NXY 7/5/16

[Danny]

Pyro goes off all throughout the arena and the camera zooms around, showing numerous fans all showing their support for the return of NXT. After the pyro finishes up, instead of going to the announce table where Tom Phillips and Corey Graves are standing by, we head straight to the ring where the action is already about to start.

VS


DING DING DING!


Daniel Bryan and Rey Mysterio both begin to circle each other. As per difference in poise, Daniel appears much more fresh in his posture, whilst Rey is trying to favor his knee from the past two weeks' predicaments. Predictably, the two lock-up in a collarbone-elbow tie-up. Daniel Bryan then begins to push Rey into the corner with his greater strength, and as the official tries to break up the two, Daniel complies, but quickly lands a Regal-like maneuver, as he lands with a low-dropkick to Rey's knee that makes him double over to favor his knee, in the corner. Needless to say, the official is pissed off, and tells Daniel to go to the other side of the ring while he attends to Rey-


Tom Phillips: "...Well, that was just a 'bit dirty."

Corey Graves: "Not particularly though, Tom. Daniel knows he needs a win in the G1 Climax Tournament, and he'll do plenty to make sure he gets one. Plus, it's not like Rey and Daniel have exactly been on the same side in the past."

Tom Phillips: "Fair enough."


The crowd doesn't seem to care much for the maneuver, and Rey's found the will to bring himself back up to a vertical basis. The two begin to circle each other once again, and in similar fashion to the start of the match. It appears the two will go for another collarbone-elbow tie-up, but Bryan feints, as he ducks down to takedown mysterio from behind the leg, amatuer style. However, unlike amatuer style, he doesn't crawl back over to cover the head, and instead lifts the braced, injured knee of Mysterio, and slams it back down onto the canvas!


Tom Phillips: "Oh, that's got to hurt!"

Corey Graves: "Bryan is, of course, working the injured knee of Mysterio to put away this match early."


With Mysterio turned over, Bryan then proceeds to initiate a rather unique submission maneuver. He lifts the worked leg back up, and straightens it out to emulate hyper-extension, as he pushes it closer to Rey's shoulder to further work the braced knee, and locks it together from behind the head to catch Rey in a ball. Bryan then flips onto his back, and with Rey still attached, it's like he has Rey still in the same rest hold, and in his own vertically-sound ball of pain!


Tom Phillips: "Oh, man! Bryan's getting creative with this one!"

Corey Graves: "I don't know how long Rey can hold on for, Tom. Bryan's too shrewd of an adversary to let Rey's condition go untouched."


However, as the hold wears on, Rey manages to slip out of the hold briefly, and push down both shoulders of Bryan to initiate a surprise pin in order to break the hold-


1..


2...


But, Bryan just manages to kick-out!


Corey Graves: "But, Bryan won't be deterred by a surprise pin this time, Tom!"

Tom Phillips: "A pin attempt out of desperation from Rey to break the hold off of his injured knee!"


Bryan's back to his feet, but since Rey was near the ropes when he got out of Bryan's rest hold and pin attempt, he bounces off of the ropes for a springboard body splash that he uses for another pin attempt! The referee in position-


1...


2...


But, Bryan kicks out just after the two count!


Tom Phillips: "And Rey's showing signs of resilience versus the hinderance of his knee! How!?"

Both men arrive to their feet at the same time, but an aggrivated Daniel Bryan brings Rey back down with a quick double-leg, and sizes up Rey's leg by practically stapling it to the canvas with applied pressure with both hands, and dropping a less-than merciful, swinging knee to the braced knee of Mysterio! Mysterio echoes out in pain, but Bryan does this two more times for good measure!


Corey Graves: "Bryan's mad, and he's got Mysterio's knee in the sights of his fifty-caliber rifle with it's capability to punish it!"


Bryan then stomps on the stomach of Rey thrice, and it appears Bryan is sizing him up for the finish of the match. Bryan lifts the injured leg of Mysterio back up to his shoulder, where he then twists over the leg, and sits down adjacent to him to commence an Indian Deathlock in the center of the ring!


Tom Phillips: "Rey's stuck in the center of the ring, and there's nowhere for him to crawl to versus an opponent with a thirty-five pound weight advantage!"


Rey cries in agony, and while he holds on to see, with tact, if he can manage himself over to the ropes to fight through the pain. However, as he crawls, the pain just appears to be too great, and with strategic analysis for the beneficial future of his knee, Rey Mysterio taps out to Daniel Bryan from a decisive Indian Deathlock.


Corey Graves: "And Mysterio taps out! Mysterio taps out!"


DING DING DING!


Tony Chimel: "And your winner of this match by submission..."





DANIEL BRYAN!


Bryan releases the hold right away as soon as the bell is called, a sign of proper sportsmanship, no less. Bryan rises to his feet in order to have his hand raised by the official, where he afterwards, proceeds into a glorious "Yes!" chant with his fans in attendance!


Tom Phillips: "Wrong night, wrong opponent, wrong injury-- Rey would've played his cards well enough, but it just wasn't his night versus the odds."

Corey Graves: "Couldn't agree more. There'll be another time for these two, but it isn't tonight with a victorious Daniel Bryan."


Regardless, Bryan continues to chant along with his fanbase. On the other hand, Rey Mysterio's on the floor and clutching his knee, as other medical personnel scramble into the ring to check on him. Likewise, NXT rolls on...


The camera then goes to the locker room as all members of BulletProof are sitting down.

Joey Ryan: There are things that are guaranteed in life. Things like death, taxes & most importantly Bulletproof. These things are guaranteed as long as humans are in existence. I've sat back the last few weeks & have observed the ever changing landscape of NXT. I've seen & heard the gossip that Bulletproof has been weakened, how we haven't shared a ring together in some time. That isn't the case at all.We don't need to pull the wool over your eyes again. Every single member of Bulletproof has had the opportunity to prove why this group as a single unit is the most dangerous faction this company has had the privilege watching in the middle of our ring. This was most recently proven when CM Punk not just beat Rey Mysterio but EMBARRASSED Rey Mysterio at No Mercy. He left your hero laying in the middle of that ring, & there wasn't anything that could be done about it.

Finn then speaks.

Finn Balor: Its the reason why Ethan Carter created this G1 Climax tournament. He looked for a way to keep Bulletproof away from NXT's championship gold. Its why CM Punk & myself will face off tonight in a battle of wills. A fight between blood, family.
There's a plan in place and as with everything Bulletproof does, it will be executed flawlessly.

CM Punk butts in immediately.

CM Punk: Sorry, did you say we've got a plan? No, not tonight we don't Finn. There is absolutely zero plans going into our match tonight, there isn't going to be any execution of some sorts. This is a tournament that I'm wanting to win, I'm not going to go on your level of working these people like we did at WrestleMania. I'm above that now Finn. I don't need any shambles happening, all I need is me kicking your ass and teaching you a lesson about what BulletProof is about. Now Seth and Joey haven't wrestled for a few weeks; the attention has been about me. But it's simply because I'm the best BulletProof member, I don't want to have to carry you guys to excellence. So Finn, with what you just said... there's a reason to why I said I'm going to mak-

Finn then cuts CM Punk off angrily.

Finn Balor: You're going to kick my ass tonight Punk? Well guess what, the action is mutual. If you think I'm just going to roll over & die because were blood, then you got another thing coming. See I'm sick of everyone thinking that I don't have what it takes to to win this tournament, but trust me I have more then enough & I'll prove it in the middle of that ring. I'm not some second hand stooge that's going to stand by while you try to steal my spotlight. So you're going to kick my ass? I look forward to it. See you out there tonight... Punk.

Finn then walks off, Punk then looks at Joey Ryan.

CM Punk: Do you see what I mean Joey? Do you see what I mean? You brought this guy in and there is absolutely no respect given to Seth and myself. I want you to understand that I'm on a thin line with Finn Balor right now. You've been elevated because of Seth and myself and that's the truth, you know it's the truth. These rumours may as well become true soon Joey, we don't want that. We can't have Rey Mysterio and the rest of the locker room thinking we're going to disband, we need to re-create, re-design and become stronger than ever. I'm going to leave you and Seth to discuss... I've got a match to win.

CM Punk walks off as Joey Ryan then looks at Seth Rollins who's yet to say a word.

Seth goes to follow but Joey puts his hand up to stop them.

Joey Ryan: Don't worry about them, they'll hash it out tonight in the ring. As for yourself & me, I wanted to discuss what our next move is.

Seth Rollins:What did you have in mind Joey? What is there possibly for us to do? We've been overlooked once again due to the G1 Climax. I'm a former International Champion and I am not even included! So tell me Joey, what did you have in mind?

Joey Ryan:Championship Gold. You see Seth, you're right we have been overlooked. Week after week we were thrown into tag team matches, & every single time we've walked away with a victory. So why is it that Seth Rollins & Joey Ryan aren't number one contenders to the Tag Team Championships? Hell, were not even in the match to become number one contenders . So I guess its time Bulletproof made their presence known again. I think its time we make a impact on the tag team division

Seth Rollins:Now you're talking Joey! Now you're talking! We demolished New Day and they've been nowhere ever since, people haven't been the same. I mean The Uso's were contending for gold not too long ago, The Young Bucks have been dominating the division and they need competition. I don't know what management has planned for the division but I think you and I need to put our hands up and officially insert ourselves into the division. Tonight, we're going to sit back here and watch CM Punk and Finn tear it up. BulletProof is only going to be stronger than ever and there's nothing, nothing that can break us!

Seth & Joey shake hands as they walk down the hall way as they steal popcorn and drinks and sit on a sofa lounge watching a small TV Monitor.




Tony Chimel: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Making his way to the ring, from Annville, Pennsylvania, weighing in at 246 pounds, he is the Hardcore Champion, Steve Blackman!

We see Blackman walking down the stage with his title on his shoulder and his trusty Barbie Stick in his hand. Then he goes around the ring outside and blessed a fan with keeping his Barbie Stick, then he goes to the ring and waits for his opponent.



Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" cuts into Kurt's sentence before he could finish, the fans quickly begin to boo as they know this is the theme of Trevor Lee.

Tony Chimel: And his opponent, from Cameron, North Carolina, weighing in at 225 pounds, Trevor Lee!

Trevor doesn't come out from the back however. He manages to come through the crowd and blindsides Blackman from behind with a clothesline to the back of the head. He stays on him, delivering shot after shot the back of Steve's head. The ref realizes he won't be able to do anything to stop these two so he decides to call for the bell.


VS


DING DING DING


Trevor grabs Blackman's head and smashes his forehead into the mat over and over again before just rubbing it all over. He finally gets off of Blackman and motions to the crowd who answer back with a chorus of boos. He turns his attention back to the Hardcore Champion who is still lying face first on the mat. Trevor stands over him and locks his arms around his waist. He then lifts him up for a deadlift german suplex but Blackman fights back with a couple of elbow strikes to the head. Trevor is staggered so Blackman turns around and gives him a strong thrust kick to the stomach which sends Trevor through the bottom and middle rope, to the outside of the ring.


Tom Phillips: Well this match certainly got off to a fast start.

Corey Graves: Jumping a guy from behind is a great strategy but I'm not so sure doing it to the Hardcore Champion might have been the brightest move but hey, he's a caveman, I don't expect him to know better.

Trevor walks around the ring but Blackman hits the ropes and comes back with a baseball slide, knocking Trevor into the barrier at ringside. Blackman has a look of anger on his face and he wants to make the young upstart pay. He picks Trevor up by his hair and throws him head first into the steel ring post. Trevor's head bounces off with a loud THUD and he falls back to the mat. The Hardcore Champion isn't done however as he grabs Trevor once again and lifts him high up for a back suplex but instead walks him over to the barricade and plants him, balls first on top of the barricade!

The look on Trevor's face says it all as Blackman laughs at him. He taunts him right to his face before finally throwing a big roundhouse kick that knocks Trevor off the barricade. Blackman thinks he's got this in the bag as he picks up Trevor and throws him into the ring and follows him in before going for the pin.


1 . . .


2 . . .


And Trevor Lee kicks out! Blackman doesn't take too kindly to that and just slaps Trevor in the face while he's still on the ground. He then walks away and paces back and forth, yelling for him to get up. Trevor is woozy but manages to get on his hands and knee's trying to bring himself up. Blackman then comes towards him with a scissors kick but Trevor moves out of the way and hits a drop kick that lands right on the button. Blackman quickly gets back up to his feet and walks into the arms of Lee who plants him with a massive spinebuster!


Corey Graves: We said it last week, but this kid has got a ton of fight in him and quite frankly, I think he's too stupid to ever give up.

Tom Phillips: While I don't agree with his tactics to start the match, I do realize that he's trying to make an impact here on NXT.


Both men are down but they slowly begin to stir at the same time. Blackman is quicker to get up as Trevor has taken more damage. He runs over to where Trevor is trying to get up with help from the ropes. He looks to clothesline him over the rip but Trevor gets a back elbow up that sends Steve back a few paces. Blackman shakes it off and instead goes for a bicycle kick but Travor moves out of the way, Blackman's foot getting stuck on the top rope. Trevor then kicks Blackman hard in the leg which buckles him to the ground. Blackman tries to crawl away but Trevor goes behind him and locks his arms around his waist. He then slowly picks him up and plants him the deadlift German suplex with a bridge for the cover!



1 . . .


2 . . .

But the champion gets the shoulder up at 2! Trevor gets angry, pulling at his hair and showing is ugly mug to the crowd. He walks to the corner and motions for Blackman to sit up. The Lethal Weapon is still a bit groggy from the german suplex but he finally sits up and Trevor runs towards him, nearly taking his lights out with a big penalty kick right to the chest! Blackman goes right back down and Trevor lays on top of him for the pin.


1 . . .


2 . . .


And Blackman kicks out yet again!


Tom Phillips: We've been talking about the fight in Trevor Lee, but let's not forget about our Hardcore Champion, Steve Blackman.

Corey Graves: I never forget about our Hardcore Champion. He's a tough competitor who may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he's sure as hell going to try his hardest and he's a champion for a reason.


The Carolina Caveman is furious and he slaps the mat in anger. He turns Blackman over and wraps his arms around him yet again. He then lifts him up and walks with him around the ring. It looks like he's about to hit a gutwrench suplex but starts to hit the back of his knee which buckles down to the mat. Blackman then grabs his leg and lifts it up high in a side boston crab like maneuver. He only keeps the hold on for awhile before letting him go. Trevor gets back up but walks right into a fisherman suplex by Blackman, keeping the bridge hooked in.


1 . . .


2 . . .


And Trevor Lee kicks out! Back and forth this match goes but Blackman wants to finish this. He lifts Trevor back up to his feet and immediately lifts him up high, looking for a brain buster. Trevor though throws a knee to the top of Blackman's head, causing him to escape. He throws Blackman to the ropes and when Steve rebounds, Trevor jumps up high and lands with a double foot stomp, putting all his weight on the chest of Blackman's. Trevor lands in a seated position on top of Blackman and the ref drops drop to make the count.


1 . . .


2 . . .


But Blackman is still in this! Trevor is furious and walks straight to the corner. He starts to undo to the turnbuckle padding and throws it outside of the ring. The ref reprimands him but goes outside the fetch the buckle. Trevor turns around to see Blackman run towards him with the bicycle kick but Trevor dodges it at the last second. He goes behind Blackman and shoves him into the exposed turnbuckle, his face colliding right with the steel. Blackman turns around, clearly out of it while Trevor grabs him and lifts him high up in a fisherman buster before planting him down, and hooking in the small package, the deadly combo known as the Small Package Driver. The ref sees this and rushes back into the ring to make the count.


1 . . .



2 . . .


3 . . .


Tony Chimel: Here is your winner, Trevor Lee!





Corey Graves: He did it! It looks like Trevor Lee will be challenging Steve Blackman at Final Battle.

Tom Phillips: Yeah but he took the low rode at the beginning, and the end of this match.

Corey Graves: Hey there will be no rules in the Hardcore title match and Blackman is well aware of that.


Trevor Lee gets his hand raised high and he motions for the belt as the show goes on elsewhere.


The feed takes us backstage where a sweaty Dolph Ziggler emerges from a room that is very clearly a miniature gym. Ziggler wipes some sweat from his brow with a towel before slinging the towel over his shoulder, then walks along the hallway before being stopped by Renee Young. The interviewer eyes the interviewee with an approving smile before raising a microphone.



RENEE YOUNG
I'm here with Dolph Ziggler, the UWF Intercontinental Champion and currently 1-0 in the G1 Climax Tournament. Dolph, tonight you go one-on-one against Roman Reigns, yet another former world champion. Are you at all intimidated heading into this contest tonight?

Dolph steps up on the mic - and Renee - and answers with his classic smile.

DOLPH ZIGGLER
I don't get intimidated, Renee. No matter who I'm fighting, week to week, be it a big guy like Rhino or a smaller guy like Teddy Hart... I go into every fight with the same mindset. I'm there to win the fight. Period. Now, it's true that Roman is one of the toughest competitors I will have fought. But they said the same thing about Daniel Bryan, and I beat him. So I'm not overly concerned. I'll just go in with the mindset that I'm there to win. And then I'll win. Simple as that.

Renee nods and it looks as though she is about to ask another question, but Dolph grabs her hand and pulls the microphone back his way.

Now, I did want to say something else, if you don't mind?

Renee motions for Dolph to go ahead, and doesn't seem even remotely interested in pulling her hand away.

For weeks, I've been wondering what I could do to up my game. I mean, I'm already one of the most talented, respected, and well-loved guys on the NXT Roster. The fans, when my music hit, are instantly up on their feet and in love with everything that I do. I'm golden - the real deal, the genuine issue. But something's... missing. See, I watched guys like Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns and even recent RAW champions like Chris Jericho and Edge and you know what I started to realize? They all have something that I lack.

Renee gets her hand and the microphone back and she, naturally, bites.

And what do they have that you don't, Dolph?

Ziggler grins as she moves the microphone back in front of him.

I'm glad you asked. See, they all have a name for their fans. D-Bry calls his people the Yes Movement. Roman calls them Roman Nation. Jericho's were the Jerichoholics, Edge's the Edge-Heads, and so on. Every great world champion and even some not-great ones have nicknames for their fan section. But me? I've got nothing. So I've been thinking for a while about what to call my fans. And for a while I was kicking around the idea of Zigglermaniacs, but that's a bit too... cliche. Doskis is too... Long Island-y. Dolphoholics is too Canadian.

Renee seems amused as she giggles like a school girl. Ziggler puts a hand on her shoulder and she instantly tenses up.

So... I haven't figured it out yet. But maybe you and I could chat over some drinks or something and you could give me a few ideas?

Young nods, smiling. This makes Dolph smile.

Cool beans. So, uhh... swing by my dressing room after my match and we'll hit the bar. Catch you later!

With that, Ziggy walks out of frame. Renee's eyes follow him as he stalks off, and then she turns back to the camera to sign off as the feed heads elsewhere.


NXT moves on as we head to the titan tron where Roman Reigns is standing by



Roman Reigns: Tonight, Dolph Ziggler and I, we go through hell to move on the G1 Climax tournament.

Dolph asked me whether I got my head smashed in too much by Kevin Steen, but the thing is, when you tell me what do I have to bring that Daniel Bryan and many others have, I take that as someone who is doubting me. Dolph may not see it that way, but I do. Ever since I came to Nitro now NXT, I have been doubted. So for him to ask me what I bring, that is someone doubting me.

With that said, Dolph, I bring the big fight every night. I bring the bloodhound to the table. Like I said, I will go through you like a freight train on Sundays night tonight. And going back to what I said about you picking up a cheap win, son, your smaller than me. You can get those cheap roll up wins. Maybe getting kicked around in the head by Rey and Daniel have actually killed your brain cells.

Smaller or bigger than me, it doesn't matter. We are two different competitors in this ring. You have a mat wrestling background, while I have an ass kicking background. If I get you in the corner, you will be doomed for. But it's you height that will allow you to get under me, but I won't allow for that to happen. I will beat you tonight and just like Rey Mysterio, you will be looking up at me and calling me your super hero. Welcome to the House of Pain!

Reigns smirks at the camera as it fades out and NXT moves on




The song "BulletProof" by Five Finger Death Punch begins to play throughout the arena, signifying the arrival of The Straight-Edge Superstar and former UWF World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk. Within ten seconds of his theme music beginning, Punk casually walks out from the back with an arrogant smirk on his face. He looks out at the crowd who deliver a mixed reaction. Punk slowly begins to take a knee at the top of the ramp, running his hand along the stage before raising a clenched fist and gazing at his wrist as if checking a watch. Punk raises his hands to his mouth and screams "It's Clobberin' Time!" as the fans deliver a mixed-reaction once again.

Tony Chimel: The following contest is a G1 Climax Tournament Match and it is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first from Chicago, Illinois weighing in at 220 pounds, CM Punk!

Punk heads down the ramp with an extra pep in his step, looking very confident after his big win last week. He gets inside the ring and waits for his brother in arms, now his opponent this week.



Five Finger Death Punch's "Bulletproof" tears into the open air of the arena once again as the titular team's Irish representative, Finn Balor, emerges from the back - no face paint, all business.

Tony Chimel: And his opponent, from Ireland, weighing in at 190 pounds, Finn Balor!

Balor heads straight down the ramp and looks at Punk his entire way down. He doesn't look to happy as he walks right up the steps and into the ring. He walks over to his corner and waits for the ref to start the match.

VS


DING DING DING


Bulletproof stands across the ring from one another, waiting for the other one to make a move. Punk is first to step up and tells Balor that he doesn't want to embarrass him and he should just lay down. Balor gets and angry look on his face and walks up to Punk like he's about to hit him, and the crowd cheers loudly. He suddenly smiles, as does Punk and the crowd starts to boo. They shake each other's hands and then Balor lies down in the middle of the ring.


Corey Graves: What the hell is this?

Tom Phillips: It looks like Balor is taking one for the team. Making sure Punk only needs to win one more match and he'll be well rested for next week.

Corey Graves: The guy wants to call me out for not wrestling but I've achieved more here than he ever will, especially if this is the way he goes about with his career!


Punk looks out to the crowd with a big smug look and shrugs his shoulders. He leans down to make the pin but Finn suddenly grabs his head and traps him with an inside cradle.


1 . . .


2 . . .


3 . . .


But Punk kicks out at the last second! He stares at Finn with a look of pure disbelief on his face. He stands up and gets right in Balor's face but Finn backs away and tells him he's sorry and that his emotions got the better of him. Punk yells at him and tells him if he wants to win so bad over helping Bulletproof, he's free to do so. Punk then walks over and lies down in the middle of the ring. Balor thinks about for a bit while Punk is telling him to hurry up and get it over with. Balor turns his back to him, mulling it over but Punk walks right behind him and rolls him up for the win.


1 . . .


2 . . .


3 . . .


This time Balor kicks out just before the 3 count! Now he's the one who gets in Punk's face, yelling about how he just went back on his word. The two argue back and forth while the crowd isn't sure what to make of any of this.


Tom Phillips: The ego's of both men certainly makes for some combustible elements.

Corey Graves: I just hope we can get an actual match going now rather than listen to these fools in couples therapy.


The two are still arguing until Balor starts to poke the chest of Punk's. Punk then retaliates with a big shove. Balor comes back and shoves his hand in Punk's face and pushes him away. Punk looks down at the ground at that sign if disrespect and comes back with a big head kick to the side of Finn's head. Balor falls down and Punk quicky gets on him, locking in a front chancery before throwing multiple knees to the head of his fellow Bulletproof member. Thinking he's maybe at least dazed Balor enough with all the shots to the head, Punk flips him over and goes for the cover.


1 . . .


2 . . .


Balor gets the shoulder up at 2! The Best in the World doesn't settle for that and instead picks up Balor and throws him into the corner. He then follows up with a running knee but Finn runs out of the way and Punk rams his knee hard into the top turnbuckle. Punk hobbles out of the corner, only to run into Balor who connects with the slingblade! Looking to quickly end this, Balor immediately goes up to the top rope. Punk is prone in the middle of the ring so Finn jumps off for the Coup De Grace but Punk rolls away just in time! Finn turns around to see Punk standing up on the apron and springboarding into the ring, looking for a clothesline but Finn hits a drop kick while he's in mid air!

Punk crashes down hard but Finn knows he has to capitalize. He brings Punk back to his feet and gets him in position for the reverse DDt. He then lifts Punk high in the air before crashing him down with the reverse Bloody Sunday. He stays on top of him for the cover.


1 . . .


2 . . .


But Punk kicks out!


Tom Phillips: These guys have been giving it their all ever since their plan went out the window.

Corey Graves: These two have done well joining forces but this match could be the end of Bulletproof before they even really start.


Finn slaps the mat in frustration and gets back to his feet. He waits in the corner for Punk to slowly get up in the corner. It takes awhile, but Punk finally gets back up with help from the ropes. He turns around, only to see Finn running at him, looking for the dropkick into the corner. Punk moves out of the way though and Balor crashes into the corner. Punk immediately picks him up and hits a double underhook backbreaker. Not yet finished with him, Punk decides to go to the top rope. Once up high, he points to the heavens and jumps off with the elbow drop! Finn rolls out of the way just in time and Punks crashes down hard, landing on his arm.


Tom Phillips: Being apart of a faction means learning your partners inside and out so it's not surprising to see counter after counter in this contest.

Corey Graves: I wouldn't know, I've never needed anyone to watch my back.


Punk gets back to his feet, holding his elbow and flicking his hand to get some feeling back. He doesn't however notice that Finn is back up and he's running towards him, hitting a big dropkick that thrusts him into the corner, his head hitting the second tunrbuckle. Punk is dazed and Balor quickly ascends to the top rope. Finn jumps off with the Coup De Grace but Punk moves out of the way yet again! The Second city Saint is behind Balor and tries to go for a backslide but Finn fights it. Both men are back to back with their arms hooked together, trying to backslide one another. Neither man is giving in so Punk just lifts his legs up and allows Finn to throw him forward but when Punk is rolling over his back, he's able to transition into an inside cradle, catching Finn off guard.


1 . . .


2 . . .


3 . . .


Tony Chimel: Here is your winner, CM Punk!





Punk celebrates while Finn looks on in disappointment. Instead of congratulating his fellow member on the win, he rolls out of the ring and heads up the ramp. Punk notices but decides not to let it sour the mood as he continues to celebrate as he goes 2-0 in the G1 Climax Tournament.



[The Scene opens when Jey Uso is talking to Jimmy and Roman Reigns in the back while Byron Saxton stops him]


Byron: Pardon me Gentlemen but can I get a word from Jey Uso for just a moment please.


(The Bloodlines pump fist together when Roman and Jimmy Uso walks away)



Jey: thanks for having me Byron.



Byron: last Tuesday on NXT EC3 just made a match between you and the current UWF International Champion Kevin Steen at Final Battle in then now you will face him for that Championship on UWF Final Battle so any Suggestions Jey ?



Jey: Well you see Byron, the reason that they choose me to challenge Kevin Steen for his International Champion is because when I get out there in watch Kurt Angle beat Kevin Steen this Tuesday on NXT when I set beside with Corey Graves and Tom Philips on Commentary on NXT in three days on UWF.



Saxton: Jey can you even defeat Kevin Steen on Final Battle.



Jey: that depends on hows the match gonna be cause once I beat him then you all will get to see me become your new International Champion at Final Battle right after he lose against the Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle on NXT this week on UWF and I'll be your brand new International Champion at Final Battle against Kevin Steen next week on NXT on UWF.



Jimmy's Voice: Because we're the OOOHH!


Crowd: SOS!



(Jey leaves when Byron Saxton Continues talking)


Byron: there you have it folks cause in two days Jey Uso will be on Commentary with Tom Phillips and Corey Graves this Tuesday on NXT.


Saxton: So we hope that Jey can watch the match this week on NXT when Angle and Steen fight each other on UWF until Jey gets his chance for Kevin Steen's International title next week on Final Battle.



[Camera Scene fades when Jey heads to his Locker Room before the show even begins this Tuesday]


As NXT fades in from the black, the camera begins to pan to the view of 'The War Machine', Rhino, standing backstage, in his singlet and sweatshirt, no less. He turns to look at the camera, where he gets what he has to say out of the way-




Rhino: "Like I said a couple days ago when I first called out Spike, last week was a shit week. I couldn't manage to get back into the ring, after the ten count. But, it was another shit week I've endured, with the same resilience each and every week. Here in UWF, we see a lot of faces come and leave. It's like nobodies on a contract here. Anyway, who keeps coming back, every single time? Who's here, because you just can't keep me down for good? Me. The Man Beast. The War Machine. Rhino."

Rhino begins to pace, as per his usual shtick

Rhino: "Sure, ten counts haven't exactly been my gimmick, as of late. More of my bane, more like. But, I've been selling this spoonful of green beans since the start of my onslaught here in NXT-- You can't kill me. Not a ten count, not a Lethal Weapon, and not even The Best in The World can kill me. Doesn't matter if they weren't trying to, since they ough'ta know, first handedly, things that kill most people, don't kill me. That's not me inflating my ego, that's me laying down the facts, people."

Rhino: Now, I now my opponent tonight is quite the fighter. He's beat Kevin Steen, Daniel Bryan, and just recently, Finn Balor. But, what if he beats Rhino, 'eh? Y'never know. I'm sure Kevin and Daniel weren't expecting those surprise roll-ups, and the same might happen to the ol' War Machine. But, no matter what happens, The War Machine isn't going to be out-toughed. He might lose, but he's not going to be beaten, especially by someone like Spike Dudley.

Rhino: "Now, don't confuse that for a bad case of defeatism, because I give it my all-- every. single. night! Now, I know I've said I was going to lay out the facts, and I've done just that. But, later tonight? I'm going to lay down one last fact for you, clear as day-- Rhino is tougher than Spike Dudley."

The camera fades to black, as NXT rolls on...


Chimel: The following contest is scheduled for one-fall and is a part of the G1 Climax Tournament! Introducing first, from Pensacola, Florida... weighing in at 265 pounds... Roman Reigns!



A thud is heard throughout the arena which excites the Roman Empire. Reigns once again makes his way on out from the entrance way. Reigns looks to the crowd on each side and heads to the ring

Reigns walks around the ring a few times and before he climbs up on the apron followed by going up to the second turnbuckle and posing for the Roman Empire.

Graves: Reigns picked up a major win in the opening round last week over the man with the record for the longest run as International Champion. You wanna talk about momentum? This guy has it.

Phillips: Tonight, he'll square off against our Intercontinental Champion, who scored a big win of his own in the first match.

Graves: This is an integral match in the tournament, but if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on the Samoan Badass.

Roman settles in the ring and waits for his opponent.

Chimel: And his opponent, from Hollywood, California... weighing in at 213 pounds... The UWF Intercontinental Champion, Dolph Ziggler!

FAAAAAAAAME!



Bowie's haunting voice pierces the arena air and the fans of the UWF Intercontinental Champion, knowing what that means, pop loudly for the Show Off as he trots out on to the stage and foregoes his usual taunt at the top of the ramp, instead smacking the title belt worn around his waist as he marches directly down the ramp, seemingly pumped.

Ziggler circles the ring then slides in, climbs a turnbuckle and poses for the benefit of his fans before climbing back down to turn his attention to Roman Reigns.

Phillips: At the end of our show, only three men will be able to claim that they are 2-0 in the G1. Will it be Ziggler or Reigns?

Graves: And if Reigns picks up a win over the Intercontinental Champion, there's no denying he's a top contender for that title, too.

Chimel clears the ring and the official calls for the bell.

VS.

DING DING DING

Ziggler and Reigns slowly approach the center of the squared circle, hands down. They end up face-to-face, Ziggler giving up a few inches but not even remotely intimidated. The two NXT superstars exchange some heated words, lost amidst the dueling chants of the capacity crowd. A palpable tension fills the arena. Then they start trading blows.

Phillips: And there they go! Two men determined to show that they are at the front of the pack here on NXT.

Graves: There's certainly no love lost between them. They're fan favourite, they respect what each is capable of, but it's safe to say this isn't some friendly competition. They're out to prove something.

Ziggler's shot are rapid, frantic even as he fires away at the head of Reigns. The former manages to land one for every two or three of his opponent's, but there's no doubt he's packing more power. Roman starts to gain ground, forcing Ziggler back towards the ropes. The Show-Off keeps chipping away though. Eventually, the Samoan catches a fist and counters with an Irish whip, sending the Intercontinental Champion speeding across the ring. Dolph bounces off of the ropes and comes charging back. He leaps at Roman with a flying forearm.

Reigns is sent stumbling backwards. He too rebounds off the ropes and comes back, looking to hit a lariat. The Show-Off ducks underneath and ends up behind the former International Champion. Roman turns and takes a boot to the midsection, followed by a Snap DDT. His head nails the canvas and Ziggler hops on top of him, looking to score a quick pin. The Official makes the count.




1...




Reigns powers out, to nobody's surprise. Ziggler looks to press his advantage, but the Samoan is angry now. He springs up and catches his opponent, driving him into the nearest corner. He follows up with some nasty shoulder thrusts, blasting the wind out of Ziggler's torso. Reigns then grabs hold of him and sends him across the ring into the opposite corner. Connecting hard, Dolph stumbles back as Roman lines him up for an early spear.

The crowd is buzzing as Reigns charges forward. Dolph turns just in time to see him coming, and he leapfrogs over him before he can connect with the devastating power move. The Samoan stands up and spins around while Ziggler attempts to catch him unaware with a superkick. Reigns bails out of the way at the last possible second. He rolls back a few feet before getting back to his feet. The IC champ allows him a chance to get up while he catches his breath, as he's still a bit winded from a few moments prior.

The competitors stare across the ring at each other, the intensity even more fierce a few minutes into the match.

Phillips: Both men claimed to have the other well scouted heading into this match, and that appears to be the case.

Graves: Roman is going to have to be smart and fast to outlast Ziggler, but Dolph is going to have to get very creative to withstand the tank that is Roman Reigns.

Ziggler approaches Reigns a bit more cautiously now. Roman does the same. The former extends a hand, which Reigns accepts, and they lock up. A brief power struggle ensues as they jockey for a dominant position. Roman soon gains the advantage, and holding Dolph by both hands, be slowly but surely pushes him down, forcing his shoulders into the mat. The Referee makes the count.




1...





2...





Ziggler does something like a backwards roll to power out, and also breaks the double-wrist clutch. He pops back up and locks up with Roman collar-and-elbow. The Showoff seems determined to out-power his opponent, but its futile. Reigns, while still holding on, tosses him into a corner. He follows up by going for his signature numbered clotheslines. The crowd counts off as he slams his arm into Dolph's exposed torso. 1... 2... 3... 4...

Graves: Roman just going to work on Dolph now! The Intercontinental Champion is feeling the full power of the Samoan Badass now!

Phillips: Ziggler looks to be in serious trouble, and it might be because he's playing to Roman's strengths.

As Reigns goes for another clothesline, though, Ziggler ducks underneath and jumps up on to his back, sinking in a Sleeper Hold. He squeezes hard, choking the life out of the bigger man. Reigns swings his arms back, trying to club and pull the IC champ off, but to no avail. Ziggler's grip is tight, he's sunk in deep.

Reigns stumbles out into the center of the ring before falling to a knee. Dolph only squeezes tighter, and Reigns falls down to the canvas. The Official rushes in to see if he's still conscious. He raises his arm once, but it falls back down. He checks again, but it falls once more. The Official raises his arm a third time...

Phillips: This could be it. Reigns might be choked out!

Graves: I'm not sure this method of checking consciousness is up to par with modern medical procedures.

The Referee releases Roman's arm a final time, but he is able to keep it up, clenching his fist in resilient defiance. Some how, some way, Romans comes back to life and starts crawling towards the ropes. Ziggler tries to squeeze more, but Reigns presses on, finally reaching the ropes to break up the hold.

Ziggler reluctantly loosens his grip and rolls off as Roman gasps for air. The Showoff looks to stay in the driver's seat. Reigns crawls into the center of the ring, disoriented as a result of the choke. Dolph lines him up perfectly before running forward and jumping up, nailing a Famouser and driving Reigns' face down into the mat. He rolls him over and goes for a pin...




1...





2...





Reigns gets a shoulder up! Dolph is clearly frustrated, but no less motivated to get the win. He stands up, bringing Roman with him by the scruff of the neck. Pulling him into the corner, Dolph then backs up and goes for a Stinger Splash.

The small window of time proves to be enough for the Samoan to recover, however, and he spins out of the way as Ziggler soars towards him. Dolph collides hard with the turnbuckle, staggering backwards as Reigns nails him with a Flying Clothesline. Dolph is knocked off his feet and Reigns follows up with a pin attempt.





1...





2...





Ziggler kicks out! He's still dazed, but he's in the match.

Graves: Reigns nearly had him there!

Phillips: Ziggler stays in it. This match has been back and forth so far, but it looks like Reigns is ready to take control.

Reigns stands up over Ziggler, and goes to pick him up by the hair but Ziggler shoots up his arm and rolls him over for a Schoolboy pin attempt. The Official makes the count...





1...





2...





Reigns powers out and scrambles to his feet, but Ziggler chases after and rolls him up from behind while he's still off balance. Again, the Referee makes the count.





1...





2...





No! Reigns kicks out again! He rolls away to get some distance between himself and Ziggler.

Graves: Reigns once again showing just how hard he is to put away.

Phillips: But our Intercontinental is getting closer and closer. He doesn't need a big move to end this match, he just needs to end it.

Graves: And Reigns is just one move away from finishing this at any point.


Roman rushes at Ziggler who looks to meet him head-on with a drop kick. Reigns simply stops himself and swats Ziggler's legs out of the air, sending him down to the mat. He follows up with a running knee to the head that stuns Dolph, and then follows that up by hooking his head and nailing a Vertical Suplex.

The Showoff lands square on his back and cries out in pain. Roman stays on the offensive, picking him up and whipping him across the ring. Dolph bounces off the ropes and comes charging back. He tries for a running clothesline, but Reigns ducks underneath. Ziggler bounces off the opposite ropes and runs at him again, but this time Reigns hits him on the rebound with a devastating Superman Punch! Ziggler collapses and Reigns goes for the pin...





1...





Graves: This is it!





2...





Phillips: That Superman Punch has put men down before...







NO! Ziggler gets a shoulder up at the last second! Reigns is in disbelief. The divided crowd can't help but be unanimously shocked. Ziggler's right eye is black and blue, but he's still in it. He slowly starts to find his footing while Reigns backs off into the corner, looking to set up the Spear.

Graves: That Spear will be the last nail in the coffin.

Phillips: And Ziggler might be too dazed to see it coming. You can't scout a move if you're sporting a brand new concussion.

Ziggler finally gets up and Reigns runs at him, aiming to end the match, Some kind of instinct sets in, though, and Ziggler meets Roman's head with a deadly superkick! Reigns is shocked, stumbling backwards, but still on his feet somehow. The Showoff follows up by running around him and connecting with a Zig Zag. Reigns goes down, Ziggler gets on top, and the official makes the count...





1...





2...





3...





DING DING DING


Chimel: Your winner of this G1 Climax Tournament Match... Dolph Ziggler!




The Official raises Ziggler's hand and gives him back his Intercontinental Championship. His fans are ecstatic, while those who count themselves members of the Roman Empire are more or less quiet. Ziggler celebrates as he heads up the ramp, while Roman Reigns comes to and stares up at him, disappointed.

Phillips: It was a close match, but Ziggler has come out on top and makes himself a front runner to win the G1 Climax.

Graves: I won't deny it was a good showing on his part. Reigns will need to make a strong rebound next week, but I'm not about to count him out.

Ziggler heads to the back, his music still blaring. NXT continues elsewhere.


The titantron switches from the UWF NXT graphic to a live feed from backstage. Kevin Steen is shown warming up in his locker room when Dave Meltzer and The Young Bucks enter.

Steen: Dave. Matt. Nick.

Meltzer: Kevin.

Matt: Kevin.

Nick: Kevin.

Meltzer: How are ya feeling champ? Ready for the big match tonight?

Steen: "Big match"? Dave, as usual, you're too generous. This match is just business as usual. It's me, in my main event, putting on a show for the fans who don't know how lucky they are, crushing the dreams of some chump who doesn't know what he's gotten himself in to.

Meltzer: Kurt Angle isn't just some run-of-the-mill schumck, Kev. We're talking a former world champion, an Olypmic gold medalist for goodness sakes! Granted, I've never awarded any of his matches Five Stars, but he's come close on more than one occasion. He's a suplex machine. He knows just about every hold in the book. And did I mention the gold medal?




Steen: Dave, I respect you and your knowledge about this business, but don't forget - we're changing the game. We're reinventing it. Every time one of us steps into that ring, we're advancing professional wrestling. I couldn't agree more that Kurt has an impressive resume. Wherever he has competed, he's found success. And I honestly believe that despite his age and the knee and neck injuries he's racked up over the years, he's every bit the competitor he was when he first broke in. Actually, he might even be better now.

But it doesn't matter.

He's still a part of the old racket. He's a face of an era I've dismantled. The guys he beat, the titles he won - that was a different time. Now everything has changed. This is NXT. A victory here on our show means ten times as much as it did back then, because this where true pro wrestling has come to evolve. That's why those tag titles the Bucks have, and this International Championship I have, mean soooooo much more than anything that ever existed on Raw, Smackdown, Nitro, Thunder, Anarchy, Impact or anywhere outside of the UWF.

Kurt is just the latest to try to step foot into our reality with the mindset that he's good enough to not need to adapt. But to adapt is to survive. That's why I keep getting better. That's why no man has ever beat me twice. Every week there is a new, fresher, superior Kevin Steen. I'll always fight harder. I'll always be better because I never stop improving.

Angle is an Olympian? I Package Piledrive his busted neck into the canvas. He's out cold. He can't walk anymore. There goes your prestige, buddy, there goes ego. I'm going to humble him and help him understand. Anyone who thinks they can just walk into the main event of NXT is in for a rude awakening. That confidence has taken Kurt to a lot of high places in his career, but now it's about to cost him everything.

Meltzer: And what about Final Battle? What about Jey Uso?

Steen: What about him?

Kevin stares at Dave, something between disbelief and apathy written on his face. Meltzer takes the hint and turns to the Bucks...

Meltzer: What about you two? How do you feel about taking on Evans and Hart?

Nick: Who and who?

Matt: There's a whole division of jibronies we could be stomping through, but whenever it comes to time step up, they're nowhere to be found. So last week they get those inbred losers to square off against this team nobody has ever even heard of to figure out who "deserves" to face us.

Nick: Guess what though? None of them do. They're lucky that we believe in being fighting champions. We'll defend against anybody, any time.

Matt: Even if they're a coke fiend embarrassment or some skinny wigger whose moveset is pretty much identical to things twelve-year-olds do on their backyard trampolines. Also, how is that guy so freaking pale? Isn't he officially Mexican these days?

Nick: He's still looking better than Teddy. That dude looks like somebody wrapped leather around an iguana and taught it how to walk.

Meltzer: Boys! Let's take them a little more seriously please. They're not just underdogs. They're wildcards. You never know what to expect from somebody like Teddy Hart, and we haven't seen enough Jack Evans in the UWF to get a good read on him.

Let's face it - the men you're all facing at Final Battle, well, they're not the cream of the crop, are they? But they're hungry. They're desperate. And if there was ever a night for somebody to try and sneak up and humiliate Team Meltzer, that would be it. We need to be ready for anything and everything.

Steen: Dave, relax. This is like... summer vacation for us.

Nick: Yeah Dave! No need to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Matt: If they want to set up cans, we're happy to crush them.

Steen: We just need to do what we do best, and that's to be us. To be better. Let everybody else worry about the odds, the ranks, their precious opportunities. They're coming after us. All we have to do is disappoint them whenever they catch up.

Kevin smiles and walks off, ready for his match. The Bucks follow suite. Meltzer can't help but look a little worried as he goes after them. NXT continue elsewhere.


Tony Chimel: Ladies and gentlemen, the following is a G1 Climax Tournament match-up and is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Detroit, Michigan and weighing 295 pounds... RHINO!

Gore!

GORE!

GORE!



Rhino emerges from the back with a grim, but serious, expression on his face. The Detroit Man Beast pounds his chest twice and throws his arms up as pyrotechnics erupt around him, catching the crowd's attention. His fans cheer, his detractors hit him with some heat, but none of it seems to register for the War Machine as he marches down the ramp to the ring and jogs up the steps to enter it. He turns toward the stage immediately, awaiting the arrival of his foe.

Tony Chimel: And introducing the opponent, from Dudleyville, weighing 145 pounds... Spike DUDLEY!

YER, WE'RE COMING DOWN
GET UP, GET UP, GET UP
DROP THE BOMBSHELL.



Spike comes to the stage from the back with a look of serious consternation worn plainly on his face. The comparatively much-smaller man is eyeing up his foe for the week, and in spite of his earlier words, the slightest trace of doubt in his ability to win here tonight seems to be showing. Still, he heads down the ramp, never one to miss a fight and certainly not one to throw in the towel here tonight. Spike hops up on the apron and walks along to the corner, then enters between the ropes and climbs the turnbuckles to throw his arms up in defiance, his fans popping massively for him. This brings a smile to his face and perhaps a renewed sense of courage and focus as he climbs down off the turnbuckle and turns toward his opponent. The official performs some pre-match checks, then signals for the starting bell.

-VERSUS-

DING DING DING!

Spike Dudley is stroking his goatee as he and Rhino circle the ring and each other before closing the gap to lock up in a collar-and-elbow position. The pair vie for superiority for only a moment before Rhino, easily the stronger man, gets the upper hand and drives Spike back to the ropes. Rhino grabs Spike's chin and presses, applying a rope-assisted chinlock that sees Spike fighting just to resist before eventually giving and allowing himself to be pushed over the top rope. Spike falls harmlessly onto his feet on the outside as Rhino shouts something threatening in his general direction, then backs off from the ropes, gesturing for Spike to climb back up and in to the ring. Dudley does so, and the pair tie up again, but this time Spike is quick to transition into an arm wrench. Unfortunately for him, the power of Rhino once more shines through as he pulls Spike in to his massive shoulder and drills the smaller man, sending Spike careening back to the ropes again. As Spike rebounds, Rhino lifts him up and brings him crashing to the canvas with a thunderous spinebuster!

Corey Graves: The power of Rhino is something to behold, for sure, Tom.

Tom Phillips: I'd hate to be standing opposite him in a ring. He's just such an intimidating, physical force.

Spike gets back to his feet quickly but his back is clearly smarting from the slam he just ate and Rhino looks to capitalize, driving powerful forearms into Spike's face that again put him on the backfoot. Spike stumbles backward as Rhino pursues relentlessly, driving the small man into a corner. Rhino then climbs the turnbuckles, cocks a fist and rains stiff rights directly down on Spike's head as the fans start to count: 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8! 9! 10! Each blow connects with sickening accuracy to the forehead of his foe, and Rhino dismounts the ropes leaving a dazed Spike suspended from the ropes. The War Machine backs up several long paces, then takes a running start and connects with a massive corner lariat that lifts Spike's booted feet clear off the canvas. As Rhino once more backs up, Spike falls in a slump on his ass in the corner, and the Man Beast turns his back to stomp around the ring and roar furiously. The fans offer a mixed reaction, some pleased with his violent antics and others wanting desperately to see Spike Dudley's incredible win streak continue.

Tom Phillips: It must be said - Rhino is firmly in control of the match at this moment, but other men have been in this position with Spike Dudley before.

Corey Graves: I'm so sick of Spike's David and Goliath routine.

Rhino closes back in on Spike and pulls him to his feet, shoving him back in the corner before unloading a torrent of nasty back elbows to Dudley's face. Rhino then Irish whips Dudley with force across the ring, and Spike collides chest-first with the turnbuckle on the other side before stumbling backward away from it and into a German suplex from the War Machine that sees the Dudley runt clear damn near half the ring before landing on his shoulders so hard his body folds damn near in half. Rhino is quick to close the gap - so quick that Spike hasn't unfolded when the War Machine pushes his legs back down to the canvas and makes the cover.

1...

...NO!

Spike gets a foot on the ropes, drawing a large pop from his fans in the crowd - and even those of Rhino, delighted to know the brutality will continue. Rhino growls as he shoves his hair back and gets back to his feet, then exits to the apron. He drags Spike under the rope to suspend his head off the edge of the canvas and drives several clubbing blows to Spike's chest and neck before climbing back up on the apron several paces away, dashing across and looking to drop a leg on Spike's exposed throat. The Dudley Runt, however, escapes the guillotine legdrop by rolling out of the way and Rhino bounces arse-first off the canvas, landing on his feet on the floor but bracing his tailbone which is clearly smarting from the blown attack.

Tom Phillips: Good escape from Spike Dudley but can he capitalize?

Corey Graves: Doubtful.

Graves is right: Spike rolls back into the ring and crawls toward the far side, trying to catch a breather while Rhino paces around the outside and shakes out a leg. Rhino then slides back in the ring and stalks Spike, clearly prepping for the Gore. When Spike gets to his feet with the help of the ropes and turns about, Rhino launches at full tilt, but Spike sees it coming just in time and scrambles out of the way! Rhino bursts through the ropes and crashes and burns on the outside as Spike's fans pop at his evasiveness and the Dudley Runt, energized, heads for the top rope!

Corey Graves: Spike's an idiot.

Tom Phillips: Or he sees an opportunity here and knows he has to make an impact while he has the chance!

Spike leaps off the top, connecting with an elbow drop to the upper back of a recovering Rhino who up until impact was on his hands and knees. The blow hits hard and Rhino is flattened in spite of Spike's relatively small size. Spike rolls away and uses the apron to get up quickly, then grabs Rhino by the hair to pull him to his feet before throwing him into the barricade! Rhino hits it hard and right on the shoulder he just crashed and burned onto, howling with a mix of rage and pain. Spike follows closely behind and hits a basement dropkick to the side of Rhino's head, sending it smacking off the barricade in a startling and ugly display that would cause a lesser man a concussion. But Rhino is no man - he is a machine - and the move, while dazing him, doesn't so much as bring him to the floor. Spike, nonplussed, gets to his feet and drives some clubbing blows home on Rhino's shoulder and back, looking to keep the Beast down. The fans are cheering for the Dudley Runt at this point, and he feeds on the energy, unloading a massive torrent of elbows, forearms and clubbing fists on his opponent before leading him to the ring and rolling him into it. Spike then climbs up onto the apron, enters the ring, and goes for the cover.

1...

2...

...NO!

Rhino kicks out, to the chagrin of Spike's fans who gasp and the admiration of his own who pop.

Tom Phillips: The sheer resiliency of Rhino - forget about his power - is enough to make him one of the most feared men on NXT today.

Corey Graves: Who writes your lines, Tom? Because they're awful.

Not wanting to lose any momentum, Spike starts stomping on Rhino until he rolls under the ropes for cover. This fails, as the Dudley Runt takes off full tilt for the ropes opposite and then comes back with a baseball slide that connects flush with Rhino's shoulder and sends him spilling once more to the outside! Spike gets to his feet and pounds his chest as he shouts "THAT ONE'S FOR YOU, MOMMA!" then heads back for the ropes at a run and leaps over them intending for a suicide plancha! Rhino, however, rolls onto his back and gets his knees up and Spike - as Rhino often promises - is damn-near disemboweled on landing, bouncing off the knees and instantly clutching his gut as he falls hard to his back. Both men are down, hurting, and the referee starts a count.

Corey Graves: This one could very well end in a draw.

1...

2...

3...

Rhino is the first to stir, rolling back to hands and knees and dragging himself to the ring steps. Spike soon follows however - headed for the announce table.

Tom Phillips: And now we see the physical toll this sport takes on the bodies of its competitors. Look at the way both of these men are struggling just to stand.

4...

5...

6...

Spike gets to his vertical base before Rhino, but he's unable to capitalize as he is still wheezing from the knees. Rhino is up soon after and he is able to move in, immediately throwing a huge right to the back of Spike's head that catches the unwitting Dudley hard. Spike is rocked by the blow and staggers right into Rhino's grip, and the Man Beast throws him into the ring before climbing up to the apron, breaking the count-out.

Corey Graves: So the madness continues.

As Rhino enters between the ropes, Spike grabs his shoulder and pulls him into a roll-up!

1...

2...

...NO!

The War Machine breaks the pinfall and both men roll onto their backs, Spike disappointed he couldn't sneak out a win here and Rhino furious, but unable to really capitalize as the roll-up tweaked his already-damaged shoulder. The referee is checking on both men and starts a count but doesn't hit three before Spike has managed to get back to his feet with an arm draped over the ropes. Rhino, meanwhile, has worked up to a three-point stance. Spike pushes off the ropes, but when he does, he does so into a charging Rhino who connects with a sickening GORE! His fans pop massively as Rhino hooks the leg.

Corey Graves: The Cinderella Story ends tonight Tom!

Tom Phillips: You mean the Spike Dudley Story?

1...

2...

...NO!

Fans are incredulous but pop massively as somehow, Spike gets a shoulder up at the very last hundredth of a second!

Tom Phillips: KICK OUT! Oh my God, Spike Dudley kicked out!

Corey Graves: Easy there, Squirrelly Dan.

Rhino is as shocked as anyone else, thinking he for sure had it in the bag after landing a finisher few men have ever kicked out from in his UWF tenure. Incredulous, he smacks the canvas, gets to his feet and gets in the ref's face, signalling with three fingers how he thought the count should have gone. The official shakes his head and gestures that it was a two count. Rhino, red-faced, turns around - when he does, he finds Spike back on his feet and slumped in the corner. The Man Beast grins as he backs up into the corner opposite, then takes off full-tilt looking to impale Spike with another gore. Spike, however, shocks the audience once again as he launches himself from the corner in a spear of his own, catching Rhino before he goes low and sending him crashing to the canvas! Spike hooks the leg!

Tom Phillips: Counter-Gore!

Corey Graves: Spike better hope he wins here because Rhino is actually the sort of guy who would murder a man for stealing his finisher, I have no doubt.

1...

2...

...NO!

ANOTHER huge pop on ANOTHER near fall as Rhino manages the kick out! The fans are eating this bout right up and it seems like there might be a riot in the arena tonight as they get brutally rowdy. Juxtaposed with the spent men in the middle of the ring, one on his back and the other - Spike - having rolled onto his side, and the sight is surreal indeed.

Tom Phillips: Spike Dudley and Rhino are putting on a showcase here tonight, that's for sure.

Corey Graves: Whoa, whoa, whoa... you're no Dave Meltzer but we do have him in the house and I doubt he'd rate this a five-star match.

Spike - scraping and crawling - is the first to his feet (with the assistance of the corner he just sprang out of with his spear). Rhino is slower, but gets there eventually, unaccosted by a gassed Dudley runt. The two lurch toward the middle of the ring and lock up and for a moment it seems like they're only standing because of the support they're getting from the other man. After a moment, they begin trading blows in the middle of the ring. Spike's blows aren't as powerful as Rhino's, but are more numerous, and while Rhino's thunderous rights seem to be taking a more immediate toll it's Spike who gets the advantage after unloading a flurry of lefts and rights and finally catching Rhino with a kick to the midriff that forces him into the doubled-over position. Spike then clutches him in position for the Dudley Dog and runs for the corner!

Tom Phillips: He's doing it! Spike's doing it! Dudley D-

NO! As Spike runs up the ropes and spins away, Rhino counters, spinning Spike back toward the turnbuckle and slamming him groin-first into the ring post! Spike cries out as he falls backward, winding up in the tree of woe position as Rhino stumbles away, hair that he is unable to brush away at the moment obscuring his vision. The fans are chanting "HOLY SHIT!" at the brutal improvised counter.

Corey Graves: Well, I don't know if he's going to win this match but Spike Dudley definitely isn't going to be having any kids after a counter like that.

Rhino finally comes to his senses as he shakes the daze off and turns to find Spike ripe for the picking. He grins, sickeningly, as he assumes the three-point stance and then again launches, looking for a gore! As he does, however, Spike frees himself and the Dudley Runt rolls over the incoming Rhino before clutching him and executing a belly-to-back suplex bridged perfectly into a pin!

Tom Phillips: Unbelievable counter by Spike Dudley!

1...

2...

...NO!

The fans pop again - for the counter, for the near-fall, for the sheer insanity of the match! Spike, now, seems shocked, his mouth agape as he sits up and then flops back down, his chest heaving as he breathes rapidly in utter exhaustion. Rhino seems lights out, unmoving as he is. Spike drags himself to the corner and slowly uses the turnbuckles to haul himself to his feet. He steps out on to the apron and slowly climbs each turnbuckle, one at a time, the agonizing climb drawing encouraging cheers from his fans and jeers from Rhino's. Rhino has started to stir now, rolling onto his back - which, unfortunately, leaves the Man-Beast in the perfect position to receive a frog splash! Spike Dudley hooks the leg.

Tom Phillips: This has to be it!

Corey Graves: You never know until that bell rings...

1...

2...

...3!

DING DING DING!

Here is your winner,
SPIKE DUDLEY!

Corey Graves: Unbelievable. Spike Dudley continues his winning ways by edging out the War Machine, Rhino - a man who is even more desperately in need of a win to turn his fortunes around.

Tom Phillips: The Spike Dudley Story continues! People keep saying he won't win, he can't do it - and Spike keeps proving them wrong!

Spike certainly doesn't look a winner. Neither man does, both spent in the middle of the ring as medical personnel actually file down from the back to check on them and get them on their feet. They get Spike up first, and his arm is raised by the official as they roll Rhino out of the ring and offer him assistance. The War Machine shoves off the men who are trying to help him, then glares into the ring at the victorious Dudley, shakes his head, and stalks out of the arena. Spike, as a result, is left to celebrate his hard-fought victory as the feed moves on.


The scene opens up to show Kurt Angle pacing back and forth back in his locker room before his big match. He notices that there is a live camera crew and begins to address the camera directly.

Kurt Angle:

“Last week, Kevin waddled out to the middle of my ring and had the audacity to interrupt me. Honestly I should have had him waddle his ass back up the ramp until I cordially invited him down. When he did waddle down, he attempted to ridicule me for calling him by the wrong name. If that was the only thing that you were fixated on, then you missed the entire point of my message. Despite the fact that before you walked out to the ring, there was a big sign that advertised “Angle vs. Steen,” but I’m sure you didn’t see that. I wonder how I could have made such as inexplicable error in the wee hours of the morning. Besides, I can call you whatever name I want. Kevin Owens, Kevin Steen, Kevin Durant, it doesn’t change the fact that the message is still the same. I still plan on kicking your ungrateful ass.”

“But let’s get serious again. I know who you are. I know what you’ve done. You defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania and then again in the rematch in a Hell in a Cell match. You defeated Daniel Bryan after he won the Aztec Warfare and you shipped the great Dean Ambrose off. Congratulations, however those men’s shortcomings and failures to defeat you mean nothing to me. What one man can’t or couldn’t do has never affected me, and it won’t start now. I’m determined to help usher in this new era of wrestling, and for that to start, Kevin must be dethroned. Whether it starts tonight, next week or next month, I will start taking him down little by little. I’ll start one limb at a time, and with one member of his team at a time. I will infiltrate his base and leave him and his cronies asphyxiated.”

The scene fades to black and the camera head elsewhere.


The scene opens up on Bray pacing back and forth in front of the other members of the Wyatt Family.

Bray Wyatt: Hang your heads, Wyatt Family. Hang your heads and weep for the shame you have brought upon yourselves with your failure, for the shame you have brought upon me your leader and Sister Abigail the entity that we all serve. Ask yourselves, what has gone wrong amongst you that you went from being a dominant force to a laughable collection of fools? Ask yourselves how you could allow power to slip through your fingers and leave you twice on the losing side in recent weeks?

These failures that you committed are not minuscule, man, they mean a lot and have left a blemish on us all that will take quite some time to wash away. While you think about what you've done and what you're going to do to resolve this, I already have my next move planned out: to lead by example.

Watch what I do and learn from it so that you never bring shame to the Wyatt name again.

Bray stops in place as things cut elsewhere.




The former Olympic gold medalist makes his way out from the back to applause and adoration from the fans. Kurt's got a big smile on his face, ready for his first match on NXT.

Tony Chimel: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Making his way to the ring, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, weighing in at 240 pounds, Kurt Angle!

Kurt walks straight down to the ring and goes up the steps. Once he enters the ring, he spins around in a few circles, letting the crowd see him in all his glory and they respond by giving him a hero's welcome.



"Godzilla" blasts through the PA. The song that lets the UWF superstars know they're about to be crushed and humiliated is the same that draws unparalleled disdain from fans around the world. As Kevin Steen walks out on to the entrance ramp, he is greeted by a wave of hatred from the UWF Universe. "Mr. Wrestling" lifts his International Championship high, reminding them all that he is the top dog on the show they payed to see. This only infuriates them more.

Tony Chimel: And his opponent, from Marieville, Quebec, Canada, weighing in at 271 pounds, he is the International Champion, Kevin Steen!

The champion keeps his eyes locked on Angle as he shoulders his world title and marches down towards the ring. Ascending the steps, he climbs through the ropes and enters the squared circle. He walks right to the middle and raises the title high, staring directly at Angle showing him just who the top dog is.

Tom Phillips: And now we get set for our big main event and we're joined by none other than the number one contender to the International Championship, Jey Uso. How's it going Jey?

Jey Uso: Thanks for having me Tom.


VS


DING DING DING


Angle walks right to the middle of the ring to tie up but Steen hangs back and just stares at him. Kevin doesn't move an inch and Angle looks to the ref and asks him to tell Kevin to fight. When Angle has his attention turned to the ref, Steen runs out of the corner and clotheslines Angle. Kurt is knocked loopy but Kevin simply picks him up and throws him out of the ring. Kevin then looks to the crowd and opens his arms wide apart yelling "This is my ring!"


Corey Graves: Look how much the great Kurt Angle means to our champion! Kevin knows that he is beneath him! Jey, how are you even going to stand a chance?

Jey Uso: Well that depends how the match is gonna be-


Jey is cut off by the action on the outside as Angle is able to quickly get up and rush back into the ring just in time to see Steen turn around after posing to the crowd. Angle just rushes towards Kevin and takes him down with the double leg takedown. He then begins to throw wild punches to the International Champion. Kevin tries to cover up but Angle is pissed off after being disrespected. Kevin rolls out of the ring to get away from the onslaught. He walks around the outside of ring and kicks the steel steps in frustration. Angle however is standing inside the ring waiting for Steen to get back in because he knows that Kevin always likes to take advantage on the outside.

Kevin realizes Angle is not going to come out and fight him and with the refs count at six, he decides to get back on the ring apron and enter the ring. As soon as he does, Angle walks right over to the ropes and wraps his arms around him. He then throws him back with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Kevin lands high on his tailbone and grabs at his lower back but Angle quickly throws him back to the mat and pins him.


1 . . .


Kevin kicks out right away but Angle gets right up and stomps on him a few times before picking him up and irish whipping him into the corner. Angle runs at Steen in the corner but Kevin hits him with a back elbow that staggers him back a little. Kevin then walks over and kicks him in the gut and delivers a huge powerbomb. He then immediately follows up with the jumping senton, putting all his weight down on the abdomen of Angle. He hooks the leg for the pin.


1 . . .


2 . . .


And a kickout from Angle! Kevin expected as much and smirks when he sits up. He gets back to his feet and brings Angle along with him. He then walks him over to the corner and smashes his head on the top turnbuckle. Angle turns around looking a bit loopy and Kevin proceeds to kick him in the abdomen over and over again until he falls in a seated position. Kevin then walks over to the opposite corner and shouts out to the crowd to elicit a response. He then turns around and runs straight for Angle, hitting him with the cannonball! Kurt's lifeless body is dragged towards the center of the ring and then Kevin decides to go up top. The crowd is on their feet getting ready for a big move. Kevin then leaps off with the frog splash, all 271 pounds come crashing down onto Angle who luckily gets his knees up in time.


Tom Phillips: And Kurt Angle may have just saved himself from having this match end quickly.

Corey Graves: He may have gotten one over on the champ but so far Kevin's been showing everyone just why he's the International Champion!

Jey Uso: That is until he faces me at Final Battle PPV in 3 weeks at Final Battle PPV when I will become your new International Champion at Final Battle PPV.


Kevin walks away quickly to the corner, holding his stomach and gasping for air. Angle meanwhile gets back up and walks over to him. Kevin tries to surprise him with a super kick but Kurt catches his foot and turns it into an ankle lock. Kevin grabs the ropes but Kurt pulls him back away from them, all the way to the center of the ring. Mr. wrestling however does his best to roll over and kick angle away. Kurt goes flying backwards but quickly gets back up and runs behind a hunched over Steen trying to get back to his feet. He grabs him in a waistlock but Kevin throws some back elbows to the side of the head. Kurt though stands there and takes them before lifting Steen and throwing him back with the german suplex.

Steen groggily gets back up and Angle goes behind him and throws him back with another German suplex. The momentum of the move unwillingly makes Steen get back to his feet and Angle goes behind him once more this time draping his arm over his shoulders and lifting him up for the Angle Slam. Kevin has enough wherewithal however to slip behind him and push him forward into the ropes. Angle bounces off of them and comes right back into a super kick that nearly takes his head off. Both men and fall to the mat clearly exhausted after this quick back and forth.


Corey Graves: And this is what it means to be in the main event of NXT!

Tom Phillips: Both men are giving it their all but only one man can come out on top.


The ref's count reaches four and both men slowly begin to stir. You can see how tired they are by how slow they are to get to their feet. Both men aren't up until the refs count reaches eight. They slowly turn around to see one another and immediately begin brawling. They strike each other back and forth until Kevin gets tired of it and goes low with a kick to the abdomen. Angle is hunched over while Kevin taunts the crowd but he uses the minor distraction to his advantage by lifting Steen high and dropping him with a back suplex.

Angle is starting to feel it in the crowd is 100% behind him. He decides to head up to the top rope and go for the moonsault. He only reaches the second group before Kevin is already back up and following suit. Kevin clubs him in the back a few times before going to the second rope himself. He goes underneath Angle, lifting him up in an electric chair position. Rumblings are heard throughout the crowd, not sure what they're about to witness. Kevin reaches up and grabs Angle's head, bringing it down before jumping off with a super electric chair driver! Angle is folded over and Steen stays on him for the pin.


1 . . .


2 . . .


But Angle continues to survive! Steen can't believe it but it only makes him angrier. He picks up Kurt and grabs him by the face, yelling quite a few obscene words before throwing him towards the ropes. Angle comes back and Steen throws him up for the pop up powerbomb but Angle is able to drop kick him in midair. Kevin quickly gets back to his feet but Angle lunges forward, trying to pick his leg for the ankle lock. Steen manages to fight it off though and even throws a couple elbows to the back of Angle. He then hooks both his arms and lifts him high up before planting him down with the package piledriver!


1 . . .


2 . . .


3 . . .


Tony Chimel: Here is your winner, the International Champion, Kevin Steen!



Steen raises the title high but you can hear Jey Uso taking off his headset at the announce table. He then slides into the ring and waits for Kevin to turn around. Steen hasn't even acknowledged Uso all night long so he doesn't expect that when he turns around, Jey plants him right on the chin with a super kick! The fans explode as Jey then quickly runs up to the top rope. He stands up high and sticks his tongue out before jumping off with the Samoan Splash! The arena is in an absolute frenzy as Steen rolls out of the ring and Jey grabs his International Championship.


Corey Graves: Oh no, please don't tell me this is how we're going off the air.

Tom Phillips: Could this be the scene at Final Battle! Could Jey Uso become the new International Champion!

Jey raises the title high and celebrates while the feed slowly fades out.



END OF SHOW


Credits

Spike vs Rhino - Crann

Mysterio vs Bryan - Soup

Roman vs Ziggler - Fauche

Trevor vs Blackman, Punk vs Balor, Steen vs Angle - Danny