11.7.07
The Hammerstein Ballroom – Manhattan, New York City, New York
“We Alone Remain”
“The Fight Song” by Marilyn Manson vignette
(Whispers)
Fight…
RVD leaps for a Frog Splash…
Fight…
HBK cocks back, Sweet Chin Music ready…
Fight…
Finlay and Joe go at it on the balcony…
Fight…
Paul Wright lets his fist fly…
*Opening guitar riff*
You'll never grow up to be a big rock star
The camera goes from the ground up to the face of Paul Wright in his debut Week 3
Celebrated victim of your fame
Shawn Michaels comes down the ramp, pumped up from the main event of Week 1
Just cut our wrists like cheap coupons
Christian searches for his peeps from Week 5
And say that "death was on sale today"
Bryan Danielson raises his hand, singing his theme from Week 4
*Upped tempo, heavier sound*
And when we were good
Jack Evans’ double moonsault from Week 1
You just close your eyes
Joe leaps through the ropes onto Kenny from Week 3
So when we are bad
Paul Wright chokeslams Michaels through the table from the Supershow
We'll scar your minds
A replayed shot of Shelton Benjamin German suplexing Paul London off the ladder from Week 4
Fight!
SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!
Fight!
WARRIOR’S WAY!!!
Fight!
MUSCLE BUSTER!!!
Fight!
SPEAR!! SPEAR!!
Fight!
CHOKESLAM!!!
Fight!
WORLD’S GREATEST DOOMSDAY DEVICE!!
Fight!
619!!!
Fight!
FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!!!
*Final cymbal crash*
Chris Jericho holds the AOW World title high in the air
***
The Hammerstein continues to buzz for the twelfth week in a row, as its take home show time. The final stop before the first ever PPV in AOW history still has the Hammerstein filled to the brim, but the crowd soon stops buzzing, as the arena turns into a chorus of heat, as “BREAK DOWN THE WALLS” greets us and that can only mean one thing – AOW Champion Chris Jericho. But tonight, it doesn’t just mean him. He comes through with his gargantuan accomplice, Paul “The Great” Wright leading the way this time, as we hear a bell ring and Tony Chimel tell us that we’re kicking off with a match, with Wright competing. Jericho is busy turning his nose up to all in attendance, while Wright steps into the ring and stares down Chimel, causing him to scamper out of the ring. This will be Wright’s one-on-one in-ring debut.
The heat quickly turns into a very generous pop, as “MISERE CANTARE – THE BEGINNING” hits for the first time in several weeks, bringing CM Punk through the blood-red curtain. Punk has a very soft expression on his face, not nearly as pumped as he has been so far in AOW. He doesn’t seem afraid, but he’s defiantly stoic and perhaps somewhat daunted. Punk gets on one knee and bumps his knuckle against the stage, but doesn’t yell what time it is, staying silent. Instead he simply windmills his arm and continues to walk down the ramp, very serious about having to go toe to toe with a giant.
OPENING CONTEST
Paul “The Great” Wright w/AOW Champion Chris Jericho
v.
CM Punk
Punk gets into the ring, not backing down from Wright. He keeps his distance at the outset, however, leaping onto the top rope and sitting for a second, potentially gauging his options. Wright doesn’t look to give him any kind of time, approaching him slowly. Punk looks up dauntingly, but then stands on the second rope and stands straight up, becoming roughly the same size as Wright. We can see Jericho on the outside giving Wright to give no quarter, but no sooner do these words come out of Jericho’s mouth, Punk lets loose with a flurry of level elbows to the big man’s skull, forcing him to back away a bit before coming off the second rope with a second rope discus elbow!! It would’ve made his friend Chris Hero proud, but Wright still hasn’t dropped. Punk, now at his normal height, resorts to kicking away at Wright’s legs, hoping he can catch the big man off balance, but before Punk can find that weak point, Wright’s enormous cranium crashes against his own with a massive headbutt, literally throwing Punk down to the canvas.
Punk is at the mercy of Wright now, being picked up by his hair and chunked into a corner. Wright’s heavy hands soon meet with Punk’s tender midsection, delivering huge blow after huge blow to the gut. Though slow in pace, each blow causing Punk to nearly double over on impact. When Punk does eventually fall and doubles over, Wright is quick to grapple around him before delivering an absolutely brutal turnbuckle powerbomb that nearly unhinges the ring ropes. Punk looks decimated already, but Wright doesn’t pull Punk out of the corner and try and cover him. No. The purpose of this match isn’t to win. It’s to hurt Punk as much as humanly possible. Thus, Wright pulls Punk to his feet and brings him back down on his ailing midsection with a hard sideslam.
The audience already has lost a great deal of wind in it, the show kicking off in a pretty depressing way so far. Jericho is applauding the handiwork of his giant, who lets out an inhuman roar towards the deadening crowd. Wright lifts Punk to his feet before whipping him hard into another corner, almost immediately following him and crunching him between body and steel with a vicious body thump. Wright’s large hips are driven right through Punk’s, causing Punk to drift out of the corner, gripping onto the ropes and walking on his knees, before falling to the canvas in pain, his insides potentially mush. Wright beats his chest before Jericho has to jump onto the apron and tell his beast to calm down. Could his monster potentially lose control…? Whatever the case, Jericho’s jump distracts both the referee and Wright himself. This gives Punk a small glimmer of hope to crawl to a corner and untie the protective padding on the top rope. Before anyone can see anything, Punk takes the cover in his hands and crawls to the outside before shoving it under the ring apron.
Punk stays on the outside to recover, Wright now looking back to his prey. He notices he’s gone, stepping over the top rope and to the outside to attempt to grab him, but Punk manages to scurry away. Wright finally gets his clutches on Punk, but Punk manages to try and fight out of it, delivering more hard lefts and rights to the big man, but he’s done in when Wright lifts him in a military press and drops his ribs on the barricade. Punk screams in pain in the faces of some front row fans, while Jericho screams at Wright to roll into the ring then roll back out, the referee’s count out nearing six. Wright does as he is instructed, afterwards lifting Punk’s still planking body from the barricade, but in an inverted powerslam position. We see the reason why soon enough, as Wright takes Punk and crunches Punk’s ribs right into an iron post on the outside!!! Punk could seriously be having internal bleeding at this point, as he can’t even scream in pain, being hit into a coughing fit. All air has left the Hammerstein, as it is dead silent, a young star being manhandled by an absolute monster. Even to Hammerstein fans, this is atrocious. Even JBL on commentary, notoriously hating Punk, is starting to wonder if this is too much.
“This kid’s got guts…but they migh’ be all over the place when this is all said an’ done.”
Jericho looks on in glee, not hiding the fact that he’s enjoying this as much as we’re sure Hassan is. As a matter of fact, a camera quickly pans to the back to see Hassan himself, watching on a TV screen and nearly pissing himself in smug joy. We cut back to the arena, where Wright is ready to deliver more punishment, but Punk gathers some kind of resolve and performs a drop toehold…sending the big man face first into the steel post!! Wright gets a stupefied look on his face as he kisses the pole, Punk getting to his feet and gripping his rib and midsection area in pain. Punk rears back and lets fly a kick to Wright’s skull, sandwiching it between boot and steel!! Punk may have found the secret to keeping him down! Punk rolls back into the ring, unaware of the referee counting Wright out. He clutches his rubs before looking towards the outside…and seeing Jericho distracting the ref again, stopping his count. As Jericho argues with the zebra, Punk veers close to the ropes and seems to lean back, awaiting the referee to get out of the way…kick to Jericho’s skull to knock him off the apron!! Jericho goes down, but Punk’s not done! As Jericho gets to his feet now, Punk prepares…before leaping clean through the ropes with a suicide dive!! Wright’s handler and the AOW Champion goes down! Did Punk see this and plan it? Punk fights through the pain in his ribs, but he can barely make it to his feet…but he doesn’t see Wright stalking him from around the corner…who SPEARS PUNK THROUGH THE STEEL RING STEPS!!! PUNK’S MIDSECTION COULD BE DESTROYED!!! Punk is screaming into the padding in the outside, his insides torn apart. We’re left with the harrowing echoes of Punk screaming and Wright seething as we fade away…
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
When we return, Wright is right back in control, center ring, continually beating the snot out of Punk. The crowd is throwing some big heat to this, but the remainder of them lie silent, still somewhat sickened what they’re witnessing. It gets worse when Wright throws Punk near some ropes and stands on top of his abdomen, Punk’s “Straight Edge” tattoo being swallowed by the enormous feet of “The Great”. Punk can barely squeak out a cry of pain, all the air leaving his body. Outside the ring, Jericho is beside himself at what Punk did earlier, now having more of a gripe to torture Punk here, ordering Wright to keep the weight on. The ref eventually tells Wright he has to move, but Wright quickly draws Punk up by the hair before chunking him yet again into a corner; the same corner Punk removed the protective covering from. Jericho instructs that it’s time to end this now, motioning for Wright to take several steps all the way across the ring to the opposite corner, which he adheres to. Wright then bulrushes all the way across the ring, looking to destroy Punk…Punk evades…sending Wright’s skull right off the exposed steel!
Wright hits it full force, dizzying himself, but remaining standing, leaning in the corner. Punk sees this as another opportunity, the head of Wright taking another beating. Punk can barely stand, but the crowd is getting behind him, prompting him to go and rush with the running high knee in the corner to the big man. Punk then traps Wright in the bulldog position, but quickly realizes he doesn’t have the size or strength to run the big man into the ground. Punk then quickly adjusts, going to the top rope, still holding onto Wright’s head before falling…falling facebuster!! CM Punk goes on the very short list of men who have taken Paul “The Great” Wright off his feet! Can he do the impossible here? Punk shoots the half and scurries, trying to roll Wright over, the crowd doing their damndest to cheer him on…Punk finally rolls on top of him – 1…2…NO!! Wright presses Punk off of his body with authority!! Punk is forced to scurry away to the apron, still selling the damage to his midsection. Wright is trying to get to his feet, but Punk is still measuring him up from the apron before leaping…springboard clothesline in mind…A BIG RIGHT HAND FROM WRIGHT TO PUNK IN MIDFLIGHT!! All the life leaves the arena once again, as Punk goes down like a damned ragdoll, his body contorted from falling on impact mid-flight. Jericho again instructs Wright that this is time to end this, prompting Wright to pull up the possibly dead Punk by his locks before goozleing him, the crowd knowing what’s coming next. Wright lifts Punk in the air and brings him crashing back down with a devastating chokeslam. Wright finally covers, showing no emotion in his prolonged beating – 1…2…3…!!
Winner: Paul Wright at (9:01)
…but Wright doesn’t appear to be done. Jericho, never one to pull a half-assed plan, leaps into the ring and tells Wright to ‘do it again’. Wright lifts Punk back off the canvas before slapping his enormous hand on his throat yet again, the crowd now sensing the worst. But before Wright can lift him in the air, the crowd is buzzing…someone’s coming down the ramp…it’s RVD and Bobby Lashley!!! Lashley and Van Dam bulrush the ring for the rescue!! Wright throws down Punk, Jericho telling him to get out of the ring, accompanying him. Van Dam and Lashley both bring Punk to his feet, Punk forced to lean on both men. Punk still seems to be out of it, with Van Dam telling Lashley that he needs to get Punk out of here. Lashley takes Punk and begins to walk out of the ring, possibly the first time since the inception of the company that Lashley has gotten a positive reaction. But this soon turns to unrest, as Punk finally gains fully consciousness at the base of the ramp, forcing himself off of Lashley, almost collapsing while holding his ribs, saying “I walked my ass to this ring, I’ll walk my ass out!” Punk’s pride seems to take hold here, but he can barely stand to ‘walk his ass out’. Punk takes several steps more up the ramp, but soon collapses onto all fours, still gripping his midsection. Lashley jumps and tries to bring him up, but Punk waves him away before trying to walk again. Again, Punk is able to take a few steps, stumbling as he goes, but soon completely collapses. At this point, Lashley takes Punk up again and slings his arm over his shoulders, giving Punk help, whether he wants it or not. At the very top of the ramp, Lashley is joined by Lance Storm, both men taking the young Punk behind the curtain. Back in the ring, all were watching the somewhat dramatic scene unfold, but Van Dam has not moved from center ring, staring daggers into both Wright and Jericho.
**COMMECIAL BREAK**
Upon our return to the ring, we’re met with the epic tune of “FINAL COUNTDOWN” where AOW Cruiserweight Champion Bryan Danielson comes down the ramp, but this week, he’s not doing any of his theatrics. He doesn’t bother to leap onto the top rope, point skyward, and sing the chorus along with the Hammerstein faithful. No, he instead has a look of sheer intensity on his face, no doubt continuing over from his emotions two weeks ago when Gregory Helms destroyed Rey Mysterio, as well as his anger from last week. For the umpteenth week in a row, however, Danielson is without his title, it still being in the hands of Helms.
Joey Styles:
Welcome ladies and gents to our final stop before our very first Pay-Per-View extravaganza in World Ablaze, coming to you this Sunday, just four days away. I’m Joey Styles alongside John “Bradshaw” Layfield, where we’re set here on Wednesday Night Oblivion following one of the most disturbing matches I believe I’ve ever witnessed.
JBL:
Y’know Joey, we sat here an’ witnessed the first ever A.O.K.O. match a few weeks ago, but I will actually agree with you that that match was disturbing.
Joey Styles:
For those of you just joining us, a few moments ago, we saw a match orchestrated by Chris Jericho and Muhammad Hassan between Paul “The Great” Wright and CM Punk. What occurred wasn’t much of a match, simply Wright being instructed to destroy CM Punk any and every way he could to get him out of Muhammad Hassan’s way by Chris Jericho.
JBL:
Lemme tell you somethin’, Joey. I’ve never been the biggest CM Punk fan in the world, but even I don’t think the kid deserved this. Do I think he’s got eyes bigger than his stomach, yes. CM Punk so far in AOW has done nothin’ but bite off more than his big mouth can chew. He’s done nothin’ but get himself in trouble since Day One. I can understand Jericho an’ Hassan bein’ on the same page in wantin’ to shut this kid up, I get it, but this…this was takin’ it a little bit too far.
Joey Styles:
And folks, it would’ve gone even farther had Rob Van Dam and Bobby Lashley not intervened to stop any more damage from being done after the bell had been rung. CM Punk was helped to the back by Bobby Lashley and his friend and mentor, Lance Storm, but Punk didn’t seem like he wanted any help at all from anyone, Punk’s pride seemingly overriding what he needed.
JBL:
Again, I will say the kid’s got guts, but there’s a time an’ place for everything, Joey, includin’ when to swallow that pride.
Joey Styles:
And speaking of pride and disturbing scenes, we’re set for our next match here on Oblivion with cruiserweight tag team action, where we see Bryan Danielson, who will be taking all of his anger and pride and direct them towards Gregory Helms, the man who took out his best friend, Rey Mysterio, in a disturbing scene just two weeks ago.
As we focus on Danielson’s intense face, the crowd lights up again when we hear the sound of helicopter blades fwapping before transitioning into the upbeat, Hispanic rock theme we’ve come to know as “SIN LIMITES” signaling the arrival of none other than Aero Star. Star is without his dramatic cape tonight, instead coming in his blue and white costume only. The crowd pops big for Star, even with this being only his second official match thus far in AOW. Star runs full tilt down the ramp before swinging around a ring post and saluting the crowd with his two fingers, as seems to be his signature gesture. He enters and shakes hands with Danielson while they both wait.
“COUNTRY BOY CAN SURVIVE” soon greets us now, as Jamie Noble, the man who said he’s “nobody’s steppin ‘stone” makes his way down the aisle, a much more confident strut than when we saw him last. He stops at the base of the ramp, pointing and staring at Star, waiting for his partner. He doesn’t have to wait long, as “IT’S TIME (HACKER’S REMIX)” greets us, as Gregory Helms comes through the gate, stolen Cruiserweight Championship in hand. He meets Noble at the base of the ramp, the two exchanging some words, perhaps concocting a game plan, before going to their corner for this match.
MATCH 2
~Cruiserweight Duel~
AOW Cruiserweight Champion Bryan Danielson & Aero Star
v.
Jamie Noble & Gregory Helms
The contest looks to kick off with Danielson wanting in against Helms, demanding that Helms step into the ring, but Helms screams at Danielson that he’ll have to face the ‘best in the world Sunday!’ Noble gladly jumps in to further prove himself to these people. Danielson doesn’t stop staring a hole through Helms, even when Noble prompts him to begin circling up, as Danielson isn’t moving. Danielson finally gets his head back in the game, his gaze finally transferring to Noble. The two begin circling each other before they initiate a lock-up, which prompts Noble to wrench the arm of Danielson, the American Dragon flipping forward, forming a bridge, and reverses the wrench on Noble, putting him in a hammerlock that pulls both men all the way to the floor, Danielson on top of Noble’s back. Noble is trying to throw his free hand back, trying to strike Danielson off of him, but Danielson grabs the other arm, slowly transitioning into the double chickenwing lock, looking for a very early Cattle Mutilation perhaps, but Noble is very quick to scurry out of this, retreating to an empty corner to rethink things.
Once Noble gets the wrinkles out of his arm, repeatedly throwing his arm into extension to check its availability, he steps back into the fray to a very stoic Danielson, executing yet another lock-up. This time, Danielson is the one who comes out on top, almost immediately tripping Noble in a judo-like manner before falling on top of him with a quick cover – 1…NO! Noble quickly throws himself back vertically, but he’s greeted by Danielson, who’s cocked and ready with a wild roundhouse that Noble quickly ducks out of the way of. Danielson doesn’t miss, however, executing a very quick and well aware back kick to Noble’s ducked face that stuns the Pitbull long enough for Danielson to throw him into his corner, tagging in Aero Star.
Star gets a generous pop upon becoming legal, leaping in and running at the corner clad Noble, bouncing himself off his chest and no-hand backflipping to his feet, his flash all on tonight against his PPV opponent, before running back and nailing him with an excellently placed (and thus, sounding) corner-clad enzeguri!! Noble falls to his knees before falling to the canvas, Star with a quick cover – 1…2…NO!! The dog still has fight! Star awaits for Noble to get somewhat recovered before rushing at his on-one-knee opponent, driving Noble’s head square into the canvas with a hurricanrana driver!! No one’s quite sure it’s a botch or not, but whatever the case, Noble’s impact sends him eagle-spread back towards the canvas for another Star cover – 1…2…3-NO!! Star seems to have his own response to Noble’s “nobody’s stepping stone” decree, opting to simply show him up in the ring! Star can’t put him away, however, getting Noble to his feet and attempting to whip him into the ropes, which is reversed, but Aero handsprings, rebounding his legs off the ropes, and nails Noble in the face with a handspring reverse elbow! Star, once again, seems to have Noble held down! He goes for another quick cover – 1…2…-NO!! Noble throws his arm up, pounding the mat in frustration at being shown up yet again after he made the decree that it would never happen again.
With that, Noble aggressively gets to his feet, but Star is charging him, only to get an emphatic Noble knee to his gut that is followed by a very fierce European uppercut that sends Star backpedalling into the opposing corner, letting Noble tag in Helms for the first time, leading to both stomping Star’s guts dry in the corner. It’s Helms’ turn to stare into Danielson now, except he’s not stoic, opting to grin cockily. He then takes Aero Star up, snapmares him over, and proceeds to kick his spine. We hear Star yell, the luchadore making a rare noise. Helms forces Star down, his forearm in his face – 1…2…NO! Star gets out of it! This prompts Helms to drag Star to his feet, still holding his arm, before pulling him in, repeatedly driving his shoulder into Star’s face. After four of these, he whips Star into the ropes, only to duck his head on the rebound for Star to leap onto and stand on his back. Noble, knowing what may come next, quickly springboards off the top rope and dropkicks Star off the back of Helms! Star takes a tumble, while Noble quickly leaves the ring for Helms to make another cover – 1…2…3-NO!!
Danielson leaps into the fray, kicking Helms as hard as humanly possible to break the count, causing Helms to get to his feet and prompting a staredown between the two men. The crowd is getting hot at this, as both men want to beat the hell out of each other in the worst way, but before they can do anything, the referee separates both men and asks Danielson to go back to his corner. He’s practically pushing Danielson at this point, but the ref isn’t paying much attention when Aero Star victory rolls Helms from behind. But while the ref isn’t counting, Noble again steps in and pries Star from off Helms, executing a nasty German suplex. The Pitbull quickly exits, now one-upping Star, but in a much sneakier way. Helms covers, the ref now attentive – 1…2..3-NO!! Star has some fight! The Mexican sensation tries to regain himself, but Helms delivers a quick blow to his kidneys before dragging him to his corner, tagging back in Noble.
Noble quickly takes the weakened Star and twists him into a neckbreaker before stomping the life out of Star, quickly moving onto the arm with an armbar, much like their first encounter. Star’s arm is being wrenched off, but the crowd helps him fight out of it, being able to get to his feet, but Noble still with a death grip on the arm. Star is clever enough to roll over, trapping Noble underneath – 1…2…NO! Noble lets go and kicks Star off. Star takes the momentum from that counter and springboards off the second rope, back towards Noble. As Noble looks up, Star bounces perfectly over him…right into a hurricanrana!! Noble goes spinning out of the ring, but Star stays on his opponent come World Ablaze, backing away from the ropes before launching himself right through the ropes, arms by his side – Tope Torpedo!! Tope Torpedo!! Star’s skull crashes into Noble’s sternum like missle! Bryan Danielson and Gregory Helms don’t waste this moment, either, both men charging the ring and each other, seemingly destined to collide with double clotheslines, but Helms sees this early and backs out, darting under the bottom rope, grabbing the Cruiserweight Championship that he keeps by him at all times that’s not even his. Danielson looks to force Helms to get back in the ring, but as he peeks his head through the ropes, Helms blatantly, in clear view of the referee, smashes the title across the face of Danielson, the ref calling for the bell!
Winners by DQ: Bryan Danielson & Aero Star at (6:16)
But the action isn’t done, Noble and Aero Star, who are still outside the ring, recover only to have Noble quickly punt Aero Star in the gut, double him over…AND TIGER DRIVER HIM THROUGH THE TIMEKEEPER’S TABLE!!! WOW!! THE CRUISERWEIGHTS HAVE GONE WILD HERE!! A very audible “OHH MY GOODD!!” exits the lips of Joey Styles, as Star is lying amongst the wreckage, while Noble goes over to follow Helms up the ramp, both men raising their arms undeservedly as though they’ve won something tonight. Danielson is left to look up from his pool of sweat and disappointment, staring hard at Helms, who is still holding with him everything Danielson holds dear.
~Backstage, in the Green Zone…
The Miz:
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin here, standing here with the future of this great and glorious nation – Jack Hagar! Nick Nameth! American Made!
~A bit of heat for this over-the-top introduction, along with the camera angle being widened to show both members of the cocky new call-ups
The Miz:
So guys, you’ve been here for two weeks, you gave the Sons of the Dungeon a real nice reality check, but we all saw last week, the Sons sorta evened the score on the US of A. What’s next on the docket for you abundantly talented fellas?
~Miz playing ass-kisser a bit too hard here, as Nameth takes the mic
Nameth:
What’s next, Miz, is simple. We still gotta score to settle. See, the Sons of the Dungeon wanna deny reality. They wanna run away from the truth…
~Nameth chuckles to himself
Nameth:
Just like they were raised to do in Canada. We beat them fair and square, right in the middle of that ring when they thought they’d set foot in this place and just take over because of who they were. We proved’em dead wrong! And yeah, they did maybe get us back last week. But see America never stays down for long. Oh no. See, it was announced that at World Ablaze, there’s gonna be a Tag Team Turmoil match to determine who the next set of #1 Contenders are gonna be for those Tag Team titles.
~An impressed pop is heard beyond the walls for those unaware
Nameth:
So it’s time for the Sons to stop refusing reality. It’s time for them to wake up an’ smell the classic American apple pie. It’s time for them to stop gettin’ in the way of our Manifest Destiny to get our hands on those Tag Team Championships.
The Miz:
“Manifest Destiny”…?
Hagar:
That’s right, Miz. You seem like an intelligent guy. You know what that is from your history class. That’s the oh-so-true belief that what America sees, America reaches out an’ takes against all comers, no matter who gets in the way. An’ Sunday night, not only are we gonna go through the entire tag team division here in AOW, but we’ll send the Sons of the Dungeon back to the Dungeon!
Nameth:
And we will prove that we are perfection. That we are the best young tag team in the world. And we’ll prove that there’s only one way to be made in this world…
Hagar: (Virtually roaring)
AMERICAN!!
~The roar shakes Miz, forcing him to drop the microphone he’s holding and giving the cocky athletes before him a nice laugh before walking off
~Back to ringside…
Joey Styles:
Well, ladies and gentlemen, this has already been an absolute chaotic night here on our final Oblivion before World Ablaze, and well…our Timekeeper’s table is proof if nothing else.
JBL:
Joey, go backstage an’ get one of those dime store tables that’re always lyin’ around this place.
Joey Styles:
Why do I have to go get it?
JBL:
Because I’m rich, you’re not. I’m big, you’re little. So I’m right, an’ you’re wrong. Make sense, shorty?
Joey Styles: (Ignoring the response)
As I’ve mentioned, a brutal night thus far with the virtual flogging of CM Punk to open, and now we’ve had the combustible elements of Gregory Helms and Bryan Danielson ignite a spark, and as you can see, Jamie Noble of all people cementing that he’s nobody’s stepping stone by driving his opponent come Sunday, Aero Star, through a table!
JBL:
I’ve never been happier to sit amid chaos, Joey. These guys are takin’ care of business t’night. Chris Jericho, Gregory Helms, Jamie Noble, all of’em! Even if I don’t agree with’em!
Joey Styles:
It’s been chaotic already, but it’s only gonna get bigger! Our main event this evening has a great deal of combustible elements as well, as we’ve got a six-man tag team match on the horizon! Rob Van Dam teams with the Tag Champion World’s Greatest Tag Team to face The Mercenaries and the AOW Champion himself, Chris Jericho.
JBL:
But that pales in comparison to what’s comin’ up next. Read the prompt, Joey!
Joey Styles: (Unenthused)
Well…coming up next, folks, we’ve got my colleague John “Bradshaw” Layfield returning to the ring…to interview Bobby Lashley. We’ve heard from Christian multiple times, but now, it’s time to hear the other side.
JBL:
You’ll get whatever the hell I want you to get out of’em. Bobby Lashley, the man with the body of a god, comes face to face with me, a Commentary God! An’ it’s next! Joey, don’t ever introduce me that poorly again! I am divinity an’ I expected better from you!
Joey Styles:
Oh dear God…just cut to break…
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
As we return, we’re introduced backstage at where looks like a medics’ bench, with CM Punk being draped across it. Alongside him is Lance Storm, not sure what to make of things. Punk holds his arms high as the medic asks Punk to sit up, Storm helping him get upright. The medic then begins wrapping medical tape around his destroyed midsection. Punk is noticeably having somewhat difficulty breathing, but when the medic is done, she leaves Punk and Storm to themselves, Punk trying to speak on short breath.
Storm:
Kid…how ya feelin’?
CM Punk:
I guess…I guess I’ve had better matches, huh?
~Punk gives a wry smile, trying to make things somewhat lighter and not show weakness in front of his ‘mentor’
Storm:
I’m proud of you, Punk. You went out there and showed something that Muhammad Hassan has never shown a day in his life.
CM Punk:
…X-rays of a couple o’ broken ribs? To tell ya the truth, Lance…I’m kidna scared…and don’t wanna see’em either.
~Storm chuckles at Punk’s attempts at staying strong
Storm:
No, Punk. You showed guts. You showed heart. And you showed bravery.
~A pop is heard on the outside walls of the Hammerstein, with Punk’s eyes saying ‘thank you’ to Storm
Storm:
You saw a challenge and didn’t try to beat around the bush with it. You took it head on, no cowardice.
CM Punk:
Probably…wasn’t…the smartest thing…
Storm:
Kid, sometimes, you gotta be quiet and listen. So listen. No matter what happened tonight, I know that Muhammad Hassan doesn’t hold a candle to you. And I’m gonna show him up tonight and get that title shot. For you and for me. Alright?
~Punk doesn’t say a word, instead giving Storm a fist bump before going back to his ailing ribs. The medic returns and asks Punk to follow her off the table, perhaps now going to a more sophisticated facility. Storm watches them walks away with a very stern, but concerned, look on his face.
We fade away, still in the backstage area, but this go ‘round we’re inside the office of GM Mick Foley, who seems to be preoccupied with some sort of paperwork. Foley, never the office man, simply looks at it dauntingly before almost comically giving up on reading all the fine print it seems until someone walks in the door, that man being Shawn Michaels, who gets a great ovation, despite smashing RVD over the head last week.
Shawn Michaels:
Well if it ain’t Matchmaker Mick!
Mick Foley:
Hey, Shawn.
Shawn Michaels:
I’m sure you have a reason for callin’ me down here, but I just wanna thank you personally for givin’ me the chance to referee the title match this Sunday, which became, who would’ve thought, an ECW Rules match.
Mick Foley:
Shawn, I asked you to be the referee for a reason, okay? Oh, You can cut the nice guy act. I’m kind of an expert on guys being different people.
~Michaels’ joyful demeanor seems to completely disappear…
Shawn Michaels:
You know good and damn well I wanted in on that match. And all you wanna give me is the zebra stripes?
Mick Foley:
Look, Shawn, I needed a main event. RVD was the right guy. You…we weren’t sure if you were even gonna be back. Y’know, your history of back problems, and you goin’ though that table –
Shawn Michaels:
That’s a load of bunk, Mick, and you know it.
~Michaels gets in Foley’s face here, revealing a very intense stare
Shawn Michaels:
Now I have suffered far more in my career than just a little lower back pain an’ gettin’ put through a table. I wanted a title match, an’ you damn sure should’ve known that I would’ve been good for it come Sunday.
Mick Foley:
Shawn, I need you to be the guy who stays in between these two, okay? That’s what I need you to do. That’s why I asked you to do it and that’s what I want you to do on Sunday in Boston. And plus…knowin’ Jericho, I’m pretty sure he’s gonna have more up his sleeve than he’s telling anybody. I know it’s ECW Rules and all, but I want it to just be Rob, Jericho, and you in between. I’m not gonna apologize for the decisions I’ve made, Shawn. But I do need you.
~Michaels nods his head, hands on his hips, knowing that Foley’s done all he can do, seemingly dropping the subject…
Shawn Michaels:
No, you’re right, Mick. I’m just…really, really frustrated is all.
Mick Foley:
I think I know how you can let out some of that frustration.
Shawn Michaels:
What’s that?
Mick Foley:
I need you to pay our AOW Champion a little visit. See if you can get any plans out of him. Or take out any of his plans. I gotta go fax this unreadable paperwork to the higher-ups, but Shawn please…be the man I need you to be.
Shawn Michaels:
I’ll go see if Ol’ Haich Bee Kay can whip anything up.
~Michaels has a smile on his face as Foley leaves the room…but as soon as he leaves, Michaels’ false grin quickly dissolves into a look of much displeasure, a scowl developing over his lost smile. We fade away from the scene as Michaels slowly starts walking out of the office…
~Back at ringside…
As we return, we can see JBL standing in the middle of the ring, microphone in hand and fans buzzing a little bit.
JBL:
Folks, I’m gonna about to interview a man you all seem to hate the livin’ guts of fer some reason or another. But I don’t blame you. This man hasn’t done anything of value since steppin’ in this ring here in AOW.
~JBL gets a face pop
JBL:
But then again, I’m talkin’ to a much of people whose wish list is simply ‘don’t get arrested today’ ya bunch o’hooligans.
~…and whiplashed to heat
JBL:
This man has claimed he is here for nothing more than to compete with the best talent in the world, an’ right now, he’s gonna talk to the best talent in the world. Ladies an’…wait, who am I kiddin’, there’s no civil people here.
~More heat
JBL:
Rapscallions, harlots, and parole officers, I present to you “The Real Deal”, Bobby Lashley!
“HELL WILL BE AT YOUR DOOR” blares across the sound system, as Bobby Lashley comes through the curtain without any of his taunts, dressed in a very casual T-shirt and blue jeans. Lashley is getting a mixed reaction here as always, but the boos are a bit more vocal than the cheers. Lashley steps between the ropes with a microphone in his hand before attempting to shake hands with JBL center ring, but Bradshaw simply ignores him.
JBL:
Welcome Bobby, but I’m not gonna cut around corners an’ I’m just gonna get down t’brass tax here – what in the hell is on Bobby Lashley’s mind? Why are you here, an’ why do you keep tryin’ to silence Christian Cage?
~Lashley just stares JBL down after that very aggressive question
Lashley:
What’s on Bobby Lashley’s mind…? Well first and foremost, I wanna make sure Christian doesn’t set foot back in this ring after Sunday.
~JBL isn’t pleased
JBL:
But why, Lashley? Is it because Christian is better than you? Or is it because he knows something about you an’ you just wanna shut him up?
Lashley:
It’s never been about shutting Christian up, Bradshaw. It’s always been about shutting Christian down. Christian needs help. He’s needed help since he came to AOW. And from the moment he and I set foot in AOW together, he’s wanted me gone because he swears I’m here to use my name and only my name to get to the top. I wanna get rid of him not just for me so I can be here and do what I intended to be here for, but for his own personal safety.
JBL:
Fine. So then the question does become what are you here for, Bobby Lashley?
~The crowd is restless on this question, Lashley slowly putting the microphone to his lips
Lashley:
I’m here to compete. I’ve said that over and over again and no one here seems to believe me. I know good and well I’m not the most popular guy here…
~On that note, Lashley gets a good bit of heat from the smarky crowd
Lashley:
But I came to AOW because I thought that’s exactly what it wasn’t about. It wasn’t about being the most popular. It was about competing, winning, and showing why when I set foot in this ring, I let my wrestling do the talking.
JBL:
Nice try, Bobby, but I ain’t buyin’ it. An’ as low as the threshold for these mutants and what they consider ‘talent’ is, I seriously doubt they buy it either.
~JBL actually gets a decent reaction here, and before Lashley can retort, the Hammerstein faithful begin a meager, but steadily growing “WE DON’T BUY IT!! *CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP* WE DON’T BUY IT!!”
Lashley:
And see that’s the thing. I came here, I signed on that dotted line and I knew that I wasn’t gonna be the favorite. I’ve seen the tapes of what happens when the Hammerstein Ballroom crowd doesn’t like you. And last week, I lived it. I was assaulted in the parking lot by some guy with a golf club.
~The crowd continues to be all over Lashley’s ass, popping for that crazed fan and even beginning a “DOC-TOR DOOM!! DOC-TOR DOOM!! DOC-TOR DOOM!!” chant that gains a bit of steam
Lashley:
I came here to be the best by competing against the best. I left that other company because they looked at me and said “we’re gonna make people believe you’re the best”. I didn’t want that. Not anymore. I came here because I wanted to stand here and make you people believe that I was the best myself, with my own two hands. That I’m the best based on skill, based on heart, based on guts, based on all that!! Not because some corporate sponsor got behind me! I’m here because the only person pushing Bobby Lashley and lighting a fire under his ass is Bobby Lashley!!
~The crowd is actually taken aback by this, getting a marginal pop for this fierce this delivery
Lashley:
Earlier tonight, I came out here and I helped CM Punk get back on his feet after his match. I was with him after he got thrown around. I did that because there’s something me and Punk have in common. And that’s that we came here to prove we’re the best. And CM Punk has the skill, he has the heart, he has the guts, he has all the things that I come out here and display. But there’s one thing CM Punk believes that I haven’t is that he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care if you people here like him. He doesn’t care if you hate him. He’s here because he loves professional wrestling.
~The crowd gives a round of applause for this Punk put-over, but where’s Lashley going with this…?
JBL:
Don’t change the subject an’ stop makin’ excuses. What in the hell does that yuppie have to do with your situation, Lashley?
~JBL finally gets some much needed heat from this statement. Lashley gets in JBL’s face
Lashley:
And until last week, I did care. I cared what these people thought of me, Bradshaw. I spent some emotion considering all of how they felt for me. But now, I can’t do that. It’s gone beyond that. Now it’s about finding those people who’re in my way, who won’t let me come here and compete in this ring. And at the top of that list is Christian Cage.
~JBL, noticing the subtext, takes an audible ‘gulp’ before taking a step back and giving Lashley more room. Lashley now looks directly into a camera
Lashley:
So Christian, I know you’re watching. From inside your jail cell, I know you’re watching. Christian, I don’t hate you. I hate what you’ve become. You’ve become this…babbling, confusing, conspiracy theorist. And you don’t know what’s real anymore. You don’t know what’s real here in the real world or what’s going on in your head. Torrie Wilson? Christian, she’s scared for you. Mick Foley? He’s worried about you. The whole locker room? They do care about you. But I don’t. I can’t. Not anymore. And I’m not going to apologize for that.
~A bit of buzz here, Lashley not sorry at all
Lashley:
I’m not going to apologize because I know you’re not sorry, Christian. I know you’re not sorry for accusing me of whatever. I know you’re not sorry for putting my head between two steel chairs. I know you’re not sorry for jumping me and attacking me last week. But Christian, come Sunday, I will make you sorry. I’ll make you sorry for putting everyone in the back through all the worry and fear you’ve struck into them. I’ll make you sorry for not letting me prove myself. I’ll make you sorry for not realizing what’s real and what’s not. Because after Sunday, the only thing real will be me - The Real Deal.
~…and the crowd lets out a bit of a roar, a great deal of people possibly convinced by The Real Deal and that he stands for what he says. But there’s one very vocal listener who isn’t convinced in the least…
JBL:
After hearin’ all that, Lashley, I only have one thing t’say – YOU’RE A FRAUD. I don’t believe the garbage you’ve been spewin’ for one second an’ if any of these people here believe any o’this than you, all of you, are absolute NIMRODS!!
~Crowd is throwing growing heat towards JBL, Lashley, still with an intense face on, roams over to a corner and gives his microphone to a nearby cameraman while JBL steps closer to center ring…
JBL:
You come out here an’ try to sugar coat this. Real? Lashley, you’re a phony, a fraud, an’ –
SPEAR!! SPEAR!! SPEAR!! SPEAR!! LASHLEY SPEARS BRADSHAW IN HALF!! The crowd roars for this, possibly because they want violence, possibly because they wanted JBL to shut up, but either way, Lashley is the hero of the moment, the crowd fully behind Lashley for the first time since he set foot in an AOW ring! Lashley stands tall and stares down at his handiwork before leaving the ring with a slight grin, but he returns to an intense face as he ignores fans on the aisle going back towards the blood red curtain.
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
~Backstage, in the Green Zone, where The Miz looks much more irate than in his first appearance tonight for some reason…
The Miz:
Y’know, I take a lot of crap back here, you know that? I’ve been screamed at, pushed away, thrown offscreen, all that! And what about my supposed colleague, Torrie Wilson, huh? All she does is shed a tear or two towards Mick Foley and gets another whole week off. I wasn’t gonna say anything about that, but for the love of –
Burchill:
Miz.
The Miz:
WHAT?
~Miz, caught in the heat of the moment, instantly realizes who he just mouthed off to in his guests The Mercenaries. Burchill wipes the spit from his face and stares at Miz as though he’s just caught his drunk son sneaking in past curfew. Albright soon fallows, staring down Miz from the other side, causing Miz to get a look of absolute terror on his face. Burchill makes a ‘come hither’ gesture to Miz, who hesitantly starts passing the microphone to Burchill, the look of horror still plastered all over Miz’s face.
Burchill:
Such a polite lad. Run along now.
~Miz’s priceless face nods in nervous agreement before scurrying completely out of the scene
Burchill:
Benjamin. Haas. You blokes best drop everything and listen to us right now.
~Burchill stares directly into the camera saying this
Burchill:
For the last several weeks, you’ve denied the fact that me and Albright here should be your rightful number one contenders because you don’t ‘respect’ us. I think after what happened last week, now you have no choice.
~Burchill, eyes not moving from the camera, hands off the microphone to Albright, who stares right into the lens as well.
Albright:
See last week, you were just seconds away from losing your Tag Team Championships. And we did the civil, respectful thing and kindly assisted…excuse me…single handedly retaining them for you. So whether you like it or not, you owe us. Big time.
~Albright holds the microphone between he and Burchill
Burchill:
That’s right. An’ see, when you owe The Mercenaries something, we always collect our pay. Always. Your respect for us is long overdue. And last week, not only did we had you back your titles on a silver platter, but we defeated the team that took you to your limit quite handily. We damn well deserve it. But quite frankly, we don’t give much of a damn what you think of us anymore. Because now you owe us something much, much more. And that would be those AOW Tag Team Championships.
Albright:
And believe us – it’s time to pay up.
~Burchill and Albright smirk sinisterly before we fade back to ringside…
“MAD MAN” is already playing as we can see AOW Dynasty Champion Muhammad Hassan being guided to the ring beside a pair of female escorts, both of them in belly-dancerish outfits. Hassan’s lavish spending is still apparent, but also apparent with him is his briefcase that holds $50,000 for whoever can defeat him, which tonight, looks to perhaps be Lance Storm again. The ladies feed Hassan some grapes before tailing off and going backstage, Hassan beaming with overconfidence in the fact that his only obstacle tonight, CM Punk, is on his way to recovery.
Joey Styles:
Welcome back to Oblivion, ladies and gentlemen, where I’m joined by our very own General Manager, the man who puts butts in seats himself, Mick Foley!!
Mick Foley:
Well hey, how’s it hangin’, Joey?
Joey Styles:
What’re you doin’ out here, Matchmaker?
Mick Foley:
Well, y’know, I saw the ol’ Texas loudmouth wasn’t gonna be here for the rest of the night and as much as I love you Joey, I couldn’t have you out here doin’ this all by yourself.
Joey Styles:
Well, you heard him folks, Mick Foley is gonna sit by my side for the rest of the night after the…uh…
Mick Foley:
Unfortunate goring.
Joey Styles:
“Unfortunate goring” of my actual partner, John Layfield, just moments ago by the hands of a resilient, seemingly revitalized Bobby Lashley. Thank you, Mick.
Mick Foley:
My pleasure, Joey.
“STORM LANCING” pops over the sound system now, with a very determined Lance Storm exiting the curtain. Storm doesn’t have any shenanigans, just a stone cold stare on down the ramp, his eyes boring a hold in Hassan’s overly smug face. Hassan looks right into Storm’s eyes and laughs to himself. Storm keeps his beeline towards the ring before stepping in, not stopping in the least, walking right into Hassan, causing a chest-to-chest staredown between both men. Hassan laughs in Storm’s face before backing away into his corner, the referee telling Storm to get into his.
MATCH 3
~5-Minute, $50,000 Challenge~
AOW Dynasty Champion Muhammad Hassan
v.
Lance Storm
Storm instantly goes right after Hassan, bullrushing him in his corner and forcing Hassan to cower behind the ropes. The referee again has to back Storm off, which Storm hesitantly obliges before Hassan tells the ref it’s okay for them to continue. As soon as the ref gets the okay, Storm again charges Hassan, only for Hassan to again dip through the ropes and ask for a breather. The crowd is getting intensely restless, giving Hassan a great deal of heat. Storm doesn’t complain or anything, just keeping his ice cold scare locked on Hassan, biding his time and waiting for his chance. Hassan dips back into the ring and brushes off his toned shoulders before okaying things again, which prompts Storm to again come for Hassan, but he’s ready this time, downing Hassan with a crafty drop toehold, sending Storm down and allowing Hassan to wrap a front headlock onto Storm. Storm wastes little time getting to his feet and nails Hassan with the northern lights suplex, keeping the bridge – 1…2…NO! Hassan forces out!
Hassan knows he’s in for a fight, playing pure defense here. He and Storm get vertical to a standstill, with Storm again going on the offensive, prompting Hassan to give him a reverse elbow to back him off. Hassan follows that up by whipping him into a corner and dashing after him, but Storm gets a boot high and knocks Hassan aback, Storm stepping onto the second rope and leaping with a middle rope dropkick!! Storm again with a cover – 1…2…NO!! Hassan stays strong! Storm, looking up at the clock, notices just under minute has gone by. Not having any time to waste here, Storm looks at the downed Hassan and stomps him in the face before yelling at him “you can’t run from me without legs, can ya?” before taking hold of Hassan’s leg stomping on it, then grabbing it and dragging Hassan towards the ropes. Storm pulls Hassan’s leg through the middle rope, himself on the apron…before performing a guillotine drop on the leg! Hassan writhes in pain, as Storm takes a somewhat meticulous approach here!
Storm rolls back into the ring, not waiting for Hassan to get to his feet, but Hassan scurries away into a corner, gripping his leg in pain. He stands up in the corner, only to be met by a Storm corner clothesline. As Hassan stumbles out of the corner, Storm peers over to the clock, another several seconds shaving off. When Storm turns back towards Hassan, he does so with a lariat attempt, but Hassan ducks underneath, lifts Storm up, and hits the back suplex backbreaker! Hassan now with a cover – 1…2…NO!! The commentators make note that Storm took his eyes off the prize for only a second, but that’s all Hassan needed. Hassan lifts Storm into the front headlock now, taking Storm and nailing his lifting swinging DDT! Instead of trying another cover, Hassan looms over Storm’s downed body and stomps on his face, much like Storm did earlier, saying to him “you’ve got NOTHING, old man!” As Hassan tries to continue to rub the damage in, the crowd starts getting into it again, taunting Hassan with “CM PUNK!! CM PUNK!!” chants. Hassan, much like two weeks ago, takes time to look around the arena and tell everyone to “SHUT UP!! Punk is dead, and I killed him!!” This negates any intention it had, with the crowd only getting louder. Unbeknownst to Hassan, Storm is behind him on one knee, looking around at what’s going on, his iceman demeanor again cracking a smile at just what the kid’s presence is doing. Hassan finally turns around, sees Storm recovered, and charges at him, but Storm rolls through…Canadian Maple Leaf!! Canadian Maple Leaf!! The half-Boston crab is in on the weakened knee!! What kind of poetic justice would this be if he tapped! Storm is selling the move’s intensity, the crowd behind him, Hassan squirming for the ropes…reaching…crawling…reaching…STORM PULLS HIM AWAY!! STORM PULLS HIM AWAY CENER RING!! The crowd is all over this now, as Hassan is running his hands through his short hair, trying to gather the resolve to crawl again, Storm clinching the move even tighter. Hassan crawls again…reaching gain…HE’S THERE!! Hassan emphatically drapes his arm over the bottom rope, Storm forced to release the hold.
Storm doesn’t let up, yet again, not complaining, but the clock being displayed on the AOW’tron is showing roughly two minutes left in the challenge. Storm tries to pull Hassan off the ropes, but Hassan holds onto it for dear life, going nowhere. Storm goes to Hassan’s face and bashes him a few times before pulling him off, attempting to whip him into the opposite ropes. Hassan manages to reverse that, but on the rebound, Hassan blatantly grabs the referee and puts him in Storm’s path, causing Storm to clothesline the referee!! While Storm looks down to see what he’s done, Hassan takes complete advantage, his briefcase in hand, and SMASHES IT INTO STORM’S DETERMINED FACE!! The crowd is all over Hassan for this, but Hassan laughs to himself, pointing to his temple. He then takes his sweet time roaming over to the KO’d Storm and drags him to his feet, setting him up for the inverted STO. Hassan has an evil smile on his face, the briefcase in perfect place to project the impact…when the crowd starts buzzing…and Hassan can see why…
CM Punk is coming down the aisle, pulling an IV pole with him!! The crowd is going nuts, as Hassan drops Storm with a look on his face as though he’s seen a ghost. Punk, still gripping his ribs, is followed not long afterwards by several ambulance paramedics, who obviously must’ve lost control of Punk before taking him to a hospital! Punk is pulling his IV pole all the way down to ringside, where Hassan leans over the top rope screaming at Punk that “you can’t be here!! You can’t be!!” with a look of anger in his eyes. Punk, taking heed to Storm’s advice moments ago, doesn’t say a word, just listens before taking his IV pole in both of his hands…AND CLOCKS HASSAN OVER THE HEAD WITH IT!! HASSAN CLOCKED WITH AN IV POLE!! WOW!! The crowd goes absolutely bonkers for that, Hassan stumbling from the hard blow! “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” chants are abound, as Hassan groggily roams around the ring…RIGHT INTO A STORM SUPERKICK!! Hassan falls to the canvas, the referee just getting to come to! Storm covers Hassan, hooking the leg, the dramatic count following – 1………2………3…!!!
Winner and #1 Contender for the Dynasty Championship: Lance Storm at (3:55)
YES!! Punk is being helped back up the ramp by the medics, his ribs still on fire, but he has enough fire in him to yell in joy for Storm. The crowd lights up for the three count, with Storm being announced the winner and new contender, grabbing the $50,000 briefcase off its place on the canvas, having it officially be his. Storm points to Punk up the ramp who has enough in him to yell back “Punk’s not dead! It comes back with a Storm!” The lame pun is enough to get a smile outta Storm who hoists the briefcase high for the crowd before stepping over the disappointed Hassan. Before we fade away…
…to the locker room area, where AOW Champion Chris Jericho is looking at what just transpired with keen eyes on a television screen, still holding his jaw from Punk's kick. He has a stare that seems to know something…
Chris Jericho:
Hm…I see we may have a new target…
~Jericho mutters this cryptic line, almost inaudible to the ear, but almost as soon as he says it, we see a hand emphatically place itself on Jericho’s shoulder before hearing the voice of one Shawn Michaels, who seems to be back in his ‘happy-go-lucky’ face
Shawn Michaels:
What’s that, Jericho?
Chris Jericho:
Why does it matter to you?
Shawn Michaels:
Because see…you have the tendency to be a bit of a plotter, some kind of mastermind. And as the special guest referee Sunday, it’s kinda my job to make sure none of that winds up being involved. So if you’ve got a plan, throw it out.
Chris Jericho:
Really, Shawn? And what if I don’t throw it out?
Shawn Michaels:
Well then, simple. I’ll do it for you. My first decree as referee is that your…‘beastie’, Paul Wright is hereby banned from ringside come Sunday.
~Michaels gets a wide grin on his face as Jericho looks on, his face getting redder, but maintains his composure
Shawn Michaels:
Oh wow, this layin’ down the law thing is kinda fun!
Chris Jericho:
Don’t get too wrapped up, Michaels. Do you remember what happened on the very first show of this company?
Shawn Michaels:
Well, as wrestlers, we kinda forget the weekly stu –
~Michaels’ fourth wall comment is cut off by Jericho
Chris Jericho:
In case you’d forgotten, I made you tap out in the middle of that ring. I made you submit to me, Michaels. For this AOW Championship. You…submitted…to me.
~Michaels loses the smile from his face, Jericho getting in it and the air becoming much more serious
Shawn Michaels:
And what’s that got anything to with?
Chris Jericho:
Everything.
~The look in Michaels’ eyes says that indeed, this means something more that perhaps we’re unaware of…
Chris Jericho:
When you submitted to me, Shawn, you did just that. You declared yourself subservient to me in every feasible way. You submitted to my ‘one step ahead’ ideology. I can probably concoct a plan that with of flick my wrist, the dominoes would fall, and have your career gone in a blink and there wouldn’t be anything you could do about it. Don’t ever forget that.
Shawn Michaels:
That doesn’t mean any –
Chris Jericho:
But…given your control of this match…I suppose I have to respect you. That’s fine. Get rid of Wright. I’ll be fine. All that will do is make your job easier, right?
Shawn Michaels:
Wait, are you trying to threaten me?
Chris Jericho:
Threaten, persuade, convince – it is whatever you want it to be, Michaels. Just know that Sunday there will only be one right decision. And no matter your one decision, remember. I’ll always be…one…step…ahead.
~Jericho sidesteps Michaels and walks past him, leaving Michaels alone in dwell on what was said…
~Back at ringside
Joey Styles:
Well Mick, uh, whaddya think about what you just saw?
Mick Foley:
Y’know what, I’ve already gotten the upper hand of Chris Jericho to even participate in this match. And I have the utmost faith in Shawn Michaels that he will make the right decision come Sunday. Chris Jericho can make all the idle threats he wants, but when it comes to put up or shut up, Chris Jericho isn’t exactly the name that tops the list.
Joey Styles:
Are you doubting our world champion, Mick?
Mick Foley:
Oh, I have the utmost faith in every man involved in that match. I have faith in RVD, Michaels, and Jericho to do what they’re gonna do. But I certainly wouldn’t say things are in Mr. Jericho’s favor.
Joey Styles:
Well folks, we hope you all indeed keep the faith and join us in Boston, Massachusetts in the Izod Center for what will be AOW’s very first and grand Pay-Per-View extravaganza, World Ablaze!!
Mick Foley:
An absolutely amazing event planned so far, as it’s only getting better by the second, Joey.
Joey Styles:
Indeed, and Mick, you unveiled another match for the event just a few hours before Oblivion came on the air tonight, as six teams have been confirmed for AOW’s first ever Tag Team Turmoil match that will take place at World Ablaze.
Mick Foley:
That’s right, Joey. After the somewhat troubling naming of the Mercenaries as the number one contenders, I figured we’d let the teams decide it this time. The winner of this match becomes the new number one contender for those AOW Tag Team Championships, no matter who walks out of World Ablaze with it. And boy, is that gonna be fun.
Joey Styles:
And speaking of the Tag Team Championships, two very talented and gifted teams will compete for the highest tag team prize in the world, as The Mercenaries, the merciless Mercenaries, take on the World’s Greatest Tag Team.
Mick Foley:
That’s gonna be…what would an old friend of ours call it…a “rocket-buster”? Yeah. The Mercenaries are undoubtedly taking the World’s Greatest to their limits and have proven themselves, whether any of us like it, or them, or not.
Joey Styles:
And tonight, limits continued to be pushed, especially for the man who is proclaimed to be ‘sin limites’ after being put through our timekeeper’s table here tonight. But come Sunday, the luchadore prospect Aero Star takes on the man who says he’s ‘nobody’s stepping stone’ in Jaime Noble.
Mick Foley:
And Jamie Noble is looking for a big win that’ll put him over the top and show that he needs to be respected here, to earn his respect, and I think maybe getting that a win over Aero Star may be exactly what he needs. Might even get him in good tastes for a Cruiserweight title shot.
Joey Styles:
Words of wisdom from the man who makes the matches himself, but on the note of the Cruiserweight Championship, this one has gotten out of hand in a hurry.
Mick Foley:
No need to tell me, Joey. I was there.
Joey Styles:
Escalading from jealousy on behalf of Gregory Helms, to Bryan Danielson rising to the challenge, to Helms denying defeat and stealing the physical Cruiserweight title, all the way to Helms outright destroying the man who Bryan Danielson calls a good friend in Rey Mysterio – the AOW Cruiserweight Championship may never see a war like this again in its young history.
Mick Foley:
Never say never in the wrestling business, Joey, but this one has gotten intense very quickly. And just the squared circle can’t contain these guys, as their match showed earlier, it’s spewed out over cyberspace even, but when all is said and done, when this one is over we will undeniably have an absolute, undisputed Cruiserweight Champion.
Joey Styles:
Bryan Danielson has gone on record saying Helms will see a side of him that no one has yet to see in AOW, but oh what about this one, Mick. Just a few moments ago, Bobby Lashley announced that Sunday, Christian will see a different side of Bobby Lashley, an unapologetic side in what has easily become the most chaotic rivalry in the young history of AOW.
Mick Foley:
Oh absolutely. And Lashley mentioned me when he was speaking and I am indeed worried about Christian, but I’ll be the first to say that he does need help and maybe, just maybe leaving AOW is the remedy for that as painful as that may be.
Joey Styles:
Indeed, with Lashley and Christian, who is in a holding cell until Sunday, and Lashley, who still isn’t medically able to compete until Sunday, will battle it out in an I Quit match in which the loser will be forced to leave AOW.
Mick Foley:
And how about this gem that got confirmed just a moment ago?
Joey Styles:
Oh yes, ladies and gentlemen, as was confirmed by what we just saw and what Mick Foley is approving as we speak, and that is that Muhammad Hassan will have to defend his Dynasty Championship against the man who just defeated him in his own challenge for his own money in Lance Storm.
Mick Foley:
Hey, Hassan chose his rules, his stipulations, and Lance Storm was the man who walked out with money in the bank and gold on the horizon.
Joey Styles:
And just how big a role CM Punk will play is possibly still up in the air due to Punk’s impending medical condition, but he certainly made his presence known here tonight for his mentor in Storm. But how about this…our very first Pay-Per-View main event, perhaps one of the biggest main events in recent history.
Mick Foley:
Why you’re welcome, Joey. It took a great bit of guts to do what I did.
Joey Styles:
That indeed, as by way of Mick Foley, not only will Chris Jericho and Rob Van Dam, the man who calls himself the heart and soul of AOW, face off come World Ablaze for the AOW Championship, but the Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels will be the special guest referee! And as we just saw a few moments ago, he just banned Paul Wright from ringside! But that’s the only rule so far in place, as the whole thing will be conducted under ECW Rules!!
Mick Foley:
And all this will be coming to you this Sunday from the Izod Center straight from Boston, Mass!
Joey Styles:
And coming up on the other side of the break, we’ve got a huge main event on the horizon – Rob Van Dam is teaming up with the champion World’s Greatest Tag Team facing off against the men they will be facing at World Ablaze in the Mercenaries and the AOW Champion himself, Chris Jericho!! Keep it here!!
Before we cut to a break, we’re met with the sound of “WALK” over the sound system, as the crowd erupts into a huge pop, as Rob Van Dam comes on down the ramp with a very no-nonsense expression on his face, much like a lot of other competitors tonight. But Van Dam has a certain purpose in his step that takes even our GM and commentator by surprise…
Joey Styles:
Um…well, we weren’t scheduled to have this match until after the break, but…what’s RVD doing out here?
Van Dam roams over to the announce table side, talking to one of the (still table-less) timekeepers, getting a microphone. And stepping into the ring, the commentators still somewhat confused as to what he’s doing out here so early
RVD:
So are you guys excited about Sunday night?
~The Hammerstein lets out a grandeur pop, a great deal of them probably traveling to Boston for the big show
RVD:
I asked if you guys were excited, not sleepy. Who’s ready to set this World Ablaze?
~Another huge pop
RVD:
Y’know, I thought I was ready. I thought I was ready every single week before tonight. I thought I had it all figured out, and with a little help from Mick over there, I’ve even turned this match into my type of environment where I’ll be…extremely comfortable.
~Van Dam’s comment kicks up an “ECW!! ECW!! ECW!!” chant that he marvels at for just a second, but he doesn’t look too excited…
RVD:
But after seeing some of the things I’ve seen tonight…dude, I’m not so sure I’m so ready.
~Van Dam lowers his head somberly
RVD:
I saw what lengths Chris Jericho will go through to get someone out of his way. I saw exactly how far he’d go. I saw just how much Shawn Michaels really wants to be a part of this match. And I know first-hand how far he’ll go. And I thought with all that, I might not be ready.
~More buzz for whatever Van Dam’s talking about, but suddenly, he lights up
RVD:
I thought I might not be ready for how psyched Boston’ll be when I force both of you to hand me that AOW Championship!!
~A ready pop for RVD!
RVD:
Shawn man, it’s no secret you and I don’t really have the utmost respect for each other. But I do have faith in you, Shawn. I have faith that you’ll make the right calls come Sunday. We might not respect each other, Shawn, but I know sure as hell we respect what the other one can do. I told you last week, if you really wanna screw with the way the match works, go right ahead. You’re the guest ref. And in this match, anything goes, man. I just hope you’re ready when no matter what happens, I overcome it all and you’ll have to raise my hand and declare me AOW Heavyweight Champion.
~Another very solid pop
RVD:
And Chris Jericho, I hope you’re ready most of all. I hope you’re ready when you realize exactly what I’ve been saying and that is that you are not what makes this company go. You are not the blood that pumps through the veins of this establishment. I am. I am what brings these people here. I am the heart and soul here! I am Rob Van Dam and I am AOW!
~Van Dam reiterating what he has indeed been saying for weeks, getting the crowd more pumped up
RVD:
So Jericho, it doesn’t matter what you’ll do to get someone out of the way and how many steps ahead you are. I’ll top it. Shawn, it doesn’t matter how bad you want in. I’m in it. And if both of you think you’re gonna stop the whole F’n show from gettin’ back to the top of the world, you’ve got another thing comin’, dudes. There’s nothin’ in the world that can stop me from takin’ those risks, goin’ all out, and gettin’ the big prize. So the question is, dudes, are you ready to have a new AOW World Champion? Because that title is only going one way and that’s home to me – R…V…D!!
~Van Dam completes the thumbs taunt, everyone in the arena joining in and letting out one final huge pop as Van Dam throws down the microphone.
Joey Styles:
An emphatic, dramatic final address from the champion’s challenger, RVD!! Up next, our main event!! Stick around!!
**COMMERCIAL BREAK**
As we cut back to the arena, “WORLD’S GREATEST” instantly greets us, as the AOW Tag Team Champions Benjamin & Haas come on down the ramp, both of them pumped for action. They pat their tag titles around their waist with the utmost pride, the crowd giving them a very welcome pop. They high-five each other before stepping into the ring and both shaking hands with RVD, who is a man both of them can respect given their actions last week.
“WELCOME TO WHITECHAPEL” rings across the arena with its pipe organ chimes, as The Mercenaries, Paul “Ripper” Burchill & Brent Albright make their way down the ramp as meticulously as ever. They’re very slow in their steps, staring down to the ring with dark, calculating eyes. They don’t take their eyes off Benjamin and Haas for one second, but as they come down the ramp, they stop at the very end, waiting…
….until “BREAK DOWN THE WALLS” hits the fan for the second time tonight, and the crowd throws an immense amount of heat towards AOW Champion Chris Jericho as he turns his nose up to us all, walking on down the ramp. Jericho’s ‘holier than thou’ walk is still going tonight, just as it has every week. He doesn’t let out a smile until he’s at the base of the ramp, where he smirks alongside his partners tonight. They continue smirking until they get around to their corner, huddling a little bit, and indicating that this meticulous tag team and this even more meticulous man have more than something up their sleeves.
MAIN EVENT
AOW Tag Team Champions World’s Greatest Tag Team & Rob Van Dam
v.
AOW Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho & The Mercenaries
The crowd is still hot on Jericho’s ass for being Jericho, but as they settle down, we figure out that kicking off the match will be RVD and Brent Albright. Jericho stares down Van Dam, but doesn’t even think about getting involved. Van Dam and Albright circle one another a bit before locking up, RVD grabbing Albright in a headlock before Albright trips up Van Dam from behind and causes RVD to fall face first on the canvas, but quickly get back up. Albright is vertical again as well, causing the two to resize each other up and lock up again, this time Albright getting the upper hand with a headlock. Van Dam stays clinched in for several seconds before delivering a trifecta of elbow shots to Albright’s ribs and loosening the hold, going and rebounding off the ropes, but while heading back towards Albright, he catches RVD going by in a standing sleeper hold! Albright perhaps looks to want to cut off the circulation in the head early, possibly going for another KO finish like last week. But Van Dam is quick to not stay in this hold too long, as RVD forces his weight forward, causing Albright to roll over the top of him and letting go of the hold. As Albright rolls to his feet, he charges right back at Robbie V, who meets him immediately with a surprise roundhouse kick!! Albright gets caught big early, dropping to the canvas and covered by Van Dam – 1…2…NO!! Albright still has more than enough to keep going, causing Van Dam to drag Albright over into his corner and tag in Shelton Benjamin.
Benjamin strikes the still woozy Albright before getting him to his feet and attempting to throw him into the ropes. When this is reversed, it’s Benjamin who is flying back towards Albright, leaping for something, but Albright simply moves out of the way, sliding under the bottom rope and causing Benjamin to falls shoulder first into the canvas. Albright’s getting heat for that, as he takes a stroll around ringside before jumping back in on the downed Benjamin with hard stomps to the shoulder, as now it appears the Mercenaries have a target. Albright gets Benjamin to his feet and drives his shoulder into Benjamin’s a few times before wrapping Benjamin’s arm behind him and shoves him into a corner post, the exposed shoulder hitting the hard steel!! Benjamin nearly falls out of the ring on the impact of the move, as Albright takes Benjamin and wrenches the arm again before tossing him into the ropes and catching him in a flapjack on the rebound, Benjamin’s face hitting the canvas hard. He goes for a cover now, shoving the ailing shoulder down – 1…2…NO! Benjamin shoots the good shoulder up, but Albright still stands and stomps on the ailing one, dragging him over into his corner and tagging in Paul Burchill, who immediately leaps over the ropes and double foot stomps the shoulder!!
Benjamin rolls around in pain, but Burchill doesn’t give him any breathing room, extending the arm while standing over Benjamin’s head. Benjamin is trying his best to try and get out of this, but to he’s not getting much help until his corner starts getting the crowd behind things, clapping, and finally getting to his feet, but as soon as he does, Burchill delivers a hard shot to the shoulder of his own, causing Benjamin to stumble and Burchill follows up by looking to deliver a suplex of sorts, but Benjamin has enough about him to squibble down Burchill’s spine and catch him in a sunset!! 1…2…NO!! Burchill rolls back and out and charges at the still sitting Benjamin with a vicious kick, but Benjamin lies flat before jumping up, grabbing some of Burchill’s hair, and pulling it back into a nifty backbreaker. Benjamin bending the rules a bit for that one, but he goes for another cover – 1…2…NO!! Burchill’s fight remains! Benjamin then goes and tries to roam into his corner for a tag, but Burchill quickly grabs a hold of his foot and tries to pulls him back into his corner, but Benjamin resists as he might, hopping on one foot. Burchill then throws the foot around, only to get clocked in the head with the dragon whip!! Dragon whip!! Benjamin and Burchill are down, each man trying to get to their corners for their hot tags, where Burchill gets there first to tag back in Albright, Benjamin reaching Haas to a solid pop.
Haas darts in and immediately clotheslines Albright, followed quickly by another, but when Albright rises and charges and is about to be hit by a third, Albright quickly ducks underneath it and rams his shoulder into Haas’ knee!! This sends Haas down, Styles on commentary perhaps proposing that Haas’ knee was hyperextended on that, perhaps exaggerating, but nonetheless, yet another spot has been opened up by the opportunistic offense of Albright. Albright grins as he sees it now, now going over to the downed Haas and prying his legs open, dropping an elbow to the inside of the injured knee before popping up and doing it again, and again, and again, and again! He finishes this five times before finally holding onto the leg and prying it around his elbow, putting an immense amount of strain on the now weakened knee. The Mercenaries’ game plan becomes completely apparent here – tonight is about picking their Sunday opponents apart, possibly piece by piece. Jericho decides to get in on the fun, having Albright tag him in and giving Haas a shot to the gut before planting him with a high back drop. As Jericho rolls to his feet, he walks over and nonchalantly kicks Haas in the back of the head, getting a great deal of heat. Jericho stares into the opposing corner right at RVD, giving him a cold, calculating smirk. This smirk fades, however, as the crowd is buzzing for some reason, as someone is coming down the ramp…but they’re in no hurry…Shawn Michaels?
Michaels seems very hunky-dory as he steps towards the ring, not having much of a care. He points at both Jericho and Van Dam before holding his hands open in an “I promise not to touch” fashion, but he’s followed as he roams on around the other side and grabs a steel chair. Every participant in the match turns their attention towards him if they hadn’t already, everyone on alert here, the crowd giving an initial pop…before Michaels waves a finger at the crowd and tells them to shush before going back to the base of the ramp with the chair, opening it up…and sitting down? The Showstopper…just wants to sit back and enjoy the show, it seems. As fishy as this looks, Jericho soon has to turn his attention back towards Charlie Haas who, despite having to hold himself up in a corner, isn’t dead yet. As Jericho charges towards him, Haas gets a leg up and pops Jericho in the jaw. Michaels on the outside reacts with an overselling “Oooh!” of his own, prompting Haas to run out of the corner and plant the AOW Champ on his face with a running bulldog!! Haas with a cover on the champ – 1…2…NO!! Jericho still with some fight.
As some fans are starting to get a kick out of Michaels’ reactions, in the ring, it’s all business, as Haas is trying to shake some life into his knee. Haas soon brings Jericho to his feet, but Jericho fires back with a cheap shot to that weak knee, getting him all the room he needs to run at Haas with the running enzeguiri!! Haas drops like a stone!! Jericho with the cover now – 1…2…3-NO!!! Haas wants to keep going! Michaels, still having his fun, yells back at the referee that “I could count better than that, stripes!! C’mon!” Jericho is not amused, but he doesn’t waste any time in wanting to put away Haas and grabs his legs and prepares for the Walls of Jericho, but Haas fights him as he tries to turn him over on his prone spot, eventually winning that fight and forcing Jericho to summersault onto his spine when Haas’ legs flip him over. Unfortunately, this counter puts a great deal of strain on Haas’ weak knee, forcing him to grab at it in pain. Haas still wants to go though, approaching Jericho and throwing him into a corner, giving him a hard CHOP(Wooooooo!) for his troubles before grabbing his arm and pulling him out right into a short arm lariat, Haas diving to the canvas alongside Jericho. A Haas cover – 1…2…NO!! Jericho’s not done! The enzeguiri still has Haas woozy a bit, apparent as he gets to his feet. He attempts to get Jericho to his feet, but the Worthy Champion sees an opportunity and tries to roll Haas into a small package – 1…2…3-NO!!! Haas able to unravel the package!! As both men quickly get to their feet, Jericho swings wildly at Haas, only for Haas to wrap himself around Jericho and nail a flawless German suplex!! Haas doesn’t keep the bridge, as he can’t, his knee acting up on the move. Jericho tries to begin rolling towards his corner, but Haas is the one who makes the big leap first, tagging in the hot RVD!!
Van Dam wastes absolutely no time, instantly coming in, making a barrel out of himself and nailing the attempting to tag Jericho with the Rolling Thunder!! Van Dam nails his Sunday opponent with a signature maneuver!! Van Dam gets to his feet and swats his hand toward the Mercenaries to get them away, pulling Jericho away and looking for the pin here – 1…2…3-NO!! Outside the ring, Shawn Michaels’ face is over-exaggerating, Michaels swearing he had it. Van Dam isn’t really amused at the reaction, but doesn’t cry over spilled milk, bringing Jericho to his feet and whipping him into the corner, following him and hitting him with some shoulders to the gut before backflipping and going for the last one…but Jericho holds onto the top rope, raising himself over the charging Van Dam, who goes shoulder first into the steel, Jericho rolling forward and capturing Van Dam in a sunset – 1…2…3…NO!!! RVD throws his legs over to roll out! But the damage is done to RVD’s shoulder now, as he gets up rubbing the sore spot only for Jericho to high tail it out of the ring, tagging back in Burchill.
Burchill immediately takes Van Dam and tries to nail a Regalplex, but RVD gives some hard elbows to get himself out of that. Van Dam tries charging back, but he’s met with a hard back elbow before being hoisted onto the top rope. Burchill bops Van Dam a few good times before he begins climbing to the top with Van Dam, perhaps looking for the big superplex, but Van Dam keeps fighting out of it, pushing Burchill off the top rope and crashing to the canvas. Van Dam prepares himself for Burchill to get back to his feet, but as he does, Jericho is distracting the referee, the WGTT trying to argue for him to get back from their corner. While that goes on, Brent Albright drops from his corner and goes behind the ref’s back, and pushes Van Dam off the top, sending him flying in the direction of Shawn Michaels at ringside!! Michaels high tails it out of his chair, but Van Dam goes face first to the outside, nearly embedding his face is Michaels’ chair!
After a moment, of trying to recover, Van Dam finally gets to his feet, which brings him nose to nose with Shawn Michaels. Michaels gives Van Dam the first really serious stare he’s given anybody since coming to ringside. The two stand frozen in time, just glaring at each other, until Van Dam overhears the referee’s count-out already up to six. He scurries into the ring, only to be met by Burchill pounding on his spine. Burchill makes some space before rushing and rebounding off the ropes, but Van Dam catches Burchill in a sitout spinebuster. RVD’s somewhat quick now to roam into his corner and tag in Shelton Benjamin once again. Benjamin elbow drops Burchill a pair of times before sticking a cover – 1…2…NO!! Burchill keeps it going. As Benjamin tries to bring Burchill to his feet, The Ripper springs to life, grabs Benjamin’s sore shoulder, and brings it crashing back down with a devastating double knee armbraker! Benjamin goes rolling around in pain, his shoulder again a target. Burchill then is quick to try and lock on the Royal Mutilation, hoping to make one of his opponents Sunday tap out, but Benjamin has enough about him to maneuver his way out of it, getting to his feet, and quickly nails a chin breaker that sends Burch reeling into his corner, where Chris Jericho tags himself in ahead of Albright for some reason.
However, this doesn’t stop Albright from subsequently bursting into the ring, which causes Haas to charge the ring. Albright gives Benjamin a hard clothesline before Haas comes charging, Albright ducking under it and Haas rebounding and coming again, only to yet again get a hard low shoulder to the damaged knee!! Haas goes spinning and falls out of the ring, gripping onto his ailing knee. Albright is getting admonished by the ref, but before he even thinks about leaving he looks up to see a Rob Van Dam diving side kick from the top rope!! Albright goes down hard, Van Dam getting a huge reaction for the airborne move, but before he can do anything more, Chris Jericho has entered the ring and takes Van Dam, chunking him through the middle rope and outside…BUT RIGHT ON TOP OF SHAWN MICHAELS. Jericho has chucked Van Dam right onto HBK!! Jericho has a nasty smirk on his face as that happens, definitely a message to both Michaels and Van Dam, but as Jericho turns around, he’s met by Shelton Benjamin, who suddenly catches Jericho in exploder suplex position, but as Benjamin tries to lift Jericho up, his shoulder gives way, forcing him to put Jericho down and lick his wounds. This gives Jericho time to make space and nail the weakened Benjamin with the Code Breaker!! Jericho forces the shoulder down, pinning Benjamin down – 1…2…3…!!!
Winners: Chris Jericho & The Mercenaries at (11:28)
Jericho pulls one out of his hat! And in the process, he’s definitely sent a message to both Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam in one fell swoop. Jericho is handed his AOW title and has his hand raised alongside his fellow victorious Mercenaries, who seem to have accomplished their goals as well, with both Haas and Benjamin with point for the picking come Sunday. Jericho has yet to stop staring and smirking at the rubble in front of him in his special referee and his #1 contender.
Joey Styles:
We have seen just how far Chris Jericho will go, but now, what are his means of doing that? He just chucked RVD into Shawn Michaels! Will that cost him come Sunday in regards to both men?
Mick Foley:
I gotta funny feelin’ that this is all a part of whatever scheme Jericho’s got. He wouldn’t do something like this unless it led to something…
Joey Styles:
You could very well be right, Mick, but whatever all these questions may be, whatever questions are left, will all have to wait until World Ablaze, this Sunday from the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts!! From the Hammerstein Ballroom, alongside Mick Foley, we bid you all farewell and see you at our very first Pay-Per-View!
Mick Foley:
BANG BANG, folks!
The final image we get with that audio sign-off is that of Chris Jericho, clutching his AOW World title against his chest, staring at the now recovering RVD and Shawn Michaels, and both of them staring each other down before both looking at Jericho, who is seem mouthing the words “Are you ready for how many steps ahead…I’ll…go?” This, directed at both men, leaves Jericho with an absolutely sinister grin on his face as we
Fade…
To…
Black…
END SHOW
WORLD ABLAZE
Boston, Massachusetts – TD Banknorth Garden
November 11, 2007
*Final Card*
~AOW World Heavyweight Championship~
*SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE: Shawn Michaels
~ECW RULES~
The Worthy Champion Chris Jericho(c) v. The Whole F’n Show Rob Van Dam
~AOW Tag Team Championship~
The World’s Greatest Tag Team(c) v. The Mercenaries
~I Quit Match~
*Loser Leaves AOW*
The Real Deal Bobby Lashley v. The Man on the Moon Christian Cage
~AOW Cruiserweight Championship~
The American Dragon Bryan Danielson(c) v. Gregory Helms
~AOW Dynasty Championship~
Muhammad Hassan(c) v. Lance Storm
~Grudge Match~
Aero Star v. Jamie Noble
~Tag Team Turmoil~
*#1 Contendership for the AOW Tag Team Championships*
(Teams not in entrance order)
Sons of the Dungeon v. American Made v. Samoan Fight Club v. The Hooliganz v. Low Jack v. Ken Doane & Chris Masters
Felt a little fatigued towards the end of this one, but we'll see how it goes. Note that if anyone wants to make predictions, I'll have an official preview up later so no predictions yet. Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed the take-home show and most feedback should be returned, but I can't guarantee on this one with college starting back in a week and a PPV on the horizon. But that can't stop you from enjoying it, right?