No votes. Simulation incoming.
(Feat. the work of dcw1.)
Tonight, we open with Jack Tunney, who is prepared to speak to the audience and the WWX roster live from Stamford. The camera pans over to all 4 locker rooms as they all eagerly await what Mr. Tunney, who has just now for the first time ever revealed himself to be the man who launched WWX, has to say. The camera focuses in on Tommy Dreamer (wearing Xtreme purple), Shawn Michaels (also wearing purple), Chris Jericho (wearing Domination orange), Alex Shelley (wearing Destruction blue), and Tazz (wearing Xplosion red). Tunney: "I know all of you are eager to find out what the future holds for my company, WWX. Well, the first thing is that only the first 20 wrestlers are going to be announced tonight on Xplosion. Everyone else will be drafted throughout the rest of the week with some being announced on WWX.com if the need arises. Ted DiBiase, Jr. is the only one ineligible to be drafted as he will be deciding his own brand. The NWA Championship also cannot be drafted, but the champion, Mr. Lashley, can. The rosters will take effect beginning with next week's Xplosion, and if there is anyone undrafted or anyone wants any trades, that will be the deadline for that as well. Good luck to everybody, I hope this night is mutually beneficial for all involved."
The pyro explodes and officially kicks us off live for potentially the last RAW with this roster. We move over to a shot of the podium that will be used for the draft, set up on the stage, then we pan over once more and it's The Sandman entering through the crowd. As soon as he makes it to the ring, he is followed immediately by the entrance of Chris Benoit.
Benoit: "I get to show all of you right here tonight just exactly why I deserve to be the second person to ever be drafted first overall."
The Sandman vs. Chris BenoitThe bell dings. The Sandman starts off by elbowing Benoit in the face and hitting a big dropkick. Sandman picks him back up and starts laying away at him with chops. Benoit reverses it and throws Sandman in the corner and begins stomping away at him. Sandman stops that momentum by poking him in the eye. Sandman tries to roll through, but Benoit puts him down with a clothesline. Benoit goes to pick him up, but Sandman reverses with an atomic drop and follows it up with a side Russian legsweep, but Benoit wraps himself up in the ropes. Sandman stomps on him to try to get him to let go of the ropes, and when he does Sandman picks him back up and starts blasting away with more chops. Benoit shoves him off, then knees him in the midsection and starts clubbing away at his back. Sandman tries to gain control back with a clothesline, but Benoit catches the arm and puts him in the crippler crossface!
Here is your winner via submission: Chris Benoit
Benoit: "If I'm not picked first after that performance, then I don't know what more it will take to convince you."
We are taken now to Ted DiBiase, Jr.'s War Room, in which he and his father are discussing which brand he should pick and what his first pick should be. Then, Jack Tunney is back on the TitanTron. Tunney: "I guess I forgot to mention a few key details here. First of all, Ted has been stripped of power over all 4 brands. He will now control just 1, as the other three brands will be headed up by one announcer that was randomly selected, those individuals being Byron Saxton, Corey Graves, and Tony Schiavone. Tony will receive the first overall draft pick because he has no in-ring experience. Furthermore, Paul Heyman will be the only one allowed to appear on all 4 brands from now on. Thank you." Sr.: "Well, sorry about that son, but we need to prepare now that you don't have the first pick. You need to have a plan for anyone being taken off the board." We cut over to Tony Schiavone's impromptu War Room, we seem him look through a folder and toss it on a desk and leave the room. The camera refocuses on the desk to show that it was Kurt Angle's folder. Remember that there are 143 members of the WWX roster.
Schiavone's new entrance theme hits and he makes his way out to the onstage podium. Ross: "Tony finds himself in the enviable, or unenviable, position of being thrust in to choosing the first member of the WWX roster here. But also which brand is he heading up?" Schiavone: "Well, the first pick falls to me. On behalf of Monday Night Xplosion I choose......Sabu! Sabu is caught off guard, but otherwise stands up and leaves the Xtreme locker room.
1st Selection (WWX Xplosion): Legends Champion Sabu. Sabu is a former Hardcore Champion and World Tag Team Champion, he is the first Hardcore Champion in history and one half of the first World Tag Team Champions in history. He also competed to become the 1st ever Intercontinental Champion. He is the current Legends Champion, in his second reign.
Sabu makes his way out to the stage, but he is quickly flanked by Paul Heyman. Heyman: "As you all know, Sabu is an ECW guy, which means he's a Heyman guy, and as the first overall pick he now has a certain prestige that should carry with it a certain amount of respect. This means that nobody will be laying a finger on him outside of an officially sanctioned match. He will never open the show. Never will he be doing any interviews. You see, everything you need to know about him you will be finding out right now. I see a lot of similarities between Sabu and Chris Benoit. They have both worked for me. Stars are just drawn to me, what can I say." Schivaone stops him. Schiavone: "I finally have the power. I made Sabu the #1 pick, trading him from Xtreme to Xplosion. Now, it's unfortunate that last week turned out to be his last Xtreme, but I will provide him with a happy home here. Sabu's history on Xplosion thus far consists only of Goldberg spearing and taking the Hardcore Title from him. I now give him the chance to make up for that. I would suggest not messing that up. What matters is what you plan to lead Sabu to now that he's here, but, then again, you don't yet know what opportunities will be available here. But, of course, Sabu has to take advantage of those chances on his own, which is why I chose him, he has captured two WWX titles already and there is no reason to believe that won't continue. Sabu is extreme, and that is something I want on my roster. He can provide tough challenges for anybody who steps in the ring with him, he was the first man to capture both of the belts he won previously and he is currently a champion. Xplosion now controls the WWX Legends Title. He won his first Legends title a little under 4 months ago, so his reigns have not been very long, but I definitely hope to change that moving forward. Ted wasn't doing enough on Monday Nights, which is why I feel he was stripped of that power and there may be a chance to divvy The Council up between the brands and maybe end them for good. No people power, no mysterious cabals, no anonymity, I am the man in charge of this program for the foreseeable future. Schiavone puts the microphone down and Heyman just leads Sabu to the Xplosion locker room. Music starts to play, but Schiavone says cut it. Xtreme may not have the Legends Championship any more, but it still has some wrestlers worth taking, so don't expect this to be the only time I take from their roster. Tony Schiavone the GM is much different from Tony Schiavone the announcer. As you will all find out in the weeks ahead."
Out next is Corey Graves and he looks to get right to it. Graves: "I may have my concerns about running a show, but I do have an obligation to do what is best for business and this man is a cornerstone of WWX history. It is for this reason that I have selected the current United States Champion, Randy Orton.
In the back, Orton gets up, throws his chair, and leaves the locker room.2nd Selection (WWX Xtreme): United States Champion Randy Orton. Orton is currently the United States Champion and he competed in the battle royal to crown the first ever WWX World Heavyweight Champion. He is currently 2-0 at WWX PPVs, having defeated Consequences Creed this past Sunday and Snitsky in 2011.
Kurt Angle bursts into Byron Saxton's office. Angle: "What's going on?"
Before Saxton can answer, Orton bursts in. Orton: "You promised me as soon as you found out that you were going to be doing this that none of the others were going to pick me, did you not?"
Saxton: "Both of them threw curveballs. But, you are both champions which meant that you were kind of destined to go higher in the draft. The trade deadline is still a week away, I can fix this by then."
Orton: "You'd better because you don't want to find out what happens if Thursdays don't have the United States Title."
In the back, Angle reads his WWX accomplishments to Saxton. Saxton: "Kurt, relax. If Corey is willing to take the United States Champion, then what is stopping him from taking tag team champions the nWo?"
Angle: "You know, Graves is probably thinking about taking Kurt Angle. Graves is obviously trying to run a patriotic show and what's more patriotic than an olympic hero?"
Saxton: "Hmm...you're right. Besides, I will be the first person to retain the services of a wrestler to a specific brand. So, on behalf of WWX Domination my first pick is.....Kurt Angle!
3rd Selection (WWX Domination): Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle has yet to capture gold in the WWX, but he did win the Slammy for 2010 Match of the Year. He is a former #1 contender to the Intercontinental, Television, and World Tag Team Championships. He is a member of one of the only WWX teams to have defeated the Two Man Power Trip in non-title action, and, of course, he is professional wrestling's only Olympic Gold Medalist.
Ted DiBiase, Jr. makes his way out to the podium. DiBiase: "Well, the Board of Directors don't seem too pleased with me and have made the decision to lower me down to controlling only one brand. That's fine because I will be making every effort that I can to sign anyone that expresses interest should their contracts become available. With that said, my first pick, on behalf of WWX Destruction, are the nWo Tag Team Champions.
4th Selection (WWX Destruction): nWo Tag Team Champions (Scott Hall/Big Show). The nWo are, of course, currently the nWo Tag Team Champions, but they were also the first ever X-Division Tag Team Champions. The Big Show is also a former WWX General Manager and former #1 contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.
Backstage, Saxton and Angle pace around. Saxton: "It's your fault I lost the nWo Tag Titles! There is no way I will let any future free agents go to Ted."
Angle: "If the only one you are worried about is Ted, then make sure you grab somebody that he definitely wants. He's been champion for awhile and he's only looking better and better."
Angle whispers it to Saxton, and Saxton likes the idea but he does not have the next pick.
Schiavone makes his way out to the podium. Schiavone: "With my second pick on behalf of WWX Xplosion, I have selected Matt Morgan."
5th Selection (WWX Xplosion): Matt Morgan. Morgan once defeated Ted DiBiase, Jr. for the Television Championship, but had his reign voided when Ted reversed the decision and gave himself the championship back the following week. He won the 2010 Slammy for Tag Team of the Year by himself and the Slammy for finisher of the year.
Backstage, the nWo talk to Ted. Hall: "Listen, chico, the nWo works for nobody and we damn sure don't follow The Council anymore."
DiBiase: "Don't worry, gentlemen. My next pick might change your minds."
Graves makes his way back out to the podium. Graves: "My next selection is.....Dolph Ziggler."
6th Selection (WWX Xtreme): Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler was the first ever X-Division Champion and, earlier this year, unsuccessfully challenged for the X-Division Tag Team Championships.
Byron Saxton comes out and we are reminded of Kurt Angle's possible tampering from earlier. He makes to leave, but quickly announces his decision. Saxton: "I have selected... Edge."
7th Selection (WWX Domination): Edge. Edge was the first ever Intercontinental Champion having just recently lost the title to The Rock at Eruption after holding the title since September 2009.
Ted DiBiase, Jr. makes his way out to the podium. DiBiase: "Earlier tonight I told the nWo that they would not have to worry about who they take orders from because of my next pick. You can judge for yourselves if I made the right call because I have selected Kevin Nash."
8th Selection (WWX Destruction): World Television Champion Kevin Nash. Nash is currently the World Television Champion and a former Hardcore Champion.
We rejoin Saxton in the back. Saxton: "Damn it, I wanted the TV Title and Nash. Sure Nash is a powerhouse, but he holds the TV Title. I wanted that for Domination, think of a title match every Thursday Night guaranteed."
Angle: "The draft does not officially end until next week, so you could book me to take on Nash for the TV Title next week, and I could bring it home for you."
Saxton: "That's a brilliant idea! You all heard it here first. On the first Domination that I am in charge, Kevin Nash defends against Kurt Angle!"
In the back, Ziggler and Orton are seen shaking hands. Ziggler: "Impressive win, finally knocking Creed down a peg. I respect you, but I will take that belt from you in a second. I did not even compete at Eruption, so I'm damn happy I at least got picked early in the draft. We are staying on the same brand together, but I have not had a US Title match in a long time. Why not kick things off with a bang? Why not give me my title match on our first Xtreme that we both know I deserve?"
Schiavone nmakes his way out to the podium. Schiavone: "A fine show Xplosion would be without a tag team division right? I have selected....The Codemasters!"
9th Selection (WWX Xplosion): The Codemasters (Masters/Jericho). The CodeMasters are currently the X-Division Tag Team Champions, Jericho is a former #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, and Chris Masters is a former #1 contender to the World Television Championship.
In the back, Morgan (speaking to The Codemasters): "Looks like you two are going to need a change in the way you approach your matches in the future. It's lucky you two were able to be drafted together because those belts used to be the only ones defended across all four shows, even still, if you were watching in 2010, then the both of you would know that I am capable of taking those titles all by myself."
DiBiase storms into Graves' new office. DiBiase: "You stole Ziggler and Orton from me!"
DiBiase throws the chairs over in Graves' office, Schiavone and Saxton hear the commotion and now all four GMs are standing face to face in Graves' office. Graves: "Okay you know what? You guys want to come in and destroy my office, then I want this night to start moving a little faster, so I'm calling a lightning round right now! No more time for thinking and no deals, all of us have to name our next pick right now. Since I started it I'll go first, I select Cody Rhodes!"
Saxton: "Fine, then I select the man that has defeated Cody Rhodes, Hardcore Holly!"
DiBiase: "Okay, we can play it that way. I have chosen John Cena!"
Schiavone: "You guys are crazy. How is this guy even still on the board? I have selected....
the WWX Champion Batista!"
10th Selection (WWX Xtreme): Cody Rhodes. Cody Rhodes was the first ever WWX Legends Champion.
11th Selection (WWX Domination): Hardcore Holly. Hardcore Holly is a former X-Division Tag Team Champion and a former World Television Champion.
12th Selection (WWX Destruction): John Cena. John Cena was the first ever WWX Global Champion.
13th Selection (WWX Xplosion): WWX Champion Batista. Batista is the current WWX Champion in his second reign.
Graves makes his way out to the podium. Graves: "Well, Schiavone you slimy worm. I thought the four of us had a gentlemen's agreement to save the World Champions for later, but it appears I have been hoodwinked by a scoundrel. So, that being said my next choice is the FTW World Champion Tazz!"
14th Selection (WWX Xtreme): WWX FTW World Champion Tazz. Tazz is the current and first FTW Champion and was also involved in the match to crown the first ever WWX Global Champion.
Saxton comes out to the podium. Saxton: "I can't let Ted retain the services of this individual, so, on behalf of Domination, I have selected R-Truth."
15th Selection (WWX Domination): R-Truth. R-Truth is the new Universal Champion after he defeated Lance Cade this past Sunday night.
We get a shot of R-Truth and Tazz staring each other down, briefly exchanging inaudible words, then they shake hands and go their separate ways.
The Council makes their first appearance of the night with most of the membership still masked, but the known members Million Dollar Champion Brock Lesnar and Ric Flair are front and center. Flair: "The question is where will Lashley end up?"
Lesnar: "No. The question
should be where will I end up, and why do we not seem to be controlling things?"
Flair: "Patience big man."
DiBiase comes out to heavy boos, the crowd obviously seems to have turned on him during his reign as the figurehead of the entire company. DiBiase: "On behalf of WWX Destruction, I have selected....the WWX Million Dollar Champion Brock Lesnar!"
Out comes Byron Saxton. Saxton: "You only chose him because you're both publicly known members of The Council. But I'm out here to suggest a trade, I don't care about all of that, I'm after your last pick for tonight. I am willing to give up one of my picks in the future for your last one tonight."
Out comes Schiavone and Graves. Schiavone: "No, no, no. No changing the rules, that was never something that we agreed to, and if you are going to do that, then we should all be present for that discussion."
Graves: "Well maybe I don't want any future picks, maybe I want the Million Dollar Championship right now!"
President Jack Tunney suddenly appears on the TitanTron. Tunney: "Gentlemen, all picks are final and there will be no trading until after all of the selections have been made. If I have to get involved in these affairs one more time, then I'm afraid you four are not the men for the job that I thought you were."
Tunney cuts his feed. Saxton: "Okay, fine then. Let's finish this right now. We each have one pick left, nobody go anywhere until you have revealed who it's going to be. Schiavone, out with it!"
Schiavone: "Alright, you got it. I'll pick someone just as valuable as Lesnar because I choose...John Morrison!"
Graves: "You guys don't seem to want any of the guys I'm going after so this is easy for me because I have selected Jamie Noble."
In the back Noble isn't happy because he thinks Graves will try to book himself a shot at his Cruiserweight Championship. Saxton: "It makes sense that you guys are gunning for all the champions, but come on, we had a deal! Fine, on behalf of WWX Domination I have selected Christian! Well, Ted, you've got the last pick of the night. Who is going to be?"
DiBiase: "Earlier tonight, the X-Division Tag Team Champions were taken off the board, and ever since their inception The Council has kept them on the same brand as their namesake the X-Division Championship, so it's time to end that. I am taking X-Division Champion Tomko!"
Saxton: "You'd think you'd try to build an all Council brand over there, Ted. Tomko is just about as opposed to your little group as you can get."
16th Selection (WWX Destruction): WWX Million Dollar Champion Brock Lesnar. Lesnar is a known founder of The Council and the current and first Million Dollar Champion.
17th Selection (WWX Xplosion): WWX Light Heavyweight Champion John Morrison. Morrison is a former World Heavyweight Champion and the current Light Heavyweight Champion.
18th Selection (WWX Xtreme): WWX Cruiserweight Champion Jamie Noble. Noble has been the Cruiserweight Champion for the last 10 and a half years.
19th Selection (WWX Domination): WWX European Champion Christian. Christian had the chance to become the first ever Intercontinental Champion and is the current European Champion.
20th Selection (WWX Destruction): WWX X-Division Champion Tomko. Tomko is closing in on 10 years as X-Division Champion.
In the back Flair approaches Ted. Flair: "Why have you not picked Lashley, yet? Even when he loses the NWA Title he's still a world title contender. For that matter why haven't you picked me or any world champion?"
DiBiase: "There is still time, Flair. Besides, next week I convinced Tunney to change his plans, so that there will be wrestlers from other brands showing up, but at a very limited capacity, which means we still have the chance to strike and flip some gold. I already argued for and got what I wanted. Batista may have made short work of Jarrett at Eruption, but you will face him one on one in next week's main event. A good old fashioned Evolution reunion. Well, with the draft picks announced, that's it for me tonight. Good luck, Ric."
Michael Cole is set up in the Cole Mine in the back for an exclusive interview. Cole: "Lashley the question on everybody's mind is why were you not drafted yet?"
Lashley: "It's obvious Cole. I'm going to be taking out individuals from all over the roster so it doesn't matter which one I'm on officially."
Cole: "I'm sure you have somewhere in mind you'd like to go."
Lashley: "Absolutely, and if I go there you will know it. I'm the real world's champion, and anybody who is paying attention wants the NWA Championship around my waist. In fact, right before Batista's match on Xplosion next week I am going to issue an open challenge to anybody who thinks they are ready to step up to the NWA Champion."