WWE: Unleash the Fury - The Return

[Brett]

Catching up on this booking right now.... Wow is that quite the Wrestlemania card and as you stated earlier, it' s been in the works for over a decade. The fact that we are so so close to that, I'm sure the rewarding feeling of getting there will be awesome. We have kind of a similar track to ending up where we are now, I was both a WF and WC guy, and the amount of in and out stories I've had over the years is staggering. I left forums around 2016, but now I work a job that allots for a decent amount of free time and I'm so excited to hop back in.

Super small detail, but I love your smackdown and raw dividers, did you custom make those or did you find them? Because seriously those add so much to the aesthetic of your write ups

 

[Stojy]

Ziggler/Haas and Benjamin are solid inclusions in the MITB ladder match. I do worry that unless winning, Dolph is so fresh that he'll be losing relatively early in his run which I don't know if that's a good thing or not. Haas/Coach was surprisingly uneventful. I'm not sure necessarily where I expected this to go, but I thought there would be a twist somewhere tonight. I am intrigued to see what happens next with Haas as I can't imagine his stuff with Coach is over. And obviously Shelton in the match means there'll be some epic spots, as there needs to be.

Continuing to really enjoy Miz and Morrison's open challenge. Makes sense that at some point they'll get shocked and lose, but for now, this is fun.

Michaels/MVP progressed well here again, as this is smart use of MVP's muscle. Also not sure if I've actually mentioned this before, but Big E being used in this role for MVP is all kinds of awesome.

Mania Battle Royal hype was fine. I like that the match is getting some shine here. I'm also a fan of the pairing of Yang and Tajiri with Yang dropping the cowboy gimmick.

Bourne/Chavo segment was fine...

And the finish with Christian/Hardy/Umaga was the highlight of the night. I'm assuming Christian somehow finds a way into the steel cage next week and we get a triple threat for 'Mania. The character work from Christian here is a highlight. I'm assuming he'll remain a tweener of sorts, until losing at Mania and completely crossing the line on Jeff after that. Still, this was the best thing on the show and was really well written too.

I thought we had lost you forever again. Glad to see you're still tracking to Mania. Can't wait.

 

[KOP]

Monday Night Raw | Episode #765
Monday March 17, 2008
Cajundome | Lafayette, Louisiana

Raw comes to us tonight from Cajun Country down on the bayou in Lafayette, Louisiana as we are welcomed to the Cajundome by none other than Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler. The Road to WrestleMania keeps on trucking as we are now only thirteen nights away from the biggest spectacle of the year! John Cena and Batista are set to meet face to face as we are getting closer and closer to their first ever battle between these two generational talents! We are also set to get an update on what exactly happened last Monday night at Titan Towers between Kurt Angle and Triple H (and possibly Stephanie McMahon). Plus Mr. Kennedy has prepared a special video package for his WrestleMania opponent - Mick Foley! But first…let’s send you backstage where the number one contender John Cena is just arriving at the Cajundome!

Todd Grisham meets up with John Cena who is just stepping out of his ride and Todd immediately gets John’s attention and asks Cena if he has time to talk. Cena says he always has time for Todd but he needs to keep it a little short because he’s headed out to the ring RIGHT now! Todd says he’s been hearing rumors all afternoon that Batista met with the medical team earlier on today and that his status for WrestleMania could be up in the air. Cena looks at Grisham and tells him to “stop playing”. Cena tells Todd that there is absolutely NO WAY that he’s going to let Batista back out of this match. Cena looks set to keep on talking but he stops himself and says he’s going to head to the ring and address this RIGHT NOW!

Cena slams his car door shut and heads towards the arena as the camera crew follows him. Cena’s demeanor has changed in mere seconds as he is walking fast towards gorilla….

***MY TIME IS NOW***

Cena makes a beeline to the ring playing to the fans a little along the way but he’s mostly business tonight! Cena is handed a mic by Lilian Garcia and he immediately asks for the backstage crew to cut his music. Cena says he had begun to hear rumors earlier on in the day and now that Todd Grisham is asking him if he’s heard the rumors then he can only conclude that the rumors may be true and those rumors are that “Batista is trying to dodge him all because he is a baby back bitch!”

The crowd loudly pops for Cena as Cena cuts them off and says while he was joking there - he’s hoping that he’s not joking about the fact that he will still be headlining WrestleMania in just thirteen days. “The last two years have been wild. April 3, 2005 I finally reached the top - the pinnacle of the WWE and that same night so did Batista. We are forever linked in history. The pundits said that we were both the future, that we would be the faces of the company and carry the WWE into a new era!”

“Well I hate to admit it but unfortunately only one of us has done so and as much as it bothers me to say it…(many fans are waving their arms begging Cena not to say it but Cena shakes his head and says he has to)...

“Batista has lived up to the hype while I’ve done nothing but fumble the ball every time I get to the goal line.”

The fans loudly tell Cena that they have faith in him as they start a “Cena” chant trying to cheer up the number one contender and it seems to work briefly. Cena says that is the only credit he is going to give Batista in that he’s done exactly what the pundits said he would do and that’s put the WWE on his back and carry it into the Ruthless Aggression era successfully.

“But…” (Cena waves his finger in the air telling the fans to hang on because he’s not done)

“He may have succeeded in being the face of the company. He may have succeeded in being a three time World champion while I only have one championship but one thing you’ll NEVER see me do is back down from a challenge and that is EXACTLY what Dave Batista is trying to do by trying to back out of WrestleMania.”

The fans loudly agree with Cena as he continues on and states that if Batista had any balls he would suck it up and muster the courage and the strength to fight through the pain and go to WrestleMania. Cena says he’s banged up and has been since the Royal Rumble but he would be damned if he didn’t fulfill his obligation to these fans to appear at the biggest show of the year. Cena says he could be the curtain jerking match and he’d still give it his all! These fans have inspired him to keep his head up since he last held the WWE Championship back on January 2, 2006 to never give up and that is exactly what he’s going to do! Cena will push through the pain, the adversity, and he will come out on top at WrestleMania 24.

Cena tells the crowd that he’s going to get down to the bottom of this tonight and find out what Batista’s status is for WrestleMania. Cena looks ready to exit the ring as he salutes the fans but he’s interrupted by Raw GM Eric Bischoff…

Bischoff’s music doesn’t hit as he instead walks out onto the stage and asks Cena where exactly he is going? Cena tells the GM that he was about to head to Bischoff’s office to find out where Batista is and whether he’s actually injured or not!

“Well John…I hate to be the bearer of bad news and trust me…I mean it when I say this but…yes Batista is injured. He injured himself over the weekend while training for the match and after seeing his medical team earlier today Batista has been ruled out of action for some time with a torn pectoral muscle.”

The fans loudly boo Bischoff as Bischoff looks concerned and you can see some of the stress in his face as the fans are clearly irate at a first ever match between Cena and Batista now being in limbo.

Cena asks Bischoff what exactly this means for WrestleMania then because he earned a main event match at WrestleMania. Bischoff tells Cena that he’s not quite sure yet. Thirteen days before the biggest WrestleMania of all time is not the ideal time for the WWE Champion to be injured. Bischoff lets Cena know that he is considering all options on what to do and despite his hands being tied up in other manners (the HHH/Angle feud) he is going to prove to the doubters that he can and will find a solution that benefits everyone. Bischoff pleads with Cena to give him some time to figure out what the plan for WrestleMania will be and that he will have an answer by the end of the night.

Cena begrudgingly accepts the response from Bischoff (really not having much of any other option anyways) and he exits ringside before heading up the ramp. Jim Ross cuts in and says that we are in unprecedented territory with a WrestleMania main event being in limbo with just thirteen days until the biggest spectacle of the year. King says he can’t remember anything like this happening but what can you do other than move on. JR says despite his dislike for Eric Bischoff - he just hopes that Eric Bischoff will do the right thing and ensure that Cena gets his earned WrestleMania main event opportunity no matter what.

A black limo pulls up backstage and once at a stop - the driver gets out and opens the door for the WWE Champion - BATISTA! Dressed to the nines but wearing a brace over his left arm - the champion has arrived. Todd Grisham tries to catch up backstage with Batista but Batista declines to comment as he makes his way down the hallway. The camera follows “The Animal” as he walks up to an office with a sign stating RAW GENERAL MANAGER - ERIC BISCHOFF before entering the office.

Match #1 | #1 Contender’s Battle Royal
Participants: Beth Phoenix, Candice Michelle, Jillian, Katie Lea Burchill, Kelly Kelly, Maryse, Melina, Michelle McCool & Victoria

It’s time to crown a number one contender for Mickie James’ Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Mickie joins JR and King to watch the match and try to learn who she will be facing come WrestleMania 24. Nine women take place in the Battle Royal with Maryse being the first eliminated after she gets unceremoniously dumped over the top rope by Michelle McCool. Irate at being gone quickly from the match - Maryse grabs Michelle’s feet trying to pull her out of the ring but she breaks free of the hold once she sees Victoria sneak behind Michelle and dump her over the top rope!

So in the span of less than a minute we are down to already six women. The dominant former champion duo of Beth Phoenix and Victoria decide to team up together as they go after Candice Michelle and Kelly Kelly. Beth and Victoria double suplex Candice before double clotheslining Kelly Kelly! Beth points to the outside of the ring and she tells Victoria to grab Kelly while she gets Candice. Both Candice and Kelly Kelly simultaneously fight back as they both throw some rights but Beth and Victoria counter and both proceed to dump both Kelly Kelly and Candice over the top rope at the same time bringing us down to five competitors.

Melina - the former friend of the Women’s Champion - is working on Jillian Hall trying to dump her over but Katie Lea saves Jillian! Katie Lea and Melina exchange words with Melina asking just what in the hell she is doing! Katie Lea slaps Melina across the face as the two begin to tussle! With Jillian still dangling over the ropes, Victoria runs over and dumps Jillian over the top rope! Victoria taunts Jillian and lets out a maniacal laugh BUT SHE GETS ELIMINATED BY BETH PHOENIX!

The short lived alliance of Beth Phoenix and Victoria is gone as Victoria is LIVID! Victoria begins to pull at her hair and she slaps the ring apron in disgust! Victoria exchanges words with Beth who waves her goodbye! Beth though ends up surprised because as he has her back turned we see Melina dump Katie Lea Burchill over the ropes! We are now down to two women - “The Glamazon” who Mickie James dethroned and Melina who is looking for her first WrestleMania match!

The two women go at it for a few minutes before they find themselves both dangling on the outside of the ring. Both women exchange blows trying to knock one another off and after a series of headbutts we see Melina begin to look as if she is about to fall off the apron! Beth is trying to book her second straight WrestleMania trip and she does look as if she is about to secure the spot when Melina is down to one arm holding on! Beth tries to pry Melina’s arm off the rope but Melina grabs the ropes again and hangs on for dear life!

Melina uses her head as a battery straight to the chest of Beth multiple times before trying to lift Beth up. Beth holds on to the ropes giving it her all trying to prevent Melina from picking her up but Melina finally lifts Beth up and both women go crashing down onto the mat on the outside! Confusion reigns down as one referee grabs Melina’s arm and the other referee grabs Beth Phoenix’s arm! No winner has been announced as JR says he’s not sure but he believes that both women may have landed at the same time. King then says we’re getting word from backstage that Eric Bischoff is reviewing the footage as a replay shows that as Beth’s feet and body landed on the mat that Melina’s knees landed at the SAME EXACT TIME thus meaning we have co-winners! JR says he can confirm from backstage as the referees raise the hands of both Beth Phoenix and Melina and we have TWO winners of the #1 Contender’s Battle Royal!

Match Result: Beth Phoenix and Melina were eliminated simultaneously; thus both have been declared as the number one contenders

JR asks Mickie James what her thoughts are on having to now defend her championship against not one but TWO top talents at WrestleMania. Mickie tells JR that she welcomes all challengers as she stands up and observes Melina and Beth going word for word with one another. Melina points her finger at Beth before poking Beth in the chest! Beth has to be separated from the referees from going after Melina as the two women continue to bicker as the Women’s Champion watches on.

**********

WrestleMania Rewind | WrestleMania X-Seven
Sunday April 1, 2001
Reliant AstroDome | Houston, Texas

Hailed as arguably the greatest WrestleMania of all time - The WWE (then the WWF) hosted one of their most successful and arguably historic events in their illustrious history. A mega card stacked with talent from multiple eras saw many memories made on that hot night in April in Houston just seven years ago.

Ironically, a family feud between the McMahon family would culminate with Shane McMahon and his father Vince McMahon doing battle in a Street Fight with Mick Foley as special referee. Despite Vince believing that his wife Linda was in a comatose state, he would bring Linda into the ring to watch him beat down her son Shane but Linda would rise out of her wheelchair and onto her feet low blowing Vince thus setting up the end of the match which would see Shane hit a coast to coast dropkick into a garbage can planted in his father’s face to bring the match to a culmination.

TLC II took place between E&C, The Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz as the three teams would battle in the same match that they had first created back at SummerSlam 2000. One of the most iconic photographs in WWE history would be created this night with Edge spearing a dangling Jeff Hardy mid air as Jeff was dangling onto the belt holder trying to relinquish the gold but would instead eat a twelve foot fall from the now Rated R Superstar. Just like at SummerSlam 2000, Edge and Christian would reign supreme, capturing the tag team championships once more.

And in the main event - The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin competed in their second of eventually three matches at WrestleMania with this one once more having the WWF Championship on the line. The “shot heard ‘round the world” would take place shocking many fans as Stone Cold Steve Austin would turn heel receiving a steel chair from his longtime nemesis Vince McMahon. Austin would go on to pummel The Rock with the chair before eventually becoming the new WWF Champion.

13 Days Until WrestleMania XXIV

**********

We are shown an exclusive WWE.com clip from earlier in the day with The Colon’s (Primo & Carlito) backstage discussing who they are going to get to be their tag partner for their Inter-Gender Tag Team Match at the WrestleMania Pre-Show against La’ Resistance. Carlito tells his brother Primo that time is ticking and that they have to figure out soon who they are going to get. Primo says he still can’t forgive Maryse for turning her back on them but he thinks he may have someone in mind. Primo whispers to his brother who has a smile on his face and tells Primo “now she…she’s cool”.

René Duprée and Sylvain Grenier walk up at this moment with Maryse by their side as they mock the brothers for not having a partner yet. Duprée says it’s “such a shame that The Colon’s can’t find anyone that wants to team with you”. He mockingly suggests Maryse as a candidate before laughing at the brothers and tells Sylvain and Maryse that it’s time to go - they have a photo shoot to be at. The Colon’s laugh after La’ Resistance walks off with the duo seemingly having no idea that Primo and Carlito have someone in mind now.


Match #2 | Singles Match
The Brian Kendrick vs. Hardcore Holly

Raw’s “Resident Loudmouth” The Brian Kendrick is thrust into action tonight to kick off our evening after his confrontation with Hardcore Holly last week in catering. Following a confrontation with multiple Raw superstars - the veteran Hardcore Holly stepped up to Kendrick before Kendrick threw a cup of hot coffee in Holly’s face and then running away. Holly has a few red marks on his face this week and a bandage to help sell the coffee throw and he is IRATE. But it’s finally time to get his hands on The Brian Kendrick but Kendrick holds up the match by rolling to the outside of the ring before the bell rings.

Kendrick asks for a microphone from Lilian Garcia and after receiving one he finally speaks up and says that “it is an absolute travesty that we are now thirteen days away from the biggest show of the year and I - THE BRIAN KENDRICK - do not have a match!” The fans cheer in unison mocking Kendrick and Kendrick tries shushing them but the cheers just get louder. “I’ve got it all - the looks, the charisma, and certainly the talent to be headlining WrestleMania yet here I am without a match.

Holly is growing impatient in the ring as he hangs over the ropes and the referee finally tells Kendrick to get back into the ring. Kendrick tells the referee he is not done yet speaking his mind as he carries on his rant. “Mark my words - The Brian Kendrick will find a way onto WrestleMania and I will one hundred percent guaranteed ste…”

Holly has had enough finally as he rolls to the outside of the ring and chases after Holly. Kendrick runs around the ring before sliding back into the ring and once Holly is back in and on his feet the referee calls for the whistle. The veteran Holly can’t control his emotions as he charges at Kendrick but Kendrick side steps him and Holly crashes into the ring post. Holly backs up as Kendrick runs up behind him and jumps up hitting Sliced Bread #2! Kendrick hooks Holly’s leg and in surprising fashion he earns a victory in just seconds!

Match Result: The Brian Kendrick def. Hardcore Holly

The Brian Kendrick has surprisingly backed up his words as he has defeated the fifteen plus year WWE veteran in just mere seconds! Kendrick slides to the outside of the ring and grabs his jacket as he celebrates his victory. Maria meets him out at the top of the ramp asking Kendrick to elaborate more on what he has planned for WrestleMania. Kendrick motions to his mouth and does a zipper motion telling Maria that he’s silent on his plans and that she will just have to wait along with everyone else.

The camera pans to an unknown room with smoke emerging from the floor and with bright red lighting. A figure standing in the corner dressed in all white is facing towards the corner of the room. An eerie silence lasts for about ten seconds but the ever familiar voice of CHRIS JERICHO carries out as he slowly turns around. In a segment very similar to last week’s - Jericho says he doesn’t speak too much anymore but that he is here to deliver a message. Jericho informs the camera that while we are merely days away from the streak ending and his prophecy being fulfilled - he has been sent here tonight to take down someone who is very near and dear to the Undertaker - KANE!

“He must be ended too”

The red light flickers as it dims on the face of Jericho and finally cuts off as we head to commercial.

Back from the break JR and King confirm that tonight’s main event will be Chris Jericho vs. Kane. King says he doesn’t honestly know what to make of the person that Chris Jericho has recently morphed into. JR says he’s just a few screws loose now and that something has truly changed. King says he believes it’s just the same thing that happens to many of Undertaker’s WrestleMania opponents in that they get so fixated on ending the streak that they just truly go crazy.

Match #3 | Singles Match
Cody Rhodes w/ Ted DiBiase vs. Matt Hardy w/ Rhyno

A quick clip airs from last week’s eight man tag team match which saw Matt Hardy pin one half of the tag team champions in Cody Rhodes. Priceless would go to Raw GM Eric Bischoff demanding that Cody get an opportunity to go one on one to remedy the loss and this is where this match comes into play. A few heel tactics from Ted DiBiase Jr. on the outside play early on into the match but DiBiase gets shut down towards the end of the match when after putting his hands on Rhyno he ends up eating a Gore onto the mat on the outside of the ring! The distraction allows for Cody Rhodes to sneak up on the veteran Hardy and reel him in for a Cross Rhodes! Rhodes attempts the Cross Rhodes but following a reversal from Hardy, Rhodes ends up fighting back and sneaks in a poke to the eyes before successfully hitting the Cross Rhodes and pinning Hardy to get back on track with a big victory over one half of the number one contenders.

Match Result: Cody Rhodes def. Matt Hardy

Rhodes immediately dashes under the bottom rope checking on his tag partner and fellow champion in DiBiase as he helps the stumbling DiBiase back onto his feet. The referee hands the belts over to Rhodes who carries both belts for the team up the ramp as the World Tag Team Champions are the ones with the last laugh this week. King interjects and says that he hears we have Maria standing by backstage.

Maria is standing backstage as she welcomes her guest at this time - MR. KENNEDY! Mr. Kennedy tells Maria he wants to take her on a “field trip”. Maria tells Mr. Kennedy doesn't quite understand what he means. He points and tells Maria to follow him this way! Kennedy and Maria walk through a few hallways before landing in gorilla position! The workers in gorilla tell Mr. Kennedy that he needs to leave right now but Kennedy instead raises his backhand, intimidating the workers. Kennedy then walks towards a wall and grabs a steel chair. The chair is bent up and Kennedy quickly explains to Maria that this is the exact chair that he used to beat down Mick Foley in gorilla position last week!

“I wanted to bring you back here Maria so you and everyone else can see the spot where the beginning of the end of Mick Foley’s career begins. I’ve been saying it for nearly a year now but Mick Foley is a FRAUD! He was a terrible General Manager and a disgrace to the modern era of wrestling. Mick Foley is nothing more than a washed up disgrace from a bygone era!”

Kennedy tells Maria that he doesn’t have to fling his body off of Hell in a Cell to be relevant. Kennedy tells Maria from day one that he arrived in the WWE that it was very apparent that he was the future of wrestling. And unlike Mick Foley he shows up every single week. “Where is your hero now?”

There has never been anyone quite like him before that checks off every box of what makes a unique and talented superstar. He’s checked off multiple accomplishments in his little over two years in the WWE and come WrestleMania when Mick Foley walks through this curtain (points at gorilla curtain) it will be the last time ever that he steps into the ring! “I will beat Mick Foley beyond recognition and put the old dog out of his misery”

“There can only be one last man standing and it will be MISTERRRRRRRRRR….."

"KENNEDYYYYYY!!!!"

Kennedy eases over towards Maria and whispers into the mic…

“Kennedyyyyyyyy”.

Coming up next - we will get an update from last week’s shocking segment where Kurt Angle appeared at Titan Towers where Triple H’s wife - Stephanie McMahon - was working late . Triple H stormed away from the ring leaving everyone in shock as he headed towards Stamford to try and stop Kurt Angle. We have received word that exclusive footage has been obtained from last week’s events at Titan Towers and that will be airing…NEXT!

A video promo airs showing that next week’s Monday Night Raw will be a special three hour show for the go home edition before WrestleMania XXIV. The video features a few special announcements including that SmackDown superstars will be in the house PLUS Stone Cold Steve Austin returns NEXT MONDAY!

JR and King welcome us back to Monday Night Raw and warn that the following video may cause disturbing images. A well put together video package focuses on the mysterious attacks that were carried out in the WWE last year along with the search for who the mysterious attacker was. Many superstars looking to make a name for themselves tried to declare they were the one attacking superstars backstage but it wasn’t until the Season Premiere of Raw in November that it was revealed to be Kurt Angle.

Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff was out to introduce Kurt Angle as the newest Raw superstar but following the lights going out once again it was revealed once and for all that it was indeed Angle. Interestingly after the lights went off and Mr. McMahon and Bischoff were attacked - it was only Angle and Paul Heyman standing in the ring.

The attacking of McMahon family members would carry on as Shane McMahon would be attacked at the end of Survivor Series and Stephanie would be attacked the night after Survivor Series. Bischoff, who had been appointed as SmackDown GM as well as his duties on Raw had resigned from SmackDown in October following Mick Foley’s firing as Raw Co-GM. Knowing his duties would be expanded exponentially by fully overseeing two brands, Bischoff elected to resign. Bischoff did have some help momentarily though as Stephanie had been helping “watch over” the brand after Bischoff was attacked along with her father at the Season Premiere of Raw.

Bischoff informs Stephanie that he has indefinitely suspended Angle and Heyman following the heinous attack on Mr. McMahon and himself. Of course as is to be expected the lights go out and Stephanie ends up laid out! Bischoff pleads with Angle and Heyman not to hurt him again to which they surprisingly help him up and reveal the alliance between all three men!

The video now speeds up through some of the heinous attacks on all the members of the McMahon family - over the last several months before distorted video from last week cuts in and Angle tells Triple H that he’s at Titan Towers and he heard Stephanie is working late. The video cuts in and out before we see Kurt Angle heading towards Titan Towers but the video cuts away…

JR comes over the television now and says that we have received exclusive footage from last week thanks in part to the security team at Titan Towers.

The camera picks up with Triple H arriving at Titan Towers pulling on the doors trying to get in. A security guard finally lets Triple H in to which he shoves past the guard knocking him down in the process. Triple H shouts out “Where are you Kurt? Where are you, you son of a bitch?” as he haunts the halls of the office looking for Angle. Triple H checks around walls as he rounds corners and he shouts out “Steph” but he doesn’t hear anything back. After riding an elevator to make it up to her floor, he steps out and takes a look around but the hallway is dark lit. It doesn’t appear that anyone is there and he heads towards her office presumably. Triple H checks the door and it appears to be locked. He knocks and there is no answer and he goes to open the door when his phone rings. Confused - he looks down at his phone and sees Stephanie’s name come across his phone.

Hunter answers the phone asking Stephanie where she is at? Steph tells Triple H that she’s at home with the girls. She’s not been at work since earlier in the day. Stephanie panics asking Hunter what’s wrong. Hunter says he’s got to go. He will call her later. Triple H hangs up the phone looking at it for a second before letting out a sigh of relief that Stephanie is alright. He takes a few steps walking back towards the elevator and as he pushes the button he stands there waiting to head back towards the bottom floor. The elevator doors open and OUT COMES KURT ANGLE! JR comes over the audio shouting out “that it was a damn set up all along! That no good son of a bitch Kurt Angle set Triple H up!”

Angle jumps at Triple H and it’s on! The two brawl with one another for multiple seconds with both men being thrown to the floor. Angle jumps on top of Triple H trying to choke him but Triple H rolls Angle over and throws his head against the wall! Angle pushes Triple H off of him with his feet before getting back onto his feet and grabbing a glass vase off of a table that was nearby the elevator and SMASHES IT OVER THE HEAD OF TRIPLE H! Water and glass go everywhere as some blood begins to roll down the face of Triple H! Angle pulls Triple H away from the glass mess and he lifts Triple H up and hits an Angle Slam onto the table. The table breaks in half as Triple H lay there in pain and agony as Angle stands over him as the video fades away.

JR immediately comes over the audio shouting out that he can’t wait until WrestleMania when Kurt Angle finally gets what’s coming to him. Trapped inside of Hell in a Cell there will be nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. King says the future of the WWE is hanging in the balance and if Triple H wins then Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman will be fired. But if Kurt Angle wins the McMahon’s will lose their power and relinquish the company to the Bischoff-Heyman Alliance. It’s beyond personal now as the surprise attacks carried out by Angle continue to mount up. King says he’s disappointed in Triple H for taking the bait but he has a feeling that Hunter will be fully reigned in come WrestleMania.

While on the topic of WrestleMania - King and JR run down the card and discuss how this is shaping up to be one of the biggest WrestleMania’s in history. From former friends turned enemies in Edge and Randy Orton to a very personal Last Man Standing Match between Mick Foley and Mr. Kennedy - we will see some brutal battles between some of Raw’s top names.

Championships will of course be on the line as the United States Championship will be defended by JBL as he defends against the winner of the Great American Tournament - CM Punk! The World Tag Team Championships will be on the line as Priceless take on Matt Hardy and Rhyno. We found out earlier in the night that the Women’s Championship will be defended in a Triple Threat Match following a controversial ending to the Battle Royal. Mickie James heads into her third straight WrestleMania as she defends against long time rival Beth Phoenix and her former friend Melina who turned on her a few weeks back.

Chris Jericho says he is on a mission to become the one in fifteen and one and that he has been appointed by a higher power to be the one to take down The Undertaker’s streak. But first he has to get through “The Big Red Machine” Kane in tonight’s main event.

And finally we are told that Eric Bischoff will finally give us an announcement tonight on what the status of the WWE Championship Match between John Cena and Batista is.

Up next though we will see the United States Champion John Bradshaw Layfield as he is in action.

***LONGHORN***

The music of the United States Champion rings out around the Cajundome as the limousine emerges and out steps John Bradshaw Layfield! Layfield draws the ire of the fans as he adjusts his championship belt and makes his way towards the ring dressed ready for action. Decked out in an American flag windbreaker with the words “Great American” laid out across the back as the design, JBL enters the ring and immediately points at Lilian to bring him a mic.

JBL says he’s going to speak really slow tonight since he knows that we are in the lowest educated state in the country. Louisiana wishes they were like their big brother to the east in Texas but they will never catch up to the greatness that is the Lone Star State! The fans of course don’t appreciate the cheap heat as JBL continues to mock them and points at a fan in the crowd telling everyone that he represents many of the backwoods toothless Jabba the hut look alikes that make up the crowd here tonight in Lafayette. “This is not the America that I am fighting to represent as YOUR United States Champion.”

JBL says he has arranged for a warm up match tonight thanks to Raw GM Eric Bischoff who has his hands tied with a lot going on tonight but being that he is a former GM himself, Bischoff trusts him to pick an opponent that is worthy of a headlining match. “So let me introduce you to my opponent….”

***La Vittoria è Mia***

Well it is certainly a choice to say the least but it appears that JBL has hand picked Santino Marella to be his opponent tonight. Santino comes out with his tag partner Goldust in tow and Goldust is practicing some breathing exercises telling Santino to relax and breathe in and breathe out! The odd partners make their way out with Santino pounding his chest and pointing at JBL before sliding into the ring but immediately he gets stomped away by JBL! The champion had to be separated by the referee as Santino never had a chance to get into the ring and get onto his feet.

Match #4 | United States Championship Match
John Bradshaw Layfield © vs. Santino Marella w/ Goldust

The referee handles business as he is able to get Santino onto his feet and thanks to a pep talk from Goldust, Santino signals that he is ready to go! The referee rings the bell and the much larger Layfield charges at Santino but Santino moves and JBL runs into the turnbuckles full force! Santino drops down and rolls JBL up but gets a two count! Santino ducks underneath a clothesline attempt from JBL by doing the splits and he jumps back up and hits JBL with a drop toe hold!

A clearly embarrassed US Champion in JBL springs back up and out of frustration hits Santino with a Big Boot! Santino gets turned inside out as JR mentions and he says this doesn’t look good for Santino! Not wanting to drag this out any further than it has to be, JBL peels Santino off the mat and grabs his arm, throwing him towards him and knocking Santino inside out once more with a Clothesline from Hell! JBL hooks the leg staring at Goldust the entire time as he secures the victory in his warm up match for WrestleMania and successfully retains his championship in the process.

Match Result: John Bradshaw Layfield def. Santino Marella to retain the United States Championship

JBL’s celebration is cut short as CM Punk walks out onto the stage. With a scar on his head from the mic beatdown he received to the head last week - Punk points to the ring and chuckles as he congratulates JBL on his “hard fought title defense tonight”. Punk says we’ve heard for weeks now how great of a United States Champion that JBL is also but allegedly a “Great American”. Punk says the words “Great American” and JBL are an oxymoron since ironically The Great American Bash is the exact pay per view where JBL cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase and lost! “Which if my memory reminds me - you’re the only person to ever lose their Money in the Bank cash in!” The fans laugh at JBL’s expense as JBL with mic in hand now says that the “past is the past and currently you are looking at the greatest wrestler ever to hold this prestigious championship.”

Punk chuckles at JBL calling himself the greatest wrestler ever since many refer to Punk as the “Best in the World”. JBL refutes that wrestling in a high school gym in front of three hundred wrestlers doesn’t make you the best in the world - it makes you pathetic. JBL tells Punk that he’s been dominating the WWE since twelve years ago and that he continues to rewrite the history books. Punk laughs at JBL mocking him about his past “independent wrestling history” telling him he needs to come up with better insults because he’s heard that one way too many times before. Punk says he doesn’t shy away from his past - he embraces what helped him get to this exact moment standing in the ring with a “Great American Jackass” like John Bradshaw Layfield!

Punk is now in the ring as the two come face to face as JBL asks Punk need he be reminded of his decorated career and how he’s actually reached the pinnacle and become a World champion unlike you (Punk). Punk claps for JBL and reminds him that the only reason that JBL even became the World Heavyweight Champion is only because Triple H didn’t want to work Tuesdays.

The crowd is stunned as Punk smirks at JBL! JBL is IRATE as he takes a step back and looks as if he is about to exit the ring! JBL instead turns around and charges at Punk who lifts JBL up looking for the GTS! JBL maneuvers himself off of Punk’s shoulders though as he slides off and rolls underneath the ropes. The United States Champion barely escapes taking Punk’s finishing move as the loudmouth heads up the ramp adjusting his cowboy hat on his head looking shaken up by what just occurred.

JR points out that JBL has finally found someone that will shut him up in CM Punk! King says that JBL better not take CM Punk lightly come WrestleMania! This leads into JR and King running down the WrestleMania card and discussing all of Raw’s matches. King asks JR if we have heard anything else pertaining to the WWE Championship match.

JR reminds us that Eric Bischoff will address the match later on tonight and we should have a clear understanding of what will take place at WrestleMania!

When we return from the commercial break we see Todd Grisham standing backstage in the interview zone. He welcomes his guest as the man who will take on “The Rated R Superstar” Edge at WrestleMania - RANDY ORTON! Grisham welcomes Orton and tries running down the very storied history between the two former members of Rated RKO! Grisham says the rivalry really came to a head after Orton attacked Edge during a Number One Contender’s match stripping Edge of his opportunity to compete for a World Heavyweight Championship for the third straight year at WrestleMania.

Orton tells Todd that we don’t need to run down the history between the two. Everyone knows about all of that. What they don’t know is that the ego of Edge is what drove Rated RKO to break up. He says everyone wants to put the blame on him but look at what all Edge has going on. He tries to have his fingers in everything. He’s tried stealing the spotlight from his brother Christian who is trying to capture his first ever World Heavyweight Championship. "It's a jealousy thing with Edge. It always has to be about him. Should we not forget all of the people that Edge has vicously and brutally turned his back on before".

The fans aren’t buying these head games from Orton as it's been clear from the get go that he has been the vicious and brutal one since the duo broke up last year.

Grisham plays along with this though for the sake of the interview and he says that it is rather “vicious and brutal” to jump someone when they have their back turned like Orton did to Edge last week. Orton snaps his neck from side to side as he takes a second to think before goes to speak but he stops himself. He goes to walk away but he turns back around and fakes an RKO attempt on Grisham! The fans loudly boo Orton as he tells Todd “You’ve yet to see a truly vicious side of Randy Orton but in thirteen days you will" as he walks off as we head into the arena ready for our main event!

Match #5 | The Main Event
Chris Jericho vs. Kane

The main event starts out with Jericho trying to play mind games with “The Big Red Machine” as he rolls in and out of the ring avoiding Kane. Kane finally gives way having had enough as he chases Jericho to the outside of the ring. Jericho gets Kane back into the ring and tries stomping away at him but Kane powers up and pushes Jericho back into the corner. Kane hits him with a series of strong European Uppercuts sending Jericho reeling. Jericho tries to escape the ring to get a break from Kane but Kane is not having it as he grabs Jericho and throws him across the ring with force! Jericho tries to roll to the outside now but Kane bends down and grabs him or so he thought because Jericho kicks Kane away and rolls to the outside.

Jericho tries gathering himself as he looks very irate at how the match is going so far. For the next few seconds he ignores the referee counting him out before climbing back onto the ring apron. Kane comes over trying to pull Jericho back in but Jericho instead grabs Kane’s head and brings it bouncing off the ropes sending “The Big Red Machine” flying back. Jericho charges into the ring and runs behind Kane hitting him with the one handed Running Bulldog. He dashes towards the ropes now and leaps off hitting the Lionsault but as he hooks the leg he only gets a two count!

Jericho slaps the mat in frustration and he bends down to try and grab Kane but Kane guzzles him! Kane pushes himself up using his strength to overpower Jericho and keep his hand on the throat of Jericho! Jericho is trying to weasel his way out of the choke hold as Kane is fully back up and he goes to lift Jericho into the air for the Chokeslam but Jericho manages to dangle his legs and kick Kane in the crotch repeatedly saving himself but in the process getting himself disqualified!

Match Result: Kane def. Chris Jericho via DQ

Kane loses the chokehold he had on Jericho as Jericho watches Kane go down onto one knee in pain! He grabs Kane and hits the Codebreaker before grabbing Kane and spinning him over on his stomach! Jericho goes to grab the legs of Kane looking for the Walls of Jericho but THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN THE CAJUNDOME!

THE GONG SOUNDS! IS IT? IS THE UNDERTAKER HERE?

The lights stay out for about ten seconds before we see Jericho standing in the ring and smoke filling the ring up quickly! Jericho turns around and comes FACE TO FACE WITH THE UNDERTAKER! JR is going wild as we haven’t seen Undertaker in nearly four weeks! Jericho slides out of the ring not believing his eyes as he escapes through the crowd and hops over the barricade! Jericho watches Undertaker stand in the center of the ring with smoke filling up the ring as the lights go out once more! Once the lights come back on the smoke is slowly going down and Undertaker is nowhere to be seen! Jericho can’t believe what he is seeing right now as he exits through the crowd wanting to get as far away as possible from what just happened!

JR and King hype up The Undertaker’s return and discuss the mystique of the Deadman and how he always seems to be fully “zoned in” come WrestleMania season. King says Jericho has a very daunting task ahead of him if he thinks he can do what no one else has done before and defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania. JR says when we return from the break we will hear from Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff! Don’t miss the big announcement concerning the WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania!

***I’M BACK***

For the second time tonight Eric Bischoff graces the fans in the Cajundome with his presence as he makes his way towards the ring. Gloating of course from the attack that was shown from last week from his client Kurt Angle onto Triple H, he says that the Bischoff & Heyman Alliance is firing on all cylinders heading into WrestleMania. And speaking of WrestleMania…he knows that there is a big elephant in the room right now.

“Earlier tonight everyone saw the WWE Champion Batista make his arrival to the Cajundome in a sling around his arm. I was able to review medical reports obtained from the physicians who took care of Batista following his unfortunate incident and can confirm that he indeed did suffer a torn pectoral muscle. Now before I carry on any further I’d like to ask John Cena to come out here at this time."

***MY TIME IS NOW***

The number one contender returns to the arena holding his head down in frustration after hearing the news of the torn pectoral muscle of the WWE Champion. Cena has a mic in hand as he asks Bischoff what exactly he is going to do about this now? Bischoff says earlier on in the night that he asked John to give him some time and that he would address the issue. He spoke earlier in the evening with the WWE Champion Batista and he believes that he may have come up with a solution that everyone can agrees is fair.

Bischoff gives Cena credit and says that he knows there is no one who has worked harder for this moment than him. He says that Cena and him have not necessarily seen eye to eye during Bischoff’s two tenures on Monday Night Raw and that while Cena may not view Bischoff as his favorite person in the world - he still respects John Cena for what he stands for. Bischoff says he even admires somewhat of the run that Cena has gone on recently since suffering some major setbacks the last two years. "And as for WrestleMania well…John I think you need to hear from the champion himself on what his status is. “Dave…if you will please?”

***I WALK ALONE***

The music is cut quickly as the champion slowly walks towards the ring talking on the way down “apologizing” to Cena for this “mishap”. Batista says no one hates the fact more than him that he can’t compete at WrestleMania.

The fans don’t seem to be buying Batista’s excuse as he finally arrives at the ring and asks Bischoff to help him into the ring as he has only one good arm. Batista gets into the ring as Bischoff holds the top rope open for him and Batista then says that it is very unfortunate that the fans aren’t going to get to see Batista versus John Cena for the first time ever! “The story writes itself John! You’ve talked about it week in and week out! We both came up together from OVW around the same time. We both made our impacts known quickly in the WWE locker rooms. Our history started that cold night in Fresno when the controversial ending to the Royal Rumble took place. But really John…April 3, 2005 defines both of our careers. You mentioned it yourself earlier in the night. We are forever linked together in history because of that night.”

“So the fact that I can’t compete at WrestleMania this year is absolutely breaking me John! I would have never wanted it to happen this way.”

Cena looks at Batista as Batista appears to be emotional to which Cena tells the champion that “it’s unfortunate your injury had to happen right before WrestleMania. How convenient is that?” Batista tells Cena that if he is accusing him of faking his injury then he is way out of line. Batista says he has medical reports showing that he is in fact hurt and that he will be out of action for months. Cena tells Batista it sounds like he needs to relinquish the WWE Championship then. The fans loudly cheer this as the camera focuses on the belt draped over Batista’s one good arm.

Bischoff says that the time has now come and that he will be making the announcement. He says he weighed all of his options and as someone who is very quiet busy…he had to do what is best for business. “In fact I had to do what is best for MY business. And by my business I mean the WWE because in thirteen nights this will be Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman’s WWE.”

The fans loudly jeer at Bischoff hijacking the segment to basically inflate his ego even more. Cena tells Bischoff to get to the point as he walks towards Bischoff irate that this is being dragged out. Bischoff tells Cena he needs to back away right now because he holds the ultimate power on Monday Night Raw. Cena says that if Batista can’t compete at WrestleMania then Bischoff must do what is right and strip Batista of the WWE Championship and allow him to compete against someone else at WrestleMania for the vacated title. Bischoff tells Cena to give him a chance to explain himself and to please back away. Cena stays close to Bischoff in the corner and pleads with Bischoff “just tell me what’s going to happen then”.

The camera zooms out as we see Batista drop his microphone and stands there for a second. BATISTA SLIDES THE ARM SLING OFF AND TOSSES IT ONTO THE MAT! The fans in Lafayette are loudly yelling for Cena to turn around but it's too late because before Cena can even turn around he gets hit with a Lariat from the WWE Champion! Bischoff quickly makes his way out of the ring as he backs away from harm and Batista stands over Cena rolling his sleeve cuffs up. Batista stomps away at Cena as he continues to roll the cuffs up and the reigns from the raucuous crowd in Lafayette reign down upon the champion who faked his injury to get into the head of John Cena tonight. Batista proceeds to bend down over Cena and he throws Cena in between his legs. The champion stares across the Cajundome as he lifts Cena high into the air and back onto the mat crashing down with a thunderous BATISTA BOMB! Batista rolls away and grabs the arm sling waving it in the air taunting Cena before he throws it over the body of Cena leaving the number one contender laid out to end the night on Raw. Batista exits the ring and surveys the damage he has caused as very loud boos ascend upon the champion as the commentary duo looks on in absolute disgust."

“I knew it! That no good son of a bitch Dave Batista was faking it all along! I knew something was fishy.” Jim Ross quips as King chimes in and says that Cena let his guard down and he paid the ultimate price. JR jumps back in and says that Batista is an absolute disgrace of not only a WWE Champion but also a human being for faking an injury. He also adds that Eric Bischoff is disgusting for going along with it! King then adds that it appears that Bischoff is going all in on how he plans on shaping his vision of the WWE when he’s in charge and that he sees Batista and not John Cena as the WWE Champion.

JR says that John Cena has never backed down from a fight and that this one just got a whole lot more personal! We will see you next week for a special three hour edition of Monday Night Raw!

The WWE logo flashes across the screen as Raw comes to a close.

Quick Match Results:

Beth Phoenix & Melina were named co-winners of the #1 Contender's Battle Royal
The Brian Kendrick def. Hardcore Holly
Cody Rhodes def. Matt Hardy
John Bradshaw Layfield def. Santino Marella to retain the United States Championship
Kane def. Chris Jericho via DQ

**********

WrestleMania XXIV | Sunday March 30, 2008
FedEx Field | Washington D.C.
Official Theme Songs: "Light it Up" by Rev Theory & "Good Life" by Kanye West

WWE Championship | FIRST TIME EVER
Batista (c) vs. John Cena

World Heavyweight Championship
Umaga (c) w/ Armando Estrada vs. Christian

Hell in a Cell Match | For Ultimate Control of the WWE
Triple H w/ The McMahon’s vs. Kurt Angle w/ Paul Heyman & Eric Bischoff
w/ Stone Cold Steve Austin as Special Guest Referee

The Streak Match
The Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho

Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Test vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Paul London
vs. Gregory Helms vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Charlie Haas vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. ???

Grudge Match
"The Heart Break Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. MVP w/ Big E

Women's Championship | Triple Threat Match
Mickie James (c) vs. Beth Phoenix vs. Melina

Inter-Promotional Grudge Match
“The Rated R Superstar” Edge vs. Randy Orton

United States Championship
John Bradshaw Layfield (c) vs. CM Punk

Last Man Standing Match
Mr. Kennedy vs. Mick Foley

World Tag Team Championships
Priceless (c's) vs. Matt Hardy & Rhyno

Cruiserweight Championship
Evan Bourne (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero

WrestleMania Pre-Show

Inter-Promotional Battle Royal
featuring The Big Show, Elijah Burke, Goldust, Hardcore Holly, Jimmy Yang, JTG, Kane, Kenny Dykstra, Lance Cade, Mike Knox, Paul Burchill, Santino Marella, Shad Gaspard, Simon Dean, Tajiri, Trevor Murdoch, William Regal and more!

Six Person Intergender Tag Team Match
La Résistance (Sylvain Grenier & René Duprée) & Maryse vs. The Colon’s (Primo & Carlito) & ???

​

 

[Stojy]

Yes, glad to see another show in here. I will say you're making me wait a damn long time for Mania, but I know it will be worth it. Onto Raw, honestly I thought the Cena/Batista angle for the night was good. Just a fun one night angle to keep things going and add some more heat between the pair. It was predictable and obvious, in my opinion, but it also did exactly what it needed to. Nice work.

I'm okay with the booking of the womens battle royal and the co winners. Feels like we've probably seen enough Mickie/Beth and Mickie/Melina matches across BTB and in real life. So the Triple Threat works for me. My only concern was this all felt really rushed. Usually when a Battle Royal ends like this, there's a song and dance, an argument, nobody knows who is going to be the winner. Would have liked to see a little more of that, as opposed to the decision just being made via JR and the commentary desk. Are the fans in the arena then even aware of the decision?

Hmm, safe to say you've got me interested in The Colon's having apparently found a partner. I'm guessing they might ask Maria.

No idea what you're going to do with The Brian Kendrick at Mania but you are booking him so well right now. He continues to be very entertaining with his over the top attitude.

I wasn't huge on the booking of Jericho tonight. His brief promo earlier in the night was fine, but I feel for Jericho to truly look like a threat to 'Taker at 'Mania, he needed to beat Kane here. Losing by DQ, because he had to resort to a low blow doesn't do anything for him. Yes, he locks in the Walls after, but it doesn't have the same effect when it looks like he was going to lose if not for the desperation low blow. The stare down afterwards with 'Taker would have been a big moment, since 'Taker hasn't been around for awhile. Just thought Jericho should have looked stronger though.

Not much to say about the Priceless/Hardy and Rhyno stuff tonight. Pretty generic tag hype stuff.

KK's promo was good. Enjoyed him taking Maria back to the gorilla position and showing off the dinted chair. Kennedy's coming out party at Mania. Can't wait for this match with Foley, the program has been booked extremely well.

Angle using Stephanie to lure Triple H into an attack at Stanford is devious and epic. The brawl was fun enough, and Angle catching Triple H off guard and coming out on top of this was definitely the right call. Well done.

Punk/JBL continues to be a perfect pairing. The over the top US Champ where everything is about privilege and pomp against Punk, the indy darling. Opposites attract and the promo here captured that perfectly. This was actually probably my favourite part of the show. Only part I wasn't huge on was Punk reusing the Heyman One Night Stand "didn't want to work Tuesdays" line. Felt forced and unnecessary, and it's a recycled line so it's more lame, than witty, original and breathtaking. Still, this didn't sour the segment for at all, was my favourite of the night as I mentioned.

Orton's interview was fine enough, but think the Orton/Edge match could use something big across the last three shows to push it over the line before Mania.

A good episode of Raw. Never a dull episode with you, plenty of quality stuff. Three shows to go and then the big one, I can't wait.

 

[KOP]

Well Friday 12/19 marked the twenty year anniversary of the start of this thread on that other forum. I thought I'd have the show ready to go Friday but alas it didn't happen. Anyways one show closer to WrestleMania now. We will get there eventually...

Enjoy!

Friday Night SmackDown | Episode #447
Friday March 21, 2008
Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Biloxi, Mississippi

We open to the competitors in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match all gathered in the SmackDown GM’s office. Noticeably absent though is the GM, Jonathan Coachman, who suffered a defeat last week against Charlie Haas in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Michael Cole & Tazz inform us that Coach will miss the next several weeks and possibly WrestleMania due to his injuries sustained post match. Cole informs us that Ms. Terrell, the SmackDown intern, will be acting GM while Jonathan Coachman is out for the foreseeable future. Ms. Terrell enters the room and thanks everyone for joining her tonight. The nine men were all in loud discussion with one another with their own merits as to why they will win Money in the Bank. Ms. Terrell thanks the competitors and thanks them for not causing any trouble amongst one another despite their differences for this VERY important announcement.

Ms. Terrell says in case anyone is unaware there are only nine men in this room at this time! However - the Money in the Bank Ladder Match will feature a total of TEN superstars! The superstars in the office look confused to which she announces that later on tonight there will be a Last Chance Battle Royal for all of the competitors who lost out in their initial Money in the Bank qualifying matches to earn another shot!

Gregory Helms interjects himself as he says “As the Intercontinental Champion and a former double champion - let me be the first to say that I will make history once again when I become Mr. Money in the Bank and I cash in to become a double champion for the second time in my career but this time it will be for the Intercontinental and World Heavyweight Championships!”

The other eight competitors dismiss Helms with many mocking him as the volume in the room picks up again with all the men becoming a little more tense with one another. Ms. Terrell interjects herself and says he’s glad that Mr. Helms decided to speak up because she has an idea she wants to present that has MAJOR WrestleMania implications! She says that SmackDown has been needing a shake up for quite some time and she’s been bringing a lot of fresh ideas to the table including the first ever SmackDown exclusive Money in the Bank match which by the way is the largest in Money in the Bank history with TEN of the top talents that the blue brand has to offer. “But why stop there…”

The superstars shift their attention to Ms. Terrell as they are very curious as to what she is alluding to. Ms. Terrell quiets the room once more and says that at WrestleMania for the first time ever we are going to have not only the Money in the Bank briefcase hanging high above the ring but also THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP will be up for grabs!

The look on Gregory Helms face is pure astonishment as he speaks up and says there is absolutely no way that this is fair! He wants to speak to Jonathan Coachman right this minute! Ms. Terrell reminds Helms that Jonathan Coachman is currently out for the foreseeable future to nurse an injury thanks to that man (points to Charlie Haas). Helms says it is not fair that he has to defend his championship against NINE other men! Ms. Terrell carries on speaking, ignoring Helms in the process as she wishes all the competitors the best of luck and to go out and steal the show at WrestleMania! The other eight combatants - Rey Mysterio, Test, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, Paul London, Rob Van Dam and Dolph Ziggler all exit the room continuing to loudly discuss their candidacy not only for Money in the Bank but now the prestigious Intercontinental Championship.

Helms doesn’t exit the office though as he is absolutely disgusted with Ms. Terrell as he says that this is an absolutely terrible idea! He says it’s clear that upper management is doing everything they can to stack the odds against him due to his previous behavior but he will not back down. Helms gets ready to walk off but Ms. Terrell stops him and says “Oh one more thing Gregory…I forgot to mention you have a match tonight against the man you cheated out of the Intercontinental Championship back at No Way Out…Rob Van Dam!

Helms is absolutely stunned as he huffs and walks out headed straight to the arena in disbelief of the treatment he has received from the Smackdown intern.

We have a soft opening tonight with no video package as the commentary duo discuss the HUGE news that now affects the Money in the Bank Ladder Match with not only a guaranteed World Heavyweight or WWE Championship opportunity up for grabs but also the prestigious Intercontinental Championship! Michael Cole points to the steel cage hanging ominously above the ring as tonight the World Heavyweight Champion Umaga will take on Jeff Hardy in a non-title match and if Jeff Hardy can pull off the upset he will be added to the World Heavyweight Championship match along with Christian and Umaga at WrestleMania!

Plus John Morrison & The Miz continue their series of Open Challenge Matches as they host another Open Challenge with the WWE Tag Team Championships on the line. Tazz asks Cole if he thinks the competition will be a little tougher this week for the champs to which Cole laughs off and carries on hyping up the show. Plus just announced a few minutes ago by Ms. Terrell - it’s a Last Chance Battle Royal for the tenth and final spot in the Ladder Match at WrestleMania! Cole says let’s get this night rolling as we have eight men in the ring already ready to kick off the show!

Match #1 | Money in the Bank Qualifying Last Chance Battle Royal
Chris Masters vs. Chuck Palumbo vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Ezekiel Jackson vs.
Jamie Noble Vs. Kid Kash vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Mark Henry

The eight superstars who have previously competed in qualifying matches for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania are all looking for their final chance to make it onto the main card at WrestleMania! The two Cruiserweights - Jamie Noble and Kid Kash - who were former tag partners both decide to try and team together to take down Mark Henry early on in the match but it backfires as Henry uses his sheer strength to swat a dropkick from Kid Kash before catching Noble and throwing him over the top rope! Kash tries to jump on Henry’s back but Henry flips him over the ropes as Kash lands on Noble and that makes it seven superstars remaining.

Kofi Kingston is working against Drew McIntyre while “The Masterpiece” Chris Masters and Ezekiel Jackson are paired off with one another. Mark Henry joins Chris Masters as the two men try to work over on Ezekiel Jackson but Big Zeke is not having any of it as he throws a hard right hand at Masters sending him stumbling. Chuck Palumbo tries to sneak up behind Masters and toss him over the rope but Masters ducks and pulls the ropes down sending Palumbo flying over the top rope! The camera then pans over to Kofi Kingston and Drew McIntyre with Kofi going to the middle rope looking to take flight but Drew catches Kofi and rams him back first into the turnbuckles before throwing him over the top rope!

Kofi lands on the outside of the ring though keeping his balance and Drew tries to take charge at Kofi but Kofi leaps up and connects with a kick to the back of McIntyre’s head! Kofi goes to head to the top rope to jump at McIntyre but McIntyre steps forward and head butts Kofi off the ropes and onto the floor! Michael Cole and Tazz discuss the literal “heads up” move from McIntyre to eliminate Kofi as we are told we are headed to commercial break!

We return from the commercial break and we still have four superstars remaining - Drew McIntyre, Ezekiel Jackson, Mark Henry and Chris Masters! Ezekiel Jackson finds himself being cornered by all three of the remaining heel superstars as they all charge at him and attack him one by one! Mark Henry gets Ezekiel down in the corner and wails at him with some hard clubbing rights to the back! Drew McIntyre takes his turn now as he runs and hits a running dropkick to the head of Ezekiel Jackson! The Masterpiece tells Drew to get him up and McIntyre drags Zeke up looking to put Big Zeke in The Masterlock! Masters goes to tighten the grip but Zeke shows a sign of life and is desperately trying to power up to prevent the submission hold from being locked in.

Big Zeke fights back as he is able to hit Masters in the stomach with multiple elbows before flipping Masters over with a snapmare! Drew McIntyre charges at Big Zeke but Zeke catches him and powers up with a big Running Powerslam! Mark Henry catches Zeke off guard with a big running splash into the corner causing Zeke’s chest to collide with the turnbuckles! Zeke comes out of the corner and right into the arms of Mark Henry who hits the World’s Strongest Slam! Henry follows this up with backing up and getting a running start - WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Henry gets back onto his feet and grabs Big Zeke, peeling him off the mat and dumping him over the ropes leaving us to three competitors only!

Henry is dangling over the ropes talking trash to Jackson about how there’s only room on SmackDown for one “big man” and it “sure the hell ain’t your sorry ass!”. Henry finds himself in trouble though because Drew McIntyre and Chris Masters both decide to team up as they sneak up behind Henry and lift him over the ropes! A struggle briefly ensues as Henry is doing everything in his power to try and keep himself in the ring but finally the strength of the two men combine together to lift Henry up and over the ropes bringing us down to two men - Chris Masters and Drew McIntyre - with Money in the Bank now in their sights.

Masters and McIntyre both take a second to breath as they look at one another and then look up at the WrestleMania sign. The reality is that only one of these men will be competing in Money in the Bank! It’s down to the former Intercontinental Champion in Chris Masters or Drew McIntyre who is on a very lengthy losing streak. Both men lock up in the ring and Masters powers up and pushes McIntyre away! McIntyre falls backwards but he gets himself back up eyeing Masters the entire time. The two lock back up in the middle once again and Masters throws McIntyre into a headlock before trying to slide McIntyre smoothly into the Masterlock! McIntyre is having none of it though as he drops down and slips underneath Masters and sweeps Masters off of his feet.

McIntyre goes to throw Masters underneath his arm for the Future Shock DDT but Masters quickly counters himself and shoves McIntyre away! Masters gathers himself and walks over towards McIntyre who headbutts Masters out of nowhere! Masters stumbles backwards as the former IC Champion is stunned by the sudden headbutt. McIntyre grabs Masters and gets a running start and tries to throw him over the top rope but McIntyre instead counters and grabs Masters and throws him over the rope! Masters lands on the apron and tries to swing at McIntyre but McIntyre drops down and dropkicks Masters in the legs through the ropes! This causes Masters to lose his footing and he falls off of the ring eliminating him and giving Drew McIntyre a trip to WrestleMania!

Match Result: Drew McIntyre wins the Last Chance Battle Royal thus qualifying for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania XXIV

Drew McIntyre has done it! McIntyre who has been on quite the losing streak for some time now has finally won again in a match and is headed to his first WrestleMania! McIntyre dismisses the fans booing him as he has secured himself a spot in arguably the biggest opportunity of his young career to date. Michael Cole mentions how McIntyre has a huge opportunity to right the ship and get his young career off to a hot start by winning either the Intercontinental Championship or Money in the Bank at WrestleMania! Cole tells us we will return after this break!

Drew McIntyre is walking the hallways following his victory in the Last Chance Battle Royal when he is approached by Josh Mathews. Josh asks Drew how it feels finally ending his losing streak to which Drew stops him mid sentence. “So you don’t want to congratulate me first on qualifying for the Intercontinental Championship & Money in the Bank Ladder Match? The first thing you want to do is point out my losing streak? Really?” Josh tries apologizing to Drew to which Drew says this interview is over. He’s not going to stand by and let some pathetic nerd disrespect him. He will let his actions do the talking from here on out. McIntyre walks away as the screen then turns over to Michael Cole and Tazz at ringside. Both Cole and Tazz hype up tonight’s main event match and inform us there is a video package highlighting the saga between Umaga, Christian, and Jeff Hardy.

A video recapping how we got to this point for the Steel Cage Match tonight between Umaga and Jeff Hardy airs. Christian is of course interjected multiple times in the video including the multiple times he has saved Jeff Hardy from further attack from the champion. Cole and Tazz say there are huge WrestleMania implications on the line tonight as the graphic flashes across the screen and shows that tonight’s main event will be Jeff Hardy versus Umaga inside of a fifteen foot high steel cage and if Hardy wins he’s moving on to WrestleMania!

Following the video promo we see the number one contender Christian enter the GM’s Office as he asks Ms. Terrell if she has a second to speak. Ms. Terrell obliges and says that she’s looking forward to Christian competing at WrestleMania against Umaga for the World Heavyweight Championship. Christian thanks her and says that we should have never gotten to this point. Christian says he respects Jeff Hardy as a competitor but he’s beginning to wonder if he respects him as a person. Christian recants for Ms. Terrell that he won a #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way Match defeating three of the best SmackDown has to offer and yet Jeff Hardy gets another chance why? Ms. Terrell says that was Jonathan Coachman’s idea to reward Jeff Hardy another chance but he has to do the unthinkable and that is defeat Umaga inside of a fifteen foot high steel cage!

Christian tells Ms. Terrell that since he’s had to just go along with these shenanigans cooked up by The Coach even allowing the situation to get to this point that he wants to ask a favor of Ms. Terrell. Ms. Terrell asks him what he’s alluding to and Christian says he wants to be the Special Enforcer at ringside for the Steel Cage Match. Christian insists he needs to be at ringside to ensure that nothing shady happens! Ms. Terrell contemplates the decision and finally decides it may be for the best to ensure a main event that is fair since high stakes for WrestleMania are on the line! Christian thanks Ms. Terrell as he exits the office showing some excited emotion as we head to commercial.

Match #2 | WWE Tag Team Championships | Open Challenge Match
John Morrison & The Miz vs. Funaki & Shannon Moore

Having run through every team on SmackDown and some special guest teams the last few weeks - Morrison & Miz have their Open Challenge answered this week by two Cruiserweights in a rather interesting pairing of Funaki and Shannon Moore! The challengers both catch the champions off guard a little as Funaki makes a push for the upset victory but thanks to an illegal use of the tag rope in the corner to choke Funaki, Miz is able to tag in! Morrison hits a spinning wheel kick sets up a Reality Check from The Miz onto Funaki! Morrison charges over and cold cocks Shannon Moore with a right hand as Miz covers Funaki and secures another victory in another successful open challenge for the self proclaimed “Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century”.

Match Result: John Morrison & The Miz def. Funaki & Shannon Moore to retain the WWE Tag Team Championships

The Miz calls for a microphone and once he receives one from Tony Chimel he says that they have beaten everyone and there is no one else to beat. Miz asks his tag partner John Morrison who they are supposed to face at WrestleMania if there are no other teams on SmackDown? Morrison shrugs his shoulders and Miz adds that the greatest tag team of the 21st century absolutely do deserve a WWE Tag Team Championship match at the biggest show of the year!

The Miz says that no one has approached them about defending their tag team championships yet somehow Priceless gets a match at their first WrestleMania? Miz asks Morrison if he has plans for WrestleMania? Morrison shakes his head and says “I guess not” to which Miz stops him and says “well you do now.”

Morrison looks at Miz a little confused but The Miz says that they will take matters into their own hands because he is hereby announcing that the WWE Tag Team Championship Open Challenge series will take place in our nation’s capital! The reigning champions absolutely deserve to be highlighted on the main stage at WrestleMania and they are challenging ANY team to go toe to toe with the greatest tag team to ever do it!

Morrison asks for the mic from The Miz and says he can’t think of a single team that should waste their time and show up to WrestleMania to challenge the A-listers! Miz agrees as he nods to Morrison and Morrison then adds that there is no team that can hold a candle to the two of them and that they will cement their legacy as not only the greatest tag team of the 21st Century but also of the entire history of professional wrestling!

Miz says the two deserve a break and that the Open Challenge will not take place next week but that the two of them will still gladly grace us with their presence next week just mere days before WrestleMania. The champions exit the ring as they head up the ramp dancing and mocking the fans on their way back up the ramp.

MVP and Big E are backstage when we return from the break having a tense conversation with one another. MVP tells Big E that he hired him to replace Ezekiel Jackson because he saw the sheer strength and athleticism that Big E possesses. He’s never seen anything like it. “But recently E…you’ve been letting me down man! I mean look at No Way Out…you lost to ‘Zeke. Last week…you not only lost to Shawn Michaels but you knocked me off the ring. It’s kinda’ got me wonderin’ why in the world am I giving you prime time money when you’re performing like you’re in the developmental league.” The crowd boos MVP as Big E stands tall not saying anything but his body language of his slumped shoulders seem to tell a story of a frustrated bodyguard. MVP tells Big E that tonight he’s going to the ring to confront Shawn Michaels tonight on a very special edition of the VIP Lounge. “But you big man…you can just go ahead and sit this one out”. MVP says he’s got to speak man to man with Shawn Michaels and it’s best if Big E just stays in the back so “you don’t screw this up again”. MVP pats Big E and tells him it’s “All love” as he walks off leaving Big E to ponder on what his client just said.

We are sent elsewhere backstage to see the Cruiserweight Champion Evan Bourne talking to a WWE Magazine editor. The editor appears to be getting some quotes for Bourne and tells him that they need some photos done now and points him off to the side to where he is going to go for a photoshoot. Bourne turns around but he bumps into his opponent at WrestleMania - CHAVO GUERRERO! Chavo asks Bourne what is going on here? Bourne attempts to speak but Chavo stops him and says it’s a disgrace that a rookie such as him (Bourne) can just walk right into the company and have as much publicity as he has received. Chavo tells Bourne he has been in the WWE for over five years now carrying the Cruiserweight division on his back and not once has anyone ever said “Thank you Chavo!” or have they given him a photo shoot.

Bourne interjects and tells Chavo that maybe it’s because of how Chavo treats people (especially rookies) that no one wants to give him the spotlight. Bourne tells Chavo he didn’t ask for the attention but he tells Chavo that he has worked hard from day one and has fought hard to earn the respect of the locker room and to honor the legacy of the Cruiserweights that have paved the way for him. Chavo tells Bourne he doesn’t believe him because he can tell that Bourne doesn’t respect him one bit. “The name Guerrero used to mean something around here but ever since I got banished to Raw last year - it seems people have just conveniently forgotten who I am”.

Bourne tells Chavo out of respect that he knows exactly who Chavo is and what he has brought to the table. He respects Chavo and his uncle Eddie’s contributions to the legacy of not only the Cruiserweight division but in wrestling history itself. Bourne says that he’s looking to carry on the legacy of great Cruiserweight Champions and that he prides himself on being a student of the game. Chavo stops him and says he’s heard enough. He doesn’t believe Bourne for one second but if he wants to see how serious Chavo is about restoring respect, honor, and tradition back to the Cruiserweight division then he suggests Bourne find him a few friends (if he has any) and he meets Chavo in the ring next week in a Six Man Tag Team Match. Chavo tells Bourne he’s got a few guys who are chomping at the bit to get their hands on Bourne again. Bourne accepts the challenge and Chavo tells him to enjoy the nine days he has left holding HIS (Guerrero’s) title for him.

RAW REBOUND: Last week on Raw - “The Rated R Superstar” Edge tries to enter the Bradley Center but Raw GM Eric Bischoff has other plans. Bischoff tells Edge that he needs to go back to SmackDown where he belongs and he will not be getting into the arena under any circumstance. Edge tells Bischoff to go screw himself before he begins to fight the security team that Bischoff had assembled. Edge is ambushed though by Randy Orton who attacks Edge from behind and manages to get multiple punches in on Edge before security breaks up the fight. Bischoff kicks Edge out as he is dragged away and banished from the premises.

***METALINGUS***

The Rated-R Superstar is here tonight! The music of the man who is set to face off against his former best friend and tag team partner (Randy Orton) at WrestleMania fills the MCC as he makes his first appearance on SmackDown in two weeks. Michael Cole discusses the blindside attack from Randy Orton on Raw last week and how that has been a pattern for quite some time from Orton. Edge has entered the ring by now as he calls for his music to be cut.

Edge discusses how WrestleMania looks a little different this year with the big event taking place in only nine nights. For the last two years he was competing for or defending the World Heavyweight Championship. He won both of those matches of course but this year things are just a little more personal. Edge then adds that he’s been fiending for WrestleMania for quite some time now. Time after time his opportunity for a third straight World Heavyweight Championship match was thwarted by none other than someone he used to call a friend in Randy Orton. He thought for the few months that they teamed together that he had finally found a true friend - something he had lacked for a while. Edge said he understands why many people are apprehensive about him because of his past but he’s changed and in a good way which is the opposite of what Randy Orton has turned into.

Edge says the constant attacks and the costing him matches is bringing him to a boiling point. Orton is a loose cannon who can strike at any time and Edge admits he has let his guard down some the last few months. He’s been consumed by the fact that he is not competing for a championship this year but he has to let that go now. He mentions that his brother Christian will of course be competing this year and that he has full faith that Christian will finally win the big one. “But back to Randy Orton….” Edge opines that Orton is certainly one of the most dangerous superstars in the WWE. He mentions the deadly Punt Kick that has put many people on the injured list for weeks if not months. He says this isn’t the Orton that he used to know but he’s going to put this version of Randy Orton away for good at WrestleMania. Edge is looking to discuss his next point when he gets distracted by a clip that comes over the screen of a car arriving at the MCC. The car parks and out steps RANDY ORTON!

Edge slams the microphone down and without hesitation exits the ring and makes a beeline out of the arena. A camera picks him up in gorilla and follows Edge through the backstage concourse as he looks to his left and then to his right looking for Orton. Edge is asking anyone he can backstage if they have seen Randy Orton. Multiple people tell Edge they haven’t spotted Orton. Edge finds a few fellow superstars in Funaki & Billy Kidman and asks them if they had seen Orton to which they shake their heads no.

Edge spots what he believes to possibly be Orton as he tries to go up behind said person and he goes to spin him around with his right fist drawn back ready to punch the person but Edge lets go and apologizes once he realizes it is not Randy Orton! Edge shouts out “Don’t be a bitch. Show yourself Randy!” Edge rounds a corner and he gets TACKLED TO THE GROUND BY RANDY ORTON! Edge rolls over and turns the tables as he gets a few of his own punches in as payback from last week’s Orton ambush. Edge gets back onto his feet and grabs Orton and tries to throw his head off of a wall but Orton kicks Edge in the gut and instead slams Edge’s head off the table! Orton grabs Edge by the shoulder and gets a running start and tries to use Edge’s body as a battering ram in an attempt to throw him into a wall. Edge though counters and spins around using the same maneuver as HE MANAGES TO GRAB ORTON AND TOSS HIM STRAIGHT THROUGH A WALL! The wall appears to for all intents and purposes have been a makeshift wall but nevertheless Orton goes flying through drywall!

Edge tries to make his way back over to Orton but he gets stopped by security! Ms. Terrell happens upon the scene and says "ENOUGH!" She says that with Jonathan Coachman being out for the foreseeable future that she’s going to make a decision that she knows he would agree with. She says for all of next week leading into WrestleMania that she is issuing a no contact rule between Randy Orton and Edge! If either man fights one another or lays a hand on one another they will be fined $100,000! “Enough is enough”.

But with the damage done for the night already, Ms. Terrell tells Edge he should take the rest of the night off to which Edge obliges and she has a medic come over and check on Randy Orton as we head to a commercial break.

Match #3 | Non-Title Singles Match
Gregory Helms vs. Rob Van Dam

In what has been a disastrous night for the Intercontinental Champion Gregory Helms, he now finds himself having to compete against the man he defeated (Cole points out that Helms had to cheat) at No Way Out to retain his championship. Van Dam is out with revenge on his mind tonight and his demeanor and offense shows that he is here to make a big splash headed into WrestleMania. RVD lays on the punches at Helms with Helms trying to cower away and slide out of the ring at any given moment to avoid Van Dam.

Van Dam makes a mistake though by following Helms to the outside of the ring and Helms proceeds to grab Van Dam and drive him back first into the ring. Helms then grabs Van Dam and looks to Irish whip him into the steel steps but RVD wisely counters and instead its the Intercontinental Champion who finds his back eating metal! Van Dam grabs Helms rolling him under the ropes and into the ring. RVD slides back in himself and when he gets back in Helms is rising back onto his feet despite being a bit groggy. RVD catches him with a spinning heel kick and follows it up with the Rolling Thunder!

RVD does his thumb pose as he shouts out “Rob…Van…Dam” before heading to the top rope! Van Dam is caught off guard though by Bobby Lashley and Test who are brawling with one another as they make their way out from the backstage area! Van Dam leaps off the top rope asking the referee what this is about? It’s at this time we see Charlie Haas and Dolph Ziggler hit the ring as well with Ziggler going after Van Dam and he hits a Zig Zag on Van Dam catching him out of nowhere! Haas scoops up Helms and hits a big German Suplex! The referee has no choice but to call for a No Contest as now he must do everything he can to restore order!

The remaining four superstars in Money in the Bank - Rey Mysterio, Drew McIntyre, Shelton Benjamin, and Paul London all make their way out quickly as all ten combatants are going at it now. The referee has the timekeeper repeatedly ring the bell as we see a few referees come down to try and restore some order.

Match Result: Gregory Helms vs. Rob Van Dam ends in a No Contest

It’s pure chaos in the ring and surrounding area as all ten competitors in the MITB/IC Championship Ladder Match are going at it! The brawling continues with Test and Lashley battling it out on the outside with Lashley driving Test into the barricade! Mike Knox comes down and attacks Lashley from behind joining the fray! Mysterio and Charlie Haas are duking it out in the ring as are Paul London and Dolph Ziggler! Drew McIntyre catches Shelton Benjamin off guard and out of nowhere with a huge Big Boot! Finally - security comes charging out of the backstage area as the acting GM, Ms. Terrell comes out and demands the brawl stop right now!

The fighting carries on a little bit before security and referees are able to separate everyone. Ms. Terrell says that since all ten of these superstars are spoiling for a fight that they will get what they want NEXT WEEK in a big Five on Five Tag Team Match just two nights before WrestleMania! It’ll be Intercontinental Champion Gregory Helms, Charlie Haas, Test, Drew McIntyre, and Dolph Ziggler teaming up against the other five men in MITB - Rey Mysterio, Rob Van Dam, Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley, and Paul London! The men left standing in the ring are licking their chops beyond excited at the opportunity to rough up their fellow Money in the Bank and IC Championship Ladder Match opponents.

***I’M COMIN’***

As we come back from the break the music of former World Heavyweight Champion Montel Vontavious Porter plays loudly across the Mississippi Coast Coliseum as out struts MVP ready for a special edition of the VIP Lounge! Cole points out that his enforcer Big E is not out here with MVP per MVP’s request earlier in the night for him to stay in the back. MVP’s security team at ringside opens up the stanchion allowing MVP to waltz on into the ring. He steps into the black carpeted ring and takes a seat on his luxurious couch in the VIP lounge before picking up a mic that has his logo emblazoned on the mic cover.

MVP points out that just a few weeks back he held a special edition of the VIP Lounge in which Shawn Michaels crashed the party. “Shawn Michaels was not my guest that night but tonight…he will be. Like I said then normally the VIP Lounge is reserved for top athletes and A-List celebrities such as myself. Not washed up has beens like Shawn Michaels! But tonight…tonight I’ll make an exception because I’ve got a bone to pick with “good ole HBK”. I want to look Shawn Michaels in the eyes and tell him exactly what I think about him and why I am the REAL Mr. WrestleMania!”

“So Shawn if you’d give us all the privilege…come on down to the VIP Lounge”.

***SEXY BOY***

Fresh off his victory over Big E last week, Shawn Michaels looks very jovial and excited as he enters the MCC tonight. HBK poses as his pyro goes off and as he gets back onto his feet he points at the stanchion as the bodyguard lifts it. HBK has a chuckle as he gains access to the ring now and walks up the steps. MVP is standing up now in the ring as him and HBK lock eyes almost immediately. A brief staredown occurs between the two men set to do battle at WrestleMania before HBK breaks the staredown up by grabbing a mic.

“Well isn’t this fancy?” which gets a small chuckle from the fans as HBK is trying to bring some humor to his appearance on the VIP Lounge but MVP doesn’t find HBK to be humorous at all. MVP says he wants to go ahead and cut to the point. It’s very clear that neither one of these men care for one another so “let’s go ahead and get to the hard hitting questions.”

MVP asks HBK if he’s ready to retire yet. Michaels looks at MVP as if he is serious right now to which MVP says he hopes he’s enjoying the ride now because at WrestleMania he is going to retire HBK and officially become Mr. WrestleMania. MVP adds that HBK should have learned something from when he retired Ric Flair back at Survivor Series that a changing of the guard is occurring in the WWE and that slowly but surely the old guys are leaving….”whether they want to or not. So what makes you think you’re exempt from being the next guy to be retired Shawn? Why do you think these people want to see you hold on for dear life just so you can get that little hit of adrenaline again? Is it that you are just so caught up in yourself that you want to relive your glory days? Is it so you can stroke your own ego by taking up a spot from much more talented superstars such as myself?”

MVP says no one else has bothered to have the balls to ask these questions to superstars such as Shawn Michaels but he will! “So Shawn…what is it”?

Shawn looks at MVP asking him if he’s finally done talking. MVP jaws back at HBK telling him he’s already told him once but the “floor is his. So go ahead and answer the questions or you can leave MY ring”.

HBK finally speaks up saying “you want answers to questions that no one but yourself is asking!”

The fans loudly cheer as they clearly agree with HBK. Michaels continues on as MVP tries to interrupt Michaels to presumably ask another question but HBK stops him and says he does have something to say. HBK says he’s had to listen to MVP run his mouth for a few months now and when MVP finally finishes saying all of the garbage that he has to say it always ends up with the same result - Sweet Chin Music and laying on his back looking up at the lights. “So let me ask you a question…do you ever plan on retiring from running your mouth? Because I assure you while no one is ready to see The Showstopper retire…these fans, especially right here in Biloxi, would LOVE to see you go away for good!”

And on cue the fans loudly agree with HBK again as the cheers from the fans are getting to MVP. MVP says it’s cute that HBK wants to come out here and try to spin off of what MVP asked him but all HBK is doing is deflecting from the fact that he’s not the same Shawn Michaels he was twenty years ago. MVP adds that this isn’t the same Shawn Michaels even from a year ago! “Something broke you. I can’t quite figure out what it is but you’re soft now Shawn. You can’t go in this ring like you used to and it’s time for you to just face the facts and turn over the torch to someone who can easily carry this company on his back and that person is none other than ME!”

HBK wipes his mouth as he can’t help but chuckle but MVP doesn’t find anything funny once more. “Youre fragile ego is what is going to cause you to be FORCED out. And when the lights go down and the record books are written…it won’t show Shawn Michaels defeating MVP at WrestleMania 24! Oh no not at all Shawn! What it’s going to show is Montel Vontavious Porter defeating Shawn Michaels and officially solidifying his status as the one and the only MR. WRESTLEMANIA!”

Shawn tells MVP in order to be called “Mr. WrestleMania” that you need to actually win a match at WrestleMania which is something “you can’t even claim”. HBK says he’s not out here for a war of words anymore. He’s proven for nearly twenty years now why he’s “Mr. WrestleMania” and it’s because every single time you can count on Shawn Michaels absolutely stealing the show!

“And besides…don’t you have other issues to worry about? Aren’t you paying your enforcer “big money” as you like to call it and he’s not performing? He lost to your old enforcer Ezekiel Jackson. He ran into you during our match knocking you off the apron. And finally, he lost to “Good ‘ole HBK”. So maybe instead of running your mouth over and over and over you should go looking for your third enforcer in the matter of months."

MVP moves in closer to Shawn Michaels as the two are standing very close to one another. MVP says he doesn’t need Big E out here to fight his own battles. He tells HBK that everything he just stated is right. Big E has let him down recently but MVP says he told Big E that earlier. And that’s why Big E isn’t out here in the ring with him tonight. “But it’s not Big E you need to worry about. Big E isn’t who you’re stepping into the ring with at WrestleMania. You’re stepping into the ring with the HIGHEST paid superstar and most coveted free agent in WWE HISTORY! You’re going toe to toe with the greatest personality to grace this company - ME! And I know that burns you up Shawn! I know it absolutely eats you alive every single day that you (MVP pokes Michaels in the chest) will NEVER be on my (points to self) level of greatness.”

MVP pokes HBK in the chest once more. Shawn looks down at his chest thinking about what his next action is going to be! HBK pauses for a few seconds as he turns back towards the jumbotron and looks like he’s about to leave. MVP tells Shawn to go ahead and leave the ring like the coward he is. “You’re going to be walking away for good in nine days anyways when I embarrass you and run you away from the WWE! So just go ahead and do us all a favor for these fans and myself and save us the time and just QUIT now Shawn!”

HBK looks as if he is about to actually do what MVP is suggesting and that is walk away! The fans plead with HBK not to leave but he looks dejected and looks as if the words of MVP are actually getting to him. HBK lifts one leg over the middle rope but the fans are pleading with him to stay! He pauses for a second and looks like he’s about to leave the ring but instead he gets back into the ring and as he turns towards MVP - MVP charges at him but HBK lifts MVP up over the ropes back body dropping him over the top rope! MVP stumbles into the stanchion causing it to fall down on him as he gets trapped in the stanchion. MVP is totally embarrassed as he looks up at HBK who is hanging over the ropes. HBK goes to pick the mic back up and he says “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon” before dropping the mic.

MVP is left sitting on the floor telling the security bouncer to help him up! HBK shares a laugh with the fans as MVP is finally set free! It’s at this moment we see BIG E jump the barricade! The fans shout at HBK trying to warn him! Big E slides into the ring and charges at Michaels to which HBK somehow catches a glimpse of Big E before it’s too late and he pulls down the top ring rope! Big E’s momentum carries him over the top rope as he falls onto the mat and his momentum carries him over towards MVP where he lands on his client. MVP is livid with Big E telling him he told him to stay in the back! Big E is silent though as the bouncer finally helps both MVP and Big E to their feet as they leave the arena with their tail tucked between their legs as once again HBK finds himself on top.

Jeff Hardy is shown in a dark area backstage hyping himself up as he slaps himself in the face multiple times before heading towards the arena! Umaga is next seen being led down the corridor by his handler Armando Estrada! Finally, the Special Enforcer, Christian, is shown headed to the arena himself! Our main event with HUGE WrestleMania implications on the line is NEXT!

Match #4 | The Main Event | Steel Cage Match
Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy
If Jeff Hardy wins; he qualifies for a WHC Match at WrestleMania XXIV

It’s main event time as Jeff Hardy and the World Heavyweight Champion are locked inside of a fifteen foot high steel cage! If Jeff Hardy wins he joins the World Heavyweight Championship match making it a Triple Threat at WrestleMania! If he loses he is left off of the WrestleMania card! The referee confirms with Christian on the outside that he is the Special Enforcer and that he is NOT to interfere with this match in any way. Christian nods at the referee and once that has been stated the referee calls for the bell and we are underway!

Jeff Hardy looks up at the cage realizing he may not be lucky enough to leave the cage tonight if Umaga decimates him! But he also realizes this could be the moment he has worked towards for eleven years in the WWE and that is a main event spot at WrestleMania! Hardy and Umaga lock up and it’s Umaga who gets the early advantage by pushing Hardy backwards with enough force to cause him to fall against the bottom turnbuckle. Armando Estrada laughs at Hardy thinking he can push the Samoan Bulldozer around easily! Hardy pulls himself back up as Christian looks on from the outside of the cage!

The next few minutes see Hardy foolishly playing into the hands of Umaga who uses his body mass to splash against Hardy in the corner! Umaga grabs Hardy and lifts him up, throwing him head first into the steel cage like he is a human lawn dart! Hardy falls behind the ropes as he lands with a thud. Christian makes a “ooo” look on his face as the reality of facing Umaga is starting to set in for what Christian has in store against him at WrestleMania. Umaga drives his foot repeatedly into the chest of Hardy causing Hardy to cough repeatedly! Umaga then looks down at Hardy and proceeds to charge off the opposing ropes before hitting a sliding kick sending Hardy side first into the cage!

Hardy is bruised and battered as this match carries on with Umaga looking as if he is going to bring Jeff Hardy’s main event aspirations for WrestleMania to come crashing down quickly. Armando Estrada shouts at Umaga to “break him in half”. Umaga reaches down and grabs Hardy looking to pick him up but Hardy fights back with a right hand! Umaga takes a step back to which Hardy hits him with another one! Hardy gets back onto his feet and looks like he’s about to charge off the ropes and use his momentum to come back at Umaga but Umaga grabs Hardy by the hair and pulls him backwards and down onto the mat back first!

Just like when it appeared that Hardy was going to get some offense in it is almost immediately negated by the World Heavyweight Champion Umaga using his savvy ring experience to turn the odds back into his favor. Umaga bounces backwards off the ropes and charges back looking for a Samoan Splash but Hardy rolls away! Umaga lands stomach first on the mat giving Jeff Hardy a chance to recoup and try to recover. Hardy pulls himself up with the ropes and charges at Umaga hitting a big dropkick to the head! Umaga who was still laid out has his face hit the mat! Hardy jumps on top of Umaga going for a pinfall victory but only gets a one and a half count. Cole and Tazz inform us we are headed to a commercial break and this match will continue!

We return from the commercial break with Hardy trying to rally the fans behind him as he kicks Umaga in the knee trying to bring the Samoan Bulldozer down onto his feet! Umaga stumbles backwards before Hardy dashes at Umaga and slides underneath his legs! Hardy uses some innovative offense as he grabs Umaga from behind and hits a Edge-o-Matic in ode to Edge! Christian takes note of this as he shakes his head at Hardy stealing a move from his brother! Hardy pins Umaga but once again only gets a one and a half count!

Umaga throws Hardy off of him and rolls over to the ropes looking to try and pull his massive frame back up onto his feet. Hardy rolls back up and immediately goes to grab Umaga but Armando Estrada tries to distract Hardy! Estrada shouts at Hardy that he doesn’t deserve another shot at Umaga! Hardy turns his attention to Estrada but he doesn’t say anything nor does he have time because Umaga was able to get back onto his feet in the meantime and proceeded to hit a big Shoulder Block on Hardy sending Hardy back first into the steel cage! Umaga pulls Hardy out from under the bottom rope and covers him, getting only a two count.

Hardy’s back appears to have been busted open from the steel cage as we see a cut with a little blood starting to trickle out. Meanwhile on the outside Christian is pacing from side to side wondering whether he will have one or two competitors to do battle against at WrestleMania. Umaga gathers himself before walking towards Hardy who reaches out and grabs the feet of Umaga trying to sweep him off his feet. Umaga looks down at Hardy as Estrada shouts commands at Umaga! Umaga lifts his foot into the air before driving it into the head of Hardy repeatedly!

Umaga bends down and grabs Hardy who looks to be out of it now and he proceeds to drag Hardy over into the corner placing him against the bottom turnbuckles. Umaga slowly makes his way to the opposing corner as he leaps up and charges looking to finish off Hardy for good with the Samoan Wrecking Ball…but Hardy moves! Hardy was able to push himself out of the way and roll away mere seconds before Umaga would end up hitting the turnbuckles! Umaga stumbles backwards and despite the pain from hitting the turnbuckles - he is still on his feet. Umaga goes to grab Hardy but Hardy hits a drop toe hold and Umaga lands face first against the turnbuckle!

Umaga appears to be in trouble now as his handler Armando Estrada feels the need to intervene and insert himself into this match now - or as much as he can since the match is confined inside of a fifteen foot high steel cage! Estrada walks up the stairs and tries to get into the cage! The referee tells Estrada he needs to stop now but Estrada dismisses the referee and continues to try and finagle with the lock and key to get in! The special enforcer, Christian, has seemingly had enough of Estrada as he grabs Estrada and turns him around! Estrada shouts at Christian “Do not put ‘jur hands on me Christian!” before reaching back and trying to slap Christian! Christian blocks the move though and instead throws Estrada from off of the top step and onto the floor with Estrada hitting his back against the barricade.

The crowd pops for Captain Charisma as they are glad to see Estrada get his comeuppance! Meanwhile back in the ring we see Hardy and Umaga stumbling back onto their feet! Hardy and Umaga meet in the center of the ring with Hardy going to kick Umaga in the chest but Umaga blocks it and catches Hardy’s leg! The World Heavyweight Champion has Hardy’s leg dangling in his grasp but Hardy flips over and hits a Mule Kick sending Umaga flying backwards!

Hardy scurries over to the best of his ability and bends down to grab Umaga but Umaga grabs Hardy by the throat! The Samoan Bulldozer keeps his hand locked on the throat of The Charismatic Enigma as he pulls his large frame up and after getting to one knee rises back onto his feet! Umaga goes to reel Hardy in for the Samoan Spike but Hardy breaks free from the clutch of Umaga and proceeds to slide under a failed clothesline attempt from the champion! Hardy kicks Umaga in the sternum and hits THE TWIST OF FATE! Hardy pounces on top of the World Heavyweight Champion and the crowd counts along..

One…

Two…

The…

KICKOUT BY UMAGA!

Jeff Hardy is stunned as is Christian on the outside of the ring! Christian breathes a sigh of relief as he realizes that at this point it is still set to be a one on one encounter at WrestleMania with Jeff Hardy not being included in the main event! Hardy sits up combing his hair out of his face as reality is setting in that he may have to pull out some of his innovative offensive maneuvers to try and slay the beast. Hardy looks up at the top of the cage as a crazed look comes upon his face! Michael Cole immediately knows what Jeff Hardy is thinking as he’s shouting “Don’t do it Jeff! Don’t hurt yourself!”

Hardy drags himself over to the corner looking up at the top of the cage and damn it he’s going to do it - he’s headed to the top of the cage for a Swanton Bomb! Christian looks up at Hardy from the outside as Hardy climbs the top ropes and begins to ascend the steel cage! Christian eyes Hardy as he gets to the top rope and continues to scale the cage! Hardy loses his footing though and briefly stumbles before turning his attention to the ring and realizing Umaga is rolling over now and he may need to buy more time before scaling the cage! Hardy drops down onto the top rope and gathers his footing before leaping off the top rope for a Crossbody but Umaga catches him and in one smooth motion throws Hardy onto the back of his shoulders and hits a SAMOAN DROP shaking the ring! Umaga hooks the leg but Hardy gets his shoulder up at 2 ¾!

Umaga sits up and pounds the mat letting out a loud scream as this match continues to creep along and the longer Hardy stays in it the more the match plays into his favor in an effort to try and wear down the beast. Umaga gets back onto his feet and hits Hardy with a Savate Kick before grabbing Hardy and whipping him into the ropes! Hardy stops himself on the ropes and Umaga charges over and uses his body as a battering ram as he headbutts Hardy through the middle rope and the cage shakes!

Umaga grabs Hardy and tosses him to the other side of the ring like a rag doll before propping him upside down in the tree of woe position! The World Heavyweight Champion heads back to the opposing corner and hits a Jumping Headbutt onto Hardy! Hardy stays in the tree of woe position before Umaga kicks him with a hard kick to the throat! Hardy falls down off the ropes and Umaga looks down at Hardy wanting to bring this match to an end! Umaga heads to the top rope in a call back to his 3 Minute Warning days as he looks down at Hardy and leaps off the top rope for a Samoan Splash! Umaga hooks Hardy’s leg but the Charismatic Enigma kicks out just in time before the three count!

On the outside Armando Estrada is appalled at how Hardy has still managed to stay in this match! Umaga is just as confused as he has brought out his entire offensive arsenal for this match and Jeff Hardy just will not die! Umaga gets back onto his feet and peels Hardy off the mat! Umaga hits Hardy with another Savate Kick before taking a step back and exploding at Hardy with a Crossbody attempt but instead Hardy ducks and Umaga instead takes out the referee! The referee’s body bounces backwards and he hits the steel cage back first as he falls underneath the bottom rope and collapses!

Umaga looks at what just happened as he begins to panic and he turns around into another TWIST OF FATE from Jeff Hardy! Knowing the referee is down - Hardy saunters over to the corner of the ring where the steel cage door is! He can’t escape by leaving the cage through the door but he looks up and ponders whether to climb the steel cage again! Armando Estrada comes over to the door entrance and once on the stairs he begins to rattle the cage trying to get into the cage! Hardy kicks at the cage trying to get Armando Estrada away but Estrada continues to relentlessly shake the cage! Christian comes over and rips Estrada off the steel steps telling him he’s done interfering! Estrada this time does connect with a slap to Christian but Christian takes a second before looking at Estrada as Estrada laughs but he eats an Unprettier onto the floor for his troubles! Meanwhile in the ring - Jeff Hardy leaps off the top rope and hits a SWANTON BOMB! Hardy goes to hook the leg out of pure instincts but there is no count since the ref is down!

Christian looks at Hardy now and proceeds to tell the referee on the outside to get into the ring! The referee on the outside checks on the referee who is down on the inside of the ring trying to wake him up! Christian says we don’t have time to wait on the referee to wake up the downed referee and he begins to scale the cage! The referee pleads with Christian to not enter the ring but truth be told there’s not much he can do! Jeff Hardy looks up at Christian and asks him “What in the hell are you doing?”

Christian gets into the ring successfully and begins to shake the downed referee trying to wake him up! The referee is not moving though as Hardy gets onto his feet and heads towards Christian! Hardy spins Christian around and tells him he didn’t ask for him to insert himself into this match. Christian informs Hardy that he didn’t ask for Hardy to try and steal his WrestleMania moment and insert himself into the match either! Christian tells Hardy he is only in the ring to do his duty and get the referee back up since the ref on the outside doesn’t want to properly do his job! “I’m actually trying to help you once again Jeff” proclaims Christian.

Once their words are done being exchanged, Hardy turns around and goes to pick Umaga up but Umaga shoves Hardy backwards and Hardy bumps into Christian slightly! Christian turns around asking Hardy “What in the hell that was about” before turning his attention back to tending to the ref who is showing life as Christian is desperately trying to get him up. Christian is knelt down by the referee as the camera sees Umaga charging at Hardy but Hardy side steps Umaga and hits a drop toe hold onto Umaga causing Umaga to land right on top of Christian! Christian is flattened by the Samoan Bulldozer but the referee is finally back onto his feet!

Hardy looks down at the carnage as he picks Umaga up and hits a third TWIST OF FATE! Hardy points to the top of the steel cage as he has his eyes set on escaping the cage! Hardy could just go through the door and exit the cage but when has Jeff Hardy ever done anything conventional? The Charismatic Enigma climbs the ropes and drags his body up to the top of the Steel Cage! Hardy pulls himself up and looks down at Umaga! “He’s not gonna do it, is he Tazz?” asks Michael Cole as Cole pleads with Hardy to not leap off the cage! Hardy looks down at the outside where he could simply scale down the cage and win but Cole exclaims that Jeff Hardy has never taken the easy way out (figuratively and literally).

The referee in the ring is back on his feet as he looks up at Hardy fifteen feet high eagerly anticipating what Hardy’s next move will be! Christian is still down in the ring and Umaga lay perfectly for Hardy if he has his mind deadset on leaping off the cage! Hardy looks down at Umaga taking in the moment and he looks up for a brief moment before LEAPING OFF THE FIFTEEN FOOT HIGH STEEL CAGE AND LANDING A SWANTON BOMB! Hardy rolls over and drapes his arm over the World Heavyweight Champion Umaga.

One…

Two…

Three…

Match Result: Jeff Hardy def. Umaga via pinfall, thus joining the World Heavyweight Championship Match at WrestleMania XXIV

“Jeff Hardy has done the unthinkable tonight in Biloxi! He has slain the giant! Jeff Hardy is going to WrestleMania!” exclaims Michael Cole as he and Tazz discuss the epic main event we just witnessed. The referee bends down checking on Jeff Hardy. Hardy has done what no one else has done on SmackDown since Umaga became the World Heavyweight Champion and that is pin the Samoan Bulldozer! Tazz hypes up the newly minted Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania saying that Jeff Hardy is on top of the world and by all means may be the favorite to capture his first World Heavyweight Championship.

The camera cuts over to Christian who is now slowly scooting himself up against the steel cage as he props himself up and for the first time he sees Jeff Hardy being helped up and his hand raised! A stunned look comes over Christian’s face as reality is setting in that he now has another superstar to overcome at WrestleMania. The camera focuses on Christian as he stares blankly at Hardy as Michael Cole adds in that “Christian may have hurt his own chances at WrestleMania by scaling the cage. Who’s to say that Jeff Hardy would have defeated Umaga if it wasn’t for Christian overstepping his special enforcer role and inserting himself into the match?”

The camera now turns behind Christian’s shoulder as the cameraman zooms in behind Christian over his shoulder as we get a “point of view” shot from Christian looking up at Hardy with the WrestleMania XXIV looming in the background! Cole and Tazz hype up the match and tell us that we have one more SmackDown until WrestleMania and that is next week in Fayetteville, North Carolina! Cole and Tazz sign off as Hardy is left standing tall inside of the destructive steel cage after securing his WrestleMania spot!


*********

WrestleMania XXIV | Sunday March 30, 2008
FedEx Field | Washington D.C.
Official Theme Songs: "Light it Up" by Rev Theory & "Good Life" by Kanye West

WWE Championship | FIRST TIME EVER
Batista (c) vs. John Cena

World Heavyweight Championship | Triple Threat Match
Umaga (c) w/ Armando Estrada vs. Christian vs. Jeff Hardy

Hell in a Cell Match | For Ultimate Control of the WWE
Triple H w/ The McMahon’s vs. Kurt Angle w/ Paul Heyman & Eric Bischoff
w/ Stone Cold Steve Austin as Special Guest Referee

The Streak Match
The Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho

Money in the Bank Ladder Match & Intercontinental Championship
2 Falls - One for MITB Briefcase & One for IC Championship
Rey Mysterio vs. Test vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Paul London
vs. Gregory Helms vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Charlie Haas vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Drew McIntyre

Grudge Match
"The Heart Break Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. MVP w/ Big E

Inter-Promotional Grudge Match
“The Rated R Superstar” Edge vs. Randy Orton

United States Championship
John Bradshaw Layfield (c) vs. CM Punk

Last Man Standing Match
Mr. Kennedy vs. Mick Foley

WWE Tag Team Championships | Open Challenge Match
John Morrison & The Miz (c’s) vs. ???

Women’s Championship | Triple Threat Match
Mickie James © vs. Beth Phoenix vs. Melina

World Tag Team Championships
Priceless (c's) vs. Matt Hardy & Rhyno

Cruiserweight Championship
Evan Bourne (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero

WrestleMania Pre-Show

Inter-Promotional Battle Royal
featuring The Big Show, Elijah Burke, Goldust, Hardcore Holly, Jimmy Yang, JTG, Kane, Kenny Dykstra, Lance Cade, Mike Knox, Paul Burchill, Santino Marella, Shad Gaspard, Simon Dean, Tajiri, Trevor Murdoch, William Regal and more!

Six Person Intergender Tag Team Match
La Résistance (Sylvain Grenier & René Duprée) & Maryse vs. The Colon’s (Primo & Carlito) & ???​