The Prediction Cup Continues! Also, Ben Geraci Makes His Final Decision!
Smackdown Opener; "Prestige arrives in style"
The show opens up with TDog pacing back and forth in the parking garage. TDog is looking down at his watch waiting for Geraci to arrive. He hasn’t seen him since he left with the Prestige Wednesday night. He sees the Prestige limo pulling up.
“Gah, about damn time!” - TDog
TDog quickly rushes over to the limo and opens the door.
“Ben, we need to talk now!” - TDog
But Ben Geraci doesn’t come out of the limo. Instead it’s 3 of the 4 members of the Prestige; Cody, Ben Conners, and the World Heavyweight Champion Matt. The three Prestige members slowly step out of the limo with arrogant smirks on their faces holding up their signature 4 Finger Salute.
TDog's eyes widen and he just stares intensely at each one of them in anger. Matt chuckles to himself, but doesn't say anything and just slaps his World Heavyweight Championship belt around his shoulder. Matt's right knee is still pretty banged up from everything that has happened with Ashley over the last week, but for the first time tonight he is not having to use crutches and just accompanies a very large limp. The three give TDog a smug look and start to walk away. TDog watches them walk through the door and then continues to pace back and forth waiting for Geraci to get there.
+++++++++++++++++
"Enjoy your last ride, because it's gonna be bumpy."
Cameras open up to show the WWEP Universal Champion "The Reaper" Darren Cox standing in a dark room and a spotlight above his head. Cox looks intensely at the camera with his piercing eyes.
"Adam. Adam Adam Adam. Survivor Series. The Reaper's playground. The place where I will be winning and retaining my Universal Championship. Why are you cashing in your option C with me? I mean I really didn't do anything to you, besides whupp everyone's ass. I know we're tied 1-1. But I just came off a flawless victory on Wednesday night, so I feel pretty good. So for you to think you have the balls to think you can step into a squared circle with The Reaper, go right ahead. Nothing is gonna save you. The Reaper doesn't need friends. Thy kingdom come. Now Adam, you really want this title belt, huh?" - Darren Cox
Darren holds up the Universal Championship belt to the spotlight and stares dramatically at it, pausing his promo and just breathing heavily looking at it.
"Ah. The things I have done with this title...the things I have had to GO THROUGH for this title....you COULD NEVER EVER STAND TO GO THROUGH! The Reaper is gonna bury you with the shovel you see on the poster. You bring your little boy weapons, and I'll bring my sadistic anarchy weapons. And I will truly bury you for what you truly are....a fake and imposter of what I AM. So Adam, at Survivor Series, enjoy your last ride. Because it's gonna be bumpy. And whether you're buried through tables, chairs, or the ring....you will, REST IN PEACE." - Darren Cox
The scene fades to black as Cox holds his head back and rolls his eyes to the back of his head.
+++++++++++++++++
Backstage Interview; "They need to be reminded who the real dominant faction is"
The scene opens up backstage to show backstage correspondent Jacob Bryant standing with a microphone in his hand.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Jacob Bryant and with me at this time is the WWEP Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion....Austin Michael Pieper" - Jacob Bryant
Austin walks into frame. Still visibly bruised and cut up from his Hell in a Cell match a few days prior.
"Austin, this is your first match since Sunday when Darren Cox defeated you and your stablemate George by knocking you out with his Hells Gate submission. Tonight you face him in a nontitle match, but Predictions Cup points are on the line, how are you feeling?" - Jacob Bryant
"You know Jacob, I’m not quite sure. I’ve lost my last two matches against Darren Cox and now here I am again against him in the predictions cup. In last years predictions cup I beat Darren so I’d like to say this year would be no different but he’s stepped his game up so who knows how this is gonna go" - Austin Michael Pieper
"As Intercontinental Champion, are you mainly focused on WNW, or are you thinking about throwing your name in the mix for the vacant King of the Mountain Championship, now that Adam Stewart has cashed in Option C?" Jacob retorts.
"Right now I’m mainly focused on WNW yes, but that doesn’t mean I won’t decide to throw myself in the King of the Mountain Championship picture somewhere down the road" - Austin Michael Pieper
Small frames of black flash into the picture. Bryant continues despite this technical difficulty.
"The Brotherhood and The Prestige have battled it out for months, and rumor has it there will be a traditional Survivor Series match in a few short weeks between the two factions, thoughts on that possibility?" - Jacob Bryant
"Yes!" Austin exclaims.
Suddenly the entire picture shuts off for 4-6 full frames with the words "TRUST IN ME" flashing on screen before returning back to the picture. Purely technical problems from the camera so neither Austin or Jacob know what just happened, he just continues speaking.
"I’ve been wanting to finish this war with The Prestige for a VERY long time, they keep running around here like they own the place, and they need to be reminded who the dominant faction here in WWEP really is" - Austin Michael Pieper
"Final question." Bryant says. "Do you have speculation to what the Nuke may be?" - Jacob Bryant
Austin laughs off, "I've got no fucking idea"
"Neither do any of us! It's been my pleasure Austin" - Jacob Bryant
Jacob signs off "Thank you"
"Of course, take care" Austin finishes with as he limps away, still selling the devastating effects from his injuries as cameras fade to a commercial break.
+++++++++++++++++
Prediction Cup Block B Normal Singles Match; Darren Cox vs Austin Michael Pieper
Both men are exhausted. Both men entered this match with less steam than usual due to their grueling Hell in a Cell Match only four days earlier, but Darrens slightly more beat up due to wrestling on WNW this week as well. Darren has been targeting Austins neck while Austin has laid down shots on Darrens busted up back. The Universal Champion twists the arm of the Intercontinental Champion, and backs into the turnbuckle. Darren's looking for a little Old School but the CinCity Devil yanks Darren off the top rope and catches him with a Diamon Cutter!!
Darren bounces off the Matt, quickly to his feet, still clutching his mid section. Austin shoots up and connects with a big drop kick! Darren ricochets off the ropes into a big European uppercut, and then a quick Northern Lights Suplex, directly into a pinning predicament!! 1-2-Darren kicks out! But you can see the nerve damage with every use of his back! Darren is in clear pain every time he kicks out! Austin doesn't linger because he sees what he's got here. If he can just hit that CinCity Driver, he can put away the man who took his Universal Championship and hospitalized him! Austin climbs to the top rope and waits for Darren to get up. Austins looking for a big Moonsault! Darrens hunched over as he gets to his feet. Austin launches out but Darren catches him!! Darren has him up and puts him down with a TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!! The Reaper crosses his hands for the pin: 1-2-AUSTIN GETS HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!
The referee stops the count!! Darren puts his hands on the back of is head in frustration. But he doesn't let it bother him too much. He gets back to his feet and crosses his throat, designating the end!! Austin gets to his feet! Darren grabs him up but Austin counters from behind, twists him around, and hits the CINCITY DRIVER!! Darrens head bounces off the mat and sends his whole body a couple feet in the air!! Austin is about to go for the pin, but he sees how close Darren is to the ropes!! He drags him to the center of the ring for the pin, but he takes a second too long and Darrens hoots to life, LOCKING AUSTIN IN THE HELLS GATE SUBMISSION HOLD!!!
Shades of Hell in a Cell as Darren wrenches down on the weakened neck of Austin Pieper!! The crowd is on their feet and behind Austin as he tries to kick and squirm out of the same maneuver that knocked him out!! Austin uses all of the strength in his legs and back to DEADLIFT Darren off the mat, while still being locked in the Hells Gate! He falls forward, trying to muster enough of an impact to get Darren to break the hold but the Reaper stays strong!! Austin is beginning to fade!! Austin leans forward and puts his full weight on Darren, who is too busy with the submission that he doesn't notice both shoulder on the mat!! But the referee does!! 1-2-3!!
The crowd shoots to their feet with cheers as Darren releases the hold! Austin is confused because he didn't tap out but Darrens eyes are wide and his mouth is covered! The referee raises Austin's hand and the ring announcer confirms the win!! Darren realizes the fatal mistake and wasn't aware of his own shoulders on the mat!
Austin exits the ring, and celebrates with Christian and George at ringside!! The timekeeper passes them by to hand the referee Darren's Universal Championship, in turn returning it back to Darren. While Austin is happy for the victory, he doesn't take his eyes off the gold. Even though this was a non-title match, it was a much needed win for the former World Champion and will surely get him closer to the main event once more.
+++++++++++++++++
"I know where you are now!!"
The scene comes back from the commercial break to show a black screen and the COPs intro, "Viewer Discretion Is Advised" and the hit FOX tv show Cops intro video package and theme starts to play. After the intro is done, another video is shown of a police officer laying on the ground getting choked out by another man, using some sort of liquid on a towel to make the cop completely pass out. The cop struggles for a few seconds, but soon just goes completely limp and falls out of consciousness. The camera then cuts to show Prestige member Tony Murr sitting inside of a police car with the police officer's uniform on and a sick smile on his face.
"This is your fault, Stagg. What happened to him is YOUR FAULT. You see, I have taken over someone else's life. I've found a few new...resources, you could say...to finding you. I told you that you couldn't run. Suspension or not...I will find you. But let's use some of these RESOURCES, shall we?"
Tony starts laughing like a mad man and typing on the computer inside the police officer's cop car, sounding out Stagg's name as he types it into the computer.
"R...J...Stagg. 1031 Eaton Avenue. Penthouse Suite. See ya there."
Tony laughs and smiles sadistically at the camera before he cuts the camera off and it goes black. Cameras come back to the arena as commentary sells the confusion of what this all means for RJ Stagg and Tony Murr, and what Tony Murr is gonna do now that he knows where he can find the SUSPENDED RJ Stagg!
+++++++++++++++++
Prediction Cup Block B Normal Singles Match; Matt Charles vs JD Laflin
Before the match begins, Matt looks into be camera with a huge smirk on his face and shows off his wrist that has a wristband on it saying “Geraci IS Prestige”, playing up that Geraci will be aligning with Prestige by the end of the night, and also showcases his undying support for Geraci in his match against Steve in the main event.
The match starts out pretty even paced though in the first few minutes with JD doing everything he can to focus on Matt’s already injured right knee. But the crowd gets behind Matt and the world champion uses the reaction to try and rally up a comeback. Each time Matt starts building up a little bit of steam though on JD, the former world champion himself stops his momentum dead in his tracks with a swift kick to Matt’s knee or some other kind of variation of that. The crowd boos as JD pounds away on Matt, viciously beating him down and motivated to gain a little steam in the predictions cup. But as JD goes for the pinfall after a devastating backbreaker, Matt is able to kick out at the count of two!
Each time JD goes for a pinfall, Matt refuses to stay down and finds a way to kick out just in the Knick of time. JD looks at the crowd with a sick and twisted smile in his face before he bends down and locks Matt in a figure four leg lock that completely wipes the world champion out! Matt screams in pain and desperately tries to break free, but the ruthless Laflin is just motivated to pull harder and harder and make it even more painful for Charles. Matt in a last ditch effort is thankfully able to use all his might and leap to the bottom rope for a rope break!
But the damage might’ve already been done, as JD pulls Matt back into the center of the ring, kicks his knee a few times, and then locks it in again! JD is determined to make Matt Charles tap out and just hand him a predictions cup victory on a silver platter! But while JD pulls on Matt with the figure four this time, his grip isn’t nearly as tight and Matt is able to weasel out of it and scurry up to the ropes. JD runs at a beaten Matt with a clothesline, but Matt is able to muster up enough strength to leap at JD with all 300 pounds and bring JD down with a brutal spear as the crowd pops with excitement!! Matt's eyes are wide and he looks at JD laying flat on his back in the center of the ring. Matt scurries over to the corner with a shocked look on his face and commentary screams for Matt with excitement to climb to the top rope! Matt hobbles up to the top rope and motions for the crowd to get behind him. Matt looks down at JD with a sadistic smile and leaps off in dramatic fashion driving his elbow into the chest of Laflin! BAM! Matt reaches his arm on top of JD's body the referee starts the count, 1...2...3!! MATT WINS! THE WORLD CHAMPION HAS FINALLY WON A MATCH IN THE PREDICTIONS CUP!
+++++++++++++++++
Backstage Interview; YOU'RE NEXT
We’re backstage on an interview set with Jacob Bryant and WWEP Chairman TDog.
“TDog, thank you for taking the time to be here, I know you’re a busy man running the company and also being a wrestler at the same time.” - Jacob Bryant
“Thank you Jacob, it’s been taxing lately but it’s worth it. The fans are what make this company what it is today!” - TDog
“So TDog, I want to talk about the events that have transpired Monday and Wednesday with your protege Ben Geraci, it seems that they’re making an attempt to recruit him to the Prestige, what are your thoughts on this?” - Jacob Bryant
TDog sighs and shakes his head in frustration.
“It doesn’t surprise me given the fact that the Prestige...really hasn’t been prestigious lately. Remind me when the last time Cody Miller won a match? Tony and Ben lost the tag titles, and now Matt apparently can’t even finish a match. Yes, Geraci and I have talked about their offer to him and I can say, he’s made his decision.” - TDog
“And that is?” - Jacob Bryant
TDog laughs at Bryant's eagerness.
“I guess we’ll find out tonight cause I don’t even know. He didn’t tell me. And honestly, the last time I talked to him was before Wednesday night when he got into that limo with The Prestige, he won't even return my calls." - TDog
“Interesting, so the next thing I want to talk about is the Predictions Cup, currently you’re sitting at a record of 2-0 and you’re coming off of a BYE week. What’s your game plan going into this match with Coty tonight?” - Jacob Bryant
“I can sit here and talk about how I’ve been going to the gym...” - TDog
Suddenly a crash is heard off camera! Coty Coleman has stormed the backstage interview area!
“YOU!” - Coty Coleman
TDog gets up from his seat with a stern look on his face.
“I’ve been done sitting around and watching others get opportunities one after another and I’m reclaiming what’s mine tonight! What I did to Colton on Monday night was just a preview! You didn't think I was serious, now you're gonna learn real quick how serious I am! Tonight I'm taking what's mine!!!” - Coty Coleman
Coty swings on TDog and the two immediately start brawling around the backstage area! Security is quickly called to break up the fight and calm the two men down. Coty is pulled away from the interview area.
“I'LL SEE YOU TONIGHT MR CHAIRMAN! YOU'RE NEXT!!!” - Coty Coleman
TDog is huffing and puffing in a rage.
“This interview is over!” - TDog
Jacob quickly runs up to TDog to try and catch one more word with him.
“Sir! One more question, you met with the Board of Directors today, can you tell us what was discussed?” - Jacob Bryant
TDog looks dead into Jacob Bryant’s eyes.
“I said this interview is over.” TDog walks away in a huff as Bryant stands there looking around in confusion as cameras fade to a commercial break.
+++++++++++++++++
Prediction Cup Block B Normal Singles Match; Coty Coleman vs TDog
This has been a very back and forth match. No man wants to lose. TDog is coming off of a BYE week and Coty has been passed up for too long. TDog Irish whips Coty into the ropes, ducks and BOOM hits a clothesline from hell! 1-2...COTY KICKS OUT! TDog busted out a new move but it didn’t seem to do enough damage! TDog gets Coty up on his feet but Coty goes for a quick roll up! 1-2...TDOG KICKS OUT! Both men are fuming in rage at this point, both men just wanting to get the win! Both men just starting hitting each other in the head, TDog knocks Coty out.
TDog paces around the ring thinking of what else he could do...he looks at the ring post and starts to climb it! We rarely see TDog get on the ringpost! TDog turns his back to Coty and screams, “Put him in a coffin!” TDog is going for the coffin drop! As TDog jumps though, Coty quickly dodged out of the way and picks TDog up for a Bitter End! Coty goes for the pin. 1-2-3!!
Coty has defeated TDog after fighting him earlier backstage. Coty celebrates in the ring and spits on TDog's body before walking back up the ramp, not even acknowledging the crowd and walking back up the ramp with purpose. TDog still sitting in the ring sulking in his defeat looks at the crowd and they start cheering. TDog waves his hand for them to stop and he walks back up the ramp in silence.
+++++++++++++++++
Normal Singles Match; Steve Steigerwald vs Ben Geraci
The match starts with both men circling around each other, staring each other down as commentary builds up as how this is a must win for Ben Geraci tonight, yet Steve is not only more experienced, he's bigger, and is on a roll as of late. The crowd is fully behind Geraci, which only riles up Geraci even more. Steve looks at Geraci with a smug arrogant smirk on his face, not taking Geraci seriously at all. The two finally lock up and Geraci tries to keep his composure and the upperhand, but Steve levels him out with power move after power move. In the early going, Geraci is unable to take control of the match as every single thing he tries to do against Steigerwald, Steve comes through with an even more powerful and high impact power move that wipes out the young rookie. The crowd continues to stay behind Geraci, trying to hype him up as Steigerwald stalks down Geraci for the first few minutes, completely having his way with him.
It looks to be over with a quick finish when Geraci attempts to hit a clothesline on Steigerwald, but Steve instead ducks underneath it, hits the ropes, and connects with the hardest big boot to Geraci's face that we have ever seen! But just as Steigerwald covers Geraci, the rookie finds a way to kick out at the count of two. Throughout the match commentary continues to hype up Geraci's potential alliance with Prestige, and that they are most likely watching this match very closely as well. The match goes back and forth for a little while longer, as Geraci levels the momentum when he reverses a sidewalk slam from Steigerwald into a jumping high knee and into an inverted DDT to lay out Steigerwald for the first time in the match!
But Geraci is still too weak to cover Steigerwald from the devastating start he had against the hall of famer, and by the time he makes his way over to Steigerwald, the living legend is able to kick out barely at one. Ben struggles up to his feet at about the same time Steve does, but just as Geraci bounces off the ropes, Steigerwald catches him in mid air, picks him up high above his head, and drops him down to the hard canvas with a thunderous gorilla press slam, that completely knocks the wind out of Ben Geraci! BAM!!
Graves in typical heel fashion on commentary screams from commentary, "YES YES YES!!! DESTROY HIM STEVE!!" Steigerwald slowly gets back up to his feet and starts stomping on Geraci's head with his mighty big boot as the fans boo and scream obscenities at the arrogant monster. Steigerwald is really not use to this reaction, but Geraci is so over with the crowd that the fans are clearly behind him. Steigerwald shakes off the crowd getting in his hand and goes to pick up Geraci once again, but this time Geraci utilizes his young athleticism and wrestling ability and reverses it into a Boston Crab of his own! The crowd pops with excitement as it looks like Ben might now have this match in the bag! But just as he pulls on Steigerwald, the strength of Steigerwald is too strong, and Steve is able to break free from the hold and desperately get to the bottom rope.
Through out the match Geraci attempts to pick up Steigerwald for his signature Razors Edge, but Steigerwald is just too heavy and durable for Geraci to finish it off. Steigerwald uses this to his advantage and picks up Geraci like he is nothing and drops him down with a vicious Samoan Drop after Samoan Drop multiple times in an effort to knock Geraci completely breathless. But each time that he goes for a pin on the rookie, Geraci is somehow someway able to kick out at two once again! Steigerwald starts getting more angry that Geraci will not stay down and starts kicking him in the back of the head several times. Steigerwald goes to pick up Geraci once again, but Geraci kicks him in the gut and hits an inverted headlock backbreaker on the hall of famer!!
The crowd starts doing the YES chant with Geraci who struggles around the ring looking at Steigerwald finally laying down on his back motionless. Commentary screams for Geraci to cover him, but Geraci doesn't cover him, instead he looks at the crowd and throws his arms in a "FINISHED" motion before finally SUCCESSFULLY picking Steigerwald up onto his shoulders and dropping him brutally with his signature Razor's Edge! Geraci falls on top of Steigerwald out of exhaustion, 1...2...3!! Ben Geraci has pinned the hall of famer! Ben Geraci has came through with the upset of a lifetime!!
Commentary sells this moment as one of the most shocking moments ever in Smackdown history as the crowd is all on their feet going crazy for their young rookie babyface, BEN GERACI! But after just a few moments of Geraci holding the back of his head and stumbling around the ring in a celebration, Prestige's own Cody Miller and Ben Conners come walking out through the curtain with big smiles on their faces, hyping up Ben Geraci for his huge win, and holding up a Prestige shirt to the crowd and Geraci. The two make their way down to the ring, circling Geraci and nodding their head "yes" at him and holding the shirt up to him. Geraci at first looks at them in a defensive motion, but after Miller and Conners holds up the FOUR FINGER SALUTE at him, he smiles at them and does the same!
The crowd hushes and can't believe what is happening, which is giving an even greater response by Conners and Miller. Geraci nods at them and then turns his four fingers to FIVE FINGERS to symbolize that HE IS GONNA BE THEIR FIFTH MAN! Miller throws the shirt to Geraci and Geraci puts it on with pride and a big smile on his face, hugging Conners and Miller both in excitement. The crowd starts to boo as Geraci has thrown out the gauntlet that he is now the FIFTH MEMBER of Prestige. But after Geraci puts the shirt on, he holds up his arms with a shit eating grin on his face as some fans even start throwing trash in the ring.
But as he shakes Ben Conners' hand he PULLS HIM INTO A RAZOR'S EDGE!!! The crowd pops and Ben Conners is laid out!!! Miller turns around with wide eyes and a shocked look on his face and sees what Geraci just did!! Miller screams at Geraci asking him what he's doing. Miller runs at Geraci to attack him, but Geraci ducks real quick and flips Miller over the top rope and to the outside of the ring!! Geraci picks Conners up and throws him out of the ring as well, landing right on top of his partner, Cody Miller!
The crowd is jumping on their feet in excitement as Geraci smirks at a seething Cody Miller outside the ring, and Geraci starts to tear the Prestige shirt he is wearing into two pieces! Geraci shakes his head in disgust at Miller and Conners and starts to walk back up the ramp. WWEP Chairman TDog hobbles out onto the stage with a huge smile on his face and the two embrace on the stage, shaking each other's hands and hugging each other! TDog holds Geraci's arm high in the air as the crowd continues to go crazy for Geraci and TDog together.
TDog throws up the FOUR FINGER SALUTE towards Cody and Conners in a mocking fashion, rolling his eyes and sarcastically waving his four fingers towards them. TDog with a smug smile holds out his four fingers towards Miller and Conners, and slowly transitions it into a middle finger at them. Miller slams his fists down as hard as he can on the ring apron and helps his partner Ben Conners back up to his feet at ringside. TDog and Geraci turn around and walk back through the curtain but the cameras come to a close as Miller and Conners look up the ramp in a complete and utter rage.
Comments