Backlash Card and TTs

[Danny]

LIVE on May 12th at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California

Deadline
MAY 8TH
www.timeanddate.com/countdown/wrestling?iso=20240508T16&p0=24&msg=Backlash+Deadline&font=cursive&csz=1



UWF Championship
Hell in a Cell
LA Knight(c) vs Drew McIntyre




Intercontinental Championship
Rick Rude vs Kyle O'Reilly




Roman Reigns vs Tommaso Ciampa




Vincent vs The Mighty Caleb




Prime Time Medal
Swerve Strickland vs Shinsuke Nakamura




Kevin Owens vs Randy Orton




Television Championship
Finn Balor(c) vs Jamie Hayter




The Collapse vs Eddie Guerrero & Eve

[AndyDNU]

Blue lights begin to flash around the building as "We Care A Lot" by Faith No More begins to play. Anyone that was having a good night is most likely about to have it ruined as Drew McIntyre steps out from behind the curtain and onto the stage. The Scotsman slowly walks towards the top of the ramp before stopping and looking directly at the ground. After five to ten seconds of build up, The Claymore King lifts his head and arms up which sets off fire pyrotechnics all around him. The flames continue to go off intermittently as The Destroyer makes his way down the ramp at a steady pace. As he reaches the bottom, he stops in order to look up at the Hell in a Cell structure frame which is currently being held up in midair by support chains from the rafters. After soaking it all in, he turns and heads for the steel ring steps before climbing up and entering the squared circle. With a microphone already in hand, the music fades out and McIntyre stops dead in the middle of the ring and precedes to share his thoughts with those watching on.

Drew McIntyre: There's a saying which I'm sure most of you will have heard being said before, and that's "anything you can do, I can do better"... For a good while now I've been of the belief that LA Knight is big on living his life by those words, and the concrete proof then came when he took my request for the two of us to face off one more time inside of a steel cage, and turned it into this...



McIntyre stops for a moment in order to point at the cell structure hovering ominously over the ring.

Drew McIntyre: In this particular instance, I've got no problem with him thinking that he's gotten one up on me, because I for one am incredibly satisfied with the situation that we now find ourselves in. On the inside I am buzzing at the nature of this spectacle... watching on as the cell lowers down to the ground... the door being padlocked shut... leaving just myself, the greatest destructive entity in the history of this business... Loser Ass Knightmare... the flawed pretender champion... and a poor morsel in black and white who will count the fall and make my moment of redemption official.

Unsurprisingly, most of the crowd have no desire to see McIntyre back on top, but the Scotsman was seemingly prepared for such a response.

Drew McIntyre: Oh, you don't like that prospect? Well tough titty! For weeks I've had to put up with the horrendous sight of a fraud standing in the place that is rightfully mines, and now the time has come to put things back to the way they were before the great Wrestlemania train robbery took place. Unlike that fateful night in Tampa however, things are going to play out very differently, and that goes for more than just the final outcome, because within these chained walls and roof, I am going to punish and pulverise LA Knight to within an inch of his life. So if there are any families out there that had planned on watching this match as a group activity, a word of advice to the parents... put the kids to bed, because by allowing them to watch what ends up going down inside this cell, you're exposing them to the kind of nightmares that will continue to haunt them in full grown adulthood!

The chilling nature of McIntyre's words seem to actually have a lot of people on edge, but rather than jeering there's an overall stunned silence as the former UWF Champion goes on to explain his intentions.

Drew McIntyre: In an environment of this nature, it really is a case of kill or be killed. But trust me, my name won't be the one that gets summoned to the early grave here, because when that bell sounds, my only intention is to thrive. I don't care what form it takes, whether I'm pulling the steel grates apart and twisting the wires around LA Knights limbs until the circulation supply cuts out, or inflicting deep flesh wounds by driving parts of him into something sharp and metallic, I am making him pay the ultimate price for winding up on the wrong side of the nastiest prick that the UWF has ever seen!

McIntyre has done a good job of controlling his understandable rage up till this point, but it's not certain how much longer this will last as he continues his verbal tirade.

Drew McIntyre: But the good stuff can wait, because believe it or not, before things turn really nasty, I actually want LA Knight to have one more opportunity right here tonight to give me a piece of his mind. I want to see that immeasurable confidence, I want to hear him talk the big game, remind everyone that he got one over on me and try to rub my face in it... Why exactly?.. Because it's only fair that such a notorious troublemaker be entitled to his last rights. So L...A... how's about you don't keep me and all of these goons waiting and march your arse on out here for one final night in heaven, before I end up sending you to hell!

And with the invitation sent, McIntyre lowers the microphone and awaits the arrival of the UWF Champion...

[Fauche]

YO YO YO
IF YOU DON'T SHUT YOUR MOUTH
IMA SHUT IT FOR YOU
PUNK


The crowd goes bananas (B-A-N-A-N-A-S) when Kyle O'Reilly stomps a war path out on to that stage. Armed with his violence and his years of training and faceful of grit and and fistful of microphone, The Diabetic Dragon marches down the ramp while his throwback boom-bop entrance tune gets that capacity crowd bumping.

Bayley's following right behind him, riling up the fans even more en route to the squared circle. The step-sibs climb the stairs, duck through the ropes and take over the ring to get the party started. Normally O'Reilly's pretty quick to get things going once the music cuts out, but tonight? Tonight he takes a little moment to look around at all them cheering fans first. There's a big deep breath before the jump-in this time.

KO'R: Guys... I got a shot at the friggin Intercontinental Championship...

Another deep breath. Kyle lays it out there like its the biggest deal cause brother, it is. The UWF Universe pours out the cheers and Bayley gives up some applause too as the Human Swiss Army Knife basks in this special, rare minute.

KO'R: I looked it up on the flight into town and I read it over like a hundred times so I wouldn't forget the numbers. There's been thirty-seven Intercontinental Champions in the UWF. Thirty different guys. You could google that whole list or check it out on the company website and see for yourself - every single one of them, even if you think they're some kinda jerk, but every single one of them was like a Grade A, Capital B, Badass, in some way or another.



KO'R: I wanna be one of them. When you guys think about the UWF and think about those kinds of champions, I wanna get thought about like that too.

So I think its pretty rad... shoot, I think its perfect that the guy I'm fighting for the belt is the Greatest Intercontinental Champion so far.

A strongly mixed reaction for Rude, if not leaning a little more negative. Kyle pulls a face when he hears that.

KO'R: Psssh, what? How are you gonna boo Rick Rude? He racked up the longest reign. Ever. He racked up the most defenses in a row. Ever. Best to do it. Ever. Hands down. I mean heck... just look at him. Look at the abs. He's got Ninja Turtle abs! You don't get abs like that unless you work your butt off. Anyone who thinks that Rick Rude is just some fast-talkin', moustache-havin' dirtbag is only licking the icing off the cake. That's my nWo brother and let me tell you that nobody but nobody hustles harder than him.

Which is why he's exactly the kinda person I wanna beat.

The fans roar. Bayley nods in approval. Kyle holds up two fingers.

KO'R: This'll be the second time I've fought for a title on my own cause apparently the Hollywood Championship doesn't count and the Prizz Tizz Mizzle's a medal. Whatever. But last time out... well... you guys remember, right? Drew McIntyre beat me fair and square. Downright friggin clobbered me.

I thought that being super violent and tough was enough... and it wasn't. Then Tyler Breeze comes to town and I thought being smarter or more honourable meant I was better and that wasn't true neither. I couldn't even get the job done in a Subs match and that's my whole thing. So I'm asking myself why do I apparently suck so bad and it turns out that the answer is that you can't do much at all when your head's not on straight.

Well I'm out here now on the other side of my worse demons and problems and I'm crystal effing clear on one thing - whoever works hardest and wants it more wins out in the end. That's some Tortoise and the Hare gospel stuff right there. That's the attitude that won me the King of the Ring tournament last year, and that tourney also happens to be the last time I went toe-to-toe with someone in the nWo.

Kyle turns to face the hard cam directly as he narrows his message to a particular individual.

KO'R: Rick. I respect the heck out of of you cause I've been right there to see you do what you do when you do it best. But I also see the same thing in your face that I saw in Edge's right up to the second I got my hands on him - and that's that you think I'm still that punk kid carrying Larry Sweeney's bags.

Eighteen months I've been back in the UWF on my own... and every single week I feel like I gotta change people's ideas about me. Win or lose, I think by and large I get that point across, and it might just be that out of everyone on this whole entire roster, you're the one who knows who I am now the least. And that's why I'm the most dangerous person you could even possibly be facing when I come for the Intercontinental Championship... AT BACKLASH.

He lowers his mic on that iconic note delivered straight into the hard cam to another excited ovation.

[mattchewie]

The camera cues in on Bischoff and Rude walking backstage, seemingly on their ways to the ring.

Biscjoff: Rick, we’ve been close friends for what…forty years, now?

Rude: If my memory serves, I would say so. All the way back to the AWA. You just having one of those reminiscing moments, or are you trying to butter me up before yanking the rug out from under me?

BIschoff: I wouldn’t quite say that I’m buttering you up, but I do feel as if you need someone impartial to tell you some sound advice.

Rude stops in the hallway to look at Bischoff. He studies Bischoff’s face for a moment before continuing.

Rude: Eric, I’d say you wouldn’t have to brace yourself before speaking to me. I respect and trust you more than just about any other man or woman in this business. You’re more than just an advocate, more than just a friend. You’re family. Shoot straight with me?

Bischoff sighs and fidgets with his attire. He pats down a crease in his leather jacket.

Bischoff: Ok…so…you do realize that the only reason that you’re having this match with Kyle is all on Bayley, right?

Rude chuckles and pats Bischoff’s shoulder as the two continue walking down the hall..

Rude: Ah, Eric. Who’s to say that she really is to blame? Kyle is a talented guy, a damned good wrestler. He would have eventually found himself facing off against me for this title one day or another. So what if Bayley expedited the process?

Bischoff: Look, I get that there is a thing between the two of you, I just worry that you may let the situation cloud your judgment. You just said that you trust me and that you respect me, I don’t trust the chick, Rick. She’s a valuable ally in the nWo, but I see that hunger in her eyes…and it’s not a sexual hunger, either. It’s a hunger for power and for glory. I recognize it, because I’ve had that same look in my own eyes before. I just worry that she’s going to let that hunger get in the way of everything that we’ve got planned here. And I really worry that things are going to get messy very quickly between you and Kyle as well as the rest of the nWo before we even get it launched appropriately. I say it all with love and with respect, Rick.

The duo pauses once again, just before the curtain that leads to the entrance ramp. Bischoff has just delivered some information that Rick will need to ponder on for quite some time.

Rude: Eric, I know you well enough to know that this isn’t coming from a place of jealousy. I know all of your tells enough to know that. I take your concern and I’ll mull it over in my own head for a bit. Look, Bayley is young. She’s got a fire in her that’s quickly growing, I just hope that I can help steer her in the correct path with it.

Bischoff lets out an audible sigh, as if weighing what he is about to say.

Bischoff: You sure that it isn’t all a bit out of spite for you clarifying with her that you two weren’t actually officially official?

That one hit the nail on the head, apparently. Rude shifts his stance, weighing the last question.

Rude: Damn, that had never entered my mind. Honestly, I don’t see her as the type to do that, but I’ll definitely keep my guard up since you’ve mentioned that, though. I guess we spent so much time worrying about Vincent and his goons, trying to make sure Kyle had the backup that he needed, since then we’ve been so focused on getting the band back together that I never really sat and weighed out all of the options.

Bischoff: Again, I’m not trying to put that paranoid thought in your head, I’m simply playing the impartial observer who has no other feelings involved in it. All I care about is what is best professionally for you, Rick. So, of course, you having a match against Kyle does worry me.

Rude chuckles and begins winding his arms and shoulders up as the monitor set up begins airing everything that Kyle has said.  Bischoff covers his face in shame, realizing that the entire conversation he and Rick just had was aired.

Rude: Kyle is definitely no joke. I understand your concern, Eric. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t concerned. The man could be the primary cause of death on anyone’s death certificate. Although, the kid has the attention span of a gnat that is flying around a bunch of blinking lights. Mr. Carter probably remembers how much havoc was wrought in our wake the last time that we flew the ol’ black and white flag, so he’s meddling attempting to sink it before the ship even sets sail.

Rude peels back the curtain to look out at ringside and sighs.

Rude:  Looks like the kid beat us out there, come on.

Rude reaches down and grabs a microphone from the table nearest the curtain and walks out onto the stage to the mixed reaction from the crowd.

Rude:  Kyle, my brother.  I've got to start out by saying we have traveled the friggin' world together, multiple times.  You and me, we're more than friends, we're friggin' family.  I know that I've let my ego get the best of me, many times in the past...but I'm here to give you my word that I'm not going to let that ego get in my way for this match.  I'll be honest with you, I haven't given you the credit nor the full respect that you've deserved since I've been back.  I was used to you being the comic relief to Larry back in the day, and that was completely unfair of me to treat you that way.  You are your own man, you deserve to have your time in the limelight and you deserve to have yourself an honest to god memorable title match, dude.  So, I say we park every bit of the nWo-stuff, Eric-stuff, and Bayley-stuff right back there in the back.  When we step out into this ring, its you and me for this title.  
And much like you just said, nobody holds this title quite like I do.  There have been those that have speculated that I've lost a step since my time away from the ring, but I promise this to you...you are going to get every bit of the Rick Rude of yesteryear as well as the new and improved Rick Rude when we square off at Backlash.  You will get nothing less than the Franchise at Backlash, and I expect nothing less than the best of the Diabetic Dragon.

Rude lowers the microphone and extends his hand as a sign of respect for Kyle.   

[rawisrey]

The screen in the arena lights up with Shinsuke Nakamura sitting someone in a red lit part of the arena, shaking his head as he begins to speak in Japanese with his every word subtitled on screen for the audience.



Shinsuke Nakamura: Swerve, Swerve, Swerve. You seem to be getting angrier and angrier week in and week out. Why is this? Because I made your eyes burn a little bit? Ah? Because I blinded your newest little friend? I understand being upset for these unfortunate events, but to harbor anger towards me for them? Why? Being Targeted by me is the same as encountering a great calamity. You don't need to think so hard about it. Rains, winds, volcano eruptions, earthquakes. Nobody tries to swear revenge on a natural disaster, no matter how many lives it takes. Why not just stop fussing over the issue all the time, and live quietly to earn your daily wage. But no you have that scowl on your face all the time, you come charging to me when I finish playing with your friend Priest, I thought you to be cool, calm, and collected.

Shinsuke rubs his face into his hand as he seems frustrated, beginning to slap his hand onto his forehead.

I never thought it would be so easy to get into your head. You were supposed to be more complex, more difficult to crack...Just...More. Alas when pressure is applied to you, you are just as breakable as anyone else. A pity. Yes, a real shame. I would almost lose interest in you, however a deal is a deal. Your Prince Nana and I made a deal, offering you up as my first target upon my return. I spoke the words directly to him, and he shook my hand without a second thought. If you truly are angry for the position you find yourself in thanks to me, it is him you need to blame. He chose to hear no evil when I spoke to him, and roped you into my web. You're associate Damien Priest, chose to try and interfere in our matters. Not seeing his place in our business, and that is out of it. So I chose to use a newer technique on him, one that will leave him in the dark for a little longer than normal. Now Damien Priest will see no evil, as I have gifted him the inability to witness what I do to you. This all leads up to you, Swerve. The man who made a name for himself so quickly, who won the Prime Time Medal at Wrestlemania, the talk of the town. You will be unable to speak any evil, as I leave you unconscious in the middle of this ring and take from you your great accomplishment before you even have time to enjoy it.

Shinsuke chuckles to himself and speaks in English.

Whose house? You know, you should be careful who you invite into your house...

Nakamura gets a sinister smirk across his face, as he speaks in Japanese once more.

For when I decide I like it, I will leave you homeless and broken. And as you shed tears of scarlet, I want you to remember the mistakes in your life that have brought you to me. How you allowed your representative to get comfortable and not recognize what he's getting you into, how you failed to protect your very own friends from the battles meant for you, and how you kept coming to me. Blindly looking for a fight against the King of Strong Style, well if that is what you desire. I shall blind you myself.

Shinsuke puts his two fingers to his neck, seemingly massaging his poison fog gland, but simply smirking and shaking his head.

I don't even need to use that, because I can make your eyes close so many other ways. I am the consequences of your actions, and your entire enterprise will fall in the face of my one man kingdom.

[Fauche]

There's definitely a contingent of the crowd who don't wanna see those hands shake. Among the thousands out in the stands tonight are those who remember the nWo's incomparable reign of terror of Revolution, and they aren't so enthusiastic about this reunion. There's the Kyle stans, too, who for sure don't trust the Ravishing One's charm one bit. The Canadian Psycho turns out those nay-sayers and accepts Rick's gesture, clasping and shaking hands with the reigning champ in the center of the squared circle to a markedly mixed reaction. When said handshake is over and done with, Kyle lifts his mic to speak again.

KO'R: Dude... no doubt about it, you're getting an a hundred percent, uncut, fully loaded Kyle O'Reilly AT BACKLASH. And whoever turns out to be the best man between us - one thing's for sure, and that's that these fans are gonna get what they paid for. I'm talking about that Match of the Year kinda stuff that gets put in all the cool trailers and packages to get people hyped about pro friggin wrestling. Our best shots cut to Linkin Park's bangers on low def youtube videos. That's what I'm gunning for.

That earnestness gets the crowd sounding pretty positive again. All that smiley, huggy, high-fivey vibe floating around the ring can't last, though. This garden party needs a skunk. Bayley steps into the mix, mic up, ready to chat now.

Bayley: Now this is what I like to see! Do I deserve all the credit for setting the table for a five star dining experience? Ehhhhh... well, maybe not all the credit. For all the flack you guys are giving EC3 for trying to tear down the nWo before it can even get going again, I know that not-so-deep-down inside, ol' Ethan's a cold-blooded capitalist. And just like me, he knows a money match when he sees it. Knight versus Mac? Pssh. That's yesterday's headline. Finn Balor's TV Champ again? Booooooring. But this? Blood brothers in arms facing off for a legendary... prestigious... time-honoured, championship belt? That's gonna sell tickets and turn on televisions.

She looks from her Special Friend to her Step-Brother, smirking at both.

Bayley: And hey, yeah, sure, buddies scrap sometimes. But that's all good! Its not the first time the nWo has seen some civil war. Whether its the King of the Ring last summer or that tournament all those years ago that reinstated the tag team titles - the black and white brand's quality is iron sharpened by iron. For all the... well... for the admittedly slightly sus stunts you guys pulled back in the day, when it came down to family business, its always been honour among thieves, right?

Another smirk at champion and challenger before The "Good Guy" turns to set her sites on Eric Bischoff.



Bayley: Which is why I thought you'd be a little more excited about this one... Bisch. Your boy isn't fighting for gold against a wild card like Orange Cassidy this time out. You don't have to worry about Vincent's goons coming 'round... or anyone else for that matter. This is strictly nWo business, which is to say, no funny business. That sounds to me like a night off for you.

The UWF's a crazy, chaotic place, and look, I get it. I've been out here running safety for Kyle just in case shit hits the fan before, just like you've done so well for Rick for all these years. But AT BACKLASH, well sheesh, I'm gonna be in a neutral corner, cheering both guys on same-same. I'm talking equal Ra-Ra for my step bro and my boyfr - er, my good friend. No favouritism from me.

We all know you're a Rick Rude guy first and foremost, so since we're trying to keep this one above board, maybe you just park your impartial keister backstage and let this one play out fair and square, huh?

There's a real awkward tension building in the ring now. Bayley keeps rolling regardless.

Bayley; Unless you... wait... you're not worried that Rick can't win without you, are you? I get that your nervous about the New Girl coming around the nWo clubhouse and fixing up the place a little, ya know, putting a little modern touch-up on things - but I hear you talking crap about me and that's just got me wondering... how valuable is Eric Bischoff to this team?

That's a line crossed but Bayley puts up a defensive hand as she quickly pivots to doing some damage cntrl.

Bayley: Don't get me wrong! I'm not trying to imply you aren't! That would be nuts! I'm like... ya know... wondering a little... does Eric Bischoff truly believe that Rick Rude needs him to win? And... like... if Eric Bischoff thinks Rick Rude is good enough to win without him, why does need to skulk around ringside for all his matches all the time?

Cause me? I think The Raaaaaaaaaavishing One is the cream of the crop. People always bust Kyle's balls for playing second fiddle to Larry. I think it cuts the other way, too. I think there are people out there who actually doubt Rick's talent and success because every time he racks up another Hall of Fame worthy achievement, well, there's Eric Bischoff on the replay video grabbing and ankle or distracting the Referee or whatever the hell else.

She steps back and places a hand on her step-bro's shoulder.

Bayley: At Wrestlemania, Kyle went above and beyond to show the whole world what he can do on his own. So maybe before we get too carried away with this awesome nWo reunion tour, we pump the breaks a little and give that same world the chance to see if Rick Rude can... I mean... HOW MUCH Rick Rude can do on his own.

Whaddya say, Easy E?

Then tension has spilled out of the ring and into the air as Bayley passes the spotlight over to Bischoff.

[mattchewie]

Rude lifts his eyebrows and smiles, as if with a look of surprise and turns to look at Eric and shrugs. Rude hands the microphone over to Bischoff. Bischoff’s expression is that of amusement as he slowly nods his head. He lifts the microphone.

Bischoff: Well, maybe Rick was right after all…you do have a backbone. Kudos to you for attempting to throw a wrench into a friendship that has lasted almost as long as you have been alive, Bootylicious B. Go on and play the “I’m not really saying anything” card all that you want, but you’ve got the “sowing the seeds of destruction” part downpat. I would like to address something that you said, though…does it truly bother you that bad that sometimes I lend Rick a helping hand?

The crowd answers on behalf of Bayley with a chorus of boos. Bischoff looks over to Rick who is still cringing from the Bootylicious comment.

Bischoff: So, let me get this straight…Bayley wants me to allow Rick to enter this match and fly solo…and so do you people?

Again, the crowd answers only this time with a loud cheer. Bischoff takes a moment to consider the thought

Bischoff: Not going to happen! While I have no doubt in my mind that Rick is going to be able to pull out the win in this match, I still do not trust you, Bayley. I trust you enough to let you into the fold of the nWo, but when I look at you…I see a power hungry girl who would be willing to do whatever it took to ensure her client’s success as well as to vanquish my services to Rick so that you could reap every bit of the glory all on your own! As goody two-shoes as you may seem, these people haven’t really had a chance to witness what you’re actually capable of. Neither have we. So it is for that reason, that I will remain at ringside for this match, just to keep you in check.

Another stifling of boos ripple through the crowd as Bischoff points at Bayley. Bischoff then holds up his hand at an attempt to continue

Bischoff: That is not to imply that I somehow distrust Kyle, whatsoever. Kyle is blood. Kyle is family. We’ve traveled this world far and wide together, I’ve seen him at his best as well as his worst. I wholeheartedly trust that he will be in this match to make it as honest of an effort that he knows how to. The same as Rick. The only wild cards in this whole match are you and I, Bayley. I have never done anything to make Rick doubt me or to have him ditch me for some random kid….have you? Oh, too soon?

Bischoff cringes and looks to the crowd.

Bischoff: So, please…I ask of you people…save some of that hate for Backlash because you may need it to truly let Bayley know the error of her ways when push comes to shove! Have I ever blurred the lines of what is right and what is wrong in order to help my client win? Absolutely. Will I do it again? Hell yes! But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to do it in this match, I’ve got far too much respect for either of these men.

Bischoff turns to face Rude and places his hand over his heart.

Bischoff: I solemnly swear to you, Rick that I will only act out of your best interest, as I have done many times in the past. I will only be there to keep this chick in check. I swear the same to you, Kyle. It’s like they always say…bros before–

Bischoff is cut off by Rude snatching the microphone from his hand. A hushed reaction falls over the crowd. Bischoff’s expression is that of pure shock. Rude slowly raises the microphone.

Rude: Eric, I had to stop you before you said something that you would have sorely regretted.

Rude looks to Bayley with an apologetic look, then looks to Kyle. His glance begins slowly trading between the two of them.

Rude: Bayley, I only want to correct you on one thing. That is that this belt used to be legendary and prestigious. The last time that I held this strap, it was perhaps the most coveted belt in the company, not knocking Larry whenever I say that, by the way. I’m just stating that this belt has been tarnished over the years during my absence. I don’t know about you, Kyle…but I say we put on an old fashioned barn burner of a match and bring some prestige back to this title and make it something worth fighting for in the process? I’m with Bayley whenever she says that McIntyre and Knight are yesterday’s headlines. After Backlash, all I want to see in the headlines are about how spectacular of a match that we had. It has been a long time since I’ve truly been pushed to my very limit. Sure, I’ve been beaten a few times since my return…but to have had a match in which I’m truly dragging around the ring, barely mobile? I hope that you can be the one to bring me to that point. You are one of the few individuals in this company who could match my technical prowess or could even withstand my brute force and you know damn well that I am one of the very few who can withstand every ounce of the brutality that you’ve got to bring to the table. I just hate that Bayley is going to have to be ringside to witness what we will be bringing out in each other, but at the same time…what better way than to remind all of those clowns in the back just how dangerous each of us are?

Rude takes a moment to stare Kyle straight in the eye to gauge Kyle’s readiness for his challenge. Rude then looks over to Bayley and then to Bischoff.

Rude: Kyle, I already know that the two of us are going to be able to keep this a civil conversation…but it appears that our colleagues are a bit hot under the collar already. I’m going to give Eric a few moments to collect himself and behave properly, but in the meantime, I feel like there is something that you should know. I don’t plan on being the new and improved Rick Rude, I don’t plan on being just the veteran ring general. I also don’t plan on bringing back the Rick Rude of my glory days. What I do plan on, however, is bringing to you a combination of all three, and then some. I’m inspired by this match, I’ve got a fire lit under me. I’m in the ring with someone that I trust wholeheartedly, and I know that what we’re capable of…this company has rarely seen. Meltzer hasn’t even come up with a rating yet that is going to be worthy of rating this match when we’re finished. If you think that your youth is going to be there to help you be more agile and more athletic, then I hate to break it to you…but I’m going to be hot on your heels through this entire match. Tests of strength? I guaran-damn-tee you that it will be you that buckles before me. You want it to be a technicians bout? There are moves that I’ve forgotten that you haven’t even learned yet! And that’s not trash talking, that’s simply a promise to bring to you the very best that I have to offer, quite possibly the very best that I’ve ever put into a match in my career. I just hope that you’re able to handle all of it. The match that I’m planning on having, we are going to show Mr. Carter his mistake of not booking us as the main event of Wrestlemania wrestling for the big title!

The crowd gets fully behind Rude on that last statement as they erupt into cheers. Bischoff simply claps along with them.

[Dres]

The scene opens on Vincent walking through a graveyard, the camera filming him from the side as he has his hands in his pockets and is looking ahead. Suddenly he stops as the camera zooms in a little closer to hear him speak.

Vincent: In my years in the UWF, I’ve put a lot of things and people in their eternal resting place and been the killer I profess myself to be. There’s no questioning that. But this time is a bit different because usually, my intended victim cowers in some way or hesitates to engage me. Mighty Caleb is instead hungry for the challenge. Well all I’ve got to say to that is prepare your palate, Caleb, because you’ve bitten off more than you can chew this time and it’s going to put you in a state of overwhelm the likes of which you’ve never experienced before. And when you’re in a broken heap, blood coming from every imaginable orifice, I’ll pose this question to you: was it worth it?

Vincent continues walking as the scene fades to black.

[Dres]

The scene opens up on Sinn and Abadon standing backstage looking ahead into the camera.

Sinn: What a delightful turn of events, Abadon! Here we are with another pay-per-view match which means another opportunity to show why The Collapse is dangerous! Eddie, Eve, it’s simple to understand what’s going to happen to you at Backlash. You’re going to be bludgeoned by me, and then devoured by her. Hahahahaha!

[Chase]

We cut to a scene of Roamn Reigns working out



We hear the voice of the Strategist the new wiseman Samoa Joe speaking

Samoa Joe: You know I heard once before from an old rival that not all men are created equal. And this goes for Roman Reigns. You see my Tribal Chief he is the one that makes this industry turn. And day in and day out he is putting in the work to get better to be better. You see I feel bad for you Tomasso Ciampa. You have such a good story here in the UWF. You have done nothing but surpass the expectations that was laid out in front of you. Though you see the difference between you and the Tribal Chief it's minimal. You see the Tribal Chief expectations is like he always says are levels above the mere expectations you set for yourself. You wake up at 7 AM thinking that is early. My Tribal Chief is up at 4 AM because he is thinking of the different timezones we are in. That is what it means to be greatness on a different level. That is what i means to take your game to the next level now Tomasso Ciampa are you ready for that next level.

Roman is done doing squats and he moves over to a bench and he starts doing dumbell rows and Samoa Joe in a suit is in the gym nodding in approval

Samoa Joe: You see this is a man who is focused with the task at hand. He is ready to become the UWF champion and now all he has to prove to you of what happened at Wrestlemania was nothing more than a fluke. Ciampa this payperview is called Backlash for a reason. You thought you were done. You thought you could move on but here comes the Tribal Chief ready to show you there is reprecussions when you gloat like you beat him. It took two men to take down a man who is up there with Gods. Tomasso come Backlash you will be reminded who is the king of the pretend throne that you like to claim to sit on.

Roman is donne working out and he takes off his shirt and he throws it he stands next to his wiseman and he speaks.

Roman Reigns: Tomasso... If you think that Backlash is going to be a fairy tale ending for you forget about it. What is going to happen is that I am going to smash you like I did weeks ago on Revolution. You will be reminded of how much of a mere mortal you just are. You can use your serpent tongue all you want to berate and belittle me but your words are going to be like your fists to me nothing but empty and hollow. You won't be able to beat me. I won't allow you to ever think that on this green Earth that you're even close to my level. You Ciampa are just in my way of what will be the year of Roman Reigns. I will meet you in the middle of that ring before Backlash. Rest assured you will see me face to face. But I needed to show you. I needed you to physically see with my your own two eyes why I am better than you. You see the work I put in is somehting you will never understand. You need strong shoulders to carry this company and Ciampa you will never have the strength to do so. You're a role player a good guy off the bench. You talked about someone being the Quarterback and that Quarterback is me. I am the franchise. I am the reason why you have a pay per view match. You think you go this based off your own merit? No it's because I chose to face you and they give the Tribal Chief the big matches. You Ciampa need to understand your place. But you will because after Backlash you will have no choice but to acknowledge me.

Roman Reigns looks intensley into the camera as it fades away.