Washington, D.C.
Attendance: 12,267
September 8, 2007
THE COPYRIGHT INFORMATION AND LEGAL DISCLAIMER POP UP ON THE SCREEN, FOLLOWED BY THE TWF ENTERTAINMENT LOGO. A HUGE, BLACK MELTING POT IS SHOWN SITTING ON A LARGE BURNER. A BOILING NOISE IS HEARD COMING FROM INSIDE. A CAMERA MOVES IN OVER THE POT, AND A THICK, RED LIQIUD IS SHOWN, BUBBLING INSIDE. AS THE LIQUID BEGINS TO PART, "THE TIME IS NOW" HITS AND JOHN CENA IS SHOWN IN A NICE HIGHLIGHT PACKAGE. IT STARTS WITH CENA IS HIS EARLY TWF DAYS. Audio Voiceover: "He started as a young, inexperienced rookie, looking to make a name for himself. CENA IS SHOWN TEAMING WITH RANDY ORTON, AND LATER WINNING TAG TEAM GOLD WITH AUSTIN PYROMANIA. But soon, he would form the alliances needed to succeed. CLIPS OF CENA AND SOME OF HIS FAMOUS RAPS ARE SHOWN. He transformed into a brash, cocky young man, eager to reach the top. CENA IS SHOWN WINNING THE 2005 ROYAL RUMBLE BEFORE DEFEATING DREW BLOOD AT WRESTLEMANIA 6 TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION IN FRONT OF OVER 50,000 FANS. Once he climbed the top of the mountain, it was clear he had made his mark..... for a long time to come". RECENT CLIPS OF CENA GETTING WINS OVER EDGE AND RANDY ORTON ARE SHOWN FOLLOWED BY A FINAL SHOT OF HIM HOLDING THE UNIVERSAL TITLE HIGH OVER HIS HEAD. Tonight..... for Cena to further etch his name in wrestling stone.... to further prove he is the future of this business...... all he has to do is defeat the man who did all of this over the last thirty years! THE SHOT FADES TO BLACK AND AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE, RIC FLAIR's MUSIC HITS AND A QUICK FLASH CLIP OF HIM WINNING EACH OF HIS SIXTEEN WORLD TITLES IS SHOWN. It's Ric Flair versus John Cena for the TWF Universal title...... it's MeltDown"! THE SHOT GOES INSIDE THE ARENA AND THE FANS ARE CHEERING IN MASS AS PYRO EXPLODES OFF THE MELTDOWN SET WHICH CONTAINS THE MELTDOWN LOGO AND A HUGE, BRIGHT YELLOW AND ORANGE SUN SITTING ATOP IT. Jim Ross: "We are in the nation's capitol for the TWF summer spectacular! Thank you for joining us for the sixth annual edition of TWF MeltDown and King, we know that later tonight, The Rock gets another shot at Chris Masters' World title"! Jerry Lawler: "That's gonna be huge, J.R., but that's not all! We have a full slate of big matches tonight"! J.R.: "And it's probably a good thing we're gonna have help calling them.... let's send it over to our PrimeTime colleagues"! THE CAMERA SHOWS MICHAEL COLE AND JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD AT THEIR BROADCAST POSITION. Michael Cole: "Thanks guys and John, the Rampage side has a big main event, but the one PrimeTime has brought here to MeltDown might be able to overshadow it"! JBL: "For thirty years, Ric Flair has been the consummate professional. For thirty years, he has gained the respect and admiration of everyone who means anything in this great business and tonight, with the lights on bright here in Washington, D.C., he has a chance to be the man one more time"! BOOS FILL THE ARENA AS "MISERIA CANTARE" COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS DIM. J.J. RAMPLIN MAKES HIS WAY THROUGH THE ECW ENTRANCE. J.R.: "Well I won't disagree with you on much of that, JBL. I've watched the Nature Boy for a long, long time and even being on the Rampage side, I'm looking forward to that match later tonight"! Lawler: "Well this will be our first title match tonight and J.J. Ramplin is hungry to get the King of Cable title back". J.R.: "It was at Anarchy Rulz in a very brutal falls count anywhere match that J.J. Ramplin lost the title but that was on the fans' terms, tonight, there are no falls count anywhere". "MISTERRRRR KENNEDYYYYYYY" IS HEARD AND KENNEDY COMES OUT TO HIS MUSIC AND A BIG CHEER WITH THE KING OF CABLE TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. Lawler: "Listen to the reaction for Mr. Kennedy..... this guy's popularity skyrocketed"! KENNEDY STEPS INTO THE RING AND TAKES THE TITLE OFF, BUT RAMPLIN ATTACKS HIM BEFORE THE BELL RINGS. J.R.: "Well there's a cheap shot by Ramplin and the referee has called for the bell.... this match is official"! TWF King of Cable Title Match Challenger: J.J. "The Ram" Ramplin vs. Ken Kennedy Ramplin had a quick advantage after the cheap shot to start the match, and off an irish whip, he crushed Kennedy with a clothesline. Ramplin then pulled him up and hammered the champion with 2 european uppercuts. Ramplin shot Kennedy to the ropes again but this time, Kennedy came off with a big yakuza kick right in the mouth. From a mount position, Kennedy rocked Ramplin with about 7 right hands which re-energized the crowd. Kennedy pulled Ramplin up and whipped him to the corner but Ramplin caught him with a back elbow as he ran in before taking him down with a double leg. Ramplin then stacked Kennedy up in the corner and got a long 2 count before referee Scott Martin realized his feet were on the ropes. As Ramplin argued with Martin, Kennedy got up and kicked him in the midsection before taking him down with a big snap mare. From there, Kennedy kicked him square in the back before delivering a somersault neckbreaker, much like the one you used to see from Mr. Perfect. Kennedy had now taken control of the match and after a nice scoop slam, he went to the top rope. He may've been looking for the Ken-Ton Bomb, but Ramplin was able to recover and knock his feet out from under him. Ramplin then climbed up the turnbuckle and brought Kennedy off with a big superplex. Both men were down, but Ramplin was able to roll over into a cover, but he could only get a 2 count as Kennedy got his left shoulder off the mat. But Kennedy was slow to get up and Ramplin saw an oppurtunity and measured him for his big spear- the Ram's Horns. But when he went for it, Kennedy was able to basically punt him right in the head. Ramplin's head flew back and Kennedy got him up onto his shoulders and showing tremendous power, he started to climb the turnbuckle with him. But Rampin elbowed Kennedy twice in the side of the head and Kennedy was forced to let go. Ramplin then got down and grabbed Kennedy's head, pulling him right into position for the "Dead Weight" which he delivered with an incredible amount of impact. Ramplin then covered Kennedy to get the win and regain the title. Match Time: 9:51 "MISERIA CANTARE" PLAYED AGAIN AS SCOTT MARTIN HANDED RAMPLIN THE KING OF CABLE TITLE, AND HE LEFT THE RING WITH IT TO A LOT OF BOOS. J.R.: "Incredible effort by J.J. Ramplin there to avoid disaster and turn that into a win"! Lawler: "Well ya know, J.R., ECW is one for one tonight and that could be a bad omen for guys like Jordan Rockwell, Shawn Michaels and Bobby Lashley"! J.R.: "The King of Cable title is back in ECW and you may be right, King, but Joe Corey and the Blood Brothers still have titles to defend tonight"! A NEW SCENE IS SHOWN AND YOU CAN TELL IT'S AMATEUR FOOTAGE. IT'S IN A BATHROOM, AND ROB VAN DAM WALKS IN AND GOES INTO ONE OF THE STALLS. ONLY THE DOORS OF THE STALLS CAN BE SEEN, WHEN SUDDENLY THE GUY NEXT TO HIM BEGINS TALKING.
Man in Stall: "Hey, how you doin'"?
Rob Van Dam:" Uhh... I'm alright. You"?
Man in Stall: "That's good, that's good. What are you up to"?
Rob Van Dam: "The same thing as you dude, tryin' to do my business if you know what I mean".
Man in Stall: "That sounds really fun. So uh... Can I come over"?
Rob Van Dam: "Dude... I'm kinda doing my business! Maybe after I'm done it'll be cool and we can chill, but right now...
THE MAN IN THE STALL NEXT TO RVD CAN BE HEARD SIGHING.
Man in Stall: "Hold on sweetie, let me call you right back. Some idiot in the stall next to me keeps answering my questions".
ROB VAN DAM'S STALL OPENS UP AND RVD WALKS OUT EXTREMELY EMBARRASSED. THE CROWD IS HEARD LAUGHING AND THE FOOTAGE CUTS OUT BEFORE A LOGO WITH A BIG EYEBALL IN IT POPS UP WITH THE PHRASE "I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE...... WE'RE ALWAYS WATCHING". THE FANS COME OUT OF THEIR SEATS IN CHEER AS "BACK IN BLACK" BY AC/DC HITS AND JORDAN ROCKWELL COMES OUT WITH SHAWN MICHAELS. FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE TWO ARE WEARING MATCHING BLACK AND WHITE WRESTLING PANTS AND THE FANS RESPOND WITH A HUGE CHEER AS PYRO BOMBARDS THE SET. Cole: "Well, J.R., you and The King eluded to it earlier, ECW has two other big title matches tonight and here is one of them"! JBL: "And this is the one I honestly want to see ECW win the most. I mean, I think Joe Corey can handle Bobby Lashley, but after all the crap that these two have put the Blood Brothers through, stealing their gear, spraying them down with feces..... they need a good beating"! BOOS AGAIN FILL THE VERIZON CENTER AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT AS "MISERIA CANTARE" PLAYS AND THE BLOOD BROTHERS STEP OUT THROUGH THE ECW ENTRANCE. THEY ARE WEARING THEIR LONG BLACK TRENCH COATS AND CARRYING THEIR MARTIAL ARTS STAFFS AND THEIR TAG TEAM TITLES. Cole: "There is no doubt that The Blood Brothers are seeking revenge on Rockwell and Michaels as much as they are looking to retain their titles tonight, but let's put things into perspective, John. Has there ever been a more star studded tag team in the TWF than Rockwell and Michaels? I mean, you've got two sure-fire future Hall of Famers"! JBL: "You do, but to me, they haven't done anything to become a great team! Great individuals will never beat great teams and the Blood Brothers are a great team"! TWF Tag Team Title Match Challengers: Jordan Rockwell and Shawn Michaels vs. The Blood Brothers Shawn Michaels started the match off against Dustin Kash, and from a collar and elbow tie up, Kash took Michaels into a standing side headlock and pulled him into his corner. Sean O'Haire then grabbed Michaels and was choking him from behind as Kash laid several right hands into his gut. Referee Charles Robinson got to a 4 count before O'Haire let go, but Kash put Michaels down with a big suplex. O'Haire then tagged in and smoked Michaels with a running kick to the chest as he sat up. O'Haire made the cover, but Michaels kicked out at 2. O'Haire pulled him up and whipped him to the ropes but he dropped his head too soon and Michaels kicked him right in the face. Michaels turned to run the ropes, but O'Haire yanked him down by the hair, drawing a warning from Robinson. O'Haire then tagged Kash and they combined for a very physical double STO. Kash covered Michaels but again, HBK kicked out. After a few boots to the chest, Kash pulled Michaels up and whipped him to the ropes. But Kash missed with a big backhand and Michaels came off the other side with a nice flying forearm. After nipping up, Michaels made it to his corner and got the hot tag to Rockwell. Rockwell came in with a big clothesline on Kash before pulling him up and rocking him from one side of the ring to the other with right hands. Rockwell threw a discus punch but Kash blocked it and kicked him in the abdomen. He then went for a whip to the corner but Rockwell reversed it and ran in with a nasty kick right to the face. A wad of saliva flew from the mouth of Kash as many of the ringside fans came to their feet. Rockwell then picked Kash up and delivered the Scarlet Fever, covering him for the 1........2........., but O'Haire was in to break it up. Michaels came into the ring and all four men were going at it. But after O'Haire raked the eyes of Michaels, he threw a jumping roundhouse that caught Robinson in the back of the head when HBK ducked. With the referee down, Rockwell charged across the ring, clotheslining O'Haire over the top rope and to the floor. Rockwell and Michaels then went to double teaming Kash, but Kash lowblowed Michaels as O'Haire came into the ring with one of the martial arts staffs. Rockwell turned and O'Haire swung the weapon but Rockwell ducked just in time and picked O'Haire up, driving him into the mat with a spinebuster. Rockwell then got up and caught Kash with the "Extreme Measures" out of nowhere. Kash stumbled around the ring but Michaels was back up and he blasted him with the "Sweet Chin Music"! Rockwell then covered Kash as Robinson recovered to issue the 1.........2.......3. Match Time: 7:24 Cole: "New champs! We have new tag team champs"! JBL: "I don't believe this, Michael! I didn't think there was a chance we'd see this tonight"! "BACK IN BLACK" PLAYED AGAIN AS ROCKWELL AND MICHAELS WERE HANDED THE TITLES BEFORE THE FANS LET OUT A HUGE CHEER. Cole: "Well you said they hadn't done anything as a team before the start of the match, John, but if you ask me, these two have become one heck of a team"! JBL: "Well you've gotta take your hats off to them.... they defeated one of, if not thee best tag team in the history of the TWF, tonight, for the titles"! Cole: "A huge win for Rockwell and Michaels and what a roller coaster for ECW tonight after we saw J.J. Ramplin regain the King of Cable title"! BACKSTAGE AREA....... CAMERAS IN THE BACK SHOW PAUL HEYMAN AND JOE COREY WHO REACT IN DISGUST OVER WHAT JUST HAPPENED. Joe Corey: "Damnit..... damnit, Paul"! Paul Heyman: "Calm down, we'll get some of that back when you handle Bobby Lashley later tonight". JUST THEN, BADLANDZ GENERAL MANAGER ERIC BISCHOFF COMES UP. Heyman: "What the hell is this"? Eric Bischoff: "Oh trust me, I'm equally thrilled to see you too, Paul. But I'm hear to find out about these rumors that your client is currently wrestling without a contract to one particular division here in the TWF". HEYMAN LOOKS AT COREY, WHO NODS HIS HEAD. Heyman: "Yes, Eric, those rumors are true. My client and I are willing to listen to offers from all four divisions of the TWF, but tonight, are focus is on Bobby Lashley and retaining the ECW World title". Bischoff: "I'll keep that in mind........ BISCHOFF WALKS AWAY AS HEYMAN AND COREY LOOK ON. "MONEY, MONEY, MONEY" COMES ON AND TED DIBIASE COMES OUT CARRYING A BRIEFCASE ALONG WITH TATANKA. Lawler: "Joe Corey's a free agent"? J.R.: "He sure is, King, who knows, maybe we'll see him back on Rampage". Lawler: "That'd be great"! J.R.: "Well right now, we have the Million Dollar Man and the Native American sellout coming to the ring and to my knowledge, they're not scheduled tonight". Lawler: "Well it looks to me like they're making themselves part of it"! Ted Dibiase: "Now I know there's not a single person out there in that audience with a bit of guts..... with an ounce of drive..... but there's gotta be someone in the back who has some! Tatanka felt like competing tonight so we have decided to put up ten thousand dollars of my money if anyone back there can come out and beat him! C'Mon..... who's it gonna be"! Lawler: "Ten thousand dollars is pocket change to Dibiase"! J.R.: "Well so far, no one is jumping at the chance. AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE, THE MUSIC OF CODY RHODES COMES ON AND HE COMES OUT TO A HUGE CHEER. Oh look at this.... it's Cody Rhodes"! Lawler: "It was Cody Rhodes who was supposed to get a match with Tatanka on the last Rampage, but a mysterious backstage attack prevented that"! J.R.: "Mysterious my Oklahoma ass, King! We all know who was behind it.... and I hope young Cody Rhodes takes ten thousand dollars in cold hard cash from them tonight"! Tatanka w/ Ted Dibiase vs. Cody Rhodes The bell sounded and with $10,000 up for grabs, Rhodes looked very focused. From a collar and elbow tie up, Tatanka pushed Rhodes to the corner. Referee Jose Mendez stepped in but Tatanka didn't break cleanly, smacking Rhodes with 2 hard knifedge chops. But Rhodes fought back with 2 right hands before flinging Tatanka into the corner and kicking him several times. Tatanka was able to push him several feet back before running at him but Rhodes came up with a beautiful armdrag. After a nice dropkick, Rhodes rocked Tatanka with more right hands before popping him with a left jab. Tatanka fell back and became entangled in the ring ropes! Rhodes looked into the crowd before going wild on Tatanka, punching and kicking at him until Mendez forced him to back off and he freed Tatanka. Tatanka again ran out but Rhodes countered with a drop toehold. Tatanka pulled Mendez in, complaining of something when Dibiase got onto the apron with the briefcase full of money and he nailed Rhodes in the back of the head with it! Tatanka then got up and got Rhodes onto his shoulders, using the "Trail's End" to get the 3 count and the win. Match Time: 4:40 J.R.: "Oh you've gotta be kidding?! Ted Dibiase just hit Cody Rhodes with that damn briefcase and I'll tell ya, King, that's the only thing that saved him from handing that money over to him"! Lawler: "Well it seemed that Cody Rhodes was in complete control, but give the assist to the Million Dollar Man"! "MONEY, MONEY, MONEY" PLAYED AGAIN AS DIBIASE AND TATANKA WALKED UP THE RAMP. DIBIASE OPENED THE BRIEFCASE AND PULLED OUT A FISTFUL OF MONEY, ACTING LIKE HE WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO SOME OF THE FANS. BUT WHEN THEY REACHED THEIR HANDS OUT TO TAKE IT, HE PULLED IT AWAY AND LAUGHED IN THEIR FACES. J.R.: "What a jerk Dibiase is"! RIC FLAIR FLASHBACK A QUICK VIDEO CLIP IS SHOWN OF RIC FLAIR DEFEATING HARLEY RACE IN GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA ON NOVEMBER 24, 1983 TO WIN THE NWA WORLD TITLE. WHEN THE ACTION RETURNS LIVE, "SUPERSTAR" BY SALIVA HITS AND JASON OLIVER COMES OUT TO A VERY MIXED REACTION, BUT BY THE TIME HE GETS TO THE RING, IT SEEMS THE BOOS OVERTAKE THE CHEERS. J.R.: "Here comes the cocky, brash youngster Jason Oliver, or should I say the Canadian Mustang, or maybe I should call him the King of Sting"! Lawler: "Well we know there's only one real king, J.R., and that's yours truly! But what is wrong with this kid's confidence? I happen to think it's a good thing". J.R.: "Well his confidence, as you call it, has gotten him into trouble tonight because he claimed he could beat either Nemesis or Matt Cruz one on one and tonight, he's gonna get that chance"! THE CROWD LOUDLY POPS AS "THE NEXT EPISODE" BY DR. DRE HITS AND MATT CRUZ COMES OUT IN HIS ORANGE AND BLACK TRUNKS WHICH CONTAIN THE TEXAS LONGHORNS LOGO. Lawler: "Well yeah, now that it is one on one! The last time we saw Cruz and Nemesis, it took both of them to play a little head game with Oliver"! Lawler: "Yes, this will be one on one and that's something Matt Cruz is not opposed to. Just ask the over one hundred guys he beat in the college ranks". Jason Oliver vs. Matt "Madik" Cruz The bell sounded and the two men locked up. Oliver went into a quick go behind with a waistlock, but Cruz came up with a standing switch and he locked in a half nelson while controlling Oliver's free arm. Oliver was able to block a half nelson suplex and he then escaped the hold, whipping Cruz over his body and controlling him with a headlock. Cruz tried to roll out of it, but instead he used a headscissor to break the hold. Both men got to their feet and Cruz threw a clothesline but Oliver ducked and then drilled him with a spinning heel kick. From there, he locked in a front facelock. Cruz was able to show his incredible leg strength, planting his feet into the mat before just throwing Oliver over his head, northern lights style. Oliver got to his feet and Cruz lifted him up, dropping him across his knee with a side backbreaker. Off an irish whip, Cruz then lifted the Canadian Mustang into the air with a big backbody drop. Cruz had control of the match, but when he went for a suplex, Oliver slipped free and landed behind him. He then picked him up and delivered a backdrop suplex into a pin, but Cruz got out at 2. Cruz tried to get up, but Oliver began to show an agressive mean streak, kicking him right in the side of the head. Oliver then laid into Cruz with a barrage of right hands before referee Chad Patton asked for a break. Cruz got up but fell into the corner, still a bit staggered. Oliver followed in with a big back elbow before hoisting Cruz up to the top rope. Oliver then began to climb up with him, but Cruz drove 3 right hands into his ribs before shoving him to the mat. Oliver landed hard on the mat but got to his feet just as Cruz flew off with a double axe handle. But to counter the move, Oliver kicked him in the gut and went for the "Claymore". But Cruz pushed him to the ropes and as he came back, he wrapped his arms around him and delivered a perfect belly to belly suplex. Cruz pulled Oliver up and whipped him to the corner after getting a long 2 count, but he followed in with a flying body splash and missed everything when Oliver moved. Cruz appeared to make contact with the top of the steel ring post and as he fell back, an oppurtunistic Oliver jumped on his shoulders, pulling him to the mat with a rear naked choke. He had it cinched in good in the center of the ring and with no alternative, Cruz tapped out! Match Time: 6:18 Lawler: "He got him, J.R.! Can you believe this"! CHAD PATTON RAISED OLIVER's ARM AS "SUPERSTAR" HIT AGAIN AND OLIVER LOOKED DOWN AT CRUZ WITH A VERY SMUG LOOK ON HIS FACE. J.R.: "This is a huge win for Oliver and if you ask me, one of the biggest for him in quite some time"! Lawler: "And if you ask me..... you're gonna have to start taking Jason Oliver's word for things a little more often"! BACKSTAGE AREA....... THE FANS INSIDE THE ARENA LOUDLY CHEER AS THE "AMERICAN DREAM" DUSTY RHODES IS SHOWN AND HE COMES UP TO HIS SON CODY, WHO IS OBVIOUSLY UPSET OVER HIS LOSS. HE PUTS HIS HAND ON HIS SHOULDER. Dusty Rhodes: "It's okay, son. Everyone saw what happened out there". Cody Rhodes: "But I lost.... and I had a chance to get ten thousand dollars". Dusty Rhodes: "Son.... you gave it your best and everyone knows you had Tatanka beat. They cheated, plain and simple. But one thing you have to learn, is this business is not about money. It's about something much more important than money". CODY RHODES LOOKS SURPRISED BY WHAT HIS FATHER IS SAYING BEFORE GETTING UP AND WALKING AWAY WITH HIM. THE SHOT GOES TO ANOTHER PART OF THE BACKSTAGE AREA.......... TAYLOR MADE AND AUSTIN PYROMANIA ARE SHOWN WITH MELINA. Taylor Made: "C'mon.... all these girls are gonna do it". KELLY, MICKIE JAMES, JILLIAN HALL, ASHLEY K., KRISTAL, TRINITY, CHERRY AND DAWN MARIE ARE ALL SHOWN, ALL WEARING WHITE SHIRTS. Melina: "Oh, okay, I guess". Austin Pyromania: "Nice..... this is gonna be the best wet t-shirt contest ever"! PYROMANIA AND TAYLOR SLAP HANDS AS THE SHOT IS SENT BACK TO THE RING. THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND A RED HAZE FALLS OVER THE ARENA AS KEVIN THORN's MUSIC HITS. THE CROWD RESPONDS WITH BOOS AS HE MAKES HIS WAY OUT WITH ARIEL AT HIS SIDE AND HIS WALKING STICK. Cole: "A huge event MeltDown has been so far, John, and now, it's time for the Intercontinental title match"! JBL: "Forget that! We're gonna have a wet t-shirt contest! And at the risk of sounding like that depraved Jerry Lawler.... I can't wait"! AFTER THORN GETS INTO THE RING AND ARIEL PERFORMS HER BAT-LIKE ENTRANCE ON THE RING ROPES, THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AND THE CROWD LOUDLY POPS WHEN "THIS FIRE BURNS" BY KILLSWITCH ENGAGE HITS AND CM PUNK COMES OUT WITH THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. Cole: "On July 3rd at TWF Payback, CM Punk defeated Edge to win the title but the number one contender, Kevin Thorn, is a very different opponent, partner". JBL: "Kevin Thorn is big, he's athletic, and he's got that sultry little vampiress, Ariel! This should be a great match"! TWF Intercontinental Title Match Challenger: Kevin Thorn w/ Ariel vs. CM Punk Referee Mickey Henson asked for the bell to start the match and Punk clearly wanted to avoid getting in close with the daunting challenger. Each time Thorn went for him, Punk kicked him in the back of the legs before catching him with one to the midsection. Punk then grabbed the right arm of Thorn, twisting it awkwardly before yanking it out of the socket. In plenty of pain, Thorn impressively pulled Punk right into a short arm clothesline. He then let out a loud yell as he flew onto him with a big elbow drop. Thorn then pulled Punk up and tossed him into the corner where he moved in and buried his shoulder into his abdomen multiple times. After another stiff clothesline, Thorn went to whip Punk to the corner but Punk spun and reversed him into the corner before flying in with a nasty knee right to the jaw. Punk then grabbed Thorn around the head and neck before delivering a huge running bulldog. Punk rolled onto Thorn, but Thorn was up at 2. The champion got up and ran the ropes, but Ariel grabbed his right foot, holding on. But Punk used his left foot and the ropes to push Ariel off, knocking her to the floor! Punk turned and Thorn went for a clothesline but he ducked and used the ropes for a springboard reverse crossbody, but Thorn caught him in mid air, dropping him across his knee with a big backbreaker. Looking to put the final nail in the coffin, Thorn picked Punk up over his head, looking for the big Crucifix Powerbomb. But Punk slipped free and then blasted Thorn with a jumping enziguri that put him down. Punk went out to the apron, positioning himself for a springboard clothesline but Ariel again came over, grabbing his foot. Again, showing no disregard for her at all, Punk used his feet to push her to the floor. Punk then hopped to the top rope and flew off with the clothesline, but Thorn avoided it. Punk landed on his feet, only to catch a foot to the stomach. Thorn then lifted the champion onto his shoulder and spun him around, positioning his feet on the top ring rope. Thorn then delivered the "Dark Kiss" out of nowhere and the fans were in shock as he rolled Punk over and Ariel pounded the mat along with Henson for the 1.........2.......3. Match Time: 6:32 JBL: "We have a new Intercontinental champion, Michael! He got him"! Cole: "I am very surprised at this result but I'd say you can blame a lot of what happened here on Ariel"! JBL: "Why?! She's a manager, Michael.... she's doing her job"! THORN's MUSIC PLAYED AND HE LEFT WITH ARIEL IN ONE ARM AND THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE IN THE OTHER. A GROGGY PUNK LOOKED ON FROM IN THE RING. Cole: "Well that may be your opinion, but in my opinion and in the opinion of most of these fans.... she cost Punk the title"! BACKSTAGE...... CAMERAS IN THE BACK SHOW AUSTIN PYROMANIA AND TAYLOR MADE, STILL ORGANIZING THE WET T-SHIRT CONTEST, WHEN JOE COREY COMES UP. Taylor Made: "Ah.... look at this, Austin, it's our old friend". Joe Corey: "Ya know, if you guys are lucky, or unlucky depending on how you look at it, my agent my negotiate a deal for me to come back to Rampage". Austin Pyromania: "I would say that would make us.... and everyone else on Rampage... unlucky". Corey: "Oh, Austin, that is you. I didn't recognize ya, it's been so long since I left you and your career in the dust. Ya know, the reason why I have a match tonight, is because I am a champion. COREY HOLDS UP THE ECW WORLD TITLE BELT. And the reason you two don't, is because you're concerned with crap like this". COREY POINTS TO THE BUCKETS OF WATER BEING USED FOR THE WET T-SHIRT CONTEST BEFORE WALKING AWAY. WHEN THE SHOT GOES BACK TO THE RING, SMOKE FILLS THE ENTRANCE AS "METALINGUS" BY ALTER BRIDGE HITS AND EDGE POPS OUT TO PLENTY OF BOOS. Cole: "Can you remember a bigger one on one match within PrimeTime that wasn't for a title than the one we're about to see, John"?! JBL: "I'm just hoping that Joe Corey doesn't jump back over to Rampage! He's clearly the biggest name on PrimeTime right now and Shane McMahon better break out the checkbook"! "BURN IN MY LIGHT" BY MERCY DRIVE COMES ON AND GOLD PYRO FALLS FROM ABOVE THE MELTDOWN SET AS RANDY ORTON APPEARS FROM THE BACK, POSSIBLY TO EVEN LOUDER BOOS. Cole: "Well there's no doubt that neither of these guys is a fan favorite, but they've had plenty of issues between the two of them and they are both right at the top of the list of contenders on PrimeTime, making this a huge match". JBL: "Of course it's a huge match, Michael! You've got two of the biggest names in modern wrestling history standing across the ring from one another and while I would've liked to see them remain a tag team, this is going to be a great match"! Edge vs. Randy Orton As the bell sounded, Edge and Orton slowly circled each other, studying their opponent. Finally, they met in the center of the ring, trading right hands. Orton landed a big haymaker but Edge shook it off and kicked him in the gut. Edge then went for an irish whip but Orton reversed it and held onto his arm, pulling him into a big powerslam. Edge got to his feet but Orton stayed on him with a couple right hands before landing a terrific standing dropkick. The impact knocked Edge into the corner and Orton moved in before climbing up to the middle turnbuckle and firing down more punches at the Rated R superstar. But Edge grabbed Orton by the back of the legs and took a step forward before dropping Orton right on the top turnbuckle. He then ran the ropes and smashed Orton with the spear, falling into the cover and hooking the leg for the 1.........2........, but Orton rolled his left shoulder off the mat! Edge couldn't believe it but he pulled Orton up, landing a textbook snap suplex. Edge made another cover, but Orton again was up at 2. After pulling Orton up again, Edge threw some stiff shots at his head before hitting the ropes and connecting with a nice spinning heel kick. Orton would make another kick out at 2, but Edge was certainly wearing him down. Orton got to his feet and Edge pushed him into the corner before shooting him to the opposite side. He charged in to follow, but Orton was waiting with a back elbow to the chops followed by a heavy clothesline. Orton then put the boots to Edge and began stomping his body from head to toe, reviving memories of 'Rugged' Ronny Garvin. Orton then grabbed a handful of Edge's blonde locks before pulling him up and throwing him shoulder first into the steel post. From there, Orton went to the top rope, waiting for Edge to turn around. Edge did, holding his shoulder in pain. Orton gracefully flew off the top rope with a crossbody but Edge went for a gutsy spear, taking Orton right out of mid air with it! But Edge hurt his shoulder again and Orton was able to roll over, which ended up saving him. Edge crawled over into the cover, draping an arm over the body of Orton, but Orton got his foot on the bottom rope at 2 and half to stop the count. Although the fans didn't care for either superstar, they were really getting into the most competitive match so far on this night. Both men got to their feet and traded punches again. Orton missed with a wild right hand and Edge got him up on his shoulders, although he had a lot of trouble doing it. Orton tried to punch his way free as Edge was looking for the Electric Chair drop, but his shoulder could no longer carry the weight, and Orton dropped down, landing on his feet. He also landed in perfect position to deliver the "RKO", which he caught Edge with out of nowhere to get the 1..........2............3! Match Time: 7:09 Cole: "
Randy Orton caught Edge with that RKO out of nowhere, and this one is over"! JBL: "The RKO is widely recognized as one of the most devastating finishers in our business, and Edge just found that out first hand". "BURN IN MY LIGHT" PLAYED AGAIN AND ORTON STOOD IN THE RING, POSING FOR THE BOOING, HECKLING CROWD. Cole: "That injured shoulder really became the deciding factor in this one.... it took away a lot of what Edge likes to do, partner". JBL: "You're damn right it did, it virtually gave Orton a one armed opponent. And even if it is Edge, a one armed man can't beat a man the caliber of Randy Orton"! RIC FLAIR FLASHBACK Ric Flair is shown defeating Sting in East Rutherford, New Jersey on November 11, 1991 to once again claim the NWA Heavyweight title. BACK LIVE, THE FANS COME OUT OF THEIR SEATS AS BOBBY LASHLEY's MUSIC HITS. PYRO IS SET OFF EVERYWHERE AS HE MAKES HIS WAY TO THE RING. Cole: "Here comes the challenger for the ECW World title..... Bobby Lashley"! JBL: "Bobby Lashley has his biggest match to date here in the TWF, a huge oppurtunity for him tonight"! Cole: "I'll give credit where credit is due, Joe Corey has defended the ECW World title against some great opponents, but I personally don't believe any of them present the problems that Lashley does". THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND A RED FLASHES STREAMS ACROSS THE THE VERIZON CENTER AS "MISERIA CANTARE" HITS FOR THE THIRD TIME OF THE NIGHT AS JOE COREY MAKES HIS WAY OUT OF THE ECW ENTRANCE WITH THE ECW WORLD TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. PAUL HEYMAN FOLLOWS CLOSELY BEHIND HIM AND THE FANS SHOWER THEM WITH BOOS. JBL: "The biggest free agent in the history of the TWF is here, Michael! Give a round of applause for your ECW World champion"! Cole: "Well you have to ask yourself what role his free agent status will play in this match. I mean, every general manager in the TWF has gotta be talking to Corey through his agent, Paul Heyman, and you gotta believe that the guy with the most money is gonna land him". JBL: "Not necessarily, Michael! This is not a case of Alex Rodriguez. Joe Corey is going to go where he has the best chance to have success because unlike you and ninety nine percent of the people in this arena, Joe Corey is a winner". ECW World Title Match Challenger: Bobby Lashley vs. "The Show" Joe Corey w/ Paul Heyman The bell sounded to start the match and Lashley came right out of the gates, throwing the champion around the ring with his brute strength. After flinging Corey into the corner, Lashley drove his massive shoulder into his abdomen multiple times before whipping him to the corner with such authority that it shook the ring. The fans were loving what they were seeing as Lashley pulled him up and lifted him up onto his shoulders, in position for the Dominator. But Corey got free and fell to the mat, taking Lashley down from behind with a chop block. Corey then locked Lashley in a very unique version of an STF, putting incredible pressure on his legs. Corey let go of the hold, but the lower body of Lashley clearly had a bullseye on it. The ECW World champion pulled Lashley towards the ring ropes and left the ring. He then grabbed the right leg of Lashley before wrapping it around the steel ring post. Referee Mike Enos warned Corey to get back in the ring, just as he locked in a vicious figure four around the steel post! Lashley was writhing in pain, but Corey finally released the hold at the count of 4 from Enos. On the other side of the ring, Heyman jumped up on the apron, forcing Enos over. That gave Corey the time to grab a steel chair and smash the leg of Lashley up against the post one more time. Lashley rolled to the center of the ring, holding his right leg and knee. Like a shark smelling blood, Corey came back in and slapped on a figure four. Lashley fought it hard, but was nearly pinned in the hold twice. Corey finally relinquished the hold before pulling Lashley up. Lashley punched him twice in the stomach from his knees before knocking Corey down with a clothesline. But it was clear Lashley's vertical base had been destroyed. Gutting it out, Lashley whipped Corey into the corner and then caught him with a belly to belly suplex. Lashley pulled Corey up and got him up for a suplex, but his injured leg wouldn't allow him to hold it, and Corey caught him with the "Showstopper". Lashley did have the sense to roll to the ring ropes, but Corey attacked the legs some more, putting the figure four on one more time. Lashley slapped the mat in agony, but refused to give up. Corey got up and pulled Lashley with him, looking to deliver the Showstopper again. But Lashley countered with a backdrop before delivering consecutive clotheslines. Lashley was trying to do anything to get the crowd back into the match, and after picking the leg of the champion and throwing him into the air, he did just that. Corey got up but Lashley kicked him in the abdomen before getting him up onto his shoulder for the running powerslam. But again, the weight of Corey was too much and he was able to get free, this time taking the legs out of Corey from the front side! It was one of the ugliest things seen in a TWF ring in some time, and Lashley was basically immobilized. Corey then locked in the Cage and Lashley fought with everything he had to hang in. But finally, the pain became too much and he had to give up. Match Time: 9:19 JBL: "That's it.... ring the bell"! Cole: "I don't know if anyone in this arena can believe what they are seeing, but Joe Corey has done what no one thought he could do"! JBL: "He was like a surgeon in there, Michael! He may've done permanent damage to the knee of Lashley"! "MISERIA CANTARE" PLAYED AGAIN AS COREY LEFT WITH HEYMAN AND THE ECW WORLD TITLE RAISED IN HIS RIGHT HAND AS THE FANS BOOED. Cole: "Will that be the last match for Joe Corey as a member of PrimeTime?! Who will land the biggest free agent in TWF history"?! BACKSTAGE.... MUHAMMAD HASSAN's OFFICE....... CAMERAS IN MUHAMMAD HASSAN's OFFICE PICK UP A CONVERSATION BETWEEN HE AND MARK HENRY. Muhammad Hassan: "Look, I just got off the phone with someone from the Board of Directors, and they told me that if you get involved in the World title match, there will be consequences". Mark Henry: "So what does that do to our plan"? Hassan: "It's out..... just have confidence that Masters will beat The Rock. We can't have him as the champion". BACK AT RINGSIDE, THE FANS BOO IN UNISON WHEN "KING OF KINGS" BY MOTORHEAD GETS STIRRED UP. MONEY MIKE STEPS OUT FROM THE BACK WITH STEPHANIE McMAHON. J.R.: "Well, King, you ready for this one"? Lawler: "Oh yeah, here comes the most hated guy in the entire TWF and although I still disagree with him calling himself the king of the TWF, it's hard to argue with his win-loss record"! J.R.: "Once upon a time in a land called the GSE, Money Mike and Taz were allies, but also enemies and tonight, their personal vendetta has reached a boiling point at MeltDown". AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE, "BEFORE I FORGET" BY SLIPKNOT PLAYS AND TAZ COMES OUT TO A MAJOR CHEER. Lawler: "Who could ever forget Money Mike bringing out this man's ex-fiancee? Not only did she have some disparaging things to say about Taz, she also got the Money Pit"! J.R.: "It was one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen, King, and if I was Money Mike, I'd be damned ashamed of myself"! Lawler: "Yeah, but we both know he's not". J.R.: "Look, I know we're not supposed to play favorites out here, but I hope Taz teaches Mike a lesson tonight, that's for damn sure"! Money Mike w/ Stephanie McMahon vs. Taz Referee Chad Patton called for the bell to start the match and the two men met in the center of the ring. After exchanging some words, Mike just slapped Taz across the face. The fans were stunned as Taz just shook it off, but moments later, fired back with a series of stiff forearms right to the face. After a big clothesline, Taz tried to get in the "Tazmission", but Mike got free. Mike tried to get up in the corner, but Taz moved in with two kicks to the abdomen before pulling him into a cradle suplex. Mike slowly got up, but Taz just stood over him, pounding him with some clubbing forearms to the head. Taz then pulled Money Mike up and whipped him to the corner but Mike moved out of the way when he followed in. Stephanie then came around and held Taz's foot so he couldn't move as Mike slammed into him with a big back elbow. After a sit out spinebuster, Mike got a 2 count. He then got up and used the base of his boot to choke Taz, taking a 4 count from Patton before finally letting loose. Mike then pulled Taz to his feet and hammered him with 2 right hands but after running the ropes, he missed a clothesline and Taz came back with a german suplex. Mike got up, but Taz wrapped his arms around him and used a perfect spinning belly to belly before covering him for the 1........2........., but Mike was up. Taz pulled him to his feet and delivered another belly to belly, this time throwing Mike over his head, but Taz immediately grabbed his right knee after it buckled during the move. Taz was in evident pain as Mike got up and just kicked him in the side of the head. He then waited for Taz to get up, getting behind him and just kicking his legs out from under him. Patton came over, asking Taz if he wanted to stop the match, but Taz refused. Mike came over and waited for him to get up. When he did, he pulled him right into the "Money Pit" and hooked the leg for the win. Match Time: 5:01 J.R.: "It looks like Taz has suffered a very serious injury here, King.... this isn't good". Lawler: "No it's not, he's in some pretty evident pain". J.R.: "Wait a minute.... what the hell is this"?! AS PATTON CHECKED ON TAZ, MONEY MIKE CAME OVER WITH A STEEL CHAIR AND PUSHED PATTON OUT OF THE WAY. TAZ THEN TRIED TO GET UP, BUT MIKE SMASHED HIM OVER THE HEAD WITH THE CHAIR. HE THEN PUT HIS RIGHT FOOT INSIDE THE CHAIR BEFORE GOING TO THE MIDDLE TURNBUCKLE. Lawler: "Oh, J.R., somebody better get out here and stop this"! J.R.: "Don't do it..... you could end the man's career, damnit"! MIKE FLEW OFF, STOMPING RIGHT ON THE CHAIR AND CRUSHING TAZ's FOOT INSIDE. TAZ ROLLED AROUND THE RING, SCREAMING IN PAIN AS "KING OF KINGS" PICKED UP AGAIN AND MONEY MIKE CELEBRATED WITH STEPHANIE AMID A TON OF BOOS. J.R.: "I can't believe this.... that son of a bitch has shattered Taz's leg"! Lawler: "Well here come the EMTs and you can only imagine that Taz is headed to the nearest hospital". MONEY MIKE AND STEPHANIE WENT TO THE BACK AS 3 EMTs HELPED TAZ OUT OF THE RING AND UP THE RAMP, NOT ALLOWING HIM TO PUT ANY PRESSURE ON THE RIGHT FOOT. J.R.: "This could be devastating, King. Let's hope Taz can overcome this". BACKSTAGE.....
THE SHOT GOES BACKSTAGE WHERE PAUL LONDON AND BRIAN KENDRICK ARE SEEN LAUGHING AND TALKING.
Brian Kendrick: "Alright man, we gotta get this down pat. We have had the same entrance for a while, time to change up our handshake at the end".
Paul London: "Dude, this is gonna be crazy cool! Our fans will love this"!
Brian Kendrick: "Alright, you ready"?
Paul London: "Ready........
LONDON AND KENDRICK TAKE A FEW STEPS BACK AND THEN SLIDE TOWARDS EACH OTHER, SLAPPING HANDS. THE TWO SPIN THEIR HANDS AROUND A FEW TIMES AND THEN SLAP EACH OTHER ON THE BEHIND IN A SPORTS LIKE MANNER.
Paul London: "That was a really good one".
Brian Kendrick: "Yeah man, but that slap really hurt my...
BEFORE KENDRICK CAN FINISH HIS SENTANCE, THE CAMERA IS TURNED AROUND AND M.X. OGDEN AND ALEX SHELLEY ARE SEEN.
Alex Shelley: "That is wrong in so many ways...
M.X. Ogden: "Yeah... Well, at least we know why they call him Spanky!
THE CROWD LAUGHS AS THE FOOTAGE CUTS OUT BEFORE A LOGO WITH A BIG EYEBALL IN IT POPS UP WITH THE PHRASE "I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE...... WE'RE ALWAYS WATCHING". RIC FLAIR FLASHBACK A video clip is shown of Ric Flair defeating Randy Savage to win the WCW Heavyweight title on December 27, 1995 in Nashville, Tennessee. JIM ROSS AND JERRY LAWLER ARE SHOWN AT THEIR BROADCAST POSITION. J.R.: "Some of Ric Flair's greatest moments have been shown tonight, King, and I can't wait to sit back and watch that one, but first, it's time for the World title match". Lawler: "This one is gonna be good, J.R., there are a lot of people who feel that The Rock should already be TWF World champion but I am looking for Chris Masters to show all those people that they're wrong". BOOS FILL THE ARENA AS CHRIS MASTERS' MUSIC PLAYS AND HE COMES OUT WITH THE WORLD TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. PYRO FOLLOWS AS MASTERS GOES INTO HIS USUAL POSE ROUTINE. J.R.: "Well here he comes, King. We already know that the Board of Directors has barred Mark Henry from getting involved the way he did at Anarchy Rulz or yes, The Rock would be the World champion". Lawler: "Is there any way we can get through a Chris Masters entrance without talking? This is like being in the musuem, J.R., you just don't see stuff like this that often". J.R.: "Please........... WITH MASTERS IN THE RING, "IF YA SMELL..... WHAT THE ROCK..... IS COOKIN'" IS HEARD AND THE ROCK COMES OUT TO ONE OF, IF NOT THE BIGGEST REACTION OF THE NIGHT. J.R.: "Listen to this place! The roof of the Verizon Center just shot up to outer space"! Lawler: "They're crazy for The Rock in the nation's capitol! Ya think he should run for president"?! J.R.: "If it were a popularity vote, he'd win hands down, but The Rock is focused on becoming the World champion, something he hasn't been in nearly seven years"! Lawler: "Well he's got an opponent eager to prove a point tonight on the other side". TWF World Title Match Challenger: The Rock vs. "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters From a collar and elbow tie up, The Rock whipped Masters across the ring with an arm drag. Masters popped up and threw a right hand but Rock blocked it and fired back with 3 hard rights of his own before picking Masters up and putting him right back down with a spinebuster. As The Rock stood over Masters and threw his elbow pad into the third row, Masters wisely rolled under the bottom rope and out of the ring. Masters got back up on the apron and The Rock came over but Masters pulled him down over the top rope with a hangman. That gave Masters the opening he needed as he would dominate the next several minutes of the match, focusing his attack on the lower back of The Rock. After several clubbing shots to the back, Masters delivered a huge backbreaker followed by a big elbow drop, but when he went for the cover, he only got a 2 count. Masters pulled the challenger back to his feet and hammered away with a couple more shots before shoving The Rock into the corner. He ran in, but Rock met him with a back elbow. Rock came out but went right into the waiting arms of Masters, who squeezed on a bear hug. The Rock was in a lot of trouble as Masters applied as much pressure as he could. Referee Jim Korderas moved in to check his arms, and the right arm of The Rock fell lifelessly two times. On a third attempt, The Rock was able to hang in and behind the rally from the crowd, caught Masters with an ear clap that forced him to let go. Rock then dropped Masters with a clothesline before following up with some more right hands. Finally, he spit into the palm of his hand and knocked Masters over the top rope with another punch. But The Rock wasn't satisfied as he followed Masters to the floor, ramming him face first into the top of the steel ring steps before rolling him back into the ring. The Rock then went over and posed for a picture with one of the front row fans before going back to the apron. Masters was up and tried to grab him, but The Rock ducked below the top and middle ring rope with a shoulder to the gut. He then brought himself back into the ring with a sunset flip. But the leg strength of Masters was too much and he sat down on The Rock. Korderas was in bad position and didn't see Masters grab the middle ring rope for extra leverage as he made the 3 count! Match Time: 6:37 Lawler: "Ha! He got him.... what do you have to say about that"?! THE ROCK AND THE FANS ALIKE WERE IN STUNNED SILENCE AS MASTERS' MUSIC HIT AND HE WENT UP THE RAMP WITH THE TITLE IN TOW. J.R.: "He had the damn ring ropes"! Lawler: "Oh here we go, start making excuses! Fact is, The Rock took his eye off the ball because he had to showboat and take that picture and fact is, Masters didn't need Mark Henry... I knew he could beat The Rock all along"! J.R.: "I guess you gotta give the devil his due... Chris Masters is still the champion"! BACKSTAGE....... CAMERAS IN THE BACK SHOW THE WET T-SHIRT CONTEST GOING ON. AUSTIN PYROMANIA IS SPRAYING TRACI BROOKS DOWN WITH A HOSE AS THE REST OF THE GIRLS STAND AND WATCH, MOST SOAKING WET. SEVERAL OTHER SUPERSTARS INCLUDING PAUL LONDON, BRIAN KENDRICK, CHRIS TIRPAK, LENNY ARMSTEAD, SUPER CRAZY, CARNEY AND THE HARDY's HAVE COME OVER, LOOKING ON. SUDDENLY, PYROMANIA STOPS THE HOSE AND THERE IS DEAD SILENCE AS CHRIS PLATOON WALKS UP. Austin Pyromania: "Oh sorry man, this is for the girls only.... we don't have any guys for you". TAYLOR MADE AND SOME OF THE OTHER SUPERSTARS TRY TO HOLD THEIR LAUGHS IN. Chris Platoon: "Oh, so that's it, you want to make jokes of things now, huh? PLATOON GRABS DAWN MARIE BY THE ARM AND PULLS HER IN. IT LOOKS LIKE HE's GOING TO KISS HER BUT HE STOPS HIMSELF, AND THEN SCANS OVER THE OTHER LADIES. Nah.... these broads are all ugly and trashy". PLATOON PUSHES DAWN MARIE ASIDE AND WALKS AWAY. EVERYONE ELSE LOOKS ON AND IS UPSET BUT PYROMANIA SQUIRTS TRACI WITH A LITTLE MORE WATER, BUT WHEN HE SEES THE SCOWL ON HER FACE, HE STOPS. A HUGE VOLCANO IS SHOWN, SHAKING AS IT IS ABOUT TO ERUPT. THE VOLCANO BLOWS AND TONS OF RED HOT LAVA BEGINS TO FLOW OUT. SCREAMS CAN BE HEARD AND A HAND POPS UP FROM THE LAVA BEFORE DISINTEGRATING. ONLY ON PAY-PER-VIEW................ Cole: "And we are set, John! We are set for the Universal title match and this is one for the ages"! JBL: "There is no way you can measure the magnitude of this match, Michael! All night long, we have looked at some of the greatest moments in the career of Ric Flair, but can you imagine anything greater than a fifty eight year old man proving one more time who the greatest ever is"?! THE FANS COME TO THEIR FEET IN CHEER AS RIC FLAIR's MUSIC HITS. HE MAKES HIS WAY OUT IN A BLUE AND BLACK ROBE TO SOME SERIOUS RESPECT. Cole: "How many times have you seen this? Ric Flair, widely recognized as the greatest wrestler of all time, walkin' that aisle"?! JBL: "This is what this business is about, Michael! For Ric Flair to even be in this match is truly amazing and something I have an incredible amount of respect for"! FLAIR GETS INTO THE RING AND SOAKS UP SOME MORE CHEERS BEFORE "THE TIME IS NOW" HITS AND JOHN CENA COMES OUT TO A VERY MIXED REACTION. HE HAS THE UNIVERSAL TITLE IN HIS RIGHT HAND AND A VERY DETERMINED LOOK IN HIS EYES AS HE MAKES HIS WAY TO THE RING. Cole: "John Cena has competed in some of the best matches the TWF has put on this year but I don't think any of them have been bigger than this"! JBL: "It's not often that the champion comes into the match with far less credentials than the challenger, but John Cena is looking at Babe Ruth, he's facing Michael Jordan..... he's in the ring with the best ever"! THE FANS WERE BUZZING AS REFEREE MIKE CHIODA TOOK THE BELT AND RAISED IT HIGH IN THE AIR BEFORE HANDING IT TO THE TIMEKEEPER AND CALLING FOR THE BELL TO BEGIN THE MATCH. TWF Universal Title Match Challenger: Ric Flair vs. John Cena After an intense staredown, the two men locked up. Cena quickly went into a hammerlock after a go behind, but Flair came up with a nice escape. After brushing his hair back, Flair went into his strut, which actually got a smile from Cena. Flair then asked for a test of strength, which Cena accepted. Cena easily got the best of it, bringing Flair to his knees. Flair stood up and got one of his hands out, poking Cena in the eye. He then ran the ropes but Cena smashed him with a clothesline. From there, Cena shot him to the ropes and delivered a huge backbody drop before picking him up and delivering his spinning sideslam. Fans thought it was going to be a quick match, but when Cena went for the cover, Flair was up just in time. Cena picked him up, and it really looked like Flair was out of his element as the champion threw him over the top rope and to the floor. This drew a ton of boos from the crowd, but Cena followed him out. When Flair got up, Cena dropped him with another clothesline before picking him up and whipping him into the ringside barricade. Cena rolled back into the ring to stop the count before going and grabbing Flair, rolling him back into the ring. Flair was very slow to get up and Cena tried to capitalize, going to the top rope. He flew off with a legdrop, looking to slam into the back of Flair's head, but Flair moved and Cena hit the mat hard. Flair then blasted him with one knifedge chop after another before picking him up and delivering a big shinbreaker. The fans were really getting into it as Flair was in a groove, busting Cena with a right-left combo before another knifedge chop. Flair then took him down with a chop block before going to the top rope. But Cena got up and grabbed Flair, throwing him halfway across the ring. That led to the 5 Knuckle Shuffle and Cena waited for Flair to get up, putting him up onto his shoulders. Flair was able to get off and after another chop block, he went for the figure four. But incredibly, Cena pulled Flair down while keeping their feet inter-twined and he somehow got on the STF-U. The fans couldn't believe it as Flair was in the paralyzing submission hold in the center of the ring. Flair fought the pain all he could, but the veins nearly popping out of Cena's arms showed he was pulling with all he had. Finally, Flair succumbed to the pain and tapped out. Match Time: 7:15 Cole: "And that's it..... the champ is still John Cena"! JBL: "You mark my words, Michael, and people can debate this all they want to! That was the biggest win of John Cena's career"! Cole: "A hell of an effort from Ric Flair, but it wasn't enough, and Cena is victorious"! CENA STOOD IN THE RING WITH THE TITLE AS FLAIR GOT UP, LOOKING VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HIMSELF. AS THE FANS CHEERED AND CHANTED "NATURE BOY", CENA BEGAN TO GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. FLAIR MOUTHED THE WORDS "THANK YOU" BUT CENA REPLIED, "NO, THANK YOU". CENA THEN RAISED THE ARM OF FLAIR AND LEFT THE RING AS FLAIR's MUSIC HIT. THERE WERE TEARS IN FLAIR's EYES AS THE HUGE CROWD STOOD AND GAVE HIM A STANDING OVATION. Cole: "I believe this is what you call a moment. A tremendous amount of class was just shown by John Cena". JBL: "And no one deserves this more than Ric Flair. John Cena is a man and I just gained a lot more respect for him..... what a great night"! Cole: "Fans, we hope you've enjoyed MeltDown.... so long, everybody"!
