Memphis, Tennessee
August 29, 2004
The telecast starts off on Spike TV with Uprising which is being hosted by the tandem of Rick Martel and Dawn Marie. The triple threat main event for the World title is shown on the screen with a graphic but the first match to be previewed in detail is the one for the King of Cable title between Joe Corey and Shelton Benjamin. MATCH PREVIEW: COREY VS. BENJAMIN The video package starts by showing how Joe Corey, when he was the champion, would not give Benjamin a title shot, giving him chances to "earn" a shot such as his five minute challenge against Taylor Made. Finally, Stephanie McMahon makes the match for Anarchy Rulz. Clips are shown for that fantastic matchup in which Benjamin got the win to become the new champion. The clip goes on to show Corey demanding a rematch but with Carney the new #1 contender, he had to earn it. Corey then interfered in the Carney-Benjamin title match, costing Carney the gold. Carney then confronted Corey in his hometown of Louisville but Corey, who'd already been given the title shot at MeltDown, wanted nothing to do with him. Finally, Stephanie again stepped on Corey's toes, making Carney the special referee for tonight's rematch. MARTEL AND DAWN SWITCH THINGS OVER TO THE PRIMETIME DIVISION AND BECOME OVERLY EXCITED IN TALKING ABOUT SEAN O'HAIRE's MATCH WITH TRAVIS WAKEMAN. MARTEL COMMENTS THAT HE HOPES SOMEONE FINALLY RIDS THE TWF OF WAKEMAN. BUT DAWN INTROS A VIDEO PACKAGE BUILDING THE HUGE MATCH THAT WILL DETERMINE WHO GAINS CONTROL OF PRIMETIME........ Match Preview: S. McMAHON VS. RAVEN The footage dates back to Shane's first conflict with Raven, back when he had Raven Enterprises. It goes on to show Raven hitting the "Raven Effect" on Shane in the backstage area of an arena, effectively taking him out of action. Raven then announces that Vince McMahon agreed to let him run PrimeTime and several clips are shown of the job he did at that, picking favorites and making others such as Rob Van Dam and Jordan Rockwell miserable. The footage goes on to show Raven making himself the #1 contender for the Universal title but when the match came to be, Shane McMahon made his triumphant return after Rockwell promised a "surprise" and used his still existing power to call the match off. RVD then defeated Jamie Noble in a match that gave Shane the right to pick the stipulation for tonight's battle with Raven and Shane selected a falls count anywhere match with a twist..... RVD as guest referee! Martel and Dawn both agree that Shane is the "abuser of power" and both are pulling for Raven to be victorious. A GRAPHIC THEN PREVIEWS TONIGHT's UPRISING MATCH WHICH WILL BE THE FINALS OF THE LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT TITLE TOURNAMENT WHEN LOW-KI TAKES ON AKIO. COMMERCIAL BREAK...... A COMMERCIAL FOR THE NEW DAY OF RECKONING GAME FOR NINTENDO GAMECUBE IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY ONE LAST PROMO FOR MELTDOWN. RETURN FROM BREAK..... MARTEL AND DAWN TELL FANS THAT THE PPV IS 15 MINUTES AWAY SO THEY NEED TO CONTACT THEIR CABLE OR SATELLITE PROVIDER NOW TO ORDER! DAWN THEN SENDS IT INTO THE PYRAMID WHERE MICHAEL COLE AND JESSE VENTURA ARE AT RINGSIDE. Michael Cole: "Thanks guys, I think. But as much as most of you don't agree with a word that comes out of Rick Martel's mouth, he is right about one thing, you don't wanna miss MeltDown tonight"! LOW-KI's MUSIC HITS AND HE MAKES HIS WAY OUT TO A MINIMAL RESPONSE. Jesse Ventura: "I happen to agree with most of what The Model says and he is right... this is gonna be a huge night here in Memphis Michael"! Cole: "Five titles will be on the line tonight and that's not including this one here"! AKIO's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO LITTLE REACTION AS WELL WHILE THE CROWD IS STILL FILLING THE SEATS. Ventura: "I expect that this will be a great way to cap off what has been an excellent tournament". Cole: "I just hope that whichever of these two wins does the right thing and gives Ultimo Dragon the first shot because as far as I'm concerned, he should still be champion"! Ventura: "Well that's the way Shane McMahon would think too but you better get used to the way things have gone around here with Raven in charge cause after tonight, PrimeTime is gonna be under his philosophies". Cole: "That's a scary thought but the bell has sounded here and both men have gotten a look at the title who you got"? Ventura: "It's a toss up if you ask me Michael but I like the style of Low-Ki a little better so I'll go with him". TWF Lightheavyweight Title Tournament Final Low-Ki vs. Akio Low-Ki became the aggressor quickly in this one, using his stiff style to put Akio in a hole. Low-Ki's kicks looked like they were tearing Akio apart but more importantly, they were slowing him down and taking away from his high flying abilities, which Ki knew he needed to win. But Akio showed a ton of resilience and hit a jumping martial arts kick which caught Ki flush on the jaw and followed it up with a reverse tornado DDT. He went for the cover but could only get a 2 count. As Low-Ki was trying to get up, Akio bounced off the ropes and went for a hurracanrana but Ki caught him on his shoulders and dropped him with a running sit down powerbomb into a cover to get the 1.......2........3 and win his first title in the TWF. Match Time: 6:27 LOW-KI's MUSIC AGAIN PLAYED AS HE WAS HANDED THE BELT WHICH HE RAISED IN THE AIR. Cole: "You were right Jesse, a great way to cap this tournament off"! Ventura: "And I think we have found a great man to wear that belt... one that will meet all his scheduled defenses too". Cole: "Well we are just moments away from TWF MeltDown which has become the Summer extravaganze here in the TWF. Let's send it over to our broadcast partners tonight, calling all the Rampage action, J.R. and the King"! JIM ROSS AND JERRY LAWLER ARE SHOWN SITTING NEXT TO THE RAMP, SURROUNDED BY SEVERAL FANS AS CHANTS OF "LAWLER" BREAK OUT. Jim Ross: "Thank you Michael and we thank everyone else who is joining us from around the world. King, what a night ahead". Jerry Lawler: "And it makes it even better that we are in my hometown J.R., listen to these people"! J.R.: "There is no doubt that they love ya here King but who will they be rooting for in tonight's triple threat main event? Take a look". MATCH PREVIEW: ANGLE VS. GUERRERO VS. UNDERTAKER The footage starts off by showing the heated rivalry between The Undertaker and Angle, starting with Taker's successful title defense at WrestleMania. That is followed by Angle asking for a rematch the next night on Rampage, even giving Taker a No DQ stipulation. But after convincing the locker room to help him dethrone the long time champion, Angle not only took his title, but put him out of action for months. In that time, Eddie Guerrero emerged as the main contender to the title and battled Angle week after week. Finally, Angle decided he had defeated all his challengers and would be taking MeltDown off. That is when the lights went out and the bell tolled. Out came the deadman to add his name into the hat. After Angle left the ring in obvious concern, Taker turned on Latino Heat with a chokeslam. Stephanie then made the triple threat for MeltDown. The faces off all 3 men are shown and they are placed up next to each other. Lawler: "Oh it's gonna be something J.R. and I predict Angle is gonna defy the odds again and retain his belt"! J.R.: "It all happens tonight and it all happens next"! THE LEGAL DISCLAIMER, WHICH CONTAINS THE COPYRIGHT WARNING IS DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN. "RELEASING THE DEMONS" BY GODSMACK KICKS UP AS A VOLCANO IS SHOWN WITH LAVA FLOWING DOWN IT's SIDES, JUST AFTER ERUPTING. THE SUN IS BEATING DOWN AS A WRESTLING RING COMES INTO VIEW WITH 2 MEN BATTLING INSIDE. Audio Voiceover: "Tonight, wrestling fans around the world will feel the heat...... A SHOT OF JORDAN ROCKWELL IS SHOWN ALONG WITH ONE OF RHYNO. The heat of rivalry....... SCOTT STEINER IS THEN SHOWN NEXT TO A SHOT OF CYRUS THE VIRUS. The heat to stay alive....... LASTLY, TRAVIS WAKEMAN AND SEAN O'HAIRE AND THEN SHANE McMAHON AND RAVEN ARE SHOWN IN PAIRS. And the heat of revenge. A BOILING BAT OF LAVA IS THEN SHOWN AND THE CAMERA GETS A TOP VIEW OF IT, SHOWING THE MELTDOWN LOGO INSIDE. And now, TWF entertainement and Castrol GTX present....... MeltDown". THE PYRAMID IS SHOWN FROM INSIDE WITH A TON OF FANS SCREAMING THEIR BRAINS OUT AS PYRO LACES THE STAGE. THE CAMERA PICKS UP A TON OF SIGNS IN THE CROWD AND ONE UNIQUE SIGN DEPICTED DYLAN JANSENS HOLDING UP THE HARDCORE TITLE IN FRONT OF A FIREBREATHING DRAGON, JUST AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF ART. Jim Ross: "Welcome to MeltDown! They said we were gonna feel the heat and I don't know about you King, but the action hasn't even started yet and I'm feeling it"! Lawler: "Oh it's gonna be a hot night J.R. and I don't mean because Stacy Kiebler is about to be out here"! "3 MINUTES" BY 2 SKINNY J's HITS AND OUT COMES JAMAL AND ROSEY, DRESSED IN NUMBERED JERSEYS AND LONG SHORTS WITH CRYSTAL CARMICHAEL LEADING THE WAY. J.R.: "We're gonna start things off with the Rampage tag team title match, one of three title matches that the Rampage division will present tonight"! Lawler: "And look at all the mass that's headed down here J.R. along with the vivacious Crystal Carmichael"! J.R.: "Crystal Carmichael has gotten her team into a great position here and this match was set up due to the attack by Jamal and Rosey on John Cena a couple weeks ago on Rampage after Austin Pyromania left the arena". A HIP HOP TUNE HITS AND JOHN CENA BUSTS INTO A RAP IN THE MUSIC OF THE TAG TEAM CHAMPS AND THEY COME OUT, LED BY STACY KIEBLER WHO IS IN A SCHOOLGIRL's OUTFIT COMPLETE WITH STOCKINGS. THEY EACH HAVE THEIR TAG TEAM BELT AROUND THEIR WAIST AND THE CROWD IS VERY MUCH BEHIND THEM. Lawler: "And Pyromania still has no answer for who it is that's behind that attack on him. Does it even matter anymore"? J.R.: "Well if you're Austin Pyromania it does. But since then, Pyromania and Cena have made one heck of a team, winning the titles and defeating all comers"! Lawler: "Yeah but in order to become a great team, they have to win matches like this one"! Rampage Tag Team Title Match Challengers: Jamal and Rosey w/ Crystal Carmichael vs. Pyronomics w/ Stacy Kiebler The champs looked like they were going to make quick work of Jamal and Rosey, starting off fast with Pyromania all over Rosey. After a spinning heel kick, Pyro made the cover but Jamal was in to break it up. Referee Jack Doan was very stearn on the illegal men getting involved and gave Jamal a long warning. Meanwhile, Cena was brought in and he and Pyro lifted Rosey up for a double suplex. Cena then bounced off the ropes and hit the 5 Knuckle Shuffle to the crowd's delight before taking off his Steve McNair Tennessee Titans jersey and whipping it into the sea of humanity. Cena then picked Rosey up and whipped him to the ropes, connecting with a back elbow. Cena then reached down and pumped up his throwback Reeboks but Crystal got up on the apron. Cena just laughed at her but when he turned around Rosey was waiting with a superkick that turned the match around. He tagged in Jamal who came in and worked Cena over with some hard right hands before whipping him to the corner for a big avalanche followed by a throw up Samoan drop. He went into a cover but Cena was able to push the big man off him. Rosey was brought back in and with Jamal, he combined to put Cena down with a double hip toss slam off an irish whip before hitting a spinning leg drop across the esophagus. Another cover was made but it was just another 2 count as Cena kicked out. The crowd began to get behind the Dr. of Thuganomics and after ducking a clothesline, he nailed Rosey with a flying shoulder tackle. Both men were down but a worn out Cena was able to make it to his corner and make the tag to Pyro who came in and cleaned house, knocking Rosey down with a flying hook kick and drilling Jamal with a dropkick when he tried to get involved. Jamal tried his best to get back in but Doan threatened a DQ when out of the crowd came a man wearing a mask that had a big question mark on it. Pyro turned around and the mystery man pasted him with a superkick that jerked his head back. Cena recovered and chased the man back through the crowd, leaving his partner to get squashed by a big splash courtesy of Rosey who got the 1.......2........3. Match Time: 6:22 J.R.: "Damn it! I can't believe it ended like that"! "3 MINUTES" PLAYED AGAIN AS JAMAL AND ROSEY LIFTED CRYSTAL UP ON THEIR SHOULDERS AND SHE HELD BOTH THE TAG TEAM BELTS UP. Lawler: "We've got new tag team champs J.R., take a look"! J.R.: "Pyromania and Cena had this well in hand and I'd sure like to know who the hell has it out for Pyromania and why"! Lawler: "Look at Crystal.... she's led her team to the top"! J.R.: "I don't wanna take anything away from what these two young Samoans just did but that was highway robbery folks"! MICHAEL COLE AND JESSE VENTURA ARE SHOWN AGAIN AT THEIR BROADCAST TABLE AND THEN THE CAMERA GETS A SHOT OF THE OMINOUS DRAGON STRUCTURE THAT IS BEING MOVED IN FOR THE NEXT MATCH. Cole: "Take a look at that". Ventura: "I've never seen anything like that in my life Michael.... that is awesome". Cole: "The scales of that dragon are laden with thumb tacks, oil and other weapons for our next match which will be for the Hardcore title, I hope these two are ready". BACKSTAGE AREA...... JORDAN ROCKWELL AND DYLAN JANSENS ARE SHOWN BACKSTAGE. Dylan Jansens: "Ya know Jordan, one, if not both of us could leave on a stretcher tonight. You know that right"? Jordan Rockwell: "Anything's possible D.J., but I ain't even thinking about that. All I know is Rhyno is in for the beating of a lifetime. Just make sure you show that punk Axl what hardcore is all about". Jansens: "Well like most anyone, I'm sure Axl thinks of hardcore to be of a physical nature. What he'll learn tonight is what I've been telling everyone, hardcore is not a style, but a belief". JANSENS RAISES HIS BELT UP AND WALKS AWAY. Rockwell: "Go get 'em champ". "DO YOU CALL MY NAME" BY RA HITS AND AXL IRVIN COMES OUT TO A LOT OF HEAT. Cole: "It could go down as not only the most unique match of all time, but also the most brutal". Ventura: "Tonight is the night for one of these two men to step up Cole. Dylan Jansens says hardcore is a belief but I disagree and tonight it's gonna be the hardcore style of Axl Irvin that brings us a new champion". "OVER MY HEAD" BY LIT TRACK HITS AND DYLAN JANSENS EMERGES FROM THE CURTAIN, FOLLOWING BY A SMALL BALL OF FLAME AND THE CROWD LOUDLY CHEERS AS HE RAISES 1 FINGER IN THE AIR. Cole: "That is a very bold statement Jesse but I will say one thing, the winner of this match is gonna have to earn it"! Ventura: "As you mentioned moments ago, there are weapons and obstacles of all sorts on each scale of that dragon and there you see the title going up"! REFEREE MIKE ENOS ATTACHES THE BELT TO A CABLE AND IT RISES UP, RESTING INSIDE THE MOUTH OF THE DRAGON AS THE BELL SOUNDS. TWF Hardcore Title/Dragon's Lair Match Challenger: Axl Irvin vs. Dylan Jansens Both men looked up the 20 foot structure but then wasted no time trading shots. After a thumb to the eye, Axl reached into his pants and pulled out a pair of brass knucks. But DJ ducked his swing and caught him with a straight kick to the gut followed by a 2 handed facebuster. Using the handles provided, Jansens began to climb up the dragon. On the first scale, he located a kendo stick. Irvin began to follow him up but Jansens smacked him with the stick, knocking him back to the mat. He then jumped off, swinging the kendo stick. Luckily for Irvin, he ducked, kicked DJ in the gut and hit a swinging DDT. He then rolled outside the ring and lifted up the apron, pulling out a fire extinguisher. He brought it into the ring but Jansens dropkicked him and then sprayed the coolant all over the challenger. DJ went back to the kendo stick, lighting Axl up with it. He then made his second ascent up the dragon but a determined Axl followed, grabbing his left foot. But Dylan fought him off and then came off the structure with an awesome moonsault which brought the crowd to their feet. Jansens then went to the handles again, climbing up. He made it to the second scale, which was covered in thumb tacks, but did a great job avoiding them. Axl had gotten up and started climbing behind him. DJ was up to the third scale, one away from the top but he started to slip on the thick oil. He nearly fell off but grabbed the scale as he fell, holding on for dear life. Meanwhile, Axl had gotten to the second scale, holding the kendo stick and he smacked away at the back of Jansens, knocking him loose. Jansens fell an estimated 12 feet to the mat, landing hard. Axl climbed up but he was no match for the oil spot either, slipping and falling onto the second scale, landing in the bed of tacks! The crowd was in disbelief as Axl had hundreds of tacks sticking out of all areas on his body. He remained on the second scale however and Jansens began to come up again. He made it to the first scale when from the back came the masked El Diablo! Jansens didn't even see him and he began to climb the dragon as Axl screamed in pain. Jansens noticed Diablo as he got to the first scale but there wasn't much he could do as he had powder thrown in his eyes. Jansens lost his balance and fell to the mat, landing hard. Diablo acted as a cover for Irvin who began to stir. With the tacks still embedded in his body, Axl climbed up the final 2 scales and reached into the mouth of the dragon, grabbing the Hardcore title to win the match. Match Time: 10:31 Ventura: "Put it in the books! We've got a new champion"! Cole: "Somebody needs to explain what the beck is going on here! Who in the hell is behind that mask"?! Ventura: "You always swore it was Axl Irvin Cole! It looks like you're wrong again"! "DO YOU CALL MY NAME" PLAYED AGAIN AS DIABLO HELPED AXL OUT OF THE RING BUT AXL CLUTCHED THE HARDCORE TITLE. Cole: "This has been a travesty of justice! Two masked men have interfered in the first two matches here at MeltDown"! Ventura: "Well one question has been answered for sure. Hardcore is sure as hell no belief.... it's a style Michael"! BACKSTAGE..... TRAVIS WAKEMAN IS SHOWN IN THE BACK, HAVING HIS KNEE WRAPPED BY THE TRAINER WHEN SHANE McMAHON WALKS UP IN WARM UP PANTS AND A SHANE O'MAC JERSEY. Shane McMahon: "How ya feelin' man"? Travis Wakeman: "Knee hurts a bit, but I'm alright". Shane: "Well I hate to tell you T, but win or lose tonight against O'Haire, you're gonna have to have surgery on that thing before you can compete again on PrimeTime". WAKEMAN STANDS UP, IN SHANE's FACE. Wakeman: "Let's just hope you're in charge to be able to enforce that". WAKEMAN WALKS AWAY, LEAVING SHANE WITH A SLIGHT SMIRK ON HIS FACE. J.R. AND THE KING ARE SHOWN AGAIN. J.R.: "King we are off to a torrid start here at MeltDown with three title changes already"! Lawler: "Well there are no titles on the line in this next match but Scott Steiner is putting something bigger on the line..... his career"! A LOUD SIREN IS HEARD FOLLOWED BY A CHORUS OF BOOS AS CYRUS THE VIRUS LEADS NATHAN JONES OUT. J.R.: "Cyrus the Virus is bringing the Network Police's enforcer out here to attempt to censor Big Poppa Pump from tv forever and King, I've known Scotty Steiner for a number a years, I'd hate to see him go like this". Lawler: "Well we very well might see it J.R., look at the size of Nathan Jones"! ANOTHER SIREN IS HEARD FOLLOWED BY "HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME" AND SCOTT STEINER's MUSIC HITS, BRINGING HIM OUT TO A GOOD POP. HE IS FOLLOWED BY A GROUP OF 4 BIKINI WEARING WOMEN. J.R.: "The story of Nathan Jones has been well documented and if you ask me, this brainwasher Cyrus is just using him"! Lawler: "Ya think Cyrus could brainwash one of those girls to come sit on my lap?! Wahoo..... I knew it was gonna be hot in here tonight"! J.R.: "Well looking at the other end of the spectrum here, should Steiner get the victory, the Network Police will no longer be able to dictate what goes on tv on Rampage and they will have to give up their positions with the FCC.... as if they really have them". Lawler: "Steiner could effectively eliminate these guys tonight J.R. and for that and those women he's with, I'm rootin' for him tonight"! Censorship Match Scott Steiner vs. Nathan Jones w/ Cyrus the Virus As expected, there were few wrestling holds in this one, just two heavy hitters trading shots. Jones was able to stagger Steiner with a headbutt before impressively launching him across the ring with a beal. Jones then pulled Steiner up in the corner and smashed him with an open hand slap on his chest. Jones then shot him to the corner and charged in but Steiner lifted himself up using the ropes to kick the 7 footer in the face. Steiner then exploded out of the corner with a Steiner Line before finally getting Jones off his feet with a belly to belly suplex. After a quick flex of his bicep, Steiner dropped a big elbow on the chest of Jones before taunting Cyrus by doing 7 or 8 push ups. But just then, the rest of the Network Police, Steven Richards and Mr. Mature ran out to ringside to provide a distraction. And seemingly as planned, it worked. Jones got in a low blow on Steiner followed by a huge powerbomb. Jones made the cover but with his career on the line, Steiner got a shoulder up at 2 and 3 quarters. Knowing referee Mike Enos would stop him, Cyrus tried to get in the ring. Enos and Cyrus were tied up while Richards and Oliver Worth came into the ring on the other side. They went for the double superkick but Steiner moved and they nailed Jones with it! After clotheslining Richards out of the ring, Steiner caught Worth going for a cross body block and he tossed him over the ropes with a fallaway slam. Steiner turned around and Jones nailed him with a spinkick to the gut. He then ran into the ropes but Steiner nailed him with another big clothesline before grabbing him around the head, turning him around and depositing him with the deathdrop DDT. Steiner hooked the near leg of Jones as Enos counted the 1.......2........3. Match Time: 7:01 THE CROWD WENT INTO A FRENZY AS STEINER's MUSIC HIT AND HE GOT ON ONE OF THE TURNBUCKLES, FLEXING FOR THE FANS. J.R.: "Scott Steiner has survived and now, now we don't have to worry about these hyprocrits telling us what can and can't be seen on Rampage"! Lawler: "Look at Cyrus J.R., he looks like his Mom just died"! CYRUS SEEMED ALMOST INCONSOLABLE AS RICHARDS AND WORTH TRIED TO TALK TO HIM. Lawler: "Scott Steiner is still a part of Rampage and if he's gonna keep coming out with groups of women.... that's a good thing"! J.R.: "Now Cyrus can turn in those phony FCC badges and get a real job"! BACKSTAGE...... STEPHANIE McMAHON IS SHOWN WALKING DOWN THE HALLWAY, CARRYING A REFEREE's SHIRT. SHE RUNS INTO CARNEY AND HANDS IT TO HIM. Stephanie: "Here ya go Carney, call a good match will ya"? CARNEY TAKES THE SHIRT. Carney: (smiling) "No problem". Lawler: "Something tells me Carney is gonna do anything to make sure Joe Corey loses tonight J.R."! J.R.: "We found out just as we came on the air with Uprising that Stephanie had made Carney the guest ref for the King of Cable title match later tonight but King, I honestly think Carney has more integrity than that, he's not gonna stoop to Corey's level". Lawler: "All I want to see is Corey defeat Shelton Benjamin the way he should've done the first time". CHRISTIAN's MUSIC HITS AND HE IS RECEIVED BY A LARGE AMOUNT OF BOOS. J.R.: "That's your opinion and as usual I have a different one but up next is one of the matches on tonight's card that I've really been looking forward to"! Lawler: "Christian looks great doesn't he? This might be the biggest match of his career J.R."! "SEXY BOY" HITS AND SHAWN MICHAELS COMES OUT TO ONE HELL OF A POP, ONE OF THE LOUDEST OF THE NIGHT. J.R.: "I won't disagree with that but this man.... this man lives for big matches like this! They don't call him the Showstopper for nothin' King"! Lawler: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've heard Shawn Michaels' life story more times than I wanted to. But what needs to be included in that story now is how he ducked Christian until tonight"! J.R.: "Oh don't be ignorant King. Shawn Michaels wanted to be a man and put his family first to witness the birth of his second child! If that's ducking than so be it"! Lawler: "Christian has been waiting a long time for this moment J.R., it's time for him to make the most of it"! J.R.: "Shawn Michaels looked a little rusty last week on Rampage against A-Train but still would've won the match if it wasn't for Christian" Lawler: "Well he better hope that that ring rust wore off cause Christian is more than ready tonight"! Christian vs. Shawn Michaels Two superb athletes went at it here, waiting upon a mistake. After exchanging hip tosses, Michaels ducked a clothesline and hit the ropes but Christian got a knee up in his gut. Christian then plopped down on HBK, pounding him with some furious right hands. Off an irish whip, Michaels slid through the legs of Christian and caught him with a dropkick. He then whipped him to the ropes himself but dropped his head too soon and Christian used a sunset flip. He got a 2 count before Michaels clapped his legs to break the fall. With both men on their feet, Christian threw a right hand but Michaels blocked it and responded with a knifedge chop. After 2 more knifedges, Michaels tried to whip him out of the corner but Christian reversed it and sent Michaels hard into the corner. Michaels flipped up and over the turnbuckle, landing on the floor, holding his lower back in pain. Christian followed him out and after picking him up, he whipped him back first into the steel ring steps. Referee Jim Korderas had reached an 8 count and Christian slid into the ring and then back out to break the count. He then drove Michaels' back into the barricade and Michaels let out a painful scream. Christian had put it into cruise control and he rolled Michaels back in, putting the boots to his back. After a pendulum backbreaker, Christian went into a cover and got 1.........2........, but Michaels was up. Christian continued to wrestle a smart match, keeping things at his pace and targeting the problematic back of Michaels. But after being irish whipped, Michaels ducked a backhand and came off the other side, hitting his flying forearm on the button. Michaels then nipped up and the crowd was right back into it. Christian got up and Michaels went for the "Sweet Chin Music" but Christian moved and pulled him in for the "Un-Prettier". Michaels countered by pushing him into the ring ropes and then nailed him with a back elbow. Michaels then went to the top rope, looking to deal the death blow when A-Train came out from the back. Michaels was distracted just enough, allowing Christian to get to his feet. Michaels jumped off but Christian rcovered to kick him in the gut and then use a small package for the 1.......2........3. Match Time: 11:21 Lawler: "Oh my gosh"! AS CHRISTIAN's MUSIC PLAYED, HE AND A-TRAIN LEFT TOGETHER WITH MICHAELS LOOKING ON FROM IN THE RING. J.R.: "Can you believe that? Christian has just defeated Shawn Michaels on pay-per-view"! Lawler: "No wonder why he was ducking him J.R.! He knew this would be the outcome"! J.R.: "Oh cut that out! First off, he wasn't ducking him and A-Train deserves some of the credit for what just happened"! BACKSTAGE...... IDALIS IS STANDING WITH JON HEIDENREICH, LOOKING WAY UP AT HIM. Idalis: "Heidenreich, it is no secret that Shane Thompson helped you become the number one contender because he thinks he can't lose to you and...... Jon Heidenreich: (snickering) "I know what he thinks. But his confidence will be his undoing. Because tonight, you will see a new Intercontinental champion crowned and I will shut that cocky punk up..... permanently"! "WAITING TO DIE" BY HED HITS AND LUTHER REIGNS LEADS SHANE THOMPSON OUT TO A LOT OF HEAT. THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE IS FIRMLY AROUND THE WAIST OF THOMPSON. Cole: "Well this has not been a great night for champions Jesse and I suspect this crowd would love to see Thompson get beat tonight"! Ventura: "People have a problem with greatness Michael and I know he's still young but that is what Shane Thompson is becoming"! HEIDENREICH's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A MIXED RESPONSE. Cole: "A couple weeks ago on PrimeTime, this guy outlasted the Ultimo Dragon, Nails and Kid Gundam to get into this match, with some help from Thompson and Luther Reigns of course". Ventura: "And what do all those guys have in common Michael? They have all been beat by Shane Thompson"! Cole: "Thompson has defeated most everyone he's faced but Heidenreich is probably a foot taller and a solid one hundred pounds heavier". Ventura: "I won't question the fact that this will be a tough title defense but I just don't see Thompson losing it". TWF Intercontinental Title Match Challenger: Jon Heidenreich vs. Shane Thompson w/ Luther Reigns This became one of the best matches all night as Heidenreich pounded Thompson with a bruising attack. For the first half of the match, the champion was almost exclusively on the defensive as Heidnenreich broke him down with moves such as a boot to the face and a running powerslam. But after getting four 2 counts, the big man became a little frustrated. He hoisted Thompson onto his shoulder but Thompson slid off and dropkicked him in the knee before bouncing off the ropes to deliver a shining wizard. Thompson then went to the legs of Heidenreich, using a spinning toe hold, continually turning the foot. Heidenreich lost his height advantage while he was on the mat and Thompson had him right where he wanted him. But he inexplicably went for the Crash N' Burn only to get Heidenreich's knees in his gut and Heidenreich then picked him up for his spiral bomb, getting the 1...........2......., but referee Chris Kay stopped the count when he noticed Thompson's right foot on the bottom rope. Heidenreich was at a loss and he shot Thompson to the ropes but Shane countered a clothesline by going for a crucifix pin. But he couldn't pull Heidenreich over and the challenger fell back with a Samoan drop to get another long 2 count. Luther then got up on the apron and threw a right hand but Heidenreich blocked it and dropped him with one of his own. Heidenreich turned around to catch a kick from Thompson but Thompson used his free foot to hit a reverse enziguri. The move didn't knock Heidenreich off his feet but it did allow Thompson to go way up for a leg-o-matic or the Fame-Asser if you're Billy Gunn and he hooked the leg after rolling him over to get the 1........2...........3. Match Time: 11:36 Cole: "And Shane Thompson has just dodged another bullet! Heidenreich had this one". Ventura: "He may have, but he didn't win it and it'll just go down the way Thompson knew that it would"! AS "WAITING TO DIE" PLAYED, THOMPSON AND REIGNS LEFT WITH THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE AS HEIDENREICH PICKED HIMSELF UP OFF THE MAT. Cole: "Well if I'm Shane Thompson, I don't wanna have to see Heidenreich up that close again"! BACKSTAGE....... IDALIS GOES INTO ONE OF THE DRESSING ROOMS AND FINDS PRIMETIME SUPERSTARS PAUL LONDON, ULTIMO DRAGON AND MIKE AUSTIN. Idalis: "So guys, I was looking to get some of your thoughts on Travis Wakeman. Do you wish he had retired"? All 3 me collectively: "No"! JUST THEN, SEAN O'HAIRE COMES UP. Sean O'Haire: "Ya know, you boys should change your view. Because it's guys like Wakeman that have a spot on the card tonight while you are back here doing some stupid interview. Think about it". O'HAIRE WALKS AWAY AS THE OTHERS JUST LOOK ON. Cole: "Well I've really been looking forward to this next match". Ventura: "As have a lot of fans Michael... this is gonna be good". Cole: "Let's take a look at how this one came to be". A VIDEO PACKAGE IS SHOWN STARTING WITH SEAN O'HAIRE's "ADVICE" FOR TRAVIS WAKEMAN TO RETIRE. THAT IS FOLLOWED BY AN AUDIO VOICEOVER OF WAKEMAN CHOOSING NOT TO WHILE A CLIP SHOWS O'HAIRE's ATTACK ON HIM AFTER HIS MATCH AT PAYBACK. THE FOOTAGE GOES ON TO SHOW O'HAIRE ATTACKING HIM ON THE NEXT PRIMETIME, TAKING HIM OUT OF ACTION. AFTER O'HAIRE PRETTY MUCH PROMISED WAKEMAN WOULD NEVER RETURN, CLIPS OF WAKEMAN's ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING HIS FUTURE IS SHOWN IN WHICH HE STATED HE WAS COMING BACK. SEAN O'HAIRE's MUSIC HITS AND ESSA RIOS COMES OUT ALONGSIDE HIM, DRESSED IN IDENTICAL ATTIRE. Cole: "No folks this is not the Matrix but the tandem of O'Haire and Essa Rios". Ventura: "Is that supposed to be a knock on the trench coats? I happen to like the look". Cole: "Well despite that, Sean O'Haire has the look of a determined fighter and I hate to say it but I think Wakeman's in trouble tonight". Ventura: "Wakeman didn't wanna retire on his own free will so tonight Sean O'Haire's gonna leave him no choice"! "MAKE WAY" BY METHOD MAN HITS AND TRAVIS WAKEMAN COMES OUT TO A VERY NOISY OVATION WITH TRISH STRATUS AT HIS SIDE. Cole: "Here comes the first couple of the TWF and you gotta admit Jesse, Trish is always there for Wakeman and that shows the stability he's had throughout his career". Ventura: "All they are doing is prolonging the inevitable here". Cole: "With all due respect Jesse, I don't see how you get that. We heard what Shane McMahon said earlier but Wakeman is only twenty five years old. Retirement isn't even in the picture right now"! Ventura: "Well we'll see what you have to say at the end of this match". Sean O'Haire w/ Essa Rios vs. Travis Wakeman w/ Trish Stratus After a quick exchange, Wakeman's injured right leg was already in obvious discomfort and O'Haire took advantage, knotting it up with some very stiff kicks. After an arm wringer, O'Haire hit a hook kick to the head and went into a cover but Wakeman kicked out after a 1 count. O'Haire snap mared him and hit the ropes, kicking Wakeman hard in the chest as a loud smack traveled across the arena. O'Haire became very aggressive, locking in a half crab. Wakeman screamed in pain but was able to will his way to the ring ropes to break the hold. O'Haire relentlessly went after the leg and knee, driving it into the mat twice. After tossing him into the corner, O'Haire moved in but Wakeman kicked him in the gut and then again before wailing away with some heavy right hands. He shot him to the ropes but O'Haire avoided a clothesline and blasted him with a flying hook kick. He made the cover and got 1..........2......, but the right shoulder of Wakeman shot up off the mat. O'Haire then went for a vertical suplex but Wakeman countered with a shot to the ribs followed by an inverted atomic drop. He then hit the ropes but O'Haire sidestepped him and tossed him over the top rope and to the floor. As O'Haire got referee Mike Chioda's back to the action on the floor, Rios came over with a kick to the ribs of Wakeman. Trish came over but Rios threatened her as well and she backed off. As Wakeman began to stir, O'Haire went to the apron and came off with a double axe handle. He rolled him into the ring and made another cover but Wakeman was up after a 2 count again. O'Haire pulled him up and knifedged him but Wakeman responded with a knifedge of his own and then backed O'Haire into the ropes with 2 overhand rights. He whipped him to the ropes and lifted him into the air with a big backbody drop. Wakeman then made a sudden turn to the outside of the ring and went after Rios. But O'Haire rolled out on the other side and crouched down. As a chase ensued, Wakeman ran around the ring, right into the awaiting clothesline by O'Haire. After rolling Wakeman into the ring, he went to the top rope, looking for the Seanton Bomb. But he found nothing when he hit the mat as Wakeman had rolled out of the way. Wakeman then hit a pendulum backbreaker followed by a hard Russian leg sweep. He went into the cover to get the 1......2......., but O'Haire was up. Wakeman pulled him up and delivered a falcon arrow suplex when he once again became distracted by Rios. Wakeman broke the cover but Chioda beat him to Rios, warning him to get down. Meanwhile, Wakeman pulled O'Haire up and went for an irish whip but O'Haire countered it right into the "Widowmaker". He had the cover and the 3 count but Chioda was busy with Rios. O'Haire got up and spun Chioda around, demanding he come do his job. When O'Haire turned, Wakeman was up and he threw a clothesline. But O'Haire ducked and went for a quick martial arts kick but Wakeman caught it and swept out his other foot, locking in the SharpShooter. The fans were on their feet as Chioda got down to see what O'Haire wanted to do. Wakeman sat back even farther on it and pulled with all he had and finally, O'Haire had to tap out. Match Time: 10:29 Cole: "It's over! Travis Wakeman, bumb knee and all, has won this thing"! Ventura: "Well I'm not trying to make excuses for O'Haire, but Essa Rios didn't do him any favors"! Cole: "No, just a few cheap shots... nothing major! If he didn't cost O'Haire that three count, you'd be out here talking about how genius O'Haire was for recruiting him"! "MAKE WAY" PLAYED AS WAKEMAN LEFT TO A HUGE ROAR WITH TRISH, HOLDING A CLOSED FIST IN THE AIR. THE CAMERA GOT A SHOT OF O'HAIRE WHO WAS SEETHING IN THE RING, NOT RESPINDING TO ANYTHING RIOS WAS SAYING. Ventura: "Well fact is O'Haire had Wakeman beat one, two, three and that's not what the record books are gonna say"! Cole: "Well you wanted to hear what I'd have to say after the match so here goes! Travis Wakeman is as good as it gets.... bar none"! BACKSTAGE..... CAMERAS PICK UP A HEATED CONVERSATION BETWEEN JOE COREY AND STEPHANIE McMAHON. Joe Corey: "No I don't want out of my match! I just think it's pretty unprofessional on your part to put Carney in it as the referee"! Stephanie: "Ya know Corey, I'm just gonna walk away before you really piss me off! The match is on"! STEPHANIE WALKS OFF Corey: "Damnit"! JUST THEN, TAYLOR MADE COMES FROM THE BACK, APPARENTLY SEEING THE WHOLE THING. Taylor Made: "Calm down man, you'll get your title back. As for Stephanie, she's tough and she sticks to her guns. That's why I'm making her my next project". Corey: "What"? TAYLOR WALKS AWAY AND COREY GOES IN THE DIRECTION OF THE RING. ARENA BASEMENT..... IN A VERY DARK PART OF THE ARENA BASEMENT, CAMERAS CATCH THE UNDERTAKER SLOWLY WALKING THROUGH. HE HEADS FOR THE STAIRWAY AND WHEN HE GETS TO THE TOP, HE RUNS INTO MATT MORGAN, JOHNNY BLAZE AND TEDDY LONG. UNDERTAKER AND MORGAN ARE FACE TO FACE BEFORE LONG PULLS MORGAN ASIDE. Teddy Long: "Let him go playa..... you'll get your chance soon". "LYING FROM ME", THE HIT BY LINKIN PARK HITS AND JOE COREY COMES OUT TO A MIXED RESPONSE WITH ALEXIS LAREE. J.R.: "We are ready for the King of Cable title match which is gonna be a rematch from last month at Anarchy Rulz King". Lawler: "Well if this one is anything like the last one.... we're in for a show, no pun intended"! J.R.: "Joe Corey was defeated last month by the upstart Shelton Benjamin and has been obsessed with getting the title back ever since"! SHELTON BENJAMIN's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A HUGE POP, WEARING THE BELT AROUND HIS WAIST. Lawler: "I think obsessed might be too strong a word". J.R.: "Oh I'm sorry, maybe I should say self centered, based on what he did to Carney"! "LOOSE" BY EMINEM HITS AND CARNEY STEPS OUT TO A WILD CHEER, WEARING THE BLACK AND WHITE STRIPED TRADITIONAL STYLE REFEREE's SHIRT. Lawler: "It's still not right that he's in this match! Corey's at a huge disadvantage"! J.R.: "Joe Corey has been one to toot his own horn since he came to the TWF and I wanna see what he's got here! The Network Police helped him win this title the first time... let's see him earn it when the odds aren't in his favor"! TWF King of Cable Title Match Challenger: "The Show" Joe Corey w/ Alexis Laree vs. Shelton Benjamin Special Referee: Carney As the bell sounded, Carney brought the two men nose to nose in the center of the ring and explained his rules. He basically stated he would take no b.s. and Corey acted as if he was gonna turn around but instead cheap shotted Benjamin. Off an irish whip, Corey went for a back elbow but Shelton ducked it and bounced off the other side, hitting a flying clothesline. Shelton then put the boots to Corey before going to the mat, looking to utilize his amatuer skills to defeat Corey early. But Corey had him scouted and reversed a standing waist lock using a go behind and then pounding him across the back twice. Benjamin turned and threw a right hand but Corey blocked it and came back with a straight jab of his own before kicking him in the gut. He hooked his arms back, looking for the "Showstopper" but Corey countered with a double leg takedown and shot him to the corner with a catapult. As Corey staggered back, Benjamin hit the ropes and connected with a cactus clothesline, making a cover to get the 1........2......, but Corey was up. Benjamin tried to sap some of Corey's energy with a bearhug but Corey was not gonna have it, using a headbutt to create seperation and then showing his athleticism with a nice dropkick. After some words with Carney, Corey made the cover but Benjamin was up at 2 1/2. The action continued until Benjamin was able to slip off Corey's shoulders. Benjamin then hit his spectacular dragon whip kick and hooked the leg deep for the 1.......2......., but Corey was up. Benjamin then went for the overhead t-bone but Corey was able to counter and then pulled Shelton in a big DDT. Just then, Corey turned to see Carney physically preventing Alexis from getting into the ring and he confronted him. Meanwhile, Benjamin got up and pushed Corey into the ropes, rolling him up for the 1.......2....., but Corey got some leverage and reversed it for the 1........2........3. Corey had a handful of tights which Carney didn't see. Match Time: 12:56 Lawler: "Look at that J.R., he got him"! AS "LYING FROM ME" HIT, COREY DEMANDED THAT CARNEY PRESENT HIM WITH THE BELT, WHICH HE DID. COREY THEN RAISED THE BELT UP HIGH, RIGHT IN CARNEY's FACE BEFORE LEAVING WITH ALEXIS. J.R.: "Yeah isn't that great! He always seems to find a way to sneak out with the win"! Lawler: "That's what counts and now we can call him a two time King of Cable"! J.R.: (sarcastically) "Lovely". A STAGE HAND WHEELS THE OMINOUS STRETCHER DOWN THE RAMP AND THE FANS CHEER IN APPROVAL. Cole: "Get ready because up next is the Stretcher match. Jesse, this was supposed to go down at TWF Payback but all that was was the beginning of a tumultuous ride for Jordan Rockwell...... A VIDEO PACKAGE STARTS UP SHOWING JORDAN ROCKWELL AND RHYNO BACK IN THEIR TAG TEAM DAYS IN WHICH THEY WON THE TWF TAG TEAM TITLES. BUT THE MOOD OF THE CLIP CHANGES AS IT SHOWS RHYNO TURNING ON ROCKWELL TO HELP THE MILLION DOLLAR TEAM BECOME TAG TEAM CHAMPS. THAT SET UP THE MATCH AT PAYBACK BETWEEN RHYNO AND ROCKWELL BUT AFTER RAVEN GOT IT CHANGED FROM A STRETCHER MATCH TO A STRAIGHT UP CONTEST, ROCKWELL LOST WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY PINNED HIMSELF. THE FOOTAGE THEN GOES INTO THE MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE, SHOWING ROCKWELL DEFEATING ROB CONWAY, NICK DINSMORE, AXL IRVIN AND THEN SURVIVING AN ULTIMATE SUBMISSION MATCH WITH CHARLIE HAAS, PROMPTING RHYNO TO FINALLY TAKE THE CHALLENGE. THE FOOTAGE THEN SHOWS SHANE McMAHON COME OUT AND MAKE THE MATCH WHAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE..... A STRETCHER MATCH! RHYNO's MUSIC HITS AND THE MAN FROM THE MOTOR CITY COMES OUT POUNDING HIS CHEST, ALL HYPED UP. Cole: "Never short on intensity, here comes the manbeast"! Ventura: "And he doesn't seem the least bit intimidated by that stretcher Cole"! Cole: "There is a reason why these matches rarely ever happen.... they can be downright brutal"! "BACK IN BLACK" BY AC/DC HITS AND OUT COMES JORDAN ROCKWELL, SLOWLY EMERGING FROM THE BACKSTAGE AREA. THE CROWD LOUDLY POPS, AS LOUD AS THEY HAVE ALL NIGHT. Ventura: "Career shortening is not the proper way to describe this even though that's what J.R. would say if he was down here now. This is a potential career ending match Michael". Cole: "Careers have been changed in more ways than one here tonight, it seems to be the theme for this year's MeltDown. But I don't think any match fits that bill better here tonight than this one"! Ventura: "The problem I've had all along is that the general perception is that Rhyno didn't want this match! My question is does Rockwell really want it"?! Cole: "The rules are simple. The first man to lay his opponent on the stretcher and push it to the top of the entrance ramp will win the match. There is a line up there to determine once that point has been reached"! Stretcher Match Rhyno vs. Jordan Rockwell Perhaps the most brutal match in TWF history is what fans got here as these two former friends showed their pure hatred for one another. The match started in the ring and it was Rockwell who ducked an early clothesline and took Rhyno down with a football style tackle, beating away on him. Rockwell got up and picked Rhyno up for a big spinebuster before bouncing off the ropes and getting high into the air for an elbow drop. Rockwell tried tried to lock in the Tranquilizer but Rhyno rolled out of the ring and pulled Rockwell out by his foot. Rockwell blocked a right hand and went for an irish whip but Rhyno countered, sending him right into the ring post. Rhyno scooped him up and laid him on the stretcher but he couldn't even get it wheeled around before Rockwell raked his eyes and got off. Rockwell then picked him up for a suplex but Rhyno countered and suplexed Rockwell stomach first onto the stretcher. He started to push him up the ramp but Rockwell put his feet down to stop it and backhanded Rhyno before taking him down with a spear. Rockwell then picked him up for the Rock Smasher and put him down right on the stretcher. He started pushing it towards victory but Rhyno stopped it's momentum with a kick to the gut that may've even been below the belt. He then put Rockwell down with a bone shattering spinebuster on the steel ramp. Rhyno had a cut above his eye but it didn't seem to be bothering him. Rhyno preyed on Rockwell to get up and when he did, he went for the Gore but Rockwell avoided it and Rhyno went hard into the steel ring steps. Rockwell brought the stretcher back and laid Rhyno on it but instead of pushing it up the ramp, he got on the ring apron and came off with a flying legdrop, smashing Rhyno across the head and neck. "HOLY SHIT" chants filled the Pyramid and both men were down. Referee Charles Robinson seemed like he was ready to call the match but Rockwell got up. He led Rhyno down the small aisle way next to the ramp and over to the sound stage, ramming Rhyno head first into one of the loudspeakers. Rockwell then reached behind the speaker and pulled out his baseball bat. The crowd grew very anxious but Rhyno kicked him low and then rolled him onto the ramp. Rockwell tried to get up but Rhyno smashed him into the guardrail with the Gore! The fans were in disbelief as Rhyno went and got the stretcher, laying Rockwell onto it. He began pushing it up towards the line but about 2 feet before the end, Rockwell sat up and headbutted Rhyno. He then stood on the stretcher and flew off with a clothesline. The action was starting to look like a Hollywood film as Rockwell went and grabbed the baseball bat. When Rhyno got up, he jabbed it into his midsection and hit the Killswitch on the ramp. Rhyno seemed unconcious as Rockwell recovered and got the stretcher. Groggy himself, he laid the manbeast on it and pushed him past the line as the bell sounded. Match Time: 23:05 Cole: "And Rockwell has done it! What a fight"! Ventura: "That's all it was was an all out fight Michael. Both these guys need medical treatment". "BACK IN BLACK" PLAYED AS THE EMT's CAME OUT TO CHECK ON BOTH MEN. Cole: "I just hope that with this result, this rivalry can finally be put to rest..... wow"! THE SUPERSTARS OF TWF PRIMETIME WILL GET A LITTLE CAJUN EXPOSURE NEXT MONTH AS WE PRESENT TWF ERUPTION.... LIVE FROM NEW ORLEANS AND ONLY ON PAY-PER-VIEW. AND YOU THOUGHT MARDI GRAS GOT OUT OF HAND. BACK TO LIVE ACTION, THE KING's MUSIC IS PLAYING AND THE CROWD IS LOUDLY CHEERING HIM WHILE HE IS IN THE RING. Jerry Lawler: "Since I am in my hometown tonight, I thought I'd take a small part of tonight's show to thank everyone for coming out tonight..... this is phenomenal! CROWD POPS I mean..... JUST THEN, "EVOLUTION" BY MOTORHEAD IS HEARD AND OUT COMES THE TANDEM OF BATISTA AND RANDY ORTON WITH SABLE AND RIC FLAIR. Cole: "What the hell is this? These two aren't scheduled tonight"! Randy Orton: "Ya know King, that's very nice of you. But let me be the first to say who the hell cares?! Back when I was training to be in the TWF, down in SMW, I had to live in this god forsaken state! And that is exactly why Dave and I decided to pass up our title shot tonight"! Cole: "What"? Batista: "Yeah that's right, we were supposed to fight Conway and Dinsmore right here tonight for our tag belts but since we are in Memphis, Randy and I got Raven to make the match for a later date"! THE CROWD BOOS Ventura: "That's ridiculous". Lawler: "So let me get this straight. You two don't wanna face Conway and Dinsmore tonight because you're afraid of something, right"? Orton: "What.... is that what we said"?! JUST THEN, ORTON WIPES THE SMILE OFF LAWLER's FACE WITH A CHEAP SHOT AND FLAIR BEGINS TO STOMP AWAY ON HIM. BUT THE CROWD GOES NUTS WHEN STRIFE AND BAHAMUT HIT THE RING. SABLE SCURRIES OUT OF THE WAY AS STRIFE SMASHES FLAIR WITH A BIG BOOT IN THE FACE. BAHAMUT TAKES ORTON OUT WITH A BACKBODY DROP TO THE FLOOR AND HE AND STRIFE THEN COMBINE TO KNOCK BATISTA OUT OF THE RING WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE. THE FANS ARE GOING ABSOLUTELY NUTS AS "BOMBSHELL" BY POWERMAN 5000 PLAYS. Cole: "Could it be these two that they're afraid of"?! Ventura: "They're not afraid Michael, these two just ambushed them"! Cole: "Well all see is Strife and Bahamut standing tall.... let's just hope the King is okay"! Ventura: "Well this next match is the one I've been waiting for. You either like one guy or you like the other, you can't like them both". Cole: "In just a few moments, we're gonna find out who will have one hundred percent control of TWF PrimeTime but first let's take a look at how this situation escalated to the point it has". The footage dates back to Shane's first conflict with Raven, back when he had Raven Enterprises. It goes on to show Raven hitting the "Raven Effect" on Shane in the backstage area of an arena, effectively taking him out of action. Raven then announces that Vince McMahon agreed to let him run PrimeTime and several clips are shown of the job he did at that, picking favorites and making others such as Rob Van Dam and Jordan Rockwell miserable. The footage goes on to show Raven making himself the #1 contender for the Universal title but when the match came to be, Shane McMahon made his triumphant return after Rockwell promised a "surprise" and used his still existing power to call the match off. RVD then defeated Jamie Noble in a match that gave Shane the right to pick the stipulation for tonight's battle with Raven and Shane selected a falls count anywhere match with a twist..... RVD as guest referee! "ONE OF A KIND" BY BREAKING POINT COMES ON AND THE TWF UNIVERSAL CHAMPION ROB VAN DAM STEPS OUT TO A HUGE CHEER. HE IS WEARING A REFEREE SHIRT OVER HIS WRESTLING ATTIRE. Cole: "RVD could be the wild card here but I know the competitive spirit inside Shane McMahon, he doesn't want RVD's help to win this match". Ventura: "That may be Cole, but when you take into consideration that these may be Raven's two worst enemies, it puts him in a bad spot". Cole: "Raven has been in charge of PrimeTime for several months now and decisions like stripping Ultimo Dragon of the Lightheavyweight title and naming himself the number one contender have been enough to make most fans want anyone in the spot"! THE LIGHTS GO OUT AS "END OF EVERYTHING" BY STEREOMUD HITS AND RAVEN IS WELCOMED TO EASILY THE LOUDEST JEERS ALL NIGHT. Ventura: "Here comes our acting Enforcer, he shouldn't have to do this ya know". Cole: "Why not? Because he put Shane out with an injury, he should just be given his job?! It doesn't work like that! If anyone shouldn't have to do this... it's Shane McMahon"! "HERE COMES THE MONEY" BY NAUGHTY BY NATURE HITS LOUDLY AND SHANE McMAHON COMES OUT JUKING AND JIVING TO A HUGE POP. Ventura: "Well even though it was Shane who made the falls count anywhere stipulation in this match, I believe it favors Raven who was once in ECW ya know". Cole: "I know all about Raven's career in matches like this and I'm not gonna disagree with you, this type of match does favor Raven. But let's see who the better man is! No one come out here to help, just one on one! That's really why Shane asked RVD to do this"! Ventura: "I admire Shane for coming out to fight like a man! I just feel that Raven will be our boss in about ten minutes"! Falls Count Anywhere for 100% control of PrimeTime Raven vs. Shane McMahon Special Referee: Rob Van Dam As soon as both men were in the ring, Shane attacked Raven like a wild animal, throwing some serious haymakers and kicking him several times in the body. Raven tried to fight back but Shane kneelifted him and then got a running start for a kick in the ribs. The fans thought they were in for a quick match as Shane moved in again but RVD called for a break and pulled Shane aside which drew some boos. When Shane went back in, Raven was waiting with a lowblow followed by a swinging neackbreaker. Raven then went and grabbed a steel chair for one of his favorite spots. Off an irish whip, he used a drop toe hold right onto the sat up chair and covered Shane for the 1......2....., but Shane was up. Raven tossed him through the ropes and to the floor as RVD followed. But when Raven pulled him up, Shane hit 2 punches to the stomach followed by a big clothesline. Shane then got up on the ring barricade but Raven was able to push his feet out and Shane fell awkwardly into the front row. After dragging Shane back over, Raven used a Russian leg sweep right into the barricade. He then went back in and got the steel chair, folding it over. Shane was crawling up the ramp and he turned over, facing Raven. Raven swung the chair but missed and Shane kicked him in the groin before planting him with a DDT right on the ramp! It was eerilly similar to the way Raven put Shane out of action and he rolled into a cover as RVD counted the 1........2....., but Raven was up. Both men traded some more shots but Shane got a hold of a ladder from under the ring. He drove the ladder into the gut of Raven before walking him around the ring and suplexing Raven right onto the PrimeTime announce table. Cole and Ventura scrambled as Shane went and grabbed the ladder, climbing all the way to the top of it. RVD tried to convince Shane not to jump but he did anyway.... smashing through the table! Both men were completely out of it but after removing some debris, RVD found Shane with an arm over Raven's chest and he counted the 1.......2.......3. Match Time: 9:16 "HERE COMES THE MONEY" PLAYED AND THE CROWD REJOICED AS RVD HELPED SHANE TO HIS FEET AND RAISED HIS HAND. Cole: "The days of Raven running the show are over! Shane McMahon has reclaimed his authority on PrimeTime"! Ventura: "Can you believe that nut Michael.... I can't believe he jumped"! Cole: "Good thing it was our last match but I'm getting word in my headset that something is going on backstage"! BACKSTAGE..... IN THE BACKSTAGE AREA, TRAVIS WAKEMAN IS LYING FACE DOWN ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR AND OF ALL PEOPLE, DREW BLOOD IS BACK THERE, WIELDING A CROWBAR. HE CHASES TWF AGENTS ARN ANDERSON AND STEVE KEIRN AWAY BEFORE CROUCHING DOWN BY WAKEMAN. Drew Blood: "Since I have decided to go to Rampage, I thought I'd use tonight to re-introduce myself to you. Now you can feel what it's like to have your career ended". WAKEMAN IS CLUTCHING HIS RIGHT LEG AS DREW BLOOD WALKS AWAY. J.R. AND THE KING ARE SHOWN AT THEIR BROADCAST POSITION. Lawler: "Drew Blood is coming to Rampage"?! J.R.: "That's what he just said but I dread the thought of Travis Wakeman never wrestling again, especially after that tremendous win earlier tonight. But folks, up next is our half of the main event and it's for the World title! Let's take a look at the three men vying for it"! The footage starts off by showing the heated rivalry between The Undertaker and Angle, starting with Taker's successful title defense at WrestleMania. That is followed by Angle asking for a rematch the next night on Rampage, even giving Taker a No DQ stipulation. But after convincing the locker room to help him dethrone the long time champion, Angle not only took his title, but put him out of action for months. In that time, Eddie Guerrero emerged as the main contender to the title and battled Angle week after week. Finally, Angle decided he had defeated all his challengers and would be taking MeltDown off. That is when the lights went out and the bell tolled. Out came the deadman to add his name into the hat. After Angle left the ring in obvious concern, Taker turned on Latino Heat with a chokeslam. Stephanie then made the triple threat for MeltDown. "VIVA LA RAZA" IS HEARD AND LEADS INTO EDDIE GUERRERO's MUSIC. HE STROLLS OUT TO ONE OF THE NIGHTS BIGGER POPS. J.R.: "Will this be the night for Eddie Guerrero? He's been chasing the World title for months King and many feel this could be the night Latino Heat comes out on top"! Lawler: "Well I haven't talked to anyone who does and he's not my pick either..... THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND A BELL TOLLS THREE TIMES. Oh boy". A FOG FILLS THE AISLE AS THE UNDERTAKER SLOWLY MAKES HIS WAY OUT IN HIS LONG BLACK COAT AND HAT. J.R.: "Or will it be this man, the one who was screwed out of the title in the first place and keep in mind, that was a different Undertaker at that time"! Lawler: "This is a bone chilling entrance J.R. Did someone turn on the AC"? J.R.: "It was Kurt Angle's planned attack on the deadman that drove The Undertaker back to the darkside and he may regret ever doing it after tonight". KURT ANGLE's MUSIC HITS WHEN THE LIGHTS TURN BACK ON AND ANGLE, WEARING THE WORLD TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST, POINTS TO THE SKY AS PYRO FIRES OFF BEHIND HIM AND THE "YOU SUCK" CHANTS START UP. Lawler: "There's no doubt this will be a great challenge for Angle J.R. But he got by five other men at Anarchy Rulz, there's no reason he can't do this tonight"! J.R.: "I'm not gonna take anything away from Angle's physical abilities but he's in there with the quick veteran Guerrero and the powerful, unphasable phenom"! Lawler: "There goes the bell J.R., who's it gonna be"?! Triple Threat TWF World Title Match Eddie Guerrero vs. The Undertaker vs. (c) Kurt Angle 3 men of varying styles capped the excellent show off with a great match. Surprisingly, bitter rivals Guerrero and Angle joined forces to begin with to take on the bigger Undertaker. Taker did a great job of battling both men and he successfully fought them off. After catching Guerrero with a clothesline in the corner, Taker turned into a clothesline from Angle. Furious with Guerrero, Angle fired several right hands at him before sticking him up on the top rope. Angle was gonna go for a superplex but Taker came from behind and took him down with the Last Ride. But before he could cover him, Eddie dropkicked him in the back of the head off the top rope. Eddie then covered Angle and got 1........2......, but Angle was up. Guerrero then went after Undertaker but caught an open handed shot in the throat followed by a kick to the face. But Angle recovered and put Taker down with a belly to belly suplex. He then locked in the Ankle Lock but Eddie broke it up with another dropkick. He then reeled Angle in for his trio of suplexes but when he got up, Undertaker slapped a hand around his throat. Eddie kicked him in the knee to break the hold and then ran into the ropes, ducking a clothesline but running into an overhead throw by Angle that took him out of the ring. Moments later, Taker and Angle took each other down with a double clothesline and Eddie shot himself into the ring with a flying helo on Taker. He got up but Angle was waiting with the "Angle Slam", hooking the leg for the 1........2......, but that was it as Eddie kicked out! Angle grabbed Eddie's foot and slapped on a standing version of the Ankle Lock but Eddie spun out of it and got up to hit a sleeper hold takedown on Angle. Taker got to his feet but Eddie grabbed him around the head and used the ring ropes for a tornado DDT. Eddie slapped his chest and yelled into the crowd before going to the top rope, hitting the Frog Splash on Angle. Eddie hurt himself and got up doing his trademark shimmy dance but when he turned around, Undertaker grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up for the Chokeslam from Hell, falling into the cover for the 1........2........3. Match Time: 9:15 J.R.: "The Undertaker has made the full circle return... gaining what is rightfully his"! Lawler: "I can't believe this J.R., Angle had this problem taken care of! He didn't even get pinned to lose the title"! THE UNDERTAKER CLUTCHED THE BELT AND HELD IT DOWN BY HIS SIDE AS AN ANGRY ANGLE LEFT WITH 2 HANDS ON HIS HEAD. J.R.: "Those are the rules in a triple threat match, we've seen it happen a number of times! But rules or not, maybe Angle knows what it's like to lose a title you don't deserve to lose"! Lawler: "The day of darkness has arrived J.R., this is horrible"! THE SHOW ENDED WITH A THE UNDERTAKER ON ONE KNEE, HOLDING THE TITLE UP UNDER A BLUE LIGHT WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OFF.
