Post by Y2 F'n J on Jan 30, 2017 0:51:40 GMT -5
WWEAU is a project I've been working on for the last few months. The idea is, take the Attitude Era roster (circa 2000), and mixing in modern elements. This presents awesome possibilities. For right now, the story will begin its focus on two superstars: the winner of the intercontinental title match, and the winner of the WWE championship match. All other matches will be outlined. As more superstars are added and "tracked", they will begin having their segments and matches written in detail. So, without further ado, WWEAU WrestleMania 17.
*****
WRESTLEMANIA 17
Kurt Angle defeated D'lo Brown
Kurt continues his winning streak, D'lo being his fourteenth victim. D'lo is a tough competitor however, and takes the distinction of being the first superstar in WWE to kick out of the Angle Slam. However, the Olympic Gold Medalist persevered, and made D'lo tap out with an ankle lock.
The Dudleyz defeated the Hardyz in a tables match to retain World Tag Team Titles
Both of the these teams have, along with Edge & Christian, made a name for themselves in a very hardcore style of wrestling. The Dudleys and the Hardys came into this match with a whole lot of bad blood, and D-Von and Bubba Ray have made a habit of laying out the Hardys night after night. Matt and Jeff put up a valiant fight, but the powerhouse Dudley Boys ended the match with a 3D on a broken and bloodied Jeff Hardy to pick up the win.
TRIPLE THREAT LADDER MATCH FOR INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE: EDGE VS. CHRIS JERICHO (C) VS. X-PAC
The crowd is still buzzing over the tables match. Chris Jericho's Intercontinental Championship hangs high above the ring, and the crowd is buzzing in anticipation of what is sure to be an awesome battle.
"On the Edge" By Jim Johnston begins playing. The crowd responds with a mixed reaction. While they don't forget about Edge's antics with Christian over the tag titles, Edge has been making a name for himself in the singles scene since Christian sustained an injury. Edge walks through the crowd and hops on top of the barricade, looking out over the massive crowd with a smile on his face. He slides into the ring and stares up at the Intercontinental Championship.
"The Kings" by Run DMC starts as the crowd rains down boos on X-Pac. He doesn't seem to care much as he makes his entrance. Unlike Edge, the crowd doesn't have mixed feelings on the D-Generation X member- they are clearly against him. He does his crotch chop as green fireworks blast off in the ring.
The countdown starts on the titantron and the crowd roars. They even count down with it. Fireworks explode out of the stage as Chris Jericho's theme begins playing. Y2J looks confident tonight, and the crowd is firmly on his side. Jericho has had a long slow climb to stardom, and retaining tonight on the Grandest Stage of them All would be a dream come true for the champion.
All the competitors are in the ring and ready to go. X-Pac's eyes are darting between Edge and Jericho; Edge is unusually silent. Jericho is trash talking.
The sound of a car crash is heard, signaling the entrance of Commissioner Mick Foley! The competitors look confused but the crowd pops for the former world champion and superstar. He walks out with a wide smile on his face, a mic in one hand and a paper in the other.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you guys but I'm here with a last minute addition to this match!" The crowd roars at this, and the three competitors look very confused. "The ink is still drying on his contract, but this man is someone whom I, and a lot of the guys in the back, expect great things from! He is the hottest free agent in wrestling today! Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce to you, our newest signing....."
Mick steps to the side and the crowd hushes in anticipation.
"Battle On" by War of Ages plays as the name "Tyler Black" flashes onto the titantron! The crowd erupts as Tyler bursts out onto the stage! He shakes Mick Foley's hand and the Commissioner makes his exit. The three superstars in the ring look shocked, especially Jericho, who had a critically acclaimed feud with Black in WCW over the Cruiserweight title.
Black slides into the ring and Jericho gets right in his face, talking trash right in the center of the ring.
The bell rings.
Still Jericho and Tyler are in each other's faces going back and forth.
X-Pac grabs Black's shoulder and hits him with a spin kick! Jericho turns around and is met with a spear from Edge!
With the two taken out, X-Pac and Edge meet in the center of the ring and begin trading punches; Edge dodges a punch from X-Pac and kicks his leg out from under him; Pac falls to a knee, and from out of nowhere Tyler Black hits the Avada Kedavra on Pac, who slumps to the side and rolls out of the ring.
Edge takes advantage of the temporary distraction and runs at Black for the spear, but Black leapfrogs; Edge stops his momentum in time, but before he turns around, Tyler reaches backwards and drops Edge with a cutter. Instead of getting up, Black rolls out of the ring- but is met by a ladder from Jericho!
Tyler falls to the ground and Jericho slides the ladder into the ring. He looks around; X-Pac is still on the outside, recovering from the superkick; Edge is also on the outside, and Tyler is still down from the ladder shot. Jericho smiles and sets up the ladder under the title, and begins climbing.
Edge is the first up, and he slides into the ring and pulls Jericho down; Y2J lands on the mat safely, and Edge smashes him with a forearm. Jericho stumbles back, and Edge bounces off the ropes to get Jericho with another spear!
Chris moves out the way, pushing Edge forward. Edge smashes shoulder first into the ring post! Jericho laughs as he thinks he's victorious, but turns around to the X-Factor from X-Pac!
Pac begins climbing the ladder but favors his right leg which had been kicked out by Edge earlier! Pac is about halfway up the ladder when Tyler springboards off of the top rope and drop kicks Pac off! X-Pac is caught on the ropes and whips back onto the mat.
Black is back up in no time and looks up at the title; this move costs him, as Edge hits him with a spear!
Edge's shoulder seems hurt, but he soldiers on; surprisingly, he takes the ladder down! Edge puts it flat on the mat, and opens it up slightly; he sticks Tyler's leg in between the ladder, and slams it down!
Edge gets a chair from the outside and slides back into the ring, and slams the chair down on the ladder with Black's leg trapped beneath! Tyler screams in pain, and then Edge does it again!
"Look at this- Edge is taking Tyler Black out! You can't climb a ladder with injured legs!" J.R points out on commentary.
Edge looks over at Jericho, who is standing up with the assistance of the ropes in the corner. Edge walks out and drives the edge of the chair into Jericho's knee; Jericho falls down to the ground.
Edge turns around and dodges a spin kick from X-Pac; Edge drops the chair and hooks X-Pac, hitting an impaler DDT on the chair!
"Edge has it!" Jerry Lawler says on commentary. Edge sets up the ladder and begins climbing- he reaches all the way to the top and has his fingertips on the title-
The ladder shakes. Edge looks down and sees Jericho with both of his hands on the ladder, threatening to push it over! Jericho laughs and the ladder tumbles, and Edge lands crotch first on the top rope!
Jericho looks around; he sees X-Pac, who has rolled outside of the ring and looks like he's out of it- and he sees Tyler Black, who is favoring his legs. Jericho gets a devious smirk, and lifts Black's legs up, locking him in the Walls of Jericho! Tyler screams in agony as Jericho puts the pressure on.
Jericho finally lets it go, satisfied with the damage he's done, and rolls Black out of the ring. Jericho climbs the ladder confidently.
Edge is perched on the top rope, in clear pain, but still ready- Edge dives and spears Jericho off the ladder!
They both land hard, and maybe Edge took himself out with that move, as he rolls out of the ring with his hand on his shoulder.
Now it's X-Pac who gets into the ring! He sees the fallen ladder, and then sees Jericho, sat in the corner, holding his abdomen and trying to recuperate. Pac runs and hits the Bronco Buster!
Despite the crowd's hatred of X-Pac, the move gets a huge pop from the crowd. Once Pac is done, he gets up and is met by Tyler, who unleashes one, two hard punches, then spins around and kicks him in the gut! X-Pac doubles over in pain. Tyler bounces off of the ropes and plants X-Pac's head into the mat!
Tyler picks up the ladder and sets it up under the belt. Black has his eyes on the prize as he begins a slowly climb, clearly favoring his leg. He's almost there, but Jericho is on the other side! Chris wants, needs to retain his title, and he fights Tyler with everything he has, the two trading punches back and forth.
Black blocks a punch from Jericho, and grabs his head, smashing it into the ladder! Jericho loses his footing and falls down!
Tyler reaches up and pulls the title down!
WINNER AND NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: TYLER BLACK
The crowd goes wild and Tyler holds up his title!
"Like nothing I've ever seen, Tyler Black has ascended into stardom on his first night here! A career making moment for this kid!" J.R says on commentary.
After a commercial advertising Backlash, we are taken to the arena. The lights flicker, and a video comes on; a dark alley in the rain.
"I am nothing."
The brick walls are covered in graffiti.
"I walk among you, yet you don't notice me."
A figure dressed in a hoodie walks down the alley.
"I have been forgotten."
The lights in the arena turn back on.
"What the hell was that?" JR asks on commentary.
"I don't know, but I got goosebumps JR!
Trish Stratus def. Lita to retain Women's Championship
These two women have met three times in WWEAU's history; and each time it was a show stealer. This time was no different, as Lita and Stratus put on a barn burner that was just as good, if not better than any match put on by the men. It took a second Stratusfaction to put Lita down; after the win, Trish and Lita shook hands to a standing ovation from the WrestleMania crowd.
Undertaker def. Shawn Michaels in a Casket Match
Ever since losing to Stone Cold last year at SummerSlam, Shawn Michaels has been on a rampage trying to prove he belongs with the top dogs. And inevitably, he crossed the Deadman. The Undertaker and Michael's fought for the first time tonight, and what a battle it was as the Deadman was pushed to the limit by HBK. Michaels just kept coming back, hitting 'Taker with everything he had; and when all seemed lost for Shawn, DX (Triple H, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and X-Pac) interfered in this no disqualification match to try and even the tide, but KANE made his return, helping his brother fight back against D-Generation X. Just as Kane left DX laying, 'Taker was hit by a superkick! Michaels almost had him in the casket, but the Deadman fought back, grabbing Michaels by the throat and chokeslamming him into the casket- and closing the lid! Nine straight WrestleMania victories for the Deadman!
STREET FIGHT FOR THE WWE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: “STONE COLD” STEVE AUSTIN vs. CM PUNK
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s finally time. These two modern titans will finally meet, in what has turned into a blood feud that we will talk about for years to come.” J.R says as we see the match-up screen.
“This gonna be bloody JR! Both men want that title like they need air, but only one man can lay claim to it by the end of the night!”
We are taken to the prematch promo set to “My Way” by Limp Bizkit. We see Steve Austin get superkicked by a bloody Shawn Michaels at SummerSlam, and Stone Cold kicks out. Another superkick, and the Rattlesnake kicks out! Michaels sets Stone Cold up for a third superkick, but Stone Cold catches him with a Stone Cold Stunner and pins him!
“Stone Cold has done it! Stone Cold has finally won back the World Title!”
Now we see CM Punk’s rise in WWE; two time Intercontinental Champion, one time tag champion. At the same SummerSlam, in a career vs. career CM Punk lifts Brock Lesnar up onto his shoulders for a GTS, and it connects! CM Punk pins Brock Lesnar, as Paul Heyman is in sheer despair on the outside of the ring.
“CM Punk has toppled the Beast!”
Now we’re at the Royal Rumble; The Rock and CM Punk are the final two. Punk runs across the ring and smashes Rock in the face with a knee; they both topple over the ropes, but Punk hangs on, skinning the cat and winning the Royal Rumble!
Now we see the build up to ‘Mania. The night after the Royal Rumble, Punk and Austin meet face to face for the first time. The heated back and forth explodes, as they are pulled apart by what seems like every wrestler in the locker room. Commissioner Mick Foley stands between the two another week.
“If either of you come into physical contact with each other, you will both be suspended, and you, Austin, will be stripped of your title.”
The weeks of tension between the two escalate; Austin and Punk are put into a team together against the New Age Outlaws, and they come very close to fighting each other. The tension builds. Finally, on the go-home show to WrestleMania, they sit across from each other in an area backstage, Jim Ross standing between them as “My Way” by Limp Bizkit slowly meets its end.
“I need to beat you, Austin. I need to beat you more than anything in my life. And I’m going to prove to the world that I am exactly what I tell them I am; the Best In The World.”
The promo ends as Austin and Punk stand across from each other in the ring, Austin raising the title high up.
We are back to the arena, as the crowd is massively hyped up for the match. The lights dim.
A spotlight shines on the stage, revealing a platform on which a black podium stands; emblazoned on the podium is CM Punk’s symbol; the taped fist with an X on it holding a lightning bolt triumphantly.
“And during the few moments that we have left, I want to talk down to Earth, in a language everybody here, can easily understand….”
“Cult of Personality” by Living Color begins playing as the crowd roars. The lights slowly begin raising, as CM Punk raises from beneath the stage, until he stands behind the podium with his arms outstretched to his sides, basking in the crowd’s adulation.
Punk walks confidently down the ramp, looking cocky the whole way. The crowd’s roar is sustained and lasts his whole entrance. They hush as his music fades.
The sound of glass shattering leads to the crowd erupting again. Stone Cold Steve Austin drives out onto the stage on an ATV. He speeds down the ramp and around the ring, before parking it near the ramp and sliding into the ring. He begins posing on all four corners of the ring, each time he crosses the ring he flips Punk off, who only chuckles. Austin’s music fades out and they both stand in their respective corners as introductions are made.
The bell rings.
Instantly, Austin and Punk run at each other, fists flying; Austin gets the early advantage, backing Punk up against the turnbuckle, fast punches crashing into Punk’s head. Punk pushes Austin off, and ducks another shot by Austin, who stumbles into the corner. Punk hits Austin with a big forearm, and Irish whips him across the ring into another turnbuckle; Punk runs behind, and when Austin hits the turnbuckle, Punk leaps onto the second rope and smashes Austin with a huge knee! Punk attempts a bulldog, but Austin pushes Punk off. Punk bounces off of the ropes, into a Lou Thesz press- but Punk manages to push Austin off, and now Punk is on top, and he attempts to lock in the Anaconda vice! Austin breaks Punk’s grip and rolls out, standing to his feet. Punk stands as well, and they both take a pause; Austin looking irritated, CM Punk with a confident smirk on his face. They approach each other, and raise their hands up, apparently trying for a test of strength; but Punk gives Austin the finger! Austin audibly swears and walks back to his corner, and Punk shrugs.
“Punk is trying- and succeeding- at throwing Stone Cold off his game! Everything the Rattlesnake goes for, Punk has had an answer!” J.R says on commentary.
They approach each other cautiously yet again; they lock up. Punk gets an early advantage, locking in a headlock; Austin pushes him off. Punk bounces off the ropes, and Austin stops Punk mid run, flipping him the bird with both fingers; Punk pauses, and Austin kicks Punk in the gut, and grabs his head for a stunner!
Punk pushes him off, and Austin hits the ropes, but locks his arms into the ropes. Punk runs at him, and they both go over the top rope!
"Punk hit that Cactus clothesline perfectly, AND landed on his feet!" JR says on commentary.
Punk has the momentum in his favor, and pulls Austin up, going to Irish whip him into the barricade- but Austin reverses! Punk hits the barricade hard, and Austin begins a meticulous beat down. The Rattlesnake is in his element on the outside of the ring, and he takes Punk from the barricade to the ring posts to the stairs.
Austin send Punk into the steel steps a second time, and Punk writhes on the ground, holding his shoulder.
Austin walks to the time keeper's area, pushing a member of the ring crew off of a chair and picking it up.
Punk is still on the ground, beaten up as Austin approaches with the chair. Stone Cold holds the chair at the ready, yelling obscenities at Punk and telling him to stand up. Punk does manage to push himself up, and Austin brings the chair down-
But Punk dodges to the side, and Stone Cold's chair smashes into the steps! Austin drops the chair and Punk blindsides him with a huge forearm shot, and rolls Steve Austin into the ring. Punk looks down at the chair, then looks at the crowd with a smirk on his face as the hot crowd roars in anticipation.
Punk grabs the chair and slides into the ring, just as Austin is getting to his feet. Punk winds the chair up behind Austin, waiting for the champion to turn around-
Punk smashes the chair straight into Austin's head!
"Good God! That was a hellacious chairshot!" J.R yells on commentary.
Punk goes for a pin.
Austin kicks out a two!
Punk is pissed Austin got the shoulder up, and he picks up the chair again, looking at a barely stirring Austin. Punk is thinking intensely, then brings the chair down on Austin's knee!
Stone Cold screams in pain as Punk targets the surgically repaired knee with the edge of the chair, over and over again! Punk may have done irreversible damage to Austin. Punk throws the chair away, and signals for the GTS!
He lifts Austin up, and once Austin is up on one knee, the Rattlesnake smashes his arm upwards and hits Punk with a low blow! Punk goes down in pain.
"Whoa! Austin just resorted to one of the lowest tactics- and it makes sense why! He's trying to keep his title!" Jerry Lawler says.
"It was dirty, but there's no disqualification, and it bought Austin some breathing room!" J.R replies.
Austin stands, using the ropes to help. He's having trouble on his left knee that Punk targeted, and is trying to put the least amount of weight on it possible. Austin picks up the chair, and brings it down on Punk's back- One, two, three, four, five times!
Punk is writhing in pain, and Austin pins him, but CM Punk kicks out!
Austin is frustrated; frustrated with Punk not giving up, frustrated he's having this much trouble putting Punk down, and frustrated that his knee is giving out on him. He looks at Punk with rage in his eyes, and begins punching the Straight Edge Savior in the head over and over again, holding Punk down so that there isn't much he can do. Austin gets up carefully due to his knee, and picks up the chair again- and smashes it down on Punk's head!
Punk writhes around in pain and rolls out of the ring.
Austin tries to catch Punk before he rolls out but doesn't manage to get him, and Austin stumbles and falls, his knee no doubt in agony after the chair attack from Punk. Austin stands up slowly, bending his knee as if trying to crack it, then approaches the side of the ring that Punk rolled out of.
Austin reaches through the ropes and grabs Punk's hair, but Punk is expecting it, and lifts up a kendo stick and hits Austin in the head with it! Austin falls backward in the ring, and Punk, busted open from the last chair shot, takes a few moments to recuperate, before getting back into the ring and wasting no time in smashing the kendo stick over Austin over and over. Punk pauses, and then begins hitting Austin's left knee over and over, the kendo stick finally splintering and breaking. Austin is holding his knee, screaming in pain. Punk stomps Austin a few times, and the walks to the corner and ascends to the turnbuckle.
Punk points upwards to the sky, and flies off, hitting Austin right in the heart with a flying elbow! Punk with a pin, but Austin gets a shoulder up!
Punk is also getting frustrated at the point. He wipes blood away from his eyes, and looks behind as Stone Cold has begun stirring.
Punk rolls out onto the apron and stands near the turnbuckle, looking prepared for his signature springboard clothesline. Austin is too his feet, still favoring his left knee, and turns around-
Punk springs himself up, but Austin catches him with a kick to the gut as Punk lands-
Austin hits a Stone Cold Stunner!
Stone Cold stays on the ground, his knee still clearly giving him a lot of trouble, and he gets a late pin on a prone CM Punk-
Punk kicks out!
Austin is at his wits end. He starts yelling at the ref, who can only tell him it was a clean kick out. Austin audibly swears, and picks up the chair, limping over to Punk. Austin starts smashing Punk with the chair, over and over again! The chair is now warped and bent, and Punk rolls out of the ring, right in front of the announce table. Austin takes a moment to try and tend to his knee, before stepping out of the ring.
Austin goes to stomp on Punk, but Punk grabs Austin's left knee and pulls, sending Austin face first into the steps!
Punk rolls away from Austin. Punk's back is bruised and he's lost a lot of blood, and now we see Austin has also been busted open.
Punk is leaning on the announce table, holding his back in clear pain. He begins stripping the Spanish announce table, removing the hood and the monitors. He picks Austin up, measures up, and hits Stone Cold in the head with a high kick that lays out Austin onto the table. Punk looks up at the top turnbuckle and the audience begins building.
Punk climbs on the apron and begins to ascend, his injured back giving him some trouble but he stands straight, takes a deep breath, and takes off for an elbow.
Austin moves! Punk crashes through the announce table, unmoving!
"Oh my god! Oh my god! With a burst of adrenaline, a burst of strength, Austin moved out of the way! And Punk crashed and burned!" J.R yells on commentary.
Austin looks shocked, realizing just how narrow his escape was from certain defeat. Punk is still unmoving. Austin stands, his knee still giving him intense pain, and limps over to Punk, lifting him up by his hair. It's clear Punk is dead weight.
"And it may be academic at this point. CM Punk took a high risk, and he failed." J.R says.
Austin rolls the challenger into the ring, and goes for a pin.
One...
Two...
Thr-
Punk gets his shoulder up!
Austin is screaming at no one in particular, calling Punk a son of a bitch. Austin stands in the corner, waiting. "Come on, you piece of trash!"
Punk barely manages to stand. Austin kicks him in the gut, and gives him a second Stunner!
Austin goes for another pin.
Punk kicks out yet again!
Now Austin is in shock. Punk won't stay down. Austin stands up, but Punk grabs his knee again, tripping him up! CM Punk rolls through, and applies a half Boston crab on Austin's left leg, cranking it upwards!
Punk manages to sit back for Evan more leverage! The crowd is roaring, and Austin is screaming in agony! The Rattlesnake pushes up off of the mat, letting out a primal scream, blood leaking into his eyes and his wide open mouth!
Punk is screaming too, cranking the knee as far as he can, trying to apply as much pressure to the joint as he can-
Austin starts crawling, slowly at first, each agonizing inch-
Austin grabs the rope!
The referee forces Punk to break the hold. Punk lets go, sitting in the corner. Punk is breathing heavily, the last of his effort beginning to leave him. Punk pulls himself up with help from the top rope, and picks Austin up- hoists him up on his shoulders-
Punk connects with a GTS!
Austin falls back, hitting the mat hard. Punk goes for the pin!
Punk wins!
WINNER AND NEW WWE WORLD CHAMPION: CM PUNK
The crowd has come unglued as Punk helps himself up with the ropes, taking the belt from the referee and raising it up high. Confetti rains down on the arena, as CM Punk climbs the turnbuckle, holding the title up high.
prowrestlingnews.com
- Various backstage sources say the decision for Punk to win the title was in flux for most of the last couple of months. Steve Austin has been planning on taking a break from wrestling due to nagging injuries, and as a result pushed hard for Punk to go over.
- Tyler Black was driven to the arena from his hotel late in the day. Vince was impressed by Black's tryout, and endorsements from top guys such as Jericho, Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels and CM Punk aided Vince's decision to bring Black in. Tyler winning the title in his debut seems to be Vince dropping him in the water and seeing if he can swim. If he does, he has big things in his future.
- It's still unknown who the outsider vignettes are for. Some have said it's a repackaging for Kane, some think it's a homegrown talent such as Windham Rotunda (who is under a contract with WWE but is working Indy shows for experience), or the prevailing theory- Dean Ambrose of ECW fame. However, Ambrose is still ECW tag champion with Raven as part of Raven's Nest, so it seems unlikely he will plucked from ECW.
*****
WRESTLEMANIA 17
Kurt Angle defeated D'lo Brown
Kurt continues his winning streak, D'lo being his fourteenth victim. D'lo is a tough competitor however, and takes the distinction of being the first superstar in WWE to kick out of the Angle Slam. However, the Olympic Gold Medalist persevered, and made D'lo tap out with an ankle lock.
The Dudleyz defeated the Hardyz in a tables match to retain World Tag Team Titles
Both of the these teams have, along with Edge & Christian, made a name for themselves in a very hardcore style of wrestling. The Dudleys and the Hardys came into this match with a whole lot of bad blood, and D-Von and Bubba Ray have made a habit of laying out the Hardys night after night. Matt and Jeff put up a valiant fight, but the powerhouse Dudley Boys ended the match with a 3D on a broken and bloodied Jeff Hardy to pick up the win.
TRIPLE THREAT LADDER MATCH FOR INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE: EDGE VS. CHRIS JERICHO (C) VS. X-PAC
The crowd is still buzzing over the tables match. Chris Jericho's Intercontinental Championship hangs high above the ring, and the crowd is buzzing in anticipation of what is sure to be an awesome battle.
"On the Edge" By Jim Johnston begins playing. The crowd responds with a mixed reaction. While they don't forget about Edge's antics with Christian over the tag titles, Edge has been making a name for himself in the singles scene since Christian sustained an injury. Edge walks through the crowd and hops on top of the barricade, looking out over the massive crowd with a smile on his face. He slides into the ring and stares up at the Intercontinental Championship.
"The Kings" by Run DMC starts as the crowd rains down boos on X-Pac. He doesn't seem to care much as he makes his entrance. Unlike Edge, the crowd doesn't have mixed feelings on the D-Generation X member- they are clearly against him. He does his crotch chop as green fireworks blast off in the ring.
The countdown starts on the titantron and the crowd roars. They even count down with it. Fireworks explode out of the stage as Chris Jericho's theme begins playing. Y2J looks confident tonight, and the crowd is firmly on his side. Jericho has had a long slow climb to stardom, and retaining tonight on the Grandest Stage of them All would be a dream come true for the champion.
All the competitors are in the ring and ready to go. X-Pac's eyes are darting between Edge and Jericho; Edge is unusually silent. Jericho is trash talking.
The sound of a car crash is heard, signaling the entrance of Commissioner Mick Foley! The competitors look confused but the crowd pops for the former world champion and superstar. He walks out with a wide smile on his face, a mic in one hand and a paper in the other.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you guys but I'm here with a last minute addition to this match!" The crowd roars at this, and the three competitors look very confused. "The ink is still drying on his contract, but this man is someone whom I, and a lot of the guys in the back, expect great things from! He is the hottest free agent in wrestling today! Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce to you, our newest signing....."
Mick steps to the side and the crowd hushes in anticipation.
"Battle On" by War of Ages plays as the name "Tyler Black" flashes onto the titantron! The crowd erupts as Tyler bursts out onto the stage! He shakes Mick Foley's hand and the Commissioner makes his exit. The three superstars in the ring look shocked, especially Jericho, who had a critically acclaimed feud with Black in WCW over the Cruiserweight title.
Black slides into the ring and Jericho gets right in his face, talking trash right in the center of the ring.
The bell rings.
Still Jericho and Tyler are in each other's faces going back and forth.
X-Pac grabs Black's shoulder and hits him with a spin kick! Jericho turns around and is met with a spear from Edge!
With the two taken out, X-Pac and Edge meet in the center of the ring and begin trading punches; Edge dodges a punch from X-Pac and kicks his leg out from under him; Pac falls to a knee, and from out of nowhere Tyler Black hits the Avada Kedavra on Pac, who slumps to the side and rolls out of the ring.
Edge takes advantage of the temporary distraction and runs at Black for the spear, but Black leapfrogs; Edge stops his momentum in time, but before he turns around, Tyler reaches backwards and drops Edge with a cutter. Instead of getting up, Black rolls out of the ring- but is met by a ladder from Jericho!
Tyler falls to the ground and Jericho slides the ladder into the ring. He looks around; X-Pac is still on the outside, recovering from the superkick; Edge is also on the outside, and Tyler is still down from the ladder shot. Jericho smiles and sets up the ladder under the title, and begins climbing.
Edge is the first up, and he slides into the ring and pulls Jericho down; Y2J lands on the mat safely, and Edge smashes him with a forearm. Jericho stumbles back, and Edge bounces off the ropes to get Jericho with another spear!
Chris moves out the way, pushing Edge forward. Edge smashes shoulder first into the ring post! Jericho laughs as he thinks he's victorious, but turns around to the X-Factor from X-Pac!
Pac begins climbing the ladder but favors his right leg which had been kicked out by Edge earlier! Pac is about halfway up the ladder when Tyler springboards off of the top rope and drop kicks Pac off! X-Pac is caught on the ropes and whips back onto the mat.
Black is back up in no time and looks up at the title; this move costs him, as Edge hits him with a spear!
Edge's shoulder seems hurt, but he soldiers on; surprisingly, he takes the ladder down! Edge puts it flat on the mat, and opens it up slightly; he sticks Tyler's leg in between the ladder, and slams it down!
Edge gets a chair from the outside and slides back into the ring, and slams the chair down on the ladder with Black's leg trapped beneath! Tyler screams in pain, and then Edge does it again!
"Look at this- Edge is taking Tyler Black out! You can't climb a ladder with injured legs!" J.R points out on commentary.
Edge looks over at Jericho, who is standing up with the assistance of the ropes in the corner. Edge walks out and drives the edge of the chair into Jericho's knee; Jericho falls down to the ground.
Edge turns around and dodges a spin kick from X-Pac; Edge drops the chair and hooks X-Pac, hitting an impaler DDT on the chair!
"Edge has it!" Jerry Lawler says on commentary. Edge sets up the ladder and begins climbing- he reaches all the way to the top and has his fingertips on the title-
The ladder shakes. Edge looks down and sees Jericho with both of his hands on the ladder, threatening to push it over! Jericho laughs and the ladder tumbles, and Edge lands crotch first on the top rope!
Jericho looks around; he sees X-Pac, who has rolled outside of the ring and looks like he's out of it- and he sees Tyler Black, who is favoring his legs. Jericho gets a devious smirk, and lifts Black's legs up, locking him in the Walls of Jericho! Tyler screams in agony as Jericho puts the pressure on.
Jericho finally lets it go, satisfied with the damage he's done, and rolls Black out of the ring. Jericho climbs the ladder confidently.
Edge is perched on the top rope, in clear pain, but still ready- Edge dives and spears Jericho off the ladder!
They both land hard, and maybe Edge took himself out with that move, as he rolls out of the ring with his hand on his shoulder.
Now it's X-Pac who gets into the ring! He sees the fallen ladder, and then sees Jericho, sat in the corner, holding his abdomen and trying to recuperate. Pac runs and hits the Bronco Buster!
Despite the crowd's hatred of X-Pac, the move gets a huge pop from the crowd. Once Pac is done, he gets up and is met by Tyler, who unleashes one, two hard punches, then spins around and kicks him in the gut! X-Pac doubles over in pain. Tyler bounces off of the ropes and plants X-Pac's head into the mat!
Tyler picks up the ladder and sets it up under the belt. Black has his eyes on the prize as he begins a slowly climb, clearly favoring his leg. He's almost there, but Jericho is on the other side! Chris wants, needs to retain his title, and he fights Tyler with everything he has, the two trading punches back and forth.
Black blocks a punch from Jericho, and grabs his head, smashing it into the ladder! Jericho loses his footing and falls down!
Tyler reaches up and pulls the title down!
WINNER AND NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: TYLER BLACK
The crowd goes wild and Tyler holds up his title!
"Like nothing I've ever seen, Tyler Black has ascended into stardom on his first night here! A career making moment for this kid!" J.R says on commentary.
After a commercial advertising Backlash, we are taken to the arena. The lights flicker, and a video comes on; a dark alley in the rain.
"I am nothing."
The brick walls are covered in graffiti.
"I walk among you, yet you don't notice me."
A figure dressed in a hoodie walks down the alley.
"I have been forgotten."
The lights in the arena turn back on.
"What the hell was that?" JR asks on commentary.
"I don't know, but I got goosebumps JR!
Trish Stratus def. Lita to retain Women's Championship
These two women have met three times in WWEAU's history; and each time it was a show stealer. This time was no different, as Lita and Stratus put on a barn burner that was just as good, if not better than any match put on by the men. It took a second Stratusfaction to put Lita down; after the win, Trish and Lita shook hands to a standing ovation from the WrestleMania crowd.
Undertaker def. Shawn Michaels in a Casket Match
Ever since losing to Stone Cold last year at SummerSlam, Shawn Michaels has been on a rampage trying to prove he belongs with the top dogs. And inevitably, he crossed the Deadman. The Undertaker and Michael's fought for the first time tonight, and what a battle it was as the Deadman was pushed to the limit by HBK. Michaels just kept coming back, hitting 'Taker with everything he had; and when all seemed lost for Shawn, DX (Triple H, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and X-Pac) interfered in this no disqualification match to try and even the tide, but KANE made his return, helping his brother fight back against D-Generation X. Just as Kane left DX laying, 'Taker was hit by a superkick! Michaels almost had him in the casket, but the Deadman fought back, grabbing Michaels by the throat and chokeslamming him into the casket- and closing the lid! Nine straight WrestleMania victories for the Deadman!
STREET FIGHT FOR THE WWE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: “STONE COLD” STEVE AUSTIN vs. CM PUNK
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s finally time. These two modern titans will finally meet, in what has turned into a blood feud that we will talk about for years to come.” J.R says as we see the match-up screen.
“This gonna be bloody JR! Both men want that title like they need air, but only one man can lay claim to it by the end of the night!”
We are taken to the prematch promo set to “My Way” by Limp Bizkit. We see Steve Austin get superkicked by a bloody Shawn Michaels at SummerSlam, and Stone Cold kicks out. Another superkick, and the Rattlesnake kicks out! Michaels sets Stone Cold up for a third superkick, but Stone Cold catches him with a Stone Cold Stunner and pins him!
“Stone Cold has done it! Stone Cold has finally won back the World Title!”
Now we see CM Punk’s rise in WWE; two time Intercontinental Champion, one time tag champion. At the same SummerSlam, in a career vs. career CM Punk lifts Brock Lesnar up onto his shoulders for a GTS, and it connects! CM Punk pins Brock Lesnar, as Paul Heyman is in sheer despair on the outside of the ring.
“CM Punk has toppled the Beast!”
Now we’re at the Royal Rumble; The Rock and CM Punk are the final two. Punk runs across the ring and smashes Rock in the face with a knee; they both topple over the ropes, but Punk hangs on, skinning the cat and winning the Royal Rumble!
Now we see the build up to ‘Mania. The night after the Royal Rumble, Punk and Austin meet face to face for the first time. The heated back and forth explodes, as they are pulled apart by what seems like every wrestler in the locker room. Commissioner Mick Foley stands between the two another week.
“If either of you come into physical contact with each other, you will both be suspended, and you, Austin, will be stripped of your title.”
The weeks of tension between the two escalate; Austin and Punk are put into a team together against the New Age Outlaws, and they come very close to fighting each other. The tension builds. Finally, on the go-home show to WrestleMania, they sit across from each other in an area backstage, Jim Ross standing between them as “My Way” by Limp Bizkit slowly meets its end.
“I need to beat you, Austin. I need to beat you more than anything in my life. And I’m going to prove to the world that I am exactly what I tell them I am; the Best In The World.”
The promo ends as Austin and Punk stand across from each other in the ring, Austin raising the title high up.
We are back to the arena, as the crowd is massively hyped up for the match. The lights dim.
A spotlight shines on the stage, revealing a platform on which a black podium stands; emblazoned on the podium is CM Punk’s symbol; the taped fist with an X on it holding a lightning bolt triumphantly.
“And during the few moments that we have left, I want to talk down to Earth, in a language everybody here, can easily understand….”
“Cult of Personality” by Living Color begins playing as the crowd roars. The lights slowly begin raising, as CM Punk raises from beneath the stage, until he stands behind the podium with his arms outstretched to his sides, basking in the crowd’s adulation.
Punk walks confidently down the ramp, looking cocky the whole way. The crowd’s roar is sustained and lasts his whole entrance. They hush as his music fades.
The sound of glass shattering leads to the crowd erupting again. Stone Cold Steve Austin drives out onto the stage on an ATV. He speeds down the ramp and around the ring, before parking it near the ramp and sliding into the ring. He begins posing on all four corners of the ring, each time he crosses the ring he flips Punk off, who only chuckles. Austin’s music fades out and they both stand in their respective corners as introductions are made.
The bell rings.
Instantly, Austin and Punk run at each other, fists flying; Austin gets the early advantage, backing Punk up against the turnbuckle, fast punches crashing into Punk’s head. Punk pushes Austin off, and ducks another shot by Austin, who stumbles into the corner. Punk hits Austin with a big forearm, and Irish whips him across the ring into another turnbuckle; Punk runs behind, and when Austin hits the turnbuckle, Punk leaps onto the second rope and smashes Austin with a huge knee! Punk attempts a bulldog, but Austin pushes Punk off. Punk bounces off of the ropes, into a Lou Thesz press- but Punk manages to push Austin off, and now Punk is on top, and he attempts to lock in the Anaconda vice! Austin breaks Punk’s grip and rolls out, standing to his feet. Punk stands as well, and they both take a pause; Austin looking irritated, CM Punk with a confident smirk on his face. They approach each other, and raise their hands up, apparently trying for a test of strength; but Punk gives Austin the finger! Austin audibly swears and walks back to his corner, and Punk shrugs.
“Punk is trying- and succeeding- at throwing Stone Cold off his game! Everything the Rattlesnake goes for, Punk has had an answer!” J.R says on commentary.
They approach each other cautiously yet again; they lock up. Punk gets an early advantage, locking in a headlock; Austin pushes him off. Punk bounces off the ropes, and Austin stops Punk mid run, flipping him the bird with both fingers; Punk pauses, and Austin kicks Punk in the gut, and grabs his head for a stunner!
Punk pushes him off, and Austin hits the ropes, but locks his arms into the ropes. Punk runs at him, and they both go over the top rope!
"Punk hit that Cactus clothesline perfectly, AND landed on his feet!" JR says on commentary.
Punk has the momentum in his favor, and pulls Austin up, going to Irish whip him into the barricade- but Austin reverses! Punk hits the barricade hard, and Austin begins a meticulous beat down. The Rattlesnake is in his element on the outside of the ring, and he takes Punk from the barricade to the ring posts to the stairs.
Austin send Punk into the steel steps a second time, and Punk writhes on the ground, holding his shoulder.
Austin walks to the time keeper's area, pushing a member of the ring crew off of a chair and picking it up.
Punk is still on the ground, beaten up as Austin approaches with the chair. Stone Cold holds the chair at the ready, yelling obscenities at Punk and telling him to stand up. Punk does manage to push himself up, and Austin brings the chair down-
But Punk dodges to the side, and Stone Cold's chair smashes into the steps! Austin drops the chair and Punk blindsides him with a huge forearm shot, and rolls Steve Austin into the ring. Punk looks down at the chair, then looks at the crowd with a smirk on his face as the hot crowd roars in anticipation.
Punk grabs the chair and slides into the ring, just as Austin is getting to his feet. Punk winds the chair up behind Austin, waiting for the champion to turn around-
Punk smashes the chair straight into Austin's head!
"Good God! That was a hellacious chairshot!" J.R yells on commentary.
Punk goes for a pin.
Austin kicks out a two!
Punk is pissed Austin got the shoulder up, and he picks up the chair again, looking at a barely stirring Austin. Punk is thinking intensely, then brings the chair down on Austin's knee!
Stone Cold screams in pain as Punk targets the surgically repaired knee with the edge of the chair, over and over again! Punk may have done irreversible damage to Austin. Punk throws the chair away, and signals for the GTS!
He lifts Austin up, and once Austin is up on one knee, the Rattlesnake smashes his arm upwards and hits Punk with a low blow! Punk goes down in pain.
"Whoa! Austin just resorted to one of the lowest tactics- and it makes sense why! He's trying to keep his title!" Jerry Lawler says.
"It was dirty, but there's no disqualification, and it bought Austin some breathing room!" J.R replies.
Austin stands, using the ropes to help. He's having trouble on his left knee that Punk targeted, and is trying to put the least amount of weight on it possible. Austin picks up the chair, and brings it down on Punk's back- One, two, three, four, five times!
Punk is writhing in pain, and Austin pins him, but CM Punk kicks out!
Austin is frustrated; frustrated with Punk not giving up, frustrated he's having this much trouble putting Punk down, and frustrated that his knee is giving out on him. He looks at Punk with rage in his eyes, and begins punching the Straight Edge Savior in the head over and over again, holding Punk down so that there isn't much he can do. Austin gets up carefully due to his knee, and picks up the chair again- and smashes it down on Punk's head!
Punk writhes around in pain and rolls out of the ring.
Austin tries to catch Punk before he rolls out but doesn't manage to get him, and Austin stumbles and falls, his knee no doubt in agony after the chair attack from Punk. Austin stands up slowly, bending his knee as if trying to crack it, then approaches the side of the ring that Punk rolled out of.
Austin reaches through the ropes and grabs Punk's hair, but Punk is expecting it, and lifts up a kendo stick and hits Austin in the head with it! Austin falls backward in the ring, and Punk, busted open from the last chair shot, takes a few moments to recuperate, before getting back into the ring and wasting no time in smashing the kendo stick over Austin over and over. Punk pauses, and then begins hitting Austin's left knee over and over, the kendo stick finally splintering and breaking. Austin is holding his knee, screaming in pain. Punk stomps Austin a few times, and the walks to the corner and ascends to the turnbuckle.
Punk points upwards to the sky, and flies off, hitting Austin right in the heart with a flying elbow! Punk with a pin, but Austin gets a shoulder up!
Punk is also getting frustrated at the point. He wipes blood away from his eyes, and looks behind as Stone Cold has begun stirring.
Punk rolls out onto the apron and stands near the turnbuckle, looking prepared for his signature springboard clothesline. Austin is too his feet, still favoring his left knee, and turns around-
Punk springs himself up, but Austin catches him with a kick to the gut as Punk lands-
Austin hits a Stone Cold Stunner!
Stone Cold stays on the ground, his knee still clearly giving him a lot of trouble, and he gets a late pin on a prone CM Punk-
Punk kicks out!
Austin is at his wits end. He starts yelling at the ref, who can only tell him it was a clean kick out. Austin audibly swears, and picks up the chair, limping over to Punk. Austin starts smashing Punk with the chair, over and over again! The chair is now warped and bent, and Punk rolls out of the ring, right in front of the announce table. Austin takes a moment to try and tend to his knee, before stepping out of the ring.
Austin goes to stomp on Punk, but Punk grabs Austin's left knee and pulls, sending Austin face first into the steps!
Punk rolls away from Austin. Punk's back is bruised and he's lost a lot of blood, and now we see Austin has also been busted open.
Punk is leaning on the announce table, holding his back in clear pain. He begins stripping the Spanish announce table, removing the hood and the monitors. He picks Austin up, measures up, and hits Stone Cold in the head with a high kick that lays out Austin onto the table. Punk looks up at the top turnbuckle and the audience begins building.
Punk climbs on the apron and begins to ascend, his injured back giving him some trouble but he stands straight, takes a deep breath, and takes off for an elbow.
Austin moves! Punk crashes through the announce table, unmoving!
"Oh my god! Oh my god! With a burst of adrenaline, a burst of strength, Austin moved out of the way! And Punk crashed and burned!" J.R yells on commentary.
Austin looks shocked, realizing just how narrow his escape was from certain defeat. Punk is still unmoving. Austin stands, his knee still giving him intense pain, and limps over to Punk, lifting him up by his hair. It's clear Punk is dead weight.
"And it may be academic at this point. CM Punk took a high risk, and he failed." J.R says.
Austin rolls the challenger into the ring, and goes for a pin.
One...
Two...
Thr-
Punk gets his shoulder up!
Austin is screaming at no one in particular, calling Punk a son of a bitch. Austin stands in the corner, waiting. "Come on, you piece of trash!"
Punk barely manages to stand. Austin kicks him in the gut, and gives him a second Stunner!
Austin goes for another pin.
Punk kicks out yet again!
Now Austin is in shock. Punk won't stay down. Austin stands up, but Punk grabs his knee again, tripping him up! CM Punk rolls through, and applies a half Boston crab on Austin's left leg, cranking it upwards!
Punk manages to sit back for Evan more leverage! The crowd is roaring, and Austin is screaming in agony! The Rattlesnake pushes up off of the mat, letting out a primal scream, blood leaking into his eyes and his wide open mouth!
Punk is screaming too, cranking the knee as far as he can, trying to apply as much pressure to the joint as he can-
Austin starts crawling, slowly at first, each agonizing inch-
Austin grabs the rope!
The referee forces Punk to break the hold. Punk lets go, sitting in the corner. Punk is breathing heavily, the last of his effort beginning to leave him. Punk pulls himself up with help from the top rope, and picks Austin up- hoists him up on his shoulders-
Punk connects with a GTS!
Austin falls back, hitting the mat hard. Punk goes for the pin!
Punk wins!
WINNER AND NEW WWE WORLD CHAMPION: CM PUNK
The crowd has come unglued as Punk helps himself up with the ropes, taking the belt from the referee and raising it up high. Confetti rains down on the arena, as CM Punk climbs the turnbuckle, holding the title up high.
prowrestlingnews.com
- Various backstage sources say the decision for Punk to win the title was in flux for most of the last couple of months. Steve Austin has been planning on taking a break from wrestling due to nagging injuries, and as a result pushed hard for Punk to go over.
- Tyler Black was driven to the arena from his hotel late in the day. Vince was impressed by Black's tryout, and endorsements from top guys such as Jericho, Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels and CM Punk aided Vince's decision to bring Black in. Tyler winning the title in his debut seems to be Vince dropping him in the water and seeing if he can swim. If he does, he has big things in his future.
- It's still unknown who the outsider vignettes are for. Some have said it's a repackaging for Kane, some think it's a homegrown talent such as Windham Rotunda (who is under a contract with WWE but is working Indy shows for experience), or the prevailing theory- Dean Ambrose of ECW fame. However, Ambrose is still ECW tag champion with Raven as part of Raven's Nest, so it seems unlikely he will plucked from ECW.