XWL Digital Decision: 7/18/2014 - 7/25/2014

A thrilling fireworks display kicks off the show as the raucous crowd here in the deep south are already cheering and chanting at the top of their lungs in anticipation of what is bound to be a classic pay per view event.

That’s because this is the pay per view they made, they voted for the matches, the stipulations, the opponents, and tonight they will see everything come to fruition. The cameras do their usual sweep of the crowd giving the people at home a look at just what their missing.

You’re not going to feel that excitement or experience that electric atmosphere from the comfort of your living room, but that doesn’t mean you can’t immerse yourself in the drama, be brought to the edge of your seat by the action or chant the name of your favorite XWL superstar at the top of your lungs – though you may find yourself in trouble with your neighbors for that last home.

But in the arena, everyone’s neighbor is a staunch advocate of the greatness that is XWL wrestling, even if they’ll find themselves rooting for different superstars during the course of the show.

There will be those who Bolieve in the most compelling winning streak in recent memory, others who want the home-state hero to stun jack Swagger into oblivion and many who can’t wait to see what Candice LeRae looks like with a shaved head.

There will be fans firmly in the corner of Eric Young and a select few will want Sheamus to hang on to the title that’s almost as white as he is, while most don’t care who EY faces as long as he picks up the victory after a heart-breaking Supremacy.

The cameras finish zipping around the arena, stopping at the legendary and unfortunately seemingly permanent three-man announce team featuring the over-the-hill Jerry “The King” Lawler, past his prime, Jim Ross and relentlessly irritating Michael Cole.

Jim Ross
The fans are loud and they are proud to be here tonight, and I have a feeling that their faith is going to be rewarded greatly as XWL presents Digital Decision. Good evening everybody, this is Good Ol’ JR alongside my associates Michael and Jerry Lawler, and guys, we are in for a great show I’ll tell you that much.

Michael Cole
Great? How can this show be anything close to great? Do you not realize that no matter what happens we will be stuck with either John Cena or Shawn Michaels as our World Heavyweight Champion!

Jerry Lawler
You say that as if it’s a bad thing. It’s refreshing to finally have a champ who doesn’t have a stick up his backside a mile long.

Jim Ross
Well speaking of that, there is a long ways to go before now and then. All the titles are on the line tonight and in two instances we don’t know who’s challenging for the title.

Michael Cole
Let’s not act like it’s going to be a surprise when the fans pick the people who have played up to them the most. Ugh, they’re so predictable.

Jerry Lawler
That’s easy for you to say from the outside looking in, but I can’t imagine a world where Roman Reigns and Madison Eagles aren’t at least a little off their game considering that they can’t exactly game plan for an unknown opponent.

Jim Ross
And then you have guys like Adam Cole who knows that no matter who he’s facing he’s going to have his work cut out for him.

Michael Cole
Oh boo-hoo for him. Why don’t we talk about how Fandango is doing to dance his way to another victory over CM Punk and take that money in the bank briefcase away from him in the process.

Jerry Lawler
I’d disagree with you like I always do, but I have to admit that anything is possible. I mean who would have guessed that AJ Lee would be the normal one and Alicia Fox would turn crazy?

Jim Ross
The possibilities for this show will be endless and you, the fans, have had a hand in shaping this show’s future. I don’t know what will happen, folks, but I can promise you it’s going to be one hell of a ride!

The show fades into an MV featuring the current World Heavyweight Champion Shawn Michaels who not only has to worry about John Cena, the King of the Ring winner and the man gunning for his belt, but also the actions of the unpredictable Dean Ambrose, the voting results of the fans, and the mindset of the man he superkicked in the face on the way to winning the gold: Triple H.

Stephanie McMahon’s theme elicits a strong mixed reaction from the crowd, but then again, what else is new? The XWL Universe is never quite sure whether Breakdown’s general manager will do something that they’ll love or despise so they may as well have all their bases covered in advance. Stephanie often does what she feels is right as she tries to right the ship after the last regime nearly saw it capsized. She rules with an iron fist and regardless of one’s personal reservations or appreciations as far as her tactics are concerned, there’ no denying that she has done an admirable job of keeping egos in check and personalities in line as XWL programming continues to be must-watch programming on a weekly basis. The fact that she’s coming out here undoubtedly means she has some big news to deliver… news that couldn’t wait…news that she had to announce in person inside this sold-out venue.



Stephanie walks onto the stage, her demeanor oozing with confidence and poise as she gets ready to face and address this raucous crowd. She’s not shaken up or bothered by this strong reaction she’s getting either, she loves it, she lives for this, she knows that she  has the people in the palm of her hands and if she so chooses she could have them eating out of it too. She stops on the stage and takes a moment to take a look at the masses working themselves into a frenzy at the sight of her. Her signature smirk creeps onto her face and if you weren’t sure before you are deeply aware now that Stephanie isn’t fazed in the slightest. She’s done this job to the best of her abilities and nobody can tell her otherwise. To emphasize that line of thinking, Stephanie extends her arms out and throws her head back to soak in this atmosphere even more!



In response to her actions, the crowd gets even louder as Stephanie continues to establish herself as one of the most polarizing figures in the company. It is slowly beginning to appear as though you can either be with this woman or against her with the middle ground being rather slim, if it even exists at all. Done basking in the moment, Stephanie lowers her arms and straightens her neck, that smirk still on that face, then she begins to make her way down the ramp.



With a straight back, long, purposeful strides and her confidence never wavers, Stephanie moves as if… well, as if she owns the place. She makes down to the ring side area and picks up the microphone resting on the steel stairs before walking up the stairs to get onto the apron. She ducks under the bottom rope to get into the ring and now Stephanie is literally and figuratively the center of attention. As she waits for her music to die down, she paces back and forth in the ring and once it finally fades away she raises the microphone up to her mouth and begins to speak.



-Stephanie McMahon-
Ladies and Gentleman I know you’re ready to enjoy the amazing show we have prepared for you tonight and as much as I know you love having me out here I’m going to keep things short and sweet. See, the reason why I’m out here is because it was just about a month ago when I stood in a ring just like this in front of a group of extremely passionate fans such as yourself and announced the signing of two women who would shake the diva’s division down to its very core! At the time what the division was lacking was women who weren’t afraid to bend the rules, women who weren’t afraid to take what they felt they deserved, women… who weren’t too shy to use their “assets” to make things go their way.

The mood in the arena sours as memories resurface of the way Stephanie McMahon hyped up XWL’s newest faces – two women who turned out to be Sasha Banks and Charlotte, dubbing themselves The BFFs – and promised that for them the sky would be the limit. Right off the bat, before they said a word, The BFFs proved themselves to be extremely unbearable, acting as if they owned the place before they even had a chance to introduce themselves. They say that first impressions makes all the difference the world and at Digital Decision it was made clear that it would be tough for The BFFs and The XWL Universe to co-exist in the same world.



-Stephanie McMahon-
The BFFs did exactly what I said they would do: make an immediate impact. On that night all eyes were on them and the women in the back were getting a little nervous because right then and there they knew that their jobs would be in jeopardy if they didn’t step their game up. In fact, two women were so threatened by the idea that they formed an unlikely duo, despite their glaring differences, just so they had a better shot at taking out a common enemy. When people hate you so much that they turn to someone that they never would get along with normally – well that’s when you know that you’ve made it big because what is hate but just another way to say that you’re jealous of someone? Not that I blame them – I know I would be a little upset too if my boss went out and hired new talent because she didn’t think I was good enough.

Stephanie’s unfiltered, piercing words only elicits a stronger negative reaction from the crowd. The boos are getting louder as the people make their feelings on the matter heard loud and clear, but they’re wasting their breath if they expect this to make Stephanie feel bad about what she did. Instead of just talking about how she wasn’t pleased with the current state of the once stellar diva’s division, Stephanie proved that she was a woman of action and went out to do something about it... for better or worse.



-Stephanie McMahon-
Tonight  I’m going to pick up where I left off because believe it or not I’m still not satisfied with the way things are and no, this isn’t me being a perfectionist, I’m being a realist. Something is right when you have to settling on hiring the likes of Jillian Hall just for the sake of getting some more bodies in the division. For the sake of my ear-drums and the prestige of the division I’m going to make sure that the moments I have to scrape the bottom of the barrel for talent are few and far between. XWL is the home of the best women wrestlers on the planet, dammit, and where they’re given the opportunity to shine – an opportunity, mind you, that they wouldn’t get anywhere else without sacrificing their dignity– and so I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that this company remains number one in that regard.

The people are hesitant to give Stephanie any kind of positive reaction after the way her last dip into the talent pool panned out. The very last thing they want is for more spoiled, entitled women to step through the door and so they have opted to take a wait and see approach this time around.



-Stephanie McMahon-
This time around my search was conducted a little differently; instead of putting emphasis on character and personality, I decided that the next woman I gave a job to would be a person who gave the men a run for their money when it comes to getting the job done inside of this ring. So for the last month I’ve had my people out there scouting for women with potential. This was all done covertly, of course, because I didn’t want anyone who was only putting on a show because they knew we were watching, I wanted a woman who went out there and gave it her all each and every time whether she was wrestling in a gym or a bingo hall because she truly loved this sport and thus wouldn’t take the opportunity to be in this company for granted like so many others have done before.

The list of women who have come and gone is an extensive one to say the least, but Stephanie is confident that this new signee will be different. The fans continue to wait with baited breath as the suspense and anticipation for this reveal continue to build.



-Stephanie McMahon-
There are plenty of women out there who are fine athletes in their own right and who knows? Maybe one day, if they work hard enough, they will find themselves in this company but only one of them impressed me enough to get the chance to debut right here tonight. That woman goes by the name Athena and trust me when I tell you that she’s every bit as good as I say she is, and even then I may still be selling her short. Her name is fitting because Athena was the goddess of war and this woman wrestles every match as though she were in a war. She doesn’t hold back, she doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit and she has a fire and passion for this business that I haven’t seen in quite some time. But if you don’t want to take my word for it, I’ve had my people prepare a little something for the non-believers.



When the video ends, Stephanie begins applauding and while the people cheer a bit, they still have their reservations because they still don’t know what kind of woman this Athena is.



-Stephanie McMahon-
If you liked that then you’re going to love this: Athena will be making her in-ring debut… tonight! If you still don’t have faith in my decisions, then I guess her actions will speak louder than my words.

With that said, Stephanie turns and exits the ring. She walks up the ramp as confidently as she descended it, no doubt in her mind that Athena will deliver on all the promises Stephanie made on her behalf.



The crowd’s reaction is still mixed, the boos and cheers still at odds, because Athena is very much a blank slate and the people have no idea what to make of her. She’ll have the opportunity to make her first impression later on tonight and the way she acts tonight may set the tone for the career that she’ll have in this company.

A hype video for Matt Hardy vs RVD plays, though, neither of us made it. As it comes to a close, the camera opens up at the commentary table showing the three commentators of XWL.

{{Michael Cole}}
Well ladies and gentlemen, it's time to get extreme!

{{Jim Ross}}
And what two better men to do it besides Matt Hardy and Rob Van Dam?

{{Jerry Lawler}}
Two originals, but, what will their match type be? They chose a Chairs Match, a Ladders Match, and an Extreme Rules Match. This left you, the XWL universe to decide which these two men will be competing in here tonight. So now, the results.

Jerry smiles as the camera is taken over by the titantron which shows an image of the two superstars and then the three options, each with 0% beside them. They start to go up and down, not landing on a number when suddenly, it halts, all stopping back at 0%.

{{Michael Cole}}
Uh, what's going on?

Then, the sound of a heartbeat echoes through the arena, making all three options jump to 50%. Then another heartbeat, then another. The third, bringing it to 100%. Then, a fourth, causing two of the options to fall back to 0%, leaving only Extreme Rules at 100%. The crowd roars in approval, then, the real show begins.



The crowd erupts, the theme of the hardcore legend, Tazz plays throughout the arena. The man himself comes out onto the stage, a mic in hand, dressed in his old fashioned ring gear. He looks around the roaring crowd who begins to chant "ECW" in a single roar. He brings the mic up and speaks into it.

{{Tazz}}
Damn it feels good to hear that again.

The crowd cheers him, but this doesn't halt him from talking.

{{Tazz}}
Now I get it, most of you guys have to be asking what an old useless man like me is doing out here, instead of the two extremists in the back. Well, it just so happens, that Rob and Matt requested that I personally come out here, to Dallas Texas, just to introduce the two of them. So, without anymore blabbering, it's time to do what I am being paid to do. This upcoming match is an ECW, EXTREME RULES MATCH!

Digital Decision returns after a short spot from the PPV's sponsor.  Various camera angles are shown of the rabid XWL Universe, bursting with excitement at being able to witness their favorite XWL Superstars and Divas live.  They can barely contain themselves as they let out cheer after cheer, and chant after chant.  Many of the XWL faithful simply chant the 3 letters of the company's name in support of what they believe is the greatest wrestling company in the world, and arguably their personal entertainment of choice.

[Jim Ross]
We welcome you back ladies and gentlemen to what promises to be a momentous night here live at Digital Decision, where the power is in your hands!  

[Jerry "The King" Lawler]
Every night in XWL is momentous JR!  That's the best thing about it!  But you're right, tonight is Digital Decision.  And what that means, is the fans get to choose what happens in every last one of our matches here tonight!

[Michael Cole]
It's always interesting to see what the fans want to see and I have yet to be disappointed by a Digital Decision show.  It's definitely one of the more memorable events in the XWL Calendar year.  But while we have a break from the action folks, I'd like to take this opportunity to promote the XWL Network!  For those of you already watching this show on the Network, thank you for subscribing.  For those of you who ordered directly from your cable provider... what are you thinking?  The Network is a steal!  It's only $9.99 per month and you can search for every show ever broadcast by XWL by year, title, superstar and more!  Oh, wait what's this?

The arena is suddenly plunged into darkness.  At first there's slight confusion among the ranks of the masses in the audience before several begin to light up their cell phones, to try and bring some illumination to their surroundings.  Many begin to whisper and put forward their theories about what is happening to their neighboring fans.  Is the Undertaker about to return?  Maybe the Wyatts?  Is this a genuine power outage?  Or perhaps this is the prelude to some brand new XWL Superstar who is about to pierce the blackness and emerge to make their grand debut right here tonight?

[Jim Ross]
Well folks, I don't know what else to say to you right now other than don't adjust your TV sets.  We are still live, but yes, we are still live... but we are sitting in complete darkness right now.

Whistles and murmurs from the fans are the only sounds that can be heard for several moments until a spectacular pyrotechnics display takes place on the stage, seemingly at random... until...







BREAK THE WALLS DOWN!


The arena explodes into cheers as familiar music begins to play and the fans recognize the XWL Superstar making his return.  A silhouette of a man made up of small light bulbs appears on the stage as the single focus under the blanket of darkness.



After a couple of seconds, the silhouette turns around and the lights return to the arena.  It's Chris Jericho!



[Jim Ross]
Bah gawd!  He's back!  Chris Jericho is back!

[Jerry "The King" Lawler]
We haven't seen Jericho in a couple of weeks now.  The last we heard he was leaving to tour with his rock band Fozzy!

Jericho begins his descent down the entrance ramp with a smirk, soaking up the ovation being given to him by the thousands in attendance.  They haven't forgotten who he is, as if he ever doubted that they had.



[Michael Cole]
It's one of Jericho's finer qualities, that he's multi-talented.  He's a rock star, an author, an actor, an entertainer and of course a professional wrestler.  He truly is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to his talents.

Jericho approaches the ring steps with extreme confidence before climbing them effortlessly.  The fans go wild as he turns on the apron into the ring ropes in his trademark way before climbing into the ring.

[Jim Ross]
Well in my view and in the view of many, Jericho's best comes out in him inside the squared circle.  You need only look at his accolades and accomplishments as evidence of that.



A repeated roaring chant of "Y2J!" echoes over and over again as Jericho's music is reduced to silence.  The man himself also remains silent for several moments with an emotionless look on his face in stark contrast to the smirk he wore as he entered which is a bit odd given the adoration being shown towards him.  Eventually, he raises his microphone which he now has and begins to speak with purpose and intent in a clear confident tone.



[Chris Jericho]
It's been a little while since I've been inside an XWL ring, but it's obvious to me that each and every single one of you know exactly who I am so I'll spare you the introduction.  But what you don't know, is where I've been, or what I've been doing while I've been gone.  I've seen all your messages... all your tweets... all your emails... all asking me where I'd gone, or when I'd make my triumphant return to XWL...

The crowd roars in approval at seeing such a return unfolding before their very eyes.



[Chris Jericho]
It's only been a few short weeks but you were crying out for me to return from the moment I was gone.  Usually when I come back, I'm something of a showman.  I like to make an impact upon my return or make a big deal out of it... but as you all just saw, there was no cryptic code for anyone to break... no mysterious countdown... no vague video packages to hype up my return... none of that.  And you want to know why?  It's because while I was gone, I took a long, hard look at myself and what I had become... and I was disgusted.

A mixed reaction can be heard as the fans don't quite know how to digest Jericho's words.



[Chris Jericho]
Not more than one year ago I was standing in this very ring as the King Of The Ring.  I was World Heavyweight Champion for almost the entire year of 2013 and I was Superstar Of The Year.  I won in the main event at Final Stand and I accumulated one of the greatest undefeated streaks in XWL history.  I was the man everybody wanted to beat and I was living up to being the best in the world at what I do... but more recently... I'd become what I claimed I would never become again... your hero.



[Chris Jericho]
I was content with being second best as long as I brought smiles to your faces... it was sickening.  I had demeaned myself into settling for wrestling for $25,000 in a briefcase instead of World Heavyweight Championships...  I got by, with a checkered win/loss record... but it was all okay right?  You people were happy and that was all that mattered.  Or so I thought.  The fact of the matter is that I had once again fallen to the false seduction of your cheers and your chants of my name.  I was hell-bent on pleasing you people, no matter the cost to my career, and even now you're proving it was all for nothing.  You've turned on me in an instant.  Go ahead, boo me, you're just proving my point.  You're all a bunch of hypocrites.  I say something you don't like and already I'm the bad guy, I'm the villain... and you've already moved on to the next guy you want to proclaim as one of your favorites.

The crowd has completed an entire u-turn on the reaction they are now giving Jericho.  What was a booming reception earlier on is now one filled with pure hatred.  The boos and the jeers are at a deafening level of volume.



[Chris Jericho]
You hear something you don't like and the two brain cells in your tiny peanut brains rub together and give you the generic response of booing me, despite the lack of logic behind it because everything I am saying is the truth, and you know it.  I have been held back but now I see through the veil of lies and deceit and tonight is a turning point of my career.  I will no longer be distracted by desperately clamoring for your cheers like some trained animal, pandering to you at your beck and call or at the click of your fingers.  There won't be any more stupid catchphrases or lame jokes... I'm going back to the basics of being the best.  I am now free from my shackles, I am free from distraction and I will again reach the heights I should never have fallen from.  Do you understand what I am saying to you right now?

Again, nuclear heat from the fans as they now have a new man they love to hate.  This is the Chris Jericho they thought had long gone.



[Chris Jericho]
I made a promise and a vow at the end of last year that 2014 would be another year where I would prove my dominance and superiority over the rest of the locker room.  You parasites stole that away from me for the first 7 months of this year.  But trust me... there's time left.  You all know exactly what I'm capable of and that when I speak I speak only the truth.  Even you sycophants can't deny that underneath your tirade of hate.



[Chris Jericho]
So believe me when I say that before this year is out, I will once again be the man at the summit of this industry... I will once again live up to being the best in the world at what I do... and XWL will never... ever... be the same... again...



Jericho stares into the angry mob surrounding him with a cold, emotionless glare as he utters his final words emphasized with pure self-belief and confidence as his music hits once again.



[Jerry "The King" Lawler]
Well... that wasn't quite what I expected...

[Jim Ross]
I truly believe that what we just witnessed is the "true" Chris Jericho King.  Jericho has always accomplished the most in his career without looking to entertain anyone and focusing on being the best that he can be.  It's hard to deal with a fall from grace of the like Jericho has and unfortunately he's making the XWL Universe out to be the cause of that instead of facing up to his own shortcomings.

[Michael Cole]
They are the cause JR!  You don't just suddenly go from being a multi-time World Champion to prancing around making jokes with a big smile on your face wrestling meaningless matches!  Jericho has a point and I have to agree with him.  Without the fans, Jericho's future in this company is brighter than ever.  And he's already made history in the past!

[Jim Ross]
That may be so.  While I may not approve of Jericho's attitude, there's no denying that man's ability when it boils right down to it.  Anyone would be a fool not to take Chris Jericho seriously after tonight.

The camera once again focuses on Jericho who remains in the ring, coldly staring at the fans he has turned his back on as the screen finally fades away to a hype video for tonight's main event where "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels defends his World Heavyweight Championship versus the 2014 King Of The Ring, John Cena...

Yay an awesome Jericho again <3  

---

Taking stroll through the halls within The American Airlines Center is none other than The Lord of Dance himself, Fandango. Who despite having a big match tonight, with potentially big stipulations attached to it depending on how The XWL Universe has voted...seems to not have a single care in the world. He's as always in touch with who he is, not just mentally...but physically as you can tell by him running his hands down his face and spinning in a complete circle for no absolute reason at all.





But that's what we've come to expect from Fandango, he's a little weird, unconventional, and who can forget...undefeated. But of course anyone could probably be in his position if they didn't compete regularly either. Fandango's been more of an attraction, not just to the ladies, who of course envy Layla for getting to get so close to him every week...but in the sense that when he performs, it means something. At Supremacy he defeated CM Punk, and tonight he looks to make lightning strike twice, but will it? Because tonight isn't just about extending that undefeated streak to a whopping two victories...no, the options that the fans have been voting on up until now add so much more to this match than their encounter last month. Punk's Money in The Bank could very well be on the line, Layla herself could even be on the line...or maybe worst of all, both prizes could be at stake but in a way that really makes this interesting. Because these men could have to choose between losing and getting Layla, or winning...and getting The Money in The Bank contract. For Fandango who courted Layla into being his new partner, that could be a hard choice, or it could be an easy one...but how easy, and what choice is easy? Is his relationship with Layla strong enough for him to throw this should that last option win? Or would he twirl her out of his life in a heart beat just to claim that case as his own? Fandango was just about to turn the corner when he heard the unmistakable voice of his "lay-day" call out to him. She walks up, visibly distraught, and we can probably guess why, right? She broke a nail, did I get it? Oh, right...it's probably because of the voting stuff, on we go. Fandango's instincts kick in and right away he jumps into comfort mode, soothing her with his touch.





[Layla]
Hey, can we talk?

[Fandango]
What's the matter, babe?



[Layla]
It's just, I never expected this to go as far as it did...I didn't realize just how much I missed dancing, and I didn't think that...you could ever make me feel as special as I feel when I'm around you. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't want tonight to be it for us, and I don't want to go out there knowing that this could be our swan song.


Looking to him for reassurance, Layla's disposition over what could happen tonight is far more different from Fandango's. Maybe he's as cool and calm as a cucumber that he doesn't know what fear, or being worried feels like. Or, maybe he doesn't see this as big of a deal as she does. But it's his job as the man in this team to put her little heart at ease, and his arm wraps around her back, pulling her in closer to do just that.  





[Fandango]
Baby, Lay...it won't be. C...M Punk will be brought to justice, and it will all be...because of you. Your sacrifices, the pain and agony you've had to endure...will not go in vain. For what goes...around...


You guessed it, he starts to sway and swivel his hips as he speaks, which you know...could probably not do that, and just be normal in a moment like this, but hey...maybe we're the ones that aren't normal? Wouldn't that be an interesting twist?  


[Fandango]
Comes back around, in a little thing called...the circle of life. He wronged you, and in the name of everything that is...right in the world of...daaaaaance. He will pay for his transgressions...and that price, is Money...in The Bank....


Though he strokes the back of her head to relax her, she's anything but. Layla's obsessively thinking about this match in great detail, every possible outcome, what could end up being at stake...it's a complicated situation that is far different than last time. This time she can't one hundred percent be as helpful as she was, because if she goes to the loser...would she really help Fandango win? Or even if the match would have her go to the victor, would she risk helping Fandango win, knowing the referee could see and disqualify him, awarding Punk the technical victory? It's an unlikely scenario, but it's one that Layla is fearful of.



[Layla]
What if, your price....for that....is me? It's one thing to wanna do some heroic act in my name...but does it really do any good if I'm possibly gift wrapped to him in the process?

Noticing her veering off in a direction either of them probably want to envision...Fandango's solitary finger graces her lips, silencing any more bad thoughts and he stares into her eyes as she gets lost in them.



[Fandango]
Hush, M'Lay...day...you have nothing to worry about. Victory shall be ours, and ours....alone. You are mine, and as sure as my name is.....Faaan..Daan...goo....that will never change. So lay your weary head to rest, don't you....cry no more.

Just like that, the smooth bastard strikes again! That worrisome demeanor fades, and a smile makes it's way onto Layla's face. Sure nothings changed and she could still end up with Punk at the end of the night, but hey Fandango said some nice things, and quoted Kansas so can anyone really still be upset after that? Well, probably....but Fandango has this charm about him that we can't really understand, probably don't want to understand....it helps him say the right things even if they don't always make sense.  



[Fandango]
That's a good girl, that's the smile I wanna see...that's the smile that lights up the dance floor...and that's the smile, that will lead you m'lady, and m'self....to vict...ory...The only thing your pretty little head needs to worry about, is doing that thing you know....how to do best. Looking breathtakingly...faaaan...tastic...


Aw, isn't that sweet? Layla sure thinks so, because right away she wraps her aryms around him and nestles the side of her face against his chest and smiles as bright as the stars at night. Tonight could seriously go either way, but to Fandango's credit he's managed to convince Layla that she has nothing to worry about.  



But as her eyes close and she rests against his chest like a cat snuggling up close to it's master minus the purring....thankfully...we see a view that Layla herself misses due to her position. Fandango's not smiling like he was mere seconds ago, in fact...we can't really tell what he's thinking about or feeling in this moment...but it's far different from his mood in the beginning. What is he thinking about? Is it his chances against Punk knowing that Layla might not be as big of a help as she was last month? Is it knowing that he could have to choose between her and that opportunity? Whatever it is, that cool calm and collected demeanor has diminished into what we see now before us. How will this night end for these two? What will be a stake when CM Punk meets Fandango in a rematch of last month? So many questions, and for once, we'll have all the answers later tonight. Layla's going to have to leave his arms eventually to go get ready, but for now she's stuck to him like glue as we head away from this scene and to a video package promoting The 2014 King of The Ring Winner, John Cena.

Byron Saxton appears on the camera and begins to speak .  

Byron Saxton
Ladies and Gentlemen in a couple seconds I will have the honor to speak with the lovely ,  dominant Tamina .  Hear we go .  

Byron Saxton
Tamina how are you feeling at this moment ?  

Tamina
What kinda question is that,  look Byron if this interview is going to be full of stupid questions then I'm going to leave now.  

Tamina begins to walk away .  

Byron Saxton
No no no tamina hold on ,  I didn't mean to upset you on any way ,  but I have more questions for you .  When you came here to XWL what we're your intentions ?  

Tamina
Well Byron I all about statements,  I came to make a statement ,  I I think I'm starting to I've knocked off two of the toughest divas here being the crazy Alicia Fox ,  and Candice Larae .  Giving my short time being here here that's making a statement .  



Byron Saxton
Ok,  you talk about statements ,  what kind of statement are you trying to make ?

Tamina
Its simple ,  I don't want to be talking for granted ,  I am the daughter of the great Super Fly Snuka ,  that's enough right there to know I'm something , but the you see my in ring ability and you think like wow this girl has something special and I feel no one is giving me that respect that I deserve,  why do you think I'm always backstage by myself none around. I want my statement to be that I am a force to be reckoned with.



Byron Saxton
Wow,  OK ,  on another note like a week ago you challenged Candice Larae for a match tonight at Digital Decision ,  not knowing that she already has a match with Madison Rayne ,  how do you feel about that,  is that kinda embarrassing ?



Tamina
Really Byron,  Really,  does it really matter ,  I already had to deal with this all over twitter last week and now you being it back up ,  listen I didn't know she has a match ok?  It was an honest mistake I was in the heat of the moment and u wanted my revenge,  I honestly didn't know she had a match ,  I should not even be explaining myself to you but I am.  It was a mistake OK everyone a himistake .



Byron Saxton
OK I hear you Tamina ,  so that leaves you matchless for tonight ,  how does it feel to not be apart of one of the biggest ppvs in XWL?



Tamina
Your really know how to push my buttons Byron , how do you think I feel I'm pissed, that's like asking you how does it feel to be not invited to a staff meeting . Me not being in this ppv will just make me work even harder to make sure my statement is delivered , not being apart of this will only make me work harder going into the next one, I'm going to be Around for a long time weather you like it or not , now get out of my face .

Tamina pushes Byron out of the way and walked away lessons the camera looking at the empty XWL hallway.

As Digital Decision continues, the cameras cut to an area backstage where the resident beauty stylist is waiting around for her next customer to show up. A few moments go by and a woman finally steps into the shot causing the stylist to perk up as she now knows it’s time to get back to work. The woman’s face is shown and it’s Athena, the woman who Stephanie announced that she had signed earlier in the show! She looks a little nervous as she approaches the stylist as she hopes to get done up well for what she hopes to be the first of many matches in this company.

-Athena-
Um, hi, am I in the right place?

-Stylist-
You sure are, darling. You’re the new girl if I’m not mistaken?

-Athena-
Yeah, I’m the new kid on the block. I’m still trying to learn the ropes, almost got lost on my way here, if you can believe that.

-Stylist-
*Chuckles* I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon enough, you seem like you have a good head on your shoulders.

-Athena-
You have no idea how nice that is to hear. I haven’t even been here a full year and some of the other divas are already giving me dirty looks.

-Stylist-
Well Stephanie did make it seem like you were out to steal their jobs.

-Athena-
It’s not anything like that; I’m just trying to lay low so that things go as smoothly as possible.

-Stylist-
You don’t have a cosmetology degree, do you?

-Athena-
Oh no, no, no, I need all the help I can get in that area.

-Stylist-
Shush, girl, you’re going to make this easy for me. Take a seat so I can get started on you.

-Athena-
I feel kind of bad, my hair is gonna get all kinds of messed up when I’m done wrestling tonight.

-Stylist-
But just imagine how great you’ll look when you make your entrance for the first time and have thousands of eyes watching your every move.

-Athena-
Thousands? Wow, some of the shows I did barely cracked one-hundred.

-Stylist-
Don’t think too much about it; once you’re out there I bet you’ll forget about them.

-Athena-
That is until they start chanting my name.

-Stylist-
There’s the spirit.

-Athena-
Which reminds me, I don’t think I ever asked for your name.

-Stylist-
You know, in all my years here I can count on one hand the woman who have sat in the chair and asked me that.

-Athena-
Really?

-Stylist-
With all the time we spend on the road and all the divas that come and go at a moment’s notice, friends just don’t come as often as they used to.

-Athena-
I’m really sorry to hear th---

*AHEM!*

The holier than thou tone comes from Athena's right, where an impatient Layla stands with her arms crossed, and the tip of her stilettos clacking against the concrete floor repeatedly. Not saying a word, Layla just glances back and forth at the new girl, and the make up lady who shall not be named because she's not important enough. Athena not wanting to get off on the wrong foot with anyone puts a smile on her face and extends her hand to introduce herself, but instead of Layla reciprocating the handshake, her eyes look up and down at her hand as if it's contaminated. Then she completely turns away from Athena and looks at the stylist in disgust.

-Layla-
Um, who is this and why is she in my chair?


The stylist eyes shifts back and forth between the woman who has treated her nicely expecting nothing but a serviceable hairdo in response and the woman who already appears out to make this the longest day of her life. Realizing that she may have stepped on some toes and looking to atone for that, Athena rises out of the chair so that she can try to diffuse the situation before it gets out of hand.

-Athena-
Hey Layla look – I didn’t mean to make you mad or anything, I just came where they told me to go before my match and –

The poor thing that was simply just trying to make light of all of this gets rudely cut off by the snobby veteran.  

-Layla-
Excuse me? Was I talking to you? No, I wasn't. If there's one thing I can't stand it's a rookie that doesn't know her place. So here's a little word of advice, that I strongly suggest you adhere to from now on. Whenever you're in the presence of moi, you only speak when you're spoken to, got it? Great, now scram. Some of us actually have things to do tonight, you know...besides be another one of Stephanie's failed experiments.

Athena closes her eyes and takes a deep breath then lets out all that air in a long, drawn out exhale. She’s been trying to keep things professional but Layla isn’t about to make that easy for her. They don’t have to be best friends, but there’s no need for them to become bitter enemies within five-minutes of interacting with each other for the first time. Layla’s words certainly struck a chord with her, her competitive nature making it almost impossible to make that statement slide.

-Athena-
Failed experiment?

-Layla-
Is there an echo in here? Yeah, you heard me, I didn't stutter sweetheart.

-Athena-
I haven’t even gotten the chance to prove myself.

-Layla-
First impressions are everything, and I'm sorry...well, not really...but Stephanie making a big deal out of your arrival tells me all I need to know. Look back at last month's addition, The "Beautiful" "Fierce" "Females"

Air quotations and all, Layla cracks a smile at how well that duo has turned out to be. Which pretty much fuels her skepticism over yet another big deal being made out of the girl standing in front of her.  

-Layla-
Real stars shine brightly enough that you don't need to point them out, but I suppose if Stephanie didn't try to make people care about you people, then well, they wouldn't.

-Athena-
Look, I am not like whoever Stephanie hired before me, okay? I worked my butt off to get here and I sure as heck didn't go through all that to get into it with someone over a chair.

-Layla-
Aw, is the newbie getting upset? Maybe if she knew her place, and didn't try to get the star treatment on her first night she wouldn't be in this position. Now be a good little girl and make yourself scarce. My baby and I have a big night ahead of us, and not that you'd know anything about this, but when all eyes are on you, a girls got to look her best.  

-Athena-
Yeah, I guess you have a point; when you’re some creepy dude’s arm candy you have to at least try and look the part. You may already be writing me off as some chick who’s in over her head, but  when I get into that ring and wrestle – something you sure don’t know much about tonight – then I’m going to prove you and anyone else who doubts me wrong. I may not be able to control what Stephanie says about me, but that doesn't mean that I can’t do everything in my power to prove her right.

As if she didn't even think enough of Athena to be upset by her response, Layla just shrugs it off, laughing at her in a manner that pretty much can only be described in one word, like a bitch.

-Layla-
You do that, and when you've done things like make history, win championships, acclaimed awards, or something besides waste my time with your trivial hopes and dreams, then maybe I'll actually give a damn. Well, not really...because let's face it, you won't. In this business there are people like me...

To prove her point Layla raises her right hand up high in the air, beaming with arrogance a smirk that acts as the cherry on top.

-Layla-
And then there are people like, you...

Moving her left hand much lower than the right, Layla mocks Athena by exaggeratedly pouting as she looks back and forth between the high hand, and the low one.  

-Layla-
All the hype in the world isn't enough to make up that difference. But hey, you're living your dream right now, right? So soak it in, breathe in the air of success, because at least when you're back in that high school gym, you'll always have this moment. The night you lived your dream...and then, woke up.

Athena sneers as she shakes her head, clearly bother by Layla’s attitude. In some sort of cruel cosmic joke, her attempts to remain under the radar until she made a name for herself in this company have only granted her the ire of one of the most infamous divas in the history of XWL. Raises her hands in a submissive gesture while taking a step back.

-Athena-
You know something, Layla? I was told there’d be women like you around here and now I’m starting to see that there’s some truth behind their words and that that they weren’t just trying to scare me. Yeah  -  you’ve done it all and seen it all, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room at the top for someone else. Sure, you’ve been a part of a lot of XWL “firsts” but that doesn’t mean someone can’t come along and do it better. And okay, you’re practically a living legend in this company… but that doesn’t mean you have to throw your weight around and bully someone over something as meaningless as a chair. So thank you for the warm-welcome, Layla, I know you’ll be happy to know the chair is all yours. It’s been a pleasure.

Athena tries to crack a smile, but the venom dripping off the words in that last statement make it clear that she wasn’t exactly being sincere. Still, she tried to handle the situation in the least adversarial way imaginable and makes  sure to avoid getting sucked back into the argument by not even waiting  to hear what Layla has to say in response to that… and you can tell by the look on Layla’s face that she was only getting started with her verbal shellacking. Athena turns and walks away, smiling at the stylist before disappearing off-screen.

Forced to part ways with an angel and left with a devil, the stylist would have probably loved to walk away with Athena, but alas she’s getting paid to do a particular job and whether she likes it or not – 100 bucks says it’s the latter – she has to deal with Layla’s ego and cattiness so that the next check is guaranteed to come in the mail. The stylist swivels the chair around so that it’s facing Layla and awkwardly stands there as she waits for the former two-time diva’s champion to take a seat so that the stylist can get the ordeal over and done with as quickly and painlessly as possible.

-Layla-
I swear, someone people act as if they don't have any manners.


The irony is strong with this one, as must be the strength of this poor woman that's going to have to deal with Layla for the next fifteen minutes. Layla lets out a victorious sigh, then finally takes a seat, and starts to play with her own hair. Twirling a few strands in between her fingers and imagining how great she'll look when she's out there dancing with Fandango.

-Stylist-
So what can I do for you tonight, Layla?

-Layla-
Oh, I don't know....surprise me.

After all the fuss she made over wanting the chair, Layla doesn't even know what she wants done? You've got to be kidding, right? Sadly for this stylist, Layla isn't at all kidding. The poor unfortunate woman is tasked with the very difficult task of giving Layla exactly what she doesn't know she wants, and if she doesn't live up to her nonexistent expectations, she'll surely never hear the end of it. Taking in a deep breath and slowly exhaling, the beautician begins to work her magic as we fade out to an advertisement promoting XWL's first ever International Incident next month, where XWL takes the action and the drama to the other side of the world.

Digital Decision returns from a brief hype video for the Main Event. The fans are sure excited for that one! Will it be John Cena or Shawn Michaels walking out as the World Heavyweight Champion? And regardless of who walks out champion, even more importantly, will it have been a clean match? We don't know right now, but if you stay tuned your questions will be answered live tonight!

Michael Cole
I really can't wait for the main event. It's going to be such a great match.

Jim Ross
Not only do we have the main event, but we have other great matches as well. Roman Reigns could potentially face three superstars in one night for his title! Imagine if he were to overcome those odds?

Jerry Lawler
I can't even imagine it, JR. And speaking of taking on three challengers at once, Sheamus may have to do just that if The Whole Shebang dares to interfere in his match.

Michael Cole
And don't forget the divas championship. Anybody could be challenging for the title here tonight in the first-ever write-in voting option!

Jim Ross
Don't forget Jack Swagger taking on Steve Austin, either. That one has to be interesting as one man could be losing their facial hair.

Jerry Lawler
Oh, oh, and while we're at it, don't forget CM Punk taking on Fandango. That's been an interesting rivalry to watch unfold and tonight should be no different.

Michael Cole
Well, team, I'm receiving word of a not-so-well-known superstar who has requested mic time here tonight. It seems he's looking to make a name for himself tonight here on PPV.

Jim Ross
And what better way to make a name for yourself than live on PPV? Whoever it is, they've got the right idea.

Jerry Lawler
Look, here they come now!










It's the theme song of none other than Brooklyn-native JTG! He's hardly been relevant in XWL at all, but he's been spotted occasionally throughout the duration of XWL's existence. He seems very intense now, though. His stare has become cold as he comes out onto the top of the ramp. The fans hardly react for the wrestler as it's been difficult to even tell he exists as of late. However, JTG has come prepared tonight and, ice cold stare intact, he whips out his microphone to begin speaking.

JTG
I am sick and tired of y'all not knowing about the struggle. It's been far too long now and not a single damn one of you knows what I go through on a day-to-day basis. The hunger, the hustle, and the hangover are all real parts of my life. Whether you allow yourself to believe it while you prance about in your clean, secure, safe, homes or you sympathize with the struggle, it's real. You know, I'd previously thought out a much more elaborate method of debuting, but then I'd realized that wasn't me. Where I come from, we're all small means. I refuse to conform to all of your standards just to gain your attention. If you choose to acknowledge my small means-existence, then my mission will have been accomplished, but if you ignore me like so many of your kind have for far too long, then you'll just have proven my message to be true.

The crowd doesn't really know whether or not they should boo JTG just yet, but it seems like they should so you can hear a sprinkling of boos scattered throughout the crowd as JTG continues on.

JTG
I didn't come here tonight to begin spreading my message. My message can wait. Tonight, I came to legitimize myself to you because, as a man from the inner-city, I know that your word is only as heeded as your reputation is respected. So tonight, I've come here looking for a fight just to show you exactly what I can do. I'm a scrapper. I've run the streets for a long time fighting, clawing, and using any weapon I can fit my fingers around for an advantage. I know the theme of the night is to let the fans decide on any matches, but I'm deciding for you all. Tonight, I'm going one on one with whatever superstar decides he's man enough to face me right here, right now.

Michael Cole
Tough words from JTG. Let's see if he can back them up against whoever answers his challenge!

Jim Ross
You have to be really careful when you issue one of these challenges because you just don't know who will answer it!

Jerry Lawler
That's for sure. You have to be prepared for the worst if you're going to make a bold move like this.

Somehow JTG is now in the ring as it seems apparent he'd been walking towards the ring the entire time he was talking, but you couldn't really tell on television. JTG throws out a hard stare to the top of the ramp as he awaits whoever will be his challenger here tonight. He's a man on a mission. He's returning from his long-term irrelevancy and now he's attempting to actually mean something.








It's Tyson Kidd! Kidd has answered the challenge! He hasn't been seen in a very long time, but Tyson Kidd is back now as well. Two men who could certainly be more than they are here in XWL are both coming back on the same night for the same match. Who will prevail and possibly launch their XWL career towards meaningful territory?

Michael Cole
Things have just gotten interesting. Tyson Kidd hasn't been seen in ages, but here's here tonight to try and prove himself. JTG was asking for a fight and now Tyson Kidd is going to bring it!

Jim Ross
He sure will and Tyson Kidd is a graduate from the Hart Dungeon which means he's a very skilled wrestler.

Jerry Lawler
Yes and Tyson Kidd is definitely motivated to be here. Just look at him!

Kidd has come prepared as well because, as he stands on top of the ramp, he pulls out a microphone.

Tyson Kidd
I'm glad you think you're so tough, JTG. I'll have you know that as a graduate of the Hart Dungeon I'm a better wrestler than you could have ever become by "scrapping" on the streets. I'm the next big thing. I have the natural good looks, the charisma, and the family legacy to succeed. But you? You're just an agitated failure trying to play the race card to regain some sort of respect from the fans. Listen, it's okay, if I were you, I'd be doing the same thing because there's nothing better you can do. You're certainly not going to succeed in another profession. Anyways, you asked for a fight, and I'm going to show how a real wrestler fights.

Tyson Kidd drops his microphone and it makes a thud sound as it hits the ground below him. He's about midway down the ramp now and JTG raises the microphone to retort.

Michael Cole
Those were some calculated words from Tyson Kidd.

Jim Ross
I can feel the tensions rising. Kidd and JTG are about to go at it!

Jerry Lawler
Oh, I can't wait! Sometimes the matches that aren't scheduled become the best ones!

Just before JTG can even mouth one word to Tyson Kidd, Kidd dashes towards the ring and slides in! The crowd scream out in excitement as this impromptu match is about to get underway!




Digital Decision:
Impromptu Match
Tyson Kidd vs JTG

The bell sounds off as Kidd runs at JTG. JTG ducks a quick clothesline hurled at him via Tyson Kidd and Kidd continues on, bouncing off the ropes on the other side and coming back to nail him with a bulldog from behind! Kidd pounces on JTG and begins furiously slamming his head onto the mat.

Michael Cole
Look at the intensity. That kind of intensity is unique to two superstars who know they have to win if they want to keep their jobs.

Jim Ross
That's very true. Whoever loses here could very well be in their last match with XWL.

Jerry Lawler
And that's why both men have to try and win because, for both of these underachievers, a win could be just what they need to propel their careers in the right direction.

After seven thrusts of JTG's head into the mat, Kidd pops off of him and screams. He's fired up for sure. Tyson Kidd sprints to the ropes and launches himself in a springboard moonsault as if to show the world that he means business... but JTG rolls out of the way! Tyson Kidds abs crash onto the mat and he grabs at them in pain. JTG gets up to his feet now and waits for Tyson to do the same. Once both men are on their feet, JTG hails punches at the face of Tyson Kidd. Each one hits hard, but Tyson Kidd refuses to go down as he leans on the ropes for support. The jaw of Kidd is almost heard cracking.

Michael Cole
You only learn how to punch like that when you're raised in the streets.

Jim Ross
If you didn't believe that JTG has been in a street fight or two before, then you do now.

Jerry Lawler
Ouch, you can hear the punches! They're so loud!

JTG fires in shot after shot to Kidd's mug, but he backs off and allows for Kidd to slug off the ropes a bit. He then nails Kidd with a dropkick that takes him to the ground. Though he's clearly heel, JTG appeals to the crowd with a dancing gesture, but he's boo'd for it. In a rage that he's been boo'd while in control of the match, JTG begins to stomp out Kidd. First he stomps the face, then the right arm, then the right leg. JTG then lifts Tyson Kidd and throws him off of the ropes. Tyson bounces off the ropes and comes back at JTG, launching a clothesline, but JTG dodges. Tyson Kidd again comes off the ropes, but this time he baseball slides under JTG's legs! The two are now both on their feet and they begin a stare down while both men know their futures in XWL possibly hinge on this match.

Michael Cole
This is amazing. You can see the innate mutual respect between the two because they both know their careers are in the same position.

Jim Ross
That you can. They're giving it their all out there tonight and they both know it.

Jerry Lawler
I'm just wondering, who's going to win!

Almost the instant those words come out of Lawler's mouth, action in the ring is halted as the power goes out. It's completely dark in the ring and all around except for a few sprinkled in cell phone lights. The crowd is making a commotion and no one knows what's going on.

Jim Ross
A power outage? I wonder if Chris Jericho has something to do with this one as well.

Jerry Lawler
Well, JR, I don't think Chris Jericho would come out so soon after he just left. Maybe XWL actually forgot to pay their electricity bill!

Michael Cole
Whatever it is, it came right as JTG and Tyson Kidd were attempting to make their mark and carve out a niche for themselves here in XWL. How could this even happen?

Jim Ross
I don't know, Cole, but the crowd is making quite a commotion.

Jerry Lawler
And they rightfully should. XWL should give them their money back if this isn't sorted out quickly!










Jim Ross
Oh my god, I don't think that power outage was an accident!

Jerry Lawler
There's only one man in professional wrestling who is associated with that noise... and it's not Chris Jericho!

Michael Cole
But it can't be him! We haven't seen him in a very long time. It can't be him!

The fans begin to scream as they hear the sound of the infamous gong. Nobody can believe what they're seeing here tonight and, if it wasn't pitch black in the stadium, the faces on JTG and Tyson Kidd would be priceless right now. After about 10 seconds time, the gong sounds off again.



The arena is dark still, but it's certainly not silent. Digital Decision is in a pitch black frenzy as it awaits The Phenom to inevitably arrive.

Jim Ross
That's the gong again!

Jerry Lawler
The Undertaker is HERE! You can feel the anticipation building!

Michael Cole
We're going to see The Deadman, live, here tonight!



Again, the gong strikes and this time only seconds after the last one. Then, lightning strikes the stage ferociously! It lights a burning Undertaker cross on fire on the stage which begins to emit a purple smoke that scatters across the top of the stage.



Jim Ross
By god! Look at that!

Jerry Lawler
It's amazing!

Michael Cole
I think every fan practically jumped out of their skin when that lightning struck.

Smoke is pouring from the burning cross on top of the stage and it's too thick to see through. Nobody would even know if The Undertaker himself were standing on the stage right now.



Now a black silhouette is slightly visible within the smoke and the fans pop tremendously for the figure.



The signature theme song of The Undertaker begins playing as it sends a chill creeping up the spine of every soul in attendance.



Jim Ross
There he is! That's The Undertaker!

Jerry Lawler
The Undertaker is here! He's here!



The smoke on the stage washes away and fully reveals The Undertaker at last. The Deadman, the Demon himself is in our presence.

Jim Ross
He's here!

Jerry Lawler
The Undertaker is officially back! And he has his eyes set in the ring where Tyson Kidd and JTG are stranded!

The last of the smoke begins to disappear as the arena goes completely dark once more with only a striding Undertaker on the ramp somehow remaining visible. The Undertaker seems to carry a brief bit of light with him as you can see him stop just short of the ring apron.

Jim Ross
This is spooky. The lights are following The Undertaker and The Undertaker only!

Jerry Lawler
I can't see a darned thing out here.

The ringside area suddenly begins to glow and it brings with it a terrible realization for the men in the ring...



Druids lining both sides of the ring had begun lighting torches to bring a tiny bit of light into the arena. Now, the area around the ring is completely visible and so are the dozen men surrounding it. JTG and Tyson Kidd are frozen in terror as The Undertaker feeds on each moment of this.

Jim Ross
The druids are lining the ring! There's no escape for either Tyson Kidd or JTG!

Jerry Lawler
They have got to be the unluckiest men in the world right now!

Michael Cole
They came here today wanting to prove themselves, but neither of them thought they'd have a run-in with The Undertaker!



The Undertaker kneels down and bows his head as all dozen Druids hop onto the ring apron. JTG and Tyson Kidd don't have the slightest clue what to do so they do nothing at all except for cower in fear in the center of the ring.

Jim Ross
They're outnumbered. There's twelve torch-carrying Druids against two XWL superstars!

Jerry Lawler
I don't like their odds right now.

Michael Cole
The Druids are going to destroy them!

The Druids all simultaneously blow their torches out, but there's enough light remaining from purple smoke that's begun to rise from god-knows-where once again. Every fan in attendance stares on as the Druids step into the ring. JTG and Tyson Kidd, who had just been fighting ferociously, now seem powerless to resist as the Druids slowly pace up to them. Two druids are assigned to each man as both Tyson Kidd and JTG have two druids restricting their movement. There's a small struggle, but JTG and Kidd seem almost in a trance with now nonresistant they are. Eight druids line up facing JTG and Tyson Kidd who are held, side by side, in the center of the ring. The Druids, with their backs to the camera, all kneel down at once.

Jim Ross
It seems The Druids are performing some type of ritual.

Jerry Lawler
It takes four of them to hold back the seemingly sedated Tyson Kidd and JTG and the other eight are just watching.

Michael Cole
This is amazing. The unnatural powers of The Undertaker can mystify anyone.

Now, The Undertaker steps onto the ring apron and then steps into the ring as eight druids kneel in his presence. The Undertaker paces over to JTG and Tyson Kidd and stops in front of both. His monstrous hands lunge forward and seize the necks of both men at the same time. They're being strangled, but, other than the terrible expressions on their face, Undertaker is met with little resistance.

Jim Ross
Look at this! The Undertaker is going to chokeslam both men!

Jerry Lawler
JTG and Tyson Kidd are about to be sent to hell!

All four druids release their holds on JTG and Tyson Kidd right before The Undertaker lifts them up and slams them down into another dimension. Both men lay flat on the ground looking as lifeless as can be as The Undertaker remains expressionless and the four Druids who once held down both men now bow as if their job has been completed. Four druids kneel on one side of The Undertaker and eight druids kneel on the other side of The Undertaker as 'Taker stands enormously tall in the center. The Undertaker removes his hat and places it on the ground in front of him.

Jerry Lawler
Wow, just wow.

Michael Cole
You have to see The Undertaker in person before you can really appreciate how amazing he is.

Undertaker draws a microphone seemingly from out of his pocket and slowly raises it to his lips before he begins to speak.



The Undertaker
For far too long I have resided deep within the depths of hell known as the land of the forgotten. Once, I was the Demon of Death Valley, but that demon has been dethroned. Now, I'm incapable of even feasting on the least appetizing of souls. My decade of destruction has long ended and I've been stranded in a purgatory between the hell I've created for myself and the heaven all wrestling gods are blessed with. Tonight is the night I begin on the path to redeeming my past sins by relinquishing each and every sinner from the inner chambers of this ring.

Thus far, The Undertaker has delivered a cold-toned speech which has gone over coldly with the fans in attendance. They're intrigued by his poetic words and feed into what he says even as they're beginning to have a bit of a distaste for this man. He's totally trashed two men without seemingly putting in an effort and now he's speaking in an unappealing manner. The loud pops of cheering felt when he initially returned are now just memories.



The Undertaker
Tonight, JTG and Tyson Kidd were pawns exemplifying the sins of the XWL universe. They both represent the two types of sinners present within this company. On one hand, there's a false prophet. A man who claims he has a message to deliver that will purify anyone who heeds it carefully. However, he is misleading you all into his very sinful ways. And then there's Tyson Kidd. Kidd is a victim of excessive ego that impedes his ability to think. Whether you're like Tyson Kidd or you're like JTG, I assure you there is no place for you within an XWL ring. Each and every man claiming to be something he isn't is nothing more than a demon... a lesser demon. Because I, The Undertaker, am the true Demon from Death Valley. I am The Deadman, The Phenom, and The Lord of Darkness... anyone who dares to believe otherwise will face my wrath.

Undertaker's last sentence is delivered especially menacing and you have to wonder if, even withstanding his supernatural capabilities, he'll be able to back those words.



The Undertaker
I've been present in XWL since the beginning... and I'll be present in the end. Countless spirits have been evicted during my tenure within this company yet there always remains one constant. Whether I am forced to resurrect from the fiery ashes or incarnate from the blood of my adversaries, I have remained intact since the inception of this godforsaken business. I've seen promising upcoming stars perish at the hands of their own evils... Michael McGillicutty... John Morrison... Joey Ryan... Damien Sandow... all of whom could have flourished in this society, but instead were terminated by their own inner demons.



The Undertaker
Nevermore have I sought to cleanse XWL than this point in time. The impurities are vast and in need of relinquishing. The time has come to dismantle each and every individual who refuses to respect the laws necessary for life. This is my fair warning: abide by these laws or there are major consequences at the hands of the most lethal destruction force known to mankind, myself. It is given that anyone who refuses to do so will...

The Druids lift their heads a bit and they all center their focus on The Undertaker in the center of the ring.

The Undertaker
Rest...

The Undertaker
In...

The Undertaker begins to kneel down as he utters the last word of his signature phrase.

The Undertaker
Peace...



The Undertaker drops to a knee as his fellow druids have already done. Smoke begins to flow from underneath the ring until it's almost impossible to see anywhere remotely close to the ring. It's really mysterious to watch this. It's definitely something everyone deserves to see in person at least once in their lives. Once the smoke fades, there's nobody in the ring. Neither the druids nor The Undertaker himself are anywhere to be found and the fans seem a bit stumped at all of the supernatural powers on display from The Undertaker.

Jerry Lawler
That was... creepy.

Michael Cole
Well, you saw it here first! The Undertaker is back and he seems like he's better than ever.

Jim Ross
That was a very creepy message. It's amazing, when most superstars are entertaining the audience, they draw noise! The Undertaker has a silencing effect.

Jerry Lawler
Who wouldn't be quiet at the sight of a seven foot giant with supernatural powers? Everyone just wants to stare on in awe.

Michael Cole
It's phenomenal. I guess that's why they call him the phenom. Well, that may have been amazing, but we've got a show to carry on with so let's keep rolling!

The screen fades to the next segment, but many of the fans are still left thinking about what just happened. The man, the myth, the Undertaker has returned live here tonight and he did so with a bang. JTG and Tyson Kidd's not-so-amazing careers are likely over now and The Undertaker his reintroducing himself, his purpose, and his minions to the crowd here tonight. There's a reason he's one of the most revered men in all of wrestling and tonight he showed just why from many different points of view. Now, let's just see what he can do in the ring.

A very familiar theme begins to play..



Audio clips of Bray Wyatt's preaching from the prior weeks begin to play.. As he speaks the voice of Luke Harper can be faintly heard in the background slightly overlapping his own…

Bray Wyatt
Greed…… Your life revolves around sin Shawn Michaels. You are an evil man…

Luke Harper
Shawn Michaels…



Bray Wyatt
You will do whatever it takes to hold onto that World Heavyweight Championship, you will stab the back of WHOEVER GETS IN YOUR WAY!!

Luke Harper
…how many bridges are left for you to burn…



Bray Wyatt
You believe yourself to be invincible… You are not.

Luke Harper
…how many backs are there left for you to carve…



Bray Wyatt
Shawn, you are a demon, and I am here to turn the demons of this company into dust. THAT is why you are not safe, THAT is why you will never be safe…

Luke Harper
…you’re too far away for anyone to reach you…



Bray Wyatt
You, you Shawn Michaels, you are beyond saving… Or at least the closest thing to it… I've been watching you.. Oh yes I have.. I've been waiting patiently in the shadows….

Luke Harper
…you’re too far gone for anyone to care you’re in danger…



Bray Wyatt
Waiting for you to stab the back of each and every person that can truthfully say that they care about you. Waiting for you to destroy the very bonds that make a man's glory, a mortal's name.. Live on forever.. When you leave this earth there will be no one willing to speak good of Shawn Michaels, and you're going to have no one to blame but yourself..

Luke Harper
…once upon a time your name meant something…



Bray Wyatt
And I? Well then I'll be done waiting, and I shall rest..… Tonight your true colors will be shown Shawn, and once again it will be I, Bray Wyatt, who has the last laugh…

Luke Harper
…but that fairytale has long since ended.



….



Bray Wyatt
John… You are not a victim to greed like Shawn Michaels.. You John, you are simply naive….

Luke Harper
John Cena…



Bray Wyatt
On July 13th John Cena is going to be given the option to step into the ring with Shawn Michaels. He thinks that he earned his King of the Ring crown through hard work and dedication….

Luke Harper
…you’re something of a politician…



Bray Wyatt
…Hustle…

Luke Harper
…scheming…



Erick Rowan
lies

Bray Wyatt
… Loyalty…

Luke Harper
…cheating…



Erick Rowan
lies

Bray Wyatt
… Respect…

Luke Harper
…deceiving…



Erick Rowan
We're Here

Bray Wyatt
But what John Cena doesn't know is that his crown is merely the devil's temptation, an apple made of gold… If he does face Shawn Michaels, if he does defeat his fellow sinner… His greed fueled ego.. Will be beyond saving.. Even by me… And that's exactly what the devil wants…

Luke Harper
…a true wolf in sheep’s clothing…



Bray Wyatt
John Cena, you can DEFEAT THE DEVIL, LET ME HELP YOU, LET ME SAVE YOU!!!

Luke Harper
…campaigning on a platform of change…



Bray Wyatt
At Digital Decision you will all be given three options, but John Cena has to choose between two.. Right… And Wrong… Good…. And Evil…. He will have to decide between what's best for the Cenation… And what's best for John Cena…

Luke Harper
…promising the world a different, better tomorrow…



~He's got the whole world..

Bray Wyatt
John would tell you many things about me, many lies, because that's what he does, it's what he's best at… Anything to get the sheep in his hands because when you have their love you can do anything.. He uses you to achieve fame and riches…

Luke Harper
…then when you receive what you yearned for….

… In his hands~



Bray Wyatt
This world is an infection and John, YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THE PILL. You promised to keep them safe. LIAR!! LIAR!! LIAR!!

Luke Harper
…the golden trophy and the power that comes with it…



Bray Wyatt
You may be the king of the ring, but you have no kingdom. My children are starting to see you for what you really are!!!

Luke Harper
…you become the man you fought so hard to replace....



Bray Wyatt
Where do you get off telling these people that everything will be okay? WHO ARE YOU to tell them that everything is okay? Why lie to them? Why assist the wolves in covering up the truth with entertainment? Why wait until it is too late? Why wait until you have no choice but to..

Luke Harper
…the people weep in the wake of your betrayal…

Erick Rowan
Run…



Bray Wyatt
You look down on the Cenation, well John, if you look down on me you will see an enemy unlike that which you've ever seen before, if you look up to me you will see a friend, but if you look me in the eyes you will see….. Salvation…

Luke Harper
…I will drown you in the ocean they cry…

Bray Wyatt
We're here...



And with that the lights return back to normal as the following picture is shown on the tron, advertising tonight's main event and bringing about a loud cheer from the thousands in attendance.



King
That's right!! Shawn Michaels and John Cena will be meeting in the middle of that ring tonight and only one man will be walking out with the title!! The real question is, which match will the XWL Universe choose?!?

JR
That's right!! Will it be a normal one on one match, a pinfall only steel cage match, or a falls count anywhere match?!??!!

King
I can't wait to find out tonight!!

Cole
Well, regardless of what match is voted, as we just saw Bray Wyatt has been haunting Shawn Michaels and John Cena ever since The Cenation Leader became the King of the Ring. Do you think that the Eater of Worlds will have any impact on tonight's match?

King
I don't know Cole!! If he's not there physically, I think it's safe to say that he will defiantly have a mental impact on tonight's main event. Just knowing that The Wyatt Family is lurking in the shadows is enough to distract any man!!

JR
But for all we know Bray Wyatt may be pretty distracted himself. He claims to have the Whole World in his Hands but tonight we will see exactly what the XWL Universe thinks of The Eater of Worlds. Will they vote him into Luke Harper's match against Adam Cole? Or will he be voted to face Roman Reigns for the United States Championship?? Or perhaps both?!?! I can't wait to fin-



…



…Darkness…



All of a sudden the tron lights up and the voice of Bray Wyatt echoes across the arena, only this time it's not a replay of the prior weeks like before.



Shawn Michaels, you would betray anyone for gold, just as Judas did for silver..



Run..



.. John Cena, you would rather be the World Heavyweight Champion than help me save the ones who got you to where you are today...



Run faster…



Do you still doubt me John? Do you still wish to claim that my words are not true?.. Or have you finally realized? Realized that my cause is above meaningless titles? You wish to be the World Heavyweight Champion? Well I wish to ensure that there will be a world left to be the champion of. The thing is John… I can't do it without you… Either by my side using your power for good….



Walk with us.. Walk upright..….



Or out of our way…



Run..



I've seen the future John, I've seen all of them… I know what must be done… But you don't have faith, not yet…



But you will.. There will be a day, and it might not be today, but in time you will come to realize that I am in fact everywhere.. And everything… Once you have lost everything, once you have turned into one of the sheep just like the ones that you've been leading astray all these years.. When all is lost and you have no one left to turn to, you will see me for what I truly am.. And you will Follow..



Follow The Buzzards..



If I was meant to be the one to end DX I would have.. But I wasn't, it wasn't my path to take. I watched, and I waited, I had faith, and sure enough Shawn Michaels super kicked his best friend just to get one step closer to the World Title..



Greed..



Last week it was not my path nor my brother's to claim victory over Shawn Michaels and John Cena in the ring, no, I was shown that there were other plans that needed to see their way through, so once again I had faith, and I allowed Shawn Michaels to taste victory and sure enough, because of it he was unable to contain his greed and he superkicked John Cena.. He helped me bring the Cenation Leader one step closer to the truth, and in doing so The Heart Break Kid took one step closer to his throne in hell… And I didn't even have to lift a finger…



An eye for an eye makes the whole word blind..



Wake up… Open your eyes…



Luke Harper defeated John Cena last week, so tonight we turned our cheek to him, and we will keep turning the other cheek until there are no fists left to throw… Tonight we showed John that we are not the ones who should be vilified…



We are not your enemies..



We are not the ones who you should fear..



Follow..



Follow The Buzzards..



We're Here… And we've been here the whole time…

… A lantern is lit in the middle of the ring, revealing The Wyatt Family in full lurking in the shadows… Bray raises a mic as a smile creeps upon his face..

Bray Wyatt
Children, tonight you get to choose the fate of not only one but two men. Adam Cole.. Roman Reigns… The question is, will you give them a fighting chance? Or will you send them into the ring of fire with nothing to protect them but their false beliefs?

Luke Harper
The fire whose flames provide the color in a world that has been black and white for so long. The first whose flames will grant men the scars they need so that they can see the monsters they are because they’ve suppressed the urges for so long that they started to forget.



Erick Rowan
Will you leave them for the buzzards…?

Bray Wyatt
Roman Reigns spent the past few months playing the part of the bully. Cutting Eric Young down at any chance that he got… I don't take too kindly to that. You see I'm here to fight for the little guy, I'm here to stand side by side with the poor, I'm here to take the hand of the weak and show them a power that they've never thought that they could ever possess…

Luke Harper
The kind of power that they were told didn’t exist; one that would provide the meek with the tools they need to brandish in order to inherit the world he plans to save…



Erick Rowan
Eternal Power

Bray Wyatt
Not one that depletes with age. You see when Roman Reigns is old and gray I'll still be as powerful as ever. For I am not tied down to this mortal body, no. I am everywhere, and I am everything. And everyone, even the great Roman Reigns, even the invincible John Cena, even the brave Adam Cole….



Erick Rowan
Should Run…

Bray Wyatt
Roman… You don't know power… You don't know true power until you walk with me…

Luke Harper
Take his hand…



Erick Rowan
Walk upright..

Bray Wyatt
Your power come from your fists.. My power comes from elsewhere….



Erick Rowan
The truth..

Bray Wyatt
And love… We are not judged by how many enemies we can conquer Roman, but by how many of them we can turn our cheek to.

Luke Harper
He will turn a cheek when the rest of the world only wishes to turn their back to you.



Erick Rowan
Be the example… Be the change…

Bray Wyatt
Be the hero that you've always wanted to be.. Walk with me. Help me change this society. Help me strike down all that is evil and replace it with love… Help me tear out the hidden truths from the shadows, help me expose the wolves for what they truly are, HELP ME TAKE BACK OUR WORLD!!!!!!! For it's in the hands of the devil and there's only one road which he wishes to take it down..



Erick Rowan
The road to hell… The path of sin…

Luke Harper
You’re never the same man at the end of the journey that you were at the start. The things you have the do to survive…the guilt that you have to live with… the blood that you’ll never be able to wash off your hands… it all changes you.

Bray Wyatt
Roman, help us save you!!!! Do what John Cena could not. Walk with me. Be a part of something that matters… Believe…



Erick Rowan
Believe in Bray Wyatt. Believe in his cause..

Bray Wyatt
I was told that one day my words will move mountains, and my hands will mold nations… I AM THE ONE! The one who will create the change…

Luke Harper
Your time is almost up…



Erick Rowan
Tick, tock. Tick, tock..

Bray Wyatt
Man cannot worship both god and money. You can't be the savior and champion of this world, it's either one or the other. Tonight John Cena will choose whether or not he will help save the world, or if his greed..



Erick Rowan
...The Devil…

Bray Wyatt
Will get the best of him… You are the United States Champion Roman, so in the same way you will also have a choice tonight, for you can't save this nation from its oppressors if you are one of them…. If you defeat whichever one of the contenders are chosen tonight than you will have chosen your fate.. Just like if John Cena defeats Shawn Michaels. You will have picked the side you want to be on when the fist comes down from the skies…

Luke Harper
The fist does not discriminate.



Bray begins to laugh to himself before quickly turning and grabbing the face of Erick Rowan! He looks his brother right in the eyes before shouting…

Bray Wyatt
Frater Loqui!!!!!

The Eater of Worlds rips off the mask of Rowan, who stares at the camera before speaking.

Erick Rowan
When you are too tired to run, when there is nowhere left to hide, you will look back and see the devil, knife in hand, looking down at you with a smile upon his face….. And as your life flashes before your eyes, while you pray for your life to be spared, that's when we shall appear out from the shadows, that's when we shall have the biggest choice of your life in front of us… For we will slay your devil, the question isn't whether or not he will be stopped. No, the question that we will all be thinking is, how? How will we end him? Will it be with a silent knife through his heart? Or shall we hang him for all to see?… The question that he will be thinking is, who? Who shall be the one to do it? Will it be me? Or one of my brothers? Or all of us at once…. But the question that you need to be thinking is………… When?

Bray Wyatt
We're here…

After a great night so far with the crowd still excited, the titantron comes to life revealing someone. Its none other than "The New Horror" Sami Callihan staring at a bottle and breathing heavy.

XWL Digital Decision. Where we take the booking out of pro wrestling and we give it to the millions of Couch Conquering conquistadors that are the XWL Universe. Fantastic. It makes no difference to me. But since you people were put in charge i know that you guys are gonna do the right thing and vote for the guy that deserves to be in that match with the amazing athletic ability to give you fans a Hum dinger of a good time!

Sami Callihan

Sami Huffs and snarls and spits and leaves the screen.

Coming off of the hype video, we find ourselves backstage yet again. This time, in the locker room of Eric Young. He sits on his personally requested couch, taping up his wrists. Behind him, pacing back and forth, is his long time friend, Matt Striker.

[Matt Striker]
You can't seriously still be going out there.

Eric doesn't respond, knowing Matt will continue on and on as he usually does. This Alfred and Bruce Wayne like relationship is quite usual between the two.

[Matt Striker]
Time and time again, I tell you that what you're about to do isn't a good idea but yet, you plan to do it anyways. I know you just saw what Sami Callihan said. If he gets voted, he's going to try and end your career!

[Eric Young]
Probably. But, better than him have tried.

[Matt Striker]
That isn't true at all! You have no idea what Sami is capable of! He slammed Briscoe on glass just to get your attention! What if he goes out there tonight and messes with that shoulder of yours. We both know it's not in the best shape!

[Eric Young]
Look, I can handle myself in the ring Matt.

Eric gets up, grabbing a bottle of water from the floor and moving towards the door. Matt steps in front of him, closing the door that was left ajar.

[Matt Striker]
Okay, yes, you are talented in the ring. But let's get past that. Last week, Vince didn't seem too happy with Stephanie trying to help you out. What if, he, I dunno, gets you?

Eric cocks an eyebrow.

[Eric Young]
What do you think's gonna happen? I'm going to pin Sami and then Vince McMahon is going to pop up in a mask and yell "OOGA, BOOGA, BOGGA?" I think you're over reacting.

[Matt Striker]
No but what if he tries to get you in another way? Do you know how many tweets I've gotten of people throwing out possible outcomes of tonight? So many people are agreeing with me on this one. Stephanie left you last week on an odd note and you need to realize it!

[Eric Young]
Regardless how many people think something will happen, he won't do that. Stephanie has my back. We're friends. She was probably just making a business phone call to throw off Vince. She cares about me. You wouldn't understand.

Matt's face falls.

[Matt Striker]
I, I wouldn't understand?

Eric catches what he just said, and immediately looks ashamed.

[Eric Young]
Look Matt, I didn't-

[Matt Striker]
No, you're right, I wouldn't understand. It's not like I didn't try and cheer you up after the Sheamus thing. Or after the Roman Reigns thing. It's not like I stood by your side through all of your wacky ideas when you were battling the Wyatt Family back at Final Stand. It's not like we're friends at all, is it? This lady can come in, flash you a smile and then boom, you're all for following her instead of me, the one who has busted his ass just to try and look out for you. The one time I tell you not to, is the one time you decide to dive into it. Fine, this is on your now. If something happens, then I will not be the one to blame.

Matt opens the door and storms out of it as Eric stands, still not sure what to do now that those events have taken place. He sighs then continues on, heading to do his match.





The theme of Eric Young fills the arena as the crowd begins to cheer. Justin Robert's voice fills over the speakers as he comes out onto stage.

[Justin Roberts]
Ladies and gentlemen, the following is a singles match scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, "Showtime" Eric Young!

Eric Young smiles at the top of the ramp, nodding his head to the beat as he is known for doing. The crowd begins to clap to the beat, a stupendous reaction. Eric continues smiling as he takes off down the ramp, heading for the ring. He high fives a couple of fans on the way down, making it to the bottom with haste and sliding in. He climbs the turnbuckle and throws his hands up, taunting to his cheering fans. He jumps off and turns to the titantron which shows the three men who he could possibly be facing. With numbers up next to each. Suddenly, this changes.



The theme of the GM sounds out over the speakers the crowd picking up in a mixed reaction. Stephanie comes out onto stage again, a mic in hand. She brings it up to his lips talking to Eric directly.

[Stephanie McMahon]
Hello Eric. I thought it would be better if I personally came out here to deliver the results of the poll, myself. But I just have to remind you what this match means. This match, is not only giving someone else a shot to make it big, but also making you prove yourself to my father. So, I suggest you give it your all Eric. I'm rooting for ya.

Stephanie winks at Eric who stands in the ring, warming up, smiling at Stephanie.

[Stephanie McMahon]
After a very close voting, in which I think his words earlier tipped the scale, may I present, the man who will face Eric Young, right now!

Stephanie points to the entry way as a theme begins to play.



Eric begins to nod, the man they call Sami Callihan walking out onto stage. Stephanie begins to clap, cheering on both men. Sami cares not though, he continues to power walk to the ring, a fight in his eyes. Sami slides into the ring as he reaches it and rips off his jacket, throwing it over the top rope and posting up in the corner. Eric posts up in the other and the bell rings, signalling the start of the match.

Eric steps forward as Sami stands still, looking over his opponent. Eric bounces around for a moment, expecting Sami to step forward but, he does not. Eric cocks an eyebrow and moves forward, closing the space between him and Sami. As EY moves closer, Sami snaps out of the corner, locking up with Eric who barely makes the lock up. Sami pushes Eric back, across the ring into the corner. He pins Eric up in the corner and the ref cuts in, counting for the DQ.

1
.
.
2
.
.
3
.
.
4
.
.

Sami slowly backs up as Eric sends a chop at Sami who takes it without batting an eye. Eric stands, wide eyed like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar before going for another. Chop after chop, Sami takes them before suddenly unloading on Eric, punching him back into the corner and working him down with punches. Eric gets placed into a sitting position as Sami begins stomping on him. Eric slumps, not moving as Sami backs up, roaring. He takes a stroll around the ring before darting for the corner, looking to knee Eric in the face. Eric rolls from the ring, dodging the move and reaching back in, gripping onto the foot of Sami.

[Jerry Lawler]
That's it Eric! Now pull!

Eric pulls hard, tripping Sami for a moment. Eric slides back in as Sami gets back to his feet. Eric begins chopping at Sami, these taking effect, backing Sami up into the corner now. He sends quick short shots before turning away. He takes off for the opposite corner, and bounds back, looking to hit Sami with something big. Sami bursts out of his corner, hitting a huge clothesline on Eric, turning him inside out.

[Michael Cole]
Oh my god!

[Jim Ross]
What a gory clothesline from Callihan, could this be it?

1
.
.
2
.
Kick out!

Sami wastes no time worrying about the kick out as he drags Eric to his feet, picking him up and slamming him. Sami runs a hand through his hair, taking his time with Eric, not rushing to end things after the kick out. He drags Eric to his feet again, backing him up to the ropes and irish whipping him to the ropes. On the backswing, Sami goes for another clothesline just to be ducked by Eric. Eric comes running back, hitting a forearm shot to the face of Sami. Sami staggers, but does not fall. Eric takes off running again, going for another. It connects, still only staggering Sami. Eric takes off one more time, coming back and hitting a low drop kick on Sami, taking out his legs.

[Jim Ross]
The big man is down!

Sami face plants the mat as Eric heads to the top rope. Eric climbs it and stands tall above the ring, taunting for a moment before Sami comes running, hitting the rope, causing Eric to fall and cut a split on the post. He yells out in pain as Sami heads over to him, punching him in the face. Sami then proceeds to climb the turnbuckle, placing Eric under his arm as though looking to suplex him. When Sami pulls, Eric's hand grasps the top rope, holding him in place. Sami goes to pull again, but Eric doesn't move.

[Jerry Lawler]
That's right, battle him Eric!

Eric then punches Sami in the stomach, loosening his grip. He continues punching him, staggering him. Eric then tosses him off the top rope, right in front of him in the ring Eric climbs back onto the ropes, and then jumps, hitting Sami with the elbow drop. He covers.

1
.
.
2
.
Kick out!

An early two kick out as Eric rolls off, holding his stomach. Eric gets to his feet, the crowd cheering him on as Sami starts to come to. Sami crawls to his base as Eric runs to the ropes. On the back-swing, Sami launches Eric into the ring, throwing him over his shoulders. Sami stands tall for a moment as Eric attempts to recover. Sami turns around, kicking Eric in the face. He then kicks Eric in the body, unleashing suddenly a series of stomps on Eric. After about fifteen kicks, Sami snaps up, looking around with crazed eyes. Sami stomps the ground now, backing up into a corner, calling for EY to wake up. As EY comes to and starts climbing to his feet, Sami takes off. Eric turns around and ducks that deadly clothesline, causing Sami to stop dead. He spins around and EY picks him up onto his shoulders, immediately hitting him with the EY Driver! Eric dives on top of him for the pin.

1
.
.
2
.
.
KICK OUT!

Eric rolls off, suddenly scared by the fact that Sami kicked out of the finishing move. Sami rolls about, still in pain and unable to reach his feet as Eric ponders what to do next. He decides to hit his finisher again, as he calls for the end. Sami starts coming to his feet as Eric spins him around. He picks Sami up onto his shoulders, but Sami rolls off, grabbing EY from behind and pushing him to the ropes. Eric bounes off of them, coming back into a shoulder block. Sami takes off for the ropes himself, as Eric slides closer to him, making him hop over Eric. Eric jumps to his feet, the pace picking up as he catches Sami with a hip toss. Sami rolls off of this, back onto his feet as Eric hits him with a chop. Sami takes that and grabs Eric by his head, throwing him into the corner post, the post connecting with Eric's shoulder. He drags Eric out of this, doubling him over and grabbing his head, slamming it to the mat, his finishing move. Sami covers.

1
.
.
2
.
.
KICK OUT!

Sami snaps up, pissed by the fact that EY kicked out. He jumps to his feet, stomping on Eric, trying to break down Eric. Young is defenseless as Sami tears into him, doing his best to hurt Eric. Sami drags Eric back up to his feet, running his mouth the entire time. Sami slaps him in his face, and then kicks him in the gut, looking to hit the finisher again. As he pulls back to drive Eric's head into the mat, Eric slips out, pushing him away. Sami turns back around into a kick to the gut. Eric grabs him around the middle, picking up and dropping him with a piledriver. Eric covers the insane man, looking for the win again.

1
.
.
2
.
.
3!

[Jerry Lawler]
He did it! He overcame that scary, scary man!

Eric rolls off, the ref holding his hand up as the bell rings.

[Justin Roberts]
Your winner, by way of pin-fall, "Showtime" Eric Young!



Eric stands tall, the fight taking a toll on him as he holds onto his shoulder, obviously in pain after the turnbuckle collision. He raises only one hand, the other being unable to raise at the moment as he celebrates his victory.



Eric turns to the stage, cocking an eyebrow as the GM, Stephanie McMahon comes out onto the stage. Her smile is obvious as she makes her way to the ring, Eric awaiting her as Sami rolls out and heads up the ramp. The two pass each other on the ramp but Stephanie ignores him, continuing her entrance. She turns left at the apron, heading and climbing the stairs. She enters the ring and applauds Eric who watches her closely. She brings a mic that she brought with her to her lips.

[Stephanie McMahon]
Congratulations Eric! I got worried! Sami is a rough guy and I thought he had you for a moment, but, you proved to me, that you have it in you to win.

Eric smiles and nods, happy with the comment.

[Stephanie McMahon]
Sadly, my father doesn't feel, comfortable with you being a top guy in the industry.

Eric's face falls.

[Stephanie McMahon]
Honestly, he doesn't feel comfortable with you in the company...

[Jerry Lawler]
Eric look out!

[Michael Cole]
Oh yes!

Stephanie shrugs an innocent little shrug as Eric mouths "What are you talking about?" to her. Eric feels unsure about the entire situation and turns around right into a chair shot. Standing in the ring, currently over top of Eric with a steel chair is a figure dressed in a black trench coat, black pants, a black shirt, and a biker helmet which hides his face. The man looks to Stephanie who nods and smiles, giving a sign for the unknown attacker to continue. He slams the chair down on the abdomen of Eric Young once, then again. He begins to unload on Eric with chair shots, Eric already in pain after the match he had. Sudden cheers spark up, causing the masked man to turn to the stage. Sliding in the ring, in a sweater vest, is none other than Matt Striker. The mask man doesn't hesitate as he brings the chair up and arches it, slamming it into the head of the charging Matt Striker. The Calvary, has fallen. Striker rolls from the ring, unconscious as the masked man moves back over to Eric.

The masked man launches the chair out of the ring, it being dented and bent due to the shots. He stands over Eric Young and slowly reaches up for his mask, as though looking to remove it. He drops his hands though, shaking his head no. Stephanie stands back, applauding and smiling at the masked man. The assailant doesn't reveal himself. McMahon stands behind her hitman, happy with his work as he stares out at the jeering crowd. The segment comes to a close, a hype video for the world title match playing.

Digital Decisions flashes to the backstage area quickly following whatever segment went before this because I'm writing this before I know what segment that is. Regardless, we're blessed with the presence of an Olympic Hero and Brock Lesnar chilling at a table together. Angle's got a jug of milk and he's seemingly been drinking from it because it's not full. While these two men are nonchalantly hanging around at a table, other men are preparing for what could be the night of their lives tonight. Opportunities are abundant and yet neither of these two men snagged one for themselves so you have to wonder why they even bothered to show up.



Before long, Kurt Angle casually speaks to Brock Lesnar almost as if they've been at this table for awhile now.

Kurt Angle
Brock, Brock, Brock... look at us. I'm an Olympic Gold Medalist and you're... big... and neither of us are even on the card for Digital Decision.

Though Angle was seemingly poking harmless fun at Lesnar, the big behemoth doesn't take too kindly to those words and fires back with a frustrated response.

Brock Lesnar
That's true, that's damn true alright, how about we go to the ring so I can beat your bald ass! And I'm a former NCAA Wrestling Champion and a former UFC World Heavyweight champion, not just big you old prick.

Kurt Angle
Woah, why are you so hostile, Brock? I was just trying to lighten the mood up a little bit.



Brock Lesnar
Lighten up the mood? Have you been lighting it up with Rob because the Kurt Angle I knew didn't just sit around and whine about not being on a PPV Card, he took what he wanted dammit!

Lesnar's tone is seemingly much more intense than needed at the moment while Angle has pretty much embraced that he's not going to be making the splash he'd have probably liked to at this PPV. However, it's not over yet and there's always the opportunity for a change to that.

Kurt Angle
Brock, you said it yourself... I'm a bit older now. You are wrong about one thing, though, because I do still take what I want. Do you not see this milk jug in my hand? Do you know where I got this?

Brock Lesnar
Catering?

No, Brock.

Kurt Angle
No, do you think people actually go there?



Brock Lesnar
I heard Mark Henry still does. Man does he love blueberries.

That was a terrible joke, Brock, and if Kurt Angle doesn't call you out for that then I surely will. I will somehow find your phone number, call you up, and tell you how awful that is... but I'd never tell you to your face because you're kind of scary.

Kurt Angle
No wonder people call you stupid... Anyways, no, I got this straight from the source itself.

Brock Lesnar
There's no farms around the city, at least I'm not a liar!

Angle responds with almost a frightened look on his face.

Kurt Angle
What? That's disgusting... you thought... that's gross. No, I'm talking about Layla!



Brock Lesnar
You're calling ME gross? She's 40 dude, oh wait, I forgot you're not a young lion anymore. But what you're saying is still disgusting!

The two expressions have now changed a bit. Brock is disgusted while Kurt Angle is confused why Brock looks as he does.

Kurt Angle
Why? Fandango goes there all the time.

Brock Lesnar
Well, if he's crazy enough to be dancing in a wrestling ring, then he's crazy enough for Layla. The fact that you....... got milk from..... I think I might puke.

Kurt Angle
Layla would be pretty insulted if she heard that. She takes a lot of pride in her bakery.

Hah, Angle probably had you all going. Do you really think an Olympic Gold Medalist would try to milk a human? That's just weird... I hope you're smarter than that. Whether or not you've heard, Layla from XWL recently opened a bakery! Check it out sometime. It's got all sorts of things... like buns... Layla has great buns. Nonetheless, Kurt Angle takes a swig of the milk which now seems like a much less disgusting concept.



Brock Lesnar
Don't you have a wife?

Kurt Angle
My wife doesn't own a bakery. Does your wife own a bakery? Do you even have a wife? Hold that thought.

Kurt Angle reaches into his pocket and pulls out a shiny black iPhone. For a geezer, he's certainly kept up with technology. Anyways, you can see just a glimpse of what he's looking at on his phone which is google and for just a second you can see him type the words "Who's Brock Lesnar's Wife?" into the search engine. Suddenly, Sable pops up.

Kurt Angle
Nevermind, I found her. She's not the best looking. I think you could do better, big guy.

Brock Lesnar
What? She did Playboy, you idiot.

Kurt Angle
You're proud every man in America has seen your wife naked?

That has to hurt. Ouch.

Brock Lesnar
You're proud everyone with an internet connection has seen your mug shot?

That was harsh, too. It seems they're both playing hardball now.

Kurt Angle
Calm down there, tiger. If you're so confident in your skills with the ladies that you'll throw a low-blow like that at me, then let's see you in action.

Suddenly, a dazzling blonde walks past them on the screen as Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar both turn their heads around to see the beauty.



She has to be half of their age. They can't seriously be thinking about trying to put a move on her... well, most normal men their age wouldn't. Lesnar and Angle aren't normal men, though, and not before long Lesnar hops up from his seat and walks over to the girl. He taps her on the shoulder and as she turns around, him towering over her, he says:

Brock Lesnar
Hey baby, I bet you can't tame the beast, how about you and me go to the shower and see if you can.

The girl is visibly disgusted by that rude remark and she doesn't hide it.

Girl
You're gross, Brock.

Kurt Angle, still in the dining area of the room, adds into the conversation.

Kurt Angle
I'm so sorry, it's just that he doesn't really get out much. You have to forgive him and you should forgive me too because I should have known better than to have let him interact with other humans.

The girl seems appeased by Angle's manners and she even chuckles slightly at the last bit he said even though it wasn't the greatest joke in the world.

Girl
At least one of you two has some manners.

Brock Lesnar
C'mon you can't be seriously taking the walking Viagra ad over me, what can I do to show you how big of a man I am?

Lesnar begins to raise his arms and lower his back as he shows the girl just how muscular he exactly is.

Kurt Angle
That's cute, Brock, but you know the old addage that big things come with small packages? Well...



The girl now seems to be disgusted with both men. If only Angle had held off of that remark, but oh well, she's too young for him anyways.

Girl
Brock, you have a wife... and Kurt, you have two kids! I'm only twenty!

Brock, being as dimwitted as he is, replies by saying:

Brock Lesnar
What? You can't drink Layla's milk with us?

Girl
There's no drinking age for milk. You really are dumb.

Brock Lesnar
Why should there be a drinking age? We're all adults here anyways.

Kurt Angle
Sometimes I wonder about that.

The girl and Kurt Angle share a glance and both chuckle as Brock Lesnar isn't quite sure what's going on, but where's the surprise in that?

Girl
You two seem quite content with each other's company. I'm not sure you need me around here anymore.

She turns around and begins walking the other direction as Brock, but Lesnar, with possibly his only escape from his dastardly wife Sable about to leave, shouts back quickly.

Brock Lesnar
WAIT!

The girl turns around to see what the urgent matter is, but Lesnar turns his head to Angle instead.

Brock Lesnar
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Brock strolls over to where Angle is seated and takes a seat as the girl follows soon behind him.

Kurt Angle
I didn't know you knew how to think.



Brock Lesnar
Well, I know you can drink.... How about we have a little contest since we're not going in the ring tonight?

Since she's seemingly a good girl, the girl is a tad bit worried at this suggestion. It seems she probably doesn't drink.

Girl
Are you trying to suggest a drinking contest?

Brock Lesnar
And you call me stupid.

Kurt Angle
Brock, it may be hard for you to fathom this, but majority rules and two of us both think you're stupid.

Girl
I agree with the old man.

Now the girl has a turn for witty remarks. However, Kurt Angle takes no offense and he just simply corrects her immediately.

Kurt Angle
Olympic Hero.

Brock Lesnar
Well, I might not be the smartest, but I am the strongest and you can't be strong without milk. Kurt, LET'S DO THIS!

So, the big guy who isn't very clear with his words actually wanted a milk drinking contest. Lesnar, seemingly impatient for a response, stands up and pounds his first ferociously onto the table.

Kurt Angle
Do you seriously think you can beat me at drinking milk? Please.

Girl
I'm lactose intolerant.

Both of the men ignore Debbie Downer over here and it seems they'd almost wish she'd leave now, but neither is willing to say it.

Brock Lesnar
I'm tired of talking. I'll go first.



Kurt Angle passes the bottle of milk to Lesnar who then lifts it to his lips. As he downs just a couple swigs-worth, Kurt Angle pats him on the back with a decent velocity.

Kurt Angle
Great job, buddy!

Angle enthusiastically applauds Brock Lesnar, but it causes Lesnar to spit out a bunch of milk.

Brock Lesnar
What the hell? Why did you stop me?

Kurt Angle
I didn't stop anybody. Your weak stomach stopped itself so now it looks like it's my turn.



Angle then takes the bottle for himself, but before continuing to do anything else he wipes the bottle of course. As if he's done this a million times, he graciously lifts the mouth of the bottle to his own mouth and takes some of the flavorful milk on a journey to meet his taste-buds. Then, Lesnar's hand strikes his back to pat him just as Angle had done which causes Kurt to spew milk all over the girl! She yells as it's all over her face and takes off screaming.



Brock Lesnar
Smooth move, player. Give me that

Brock Lesnar grabs the bottle from Kurt and raises it in the air, but before he can begin to sip from it Angle interrupts.

Kurt Angle
You better wipe the bottle before you put your mouth back on it.

Brock Lesnar
I'll wipe your bottle if you don't shut up.

Even Brock realized how stupid that comeback was the second he said it.

Kurt Angle
That's my bottle in your hands. Now wipe it!

Brock Lesnar
Wipe this punk.



Without wiping the bottle, Brock Lesnar raises the jug to his lips and chugs down a lot which only leaves a tad bit at the bottom. He throws the empty jug at Kurt Angle, but Angle being the ninja he is he's able to catch it. Unfazed, Kurt Angle responds with a bit of sadness in his tone.

Kurt Angle
How're we going to have our contest if you drank all of that milk?

Brock Lesnar
Isn't that the point?

Then, as if Angle had either been toying with Lesnar all along or just realized this for himself, Angle's eyes light up before he says:

Kurt Angle
Lucky for you, I have more!

Kurt bends down and feels around for a second before he grabs a milk jug and returns to his proper seating with it.

Kurt Angle
Now, the real contest is going to start. So that you can't cheat this time I'll set up some cups and fill them with milk and when I say so, we both drink. We'll do that until one of us can't drink anymore.

Kurt Angle fishes around underneath the table for a couple of seconds before coming back with two pristine "American Hero" slurpee cups. They must be his prized possessions or something.

Brock Lesnar
Where did you get all that? Whatever, LET'S DO THIS!

Kurt Angle
I already told you. Layla's dairy has anything you could want and more.

Kurt Angle sets the two cups on the table and then pours the milk in each one. He and Brock both grab their cups with their right hands and, simultaneously, chug down the whole thing.

Kurt Angle
You can really handle your dairy. Let's go again.

Angle sets up the cups once more as both men successfully complete the challenge.

Brock Lesnar
I have a better idea.

Brock Lesnar grabs the jug of milk and raises it to his mouth, again not wiping before he does so, as Kurt Angle is frustrated.



Kurt Angle
Hey!

Brock Lesnar doesn't heed the warning as he continues to pour all of the milk from the second jug down his throat.

Kurt Angle
Damnit!

Kurt Angle is frustrated with Lesnar's refusal to follow the rules as he's ruined two straight drinking contests. Now, Kurt Angle fires a good job to Lesnar's right arm which clearly gets the message across well... maybe a little too well. Brock puts the jug on the table and, as his face quickly changes from the pasty color it normally is to that resembling a strawberry, Brock Lesnar stands up.

Brock Lesnar
You're going to wish you didn't do that.

Brock Lesnar socks Kurt Angle right in the jaw! Angle tumbles back out of his chair as the camera zooms in on him and we can hear Brock Lesnar storm out of the area. That was a thrilling encounter, for sure, but it seems to be over now. It had everything you could have wantd: women, violence, and drug references! Oh well, we're bound to see more of this in the coming weeks because I refuse to believe an Olympic Hero would let somebody like Lesnar punk him like that without any payback in mind.

Michael Cole
That was definitely a unique segment. I'm not sure I've seen anything quite like it in a long, long time.

Jerry Lawler
That's for sure and we're sure to see more of it from those two lovable clowns in the coming weeks as I'm sure The Olympic Hero will have something to say about that jab to his jaw.

Jim Ross
I agree, that was definitely entertainment. Maybe we didn't see Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle square off in the ring on this Pay Per View, but perhaps this was setting up something much greater. Only time will tell.

Upon returning from a brief video package highlighting the next and newest Pay-Per-View on the XWL Calender, International Incident, an all too familiar image appears on the screen. It fades after a moment as a shot of the Special Guest Referee for the Main Event World Heavyweight Championship match, Dean Ambrose, graces the television screen.



After being denied his World Heavyweight Championship rematch time and time again for the past month, Ambrose had made it his mission to make Stephanie McMahon's life a living hell. Instead of being granted his rematch, he was made the Special Guest Referee for the match he believes he should be in, thus adding more fuel to the fire. Ambrose's stoic expression remains constant over the next few seconds until he begins speaking.



{Dean Ambrose}
It is always the calmest before the storm, it is always the most peaceful in the eye of the hurricane, and that's exactly what last week was. I had the decency to ask you to grant me my rightful rematch and instead, you made me the Special Guest Referee. Do you know what you've done? You have put the fate of the World Heavyweight Championship, the most sought after championship in this sport, in the hands of Dean Ambrose.



{Dean Ambrose}
Who knows, maybe I still got a bone to pick with Shawn Michaels after that Superkick he gave me a few weeks back. Maybe I'll the so called leader of the Cenation and drive his skull into the canvas! Or maybe I beat them both within an inch of their pathetic lives and let CM Punk walk down that aisle, let him enter the ring and cash in his Money in the Bank Briefcase.



{Dean Ambrose}
You think it was clever to make me the Special Guest Referee, but you've just made the biggest mistake of your life, even worse than getting married to Triple H. Dean Ambrose is the most unpredictable bastard this sport has ever seen, I am the most dangerous man to ever step foot in a wrestling ring, and when the power is in my hands, bodies tend to pile up quite quickly.



{Dean Ambrose}
For weeks now, you have tried to push me aside, you have tried to deny me my championship rematch, you tried everything to keep me away, yet, I'm still here. When will you realize that Dean Ambrose doesn't take no for an answer? When will you figure out that I won't stop until I get what I want? And if you still haven't put the pieces of the puzzle together, what I want... is the World Heavyweight Championship!



{Dean Ambrose}
I brought prestige back to that championship, I ended the game of hot potato that was played with the World Heavyweight Championship. Over the course of nine months, that championship changed hands at least seven times. From Dolph Ziggler to Cody Rhodes, from Chris Jericho to Christian, from The Miz to the man I took it from, Alberto Del Rio. I broke the streak of incompetence, I broke the streak of mediocrity, I made that championship mean something again and I'll be damned if I'm going to stand aside and let that championship fall into the sea of obscurity once again.



{Dean Ambrose}
Tonight, I may not be in a match, but I'm ready for a fight and I won't be denied any longer. The stench of war is in the air, the floodgates are primed to burst and Dean Ambrose is ready to take back what's his. You better make your next choice the right one because if I don't get what I deserve, then the gloves come off and everybody becomes a target. No one will be safe from Dean Ambrose, not Shawn Michaels, not John Cena, not even you, Stephanie.



{Dean Ambrose}
Believe that!



With that, Ambrose stares into the camera, but more specifically, in his mind, Stephanie McMahon. The fact remains, anything can truly happen during the Main Event, more so when Ambrose is involved, but will he call the match down the middle? That question must be weighing heavily on the mind of both champion and challenger as the screen slowly fades into a video package highlighting the events that transpired in the weeks leading to the Main Event World Heavyweight Championship match.

The crowd bursts into cheers as Adam Cole’s theme starts up, signaling the impending arrival of a man who has truly been through the ringer over these past weeks. No one comes into XWL with dreams of being hunted by mentally unstable giants who claim to want to save the world when they pose the most danger to it. No one asks to be dragged through the hottest flames of hell without even first catching a glimpse of paradise first. No, Adam Cole never wanted to be placed in a position where he would be forced to fight for his life against someone who would squeeze his last breath out of him without remorse, without regret and without hesitation…yet here Cole is anyway.

Here he is walking out onto the stage, the slightest of smiles on his face as the crowd continues to passionately cheer him on as he nears the battlefield he may not be lucky enough to walk away from. The be the recipient of such adoration must be nice, a real boost to the ego, but are these cheers genuine? Do these fans truly have a care in the world about Cole or is this all part of a cruel joke, leading him on until they drop the bomb on him.

Cole has no doubt spent this past week hoping for the best while preparing for the worst. Hoping that the fans will not have been fooled by the words of Luke Harper and his brothers; hoping that they voted in his favor and granted him the singles match against his tormentor so that the score can be settled once and for all; hoping, above all else, that they didn’t prove Harper right.

The smile of Cole’s face was barely there to begin with and now it’s gone without a trace as Cole focuses intently on what’s to come. He started off in this company just wanting to take one step at a time in order to build the foundation of a respectable career and now Harper is threatening to tear down what little Cole built and Cole may not have it in him to start from scratch.

This rivalry with The Wyatts is something he must desperately want to be over and done with like a prisoner counting down the days until he’s a free man. Appropriate, because Cole has found himself trapped inside of The Wyatt’s world and bringing the fight to harper may be the only way to effectively be granted release from that desolate land where love and humanity are but myths in the grand scheme of things.

Cole raises his arms into the air, two fingers on each hand pointed into the sky with elbows slightly bent, his signature pose that causes a few fans here and there to scream out “Adam Cole, baybay!” Cole himself keeps his lips pressed together, possibly not feeling himself as the knowledge of what he has done and what he’ll have to do may very well be taking their toll.

Last week on Breakdown the whole world watched as Cole dove through the ropes with a suicide to take down Harper after the big man inserted himself into the match when Cole was milliseconds away from securing a big victory. Cole’s actions were understandable, sure, but the issue was that The Referee was caught in the crossfire – an innocent bystander who had to be sacrificed by Cole so that Harper could get his comeuppance.

And then Cole looked as though he had been pushed to hard and finally snapped when he locked Erick Rowan’s legs around the ring post with a figure four leg lock and didn’t appear to have any intentions of letting go despite the risk of a disqualification looming. Harper has claimed that Cole has been wrongly suppressing the monster inside of him and if that’s true then Cole may want to rethink that because letting that monster out of the cave may be the key to overcoming what looks to be insurmountable odds.



Still, the fans have done no wrong by Cole and he shows how much he appreciates their support by slapping a few high fives as he confidently walks down the ramp. The worst thing you can let someone do is smell the fear on you and realizing that, Cole is carrying himself as if he’s been through several ordeals like this before. Walking up the steel stairs, Adam Cole now finds himself on the apron where he again does his signature taunt and then smirks a bit before stepping through the ropes and entering the ring where legendary ring announcer Lillian Garcia is standing by.

Lillian Garcia
The following match is scheduled for one fall, and one half of the competitors have been voted for by you, The XWL Universe! Introducing the other half, from Panama City, Florida…weighing in at 205 pounds…Adam Cole! And now, for the result of the vote to determine who he will be facing…












The crowd collectively gasps “oh!” as the entire Wyatt Family wins in a landslide making this bout a three-on-one handicap match. The dejection is written all over Cole’s face – he was betrayed by the very same people who he thought believed that he can do anything. Apparently he’s nothing to them as they have voted him between a rock and hard-place. Cole squats down and runs a hand through his hair taking a couple of seconds to allow the situation he’s been put in to sink in.

Despite the betrayal Cole’s feeling, the fans break out into a chant of his name, louder than they’ve ever screamed it out before. Cole slowly stands up straight and looks out into the sea of roaring fans with a look of complete and utter disbelief on his face. Is this their way of rubbing salt in the wound? Of kicking him when he’s down? Or maybe the vote results weren’t malicious in nature, but brought about by desire of the fans to potentially see Cole take down all three members of The Wyatt Family in one fell swoop – maybe they still believe in him after all. Maybe they –



Darkness envelops the arena as a sudden sound cuts through the moment suddenly, shifting focus from Adam Cole to The Wyatt Family who must be frothing at the mouths to get their hands on their new plaything. Seconds go by until an image appears on a titantron – a close up of Erick Rowan’s infamous mask. Cole has endured a lot of punishment just dealing with him last week – imagine what shape he will end up in two more people are added to the mix.



Rowan sharply pulls back from the camera, a hand gripping the fabric of his jumpsuit, keeping Rowan at bay. Luke Harper shifts his gaze from Rowan to the camera while letting go of the jumpsuit as though he could see Adam Cole through it, though there is no doubt that he is picturing the look of pure horror on Cole’s face as this begins to look increasingly like his day of reckoning.



Luke Harper
Tonight, the man who has lived his life based on a lie he once saw in a dream will wake up to find that the world kept turning despite him ignoring it as he tried in vain to seek a life worth living. While he was aspiring to be the knight in shining armor, buildings were still being demolished, lives were still being uprooted and monsters still prowled ground zero. Monsters in search of survivors to make regret fighting to take in another sharp breath of air poisoned by strife as the war against the truth continued to be waged.

Erick Rowan
How long can you survive?



Luke Harper
How long will it take for you to realize that where you stand right now will become ground zero? That is where they will erect monuments in your name, and at the feet of those structures people will leave behind things to honor your memory – because you may have been physically able to enter that ring, but by the time we have had our fill… memories are all people will have left of you – and they will do what can to remember you as you were before you foolishly tried to challenge the three men who will become your judge, jury and executioner.

Erick Rowan
You were warned.



Luke Harper
You refused to heed our warnings – we told you how this would end but you let the roar of the crowd drown our voices out. You let them lead you astray – they told you it was merely a lake then laughed as the current dragged you out to sea. You let yourself be sucked in. They told you they would vote in your favor and then laughed as you found yourself outnumbered. You let yourself be deceived. Everything bad that happens to you from this point forward is your own fault; you let it come to this; you are to blame for your own demise.

Erick Rowan
We told you not to stray.



Luke Harper
We told you that if you continued to suppress the monster you’ve been nursing within you, if you continued to let the truth remain unseen in the shadow of lies that you wouldn’t make it in this world. But still you fight: donning the costume, brandishing a sword, riding a trusty steed as though you were truly that knight in shining armor waging battles in the prime of his life…in reality, Adam Cole, you’re the aged gladiator who has long since served his purpose. You’ve been thrown into the coliseum, facing down an army of lions with nothing but a whip to wield and your own two weary feet to stand on.

Erick Rowan
We are the lions.



Luke Harper
We are the things that go bump in the night – the boogeyman who kept you from peeking under your bed – the monster that kept you from looking into your closet – the ghosts that make you question your sanity – the harbinger of your end of days. The days when people had the luxury to smile and trust their neighbors because all was right with the world. All is not right. Things will never be the same again and Adam Cole we will make an example out of you to prove just that. You and the people like you are all that is wrong with the world. You can pretend people like us don’t exist, but that won’t stop us from succeeding because he has the whole world in his hands.

Erick Rowan
This world is ours for the taking.



Luke Harper
Do you want to know why people like us exist in this world? It’s because of the children you abandon because they are an inconvenience. You don’t tell them you love them, you don’t show them you care, you don’t give them a fighting chance. These are the children who are cast out into the cold, cruel world to fend for themselves because their parents have better things to do like lose themselves in a hell teeming with drugs and adultery. Those children are raised to love and care about all the things you hate. Your denial makes you accuse us when you are at fault for letting them out of your sight. They were forsaken and you had no concerns about the life they were forced to live until they pulled the trigger or plunged the knife into your chest.

Erick Rowan
Their ancestors left behind ruins instead of paradise.



Luke Harper
Some of you are holding your children close right now; telling them that we’re wrong; telling them that their future is so much brighter than that. Those are the lies that are stunting their growth and setting themselves up for a lifetime of disappointment and misery. How can their futures contain anything of worth when they spend most of their days rooting for false idols like Shawn Michaels, John Cena and CM Punk when in reality those men are the very things that we are not afraid to admit we are. We are the ones your children should be praying to see succeed in our mission because we are the only ones who have their best interests at heart.

Erick Rowan
The true heroes are the ones who know the ends justify the means.



Luke Harper
When it’s revealed what we knew all along – that men like Cena and Michaels and Punk don’t really care about the people, but are just using them to bolster their ego and push forth their own agendas those children will be left heartbroken and that disappointment will set them down a path where the sins they will end up committing to fill the void left in their hearts cannot be atoned for. Still they will try, setting them upon a vicious cycle. But we will never do wrong by them; we will never lead them astray. He will tell them what nobody else would..

Bray Wyatt
The sheep outnumbers the wolves.



Bray Wyatt
Adam… Open your eyes, look around you. See all of the faces, watching you, judging you, patiently waiting for their sacrifice, their gladiator, or as they would like you to believe; their "knight in shining armor"… To fail. Because no matter how loud they cheer for you tonight, no matter how many times they chant your name… THEY set you up for failure. Not Luke Harper, not Erick Rowan, not Bray Wyatt.. No, it was the ones who you put your faith in, the ones who you fight for each and every day, THEY are the ones who sentenced you to the lion’s den.. But you were the one who was too naïve to pray that the lions mouths be shut..

Erick Rowan
Run.

Bray Wyatt
But you can't hide.. You can't hide from the truth, and you can't hide from us. For we are EVERYWHERE, and we are EVERYTHING!! You just can't see us..



Erick Rowan
Not with your eyes closed..

Bray Wyatt
But if you walk upright, if you start to question what you see, or more importantly what you don't, then you will realize that the "monsters" of this world, the ones that you see every day.. They're just hiding from the shadows.. Because in the shadows is where the demons lay. And each and every day there are more and more demons being swept into the shadows by the wolves.



Erick Rowan
The hidden truth is scary.

Bray Wyatt
They tell you that everything is okay. They distract you from the demons by putting more and more emphasis on the monsters, and whenever your eyes begin to stray…

Erick Rowan
Then they create a monster to distract you with…

Bray Wyatt
YOU ARE ALL PAWNS!! Pieces to a game played by ten people in suits. They don't care about you, they don't want to know your names…



Erick Rowan
Those without names can be sacrificed..

Bray Wyatt
And those with names can be used as martyrs for the wolves to plaster on the wall to help rally their pawns against their enemies.. Adam Cole. Each and every day these people, the people who you expected to vote in your favor, MY CHILDREN, are given a big ole brick to carry on their backs to keep their heads down and their minds distracted. They are told what to do, how to act, what to wear, and tonight, when they are FINALLY given a choice, an actual choice, you expected them to do the right thing? You expected them to care about your well being when there is no one out there who cares about theirs?



Erick Rowan
Not everyone can turn the other cheek. Not everyone is like him

Bray Wyatt
And don't you dare try to play the victim Adam Cole. You are just as guilty as they are. You use them just like they use you. T-Shirts, tickets..

Erick Rowan
Sell, Sell, Sell.

Bray Wyatt
This world has enough people pointing fingers at others… The wolves encourage it so that all of the fingers pointing at them can blend right in with the rest.. Adam, you have much to learn, much to open your eyes to, just like my children, just like John Cena, just like my brothers standing beside me once did. You can fight the truth, you can add onto the problem, the cover up, the lies… But….. If you choose to take my hand I can lead you to the promise land. Follow me and I will NEVER turn my back on you..



Erick Rowan
It's never too late to be saved…

Bray Wyatt
Or.. you can choose to fight us. All of us. You can continue to fight the uphill battle because it is what you were told is the right thing to do.

Erick Rowan
Look at who is telling you what is "right".

Bray Wyatt
Realize that by fighting you are doing exactly what the wolves want, exactly what they need to get their wallets a little bit fatter. Stop allowing yourself to be a pawn Adam, walk upright, allow yourself to see the world for what it truly is and THEN choose how to live your life…



Erick Rowan
Listen to our words...

Bray Wyatt
Tonight, if John Cena refuses to listen to my words he will lose everything that he holds dear to him, I promise you that… But you Adam, if you don't listen… Well I shouldn't have to tell you what will happen, if Roman Reigns couldn't stop the three of us, then what makes you think that you can tonight? What will it take for you to not only hear our words but TRULY LISTEN!!!

Erick Rowan
How long will you ignore us?



Luke Harper
How long will you write us off, Adam Cole? How long will you feign ignorance about how your beloved fans have already started to grow tired of you? They had a choice, Adam, they could have saved you, they could have given you a fighting chance, but instead they did what I always said that they would: they threw you into that pit with the lions so they can entertain themselves watching you fight for your life. Go ahead – fight all you want; do everything you can to make tomorrow a possibility, but the results of this match don’t matter after you failed to rally your troops behind you.



Luke Harper
I’ve already won.



Erick Rowan
Follow the buzzards.



Again, the arena is shrouded in darkness; however, this time around they flip back on within a few seconds and Adam Cole finds himself flanked by Harper and Rowan… oddly enough, Bray has decided to watch things from the sidelines, rocking back and forth in his chair at the foot of the ramp.

Being no fool, Bray easily spots the look of confusion on Cole’s face and over the roar of the crowd he screams out “I will show you the mercy these people refused to, Adam… it’s not too late to do the right thing to save yourself.” As Cole ponders the meaning behind those ominous words, Rowan blindsides him kicking off the match in a rather unceremonious manner.



Cole was moments away from potentially putting Rowan away, or at least doing some major damage to his neck, with the devastating Panama  Sunrise, but those plans go down the drain once the chilling sound associated with the Wyatts abruptly interrupts the proceeding. When the lights come back on Bray is suddenly on the apron near the corner where Cole is positioned, and he grabs a handful of his opponent’s hair, pulling him over the top rope and out of the ring!

The boos are as loud as they’ve been throughout this match, brought about by the fact that Bray is a legal participant in the bout, thanks in part to the vote of the same fans who are booing him out of the arena. Bray’s compatriots are right behind him, mauling Cole on the outside of the ring as the numbers game proves to be too much to overcome at this point in the contest.

The Ref exits the ring and tries to split the four men up so Cole can at least have some semblance of a chance to muster through these odds, but Harper angrily pushes him away – he only answers to the wishes of one man – causing the Ref to tumble backwards into steel stairs.

Assessing the situation to come to the conclusion that he is in the process of losing control of the match – assuming he had control to begin with – and does the only thing he can do in this situation: call for the bell to declare Adam Cole the winner of this match by way of disqualification.

The official end of the contest doesn’t exactly mean The Wyatts are going to call it a night. No, Cole’s night is far from over. Bray screams out that he had a choice and reiterates the point he made earlier that Cole deserves everything that is happening to him now and everything to come.

The leader of the cult-like faction, watches as Harper and Rowan work together to drag Cole up the ramp who is vehemently resisting being taking anywhere against his wishes, but it’s all for naught as The Wyatts get him to the top of the ramp and then the edge of the stage with ease.

Harper shoves Rowan away from Cole, akin to his usual rough-handling of his brother – indicating that he’s ready to handle things on his own from here on out. Setting Cole up for a powerbomb, the entire populace of the arena rises to their feet, fear and concern in their eyes as Cole is moments away from having his career ended.

At least that the direction things appeared to be going before Cole manages to fight his way out of Harper’s grasp and land on the stage behind him and before Harper even turns around Cole nails him with a superkick to the back of the end knocking Harper right off the stage!

There’s a sickening crash as Harper’s body smashes through the several objects in between himself and the concrete floor. The crowd starts up a chant of holy shit but that’s cut short when they realize Cole isn’t out of the woods yet. Rowan and Bray lunge at him, but he manages to evade their grasp like a running back slipping through the fingers of the defense attempting the tackle him, granting him a clear path to scramble to the back preventing any further harm from befalling him for the time being.

All eyes are on Bray whose eyes are on the motionless Harper. His expression is stoic, a normal man would be distraught at the sight of one of their closest partners being taken  out in such a manner, but then again, Bray is rarely mistaken for a normal human being. With the things that he preaches, Wyatt is truly not with the zeitgeist, walking to the beat of his own drum that is playing an improvised and erratic beat.

The last thing Bray is heard saying is that Harper will not be a martyr. Medical personnel rush out onto the scene to check up on Harper who doesn’t look to be in the best shape to no one’s surprise. The crowd is still buzzing over the events that transpired – it’s not something one grows accustomed to witnessing on a daily basis. It’s hard to feel sorry to Harper, though, considering that his current fate came as a result of him trying to victimize Adam Cole more than he already has.



When the lights are back on, The Wyatts are gone, including Harper. Bray at least still has a possibility to reemerge if he’s chosen to compete for Roman Reigns’ coveted United States Championship. Meanwhile, Adam Cole is somewhere backstage thankful that he made it through this ordeal in one peace – even if the actual match result was less than ideal. How he responds to the fans’ vote and where he goes from here are merely two of the questions and scenarios still up in the air. The biggest question of all being: Even in the condition Harper was left in, is Cole still safe?

Stephanie McMahon is certainly earning her pay check and showing just how seriously she takes her position here in XWL as she makes another of what have been several appearances on this pay per view event thus far. The reaction has not diverged from the main path it has been on thus far; there are boos and there are cheers but neither overwhelm the other in such a way that they are rendered inaudible. The split grows louder upon Stephanie’s arrival as she saunters onto the stage with a smile on her face. She has a microphone in hand and soon her music tapers off and the noise off the crowd dwindles long enough for her to get a word in.

Stephanie McMahon
My, my, my, you sure are a rowdy bunch, aren’t you? Well I guess that’s just what happens when you’re being treated to the greatest wrestling on the planet! And sure I may be a little bias in that regard, but how can you blame me with the absolutely killer show we’ve had so far? The best part is that it’s going to get even better from here on out, especially with what’s coming up next. Now, as I’m sure you remember fondly, I came out here earlier and announced that I had signed a certain special someone to the roster – a woman who knew how to handle herself between these ropes – a woman so talented that I’d even go as far as to say that she’ll make some of the men in this company rethink their career choice. That woman is of course… Athena!

Whether it was her intention or not, Stephanie has effectively passed on the reaction she was getting along to Athena before she has even had a chance to make a proper debut. They are booing because every word is coming out of Stephanie’s mouth and after the way her last two prospects turned out to be the devil masquerading as divas, the people can’t be blamed for preemptively hating Athena’s guts.

However, they were given a brief preview earlier in the show and in comparison to The BFFs, Athena is an angel. She actually appeared to have a heart and genuine enthusiasm at being hired in the company and managed to hold her own for a bit when threatened by Layla’s unwelcome presence. There is a chance the people could end up liking her, but for now they will continue resting on the fence until they are pulled in one direction.

Stephanie McMahon
Last time I did this I gave The BFFs an open microphone to say whatever in the world they like and tonight I’m giving Athena an open ring against an opponent I hand-picked for her so that the next time I say that she has the potential to be a star in the company you won’t as foolish enough to doubt me as you are right now. I can understand why you feel this way: you’re so sick of me being right that you’re desperately praying for something to go wrong but as you all saw earlier, she’s here and she’s ready to get her hands dirty, so without further ado…please give her a warm welcome!

Stephanie begins clapping as a hooded Athena enters an XWL arena for the first time in her young career. The hood is covering her face, preventing a read of her emotions, but it’s impossible for their not to be goosebumps forming tiny mountains on the surface of the skin as she finds herself in the middle of one of the greatest moments of her life. When she gets to the top of the ramp, Athena flips off her hood allowing the world the look into her widened eyes as she takes in what must be a surreal scene to her.

Despite that the crowd still have not decided one way or another how they feel about her, her lips curl upwards to form a smile as she realizes that for better or worse these people are making all this noise because of her – with a little help from Stephanie of course. Turning to face Stephanie, Athena says something that isn’t picked up by the camera, but whatever it is that she says, it causes a look of surprise to appear on Stephanie’s face before she gives a reassuring smile and shrugs before handing over the microphone.

Athena takes a couple of  deep  breaths before speaking, trying to calm herself down and sooth her nerves so that she sounds at least a little coherent when she speaks. She never came out to music, just the noise of the crowd and once they settle down a bit, Athena raises the microphone up to her mouth and for the first time in her life, she begins to address the XWL Universe.

-Athena-
Wow…thi-this almost doesn’t feel real; I almost want to pinch myself. You guys don’t understand what just standing inside of this building means to me. I wanted this so badly for so long that I-I almost didn’t think that I would get here. Like, I’ve been wrestling for seven years now and for nearly six of those I’ve wanted to be part of XWL. It became my dream. It became my obsession. Wrestling in this company was all I ever thought about when it became the go-to place to watch amazing women put on amazing matches and to say that you had an opportunity to make a name for yourself here is more than anyone will ever get a chance to do…and it’s a chance that I have now and that I swear I won’t let go to waste.

Athena pauses for a second to fight back the emotions and with every word she says, you can sense that the people are slowly starting to warm up as it becomes increasingly clear that she’s nothing like the last two women Stephanie brought into the company.

-Athena-
Every time I got knocked down, I got back up because I wanted to be tough enough to hang with the women in this company… so when I ended up hurting my shoulder, when I couldn’t get back up, it felt like my whole world was coming crashing down around me. I thought my career was over; I thought I would never get to this company because they would look at me as damaged good. But then I did come back because something clicked for me… I realized that that injury didn’t mean I was weak – it meant I was human and so I vowed to come back stronger, faster and smarter than ever. I came back from that injury and fought like my life depended on it and put on some of the best matches of my career – matches that many of you may never see. So if anything that injury was a blessing in disguise because it made me work that much harder to make sure that the next classic I put on in this ring would be in front of you.

The cheers are steadily getting louder as Athena is managing to win the crowd over. She pauses for a moment to let the fact that they’re cheering for her sink in. In whatever facility she wrestled in previously there were probably no more than a hundred people there, much less chanting her name, but here that number has increased exponentially.

-Athena-
I can’t express enough how much that means to me and I can’t stress enough that no matter how grateful I am and always will be to Stephanie McMahon for bringing me into this company, I don’t want to be looked at as her pet project or her rebound. I want to be known as the woman who she had no choice but to sign because she saw what I could do in this ring and wanted each and every one of you to see it too. I scratched and I clawed to get where I am – I earned this – and I know that with you guys behind me, supporting me and believing in me, everything I went through to get to this moment will have been worth it. I guess it’s time for me to stop talking so that I can show you guys what I’m made of.

Now there are virtually no boos as Athena as successfully managed to show the people the kind of woman that she is: a fighter, a warrior, a competitor who had used all the pain and disappoints she has endured throughout her career to make her stronger than she’s ever been before. She returns the microphone to Stephanie, then begins quickly skipping down the ramp until she gets down to the ring side area. After climbing into the ring, she walks over to the turnbuckle, which she ascends and screams out “Come on!” in an attempt to rally the crowd behind her. She hops down off the turnbuckles but before she can even disrobe the last entrance theme she wanted to hear tonight begins to play.



Already on her first night, before the ink is even dry on her contract, it appears as if Athena's gotten on the bad side of Layla. Which, when you think about it these days, isn't so hard to do, Fandango himself has even found out. Then again, he didn't really help matters much by you know, being....himself. But the vivacious veteran didn't seem to take a liking to Athena earlier, and one can only wonder what Athena's done now. She surely thought that issue was behind her, and that she'd get to show what she was made of right here, and right now...but Layla just won't give this new girl a break.  




Layla rhythmically frolics out onto the stage, prancing past Stephanie, immediately shifting all of the attention away from Athena, and to herself. Stephanie did say she wanted true "diva's" last month, women who take charge and embrace their inner "bitch" and that's what Layla's done, whether intentional or not. This new found partnership with Fandango has unleashed that devious diva side of her once again, and unfortunately for Athena...she picked the wrong time to try and step foot in "Layla's" division. Stephanie offers the microphone to Layla, but she just turns her nose up at it, shaking her head and making faces at it, most likely because Athena held that microphone just a minute ago, and apparently that makes it defective to Layla. Like a true Prima Donna, Layla air kisses Stephanie then twirls until she's facing Athena's direction, and begins to stroll down the ramp.  




The decorated diva really is throwing herself into her new persona as Fandango's partner, because while he's not out here, she's still prancing around like a ballerina, including turning away and showing off her incredible assets...you know, her twinkle toes. Scampering backwards down the ramp for a few steps, until she turns back around and poses for a blink and you miss it moment. But that cutesy antics end there, as she directs quite the dirty look at Athena, continuing down the ramp with attitude.

Once she's reached the ring, she turns the corner, making her way over to the steps where as always...there's a microphone conveniently placed just for her. Seriously, how in the hell is there always a microphone there, it's as if they secretly know that every night, someone's gonna need it, so they stay prepared. These people should get a raise, that's smart thinking isn't it? Grabbing the mic, Layla casually climbs the steps, and walks along the edge of the ring, never looking away from the confused, annoyed, and also worried Athena.

Eventually Layla enter the ring, and pauses before speaking. Pausing basically because these fans were actually growing to like Athena, and after seeing how Layla treated the poor soul earlier tonight, they know this won't be any differently.

-Layla-
Aw, do you hear that? They love you Athena, they REALLY love you!

Condescending as all hell, the fans aren't the least bit happy with Layla's opening remark.

-Layla-
Moments like this are just, so incredible...aren't they? The roar of the crowd cheering for you is just, it's so special...especially considering before tonight, practically every single person here didn't even know you existed. Well, that's just mean...I'm sure that fat slob in the front row, chanting your name even right now, while nobody else is...is like your, number one fan. And you know sweetheart, that's just so precious...you have a fan, yay! Yay! Can I get a yay, people?

Instead of a "yay" the fans band together to bring about a big "we'll show you" statement by unleashing a combination of boos and a loudly growing chant for Athena! Overwhelmed by their chant, a smile comes across her face, while she's not overjoyed to be dealing with Layla right now...this truly is the greatest night of her life.  

-Layla-
Look at that, you're welcome sweetie. See, I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot, I get it...you're new, you don't know the ins and outs yet, and that's okay. You just need to learn from this moment forward, that I'm the top diva around here, and what Layla wants...Layla gets. But I love what you did with your hair, it's so....so, you.

The tone in Layla's voice during that last sentence was not at all sweet and genuine, in fact it's blatantly obvious that this is a backwards compliment. So while she may be smiling like they're suddenly girlfriends, the fans know what's up, the question is...does Athena?

Placing her hand over her chest, for the time being Athena appears to be genuinely moved by Layla’s far-from-genuine remarks until she wipes a fake tear out from under her eye, as thankful for Layla’s comments as a vegetarian would be for a cheeseburger. Staring dead at Layla, Athena half-heartedly forces a smile onto her face in the hopes that a pleasant look will give her words a pleasant tone so that this encounter can be over and done with faster than England’s 2014 World Cup run.

Athena
It’s so nice to hear you say that! I was worried I’d come off looking a little raggedy in my grand debut considering that after you threw a hissy fit over your precious chair I had to finish getting ready in the bathroom - doing my make-up in front of a dirty mirror and straightening my hair hoping that I didn’t get electrocuted whenever someone reached for a paper towel and the water dripping from their hands geot a little too close for comfort to that socket… for those who bothered to wash their hands. So yeah, Layla, I truly appreciate that someone who’s spending more time recently in that stylist’s chair than in the ring took the time out of what must be a busy day to comment on how wonderful I look… I’m sure you don’t give just anybody that kind of treatment, but…

Athena cuts herself off, allowing her words to trail off into nothingness as whatever she planned to say next will forever be unknown to everyone but her. At least that seemed to be the case; however, Athena raises the microphone back up to her mouth – still eyeing Layla wearily – and appears to be ready to resume her impressive display of sarcasm…at least that seemed to be the case…

Athena
No… you know what? This isn’t me, and… and this isn’t what I came here to do. I’m sorry, all right, Layla? I’m sorry about your chair, and what I said because the last thing I want right now is to be known as someone kind of instigator before I even compete in my first match.

You've gotta hand it to this girl for despite Layla coming off like a real tried and true bitch...Athena can't bring herself to be something she's not. She doesn't want any trouble, she just wants to compete, to show the world and this crowd what she can do...and Layla almost seems taken aback by her quick turnaround. Stephanie's new pet project knows who she is and she doesn't want to give the idea that she's anything less than what she is.  

-Layla-
You're right...I, I can't believe it...but you're right. I've spent practically my entire career belittling, and stepping over girls like you just to keep my spot here...and last year, I finally turned that around. I saw what I had become, and I didn't like it...I changed, for the better....and, now...it all just hit me, I'm back to where I started! All my progress, all the trust I had earned back, it's...it's all gone...oh my god Athena, I'm...I'm so sorry...you have to forgive me! I, I've always been a little insecure...and, seeing you...and how amazing everyone says you are, I...I resorted to my old ways of dealing with that, by putting you down.

Wait, what? Did Athena's honesty, and true kindheartedness just, melt the ice that had re-coated Layla's heart? Her tone was much different than just a minute ago, she...she actually meant it, everything...there was no arrogance, or deceitful intent behind it...she looks, genuinely...upset with herself.

-Layla-
You don't deserve that, you seem like a really nice girl and truthfully that's all I am too. I'm just a woman that's been through so much, and when I got here there was no one like you...no one to say hey, it's okay to be real...you don't have to put up a wall, Layla...you can just have fun, and enjoy yourself. It was cutthroat, it was...it was just awful! Don't ever change, because being you...this you that tried to stand up to someone that was nothing but a, bully...only to sympathize with them, it's going to really take you places Athena, and I really mean that. I know this is sudden, and...god, I'm tearing up now...but, do you think I could be your opponent? You might be the rookie, but I think wrestling someone like you, might show me a thing or two about what this business really is about.

Athena purses her lips and really gives Layla a look over trying to see if this sudden change of heart is coming from the heart or is just another cerebral ploy to get inside her head. Facing Layla in her debut match would be a tremendous opportunity, and beating her? Well that you put her on the fast-track to the top of the ladder.

Athena
Layla…*Athena takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly*…Layla, look, I’m sure you mean well and this match is probably your way of trying to make everything okay, but you don’t have to do this. I’m not going anywhere, I am here to stay, which means that there is plenty of time for us to wrestle whether it’s next week, next month or next year! And whenever that day may come I want you to know that I will give you the fight of your life. Don’t get me wrong, I respect everything you’ve done for this division even if I probably would have gone about things differently were I in your shoes, but that respect doesn’t mean I’m intimidated or scared or worried that you’ll embarrass me…it only means that I won’t take you lightly and I hope you wouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that I can’t hold my own.

Layla can’t believe what she’s hearing, did that rookie really just turn down an opportunity to lock horns with one if the greatest divas to ever grace this company with her presence? Inwardly she might very well be fuming and ready to regress back into the Layla who first danced her way out to the ring, but she still has that smile on her face, her dedication to turning over a new leaf as she had once before unwavering. Instead of responding to Athena directly, Layla turns to the people and says “Don’t you guys want to see us wrestle?”

The question is enough to light a fire under the people within earshot of the question as they begin to chant Athena’s name over and over again, perhaps their way of encouraging her to take a stab at knocking Layla down a peg. As the rest of the crowd catches on, the chant begins to spread like an STD at an orgy as more members of the XWL Universe start to catch on. Proud of what she has done, Layla turns back to face Athena, that smile of hers somehow bigger and she gives Athena a looks almost as if to say, “They want it…why don’t you?”


Athena
It’s not that I don’t want to wrestle you, Layla,  believe me it would be an honor to see how I stack up against a two-time diva’s champion… it’s just that.. well, we’ve started off on the wrong foot tonight and I’d hate for that to carry on into our match and turn it into some kind of grudge fight. When we’ve had some time to take a step back and cool down whenever we do get to go head to head that fight will be all about friendly competition making it that much more fun to be in for the both of us.

With what seems to be flashes of the Layla we saw not too long ago, Layla places her hand on Athena's arm smiling at her oozing a warmth that really is shocking considering how this all started. If this is Athena's effect on people, perhaps she could finally solve the dreaded outbreak of bitchiness that never seems to end in the divas division.

-Layla-
Aw, darling...don't worry about it. There's no grudge, at least...not on my shoulder, and you certainly don't either. You wanna give the fans a show, right? Prove to them, Stephanie, even me that you're someone that has worked their entire life for this moment...your debut, your time to shine like the star you may not have always believed you were, but hoped you could one day become. This is that moment, my decisions may not have always been the greatest, kind of an understatement, right? But, I've worked incredibly hard to prove the naysayers wrong, to show that women can do things that at one time we could never even imagine doing. This isn't me wanting to fight you because I wanna hurt you, no...this is me, wanting to step up to the plate and give you a proper introduction into this company.

Literally jaws are on the floor, as Layla's actually...apparently...legitimately...being nice. Does this chick have multiple personality syndrome or does hanging around with Fandango just have that bad of an effect on you?

-Layla-
It's your first night here, do you really wanna face off against somebody you haven't had a chance to have a conversation with? Someone who may use you as a way to shine the light on themselves? Because trust me, speaking from experience...that's what potentially awaits you. Someone to pull your tights, use the ropes for an advantage...it's a hard world here, and I'd honestly hate to see your debut go down like that. Sure, we didn't have the best first conversation, but we've had a chance to get to know one another tonight...something you haven't been able to do with anyone else...wouldn't you rather compete against me? Because I know that it would a huge honor for me to say that I wrestled Athena on her first night, before she went on to do things even I couldn't accomplish. My career's winding down, my knees hanging together by literally strands...who knows, this could be our only chance to really blow the roof off the building, and I know deep down...we can do that, right here, right now!


With enthusiasm in Layla's voice, the crowd breaks out into a loud gleeful cheer, excited for the match, and chanting Athena's name even louder than before...they want her to accept, and it's perhaps making Athena second guess herself. She looks around, listening to the right, then left, over and over as it becomes clear to her that the fans really seem to want this.  

Athena
I have to say, you drive a hard bargain, Layla. Who am I to deny these people what they want?

Layla squeals in delight at Athena actually caving and accepting to have a match, saying “That’s the spirit!” while Athena turns to hand off the microphone to an XWL personnel member hanging around at ringside. Athena turns back around to face Layla and…






Layla holds out her microphone, requesting that Athena do her a favor and get rid of that microphone too. Athena flashes a smile, followed by an “okay” before she turns to discard that piece of equipment as well. Athena leans between the ropes to place the microphone in the collector’s hand when all of a sudden Layla grabs her by the hair, spins her around so that she’s facing the ring and now Layla, still with two fistful of Athena’s hair - that she went through great lengths to make look decent – tugs down and forces Athena’s throat up against the top rope!

The boos are loud; the boos are fierce; the boos are coming from a place of great hatred as the fans are coming to terms with the fact that Layla played them all – she had them all fooled hook, link and sinker. And while the boos may be solely for the ears of the conniving Brit, the fans have to believe that Athena’s victimization was their fault. They cheered her on, they chanted her name, they made her change her mind about competing against Layla, subsequently making her drop her guard and now she’s paying the price.

Athena’s in a precarious position, sitting on the middle rope while Layla uses the top rope to choke her out doing some damage to the back as well as making it incredibly difficult, if not downright impossible to breath. Passing out right now would do her no favors and Athena knows it so she begins fighting back. Throwing some huge body blows, Athena is trying the best that she can to maneuver herself out of this. She’s able to drive one of the punches deep into Layla’s side, the force of the strike causing Layla to finally let go of her hair and take a couple of steps backwards; however, Layla immediately throws out her leg for a roundhouse kick and just barely misses it as Athena moves her head turning what would have been a knockout blow into a glancing one.

Still, there was enough behind the kicks to knock Athena down onto the apron. Groaning, Athena uses the ropes to pull herself up to her feet, unaware that Layla has climbed out behind her. While she still has the element of surprise, Layla charges then places both hands on Athena’s back to shove her forward with into the ring post! Athena’s shoulder crashes into the post, losing her balance in the process which causes a domino effect that see her fall off the apron and drop onto the steel stairs! Rolling down the stairs like a log, Athena drops in a heap onto the thin-padding that lines the arena floor.

While she writhes in agony, the camera zooms in on Layla’s face, which still has a smile on it, though it isn’t exactly as warm as it once appeared earlier on. If there was any proof that some people never change, Layla’s performance was as solid of evidence as a bloody knife in a suspect’s hand. From her spot on the apron, Layla curtseys further drawing the ire of the fans who definitely won’t be asking for an encore. Layla now turns and looks down on Athena as she tries to crawl away, her shoulder throbbing as her body is racked with spasms of pain. Layla takes her time walking down the stairs, one foot at a time, until she finally reaches the bottom.

As if a switch went off in her, Layla lets loose with a scream before dashing forward and kicking Athena hard in the gut. This physical punishment isn’t enough for her so she starts yelling at Athena, saying that the spotlight isn’t big enough for the two of them. Layla lines up the next stomp then drives the sole of her boot right into Athena’s already damaged right shoulder continuing to inflict on a woman who didn’t do anything to that makes what Layla is doing to her justifiable. This isn’t what she expected, nor is this what she bargained for when she signed that lucrative contract. No, Layla viciously stomping on her surgically repaired right shoulder was never part of the dream that made her sacrifice so much to make it to the company.

Now, Layla pulls Athena up off the ground and in a single, fluid motion throws her hard into the barricade, you guessed it, shoulder first. For absolutely no reason at all, or for at least the most asinine of reasons, Layla is unleashing her full wrath on a woman who has done less to her than many of the other currently employed divas. Those other divas aren’t on Layla’s mind, though. No, the only woman Layla is concerned with is the one she’s setting up for the Layout and in the blink of an eye she drops down and drives the back of Athena’s skull into her own healthy shoulder blade.

Layla drags Athena over to the ring and from there she rolls the practically unconscious woman onto the apron then continues her relentless assault, taking Athena’s right arm and wrapping it around the steel post! She does it one more time for good measure before moving on to the next stage of her sickening plan. Layla positions Athena so that the ring post is tucked into her right armpit and when the people realize what Layla’s up to they boo. From that position, Athena’s shoulder is exposed and she’s in no shape to defend herself at the moment.

Stephanie McMahon
Enough! Layla, cut it out, now!

Stephanie’s face appears on the titantron and nothing about her expression indicated that she’s in a good mood. Layla innocently backs away from Athena as though she has no idea how she got there.

Stephanie McMahon
I’m warning you Layla… do not do anything stupid.

This is the loudest Stephanie has been cheered for quite some time. The people are in her debt, and so is Athena, this mugging is finally over.


WHAM!!

Layla delivers a wicked Roundhouse kick to Athena’s shoulder and the rookie cries out in pain before sliding off the apron, letting gravity pull her down to the ground that she has become quite acquainted with. Athena can be heard whimpering, the pain overwhelming her and clutching at her tender right arm is not making that pain dissipate. Layla flashes that 1000 watt smile in Stephanie’s direction, pleased and satisfied with what’s she has accomplished here: snuffing out a young star before it even got the chance to properly shine.

Stephanie is so angry that she cannot even form the words to express it. Her face is turning a bright shade of red, her lower lip trembling as she struggles to find the right words  to say after another woman she has brought into this company has failed to deliver on the hype and promises that were made before the XWL Universe even knew who they were. Instead, Stephanie glares at Layla who’s dancing her way up the ramp in celebration without a care in the world – without any remorse for what she just did. As she makes her way up the ramp, medical officials rush down it to do anything they can to salaveg what’s left of Athena’s shoulder… and her career.

Standing on the stage, Layla watches the scene that unfolds before her eyes as medical personal swarm Athena like police at a crime scene while the criminal – the cause  of all the pain and devastation –  stands just mere feet away. It looks as though she will go unpunished because no one is coming out here to defend Athena’s honor. No one but the fans are letting Layla know that what she did was unnecessary and she certainly isn’t going to lose any sleep over the boos.

From where she lies on the ground, Athena stares up at the ramp at Layla though her sight as been blurred by the pain she’s feeling. For seven years she’s worked for the opportunity to get onto a stage like this. But like a sports player who was drafted but then got injured on the last day of practice before the season, like the singer who got a  bad case of laryngitis the day before his first sold-out concert, like the performer who literally broke a leg before her big Broadway debut, everything was taken from Athena before she could truly take a moment to appreciate it. Meanwhile, Layla blows a kiss, waves goodbye then turns around and sashays oout of the arena, never to be punished for what she did.

There is truly no justice in this world.