Post by Danny on Aug 25, 2018 0:38:41 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: Today marks the start of the G1 Climax and I can't wait!
Tom Phillips: That's right, four big matches with huge implications. Pete Dunne vs Jimmy Uso, Aleister Black vs Owen Hart, Bray Wyatt vs the debuting Kenny Omega and of course Chris Jericho vs Spike Dudley.
Corey Graves: I think I might be most excited for Hart vs Black but regardless these are going to be some good matches besides the Uso match.
Tom Phillips: And in the main event, foes are forced to team with Finn Balor and Drew McIntyre team up to face off against Dolph Ziggler and Steve Blackman
Corey Graves: That's STILL your International Champion Dolph Ziggler to you Tom. Such a great champion fighting after a hellacious match.
Tom Phillips: Speaking of matches, let's get things started off with an interview from someone in the G1 tonight. Renee Young is standing by with-
The arena's sound system suddenly switches from NXT's theme which played between the previous and the upcoming segment to a significant drumbeat, specifically, one that ignites the fans on their seats.
To a mixed, but mostly negative reaction, out from the back comes Pete Dunne. With his newly won Hardcore Championship, between his teeth, as expected. He poses under the titantron and looks up.
After a few seconds, he starts walking towards the ring and puts the championship belt on his shoulder. Confidently, slowly. Then he stops at one point and looks around, just to embrace the symphony created by his entrance theme combined with the loud emotion from the crowd.
He is handed a microphone by a ring worker and he enters the ring through the middle rope. He stops and embraces the crowd once more, mostly, they hate him. His music slowly stops playing as he shortly laughs and brings the microphone closer to his mouth.
Pete Dunne:
As I have said quite a few times, I don't need to prove anything to anyone. What I say, I do and what I say, I also guarantee. The championship belt with my name engraved on it speaks for itself.
A mixed reaction from the crowd.
Two months ago, I have debuted in this very ring and a lot of you never heard my name, just because you never really cared about wrestling. Just because you bought your tickets and tuned in on the UWF network to watch "sports entertainment" without any knowledge of what this sport stands for and without any knowledge of what a man with absolutely unmatched abilities is able to do. You've seen me stand in this ring face to face with Tommy End who now goes by Aleister Black and you wrote me off immediately. You bought into his pseudo-Satanic load of crap and you thought that it could end up being the simultaneous debut and derniere of the Bruiserweight... but... to your dismay, little did you know that it was the slow beginning of the derniere of the state of UWF, the state of wrestling as you knew it. Wrestlers fell and got demoted to "performers" and household names became mere workers of a company because their position on the card of the show became less and less important as the spotlight, naturally, stopped pointing at them. I conquered the spotlight and the world, the entire universe became mine.
The fans boo Dunne for his unending cockiness.
Week in and week out, I've encountered what most people around me would call obstacles. And I knew that overcoming them was simply not an option. So I destroyed them, and never looked back. Because from the first second I've set foot in this ring, I never cared. I never cared about any of you, I never cared about any of those idiots in the back, my only focus was on winning and winning and winning and advancing further, pushing my own boundaries, although my world and my success has no boundaries. I remember it vividly, I promised the world that all you see around yourself in the world of wrestling WILL belong to me. I promised you that champions WILL fall. At No Mercy I faced Baron Corbin and I've heard the commentators write me off completely, I've heard people call it the unevitable end of my path and a possible end of my career after all of those injuries and heavy hits that I've sustained... and endured. I've seen that hideous idiot Corbin standing above my motionless body, covered in blood shouting some mockery-worth bullshit about him, being the king, him, being the champion. WELL, WHO'S THE KING NOW, CORBIN? WHO'S THE CHAMPION?
A few cheers from the crowd, because they despise Corbin.
And so, like I have always stated, nobody and nothing is capable of putting me down. Tragicomically enough, mere seconds after his endless gloating, he was drowning in a pool of his own blood. There is a reason why I am the Hardcore Champion, and trust me, this championship title now belongs to me. And even you idiots were smart enough to know that if you don't support me, you'd be on the losing side.
As soon as Dunne finnished this sentence, a small portion of the "idiots" started a short "you deserve it" chant.
Of course I deserve it, as a matter of fact, I deserve everything this federation offers. But... this is not a contest in "deserving". This is wrestling. When I made the world a promise, I never promised that I will be the Hardcore Champion. I promised, and I quote, that I will take the wrestling world step by step, until everything everywhere that has to do with this sport has the name "Bruiserweight Pete Dunne" engraved on it. Wrestling and the world already belongs to me, the rest is a formality. And I keep my promises. Therefore, I am, rightfully in the G1 Climax tournament, which means that in a few weeks, at Summerslam, Dolph Ziggler or whoever holds the International Championship at that point will also be taken down. Just like the people before and just like the rest, just like literally everyone else who decides to try to stop me. Therefore, if any of you wish to attempt to stop me, you know how to find me. Wrestlers, groups of wrestlers, wrestlers with groups of wrestlers having their back, I don't really care, I'm armed better than you can imagine. I'm armed with these two fists, the brain of a wrestling genius, an arsenal of deadly grapples and if I have to, with a surprise or two up my sleeves.
Dunne walks around the ring to a mostly negative reaction.
A lot of champions declare the start of a new era as soon as their championship reign starts. This is not the case. This era began when I stepped foot in a UWF ring and I've said so the first time you have seen me. Now you see how stupid you were when you didn't believe me.
He drops the microphone and waits for his opponent this week.
The Usos theme hits and the crowd cheers loudly as they make their way down the entrance ramp.
Tony Chimel: And his opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Jey Uso, weighing in at 212 pounds, Jimmy Uso!
Jimmy and Jey slide into the ring and get on the turnbuckle to pose for the crowd. They hop down and Jey exits the ring while Jimmy stays hyped for his match.
VS
DING DING DING
Jimmy runs right after Dunne, going for a splash in the corner but Dunne just side steps him and lets Jimmy eats the corner face first. Dunne grabs him right away and throws him back with a saito suplex. Jimmy covers his neck after landing on it but Dunne looks especially vicious this week, the Hardcore Championship opening up a new side of him. Jimmy tries to crawl away but Dunne just grazes his boot over his face to add some insult to injury. Jimmy shoves him away but Dunne comes back with a running knee right to the face! Jimmy falls flat on his face and Dunne turns him over, putting his forearm over the face of Jimmy while going for the pin.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Jimmy kicks out! Dunne gets a sick smile on his face and rises back to his feet, bringing Jimmy up along with him. He throws a couple of forearms to his face but Jimmy comes back with a chop to the chest. All this does is infuriate Dunne who knees him in the gut and just clubs him multiple times in the back. He sends Jimmy off the ropes with an irish whip but the Uso brother reverses and sends Dunne instead. When Dunne comes back, Jimmy pops him up into a samoan drop! Dunne is quick to roll out on the apron. He's able to get back up before Jimmy but Jimmy comes running over. Dunne stops him with a forearm to the face to stagger him backwards but Jimmy retaliates with a superkick, knocking Dunne off the apron and down to the floor.
Tom Phillips: Jimmy Uso taking out the Hardcore Champion with a superkick!
Corey Graves: Calm down Phillips, this match has been all Dunne and it will continue to be all Dunne once this gets back into the ring.
Dunne picks himself up on the floor but doesn't see that Jimmy is running at him full sprint and leaps over the ropes with a plancha to take him out once more! The crowd is on fire, cheering loudly for Jiimmy and Jey even comes over to hype his brother up. Jimmy picks up Dunne and tosses him back into the ring. He then jumps onto the apron and goes straight to the top rope. Dunne wisely tries to get up right away to prevent the Samoan Splash but Jimmy just comes off with a high cross body! He lands directly on top of the Hardcore Champion and hooks both legs for the pin.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Dunne kicks out! Jimmy grabs Dunne by the arm and drags him over to the corner in a seated position. He walks over to the opposite corner and yells out to both the crowd and his brother.
Jimmy: OOHHH!
Crowd: SOS!
Jimmy: OOHHH!
Crowd: SOS!
Jimmy: OOHHH!
Crowd: SOS!
Jimmy takes off in a full sprint for the running hip attack but Dunne moves out of the way just in time and Jimmy's hip hits the corner hard. He stumbles out and Dunne grabs him from behind and throws him back with a half nelson suplex into the corner! Jimmy gets folded up but Dunne drags him out of the corner and kneels over him, just clobbering him with elbow shots to the head. The referee counts to 4 to break up the attack and Dunne lifts his hands up but then goes right back on the attack. Jey however has seen enough and hops onto the apron. Dunne just smiles and starts beating up Jimmy more while the referee is dealing with Jey.
Corey Graves: Look at what that idiot is doing, he's costing his own brother this match.
Tom Phillips: If you saw someone like that viciously attacking your brother, wouldn't you help them?
Corey Graves: Not if I knew something as big as the G1 was at stake. Besides what good is trying to help when you're doing more harm than good.
Dunne finally stops the assault and runs over to knock Jey off the apron with a running forearm shot, hitting him so hard he goes flying back into the barricade. Jimmy meanwhile is trying to use the ropes to get back to his feet. Dunne casually walks up to him and grabs him in a waistlock, maybe trying for a german suplex but Jimmy hangs onto the ropes. He throws a few back elbows to break the hold and sends Dunne walking away holding his face. He turns back around but eats a back kick to the stomach that hunches him over. Jimmy then follows up with an uppercut to the face to stand him back up straight. He tries to throw Dunne into the corner but the Bruiserweight reverse and sends him instead. Jimmy however runs up the turnbuckles and lands on Dunne with the whisper in the wind! He hooks the leg right away for the cover!
1 . . .
2 . . .
Dunne kicks out! Jimmy stomps down on him a few times before going right back up to the top rope. Dunne smartly tries to get back to his feet once again. Jimmy leaps off with another crossbody but Dunne reads it and connects with a superkick to the jaw in mid air! It looks like it's lights out for Jimmy but Dunne picks him up right away and gets him in a pumphandle, flipping him out for the Bitter End! Jimmy gets planted falt on the mat and Dunne turns him over for the pin.
1 . . .
2 . . .
3 . . .
Tony Chimel:Here is your winner, Pete Dunne!
Dunne gets his hand raised in victory while Jey comes into the ring to check on his brother. The Bruiserwieght just looks down at him and shakes his head before getting handed his title and exiting the ring, heading up the ramp to the back while the show continues on.
The titantron switches from the UWF NXT graphic to a live feed from backstage, where Renee Young is standing by.
Young: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, NXT's newest superstar, Kenny Omega.
Omega walks into the shot...
Young: Kenny, thank you for joining me. You caught the UWF Universe when it was announced you had left Warzone to sign with NXT. What prompted the brand change?
Kenny chuckles and replies.
Omega: Oh that? That's simple, Renee. That's just good business, nothing more. When you really get to down to it, I'm just a contractor. It so happens that I am veeeeery good at my work. If there's a job to somebody wants done, and that person has deep enough pockets but they are sure where to turn, then inevitably, it's my phone that rings.
I conducted some lucrative business on Warzone, and given the opportunity, I would have continued to do so. But once again, my phone rang. A better offer was made. In all the chaos and confusion and these ever-changing times, the powers that be here needed a reliable constant. Someone they could truly count on. That's why I'm here. That's why I'm in the G1 Climax.
Young: So Sweet and Sour Inc. has officially become NXT exclusive? Will be seeing you and The Young Bucks reforming The Eli -
He cuts her off before she can finish.
Omega: Don't make this complicated. All you and everyone else needs to know about my work is that for the right price, I'm available, and if you have to ask... well...
Young: But with all this focus on your "contracting", are you concerned that you might take Bray Wyatt too lightly in your debut tonight?
Kenny scoffs as he answers.
Omega: Wyatt? Please. Whatever shadows and mysteries made up the monster, he's just a shell of that now. He's lost his title. His name doesn't ring out like a ghostly echo in a darkened hallway.... not anymore. No, he's barely more than a punchline to the joke of his career now. Self-parody. And now, fodder.
My business is wrestling. I do it better than anybody else in the world. This match will serve a variety of purposes that satisfy all my needs. For starters, I get to put on a clinic - a commercial, if you will. With one violent demonstration, my services will have a chance to shine. On top of that, I get to beat up a stupid man, which I always enjoy. And perhaps most importantly, I will advance in the G1 Climax tournament, one step closer to the finals, another day closer to becoming the UWF International Champion. More glory. More gold. More money.
I'm going to clean out NXT, Renee. I'm going to do it one night and one match a time, slow and steady until the work is done. And when it's all told, I promise you, I'll have something to show for it.
The arrogance is a bit much for the interviewer, so she opts to end it there.
Young: Well, thanks for your time Kenny. Good luck in your match tonight.
He nods and smirks before turning to leave. NXT continues elsewhere.
Suddenly, fireworks illuminate the stage area, meaning we are about to witness the legendary entrance of the one and only...
...Chris Jericho, fresh off his win over Kevin Steen at No Mercy. He comes down to the ring with his light-up jacket and list in hand to address the NXT Universe.
Chris Jericho: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the greatest segment in the history of professional wrestling, back by popular demand. Welcome to The Highlight Reel!!!
Let's kick things off with the biggest news of the week: Chris Jericho beat Kevin Steen via pinfall at NXT's No Mercy Pay-Per-View. Not by a rollup, but by hitting the Codebreaker and keeping him down for a count of three. In fact, I pretty much went him out of the brand and over to the B-Show. The stipulation was that the winner picked the brackets. It never said I had to pick Steen.
Speaking of which, I guess I owe everybody an explanation on why I picked the way I did. Let's start with the bracket whose winner will be my opponent at Final Battle. Aleister Black and Bray Wyatt can try to outboogeyman each other while Owen Hart gets killed again and again. The fourth man, however, is the guy I'd put my bets on. I set this up for the ultimate dream match at Final Battle. Chris Jericho vs. Kenny Omega. How does that sound? Pretty good?
But first, my opponents in the coming weeks. Jimmy Uso was the obvious choice, and I wanted to get a taste of this new Pete Dunne kid before I put him back in his place. That leaves one other competitor, and he's my opponent tonight. Spike Dudley, I know you're a broken man, and I know you've been through hell in the past few weeks, so I guess I get to numb the pain.
And to finish, here's a cute cat video.
Isn't that cute? Isn't that fucking cute as hell?
Alright. Thanks for watching the first ever uninterrupted edition of The Highlight Reel. Have a great night tonight and wear your seatbelt on the way out if you haven't already had one too many.
The JeriTron 6527 raises up as The Highlight Reel ends and NXT rolls on.
BUT WAIT!!! THERE'S MORE!!!
A camera zooms out from the show to reveal the segment was being watched by UWF executives and none other than Chris Jericho himself.
Chris Jericho: And that, gentlemen, is a computer simulation showing you what my part of the show will be like. So, what do you think?
Generic UWF Executive Number One: Geez. I hate to tell you this, but that's not exactly what we were looking for in your promo.
I mean, come on, a cat video?
Generic UWF Executive Number Two: Yeah, not at all what we want to see. Stick to backstage skits and segments, okay? You're good at those.
Generic UWF Executive Number Three: I thought it was pretty good.
UWF Guy No.s 1&2: You're fired.
Chris Jericho: Well, this has been eye opening. If you excuse me, I have a match tonight, so wish me luck.
Without any good luck wishes sent his way, Jericho leaves the room.
UWF Guy No. 1: Damn, that was good.
UWF Guy No. 2: Hell yeah. I hope that other guy doesn't start drinking and going into a downward spiral before eventually giving up all hope of a better future and turning into a life of crime.
UWF Guy No. 1: Yeah. That'd be sad.
Now, NXT truly rolls on.
Tony Chimel: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a G1 Climax tournament match! Introducing first, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and weighing 203 pounds, Kenny OMEGA!
The fans respond in a decisively mixed way as the Cleaner emerges from the back in jacket and shades to the driving riffs of the seminal Alice In Chains classic. Omega heads down the ramp with little theatrics, then jogs up the ring steps and enters the ring, heading straight for a turnbuckle to pose for his fans' benefit. Omega then climbs down and sheds the jacket and sunglasses, handing them off to a ringside technician as he awaits his foe.
Tony Chimel: And the opponent, from Brooksville, Florida and weighing 285 pounds. He is the Eater of Worlds... Bray WYATT!
The lights go out, the fireflies go up in the stands and start to sway, and then that eerie lantern-light appears on the stage, the beard floating just on the periphery. The lantern and the beard alike descend the ramp at a slow, plodding pace, rounding the ring to the steps, and then ascending the steps to the top before the lantern comes up enough to reveal the face of Bray Wyatt just seconds before he blows it out and the house lights come back up. Wyatt places the lantern on the apron, then removes his hat and places it overtop, before entering the ring and heading to his corner to await the starting bell.
-VERSUS-
DING DING DING
The bell rings and Kenny Omega remains leaning against the corner, looking nonchalantly toward the Eater of Worlds. Wyatt seems annoyed, but doesn't move a muscle. Omega then pushes off the turnbuckle and slowly struts out to the middle of the ring, saying, "All apologies, big man. What comes next is just business. Good business." Wyatt laughs at him, and for a moment it seems as though the Cleaner is perturbed by this. That moment is all the time Wyatt things he needs as he surges forward looking for a shoulder block, but Omega has it scouted as he drops down and drops Wyatt with a drop toe hold. Wyatt's jaw smacks off the canvas but before he can even recover, Omega is on him, putting him in a headlock right there on the canvas as his fans cheer. Omega keeps the hold cinched in even as Wyatt gets to one knee, and then vertical, but Wyatt breaks free as he pushes Omega back to the ropes and then uses the rebound momentum to whip Omega across to the ropes opposite. Wyatt steps away from the ropes near him and walks right into a running forearm from Omega! Kenny then mounts Wyatt and pummels him with closed fists for several seconds before the official orders him to break it off, and so he does.
Tom Phillips: Kenny Omega, the latest signing to NXT, appears ready to make a statement here againt the former Intercontinental Champion Bray Wyatt in his first G1 Climax match.
Corey Graves: That's right, Phillips. And we all know Omega's pedigree after watching him go to war with Daniel Bryan on Warzone. Still, NXT is a different program and the competition here is on a different level. He's going to need to bring his A game every week if he wants to get ahead.
Omega waits for Wyatt to get to his feet and then ties him up, jostling for position in the collar-and-elbow hold. Wyatt, however, gets the edge with his superior size, and he throws a back elbow to the side of Omega's face that catches the Cleaner flatfooted and throws him off balance. Wyatt then Irish whips Omega into the ropes and on rebound, connects with a thunderous back body drop. He thumps his chest and tosses his white man dreas over one shoulder before moving slowly back to Omega, who is already up on hands and knees, and lifting his head up to look upward at the Eater of Worlds. "You'll leave ME for the buzzards? Please, don't make me laugh!" the former Intercontinental Champion shouts, then blasting Omega with a huge right that sends him reeling back on his two knees. Omega rebounds and Wyatt catches his jaw with another right, sending him sprawling on his side to the canvas. Wyatt then bends down and grabs Omega by his mussy hair, pulling him to a vertical base before lifting him up and dropping him in a scoop powerslam. Omega hits the canvas hard, braces his back with a hand and rolls to the apron, but Wyatt follows him over and stomps between the ropes on Omega's shoulder several times before using the ropes as leverage to put his weight behind a boot and shove Omega off the apron to the floor. "Go where you belong, with the trash, boy!" Wyatt shouts, then he laughs and walks away from the ropes as the fans boo.
Corey Graves: If I've learned anything in my years as both a wrestler and a commentator, Tom, it's that shows of disrespect like that are more a liability than an asset.
Tom Phillips: How so, Corey?
Corey Graves: Well, athletes think they're discouraging their foe when they taunt them, but in reality they're only giving the enemy a bigger reason to come back and hit even harder than before. That's motivation.
As if on queue, Omega grabs the apron and pulls himself to a vertical base, then climbs up onto it. Wyatt heads toward him, intent on denying the Cleaner any room to breathe, but as he does Omega reaches over the ropes and thumbs Bray in the eye! Wyatt stumbles away from the ropes as Omega grabs the top rope with both hands and springboards up onto and off of it into a plancha, downing Wyatt! Omega stays on top for the cover.
1...
...NO!
Well before the two-count, the Eater of Worlds kicks out and the Cleaner rolls to a seated position, brushing and hand through his hair.
Corey Graves: Kenny Omega thought he'd get a quick one there but just like the disrespect, a broken pinfall can really help a guy get back in the match-up.
Wyatt pushes up to one knee, but Omega is right there and he starts raining clubbing blows down on Bray. Still, the New Face of Fear battles up to his feet and then just straight shoves Omega into a corner before charging in and connecting with a massive lariat that lifts Omega's feet from the canvas. Wyatt then dashes across to the corner opposite and returns with a body avalanche that seems to take every last bit of wind out of Kenny Omega's sails, before leading him out of the corner to connect with a bulldog! Bray gets to his feet and shouts a simple "YES!" as the Cleaner's fans boo him and then he laughs maniacally before going to the corner and dropping into his spider walk!
Tom Phillips: This is by far the most terrifying sight in all of professional wrestling.
Corey Graves: Seriously, Tom? You're going to sit there and say that?
Wyatt crawls toward Omega, who scrambles out to the apron. Wyatt seems annoyed as he charges and Omega drops back down, pulling down the top rope in the process so Wyatt flies over! Omega then leaps over the rope into the ring, runs across to the opposite side and comes over the top with a suicide plancha, crashing into Wyatt and sending both men hurtling to the floor! The fans pop in a big way for the acrobatic display and Omega is first to get back to his feet, pulling Wyatt to his before hitting a cutter that sends Wyatt crashing back down. Omega then gets to his feet and heads over to some fans in the front row, taking a kid's smartphone to snap a selfie with him while Wyatt slowly recovers, using the barricade to get to his feet. As Wyatt gets vertical, Omega hands back the phone and then charges, leaping at the last moment as he looks for a high knee. Unfortunately Wyatt has it scouted and blocks the knee, catching Omega on one shoulder. Wyatt then drives Omega spine-first into the steel ring post! Omega cries out in agony as Wyatt steps four paces back and then charges forward and repeats the maneuver before spinning around and spinebusting Omega onto the floor. With the official at a seven-count, Wyatt rolls back in and out of the ring and grabs Omega, pulling him back to his feet. Wyatt then lifts him up in powerbomb position and drops him onto the top of the barricade! The barricade shudders at the impact but holds fast as Omega lands with a thud on the floor at the foot of it, the fans booing the brutality of the Eater of Worlds.
Corey Graves: Kenny Omega might actually be done after that powerbomb. I've hit one of those barricades before and that steel just does not give.
Tom Phillips: Even if he survives this match with a victory, he will not be at 100% in coming weeks, will he?
Wyatt grabs the barricade with both hands for leverage and puts the boot to Omega's face, stomping several times before the official slides out of the ring and demands he break it off. The ref then checks on Omega, who assures him he is still game to compete before using the barricade to get to one knee. Omega then puts a hand on the official's shoulder, using him to get to a vertical base while Wyatt heads back into the ring. Omega slides in, but Wyatt is on him a moment later with clubbing blows which Omega does his best to absorb with the meatier parts of his shoulders as he fights to his feet and shoves Wyatt away. Omega then runs foreward and hits Wyatt on the jaw with a high knee! Wyatt stumbles into the ropes and Omega dashes in behind him, clutches him around the waist and executes a German suplex! There's a huge pop from the fans who weren't expecting such a maneuver from a man who just a few short moments ago was dropped onto the barricade, but as Omega gets to his feet he's grimacing and bracing his own back. He then turns toward Wyatt, who is slowly getting to his feet, and makes a gun with his fingers before pulling the trigger. As Wyatt turns around, Omega goes for a superkick! But NO! Wyatt has it scouted, and he catches the boot and spins Omega around before grabbing him in the Sister Abigail clutch! Wyatt kisses Omega on the forehead, and then brings him crashing down to the canvas! He rolls Omega over and hooks the leg.
1...
2...
...NO!
Tom Phillips: I thought for sure that one was over but Kenny Omega with the kick out Corey!
Corey Graves: These fans are really getting their money's worth here tonight, Tom, and so is NXT. The Cleaner was worth every penny.
Wyatt tosses back his white man dreads as he stares at Omega from one knee. Omega, dazed, crawls to the ropes and grabs the bottom one, then the second one, then the top as he scales them to get back onto two feet. Once he's there, Omega stumbles away from the ropes and for a moment it looks like Wyatt is about to tie him up again, but then Omega shows he was playing possum as he ducks under the grapple attempt and mule kicks Wyatt in the back! Wyatt stumbles into the ropes and as he does, Omega's there for the rebound, connecting with a double-palm strike to Wyatt's chest! Wyatt reels into the ropes once more but Omega grabs his wrist as he does and then pulls him in for the Rain-Trigger! The fans pop as Wyatt collapses and Omega falls on top for the cover!
1...
2...
...3!
DING DING DING!
Here is your winner, the Cleaner,
Kenny Omega!
Tom Phillips: An abrupt finish to a gruelling match-up and Kenny Omega has emerged victorious in his first NXT contest, Corey.
Corey Graves: I've gotta be honest, Tom, I like what I see in Omega. He's got a well-rounded skillset and he gets results. If he can sustain this success over the long term, some gold should be in his future.
Omega points the finger-gun at the downed Wyatt and pulls the trigger again as his fans cheer him on. He then rolls out of the ring to collect his jacket and shades. He puts both back on, then hops the barricade to make his exit through the stands while Wyatt recovers in the ring and the feed moves elsewhere.
Instead of the usual dark, occult church-like scene, were taken to an abandoned part of the arena Aleister is readying himself for his upcoming conflict with Owen Hart through apparent meditation, as he sits cross-legged. Aleister rises, and he speaks into the camera with the Intercontinental Championship held in his hand, and draped vertical below his waist line.
Aleister Black: A price paid. A dividend met. Such is only timely for the Intercontinental Championship that is now mine, and the power that is at my disposal. I have carried his will with each ounce of blood that Ive spilt, from mine, and from those that dared stand in my way; with every kick that Ive delivered to every chest, cranium, and calf: and this is my just reward. Some see me as a savior, some see me as a villain some see me as Christ some see me as The Anti-Christ.
Aleister interrupts his own train of thought
Aleister Black: I disagree with them all.
Aleister Black: In this world, there is good and evil and then theres Aleister Black. I am the middle entity, and although I serve both the forces unknown forces thatre completely enveloped by a shroud of darkness I simply am. My tribute has been paid for, and I now boast of the Intercontinental Championship.
With the Intercontinental Championship now clutched in his hands, Aleister stares into the gold enough to catch a reflection. Aleister then turns to the camera again
Aleister Black: But, I desire more.
Aleister Black: I desire to be the winner of the G1 tournament. I desire to be the number one contender to the International Championship. But, most importantly, I desire to exactly be the International Champion. It irks at me, it annoys me, that a man such as Dolph Ziggler a man so self-entitled, a man so full of himself can claim to be, by proxy, better than myself, and for no other reason than just because. I will not settle for that; I will take more. Pride, is a pathetic emotion, and I will see to poetic justice, when I pry the International Championship from Dolph Ziggler.
Aleister Black: And, this poetic justice, this godless, wicked path of vengeance, all begins with Owen Hart.
The scene fades to black, as NXT rolls on.
The camera is taken backstage where Baron Corbin is walking. No joy or happiness across his face.
He walks by a few backstage technicians that are having a private, inaudible conversation. One begins to laugh which catches Baron's attention, and he turns to address them
Baron Corbin
Whats so funny? Are you laughing at me? Huh? So you think it's funny that I lost my Hardcore Title? Huh?! Or maybe you're laughing at the fact that I'm not even included in the G1. Is that it? WHATS SO FUNNY!?
Technician
No no no. We, we weren't talking about you at all.
Baron Corbin
Oh, so now I'm not good enough to be talked about? First I lose my Hardcore title, then I'm somehow forgotten about for the G1. And now you're telling me that I'm not even good enough to talk about? Well... I'll give people something to talk about.
With that Corbin grabs the man by his head and throws him viciously into the wall. The other people scatter quickly.
Baron Corbin
Is that funny!?
Corbin picks up the poor man again and one more time throws him into the wall.
Baron Corbin
Is this worth talking about!?
Corbin picks up the man and holds him by his head. He starts drilling punches into his head again and again. He drags his now motionless body over to a production crate and slams him face first against it. He falls with a sickening thud.
Baron Corbin
I SHOULD BE IN THE G1! I SHOULD BE THE PERSON EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT!
Baron lifts the limp man up from the ground once again and begins to cradle him for and End of Days until a slew of security guards and refs come to stop him.
Ref
No Corbin! Don't do this! This isn't worth it!
Baron Corbin
What are they going to do, suspend me!? Fire me!? I'm not even booked anyway!
Ref
No, no! Let him go! Ethan Carter and Dixie Carter won't like this!
Baron Corbin
EC3 and Dixie Carter can Kiss. My. Ass.
And with that Corbin lifts the mans up and delivers a sickening End of Days right on the concrete floor. The refs and security immediately call for help and tend to the fallen man.
Corbin looks down and smiles before walking off out of frame.
"Jekeyll & Hyde" by Five Finger Deathpunch resonates throughout the arena, as the camera pans to the stage where we catch the first glimpse of Adam Cole emerging through the curtains. He's stoic in nature, his arm hanging loosely to his side a microphone already in hand. He makes his way down to the ring & climbs the steps as his music fades. He wastes no time in speaking.
Ladies & Gentlemen, in case you haven't heard or have been somewhere living under a rock these past couple of years. My name is Adam Cole & soon enough you will recognize me as simply THE MAN. Now with that being said, how did that old saying go? As one of the legends of this business always use to say. To be the man....you have to beat Adam Cole. So please be rest assured that I am not here tonight to promise all of you that I'm some kind of future for this company, cause quite frankly you don't deserve Adam Cole. No, in fact this company, the Ultimate Wrestling Federation doesn't deserve Adam Cole which is why I chose this exact moment to hijack this otherwise embarrassment of a show entitled NXT. For that, you can thank me.
Adam Coles holds his hand up to his ear as to mock Hulk Hogan. The crowd boos
Touching, really it is. It's actually quite astonishing to think that it's almost as you think I give a damn about even just one your opinions. Frankly though I can't say I blame you. This is where stars come to be made right? This is where legends come to die? You the less fortunate have had to withstand countless years of has been washed up losers walking down that ring, regurgitating all over the mic night after night, that you don't know how to take in the fact that you're bearing witness to the greatest professional wrestler that has ever stepped foot through these ropes.
Though of course, you have to look at all the ones who have tried to come out here & lay claim to the fact that they're the best. Maybe they have a championship. Who cares? Been there, done that & have won countless amount of gold all across the world. Maybe they even call themselves a dragon, or maybe every night you tell them to fight & then fight again. None of that matters, because now that I am here, I AM the measuring stick. The sooner you get that through your thick skulls, the sooner you can come to grips with the fact that I will be the UWF International Champion, that I will be the FACE of the UWF that owns this place.
Adam Cole chuckles, as he thinks to himself. He lifts the mic
Although, if there was only one regret that I've had since joining this company, other then the fact that I joined it. It would be that my time in the indies didn't end soon enough for me to slap Kevin Steen across his face one more time before he tucked his tail between his legs & ran off to Warzone. Hey Steeno? How's it going buddy? Bet you didn't imagine seeing me here.
He smirks
Worry none the less Steen; because like I told each & every single one of these people here tonight. I'm not out here to promise that I'm some kind of future for this company, no quite the opposite. I'm the PRESENT. I'm what's happening, I'm the talk of all the wrestling dirt sheets that have ever made you famous. Adam Cole isn't here to let some Grimace looking hamburger thief ride on his coat tails while he emerges as a first round hall of famer. The defecto number one pick, the greatest of all time. No, so in case you or Dolph Ziggler or anyone else for that matter decides they want to step into my spotlight. Well, bad luck got yah.
Adam Cole slowly maneuvers the ring, adding emphasis to what he's saying
Truth be told, I don't need to stand out here & pander to you idiots anymore about how I'm the best because when I step foot inside this ring live on NXT; I will prove that I am everything that those jack offs in the back aren't. I'm good looking, I'm athletically gifted & I can do things inside this ring that not even the great Shawn Michaels or even The Undertaker could imagine doing. They will never come close to amounting to what "The Panama City Playboy" is worth in putting your butts in these seats & selling network subscriptions & pay-per-views. I am this industries Floyd Mayweather. Which is why deep down in their hearts of hearts, my arrival to NXT signifies the end to their free ride. It's not a matter of who, it's a matter of when.
Ladies & Gentlemen, rise to your feet. For I am Adam Cole. I am THE ONE.
Adam Cole slowly lowers his arm, allowing the mic to hit the mat. He exits the ring & makes his way up the ramp, disappearing into the back.
Fans in the arena are quiet when all of a sudden the fans pop as they see AJ Styles walking backstage
Styles notices the camera is on him, and he looks up as he talks to the camera
AJ Styles: I know what people are thinking,and saying. And honestly I can't blame em. They can think of what they want about me, but the fact still remains no matter what AJ Styles isn't going anywhere here in the UWF. It seems like this chapter is going to be one of the hardest of them all in my career here, but y'know I look forward to overcoming the hurdle that is placed before me. Now to Kurt Angle congrats you were the better man, and that is something I full heartedly admit. I will also admit I am gutted for not being in the G1 this year.
Looking at the field, and the competitors in the tournament. The G1 looks like it would be an instant classic, plus the reward of becoming the number one contender to the International Heavyweight Champion that is a nice one, but I guess I have to find my own way to get to that spot, but hey this wouldn't be the first time AJ Styles had to find his own way to the UWF championship. I know that for a fact, and plus this is NXT...
This isn't a place where I look to be lost in the shuffle for very long. I have been in this position before of being doubted. I have, and I know that I can do anything. Nothing is beneath me here in NXT. Whether I go on,and face one of the new faces of the roster, or I go after the Hardcore,or Intercontinental title... Nothing is out of the realm of possibility. I know that any opportunity I get is a huge one here. So NXT don't worry just know I will still be here. I am not leaving until they force me out that door.
I am the face that runs the place. I don't have to have the world title to prove it. I just got to show it, and no one on this roster shows it better then AJ Styles. So NXT give me anything, and anyone, and just know that I will blow you away, because anything I do is just absolutely. 100 percent, without a doubt simply... Phenomenal!
The fans cheer as AJ walks away as we see what will happen next week with the former UWF Champion.
Tony Chimel: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a G1 Climax tournament match and it is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and weighing 229 pounds... Owen HART!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE!
From the back comes the Mad King, looking game for a fight as he foregoes any theatrics and walks straight down the ramp to roll into the ring under the bottom rope. Hart pops right up to his feet and heads for a turnbuckle, climbing it to work the booing crowd before he climbs down to stare toward the stage and await his opponent for the evening.
"The End is here."
Tony Chimel: And his opponent, he is the UWF Intercontinental Champion. From Amsterdam and weighing 205 pounds... Aleister BLACK!
That sick bass line is the only thing that heralds the arrival of NXT's Intercontinental Champion, but it's enough to draw a small pop from his cohort of fans in the stands. Aleister Black rises as though he were a vampire emerging from a coffin, his body slowly lifted upward amid heavy, billowing smoke on the stage. Finally he steps forward, one decisive step toward the ring that draws another minor pop. That step is followed by another, and another, deliberate plodding stomps as he descends the ramp, enters the ring, and gives Owen Hart a blood-chilling look while he awaits the starting bell.
-VERSUS-
DING DING DING
The bell rings and immediately Aleister Black rushes Owen Hart, driving him back to the corner before connecting with a series of hard kicks to the chest. Hart looks progressively winded with each blow and Black lands six before stepping up on the bottom rope and bringing his boot up to connect with the Canadian's jaw, then pulling him into a side headlock, pulling him from the corner and grounding him with a simple hip toss. Black then gets to his feet as his fans cheer, and he pulls Owen vertical before tossing him into the ropes, using his leg in a spinning motion to lariat the rebounding Mad King. Owen's back bounces off the canvas and he shakes his head and blinks, trying to shed the cobwebs. The motion is to no avail as Black again pulls him up and then, holding either side of his head, connects with six alternating knee strikes to the gut before planting Owen face-first with a sitout facebuster.
Tom Phillips: Mere minutes into this match and Aleister Black has put himself firmly in the driver's seat.
Corey Graves: Right you are, Tom, but this one is also a far cry from over and as we all know, anything can happen here on NXT.
Black gets back to his feet and then hauls Hart up by grabbing a fistful of his hair. Black keeps hold of the hair as he throws a few forearms into Hart's face, then shoves him back into the corner. Black then crosses to the corner opposite and comes running forward looking for a boot to the face, but Hart rolls out of the corner to the right and Black racks himself on the top rope! Hart immediately comes back in, raking Black's eye. Aleister flops off of the rope as Hart grabs his ankle and drags him to the middle of the ring, then kicks the inside of his calf multiple times. Black grimaces and grabs at the limb, so Hart pushes it (and by extension Black) to the side before unloading with a flurry of nasty stomps to the same place he had been kicking. After ten such blows, Hart steps off and shouts something indiscernible to the crowd, who had been booing him.
Corey Graves: And now we see the veteran Hart's ring sense and Dungeon training coming into play while he isolates a limb vital to Aleister Black.
Tom Phillips: It is hard to imagine how Black will adjust his game plan if he loses the use of a leg here.
Black rolls over onto all fours while Hart steps up behind him, then brings both forearms down to pancake the sides of his head before stepping over to loom above his back and locking in a chinlock. Black struggles against the hold while Hart torques it, cranking the Satanist's neck in an awkward way as Aleister claws at thin air and grunts in pain. After what seems like several long moments of this, hart releases one hand of the hold and strikes Black directly on the type of the skull, sending him flat onto his chest on the canvas. Owen then turns his attention back to the leg he was assaulting earlier, stomping the inside of the knee joint several times before grabbing the ankle, rolling Black over and then performing a spinning toehold! Hart steps back over the leg, time and again, constantly twisting and torquing Black's limb as the Intercontinental Champion cries in agony, again clawing at the air.
Tom Phillips: Owen Hart is ruthlessly attacking Aleister Black's leg here, Corey, and you have to wonder how long Black can endure such an assault before longer-term ramifications start to become a factor.
Corey Graves: Hart is picking him apart here, Tom. Aleister Black needs to find some momentum or this one is over.
Owen finally releases the limb, letting it fall with a thud to the canvas. Black rolls over and immediately sits up to rub the leg, trying to get some feeling back in it as Hart hits the ropes and comes back to kick him square in the face. Black is laid out flat and Hart falls on top of him.
1...
2...
...NO!
Black's fans pop for him as he breaks the pin by getting a shoulder up. They then start to thump their seats and clap, attempting to give him the energy to rally.
Corey Graves: He may not be everybody's favourite but you can tell that Aleister Black has his fans here on NXT!
Hart waves off the clapping as he moves back in on Black, who is slowly getting to his feet. Owen intends to put a stop to any hopes of a comeback as he throws a forearm to connect flush with the back of Black's skull, sending him stumbling for the ropes. Black, however, throws himself full into the ropes and tries to come back with an explosive bicycle kick! Unfortunately for him, Hart has it scouted and catches the foot, then spins Black like a top before locking him in the Northern Lights clutch! But in one, fluid motion, Black slides up and locks in the Anti Cross! His fans pop in a huge way as Black, running purely on adrenaline, absolutely punishes the shit out of Owen for several long seconds before the Canadian backs him into the turnbuckles, throwing all of his weight into Black and essentially splashing him. Black releases his hold and Hart pulls away such that Aleister hits the canvas on his side with a thump, and Owen immediately turns around and runs in with a punt to Black's gut that nearly makes the champion lose his lunch as his fans boo the living shit out of the Canadian.
Tom Phillips: The fans are taking exception to that attack, Corey.
Corey Graves: Yeah, but I don't know why. That move was above the belt and completely legal, these fans are just stupid assholes.
Owen drags Black out from the corner and then picks up both ankles as the fans of Black erupt in heat but the rest of the house starts cheering! He's going for the Sharpshooter! Hart steps into the gap and crosses the legs and then points to the fans but as he does, Black pulls him in and rolls him up in a small package!
1...
2...
...NO!
Tom Phillips: Aleister Black damn near stole this one!
Corey Graves: And no booing over that underhanded attempt. Hypocrites in this town, I tell ya!
Black and Hart are both quick up and Owen takes a full on charge at Black. Black feigns a lariat that Owen tries to duck, but as he does he ducks right into a kitchen sink! Owen flips over the knee and lands on his back clutching his gut as Black practically dives between the ropes to the apron, leaps up to the top rope and leaps off with a double foot stomp onto Hart's gut! Black rolls through and shoots up to his feet, but then stumbles owing to his hurt leg and falls onto the ropes. Meanwhile, Hart writhes in pain. Finally, Black comes around for the cover.
1...
2...
...NO!
Tom Phillips: He kicks out at two and a half!
Corey Graves: Owen Hart smartly attacked that leg of Aleister Black knowing he could neutralize most of Black's offensive skillset. Those ring smarts paid off right there by buying him enough time to recover and make a kick-out.
The fans are losing their mind as Black pushes up to one knee and runs a hand through his hair, looking about as fazed as he is capable of looking. That hand then grabs Owen by his mussy mop and hauls him to a vertical base before Black unloads with a nasty elbow-shoot kick-roundhouse combo that sends Owen stumbling into the ropes. Black then steps away with a bit of a hobble but as soon as he turns away Owen comes off the ropes and as Black turns around he does so just in time to duck a lariat. Owen rebounds and as he comes back, Black spins out with his boot to hit the Black Mass! Hart's legs give out and he hits the canvas like a sack of potatoes as Black, off balance and favouring the leg again, falls on top for a sloppy cover.
1...
2...
...3!
DING DING DING!
Here is your winner,
Aleister Black!
Tom Phillips: Owen Hart had the game plan but it was Aleister Black who managed to execute enough to pull off a win here in the first week of the G1 Glimax.
Corey Graves: That's right, Phillips, but that's not to take away anything from the Mad King. He was on point here tonight and there's always a chance to get back in the mix.
Black sits cross-legged in the middle of the ring after collecting his victory, the official exiting to collect his title and bring it in to him. He sets it in front of Black who looks down at the title, and then over at the still-downed Owen Hart before sweeping the crowd with an icy gaze. Black finally starts to get to his feet and collect his title as the feed moves on elsewhere.
The action so far on NXT has been off the chain. It is now time to cut from the action in the ring as the cameras do just that. The camera flashes back to life as it shows Spike Dudley, taping his knee whilst looking at the camera. He has bruises all over his face, with a bandage over where he was cut open at No Mercy. Beside him, is his crutches as he winces with every turn of the tape around his knee.
Spike: I've questioned myself all week. Should Uncle Spike Dudley compete tonight in the first round of the G1 Climax Tournament. I found out the hard way last year that every single match is important. I only lost one last year yet I wasn't even the runner up. I sat in the hospital wing, waiting for the doctors to see me after I jumped from the ceiling of the Hell in a Cell and I watched the NXT Preview come out.
Spike pauses, holding his ribs now as he begins to uneasily cough. The camera stays fixed on him as he continues.
That's how I found out I was entered into this years edition. I could sit here right now, and tell you that I will win this tournament and get another shot at the International Championship. I could tell you this but I wouldn't be confident. Back to my original point. I thought long and hard about going to EC3 or Dixie or Maxine and withdrawing from the tournament. Look at me, there is no way in hell that I should be competing tonight, maybe not even next week. I am beat up, I am fatigued, I am tired. Dolph Ziggler and I went to Hell, I might even still be there.
My name was called and I was attended to and that's when I thought, pulling out just wouldn't be the Spike Dudley way, now would it? Ask Dolph Ziggler's mum, I don't pull out. I thought to myself, I have an opportunity to put right a wrong that I did last year. I should have won that G1 Climax tournament last year but CM Punk bested me. Look at what happened to him now? His another one that found it too hard over here and decided to go make it easy over on Warzone. I have had a pretty good career over here on NXT but one thing was always the same. I always had my brothers and Stacy looking over my shoulder. Well my brothers are gone and Stacy won't be back until G1 is finished so it's only me. I have to rely on myself and that begins tonight.
Spike smacks his fist into his hand. He begins to crack his knuckles as he looks into the camera.
Chris Jericho, you got to choose which bracket you were apart of. You got to choose which way you went and straight off the bat, I'm going to prove you choose the wrong one. I don't care why you choose the side I was on, I don't care if I look like I'm ripe for the picking, I'm in a position I want to be. I'm back being the Underdog, I'm back down the bottom of the pile and I'm back being the one that people don't take seriously. I've worked myself up from here before and even though I'm only at 25% max, I'll be doing the same thing tonight.
Spike stares at the camera, looking menancing as the camera fades away to somewhere else.
The cameras go backstage where a limo pulls up and none other than NXT General Manager EC3 comes out to a loud chorus of boos from the crowds. He has crutches with him and starts to walk around backstage. Maxine comes up to him right away.
Maxine: Ethan! Thank God you're back, Dixie has been ruining the show. I tried to talk to her about how things have been running. I mean she gave Spike Dudley a rematch, she hired Finn Balor for the 60th time it seems and she won't listen to any suggestions.
EC3: I know, that's why I made sure I got the card done before she could where is she?
Maxine: In your office.
Maxine and EC3 walk together to his office. He opens the door to see Dixie sitting at his desk.
EC3: Dixie, what are you still doing here?
Dixie: What do you mean what am I still doing here? This is NXT and I am the owner after all.
EC3: Right but I'm the general Manager.
Dixie: Yeah about that, I'm kind of liking this job. I think I might stay on for awhile. You clearly aren't at 100% yet and you were late.
EC3: I had physical therapy! Look I've gotten numerous complaints from guys like Baron Corbin who you haven't booked for a month and you just hand out a title match to Steve Blackman of all people.
Dixie: Yes well I've gotten a lot of compliments about that. Either way the G1 practically books itself so I don't think you're needed much around here. Rest up and in a couple months I'll give you a call to resume your duties ok? Thanks darlin' don't forget to close the door on your way out.
Ethan looks shook but just shakes his head and leaves with Maxine. Dixie just smiles along like nothing as the feed goes elsewhere.
Jericho comes out from the back to considerable applause, the scarfiest scarf worn around his neck and the clipboard holding his list in hand.
Tony Chimel: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, weighing in at 227 pounds, Chris Jericho!
Jericho foregoes any of his usual theatrics to head right down the ramp, then pauses at the foot of it and looks at his list before looking out to the crowd and nodding. Y2J then heads up the ring steps before leaving his list on the apron near the corner, and enters the ring between the ropes as the fans continue to cheer for him. Jericho heads across the ring to his corner, and he grabs the ropes, performing a few quick stretches while he awaits his opponent.
LET ME SEE YOU PUT EM UP,
REACH THE SKY, TOUCH THE STARS UP ABOVE
CAUSE IT'S ONE TIME FOR THE UNDERDOG
The crowd rise to their feet as a superstar comes out to the public eye. The cheers start to come now as Spike hobbles out onto the stage. He has a badly bruised face and limps his way down the ramp.
Tony Chimel:And his opponent, from Dudleyville, weighing in at 165 pounds, Spike Dudley!
Spike hobbles over into the ring and gingerly enters Jericho looks on with a smile on his face feeling like he has this in the bag. The referee asks Spike if he's sure he wants to compete to which he nods and so the ref calls for the bell.
VS
DING DING DING
Spike walks right up to the center of the ring and tells Jericho to bring it. Chris just laughs at him, seeing his condition but Spike is dead set on fighting. Chris walks up to him with a ton of swagger but Spike just slaps the taste out of his mouth! Jericho slowly turns his head to face Spike and just hits him with a standing drop kick to the face. Spike scoots back to the corner holding his face and looking angrily at Jericho.
Tom Phillips: One has to wonder what exactly is going through the mind of Spike Dudley after that brutal match inside the Hell in a Cell.
Corey Graves: If he was smart he would have forfeited. He's clearly not ready to fight and now he has to fight in a grueling tournament. He's lucky EC3 is even giving him an opportunity.
Tom Phillips: Are you serious? He obviously put Spike against one of the toughest opponents to start off with just because he dislikes him.
Corey Graves: As opposed to an easy opponent like Jimmy Uso you mean? Geez Tom, I thought you were supposed to be the nice one.
Spike gets back to his feet and gets in Jericho's face. They go head to head, saying a few words that the camera can't quite pick up but Spike attacks first with a forearm shot to the face. Jericho retaliates with on of his own and being the bigger and more healthy of the two, he backs Spike into the ropes before shooting him off. He then bends over for a back body drop but Spike instead dropkicks him in the face. Jericho stumbles back into the ropes and so Spike comes running back over only for Jericho to lift him up over head to the floor below. Spike however hangs onto the ropes and lands on the apron. Jericho elbows him in the face before running over to the corner and springboarding off the second rope to turn and dropkick Spike off the apron.
Y2J could go on the attack but instead he backs away and tells the ref to start counting. You can tell Spike is still really hurt form his match at No Mercy as he's very slow to get up. Spike gets up to a knee at the five count but Jericho walks over and yells for him to stay down. LSD of course doesn't listen and puts his hand on the mat to pick himself up. Jericho just shrugs and comes running at Spike, taking him down with a baseball slide to the outside. Spike goes crashing into the barricade but Jericho picks him up right away and tosses him back into the ring, following him in and going for the pin.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Spike kicks out! Jericho just shakes his head and brings Spike back up to his feet. He gives the former International Champion a chop to the chest that staggers him into the corner. From there, Jericho climbs up to the second rope and starts to hammer away at Spike, doing the old 10 count punch. He stops at 9 and looks out to the crowd but Spike takes advantage by getting out and pulling Jericho's feet so that he lands face first on the top turnbuckle! Y2J turns around only to get kicked in the gut and spun around for a rope assisted tornado DDT! Spike hurries to go for the cover.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Jericho kicks out!
Corey Graves: OK Spike you made your point, now just lie down and hope Jericho loses a match so you can have a tie breaker later.
Tom Phillips: We both know Spike better than that. He won't dare give up unless he can no longer fight and even then-
Corey Graves: Even then he'll still be an annoying little gnat. Did he learn nothing from Dolph Ziggler destroying him? Hopefully after Jericho wins this, he'll no to stay out of the world title picture.
Spike is breathing heavily, this match taking a lot out of him despite it only going on for a little over 5 minutes. Jericho starts to get up to one knee so Spike comes over and puts his head between his legs, He tries to lift him up for a piledriver but Chris uses his size to stop it from happening, instead sending Spike overhead with a back body drop. Spike sits up right away, grabbing at his back and trying to get up. When he does, Jericho comes from behind to plant him with a bulldog. Now placed perfectly in the center of the ring, The Ayatollah of Rock n' Rolla runs to the ropes and springboards off with the lionsault! He lands right on Spike and hooks both legs for the deep cover.
1 . . .
2 . . .
Spike kicks out once again! Jericho picks him up right away and whips him into the corner. From there, he lifts Spike into a seated position on the top turnbuckle. He starts to climb up yo the second rope and looks for s superplex. Spike however fights him off with a few headbutts to send him back down to the mat. LSD then repositions himself on the top rope while Jericho gets back to his feet. Spike leaps off with a front dropkick but Jericho catches his feet as he's coming down and transitions it into the Walls of Jericho!
Corey Graves: Walls of Jericho! Spike better give up now or I don't think he'll ever be 100% again.
Tom Phillips: For once I may have to agree with you. He's not 100% and there's no shame in tapping out right now.
Despite everyone thinking it's in his best interest to tap out, Spike fights on and crawls fist over fist to the ropes. Jericho gives a little but turns back over to pull him back to the center of the ring. Spike however brings his legs in to get Jericho closer to him and starts to punch him atop his head before rolling him up with an inside cradle!
1 . . .
2 . . .
3. . .
But Jericho kicks out at the last second! He gets up right away but Spike kicks him in the gut and spikes him with a piledriver! Jericho's body goes limp and the former International Champion makes a statement by turning him over for the win.
1 . . .
2 . . .
3 . . .
But Jericho gets the shoulder up once more! Spike looks shocked but that feeling goes away very fast as he knows he needs to end this now before he suffers more harm. He waits with his hands on his knees, yelling for Jericho to get up. Y2J is a bit groggy, slowly getting back to his feet and Spike grabbing his head. He runs with him to the corner and runs up the ropes for the Dudley Dog but Jericho manages to throw him off once he turns. Spike lands on his feet and turns around but Jericho leaps up and nails with Code Breaker! It looks like it's light's out for Spike as Jericho crawls over and places his arm over him for the pin.
1 . . .
2 . . .
3 . . .
Tony Chimel:Here is your winner, Chris Jericho!
Jericho slowly comes to and raises his hand in victory. Spike doesn't move, still knocked out and so the referee checks on him. Jericho looks a little worried but doesn't let it bother him too much, instead opting to celebrate his first big win in the G1 until the live feed moves on.
We are taken backstage where the UWF International Champion is standing by with an interviewer. Ziggler already seems annoyed.
INTERVIEWER
Dolph, everyone saw your match at No Mercy this past weekend when you defended your International Championship against Spike Dudley in the Hell in a Cell structure. That structure has broken other men, and you took a great deal of punishment in it. Are you 100 per cent heading into tonight's tag team contest?
Ziggler grabs the microphone from the interviewer and fixes him with an icy gaze. He then moves as though he is about to superkick the man before stopping, laughing, and patting the man on the shoulder. He focuses on the camera.
DOLPH ZIGGLER
Let me explain something so that everyone out there tonight in the stands and watching from home and everyone in the locker room especially Mr. Money In The Bank can understand it once and for all. I am always ready. I was born ready. Every day is a good day for me and every time is go time. It doesn't matter if I just fought in an exploding cage match or a House of Natlav match or a pizza cutters and nail files match. I am always prepared to defend my title and always prepared to take on all comers. I've never balked from a fight, and I never will. Period.
Ziggler starts to walk away, but then comes back into frame.
And as for those two idiot nobodies who I'm fighting tonight? Here's a message for you...
With that, Ziggler springs into action and actually superkicks the interviewer straight in the jaw, leveling him. The International Champion then fixes his title on his waist and drops the microphone on the groaning interviewer's body before stalking off, the booing of the crowd audible in the not-too-distant background.
The scene opens up to Kurt Angle in the backstage area staring into the lens of a camera.
Kurt Angle: I had an amazing battle with one of the most gifted and successful athletes in the history of this business last week at No Mercy. I And at the end of it, AJ Styles name was added to the long list of stars that I have beaten since I made my return last summer. But somehow, even with that win, I didnt get an invitation to enter the G1 Climax tournament. As everyone knows, the winner of the tournament goes on to get a shot at the International Championship. A title that has alluded me in my tenure here, but I still have this briefcase here. While I am a bit upset that Im not being show cased with the other immortal superstars that are prominently being featured in the tournament, I didnt need to win it anyway. I already have my title opportunity sitting right here, and I can use it whenever I want.
With this briefcase, I can strike like a thief or a bandit in the night, at any time. Hell I could have jumped in that Hell in a Cell and struck before Spike Dudley nearly killed himself. I could have left that cage International Champion, but I allowed Dolph to leave the arena with the belt. Just like how I have allowed everyone to remain champion because I havent deemed it the right time yet. Also, I am a nice guy, Ill let someone like Dolph hold the belt for a bit before I give him a big flashback to last summer. Ill let you guys in on a little secret though, the time is drawing nearer and nearer. It might be tonight right after the main event, I might walk down and cash in. Or maybe Ill just wait until WrestleMania next year and walk out with the belt. Only time will tell, but just know that it will be when you least expect it.
Speaking of the G1 Climax tournament, the reason Im probably not in it is because I would win the whole thing while holding onto the Money in the Bank briefcase. Ill be paying close attention to the tournament and seeing how it plays out because Id love to fight each and every single guy entered in it to show that this tournament means nothing if Im not in it. The main man who Ill be watching is Chris Jericho. You may have gotten lucky when we faced off, but I havent forgotten about your fluke win over me. Sooner than later we will have another chance to dance and Ill make sure youre the one that will be defeated. Our round II is imminent. Speaking of a round II, AJ Styles, if and whenever you are ready, the offer is on the table for another fight.
The feed then goes elsewhere.
As the smoke goes away on the stage we see Finn Balor holding his arms out while wearing his signature leather jacket, Finn Balor makes it midway down the entrance ramp as he walks the lights flicker along with the beats of his theme he throws his arms up as a spotlight is put on him
Tony Chimel: The following tag team match is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Bray, County Wicklow Ireland, weighing in at 190 pounds, Finn Balor!
He continues to walk down the ramp until he reaches the ring he walks over to the steps and starts to flicker again as he climbs above the turnbuckles and bend over and come back up as light flicker to the beats of his theme. He then hops off the turnbuckle and waits for his opponent in his partner.
The ominous song orchestrated by Shamans Harvest plays through the speakers, as the audience dont even hesitate to boo. The Chosen One appears from behind the curtain, his long coat draped open, as he looks plentifully confident heading into this contest.
Tony Chimel: And his partner, from Ayr Scotland, weighting in at 254 pounds, Drew McIntyre!
He walks slowly down to ringside, swinging up his large, long leg up onto the cliff of the ring, and helps himself up. He opens his arms out wide for the crowd, and the audience immediately boo. He smugly grins, entering the ring, he enters his corner.
Tony Chimel:And their opponents, first from Annville Pennsylvania, he is the number one contender to the International Championship, Steve Blackman!
We see Dead Prez simply coming out to the ring donning a MF Doom mask on his face. He stands on the ramp way giving high fives to the crowds and waits at the bottom of the ramp for his tag team partner this evening.
As the theme of the UWF International Champion hits the arena soundsystem, the fans erupt in a massive show of heat, nearly drowning out the iconic Beastie Boys banger. Dolph trots out from the back with the title worn round his waist.
Tony Chimel:And his tag team partner, from Hollywood, Florida, weighing in at 216 pounds, he is the International Champion, Dolph Ziggler!
He gingerly walks down the ramp, not entirely 100% after his Hell in a Cell match at No Mercy. Regardless he reaches the bottom of the ramp and heads into the ring with Blackman. He quickly heads to the apron to let Blackman start the match.
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VS
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DING DING DING
Steve Blackman looks to start things off with Drew McIntyre. They lock up right away but Drew has the easy size and power advantage. He simply shoves Blackman down to the mat and laughs. This gets on the crowd's nerves but Blackman gets right back up and wants to lock up again. Drew just smirks but decides he wants to play around some more. They lock up once again and this time Drew just pushes Blackman into the ropes until the referee counts to 4 to make him let go. He slowly lifts his hands up but then just slaps Blackman across the face! He backs away laughing but the Dead Prez comes at him with a flurry of punches, chops and forearms to back him into the ropes. He tries to send Mcintyre off the ropes but Drew counters and sends him instead. Blackman bounces off and comes back with a loud chop that echoes throughout the arena! McIntyre covers up right awya but just headbutts the daylights out of Blackman.
Corey Graves: Did you hear that? That chop sounded like a shotgun going off but that headbutt... you should never be able to hear a headbutt.
Tom Phillips: Blackman may be down but you can already see McIntyre's chest welting.
McIntyre is on the ropes just grabbing at his chest. He can see the damage but all it does is piss him off. He walks over to Blackman and brings him to his feet but Steve fights him off with multiple punches to the stomach. Drew cuts off any momentum he's trying to build with a well placed knee to the gut. He then picks up Blackman and walks forward a bit before throwing him back with a fallaway slam! Blackman reaches his hand out for a tag but Drew just pulls him to the center of the ring and hooks both legs for a deep cover.
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Blackman kicks out! He sits up and reaches out for a tag but McIntyre just drills his knee into his back and gets him in a chinlock, pulling back on his head. Ziggler is just staring at him, not really caring but the crowd starts to clap to try and get the number one contender back in it. It starts to work and Blackman is able to twist around enough to get back to a vertical base. He elbows McIntyre a few times in the stomach and looks to run to the ropes but Drew grabs him by the back of the head and just slams his head into the mat. Instead of going for a pin, he picks him up right away and throws him over his shoulder. Blackman however is able to wiggle out behind him and when Drew turns around, he gets attacked with another flurry of punches and kicks, the kicks hitting him in the back of the knees to drop him to his knees. He then follows up with a big roundhouse kick! McIntyre falls to the mat and Blackman turns him over for the pin.
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McIntyre kicks out! Blackman walks over and tags in Ziggler who doesn't look like he particularly wants to go in. He gives Steve a look but decides to go ahead and enter the ring.
Corey Graves: Of course, make the International Champion do all the hard work. That's Steve Blackman for you.
Tom Phillips: He got him down! We all know the real reason Ziggler doesn't want to compete.
Corey Graves: Yeah we do, Drew McIntyre and Finn Balor are beneath him. I like seeing Drew beat the crap out of guys as much as the next guy but he's not on the level of our World Champion.
Ziggler slowly walks up to Drew who is on a knee, trying to get up. Ziggler jumps up for a Famouser but the power of McIntyre is able to lift him straight up and drop him with a powerbomb! McIntyre falls backwards into the ropes and Balor decides to tag himself into the match. Drew gives him a death stare but Balor doesn't notice or care and just comes in to hit a running dropkick to Dolph. The crowd is cheering him on as Ziggler rolls to the outside of the ring. Balor hits the ropes to build some momentum and jumps over the ropes with a senton right on top of Ziggler! The International Champion is out of it so Balor tosses him back into the ring. He hunches over in the corner and waits while Dolph tries to get back up. Once he does Balor comes running over but Ziggler knocks his lights out with a super kick! Dolph falls on him but doesn't even bother hooking the leg for the pin.
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2 . . .
Balor kicks out! Dolph gets back to his feet and tags in Blackman who looks a bit perplexed why he's tagging out already. He argues with Dolph a bit saying he was just in the match but Ziggler is hearing none of it, just rolling to the outside. Balor meanwhile crawls over to McIntyre but Drew drops from the apron! Balor looks shocked but McIntyre just smiles at him and starts to leave up the ramp. The crowd is booing him heavily but he doesn't care, just leaving up the ramp. Balor uses the ropes to get up and turns around into a Bicycle Kick from Blackman! Balor is laid out and so Blackman goes for the pin.
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3 . . .
Tony Chimel:Here are your winners, the International Champion Dolph Ziggler and Steve Blackman!
Blackman and Ziggler both get their arms raised in victory. Blackman looks at Dolph and motions that the belt will be around his waist soon. Ziggler starts to laugh and just shakes his head. He gets right in Blackman's face and starts saying a few unkind words followed by two gentle slaps to the face. The crowd lets out an "OOHHH!" as Ziggler turns away to leave the ring. Blackman grabs his arm and turns him back to him, getting in his face. Dolph shoves him away and yells out "Never put his hands on the International Champion again!". Blackman puts his hands up and backs away. Ziggler lets his guard down and that's when Blackman takes his head off with a Bicycle Kick! The crowd goes nuts and Blackman grabs the Intentional Championship and raises it high to the adoration of the crowd.
Tom Phillips: Dolph told him not to put his hands on him but he didn't say anything about his feet!
Corey Graves: This is just sick. Of course you condone this cowardly act. I can't wait until Dolph puts him in his place!
Blackman continues to celebrate with the title until the show fades out.
END OF SHOW
Credits
Promos - Respective TTers
Black vs Hart, Wyatt vs Omega - Crann
Dunne vs Uso, Tag Match, Jericho vs Spike - Danny