Post by Danny on Aug 25, 2018 0:32:15 GMT -6
Pyro goes off all throughout the arena and the camera zooms around, showing numerous fans all showing their support for the return of NXT, We then go ringside where Corey Graves and Tom Phillips are standing by.
Tom Phillips: Hello ladies and gentlemen and welcome to NXT! I'm Tom Phillips and with me is my broadcast partner, former International Champion, Corey Graves.
Corey Graves: Wrestlemania is just a few weeks away and NXT's card is stacked! Apparently, even more will be announced tonight!
Tom Phillips: I've also heard of some rumblings about matches being changed. We'll find out soon enough but tonight we have ourselves two huge matches including a Summerslam rematch!
Corey Graves: CM Punk takes on Kevin Steen and Spike Dudley goes one on one with Dolph Ziggler. All these men looking to make a statement heading into Wrestlemania so without further ado, let's get on to our first match of the night!
Tony Chimel: Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Ireland and weighing 190 pounds... Finn BALOR!
As that theme begins to play the fans get on their feet, excited to see Finn Balor here tonight. Balor trots out onto the stage in his black jacket, arms extended to his sides as he grins, the fans cheering him on while the lights pulse with his epic theme music. He then heads down to the ring, performing all of his standard theatrics on his way down. The fans cheer at the appropriate moments and are quite excited as Finn's theme is killed and he heads to his corner to await his foe.
Tony Chimel: And his opponent, from Minneapolis, Minnesota and weighing 315 pounds, representing the Wyatt Family and accompanied by Bray Wyatt... ERICK ROWAN!
The lights go out, the fireflies come up in the crowd and a moment later the lantern appears on the stage, two bearded figures lurking just on the periphery of its light. The lantern descends the ramp, circles the ring and then pauses at the foot of the ring steps before one of the bearded figures Bray Wyatt, now fully visible in the closer light draws close enough to blow it out. He does so as the house lights come up, Erick Rowan already ascending the ring steps and entering the ring while the official performs his pre-match checks and calls for the bell.
DING DING DING!
The bell sounds and our two competitors stare each other down for several long seconds before one of them Finn Balor starts to move. Balor moves out to the right, looking perhaps to flank his opponent as Rowan steps out from the corner. Finn moves in and tries to wrap his arms around the much larger man's waist, but Rowan simply throws out a side elbow that connects flush with Balor's jaw and staggers the smaller Irishman. Rowan then grabs Balor and throws him into the ropes, bending over and tossing Balor clear overhead and into the air at least ten feet with a nasty back body drop.
Corey Graves: That looks like it hurt, Tom.
Tom Phillips: Ten feet in the air at least. That's a long drop, Corey.
Balor lands hard on the canvas and Rowan allows no separation, immediately dropping to one knee beside his fallen foe and clubbing the back of his head relentlessly with forearms for several seconds before the official orders him off. The blunt trauma to the back of Balor's skull has left the Irishmen dazed as the fans boo Rowan, but Bray Wyatt shouts some encouraging words from the outside that catch Erick's ear.
Tom Phillips: Finn Balor versus Erick Rowan. You can't help but feel like ECIII was trying to create a huge mismatch here, Corey.
Corey Graves: Well Tom, I'll give you this much there is a huge discrepancy in styles here in the ring tonight. Finn Balor is technically one of the most gifted wrestlers in the game, a genuine athlete, while Erick Rowan is 315 pounds of pure, distilled brutality. I'm not sure who's going to win here tonight.
Balor gets back to his feet slowly. Bray laughs on the outside and Finn shoots him an icy glare before running at his protege. Unfortunately, Rowan is ready and simply runs into Balor, grounding him. Balor gets to his feet and Rowan is there, driving a knee into his gut that bends him over before hooking around his waist, lifting him up onto one shoulder, and executing a picture-perfect powerslam.
Tom Phillips: What a thunderous powerslam!
Rowan doesn't even bother for a cover as he gets to his feet and hauls Balor up to his, then dumps him into a corner. Rowan then follows him over and starts to connect with a series of kicks to Balor's torso before he lifts his foot, leaning on the ropes for leverage, and uses his boot to choke Finn.
Corey Graves: Thus far Erick Rowan has simply been dominant and it's as though he has no interest in actually winning this match, Tom.
Rowan keeps the chokehold in for as long as the official allows it, then backs off, walking over to his corner to confer with Bray who is offering him some instructions. Most of those instructions are inaudible, but "DESTROY HIM!" is clear enough to be picked up on the cameras (and by the fans, who boo). Rowan turns back around and heads for Balor but as he does, Finn surges out of the corner and connects with a running forearm! The Irishman bounces back and lands on his feet and Rowan is reeling, so Finn hits the ropes and comes back with another forearm but once more there is no give from Rowan and so Finn recoils and lands on his feet.
Tom Phillips: Successive forearms don't seem to be having much effect on Erick Rowan, Corey.
Corey Graves: Rowan is a literal mountain of a man and here Finn Balor is, chipping away with the equivalent of an ice pick.
Now, Balor falls back into the ropes one more time but as he comes back, Finn goes low this time and connects with a chop block! Rowan falls to one knee and Balor follows through with his surge of momentum, hitting the ropes opposite and rebounding, but as he does Rowan surges to his feet, turns around, catches Finn and swings him around to bring him thundering down with a MASSIVE spinebuster! The ring shakes, the fans explode in a gasp followed by some heat, and Balor writhes on the canvas as Rowan roars and thumps his chest.
Tom Phillips: Just when it looked like Finn Balor was building some momentum...
Corey Graves: Erick Rowan busted it up with authority, Tom.
Rowan heads over to Balor, who is slowly getting to his feet, and then grabs his face in a clawhold! Balor struggles against it, but Rowan's grip is like a vice as he brings his free hand up to brace Balor's skull from behind and tightens the hold. Rowan then roars as he spins around, throwing Balor unceremoniously across the ring with one hand! Balor lands hard and rolls across the ring, but catches himself using the ropes and gets to his feet quickly. He surges forward but as he does so, he does it straight into a big boot! Rowan laughs maniacally as Finn again lands hard on the canvas, blinking and clearly seeing stars.
Corey Graves: Finn Balor just can't get anything going here. Erick Rowan is focused and he's violent.
Rowan again heads to his corner to converse with Wyatt while Balor simply lies on his back, shaking his head and trying to make some sort of sense of what's happening. After several seconds, Rowan heads over to Balor and pulls him to his feet, then grabs him by the throat. The fans are booing, clearly knowing what Rowan has in mind as he prepares to lift Balor for Greetings From the North but as he does, Finn drops behind him and shoves him from behind into the corner. Rowan manages to stop himself but when he turns around, Finn hits him with a dropkick at full speed which sends his head bouncing off the second turnbuckle! Rowan falls forward and turns over just as Balor climbs up the top rope. He doesn't waste any time jumping off with the Coup De Grace!
1...
2...
...3!
DING DING DING!
Here is your winner,
Finn Balor!
Tom Phillips: Finn Balor, after being dominated for the entire match by an Erick Rowan who didn't seem interested in putting him away but instead in prolonging his suffering manages to come away with the win!
Corey Graves: It's not pretty, but it's one for the 'W' column and that's the most impor-- look out!
As Finn attempts to celebrate his victory, Bray Wyatt enters the ring and attacks him from behind with clubbing blows! Finn turns around to defend himself and the pair begin trading a flurry of blows before Finn gets the upper hand, driving Bray back to the ropes. Finn the runs to the ropes opposite and comes looking for a lariat but Wyatt springs to action, grabbing him in the Sister Abigail clutch before planting him with the powerful maneuver! Balor convulses on the canvas after the impact before rolling into the fetal position as Bray gets to his feet, Rowan joining him at his side. The pair look over Balor, smirking, as the feed moves on.
The scene opens up to Kurt Angle in the backstage area.
Kurt Angle: Tonight is just going to be a little preview of what I have in store for the rest of 2017. I see an opportunity that I will not and cannot let slip between my fingers. Too many times it has eluded me, but this time, I will grab it. In just a few short weeks, a briefcase with a one way ticket to the International Championship will be dangling over the ring. Six men will have the chance to get it, but up until now, only two men other than me have been heard from since the announcement of that match. Perhaps the others already know that they will fail, or maybe the weight of being the champion of the show is too much for them, so they headed for the hills. Maybe they would rather film movies or play around with pyro and fireworks. Whatever the case is, only one out of the few that has spoken is worthy of being mentioned. So he thinks he is my competition, yet he is far from it.
You see, Baron Corbin. That name is synonymous with nothing. It means jack diddly squat, which is equivalent to the amount of success that you have attained here, current run or not. Baron, tonight and at WrestleMania, you will learn firsthand why the others are scared to show up. Youll see why that briefcase is mine before the match even starts. It all will begin tonight. You have a knack for disappearing yourself when the lights get the brightest. So as the days and weeks pass by and WrestleMania draws near, will you vanish again and hide in the woods like the lone wolf that you are?
You might as well, because when you show up at WrestleMania, the only thing youre leaving with is a significantly bruised ego to go along with the fact that you will be without a brief case. You can take that tape off your Hardcore title to put yourself and your ego back together though.
Angle then stares into the camera as the scene fades to black.
We hear his theme and he comes out with ladder that shaped like the MITB match this upcoming WrestleMaina. He then slides it into the ring and he rolls inside of it, then he sets the ladder up and gets a mic from the outside. Then he slowly climbs up the ladder and sits on the top, with a mic on his hand. Then he signals his theme to stop, and the audiences were giving mixed jeers as he speaks.
Blackman: I am here tonight to say how honored I am to be apart of this years Wrestlemaina's Money In The Bank. You see, i've never ever been apart of that during my real time in a company that shall be nameless. Ever since, i've stepped to the scene of UWF building in 2014, i've been apart of the most greatest moments in my career here. Being a multi time Tag Team Champions with Snow, being the one to end Rhyno's reign as Hardcore Champion, and even succumbing to Decay's bullshit. For all those good moments, there have been some times that i've questioned myself.
Some of the questions are...
Will I have the shot at the International Heavyweight Championship and cement my legacy as one of the best in NXT?
Will I have the shot at the Intercontinental Championship and take out an Uso in the process?
Will I have to tell Decay to get their shit together and run things as Tag Team Champions?
OR... this is a HUGE OR...
Will I become a THREE TIME, yes you heard me, THREE TIME Hardcore Champion and rule WITH my brutality and my wickedness and put people like our champion on notice on who's the REAL Hardcore manic in NXT.
These questions might be answers soon come Maina, and I hope you fans will see me on top of this ladder with me holding the briefcase. I have to deal with FIVE other men in this match, I am not fazed by anyone of them. In fact, i've probably have fought em in another time and I can't wait to take em all out in order to reach to the top.
When it is time for Wrestlemaina to arrive, the Era of Dead Prez shall wreck havoc among NXT.
Then we see him lowering his mic and drinks in the audiences jeers, as the next segment shifts.
The scene is taken to an undisclosed backstage area where the New Hardcore Champion Baron Corbin is. His soulless eyes look dead into the camera as he delivers his speech.
Baron Corbin
We are just weeks away from WrestleMania, where I will be in the biggest match of my career, The Money in the Bank match, yet tonight I have to play babysitter for Bill Goldberg. Because tonight I am forced to team up with that big idiot to take on Kurt Angle and... Matt Riddle. Yes, ladies and gentlemen I have to face Matt Freaking Riddle once again.
Baron shakes his head in disgust.
Baron Corbin
This is whole match, this whole tag team thing is quite honestly a giant waste of my time. I don't like Goldberg, in fact, I've already beaten Goldberg before but tonight I have to team up with him and carry him. Tonight he'll be nothing but dead weight to me. So Goldberg, you're welcome for this win tonight because we all know who did the real work in this match. And as for Matt Riddle...ha. I guess NXT management just wanted to see me beat him up once again but to tell you the truth, I'm getting pretty tired of it.
Corbin pauses for a brief second.
Baron Corbin
And Kurt, we actually have a lot in common tonight. We're both forced to team with someone who is clearly below us. We both are forced to try to carry our less than stellar partners to victory. If Matt had any brains left in that punched out head of his, he'd let you do all the work. And Kurt, you may be better than Goldberg, and you're better than Riddle, but don't get any ideas that you're better than me. Remember who your king is. Even an Olympic medalist will bow.. To the King.
IF YA SMELLLLLLL
WHAT THE ROCK
IS COOKIN'
The roof blows off of the building as the most electrifying theme in sports entertainment plays on. The Rock steps out onto the entrance ramp looking very disgruntled sporting the People's Eyebrow over top of his very expensive sunglasses.
Tony Chimel:The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the Intercontinental Championship! Introducing first, from Hollywood California, weighing in at 260 pounds, The Rock!
The Rock makes his way down the ramp and slides into the ring. He goes over to the corner and lifts his fist up as the crowd explodes into cheers. He then gets down and waits for his cousins to make their appearance.
The ever-popular duo emerge from the back to a large pop and perform their signature war dance on the stage, which only gets the fans more hyped for the contest. As their music begins, the Usos high-five and then head down the ramp, clapping hands with eager fans the entire way down. Jimmy seems pumped for the contest and eagerly heads to the ring.
Tony Chimel: And his opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Jey Uso, from San Francisco California, weighing in at 251 pounds, Jimmy Uso!
Jimmy enters the ring and doesn't back down from his successful cousin. He actually sizes him up as the ref starts the match.
DING DING DING
Jimmy walks up to The Rock and extends his hand, looking for thing to stay civil between the family much like their last match. The Rock smiles and decides to shake it but Jimmy instead slaps him across the face! The crowd is in shock as that was the last thing they expected from Jimmy.
Tom Phillips: Jimmy Uso just slapped The Rock!
Corey Graves: Haha I couldn't be any happier!
The Rock's face is still turned away from Jimmy because of that slap. He slowly turns his head back to Jimmy as if to say "really?" but he's prepared for a Superkick by Jimmy Uso! The Rock is dazed, bouncing off the ropes and getting poped up into a Samoan Drop! The crowd is pumped at this new side of Jimmy but The Rock gets up and walks over to the corner to rest against the turnbuckles. Jimmy runs at him and hits the stinger splash! The Rock falls to a seated position after the stinger splash in the corner as Jimmy backs into the opposite corner. He's getting hyped up for the running hip attack, yelling out to the crowd, them chanting along with him.
Jimmy: OOOHH!
Crowd: Sos!
Jimmy: OOOHH!
Crowd: Sos!
Jimmy: OOOHH!
Crowd: Sos!
Jimmy charges forward and hits his cousin right in the face with the running hip attack! Jimmy then pulls The Rock out of the corner and decides to go straight up top. Nobody can believe what is even happening right now as the surprise attack came out of nowhere. It's not long until Jimmy leaps off with the Samoan Splash right on top of the Great One! Jimmy waste no time in hooking both legs for a deep cover.
1 . . .
2 . . .
3 . . .
Tony Chimel:Here is your winner, and STILL the Intercontinental Champion, Jimmy Uso!
Jimmy gets his hand raised and he celebrates his big win over his cousin until the lights suddenly go out.
The lights come back on and Bray Wyatt is behind Jimmy Uso. Jimmy doesn't recognize it until he turns around and gets planted with the Sister Abigail! Bray is laughing maniacally and grabs the Intercontinental Championship and lifts it up high. He points to the Wrestlemania sign to cheers but he doesn't realize that the fans aren't cheering him, they're cheering Finn Balor who has come into the ring and hits him with a dropkick to the corner. Wyatt falls down and rolls over as Balor climbs up the ropes, setting up the Coup De Grace until...
The lights go off and come back on with Wyatt nowhere to be seen. Finn jumps down and looks at the Intercontinental Championship on the ground. He picks it up and points to the Wrestlemania sign, the crowd cheering once more until the scene fades out.
A limousine arrives backstage. The crowd eagerly awaits the arrival of whoever is inside. The audience pops and chants 'Y2J' as Chris Jericho exits the limo.
Renee Young rushes to interview Jericho.
Renee Young : Chris Jericho, welcome back to-
Jericho takes her microphone away and turns to the camera.
Chris Jericho : That's right. I'm back on NXT for the first time in over a year, and I'm here to show everyone that Y2J's still got it. I'm here to show everyone that I'm not only the most talented, or best looking, but that I'm also the best in the world at what I do.
The crowd pops and chants louder for 'Y2J'.
And if I have to go through Jimmy Uso, or The Rock, or Baron Corbin, or Dolph Ziggler, or Spike Dudley, or any of the other stupid idiots in the locker room to prove it, I will.
But most of all, I'm just here to give the NXT fans the gift of Jericho. Drink it in, maaaaaan.
Jericho walks off with the mic.
The titantron switches from the UWF NXT graphic to a live feed from backstage, where the Young Bucks - that's UWF Transatlantic and UWF Open The Sub-Saharan Gate Champion Matt Buck and UWF Arctic Death Match Champion Nick Jackson - also the UWF Baltic Nations Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions and two-thirds of the UWF Oceanic Six-Man Tag Team Champions - are shown walking down the hallway with The Proletariat Boar of Moldova. The Bucks are decked out in most if not all of their gold. It makes walking around difficult. Soon, they stop outside of a door with a EXIT sign above it. It probably leads outside.
Boar: Last week, we did an excellent job of Seizing the Means of Production! But there is still much work to be done!
Nick: Cool man. But when are we gonna get The Union officially recognized so we can give the power back to the wrestlers?
Matt: And so we can get rid of that smarmy douche Ethan Carter?
Boar: Patience! Do you think that the Means are Simply Seized over night? No! They must be Seized piece by piece, bit by bit, inch by inch, bourgeoisie scum life by bourgeoisie scum life.
Matt: I still don't know what that word means. Or even how to say it. And I've heard you say it like... seventy-three times now.
Boar: Enough! There's work to do. Gentlemen, I give you...
The Proletariat Boar kicks open the door under the EXIT sign to reveal the private parking lot, where a large semi truck is parked.
Boar: The Means of Production.
Matt: The Production Truck?
The Proletariat Boar smiles (maybe, its hard to tell) and nods.
Boar: Yes! It is from this truck that the television broadcast is controlled. If we take it over, WE will control the show!
Nick: That's... not a bad idea!
Matt: Let's do it!
The Bucks drop their heaps of titles before running up to the truck. They fling open the door, burst inside, and just start Superkicking faces left and right. It doesn't take them long to clear out the few feeble staff inside. Tossing them out the door, they call for the Boar to join them before locking themselves inside.
Matt: Ha! We did it! Suck it Means of Production! You've been Seized!
Boar: A glorious victory!
Nick: Yeah, haha... wait...
Nick starts looking around at the keyboards and monitors lining the trailer walls...
Matt: Sup tho?
Matt leans over to see what's wrong.
Nick: All of these buttons are in Spanish. And this broadcast feed is from the Spanish announce team. And this screen says "El Rey feed".
Matt: Wait... so...
Nick: I think we Seized the Means of the Spanish Language Production.
Matt: Well... DANG.
Matt kicks the wall in frustration.
Boar: It is fine. A Means of Production is a Means of Production, regardless of the language. This is a victory still!
Nick: Well, if you say so man. You're the expert here.
Nick shrugs as Matt nurses his foot. The three of them stand there for a moment in awkward silence.
Nick: So, uh, what now?
Boar: Take over the Production!
Nick: Yeah. Yeah. Does anyone here speak Spanish?
Matt: Or Mexican?
Nick: Dude, it's like... the same thing.
Matt: What?
Nick: Hey, Boar, what are you doing?
It would turn out that what the Boar was doing was google translating the Communist Manifesto en masse into Spanish before setting up a page-by-page slideshow to air over the rest of the broadcast in Hispanic markets. Though the Bucks didn't realize what was happening, it would lead to major lawsuits at a later date.
Boar: And... our work is done. Let us leave, before before the pawns of the oppressive classists arrive!
The Bucks nod and lead the way out of the trailer, grabbing their titles before sneaking back inside. NXT continues elsewhere. Unless you're watching in Spanish.
The engine revs and the guitar riffs and the sound of the booing crowd completes the entrance music of Baron Corbin. The Lone Wolf and Hardcore Champion steps out from the back, and slowly makes his way to the start of the ramp. He pauses for a second before stretching his arms to his sides to be show his Hardcore Title.
Tony Chimel: The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Kansas City, weighing in at 275 pounds, he is the Hardcore Champion, Baron Corbin!
Corbin's face shows anything but happiness, though, as he actually looks annoyed. He walks to the ring, but before entering he takes a few laps around, still looking pissed off. He heads into the ring and waits for his partner this week.
The unmistakable sound of Goldberg's into hits the speakers inside the arena, forcing the crowd to leap to their feet with a chorus of boos. As da man makes his way to the center of the stage, he takes a good hard look around before being overcome with sparks of pyro. The pyro clears and the beast of a man makes his way to the ring.
Tony Chimel: And his partner, from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 270 pounds, Goldberg!
Goldberg gets into the ring and goes right up to Corbin. The two exchange words, not looking all too friendly until the next man makes his way out.
Kurts music blares throughout the arena as the Olympic Gold Medalist makes his way down the ramp to a thunderous ovation from the crowd. He stops for his signature pyro and continues to walk down the ramp.
Tony Chimel: And their opponent, first from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, weighing in at 240 pounds, Kurt Angle!
Angle waits at the bottom of the ramp for his tag team partner to make his way out next.
The familiar sound being "Regulate" by Warren G, signaling the arrival of Matt Riddle. Matt emerges from the back with a huge smile across his face. The fans instantly great him with the chants of bro, but there not quite as loud as normal. With Warren G still, blaring throughout the arena, Riddle nods his head and continues down to the ring.
Tony Chimel: And his partner, from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 209 pounds, Matt Riddle!
Riddle makes it to the ring and heads up the steps and enters the ring, walking to the middle. Riddle gets on one knee and out stretches his arms, posing for the fans before returning to his feet. Him and Angle slap hands and get ready for their match until...
Ladies and Gentlemen
E
C
3
trouble trouble trouble trouble trouble trouble trouble
trouble trouble trouble
The General Manager of NXT steps out from the back to a big negative reaction. Nobody is quite sure what's going on but Ethan has a mic and raises it to speak.
EC3: Not exactly what you were expecting was it? You see I announced this match and expected to see some fire out of you and well, some of you delivered. Things change though and just because I announce a match, that doesn't mean I can't change it. Nothing is ever set in stone and that includes your Wrestlemania status. As a matter of fact, your Money in the Bank match has been changed. After an embarrassing defeat by Jimmy Uso, I've decided that The Rock is not cut out for this and instead will be replaced by the returning Chris Jericho. I was going to really change up that match to add in Jimmy Uso as well but consider yourselves saved as Jimmy will be defending the Intercontinental Championship against Bray Wyatt and Finn Balor. As for this match, I'm switching things up a bit. Instead of Goldberg and Baron Corbin facing off against Matt Riddle and Kurt Angle, now it's Angle and Corbin vs Riddle and Goldberg. Good luck.
EC3 smirks and walks to the back as the ref calls for the bell.
VS
DING DING DING
All four men are still standing with their old teammates. Corbin and Goldberg look at one another for a second and then right away go to fighting each other. Angle looks at Riddle who was once super stoked about teaming with Angle but Kurt gives him a big uppercut to send him into the corner. Both Riddle and Goldberg are at the mercy of Angle and Corbin in different corners. Corbin and Angle look at one another and throw their respective former partners at each other, both of them clotheslining their opponents.
Tom Phillips: For two people who seemed like they wanted to tear each other's heads off, they sure learned quickly how to work together.
Corey Graves: Of course Tom, you don't become Hardcore Champion without learning how to adjust on the fly. And to Angle, Riddle is just a budget version of him.
The ref tells them one of them needs to exit the ring and so Angle does and leaves Riddle to Corbin. Corbin has been more than ready to beat down on Riddle and happily brings him up to his feet. He gets surprised however when Riddle suddenly grabs his arm and takes him down for a fujiwara armbar! Riddle is really cinching it in and so Angle comes in and kicks him in the face. He gives Corbin a look of "Really?" as he exits the ring. Corbin returns an angry look and shakes his arm out before going to town on Riddle with some straight punches to the face. He brings Matt back up to his feet and tosses him into the ropes. Riddles comes back right into the Deep Six! He drops down and covers Riddle.
1 . . .
2 . . .
And Riddle kicks out! Corbin shakes his head and grabs Matt by the hair to lift him back to his feet. Riddle gives Corbin a stiff inside kick that hobbles him a bit, giving Riddle enough room to go over and tag in Goldberg. Da Man enters the ring looking as furious as ever. Angle ends up tagging himself, wanting some revenge after what Goldberg did to him. He enters the ring and Goldberg motions for him to come at him. Angle walks over but Goldberg comes running at him with a clothesline. Angle quickly ducks under it and ends up hitting an Angle Slam right away! He then hooks the leg for the cover.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Goldberg kicks out! Angle gets up right away and brings Goldberg with him. Da Man ends up grabbing him though and hitting a quick side suplex. He mounts Angle right away and starts to unleash a flurry of punches down on Angle. Kurt is trying to cover up but Goldberg is finding all the opens spots until Corbin comes in and gives him a big boot to the face! Now it's Corbin who gives Angle the same look he gave him earlier. Angle gets back up and shakes it off and Goldberg tags in Riddle.
Tom Phillips: This is almost a game of one upsmanship from Angle and Corbin.
Corey Graves: If I get to see Matt Riddle get beat up, I'm happy.
Riddle comes in and goes for a double leg takedown but Angle cathces his head in a front facelock and spreads his legs wide to fall forward and trap Riddle. Riddle transitions and moves into a full guard to break out of the headlock. Instead of playing Riddle's game, Angle just simply grabs the ankle and stands up, turning Matt over for the Ankle Lock! Goldberg comes in to break it up but Corbin also comes in and catches him with the End of Days! Matt has nowhere to go and wanting to save his chances in MITB rather than go at it with a bad ankle, he decides to tap out.
Tony Chimel: Here are your winners, the team of Baron Corbin and Kurt Angle!
Corbin and Angle look at each other while their hands are raised. It seems like they may break into a fight but Corbin just shakes his head and exits the ring. Angle stays in there to soak up the win a bit more until the scene fades out.
The action of NXT moves to a backstage area where we are greeted by the face of none other than Michael Cole.
Michael Cole
Ladies and gentlemen of the UWF Universe, tonight I have a rare treat for you all. An exclusive sit down interview with current NXT superstar, Owen Hart.
The camera pans out to show a stone faced Owen Hart sitting across from Michael. Owen is in a jacket and jeans, not dressed to compete and looks none too pleased to be sitting where he is. Cole continues.
Michael Cole
First of all Owen, I would like to thank you for being here. I know how difficult it is to track you down for just a single word, so being granted this interview time with you is a shock but I'm grateful for this opportunity to get to know you and your mindset a little better moving forward.
Once again, Michael's words are met with silence and an emotionless Owen staring back at him. Michael Cole reaches out to go for a hand shake, but Owen does not move. Cole pauses for a moment but once he sees that Owen isn't biting, he retracts his hand, clears his throat and keeps going.
Michael Cole
Well, I see we're skipping the pleasantries...
Owen Hart
Me being here is all the pleasantry you're going to get. So ask your questions...
Or else.
Cole adjusts his tie, now showing small signs of anxiety before starting the interview in earnest.
Michael Cole
There's a lot to go over, but let's start with what happened last week. In your match with Baron Corbin, your Wrestlemania opponent CM Punk made his way ringside as a distraction which led to Baron Corbin pinning you and becoming the new Hardcore Champion. What are your thoughts on Baron Corbin after what transpired.
For the first time Owen cracks a slight smile as he answers.
Owen Hart
My thoughts on Baron Corbin? I can honestly say I have no answer to that question because outside of last week, Baron Corbin has never been on my radar. So if you're expecting me to sit down here and ask for a rematch or threaten to destroy Baron Corbin moving forward, you're going to be disappointed. I liked what I heard from Baron Corbin ahead of our match.
"I have no interest in the Hardcore Championship. But what I do like is beating people up and this seems to be the place to do it."
I'm paraphrasing a little, but doesn't that sound familiar? I didn't want the Hardcore title either, but I had plans to further my own goals with it. That title, in the right hands, is a tool to seize success. Baron might need a little....push in the right direction, but if he decides he needs that help, he knows where to find me.
Michael Cole
So you have no ill will towards the winner of that match, but what about the actions of CM Punk during the match? What was your gut reaction at the time?
Owen Hart
Disappointment. When he came down to the ring and did nothing but stand there... Has he learned nothing from me? All that distraction did was show me that I chose poorly when I picked him out of everyone else on NXT. The main event level here has been stagnant for too long and I saw in him the greatest potential to shake things up. The greatest potential in him to destroy so that we can rebuild. I can certainly handle that process on my own, but having another monster alongside me would have made quick work of the process. But instead, he drags his feet as he always does. Following some misguided morality deep within himself and challenges me to another match.
When will he learn? When will he see that I'm not looking for him to challenge me. I'm not looking for a win or a loss.
I AM LOOKING FOR HIM TO DESTROY. TO TAKE WHAT HE WANTS ON HIS TIME. NOT ON MY TIME, NOT ON NXT'S TIME. NOT ON EC3'S TIME. BUT WHEN HE CHOOSES. I DID WHAT I DID TO SHINSUKE ON MY TIME AND HERE IS CM PUNK, STILL CHALLENGING ME TO MATCHES.
With that outburst Owen raises to his feet, his anger still showing on his face as his jaw remains clenched. Michael Cole seems shaken by this by continues the interview.
Michael Cole
Well....now onto you, Owen. When you first signed with the UWF all that time ago, you came in as a quote unquote "Mad King of Harts". But your most recent signing started off the complete opposite way. You were proud of your recovery and that part of your past remained there, in the past. You couldn't even remember what you were like during that first run when you came back. Until a piledriver from Steve Blackman you were like this. Now you seem to be slipping in and out of that same persona from your first run. When it slips out, are you aware that it's happening? Is this something you're still trying to fight?
As Michael speaks, Owen takes his seat and seems to have calmed down, but that end of Cole's questioning elicits a chuckle. Owen finishes laughing before answering.
Owen Hart
What would I fight against who I am? We all have thoughts and ideas we keep buried deep down to seem "normal". But in the end, humans are animals. Some of us are true monsters. We are here to be the best. The thing is, so many people bury these thoughts behind morals or honor that they become watered down versions of themselves. We've got 10% of who Spike Dudley really is going against 10% of who Kevin Steen really is going against 10% of who Dolph Ziggler really is and we're going to see who the best really is from that? And they're content with that reality, they're content running those same matches over and over and over again. It sickens me.
And now at Wrestlemania we've got CM Punk challenging me to a match. When he interfered he was only 10% of who he really is, but when he announced that it's a Cage of Death, he bumped that up to 15%. Still not quite there, but he's finally walking in the right direction. So with a stipulation like that, why would I fight against my true nature? The one who wants to stop this onslaught of watered down talent and force everyone to show their true colors or die in the process. I don't fight the Mad King because that's 100% of who I am. So at Wrestlemania, Punk better move from 15% to 100% real quick because he's getting the real me in the Cage of Death. And if he can't handle that, do you know what'll happen?
Owen Hart leans in towards Michael Cole as if he's going to whisper the answer to him, which causes Michael Cole to lean in as well. But before Owen can even speak, he lunges out of his chair and Lou Thesz presses Michael Cole to the ground, still in his chair. They both fall out of camera but you can still hear the sounds of Owen Hart brutalizing Michael Cole with punches. This goes on for a solid minute as you can hear Michael Cole scream out for help and crying out in pain as blow after blow lands. Eventually, the cries for help stop and after a few more punches, Owen gets up back in view of the camera, his hands bloody from the assault. Owen goes to walk out of the room and as he does so, shoves the camera to the floor.
The camera lands with a perfect shot of Michael Cole's bloody face, still oozing blood as it puddles around him as we see Owen walk out of the door slamming it behind him. Fans in attendance are sickened by this image before the feed abruptly cuts to a still image of the NXT logo as the show rolls on.
The action has been off the charts so far as the crowd are really buying into what NXT is selling. They are silenced however as the titantron flashes and the camera's take us to a blank screen..... It isn't blank long as the words 'LAST WEEK' flash in the bottom corner and it flashes to......
NXT heads backstage where the camera is showing The Dudley Boyz, middle conversation in what looks to be there dressing room. The camera zooms in and with every zoom, the sounds becomes louder and clearer.
Bubba: This is it my man, we have been here so many times before. Getting ready to make a statement, going up against the champions to try and get ourselves back in the title picture...... We have been here so many times but for some reason, I still get nervous. You feeling me bro?
Devon: Meh, I ain't too bad but then again, I always was the level headed one out of the two of us. You don't give up alot of competition in that regards really do you?
Bubba: I can be calm, hey just the other day I didn't even comment on someones photo of a dog dressed in human clothes. Why do that to the poor thing? It's ridiculous and stupid. I just won't stand for it.
Devon: Wow, you have amazed me there. How on earth did you manage to control yourself?
Bubba: It was hard I tell you but I managed to do it. I'm telling you, every since we beat those Young Bucks, I have got a new lease on life. It's like I have been reborn again.
Devon: Like Shawn Michaels reborn?
Bubba: Nahhhhh, he was fun before all that reborn stuff. Hey remember when he shoved that Canadian Flag up his nose? That was brilliant. It had me in absolute stitches but personally, if it was I that had a Canadian Flag and was going to stick it somewhere, I'd go for something a little south of the border if you know what I'm saying.
Devon: I don't think I do brother, what do you mean?
Bubba: Well, I'd pull down my pants and .........
Devon: ALRIGHTY THEN, I think I get it now thanks very much. I keep forgetting how vulgar you can get. It's scary sometimes.
Bubba: Well where did you think I meant? Where else could I shove it south of the border? I gave you a pretty good description I thought but anyway, I have a question for you, what do you hate more, Canadians or Australians?
Devon: It doesn't bother me either way, it doesn't matter if it's Australians, Canadians, Americans, North Pole-ians, that's right, I'm bringing Santa into this, if they are standing across the ring from me, I'm taking them out and they are annoying me. I don't care who gets in my way, I'm steamrolling through them.
Bubba: Geez, it was only a question. You wanna know who annoys me the most. It has to be Canadians. I mean come on, why you apologizing all the time for? Oh Sorry, sorry, stop saying bloody sorry. I'll give you something to be sorry for. Don't even get me started about Maple Syrup. Look at me Devon, do you think I would hate something that you eat? Do I look like someone that doesn't like food, well let me tell you, I would rather defecate in my hands and clap before eating maple syrup again.
Devon looks at Bubba weirdly as he finishes that sentence. Like not just a little weirdly, like a whole new face of weirdly as he seems to be thinking of something to say but get's saved as Stacy Keibler comes walking into shot.
Stacy: Did you guys know Todd Grisham is looking for a job here?
Devon: Oh Stacy, thank the big man upstairs you came just as you did. I think that conversation was getting out of hand. No, why is that guy back?
Stacy: No idea, something about spare time or something like that, I dunno I didn't really listen. He wasn't talking about me enough. Now listen, you guys ready to bring the First Lady of NXT some more pleasure and happiness by defeating TM-61 tonight? A win against the champs will go along way in getting me even more gold!!
Devon: Oh we are ready, we told those guys it didn't matter who they were or what they brought, we were going to beat them tonight and we always back up our word.
Bubba: Didn't we say the first 3 times though that we would defeat the Young Bucks and we didn't? We said we would destroy after they superkicked Stacy in the face and we didn't?
Stacy: Spike has told me my jaw still isn't quite the same since that fateful night.
Devon: How does Spike know your jaw isn't the same?
Stacy: Well that's just another story we will save for a rainy day. Let's not get distracted here, I need you in the zone. I need you to make an example out of TM-61 and prove that The Dudley Boyz are back, although the most important thing I need you to do is focus on my man, Spike Dudley's little in ring gathering with Kevin Steen, Dolph Ziggler & Ethan Carter the Third. I need to know that if things go south, you will be out there helping Spike in a second.
Bubba and Devon look at each other. Bubba whispers something in Devon's ear and Devon nods.
Devon: Look Stace, every since you and Spike helped us get our titles back all those months ago, we have had a pact in place. Spike handles his business and we handle ours. Now, granted we have helped each other out in the past and we have no problem in doing that again but part of the agreement was that if we had something going on and Spike had something going on, we would leave each other too it.
Stacy has a dumbfounded look on her face as she struggles for words.
Stacy: But......But.... what happens if The Young Bucks go out there tonight? What happens if Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Steen decide to double team my sweetheart?
Bubba: You really think Kevin Steen and Dolph Ziggler will team up? Come on Stacy, even I'm not that stupid. Tonight, Spike will be in the ring with the General Manager, I'm sure he won't want anything serious to happen to his International Champion. Besides, Spike is the International Champion now, he needs to learn to fight for himself a little and his a big boy. Hell his handed our asses to us so we have no problem in leaving it up to him and if he was here right now, I'm sure he would be wishing us luck for our match and telling us he understands.
Stacy: Bu.......
Devon: Look Stacy, we love you and we are happy that you are an item with Spike but our decision is final. We have our own problems tonight and we are going to solve them. If Spike has any problems, he will have to be his own problem solver. Now excuse us, we have a match to attend.
With that Bubba and Devon coolly stroll past Stacy as she looks a little upset. The camera zooms in on Stacy's face as she looks like she is going to lose it as the camera fades to black.
Bubba: This is it my man, we have been here so many times before. Getting ready to make a statement, going up against the champions to try and get ourselves back in the title picture...... We have been here so many times but for some reason, I still get nervous. You feeling me bro?
Devon: Meh, I ain't too bad but then again, I always was the level headed one out of the two of us. You don't give up alot of competition in that regards really do you?
Bubba: I can be calm, hey just the other day I didn't even comment on someones photo of a dog dressed in human clothes. Why do that to the poor thing? It's ridiculous and stupid. I just won't stand for it.
Devon: Wow, you have amazed me there. How on earth did you manage to control yourself?
Bubba: It was hard I tell you but I managed to do it. I'm telling you, every since we beat those Young Bucks, I have got a new lease on life. It's like I have been reborn again.
Devon: Like Shawn Michaels reborn?
Bubba: Nahhhhh, he was fun before all that reborn stuff. Hey remember when he shoved that Canadian Flag up his nose? That was brilliant. It had me in absolute stitches but personally, if it was I that had a Canadian Flag and was going to stick it somewhere, I'd go for something a little south of the border if you know what I'm saying.
Devon: I don't think I do brother, what do you mean?
Bubba: Well, I'd pull down my pants and .........
Devon: ALRIGHTY THEN, I think I get it now thanks very much. I keep forgetting how vulgar you can get. It's scary sometimes.
Bubba: Well where did you think I meant? Where else could I shove it south of the border? I gave you a pretty good description I thought but anyway, I have a question for you, what do you hate more, Canadians or Australians?
Devon: It doesn't bother me either way, it doesn't matter if it's Australians, Canadians, Americans, North Pole-ians, that's right, I'm bringing Santa into this, if they are standing across the ring from me, I'm taking them out and they are annoying me. I don't care who gets in my way, I'm steamrolling through them.
Bubba: Geez, it was only a question. You wanna know who annoys me the most. It has to be Canadians. I mean come on, why you apologizing all the time for? Oh Sorry, sorry, stop saying bloody sorry. I'll give you something to be sorry for. Don't even get me started about Maple Syrup. Look at me Devon, do you think I would hate something that you eat? Do I look like someone that doesn't like food, well let me tell you, I would rather defecate in my hands and clap before eating maple syrup again.
Devon looks at Bubba weirdly as he finishes that sentence. Like not just a little weirdly, like a whole new face of weirdly as he seems to be thinking of something to say but get's saved as Stacy Keibler comes walking into shot.
Stacy: Did you guys know Todd Grisham is looking for a job here?
Devon: Oh Stacy, thank the big man upstairs you came just as you did. I think that conversation was getting out of hand. No, why is that guy back?
Stacy: No idea, something about spare time or something like that, I dunno I didn't really listen. He wasn't talking about me enough. Now listen, you guys ready to bring the First Lady of NXT some more pleasure and happiness by defeating TM-61 tonight? A win against the champs will go along way in getting me even more gold!!
Devon: Oh we are ready, we told those guys it didn't matter who they were or what they brought, we were going to beat them tonight and we always back up our word.
Bubba: Didn't we say the first 3 times though that we would defeat the Young Bucks and we didn't? We said we would destroy after they superkicked Stacy in the face and we didn't?
Stacy: Spike has told me my jaw still isn't quite the same since that fateful night.
Devon: How does Spike know your jaw isn't the same?
Stacy: Well that's just another story we will save for a rainy day. Let's not get distracted here, I need you in the zone. I need you to make an example out of TM-61 and prove that The Dudley Boyz are back, although the most important thing I need you to do is focus on my man, Spike Dudley's little in ring gathering with Kevin Steen, Dolph Ziggler & Ethan Carter the Third. I need to know that if things go south, you will be out there helping Spike in a second.
Bubba and Devon look at each other. Bubba whispers something in Devon's ear and Devon nods.
Devon: Look Stace, every since you and Spike helped us get our titles back all those months ago, we have had a pact in place. Spike handles his business and we handle ours. Now, granted we have helped each other out in the past and we have no problem in doing that again but part of the agreement was that if we had something going on and Spike had something going on, we would leave each other too it.
Stacy has a dumbfounded look on her face as she struggles for words.
Stacy: But......But.... what happens if The Young Bucks go out there tonight? What happens if Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Steen decide to double team my sweetheart?
Bubba: You really think Kevin Steen and Dolph Ziggler will team up? Come on Stacy, even I'm not that stupid. Tonight, Spike will be in the ring with the General Manager, I'm sure he won't want anything serious to happen to his International Champion. Besides, Spike is the International Champion now, he needs to learn to fight for himself a little and his a big boy. Hell his handed our asses to us so we have no problem in leaving it up to him and if he was here right now, I'm sure he would be wishing us luck for our match and telling us he understands.
Stacy: Bu.......
Devon: Look Stacy, we love you and we are happy that you are an item with Spike but our decision is final. We have our own problems tonight and we are going to solve them. If Spike has any problems, he will have to be his own problem solver. Now excuse us, we have a match to attend.
With that Bubba and Devon coolly stroll past Stacy as she looks a little upset. The camera zooms in on Stacy's face as she looks like she is going to lose it as the camera fades to black.
The camera then flashes back to a close up of Stacy's face as she is watching the flashback on her lockeroom tv.
Stacy: See, I told you. I knew it wouldn't end well for my Spikey last week. That bleached gross haired loser Dolph Ziggler just had to Super kick him didn't he. We couldn't smooch all week.
The camera pans out showing who Stacy was talking to, showing The Dudley Boyz standing over her shoulder as she turned around. They don't look impressed.
Bully: We ain't going to be helping him at Wrestlemania Stacy so he will have to deal with it. In case you didn't know, the reason you and Spike came to UWF was to help us win those Tag Team Titles. Fair enough, we allowed Spike to grow out on his own and he surprised everyone but right now Stac, we couldn't care less about what Spike is doing.
Devon: Last week, you may have missed it but we gave the Tag Champs one hell of a beating. They tucked their tails between their legs and had that look in their eye. The look you get when you realize having those belt's don't mean you are the best Tag Team in the business. We have seen it so many times before. TM-61 had those looks and it will be those looks we feast on at Wrestlemania when we beat them again.
Bully: You see Stacy, we have made a team decision that 2016 was a year the Dudleyz were too soft. When was the last time we really hurt someone, when was the last time teams actually showed us respect? When was the last time we made people pick splinters out of their backs for messing with us. We have been looking after Spike for too long so until Wrestlemania is finished, his on his own, Bubba Ray Dudley and Devon Dudley don't exist for the next month. No, we have decided to go to our alter ego's Bully Ray and Brother Devon and dish out a world of pain to get back our Tag Team Titles. We beat all of those teams normally, imagine what we will do to all these teams with our new attitude.
Devon: OH MY BROTHER, TESTIFY.
Devon yells in the face of Stacy. At first she seems taken back, a bit alarmed but she slowly, very slowly has a smile appear on her face.
Stacy: It's about time you guys showed up. Leave Spikey in my capable hands and if you guys need me, just call but from the looks of it, you have it all under control. Boy, I'd hate to be in the other guys shoes at Wrestlemania and that's straight from the First Lady of NXT's Mouth.
Stacy signs off with her signature UWF quote as the camera fades away with Devon and Bubba slapping each others chest and Stacy looking, quite frankly, a little turned on.
THE UNION
Just as soon as that two-tone riff blasts through the PA, the capacity crowd is booing. The groove kicks in and Kevin Steen walks out on to the ramp.
Tony Chimel: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Marieville, Quebec, Canada, weighing in at 265 pounds, Kevin Steen!
Steen makes his way down the ramp with no particular attitude. It's almost as if he doesn't even want to be there as he slowly climbs up the steps and just waits in the corner, arms slumped over the ropes.
YOU'VE GOT HELL TO PAY BUT YOU ALREADY SOLD YOUR SOUL
IT'S BLASPHEMY!
'Blasphemy by Bring Me The Horizon' begin blasting out, it's a brand new theme song for CM Punk. CM Punk emerges from behind the curtain wearing a hoodie and it doesn't take him long to head to the ring.
Tony Chimel: And his opponent, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 220 pounds, CM Punk!
Punk looks like a man on a mission, walking straight to the ring and sliding right in. He goes straight to his corner and simply waits for the ref to call for the bell.
VS 
DING DING DING
Once again the two rivals stand across the ring from one another. Steen looks like he doesn't even want to be bothered with Punk but Punk has been waiting for a fight. Even better that it's against his rival. He runs over to Steen with a jumping forearm to the face, knocking him back into the corner. From there, Punk starts unleashing a flurry of rights to the face. When Steen covers up, Punk starts going low with shots to the abdomen until Kevin gets tired and shoves him away. Punk comes running back with a high knee to the corner but Steen catches him instead, lifting him up into a powerbomb position. He walks to the center of the ring but Punk flips back for a hurrincanrana! Steen rolls through to get back on his feet but immediately gets taken down with a shining wizard! Punk is quick to hook the leg for the cover.
1. . .
2 . . .
Steen kicks out!
Tom Phillips: CM Punk coming out here with something to prove tonight.
Corey Graves: Of course he has to prove himself, after Summerslam, him and Kevin Steen had completely different trajectories.
Steens ends up rolling out of the ring to get a breather but little does he know that Punk is lying in wait. Steen is busying walking around the ring that he doesn't even realize Punk come shooting out of the ring with a suicide dive taking him out! The crowd si fully behind Punk as he picks up Steen and tosses him back into the ring. Kevin is already starting to get back up while Punk gets onto the apron. Once he sees Kevin turn to him, Punk springboards into the ring, maybe looking for a clothesline but Kevin kicks him in the gut and sets him up for the package piledriver, spinning it into a side slam and going for the pin.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Punk kicks out at 2! Steen gets right on him, hitting him with multiple times in the face before dragging him back to his feet. He throws him into the ropes, Punk coming back and getting popped up for a powerbomb but Punk once again tries to turn it into a hurrincanrana. Steen uses his size to make sure he doesn't go forward and Punk just hangs there. Steen turns around and moves Punk's legs underneath his armpits and instead falls back to launch Punk over the ropes and down to the floor!
Punk lands awkwardly and tries to get up right away but this time it's Steen on the attack, exiting the ring and grabbing him from behind, throwing him into the barricade! Punk barely hits the floor from that impact and Steen is already picking him back up to hit a back body drop on the barricade! A couple of fans are slapping the barricade, trying to rally Punk back up but Steen tells them to move out of the way as he picks up Punk once more. The fans make sure to clear out of his way but as it looks like Steen is about to toss him over but instead Kevin throws Punk back into the ring and flips off the crowd who start to boo relentlessly.
Corey Graves: Haha that's how you do it! These people mean nothing to Kevin Steen and that's exactly why he's been so successful here on NXT.
Tom Phillips: Do you really believe that?
Corey Graves: Of course I do Phillips, that's why I'm the best commentator in the game!
Kevin gets back into the ring and walks up to Punk who is on all fours, trying to get back up. Steen face washes him and yells out "Is this all you got?" to add further insult. He brings Punk back up to his feet but the Best in the World retaliates with some strikes to the gut to temporarily stun his opponent. Steen goes for a knee to the gut to stop any offense Punk may be building but Punk catches his knee and hits an exploder suplex! Steen gets back up rather quickly but he's stunned, resting against the corner. Punk now runs at him and this time hits the running knee in the corner! Punk then grabs his head and takes off with a bulldog! Punk gets back to his feet and motions that it's nap time for Steen.
Tom Phillips: This could be it for Kevin Steen!
Corey Graves: Relax Tom, the day CM Punk beats Kevin Steen is the day the world ends.
Steen is getting back up and Punk lifts him up onto his shoulders but Steen slips behind him right away. He shoves Punk into the ropes chest first and hits him with a forearm to the back of the head when he bounces off of them. Punk falls draped over the second rope and so Steen throws his knee over Punk's head and chokes him out on the second rope, the ref counting to 4 until Kevin releases. He gets Punk out of the ropes and grabs him by the head, talking some more trash right to his face before kicking him in the gut and setting up for a package piledriver. Punk however just flips him over with a back body drop. Steen gets up right away but eats two slaps to the face followed by a spinning back kick to hunch him over. Punk grabs his arms to hit a double underhook backbreaker, quickly falling on top of him for the pin.
1 . . .
2 . . .
And Steen kicks out! Punk waste little time in getting Steen back up to his feet, placing him onto his shoulders and getting ready for a GTS but Steen grabs at his eyes and rakes them causing Punk to drop him. With Punk blinded, Kevin hits him in the back of the head with a massive clothesline. Having had enough, Steen signals for the end and picks up Punk, hooking his arms and legs for the package piledriver but a sudden commotion is heard in the crowd. Out of nowhere, Spud hops onto the apron and yells at Steen. Kevin loses momentary focus and Punk grabs his legs and brings them out from under him, flipping Steen onto his back and then jumping over him for a jackknife pin.
1 . . .
2 . . .
3 . . .
Tony Chimel: Here is your winner, CM Punk!
Punk quickly exits the ring and holds his hand up, having finally beaten Steen in a one on one match. Despite the way it was accomplished, Punk is all smiles as Steen is furious. Spud has already ran back through the crowd and so there's nothing for Steen to do besides just stew in the ring as the live feed goes elsewhere.
We are taken to a room backstage where UWF's resident Show Off can be seen taping his wrists and watching footage on a monitor. Ziggler seems unimpressed by what he is seeing, but he just keeps on taping up that wrist, shaking his head.
Finally, Dolph turns and as he does, he turns to find Byron Saxton standing by. The biggest idiot in professional wrestling grins in a goofy way at Ziggler and fires off a question before Dolph can leave him in his dust.
BYRON SAXTON
I'm here with Dolph Ziggler. Dolph, last week yo--
SMACK! Out of nowhere, Ziggler straight up superkicks the hapless interviewer, planting him firmly on his back. The microphone flips out of his hands and through the air before Ziggler catches it and turns toward the camera.
DOLPH ZIGGLER
"Last week you shocked the world by joining forces with the most evil man in professional wrestling, Ethan Carter III, to topple the most beloved champion ever in Spike Dudley and his long-time nemesis, Union Founder and possibly greatest wrestler in UWF history Kevin Steen. Why did you do that?" That was the kind of idiocy I just saved you all from, because that's the question Byron Saxton was about to ask me. That's how low the bar is on this show. They couldn't even rustle up a Renee Young or Scoops McCallihan to ask me questions, no, they sent out stupid little Byron. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Ziggler grabs the camera by its lens and adjusts the shot so it's more flattering, an upward angle that makes him look more powerful. He grins widely, seemingly inspecting his teeth in the glass. Then he continues.
Last week, I did what any sane man would and I took up the management on an offer that, frankly, was too good to turn down. See, Kevin Steen and Spike Dudley may think they're the top dogs around here, but they're both mistaken in their mutually exclusive beliefs. Because the top guy is Ethan Carter III, and you can't be the number one wrestler on the card unless he likes you. Kevin? He hasn't been being very likeable lately, what with all of that Union nonsense. I mean, come on, seizing the means of production? A proletariat boar? What's next, Groucho Marx and the Communist Wah-nifesto? Someone really needs to give that tub of lard a kick to the gourd to see if they can knock some sense into him.
Ziggler sighs and shrugs, then continues.
And Spike, well... Spike is just a victim of genetics. See, he's just too... small. And ugly. And not champion material all around. Spike Dudley is like what you'd get if you took that guy with the glasses from Trailer Park Boys and forced him to mate with the fat chick from that comedy series in the 90s starring John Goodman. What was her name? Roxanne? Anyway... Spike is the kinda guy who probably loves Nascar because it's nice and simple, watching all of those consecutive left turns. Spike is the kinda guy who probably would have married his cousin if Mommy Long Legs hadn't crawled out of the nearest strip club to woo him. Y'know, she likes to talk about how I'm always second-best but that beats her man, who basically always loses. Sure, he's got the belt right now, but even a broken clock is right two times a day. And also... Stacy would know all about coming second, what with having Short Round for her man. If she comes at all?
Ziggler gasps. He covers his mouth. He pretends as though he's said something super offensive. Then he lowers his hand and laughs heartily before continuing.
Oh, I'm sorry, was I not supposed to say that? Who even cares anymore? See, tonight... Tonight is the start of something brand new for the UWF. Today is the start of a Golden Era for NXT. Today is the Dawn of Dolph. And believe me when I say this: you're all in for a real fun ride. Buckle up!
Ziggy shoves the camera away, then looks down at Byron's still-comatose form. He kicks the man literally while he is down, and then struts off like he owns the place. The feed heads elsewhere.
Fading in from the black, we're taken backstage where we see both members of TM-61, pacing about behind the curtain. Regardless of having no match tonight, they're still in their ring gear, always seemingly ready to go. In any event, it appears they have something on their mind, with Nick Miller taking the verbal point--
Nick Miller: "Truth isn't subjective; it is what it is. Last week, we lost. Fair and square. There's no beating around the bush -- like our other opponents normally would. But, what TM-61 has done, since the very beginning, is adapt to the competition. We've evolved. We will adapt to the Dudley Boys. Like we've adapted to the Young Bucks. Like how we've adapted to the Wyatt Family and the Young Bucks."
Shane Thorne: "It's not an 'if', there's no question -- it's a 'now'. We've evolved to methodically handle the Dudley Boys."
Nick Miller: "Now, we we look to the future, to the horizon -- and we see Wrestlemania on that horizon."
Shane Thorne: "Manifold times we've conquered the similar horizon; a horizon that was said to be too fargone, and too far out of our reach. Now, we walk in as champions; your champions. We're not con artists. We're not like the many cheapskates like the Young Bucks that've walked in here before us; stumbling through their matches."
Nick Miller: We dont stumble through our matches. Were precise, calculated, and organized; evolving to fight against the Dudleys and the Young Bucks were calculated procedures. We understood their strengths, and through knowledge, we turned their strengths into ours. The Dudley Boys will not be exempt from our observations and adaptations.
Shane Thorne: Beg, pray, cry do whatever you think you have to relax yourself before taking a win from us, because rest assured, thats as close as youll ever get. Be as confident as you will as relaxed as to your hearts desire. The lies you tell yourself at night can't help you. Regardless of whomever you are, in the final battle, you will not win. Instead, we will -- at Wrestlemania.
The scene fades to black, as NXT rolls on.
THE UNION
"Maggie's Farm" sounds out around the arena. The crowd ain't gonna not boo that. Up to their feet they get, and boo they do, because they are not fans of Kevin Steen. "Mr. Wrestling" strolls down the ramp, his UWF Oceanic Six-Man Tag Team Championship belt in hand. Ignoring the demeaning signs and jeers, Steen circles around the ring and goes to the commentary table, where he awkwardly sets up a chair between Corey and Tom before donning a headset joining them.
Phillips: Oh... I didn't know that you would be joining us tonight, Kevin.
Steen: Yep. Lucky you. I'm hear to add some insight and elegance to the team here while we watch Spike Dudley and Dolph Ziggler square off. And what a treat that should be.
Graves: Well I for one couldn't be happier to have you out here Kevin. It'll be nice to not have to carry the commentary for once.
Phillips: Ya know, I gotta say that I'm a little surprised Ethan Carter would even let you do this, given your relationship -
Kevin cuts him off.
Steen: Oh, I'm only here cause I want to be, and certainly not because Ethan Carter does or doesn't want me to. He can try and fight our Union off, but it's inevitable now. We're this close to being officially recognized by the US government as an official union, and once that happens, we'll be unstoppable. None of the Carters or the UWF Board will be able to hold us down again.
And what, he picks Dolph Ziggler as his knight in shining armor to shut us down now? Talk about desperate. He knows we're closing in. Every week we gain more ground. Just look at this new title I've got. I'm thirty-three percent of the Oceanic Six-Man Tag Team -
Phillips: That's not a real title though -
Graves: Shut up Tom! They Seized the Means! Those titles are as real as it gets.
The bickering might have continued were it not for the show needing to stay on schedule.
Chimel: The following is a non-title match and is scheduled for one-fall! Introducing first, weighing in at 218 pounds... from Hollywood, Florida... Dolph Ziggler!
Those opening, straining guitar chords kick up and immediately the crowd are on their feet, booing. The rumble across the stadium is loud enough it could blow the roof off the place, and it somehow gets even louder as the UWF's resident Show Off, Dolph Ziggler, trots out onto the stage wearing a grin about ten feet wide. Ziggy heads to the top of the ramp, turns his back on the fans and performs his iconic hip gyrations and hair tossing for the benefit of the audience.
Laughing off "YOU SOLD OUT" chants as he struts down the ramp, Ziggler looks more than ready to take on the International Champ.
Phillips: Last week, Ziggler and Ethan Carter joined forces. A hand-shake in the center of the ring sealed the deal - Ziggler is Carter's choice contender heading into Wrestlemania and the man he will look the build the bran around after that.
Graves: Ziggler has given Mr. Carter a lot of reason to be confident in him lately. No offense Kevin.
Steen: Oh, I'm offended. I'm offended that I have to watch a grown man with spaghetti hair thrust his hips around suggestively at a family-friendly event. One more reason why we need a Union.
In all seriousness, though, I promise you that at Wrestlemania, I will break this man's neck.
Ziggler climbs into the ring, still smug as a son of a gun as he awaits Spike.
YER, WE'RE COMING DOWN
GET UP, GET UP, GET UP
DROP THE BOMBSHELL.
Spike runs out on to the ramp to some mad thunderous ovation. They just love the guy. And you know who else does? Stacy Keibler. She follows her man out, they totes kiss (friggin ewwww) before he tells her that he's "got this" so she heads to the back.
Now that that's outta the way, Spike focus is solely on Ziggler, who's sitting on the second rope and lifting up the top one to welcome Dudley into the ring like a gentlemen. The Champ ain't about to get chumped, though, so he walks around to the other side to climb in.
Graves: Well that was rude of Spike! Dolph is showing some real sportsmanship and Spike Dudley thinks he's too good for that?
Phillips: I don't think Spike has an ounce of trust for Ziggler.
Steen: Which is a shame, cause that ugly little midget could stand to gain an ounce or two. When the Union takes over, you had better believe we're going to implement real weight classes to our belts. Heavyweight... and then nothing else. Nobody under two-hundred pounds is an athlete.
Spike hands his title over to the Official who hands it to.... someone... at ringside so the match can start. Dudley is ready. Ziggler is ready. The fans are itching to see it! The Referee calls for the bell!
VS.
DING DING DING
Three rings kicks us off. I hesitate to use the word "prance", but there's something majestic if borderline effeminate about the way Dolph paces and circles around the ring as he slowly closes the gap. Spike's not about that life though. As Dolph gets closer, Spike decides he's not much for waiting and rushes in.
They tangle up! Collar-and-elbow! And what would a collar-and-elbow be without a near instant transition into a sideheadlock for the heel? Ziggler squeezes Spike's skull so hard he might break it. Not today, villain! Spike slips out, using his greasy hair to his advantage. His counter opens up for a belly-to-back suplex attempt, so Spike, a career little-engine-that-could, goes for it. He grips. He lifts. He leans. But Ziggler counters with a snappy elbow back into the Champ's dome.
Spike releases, Dolph slips away, and uses the space to fire off a superkick! But Spike ducks it! And not only does he duck it, he hooks himself the leg Ziggy is left standing on, and with a swish and flick, he's got himself a roll-up!
The Official slides down to count it, but before he can even get to one, Ziggler kicks out. Then he jumps over and around Spike and goes for a roll-up of his own! Even though the Ref is already down on the canvas, he can't get to one because Spike breaks loose!
The both of them get to their feet real fast after that, already sick of trading pin attempts. The Hollywood, Floridan charges at Spike. Spike catches him. But so what? Dolph uses his momentum and size advantage to spin his opponent around before flinging him towards the ropes!
But you know what? Spike catches himself on the ropes. He's not going anywhere, the clever bastard. Ziggler runs at him with the baddest intentions, but Spike ducks just as he reaches him, yadda yadda yadda, it's a back body drop right over the ropes!
Phillips: Spike sends Ziggler flying!
Steen: So you can see why Ethan Carter would back a ring general like Dolph. So talented. So clever.
Graves:But Ziggler lands on his feet!
Corey isn't wrong. Lest we forget, Ziggler is a world-class athlete, so even though the Champ caught him unawares, he is absolutely able to make like a cat and land foot-first on the floor. The only thing hurt, I fear, is his ego.
Spike backs off to stand in the center of the ring. The fans shower him with adoration. He's their guy. Ziggler, standing on the outside still, looks a little less cheery than he did on the way down. Frustrated, even. So he slides back into the squared circle to get back to business.
The Duke of Dudleyville doesn't give him time to recover, cause he's all over him like fleegle flies on a flat-face floogle horse. He's stomping and kicking and chopping, working out some of that anger he's got about what went down last week. It takes everything Dolph can muster to get to the corner ropes to help himself up. That also constitutes a rope break, as it turns out! The Ref gets in there to pull the International Champion off.
But as old Refo gets in the way, Ziggler fires a thumb into Spike's eye! The jerk! So much for a clean break! The contender brushes past the Official before slamming his friggin knee right into Spike's friggin abdomen. The cherry on top of that is a snap DDT that reintroduces Spike's skull to the canvas. SHABOOM. Down hard and fast. Dolph rolls him over and hooks a leg for the cover...
1...
2...
Nope! Spike pushes him off, because it's 2017, and DDT's just don't get pins like they used to. But does that discourage noodle-hair? Heck nah.
Steen: Nice DDT Dolph. Excellent form. Very original.
Graves: Ziggler with the near-fall, and he now appears to be in control of this match.
Indeed! Ziggler hoists Spike up to his feet and whips him across the ring. No rope-holding this time, though! Dudley comes running back across the mat, but about halfway, he launches himself into the air for like, a spear, but goes head-first. So a headbutt. A flying one. And BOOM! it hits Dolph right in the tummy, and that just sends him right back through the ropes to the outside.
This time he doesn't land on his feet. No he's very grumpy.
Phillips: And just like that, Spike shoots back!
Steen: You can't help but wonder if running into things head-first is what makes him so short.
Spike lands flat on the canvas, but quickly gets to one-knee before beckoning at Ziggler to get back in the ring. Big pop for that. Ziggler, who is not at all impressed, slams his fists on the apron to vent his anger a bit before climbing back in.
This time, before Spike can swarm him, Ziggler springs up and charges at him. The pair tangle up and start trading blows, which doesn't seem to favour one over the other. To break up the stalemate, Dolph tries for a headlock, and after that, a Suplex, but Spike slips out of the hold, transitions into a headlock and runs for the ropes while holding on.
He's looking for the Dudley Dog!
But before he can execute, Ziggler shoves him off chest-first into the corner. That's gotta smart! As Spike rebounds off the merciless turnbuckle, Ziggler swoops in underneath and goes for a roll-up! The Ref counts it..
1...
2...
But Spike rolls through for a pin attempt of his own!
1...
No! Ziggler escapes! And rolls away! And is vexed!
Phillips: It's like no matter what Ziggler does, Spike keeps finding a way to get the better of it.
Graves: Maybe Ziggler just isn't sure how to approach a freakshow wrestler like Spike Dudley. The guy's abnormal, and honestly, that's what I attribute his success to. Just wait until Dolph finds his groove.
Steen: Geez, it must be hard for you guys to do this every week. Sitting out here, watching two idiots that absolutely suck trying to figure out which one sucks a little less. It seems unbearable.
Ziggler staggers away as he gets to his feet, and boy oh boy, is he pissed. Spike slowly stands, looks over at one of the dudes he'll be fighting at Mania, and just fuckin' growls at him. Like an animal. An angry animal.
And like an animal, Spike goes after him. He's looking to do some mauling. He reaches Ziggler and unleashes some wild forearm blows and shiver, leveling Ziggler who has a hard time finding an opening in the onslaught. In fact, Dolph is forced into and then halfway through the ropes, so that the Referee has to intervene again. This time when making a clean break, the third man in the ring makes certain there's no funny business.
Ziggler pulls himself out of the ropes to recover. The Official is holding Spike back to make sure Dolph has some time, but guess what dude, Dolph doesn't need any more time!
The contender fires off with a superkick! Spike sees it coming and avoids it, but leaves the Ref in the path of Ziggler's foot and quite unfortunately, he takes it right to the back of the head. Down goes the Ref!
Phillips: Ziggler just Superkicked the Referee!
Graves: Not on purpose! The Official should have been paying attention.
Steen: When The Union takes over, we'll make sure there are some decent referees around here.
Spike looks down at the Ref, horrified, which opens him up to taking a Superkick as well! Outta nowhere! That Ziggler is so sinister, and he just doesn't give a darn. The fans boo and boo and boo, but Dolph just smiles again.
That said, he knows he can't go for a cover with the Ref still trying to wake up. So what does he do? Bails to the outside, of course. And where does he go? To the time-keeper's area, where the International Championship belt is. Ziggler grabs it and heads back towards the ring, looking over at Kevin and telling him to "Watch this!" as he goes.
Steen: What a tool.
Phillips: I don't like where this is going....
Ziggler crawls back on the apron and then through the ropes. With the title belt in hand, he lines up Spike, who is only just starting to get back up. Dolph runs at him, headhunting with that twelve pounds of gold. He swings...
But misses! Or rather, Spike ducks out of the way. Dolph turns around to see what went wrong, but takes a kick to the gut for his troubles. He drops the belt, and Spike seizes the moment and also seizes Ziggler's head before once again going for the Dudley Dog! Spike runs up the ropes, but Ziggler counters with a Back Suplex! But Spike flips out!
OH MAN!
Dudley can't quite land on his feet though, as he sommersaults backwards across the ring into the far corner. The Official, Dolph notices, is almost fully recovered, so he slides over to the International title belt, slides it over towards Spike and then pretends to be dead... like... like... OH NO! Ziggler is pretending that Spike hit HIM with the title, selling it like only Ziggler can!
The Official looks up and takes in the scene. He is, of course, horrified.
Graves: Shades of Eddie Guerrero!
Phillips: Ziggler is a coward and a liar! He'll do whatever it takes to win this match.
Steen: And this is really the guy Ethan Carter wants to build NXT around? When is everyone gonna realize that I'm the only talented, respectable singles wrestler on the whole roster?
Spike finally realizes what's going on and he runs over to the Ref to explain it. The Ref has picked up the title and is holding it in Spike's face, asking him what he happened, and Spike is insisting that Ziggler is lying.
All this serves as a distraction, though, cause while Spike isn't paying attention, Dolph gives up the sham, sneaks up from behind and nails the Zig Zag with extreme prejudice! The Official suddenly understands he may have been duped, but with only circumstantial evidence, he reluctantly lets it slide. Dropping the title, he makes a three count...
1...
2...
3...
DING DING DING
Your Winner...
DOLPH ZIGGLER
Dolph rolls off to celebrate, but the crowd are furious. They drown out his music with their boos.
Phillips: And Ziggler steals the win away!
Graves: Hey, work smarter, not harder. Dolph's craftiness might be one of his best assets heading into Wrestlemania. Your thoughts on that Kevin?
Uh... Kevin?
But Steen is gone. Quicker than a hiccup, he slides into the ring, and just as Dolph turns around, he gets blasted across the head with the Oceanic Six-Man Tag Team Championship belt. The irony.
With Ziggler knocked out cold and Spike still down from the Zig Zag, Steen is the last man standing in the ring. He tosses his Oceanic belt aside in favour of the International Championship. Steen picks up NXT's biggest prize - the title he held for over three hundred days - the title he was certain he'd carry into Wrestlemania - and stares at it. He stares at it for a long, long time before finally lifting it high into the air to close the show.
END OF SHOW
Confirmed for Wrestlemania
Intercontinental Championship
Jimmy Uso(c) vs Bray Wyatt vs Finn Balor
Money in the Bank
Steve Blackman vs Kurt Angle vs Baron Corbin vs Goldberg vs Matt Riddle vs Chris Jericho
Credits
Promos - Respective TTers
Balor vs Rowan - Crann
Spike vs Ziggler - Fauche
Everything else - Danny