Intercontinental Championship, the current Champion, himself was walking in the back with his earbuds in his ears listening to a playlist that some of his fans had created for him. James loved interacting with fans whether it be on social media or in person, that's what made him one of the most popular young stars in the WWE. Currently, Zack's merchandise was ranked 5th on SmackDown and ranked 8th in the entire company out of current superstars.

He was quickly becoming one of the fastest rising stars in the company. He had been employed with the WWE since mid-2013. In NXT, he was a bit of a star and a favorite among the fans. When he debuted he was a heel but even then he was still loved by the fans down in NXT. A lot of his love stemmed from his never-say-never attitude and his relentless drive. That attitude stemmed from his father who looked at James with nothing but hatred and told him at a young age that he would never be anything. That drove James more than anything else, just to prove him wrong and make his mother proud. He swore that the whole world would know James McGrady, and the whole world would know Zack Mercer.

And after 10 years in the business, this was becoming true. Zack Mercer was now a world-renown figure in the wrestling world. At 26 years old, he was realizing his dream and making himself a household name for generations to come.

James made his way to the locker room but stopped momentarily as he saw his best friend, Lexi sitting and giggling among her circle of friends. This brought a smile to his face before he continued on his way to the locker room to get ready for tonight's segment.

SmackDown Live Arena - Hours Later

"Bully" Hits

The music of the WWE Intercontinental Champion played out on the sound system of the Canadian Tire Centre. The Las Vegas native walked out onto the stage with the titantron being the only graphic going on in the arena. Zack hunched over with a smile

before he stood back up vertically raising his index fingers and middle fingers up in the

air as the lights and the rest of the graphics started to play in the arena.

Zack smiled as he looked around the arena at the WWE Universe. His gaze fixed upon his white and gold championship title around his waist as he looked down before he started his way down the ramp slapping the hands of the fans.

Once he reached the ringside area he looked around at the crowd once more with a

smile.

He walked around the ringside area to the ring and got up onto the ring apron similar to

the Miz's style. He held onto the middle rope while he raised up his index finger and

middle finger with his other hand. He got up to his feet and entered the ring before going

over to the turnbuckle and did his pose over again while the fans cheered loudly.

He jumped down from the ropes and was handed a microphone by the crew at ringside as his music faded away.

"Ottawa, I just got one question for you," Zack said on the mic with a smirk as the fans in the arena started to cheer, "Ottawa, How you doin?" The crowd then started to pop loudly as Zack lowered his mic and looked around the arena.

"If you missed Survivor Series this past Sunday then you missed one hell of a show. You missed a classic between myself and Canada's own, Sami Zayn," The fans cheered as they heard Sami's name, "Sami and I tore the house down at Survivor Series and Sami, if you didn't know this already you have my respect man, you're a hell of a performer. I wish you nothing but the best on the red brand but this Intercontinental title belongs to SmackDown," Zack said as he raised his Intercontinental Championship in the air as the fans popped.

"Now in just 12 days, SmackDown Live travels to good ole' Dallas, Texas for the one night of the year where you can Tables, Ladders and Chairs all on the same night on Pay-Per-View and the WWE Network."

"Which brings me to my point here tonight, I don't have a challenger for this here prize on my shoulder and TLC wouldn't be a true Pay-Per-View without Mr. Pay-Per-View himself, Zack Mercer. So I have to ask, who is gonna face Zack Mercer for the Intercontinental Championship at TLC?" Zack said as he lowered the mic and looked towards the stage awaiting for an answer.

I'M HERE TO SHOW THE WORLD!

I'M HERE TO SHOW THE WORLDDDDD!

"Here to Show the World" by Downstait hits!

The fans popped as the music of the former 4-time Intercontinental Champion, Dolph Ziggler who walked out onto the stage with a smile on his face as he wore a simple pair of black jeans with a black hoodie and Chuck Taylors. He pointed at Zack at the ring with a microphone in hand as his music faded away.

Dolph was about to say something in the mic but was attacked from behind when The Miz came running from behind the curtain and attacking Dolph Ziggler with a chair clubbing him in the back as the fans booed. Dolph screamed out in pain as The Miz stood tall over Dolph Ziggler with a chair in hand.

The Miz raised his head looking at Zack Mercer with a frown on his face. Zack looked at Miz with a frown on his face as the fans booing The Miz could be heard in the background as Zack's music started to play on the PA system.

"Bully" Plays

Zack raised his title in the air he pointed to the TLC graphic on the titantron while Miz still remained standing over Dolph Ziggler.

SmackDown GM Office - Moment's Later

Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon stood in their office watching SmackDown on a TV monitor set in the office as the fans cheering could be heard in the background. They both heard a knock at the door making them both turn to their heads to look at the door.

"Come in," Daniel spoke as the door opened and Zack Mercer walked into the shot with the white and gold strap around his shoulder as more cheers could be heard.

"You wanted to see me?" Zack spoke as he looked at both of his bosses.

"Yeah, we did. So in regards to your opponent at TLC for the Intercontinental Champion, Shane and I have made a decision," Daniel said as he turned his head towards Shane.

"Zack, you will face The Miz at TLC in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the Intercontinental Championship," the fans gave a mixed reaction as they heard the match announcement for TLC while Zack looked on with a frown. The Miz was once again getting another opportunity at Zack's Intercontinental title which did kinda upset Zack as he wanted a new fresh challenge.

"And Dolph Ziggler," Shane added as the fans popped at that making Zack smile as he nodded his head along.

"Well, I gotta say that is one hell of a match," Zack said with a smile.

"Yeah, we hope you put on a show," Daniel Bryan said as he patted Zack on the shoulder.

"Trust me, I will. I'm gonna put on a show that only 'The Ace of Spades' can provide," Zack said with a smirk before walking out of the show leaving Shane and Daniel there alone to look on.

A/N: So this is pretty much just a filler chapter that sets up his next big PPV match which was a Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Championship between Miz, Ziggler and Mercer.

This is the ZackAttack signing out!

Peace!