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Years I've Been a Fan > Years You've Been Alive
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kansas City - At the Argosy, Playing Blackjack with Harley Race
Posts: 718
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The Diary - Act Three
The following rosters represent the current standings in the thread. The beginning of the thread, including WrestleMania 23 in full, follows the rosters.
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-World Wrestling Entertainment Rosters-
WWE Chairman - Shane McMahon
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-Monday Night Raw-
Mondays @ 9 PM/ET on the USA Network
Current Champions
-WWE Champion-
Ric Flair; Won @ Starrcade 2007 from Chris Jericho
-WWE Intercontinental Champion-
MVP; Won on Monday Night Raw 1/07/2008
-WWE Tag Team Champions-
The Midnight Express; Won @ SummerSlam 2007 from WCTT
Staff
Eric Bischoff – Raw General Manager
Jim Ross – Play by Play Announcer
‘The American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes – Color Analyst
Howard Finkel - Ring Announcer
The Coach – Backstage Interviewer
Tag Teams/Stables
Camp Cornette – Umaga, Armando Estrada, the Midnight Express, Jim Cornette
The Midnight Express – Charming Charlie & Gorgeous Greg
The World’s Coolest Tag Team – Carlito & Shelton Benjamin
Brian Kendrick & Paul London
Monday Nitro – Johnny Nitro & Kenny Monday
The Great Khali & Davari
The Highlanders – Rory and Robby McAllister
Full Monday Night Raw Roster
‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair
Shawn Michaels
Triple H
Chris Jericho
The Undertaker
Umaga
MVP
CM Punk
Mr. Kennedy
Jeff Hardy
Kane
Charming Charlie (Haas)
Gorgeous Greg (Helms)
Shelton Benjamin
Carlito
The Great Khali
Khosrow Davari
Paul London
Brian Kendrick
Santino Marella
Gene Snitsky
Johnny Nitro
Kenny Monday
Matt Striker
Rory McAllister
Robby McAllister
Torrie Wilson
Maria
Candice Michelle
Armando Alejandro Estrada
James E. Cornette
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-Extreme Championship Wrestling-
Wednesday Nights @ 10 PM/ET on MTV
Current Champions
-ECW World Champion-
Kurt Angle; Won @ War Games 2007 from Terry Funk
-ECW Cruiserweight Champion-
Jamie Noble; Won @ War Games 2007 from Rey Mysterio
Staff
Paul Heyman/Mick Foley: ECW Co-General Managers
Joey Styles: ECW Play by Play Announcer
Tazz: ECW Color Analyst
Lillian Garcia - Ring Announcer
Joel Gertner: Backstage interviewer/personality
Tag Teams/Stables
The FBI – Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke
La Familia – Chavo Guerrero, Super Crazy, Juventud Guerrera and Psicosis
MNM – Joey Mercury, Jamie Noble, Melina
Hard Knox – Hardcore Holly & Mike Knox w/Kelly Kelly
Full ECW Roster
Kurt Angle
Rob Van Dam
Rey Mysterio
Bobby Lashley
Sabu
Rhyno
Masato Tanaka
The Sandman
Tommy Dreamer
Jamie Noble
Joey Mercury
Chavo Guerrero
Juventud Guerrera
Super Crazy
Psicosis
Yoshihiro Tajiri
Kid Kash
Little Guido
Tony Mamaluke
Chuck Palumbo
Stevie Richards
2 Cold Scorpio
Balls Mahoney
Hardcore Holly
Mike Knox
Kelly Kelly
Melina
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-Friday Night Smackdown-
Fridays @ 8 PM/ET on the CW Network
-Current Champions-
-World Heavyweight Champion-
John Cena; Won @ Smackdown’s Championship Friday from Brock Lesnar
-United States Champion-
Matt Hardy; Won @ Halloween Havoc 2007 from King Booker
-World Tag Team Champions-
Hood Rich Royalty (Mark Henry & Elijah Burke); Won on Smackdown 1/18/2008
-Women’s Champion-
Mickie James; Won @ Survivor Series 2007 from Trish Stratus
-Staff-
John Bradshaw Layfield: Smackdown General Manager
Michael Cole: Play by Play Announcer
Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler: Color Analyst
Tony Chimel - Ring Announcer
Todd Grisham: Backstage Interviewer
Tag Teams/Stables
The Excellence of Evolution – Batista & Randy Orton
Hood-Rich Royalty – King Booker, Queen Sharmell, Jazz, Sir Elijah Burke, The Alpha Male, Mark Henry
Redneck Wrecking Crew - Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
Cryme Tyme – JTG & Shad
DreamDust – Goldust & Greendust
Finlay & William Regal
Deuce & Domino
Full Friday Night Smackdown Roster
John Cena
The Rock
Brock Lesnar
Randy Orton
Batista
Christian
Edge
Matt Hardy
King Booker
Mark Henry
The Alpha Male
Sir Elijah Burke
Finlay
William Regal
Greendust
Goldust
Nelson Frazier
Shad
JTG
Trevor Murdoch
Lance Cade
Shannon Moore
Eugene
Val Venis
Deuce
Domino
Trish Stratus
Jazz
Jillian Hall
Michelle McCool
Mickie James
Molly Holly
Victoria
Christy Hemme
Layla
Candice Michelle
Cherry
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Yep, after a highly effective rejuvenation period, Da Naitch is back! As everyone knows, I may have the busiest “real” life of any booker, which more often than not, stops my runs from being long term. However, every time I come, I turn heads, and also thoroughly enjoy the hard work and BTB offerings of my fellow booking comrades. And this time around will be no different. And this time around I hope to last, well, just as long as I can. Nothing more that I can promise really. Only that if you read this thread, you should be entertained by it. Lastly, I’d like to thank the BTB community for the votes leading to my two BTB End of the Year Awards. And of course, Forever-Delayed – Renegade – and Kid-O-Mac, I deeply appreciate your comments in my favor about WrestleMania 23, and PPV of the year. Sorry Mac Daddy.   So, with the opening paragraph out of the way…
-This thread is simply a continuation of my old thread(s). You see, I started booking here in 2005, and since then, have had about four threads. Every time I have started one, I have picked up from the last one. So my thread has its own history, which dates back to the summer of 2005. Everything prior to summer 2005 is whatever WWE produced.
-From here, the plan going forward is for this thread to begin delivering full shows with the December 2007 pay per view, WWE Starrcade, which I want to have posted in full, or at least mostly full, by the mid-February. I’ve got a very solid start on it, and I think it will be an awesome offering. Obviously those who have followed this thread realize that WrestleMania 23 was really where the thread ended, which was the April 2007 PPV. So during the next 4-6 weeks, while completing Starrcade, I will be doing a series of recaps, filling in the year of 2007.
-I am doing this because I hate being so far behind in real time, and because I have had the ideas for 2007 in my head so long, I no longer have the want to write them out. I now want to write out 2008, and am really eager to make it to another WrestleMania. But this time I want to actually build to Mania through TV, and the last few PPVs. So, that’s the plan. Here is the 2007-2008 PPV schedule, which will detail what you can expect in upcoming weeks:
WWE - Pay per View Schedule
Sunday April 1:
WWE WrestleMania 23
Live from Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
-Posted in full @ start of thread-
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Sunday April 22:
WWE Draft 2007 - Battle of the Brands
Live from the Allstate Arena
Chicago, Illinois
-Buildup & recap posted the week of January 14-
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Sunday May 20:
WWE Great American Bash
Live from the Baltimore Arena
Baltimore, Maryland
-Buildup and recap posted the week of January 14-
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Sunday June 10:
ECW One Night Stand
Live from the Hammerstein Ballroom
Manhattan, New York
-Buildup and recap posted the week of January 21-
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Sunday June 24:
WWE King of the Ring – Night of Champions
Live from the
In San Juan, Puerto Rico
-Buildup and recap posted the week of January 21-
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Sunday July 22:
WWE SuperBrawl
Live from the Savvis Center
Saint Louis, Missouri
-Buildup and recap posted the week of January 28-
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Sunday August 26:
WWE SummerSlam
Live from the Georgia Dome
Atlanta, Georgia
-Buildup and recap posted the week of January 28-
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Sunday September 23:
WWE War Games
Live from the Brand New Sprint Center
Kansas City, Missouri
-Buildup and recap posted the week of February 4-
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Sunday October 28:
WWE Halloween Havoc
Live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
-Buildup and recap posted the week of February 4-
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Sunday November 25:
WWE Survivor Series
Live From the Bell Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
-Buildup and recap posted the week of February 11-
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Sunday December 30:
WWE Starrcade
Live from the Greensboro Coliseum
Greensboro, North Carolina
-PPV posted in full between the week of February 11 & February 18; thread takes off in full-
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Sunday January 27:
WWE Royal Rumble
Live from Madison Square Garden
New York, New York
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Saturday February 23:
WWE Clash of the Champions on TNT
Live from the Cow Palace
San Francisco, California
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Saturday March 15:
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC
Live from the Joe Louis Arena
Detroit, Michigan
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Sunday March 31:
WWE WrestleMania 24 - The Gamble
Live from the Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas, Nevada
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-So there you have it. The 2008-2009 PPV schedule will be reduced a bit, with the SuperBrawl and War Games PPV’s being removed. The War Games match will be added to another pay per view to keep it alive. Also, a second televised edition of both COTC and SNME will join the schedule, during the summer, in the build to SummerSlam, totaling 2 SNME and 2 COTC episodes for the year. This will reduce the PPV number from 12 to 10, while keeping the “big show” number at 14.
-And finally, before I get the recaps of 2007 going, and to get this thread started off, I will post my greatest BTB offering ever, WrestleMania 23. Any reviews are welcome, but surely aren’t expected or necessary. If you never got to review it, and want to, please do. Otherwise, skim over it, and get the feel of things going into the recaps. It feels great to be back. Enjoy.
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WWE WRESTLEMANIA 23
WWE Opening plays and we cut to the first opening video...
WrestleMania Opening 1
A traditional slow paced beat kicks in, giving mild audio background…
Narrator: For twenty three years, one event has represented the pinnacle, of Sport’s Entertainment…
*Image of the Original WrestleMania logo*
Gorilla Monsoon: Hello everyone, and welcome to WrestleMania ….
Narrator: Year after year…
*Images of the Mania logos of past flash, up until WM 22 – Big Time*
Gorilla Monsoon: The greatest wrestling extravaganza of all time!
Narrator: The world stands in awe…
*Clips of fans from Mania’s past – shocked faces – erupting masses*
Jim Ross: THIS CROWD’S GOING CRAZY!!
Narrator: And looks on in amazement…
*Past Mania clips – Hogan pins Andre the Giant @ Mania 3 - HBK glides to the ring @ Mania 12 – Stone Cold & The Rock face off @ Mania X7*
Jesse Ventura: I never thought it could be done Gorilla!
Narrator: As magic is created…
*The NFL vs. WWF Battle Royal @ Mania 2– Savage & Elizabeth reunite @ Mania 7– Rock & Hogan Face off @ Mania X8*
Jim Ross: The Pomp … the pageantry … and THE PASSION!!
Narrator: History is made …
*WWE Title Wins - Bret Hart pins Yokozuna @ Mania 10 – Tyson counts HBK out & Stone Cold wins the title @ Mania 14 - HBK pins Edge @ Mania 22*
Vince McMahon: We have a NEW CHAMPION!!
Narrator: Legends are born …
*Undertaker tombstones Jake Roberts@ Mania 8 – Rock beats Hogan @ Mania X8 – Eddie Guerrero cheats to win against Kurt Angle @ Mania 20*
Jim Ross: Where memories last … FOREVER!!
Narrator: And incredible feats of athleticism …
*Savage drops five flying elbows on the Warrior @ Mania 7 – Hart uses the top turnbuckle to kick off and pin Piper @ Mania 8- HBK flies off the ladder @ Mania 10*
Paul Heyman: There’s NO WAY!!
Narrator: Are indelibly etched …
*Edge spears Jeff Hardy in mid-air @ Mania X7 – Brock crashes into the mat off the shooting star @ Mania 19 - Orton RKO’s Mysterio off the Ladder @ Mania 22*
Tazz: OH MY GOD!!
Narrator: In the annals of time!
*Shane-O-Mac goes coast to coast on Vinnie Mac @ Mania X-7 – Shelton Benjamin’s running ladder clothesline @ Mania 21- Undertaker glides over the top rope, hand free, and takes Rock down @ Mania 22 *
The King: UN … BELIEVABLE!!
Narrator: For twenty three years - that one event - has been known …
*Images of Gorilla and Jesse at Mania 6 in the broadcast booth – moving to a shot of the HUGE Crowd!*
Jesse Ventura: I’ve been to the SuperBowl …
Narrator: As the Granddaddy… of them all...
*Images of the HUGE crowd, from Mania X-8 in the same arena – Skydome*
Jesse Ventura: I’ve been to the World Series…
Narrator: As the Showcase …Of the Immortals …
*Images flash of more HUGE Mania crowds – 8, 17, 19*
Jesse Ventura: I’ve even been to the Rolling Stones!
Narrator: It’s the GLOBAL …PHENOMENON!
*The camera pan from WrestleMania 3 – 93,173 fans going wild*
Jesse Ventura: But there is one event - that surpasses them all …
Narrator: It has been known … as WRESTLEMANIA…
*Slow moving graphic of the WrestleMania 3 logo, as presented in 1987, moves onto the screen*
Jesse Ventura: And that’s WrestleMania!!
Gorilla Monsoon: WrestleMania!!
Bobby Heenan: This is WrestleMania Monsoon!
Mean Gene: WrestleMania!!
Vince McMahon: It has happened … at WRESTLE MANIA!!
Jerry Lawler: It’s WrestleMania baby!!
Tazz: Wrestle… … MANIA!!
Michael Cole: Wrestle…
Jim Ross: MAAAAANIAAA!!!
Narrator: And for the 23rd time…
*Images of different WrestleMania pyro displays over the years are shown*
Quiet echoes from the Narrator:the granddaddy of them all …of them all… them all …the showcase of the immortals … of the immortals … the immortals… the global phenomenon … phenomenon … nomenon!!
Narrator: THIS ... is WRESTLEMANIA!!
*Images of the logos flash from start to finish once more from 1 -22*
Jim Ross’s emotional voice heard once more: WRESTLE … MAAAANIAAA!!
Narrator: Welcome to the show…
*The WrestleMania 23 graphic finally takes over the screen*
Echo from the Saliva song: Welcome to the show …
Narrator: Please come inside…
*The “23” portion of the logo spins around, with the “23” being replaced by the words “All Grown Up”*
One last echo from Saliva: Ladies and Gentlemen … Gentlemen … Gentlemen…!!
***
We cut to the beginning of WrestleMania 3, with the camera panning the huge crowd, and the 1980’s theme music playing. The camera then focuses on Vince McMahon, who is at center ring, ready to speak…
Vince McMahon: Ladies and Gentlemen, WELCOME! To the greatest sports entertainment extravaganza of ALL TIME! Welcome to WRESTLE … MANIA 3!!
The crowd pops huge, and the camera begins to fade between showing the WrestleMania 3 crowd, and giving peaks of the jam packed Ford Field crowd at WrestleMania 23.
Vince McMahon: And now, here to sing America, the Beautiful! The QUEEN of soul … MISS ARETHA … FRAAAANKLIINN!!
The crowd pops huge again, as the camera focuses on Aretha, who’s on stage at WrestleMania 23, with the bright lights flashing. She sits at her piano, and delivers an absolutely stirring rendition of America the Beautiful! As the soulful diva finishes up, two huge fireworks blow, and we cut to a second opening video.
***
WrestleMania Opening 2
(In this video, narrative voiceovers from the superstars accompany their images. They are not actually speaking from the positions they’re placed in…)
Another traditional beat takes the audio backdrop…
*Image of Vince McMahon, in concentration, staring into the sky*
Vince McMahon: In April 1985, I put every resource I had into action, and WrestleMania was born…
*In a dimly lit locker room, Hogan straps on the weight belt, and throws the feathered boas over his head*
Hulk Hogan: It was like nothing any of us had ever experienced, and here I was the headliner. Hulkamania ran wild…
*Flash of Hogan & Mr. T making their way down the aisle in MSG @ Mania 1*
*Brock jogging in place, sweat dripping off his face and body, within an empty locker room*
Lesnar: I walked into Seattle - WrestleMania 19, as a rookie – and left a champion…
*Flash of Lesnar hitting the F5 on Angle @ Mania 19*
*HBK has his head nodding in prayer, before lifting it and slowly opening his eyes*
HBK: It was huge … WrestleMania 5 … all my dedication finally paid off, when I walked through that curtain, eager to steal the show…
*Flash of the Rockers jumping into the ring from the top rope @ Mania 5*
*Triple H finishes taping up his knees, and slowly pulls his knee pads into place*
Triple H: At Wrestlemania 12 … my first big dance, I proved what it means to be a professional in this business…
*Flash of Hunter pedigree’ing Ultimate Warrior @ Mania 12*
*Vince, hands in his pockets, still in deep thought, walks while pondering*
Vince McMahon: A lot of people were angry, you know, a lot of them said I would fail, that this Sport’s Entertainment thing would never last…
*Flash of Vince doing commentary @ Mania 2*
*From behind, we see Flair throw a classic $15,000 robe on, covering the back and shoulders of the Nature Boy*
Ric Flair: It was WrestleMania 8 … after fighting against this company for 15 years, I stood with it … and being Champion never meant more…
*Flash of Flair opening his red robe, revealing the WWE Title belt, @ Mania 8*
*Images of Batista on a weight machine, doing bench presses - anguishing looks of lifting heavy on his face*
Batista: At WrestleMania 20 - it all began again … but for me personally … that night was simply where it all began…
*Flash of Batista coming down the aisle as part of Evolution @ Mania 20*
*Images of Kurt, in full gear and with his medals around his neck, running up arena steps*
Angle: At WrestleMania 16, I finally showcased my ability … my Olympic Gold Medal … on the grandest stage of all…
*Flash of Angle standing in the ring as Euro-Continental Champion @ Mania 16*
*Vince stops, again peering into the open air, with a soft smile forming on his face*
Vince McMahon: But everyone who doubted me and my grand vision … all the skeptics … all the critics … they were wrong!
*Flash of Vince standing in awe, admiring the crowd @ Mania 3*
*We see Foley, staring at monitor, watching clips of some of the bloody, brutal fights he’s been in*
Foley: WrestleMania 13 was the ultimate culmination … all my years of putting my body, and my life, on the line… finally paid off…
*Flash of Foley using the knee crusher on Owen Hart @ Mania 13*
*And eerie image of the Undertaker appears, and in the shadows, the Deadman raises his arms, bringing the light*
(Voice totally in Character) Undertaker: At WrestleMania 7 … the first dragon was slain … for I would not, REST … IN … PEACE…
*Flash of Undertaker tombstone piledriving the Superfly @ Mania 7*
*Cena, peering at his reflection in the mirror, does the Ali Shuffle, while shadow boxing*
John Cena: WrestleMania 20 – Madison Square Garden – The Franchise Player finally made it, to the SuperBowl stage…
*Flash of Cena at center ring, talking trash on the microphone @ Mania 20*
*The Rock sits on a locker room bench, looking down, before slowly raising his head, and closing his eyes in focus*
Rock: Being raised in this business … WrestleMania has always been the most important thing in my life … and at WrestleMania 13 in Chicago … all my dreams came true…
*Flash of the Rock, and father Rocky Johnson, cleaning house @ Mania 13*
The Beat begins to speed up…
*Quick flashes – Vince in the 80’s – Vince in the 90’s – Vince now*
Vince McMahon: And now…
*Hogan poses in front of a HUGE American Flag*
Hulk Hogan: Hulkamania is STILL runnin’ wild!
*Lesnar holds up the World Title*
Brock Lesnar: I’m STILL Champion…
*HBK drops to his knees in front of his pyro*
Shawn Michaels: THE SHOOOOWWSTOPPERRR!!
*Triple H throws up his arms – spits his water*
Triple H: I … AM … THE GAAAME!!
*Vince marches to the ring for battle @ Mania X7*
Vince McMahon: After 23 years…
*Flair struts to the ring in his robe - Echoing Woo’s*
Ric Flair: SIX… TEEN… TIMES… THE WORLD CHAMPION!!
*Batista poses for the Machine Gun Pyro*
Batista: I AM the Animal…
*Angle points to the sky – red, white and blue pyro behind him*
Kurt Angle: The WRESTLING MACHINE!!
*Vince marches to the ring for battle again, at Mania 19*
Vince McMahon: And coming into the 23rd WrestleMania…
*A bloody Foley throws up the “Bang-Bang”*
Mick Foley: I’m the Hardcore Legend…
*Cena waves his hand in front of his face*
John Cena: YOU CAN’T SEE ME!!
*Undertaker lifts his arms in the shadows*
Undertaker: IMMOORRRRTAAAALLL…
*Rock on the turnbuckle – throws the belt over his shoulder – and “smells”*
The Rock: The absolute BEST … EVER!!
*Image of Vince slapping Shane @ X7 – Then Slapping Hogan @ 19*
Vince McMahon: WrestleMania …
*Flashing shots of Hogan, Lesnar, HBK, HHH, Flair, and Batista – each saying “And I”*
Vince McMahon: And I…
*Flashing shots of Angle, Foley, Undertaker, Cena and The Rock flash, with each of them also saying “And I”*
Vince McMahon: ARE ALL …
*Image of Bret Hart punishing a bloody Stone Cold in the sharpshooter @ Mania 13*
Jim Ross: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!!
Vince McMahon: GROWN…
* Image of Hulk Hogan bodyslamming Andre the Giant @ Mania 3*
Jesse Ventura: I DON’T BELIEVE IT!!
Vince McMahon: UP!!
WrestleMania 23 “All Grown Up” logo flashes, as the video concludes…
***
Saliva’s “Ladies & Gentlemen” begins to play…
AND NOW
… … … …
RAW … SMACKDOWN … AND PLAYSTATION 3 PRESENT
… … … …
THE 23rd ANNUAL
… … … …
WRESTLEMANIA!!
***
“Ladies and Gentlemen” rings through Ford Field, blaring over the PA System as we cut to the...
**BIGGEST OPENING PYRO DISPLAY IN WRESTLEMANIA HISTORY**
Finally, the cameras pan the WHOLE GIGANTIC CROWD, with the fans ecstatic, WRESTLEMANIA 23 IS ON THE AIR!!
Jim Ross: You are looking LIVE! At over 75,000 fans, who have descended upon the Motor City – DETROIT, MICHIGAN!! From Border to Border - Continent to Continent – Sea to shining Sea – We welcome you Ladies and Gentlemen to the GREATEST … Sport’s Entertainment CELEBRATION … OF AAALLLLLL TIME!! THIS … IS WRESTLE-MANIIAAA … 23!!
The camera continues to pan the unbelievably hyped up crowd, before focusing on JR and the King!
Jim Ross: Hi again folks, Jim Ross, alongside Jerry “The King” Lawler, welcoming you to the 23rd annual WrestleMania! And King, what a crowd! What a card! And what a night … it promises to be!
The King: Unbelievable JR! WRESTLEMANIA!! Four decades in wrestling, and I have NEVER seen a spectacle like this! SuperBowl 40 couldn’t hold a candle to what we got going here at Ford Field! And how fitting JR … ME the KING! ROYALTY … AT WRESTLEMANIA!
Jim Ross: Royalty indeed! And ladies and gentlemen, we’re joined tonight by our sensational colleagues from Smackdown … Michael Cole and Tazz!!
Michael Cole: Thank you very much JR! And Tazz, Ford Field is ROCKIN! Are you ready … for WRESTLEMANIA!!
Tazz: I was born ready Cole! This is the big one man, WrestleMania 23! It’s the ROCKETBUSTER that’s gonna blow the roof off Ford Field! And like all these rabid fans here in Detroit baby; I’M AMPED UP!!
Michael Cole: And guess who else is amped up! Spanish action … Hugo & Carlos … TAKE IT AWAY GUYS!!
The Spaniards do their thing quickly, as the anticipation ends, and the action finally begins…
*THIS FIRE BURNS*- Hits to a memorable pop for the Straight Edge Superstar, set for the biggest match of his young WWE career, on the grandest stage of all!
Lillian Garcia: This opening contest is scheduled for one fall … and it is for the INTER … CONTINENTAALLL … CHAMPIONSHIP!! Coming down the aisle first, the challenger! From Chicago Illinois … Weighing in at 216 pounds
… … C - M … PUNK!!
Jim Ross: Well King, I couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off here tonight! For the nineteenth time, the coveted Intercontinental Championship is on the line, here at WrestleMania. And the challenger, the Straight Edge Superstar – the awesomely talented CM Punk - is ready to go!
The King: JR, this match should be absolutely unbelievable! As good as any opening match in WrestleMania history! And like you said JR, this phenomenal young athlete, CM Punk, is ready. He’s ready for WrestleMania, and he’s ready to take the Intercontinental Championship home!
Jim Ross: CM Punk lives the straight edge lifestyle; no alcohol – no tobacco – no drugs! His only addiction is competition, and you can bet, he’ll get his fix … here tonight!
*BOOYAKA – BOOOYAKA - 619*- Hits to a fantastic pop, as the ever exciting Intercontinental Champion shoots into the air, and lands on the stage, ready for this ultra important championship defense, at WrestleMania!
Lillian Garcia: And his opponent! From San Diego California … Weighing in at 185 pounds! He is the INTER … CONTINENTALLL CHAMPIOONNN … … REY … MYSTEEERRIOOO!!
Jim Ross: King, we talked about CM Punk being focused, about CM Punk being ready. But, if there is one man in this building who’s just as focused - just as ready as CM Punk, than it’s his opponent – the man entering WrestleMania on a nine month reign as Intercontinental Champion - Rey Mysterio!
The King: Absolutely JR, Rey Mysterio is ready! He’s a man who’s faced as much adversity in his career as an athlete possibly could. And he’s persevered to become one of the biggest superstars we have here in the WWE. And the proof is right in front of our eyes - Rey Mysterio entering WrestleMania 23, in front of some 75,000 people, wearing the WWE Intercontinental Championship belt!
Jim Ross: And you gotta believe this will be one of the GREAT Intercontinental matches - a legend making encounter for these two men. Some of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history have centered around that championship. You think of Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper, Jericho vs. Lesnar, HBK vs. Razor Ramon, and of course, who could forget Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage, twenty years ago, at WrestleMania 3!
The King: Oh, I remember it vividly JR! And I can feel it in the air, this match is about to be just as memorable! I CANT WAIT!!
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Rey Mysterio© vs. CM Punk
The bell sounds, and WrestleMania 23 is officially underway. The buzz in Ford Field is thick, and as Mysterio and Punk lock eyes, the electricity truly begins to flow. The men nod at one another from their respective corners, in a show of mutual respect, before coming to center ring, and going eye to eye. The crowd, just insane with buzz, begins early cheers for both men, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Each superstar looks to the crowd, and back to his opponent, soaking it in, before circling one another for a moment, and finally locking up!
Mysterio takes an immediate headlock on Punk, who in turn, immediately sends Rey into the ropes. But Rey, in classic form, instead propels himself to the top rope, springboarding in moonsault-esque fashion, and landing on Punk’s shoulder, before quickly twisting out, and taking Punk down with a vicious arm drag! The fans cheer loudly, as they can tell off one small sequence, they’re in for something special. Rey, up very quickly, awaits Punk, who collects his thoughts on one knee, before rising to meet his opponent once more.
This time, Punk wastes no time, and speeds in at Mysterio, who leapfrogs instantly, causing Punk to hit the ropes. Mysterio drops to his back and lifts his feet, and as Punk returns, he’s taken over with a modified monkey flip from Mysterio, sending Punk’s body into the mat, and tangling into the bottom ropes. Mysterio is again up in a flash, whilst Punk a bit flustered, again finds himself on one knee. Punk licks his lips, uses his hand to check for blood, and again gets up to meet his adversary.
Rey hits the ropes as soon as Punk rises, and baseball slides under his challengers legs, quickly rises, spins Punk around, delivers a kick, but Punk catches his foot! Rey spins inside out, with a unique inzuiguri, nailing Punk in the solar plexus, and staggering him back to the ropes. Rey quickly hits the ropes on the far side, and hits a HIGH CROSS BODY on Punk, with both men tumbling out over the top rope, and to the arena floor!! Rey hits the ground, but Punk remains vertical, staggering back, with his back colliding with the barricade!
Mysterio scopes the field, enters the ring, sprints to the far ropes, hits them with great speed – PUNK IS UP- and Rey leaps over the top in a FRONT FLIP SENTON MOVE!! But Mysterio instead lands on his feet, on the apron - in anticipation of Punk awaiting the move!! But Punk’s seen enough – he grabs Mysterio’s feet, and yanks them out from under him, pulling Rey off the apron, causing his body to SMACK the arena floor!! Rey’s backside thuds off the arena floor, to a shrilling reaction from the Ford Field crowd.
Punk gets Rey up, and sends him back underneath the bottom rope, and follows him in. Punk now, in methodical fashion, takes over on Mysterio. The Straight Edge Superstar quickly hooks Mysterio in a hard, precision snap suplex, before hitting the ropes quickly, and delivering another precise maneuver, in the form of a snap legdrop! Punk attempts the first pin cover of WrestleMania 23 … 1 …….2 … Rey kicks out just after two, and both men quickly get to their feet, with Punk seconds ahead of Rey.
Punk puts the pressure on, backing Mysterio up, and then sending him for the whip, but Rey returns to duck a clothesline attempt, before hitting the ropes again, and returning to a HEAD SEVERING DROPKICK!! Punk’s feet smash into the face of a momentum driven Mysterio, whose head is nearly removed from his body, before he crashes to the mat. The Punk fans begin to get very vocal, as the Straight Edge Superstar begins to dominate his opposition. Rey, persevering as always, begins to get up, pulling himself up on Punk, who helps him a bit, keeping Rey close, and then delivering his series of devastating jujitsu kicks to the masked superstar!
Punk ends the series with a beautiful spinning kick, that takes Rey to the mat, and for the second time, Punk covers…. 1…….2…..and a bit slower than before, Rey kicks out again. Punk delivers two stomps to Rey’s shoulder and neck area, before hitting the ropes to deliver a kick, but Rey rolls on the mat, past the returning Punk, to his feet, and off the opposite ropes! Rey bounces back, and ducks a lariat attempt from Punk, and again heads into the opposite ropes, bouncing off and delivering a beautiful hand spring elbow, connecting to the mush of CM Punk! Punk goes down, but gets right back up! Rey goes for the ropes again, this time using the middle rope as a spring board for another back elbow to the jaw!! Punk again hits the mat, and again gets up!! And Rey, on a roll, goes for the exciting sequence one more time, as he springboards into another flying back elbow … only for Punk to CATCH REY IN MIDAIR … and deliver a devastating belly to back suplex out of the back elbow attempt!!
Rey’s upper back, head & neck bend in a sick way on the mat, and Punk has grounded his high flying opponent! CM Punk gets his adversary up again, hooking him in what looks to be a suplex attempt, lifting Rey up, and instead slingshotting his legs off the top rope, and delivering a snap “jackhammer” style move!! Into Punk’s third pin cover attempt!! 1…….. 2……….. this time Rey rolls the shoulder!! Not a kick out, but simply using all his strength to get his shoulder off the canvas, to avoid losing his title.
Punk again gets Rey up, and yet again, sends him into the ropes, but in a flash, Rey leaps to the top, turns his body, and springboards into a dropkick of his own!! And this time it’s Rey who nearly decapitates Punk with a dropkick – in springboard fashion!! Punk smacks the mat hard, all his momentum out the window, and Mysterio garners a much needed breather! Punk appears to be absolutely knocked out, and Rey crawls over, attempting his first cover!! 1………..2………..NO! Punk rolls his shoulder, escaping the pin. Rey gets to his feet, seemingly on a second wind, whilst Punk is very slow to get up!!
Rey hits the ropes, and just as Punk makes it vertical, Rey takes him down with a quick, stiff headscissors takeover! Rey goes to the outside, at the center of the ropes, springboards, and DROPS THE DIME!! Punk receives the vicious legdrop, and again seems out, as Rey-Rey covers!!
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…………NO!!..........
Punk’s out in two, and the fans love the action, with the electricity at a fever pitch! Rey gets Punk up this time, and wastes no time going for a standing huracanrana! But Punk somehow powers out, lifting Rey up and over his head, sending Mysterio’s body crashing into the top rope, for a vicious stun-gun clothesline!! Mysterio’s body crashes to the mat, as Punk catches his breath for only a moment, and goes for a cover on the fallen Mysterio!!
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……SHOULDER UP!!……
Punk, a bit flustered, gets the champion to his feet again, and delivers four hard elbow shots the collar bone and shoulder area, before maneuvering Rey into an abdominal stretch! Punk stretches the champs’ body, using his arms to create a vicious facelock while maintaining the maneuver! Punk maintains the hold for roughly 30 seconds, before using the maneuver to deliver a hard pumphandle slam!! Punk straddles Mysterio, grabs his hands in a knuckle lock, and pressures Mysterio’s arms and shoulders to the mat …
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………….REY BRIDGES HIS SHOULDERS UP!!............
Punk pressures Rey down again …
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Punk forces Mysterio down again…
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………….REY POWERS THE OTHER ARM OFF THE CANVAS!!................
Punk powers Rey down yet again, but Mysterio immediately bridges, forcing Punk up, before releasing the bridge, and lifting his knees!! Punk’s torso crashes into Rey’s knees, and in an instant, Rey uses his legs to send Punk over onto his back, maintaining the knuckle lock, and then back-rolling into a straddle position on Punk, attempting a pin in the same way…
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……..PUNK BRIDGES OUT!!.......
Rey keeps the knuckle lock, and springs to his feet, pulling Punk up with him. Punk, still short of wind, is easily maneuvered up by Rey, who then backs him into the ropes, maintaining the knuckle lock, before in an instant, Rey releases one hand, walks the ropes to the top rope, SPRINGS INTO A BACKFLIP … AND HOOKS PUNK’S HEAD ON THE WAY DOWN … INTO A DDT!!
The first Holy Shit chant of the night breaks out, as Rey has just done a scintillatingly – and seemingly unreal move!! Unfortunately for Mysterio, he’s exhausted, and unable to capitalize!! And with both men down, the ref administers the ten count … 1 … 2 …. 3 …. 4 ….. 5 ….. 6 …… Rey to his knees …….7 ……. REY COVERS!!
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…………PUNK KICKS OUT!!.........
Both men slowly get to their feet, with Rey quickly hitting the ropes, and coming into a drop toe hold by Punk! Punk quickly floats over Mysterio’s body, into a front facelock for only a moment, bringing Rey to his knees, before standing out himself, and delivering several hard kicks to the head, neck and shoulder area of the Intercontinental Champion. And as Punk again takes over, a tremendous chant of *CM PUNK* breaks out in Ford Field, and the emotion in Punk’s face tells the story! Punk gets his opponent up, delivers three or four hard knees, sends Rey for the Irish whip into the corner, and follows in with his hard jumping knee to the face!! Punk immediately hooks the head, and delivers the RUNNING BULLDOG!! The crowd erupts even further, as Punk delivers his classic sequence!!
However, it’s now the Mysterio fans who begin to vocalize their opinion, with a *619* chant!! And as Punk begins to stalk his rising adversary, the fans begin an exchange … *619* … *CM PUNK* … *619* … *CM PUNK*!! The electricity is thick!! Rey arises, and Punk hooks him, and delivers … URANAGI!!! But Mysterio COUNTERS INTO AN ARMDRAG!! Punk hits the mat, and bounces right back, into another DEEP ARMDRAG!! And again, Punk bounces up, into yet another DEEP ARMDRAG!! BUT PUNK HOLDS ON!! HE CARRIES MYSTERIO THROUGH … both men to their feet into …. URANAGE!!!
PUNK CONNECTS!! And he maintains the head and arm lock onto the mat … INTO THE ANACONDA VICE!!! BUT MYSTERIO BACKROLLS THROUGH THE HOLD!! In momentum, Punk front rolls, maintaining the lock, and both men wind up on their feet again!! Punk desperately tries to maintain some form of the vice, but Mysterio breaks free!! He quickly kicks Punk in the gut, bending him over, before mounting himself on Punk’s back, legs under Punk’s arms, rocking in the air for a moment – garnering momentum, and delivering the FLIPPING POWERBOMB PIN!!
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Punk used his legs to pinch Mysterio’s head, breaking up the pin, and giving himself a chance to get some wind, and crawl towards the ropes. Punk grabs the bottom, then middle rope, and pulls himself up… but he’s dropkicked in the back by REY!! Sending him through the middle ropes, to the apron!! Punk starts to get up quickly, and as Rey comes in, Punk delivers a shoulder to the gut of Mysterio, between the middle and top rope!! Rey staggers to center ring, and this time it’s Punk who springs to the top, connecting with the SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE!!
Both men lay on the mat, drained, and Punk begins to crawl to the cover, and just as he hovers over Mysterio, REY POPS UP AND HOOKS AN OKLAHOMA ROLL!!!
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…………………KICK OUT!!.................
Rey, exhausted, sits out, whilst Punk amazingly pops to his feet, seemingly invigorated by almost being caught off guard, and delivers a vicious dropkick to the back of Mysterio’s head!! Rey hits the mat, nearly unconscious!! Punk gets Rey up, and sets him up for a huge move. He hoists Rey up with a waiste-lock, into a SHOULDER BREAKER … a possible match ending move!! Punk gets Rey up, and just before delivery, REY COUNTERS INTO A HURACANRANA!! Punk’s body flies across the ring, into the ropes, and he quickly, desperately tries to use the ropes to make it to his feet! But once again, he’s dropkicked in the back, and this time, he lands in position for the …. 619!! Mysterio hits the far ropes, and DELIVERS THE 619 … AND IT CONNECTS!!
Punk lands at center ring … staggers up … Rey springboards … WEST COAST POP!! INTO A POWERBOMB FROM CM PUNK!! Punk drives his adversary into the canvas below!! But Punk, so fatigued, is unable to cover! Both men are laid out!! And once again, the referee is forced to go with the ten count …. 1…….. 2…………3……………4…………….5……………….6 ….. Punk to his knees …….. 7 ……….. Rey to his stomach ……….8 ………Punk on one foot …….. 9…………PUNK IS UP!! But Mysterio shows his vigor, also making it to his feet! The men stand toe to toe, Punk delivering a shot, and Mysterio returning it! Punk goes for another but its ducked by Rey, who tries hoisting Punk for a bodyslam, but Punk slides off, spins Rey around, and lifts him into the fireman carry position … spinning Rey’s body … and releasing it into … THE KNOCKOUT KNEE!!!
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……………MYSTERIO KICKS OUT!!............
Punk, exhausted for breath, and for options, once again gets Rey up. He sends Rey for an Irish whip into the corner, but Rey reverses, and sends Punk in! Mysterio sprints in, cart-wheeling and flipping into a hard handspring elbow in the corner, smashing Punk’s face! Punks crumbles, to his rear, and Rey wastes no time, turning Punk’s body, and putting him in 619 position, very close to the corner! Rey then exits the ring, to the apron, heads all the way to the other side of the ring, hollers for the 619, sprints down the apron, and DELIVERS THE 619 – SPINNING AROUND THE RINGPOST TO CONNECT!! The breathtaking maneuver is on target, and sends Punk sailing to center ring, but unfortunately for Rey, the impact took him to the floor!! Rey is up very slowly, gets to the apron, and again, attempts the WEST COAST POP!!
Rey springs… and flies… into a DROPKICK FROM PUNK!! Once again, CM Punk is able to pull out a counter for the west coast pop!! Both men are down, with Punk beginning to stir, crawling on his knees, and finally getting to his feet. Punk grabs Rey by the head, gets him up, and sets him up for another … URANAGI!! Punk lifts him, but Rey manages to SPIN OUT!! Rey continues to move, hits the ropes, and runs back … into a TILT-A-WHIRL … BUT REY FLIPS THROUGH … AND STANDS OUT!! Rey runs to the corner, Punk follows him, Rey gets to the top, and Punk runs right into the turnbuckles, chest first!! Mysterio spins around, and leaps down onto Punk’s shoulders, into the WEST COAST POP!! INTO THE PIN!!
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…………………….PUNK WON’T STAY DOWN!!.....................
Punk kicks out of the modified West Coast Pop!! And it’s Mysterio now, at a loss, he crumbles to the mat in anguish, sure that was it, tears in his eyes, before both men begin to rise! On their feet, Rey kicks Punk in the gut, and sprints to the ropes, but Punk gives chase, following Rey in! Rey goes through the ropes, for a 619 style move, but instead coming around, and catching Punk with a headscissors, then using the ropes to send Punk out over the top, to the arena floor!! Punk lands hard, and slowly starts to get up. Mysterio hits the ropes on the far side, sprints back, SPRINGBOARDS … INTO A CORKSCREW PLANCHA … ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR!!! MYSTERIO DEVASTATES PUNK!!
Rey takes Punk down HARD!! Another Holy shit chant breaks out from the captivated Detroit crowd, in awe of this unbelievable action!! Rey, slowly gets up, as the crowd once again exchanges chants … *619* … *CM PUNK* … *619* … and even LOUDER FOR *CM PUNK*!! Rey gets Punk up, sends him back in, under the bottom rope, and he himself slowly gets to the apron! Rey calls out to the crowd, time for one last big move!! Rey SPRINGBOARDS looking for one more WEST COAST POP … but PUNK FRONTROLLS UNDER THE MOVE!! The resilient Mysterio lands on his feet, and turns right around, to a waiting CM PUNK!! Punk kicks Mysterio in the gut, and puts him in position … for the PEPSI PLUNGE!!??!!?? Could it be?? The move Punk’s never used in WWE? The crowd erupts, many aware of what Punk is going for! JR & the King are baffled … shades of Triple H…??
YES!! PUNK HOOKS IT IN … HE LIFTS REY FOR THE DELIVERY … BUT NO!!! MYSTERIO FLIPS ALL THE WAY UP … INTO A HURACANRANA!!
REY TAKES PUNK OVER .. ... INTO THE PIN!!
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BUT PUNK ROLLS THROUGH … INTO A SUNSET FLIP PIN!!!
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THE BELL SOUNDS … THE CROWD EXPLODES!
*THIS FIRE BURNS* HITS!!
Lillian Garcia: Here is your winner … and the … NEEEEEWWWW …
INTER … CONTINENTAL … CHAMPIOONNN!!
C … M … … PUUUNNK!!
The King: Can you believe that JR?!
Jim Ross: What an outstanding display, by these two magnificent athletes! Rey Mysterio brought it all to Detroit – he brought it all to WrestleMania 23! But tonight, was the night, of the Straight Edge Superstar!!
In the ring, an emotionally overcome CM Punk is awarded his championship trophy, and with tears in his eyes, he holds the belt high, to tremendous admiration from the sold out crowd! Mysterio, visibly disappointed, makes his way over to the new champion, and looks him eye to eye. Punk drapes the belt over his shoulder and stands his ground. Then, in a move of class, Mysterio extends his hand in a show of respect. Punk looks around for only a moment, and much to the delight of the fans in attendance, Punk accepts, and the two superstars embrace to a standing ovation.
Jim Ross: That is the ultimate show of class – the ultimate show of professionalism. Mysterio will live to fight another day, but tonight belongs to the new Intercontinental Champion … CM Punk!!
The King: Amazing!!
Match Time: 15:45; Winner & New WWE Intercontinental Champion, CM Punk
***
The Camera cuts to this past Friday’s festivities, as 4,500 people sold out the Historic Fox Theatre in Detroit for the premiere of WWE Film’s new movie – The Condemned - starring Stone Cold Steve Austin. (This is obviously exactly like the clip shown at the real WrestleMania 23, in this same spot). Brief comments from fellow wrestlers and WWE fans are shown, as well as visuals from the premiere, and comments from Stone Cold himself, who called the feeling the premiere gave him, – “priceless”.
***
WrestleMania 23 “All Grown Up” video - Mick Foley – Ending with these words:
Mick Foley: And now, I’m all grown up … and the hardcore style that made me different … made me a legend.
***
The Camera cuts to Todd Grisham, who awaits his guests for this interview…
Todd Grisham: Hello everyone, I’m Todd Grisham, and welcome to WrestleMania 23! What a historic match we just saw for the Intercontinental Championship. And to add to the historic nature of that contest, for the first time in WrestleMania history, I’d like to welcome, joining me right now, the FORMER Champion Rey Mysterio, and the NEW Champion CM Punk, for this post match interview!
Mysterio and Punk, with his new belt over his shoulder, enter the interview area, both sweaty and breathing hard from their encounter, to another great reaction...
Todd Grisham: Now Gentlemen, all I can say, is what a match! And Rey, as the former champion, let me start with you. Getting to the meat of the matter, do you feel that the right man won here tonight?
Rey Mysterio: Well Todd, I have to sa…
VOICE: Wait just one minute!!
All three men look over with questioning looks…
VOICE: How dare you peasants’ chatter over the Intercontinental Championship Match … when I … KING BOOOOKAA … the WWE United States Champion … am in your presence? Who cares about you two low class rogues? Not I, not my queen, nor my royal servant! This interview should be with KING BOOOOKAA … and my Royal Family!
Todd Grisham: Ahhhh, well King Booker…
CM Punk: Hold up Todd. Come on man, give me a break! I mean, don’t you ever let up? We just went out there and had a match better than you’ve ever dreamed of having! And hell, last time I checked, “KING BOOOKAAA”, the WWE United States Title isn’t even on the line here tonight!
Punk smirks, Mysterio as well, and Booker, Sharmell and Sir Elijah screw up their faces…
Rey Mysterio: Yeah, aren’t you hiding out in some tag team match tonight?
King Booker: Hiding? WHAT … are you trying to infer, SQUIRE???
CM Punk: Look Booker…
Queen Sharmell: THAT’S KING … BOOOKAA!!
CM Punk: Yeah. Anyway, the point is, this is WrestleMania! The grandest stage of all! It’s about athleticism – it’s about competition – it’s about FULFILLING DESTINY! It’s about forging legacies, and achieving legendary status! It’s not about being a yellow belly coward, or hiding from the Big Re…
King Booker: STOP RIGHT THERE … you filthy swine! How dare you challenge my integrity in front of my Royal subjects…? I FEAR NO MAN!! And who, who do you surmise, is a bigger legend than KIN….
Rey Mysterio: Well, that’s a pretty easy list to compile Book.
Booker, Elijah and Queen Sharmell turn their noses up, furious at being interrupted…
Rey Mysterio: That’d be legends like a true idol of mine ... the FIRE…
Booker literally jumps in fear at the word fire…
Rey Mysterio: … breathing dragon himself … RICKY STEAMBOAT!!
Crowd pops HUGE, as the Dragon himself steps into the interview area! Rick Steamboat, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last night, and was part of the legendary Intercontinental match at Mania 3. Ricky nods at King Booker, who screws his face up, literally appearing to have no idea who this man is. The Dragon strikes a ninja pose …
Ricky Steamboat: WUUUAAAAAAAAAA!!
Booker and his court lean back a bit, confused at this…
King Booker: Fire breathing dragon … MY ROYAL KEISTER!
Sir Elijah Burke: Yeah, look like you been puffin the magic dragon…
Everyone involved, including the King and Queen, pause and give Burke an idiotic look. Burke, smiling - proud of his one and only comment, quickly straightens his face, as Booker rolls his eyes, and goes to address the Dragon…
King Booker: YOU … do not impress … KING BOOOKAA!!
CM Punk: No? Well, how about the man who at one time, actually made your ridiculous gimmick cool?
Booker and Sharmell look at one another confused, each lipping- “Gimmick?”…
VOICE: OOOOOOOO YEEEEEEAAAH!!
The crowd EXPLODES at the sound of WWE Hall of Famer, and the other half of the WM3 Intercontinental classic, Macho Man Randy Savage…
Macho Man: Booker … Booker …. Booker… Booker … BOOOKAAA!!
Savage steps in, to a phenomenal response, for one of the all time greats; the King and his court look on in utter disbelief…
Macho Man: Brotha, unbelievable man … CAN’T BELIEVE IT… YEEAAAH!! Booker T, mmmm-hmmm, what a get-up you got going brother! BuuuuuT … UH-HA, you KING BOOOKAAA … could NEEEVERRR measure up to the MACHO MAAAAN!! OOOOOO NO!! You could NEEEVERRR measure up to the FIRE BREATHING DRAGON … UH-HA … Ricky Steamboat!! OOOOOO YEEEAHH!! DIG IT!!
Punk, Mysterio and Steamboat (still posing) all smile on, whilst the court is totally baffled…
King Booker: Excuse me sir … BUT I … am a proper gentlemen! I am KING BOOOKAAA!! And would you mind telling me … WHAT THE HELL … you just said?
Macho Man: You mean you can’t dig it? AHHHH, Come on brotha! Well-a, mmmm-hmmmm, let me put it like this man, yeeeahh; I said … can you dig it … sucka?
Booker again looks to Sharmell, and lips “sucka?”…
King Booker: My Queen, TELL ME … he didn’t just say that! I, Randall, haven’t a CLUE, what you mean … dig it? Dig what?
Booker, so absorbed with his own gimmick, is oblivious to his own saying; Todd Grisham, who’s been lost in all this, actually opts to speak…
Todd Grisham: Um, Kane…?
King Booker’s facial expression turns from pompous ass to FEAR instantly, and gone be the accent…
King Booker: AW HELL NAW … BABY LET’S GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!! ELIJAH BRING YO ASS ON MAN … LET’S GET TO STEPPIN!! KANE MY ASS!!
Booker flees the set, still rambling, with Elijah and the Queen close behind…
Rey Mysterio: And the true colors come out!
CM Punk: Yep … yellow!
Steamboat drops his ninja stance, and actually speaks…
Ricky Steamboat: Yep.
Macho Man: OOOOOOOOOOO YEEEEAHHH!! DIG IT!!!
Crowd pops huge, as we cut back to the arena…
***
Michael Cole: (Laughing) Well partner, what about that!?
Tazz: No doubt about it Cole … its WRESTLEMANIA BABY!!
Michael Cole: WrestleMania magic in its purest form! And Tazz, King Booker better hope for some magic, because judging by his reaction there, it doesn’t seem like he’s ready to accept what may be his fate!
Tazz: Well, I gotta agree with you Cole. King Booker certainly seems spooked, and who can blame him? All signs point to Kane, at some point, returning to seal King Booker’s fate. Scary situation bro!
Michael Cole: And speaking of fate, this next contest, will decide the fate two careers. One will flourish in championship glory, and one will END … here tonight!!
Video Package - Trish Stratus vs. Lita – Career Ending Women’s Title Match
*Lita’s career retrospective up until current day – the heel & 4 time Champion
*Trish’s career retrospective up until current day – the babyface & 7 time Champion
*Last summer, Trish wins her seventh WWE Championship from her best friend Mickie James, with a seemingly unexpected and unwanted assist from Lita.
*Mickie, a competitive friend of Trish, was devastated, as she felt she’d been screwed over by her best friend Trish, and Lita as well.
*Trish tries to talk to Mickie about the issue a number of times, only to be given the cold shoulder.
*As the year progressed, Trish defended against Mickie in two more title matches,, where Lita again assisted Trish to victory.
*Trish, seemingly irate, tries to confront Lita over and over, to no avail
*Trish continues trying to convince Mickie that this was NOT just some ploy, Mickie doesn’t believe her
*Finally, GM Teddy Long steps in, and rules that Lita will be banned from the next meeting between Trish and Mickie, for the title, at COTC
*At COTC, in a shocker, Lita’s boyfriend from Raw, EDGE, reared his head, costing Mickie the match, and doing the dirty work for his woman
*Mickie and Trish’s relationship was totally finished in Mickie’s eyes, and James disappeared altogether, fed up with not having her fair shot, and being screwed by her “friend”.
*With Mickie out of the picture, the real plot is finally uncovered, as Lita attacks Trish at the next chance, and along with cohorts Victoria and Jillian Hall, she decimates the Women’s Champion.
*In the weeks leading into Mania, Trish is attacked over and over again on episodes of Friday Night Smackdown, by Lita and her associates
*Lita gives her reasoning - She wants to take everything from Trish; Her friend, her pride, her sanity, and most of all - at WrestleMania –her title – and her CAREER!
Cut back to the arena…
*TIME TO ROCK & ROLL* - Hits to a wonderful pop, as Toronto’s gift to Sport’s Entertainment makes her way down the aisle, for her most important match ever!
Tony Chimel: The Following contest, scheduled for one fall, is the CAREER ENDING MATCH!! And it is for, the WWE, WOMEN’S CHAMPION…SHIP!! Coming down the aisle first, from Toronto, Canada! She is the WWE Women’s CHAMPIOOON … … TRISH … STRATUUUUSSS!!
Michael Cole: The blonde bombshell from Toronto, and reigning Women’s Champion, is making her 4th WrestleMania appearance, all four appearances centering around the WWE Women’s Title. But Tazz, Trish has never had more on the line than she does, here tonight!!
Tazz: Yeah, that’s so true Cole! I know Trish well, and I have seen her develop from her days as a valet, into being arguably the greatest WWE Women’s Champion ever. But, I’ll tell you what, if there’s one WWE Diva that is on the same level as Trish, it IS her arch rival – it IS her opponent tonight, and of course, I’m speaking of Lita!
Michael Cole: And of course, one of these two WWE Divas – legendary WWE Divas, will see her career end, in just a few moments time!
*LOVE-FURY-PASSION-ENERGY* -Hits to plenty of heat, as Lita’s the first heel to hit the stage; looking focused & ready for what may be her last match; she even has her breasts concealed.
Tony Chimel: And introducing the challenger … from Raleigh, North Carolina … LITTAAA!!
Michael Cole: She is the challenger tonight, with her career on the line as well. Lita – Trish Stratus’s greatest rival over the years, looks ready to go!!
Tazz: Yes sir she does, and she too, is a former Women’s Champion. I have known Lita as well, for a number of years, and I know that nothing in this business means more to her than that women’s title; accept maybe ending Trish’s career! And she may just get it all done here tonight! Rest assured, Lita is focused on leaving Detroit – leaving WrestleMania, as the WWE Women’s Champion!
Michael Cole: Lita of course is the girlfriend of Raw Superstar, Edge, who will compete later tonight in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. And I’m sure Edge is concerned, but I don’t think Lita is worried about the Rated R Superstar right now, because as you said Tazz, she looks focused - possibly more focused than ever. I mean, she remembered to wear a top containing some fabric, out here tonight!
Tazz: Ahh, come on Cole! Check all the jokes, fun and games at the door. Lita’s one of the WWE’s finest Divas no doubt, but these two ladies are about to GET IT ON! It’s all business here tonight, at WrestleMania 23!
WWE Women’s Championship –Career Ending Match
Trish Stratus© vs. Lita
The ladies come to center ring, mugging one another. Trish unstraps her championship belt, and dangles it in her challengers face for a moment, before relinquishing it to Charles Robinson, who briefs both Divas on the implications of this contest, before displaying the championship belt, and calling for the bell.
LITA SLAPS TRISH IN THE MOUTH!! Trish smirks, not too bothered, looks back up to Lita, who holds her arms out, and mouths to Trish “What you gonna do?” Trish smiles even bigger, glances away for a moment, and SLAPS LITA IN THE MOUTH!! Lita, far angrier than Trish was, licks her chops a bit, and comes back with a wild swing! Trish ducks, Lita spins around, and Trish delivers an Atomic drop!! Lita favors her lower back significantly, before Trish quickly hooks a BACKSLIDE PIN!!
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Lita is out in a hurry! She shuffles quickly to her feet, and lunges at Trish, who takes her over quickly in a hard side headlock!! Lita smacks the mat hard, with Trish maintaining the headlock! Trish begins to grind the hold in for a moment, but Lita quickly counters into a head scissors! Trish, stuck at first, begins to tip toe on the mat, aligning herself straight, before mule kicking her legs, and pushing out of the hold! Trish lands on her feet, and just before Lita’s able to get up, Trish kicks her square in the face! Lita, on her back again, is covered once more…
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……..LITA WASTES NO TIME KICKING OUT!!......
Trish wastes no time either, immediately mounting Lita on the mat, and delivering hard right hands! But Lita quickly turns the momentum, and mounts the Women’s Champion, delivering a flurry of rights and lefts of her own! Trish bridges enough to send Lita forward, and off. Lita wastes no time, as she hits the ropes, and comes in with a clothesline, but Trish executes … THE MA-TRISH!! Lita misses the lariat, and turns around into THE STRATUSFACTION!! Trish goes for it early, getting the hook, the SPRINGBORARD … and a BACK FULL OF MAT!! Lita, pretty easily, was able to shrug Trish off, and to the mat. Lita follows in, but Trish pushes Lita off with her feet, sending Lita down to the mat, and then, BOTH DIVAS NIP UP!!
The fans respond rather positively the athleticism of both divas! Trish stays one step ahead, quickly driving her forearm into Lita’s mouth, before snatching her arm, and sending her in for an Irish whip to the corner! Trish comes in, delivers four more hard forearms to her challengers face, and then lifts her up, seating her on the top turnbuckle!! Trish backs off, runs in, and executes her beautiful hand spring head scissors maneuver!! BUT LITA BLOCKS IT!! She holds Trish’s legs, grabs her tights, and manages to lift Trish up … all the way … and deliver A POWERBOMB FROM THE MIDDLE ROPE!! The fans jar at the unbelievable move, like no move ever seen in a women’s match!! Trish’s head and neck smack the mat as hard as they possibly could!! Lita, hurting as well, is slow to move, but finally does … and makes the cover!!
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….TRISH ROLLS THE SHOULDER!!....
Lita, getting up quickly, now has a cocky look of determination on her face! She pulls the champion up by her hair, and muscles her back into the corner. Lita drapes Trish’s arms over the top rope, and then CHOPS HER CHEST HARD!! The smack is heard across the arena, as well as Trish’s scream!! Trish, leaning over in pain, is shoved back up, and redraped by Lita, who delivers ANOTHER HARD CHOP!! Trish clenches her chest, bends over in agony, and Lita actually lets her out of the corner, and allows the ref to check on her. But this allows Lita to … REMOVE THE TURNBUCKLE PAD!!
Trish, the fighter she is, staggers back in, only for Lita to spin her around, forcing her back into the metal ring with great intensity! Trish screams in agony, and Lita delivers a THIRD CHEST SWELLING CHOP!! Trish staggers out of the corner, bent over in agony, and this time the ref admonishes Lita! But Trish, showing great heart, lunges back in at Lita, but in a split second Lita aligns Charles Robinson, ducks down, and Trish sends Robinson FACE FIRST into the exposed metal ring!! Robinson collapses to the mat, with Trish stumbling over his body, and landing with her head and neck between the top and middle rope! Lita quickly capitalizes; jamming her knee into Trish’s back, choking her on the middle rope!
Lita chokes Trish for a moment, then pauses, looks towards the stage and motions to the back … but for what? Lita goes right back to Trish, again driving her knee into the champions back. Lita pauses again, again motioning to the back, before hitting the far ropes, and going for the smash on Trish, who’s still lodged between the ropes, BUT TRISH MOVES!! Lita racks herself between the middle and top rope! Trish, fired up now, with that sexy look of anger in her eyes, kicks the ropes, driving them even harder into Lita!! She grabs Lita by the hair, pulls her all the way in the ring, and sends her flying across the ring with a vicious hair lunge!!
Trish, looking for a victory, goes to wake up Charles Robinson, but is stopped … by JILLIAN!! JILLIAN HALL IS OUT!! She goes for a wild right on Trish, BUT TRISH DUCKS!! CHICK KICK!!! Trish KO’s JILLIAN!! The fans erupt, but Lita is now up, and she goes to attack … INTO THE STRATUSFACTION!! Trish takes out her challenger!! Trish now, desperate to save her title and career, goes to wake up Charles Robinson! She shakes him like crazy, to no avail!! Trish is desperate!! Still shaking the ref, and then, she’s nailed in the back, WITH THE WOMEN’S TITLE BELT!! The crowd delivers HUGE HEAT, and the camera reveals VICTORIA!! The heel female wrestlers have banded together!! Victoria grabs Trish by the hair, gets her up, into position … FOR THE WIDOW’S PEAK!!
The crowd is irate, but it doesn’t matter, VICTORIA DELIVERS THE DEVASTATING MOVE!! The Widow’s Peak connects, and Lita begins to stir!! Victoria helps Lita up, and over towards the corner, whilst Jillian also begins to crawl! Jillian crawls over and holds Trish’s legs down! Victoria gets Lita to the corner, and she begins to climb … VERY SLOW!! Victoria assists Jillian, grabbing Trish by the head, ensuring they have her in position for Lita to deliver the MOONSAULT!! Lita, still moving slowly, is almost ready to leap when … CHAIR SHOT ON JILLIAN!! CHAIR SHOT ON VICTORIA!! IT’S MICKIE!! MICKIE JAMES IS HERE … TO HELP TRISH!! And with |
The Diary - Act Three
