Anaheim, California - January 31, 2009
Pre-Show Results: [[ Fade Up ]] [[ The show opens up without an intro-video inside of the private locker room of Larry Sweeney and Sweet N' Sour, Incorporated. Larry Sweeney is talking on his bluetooth headset as Tyler Black and Allison Wonderland appear inside the locker room. ]] Larry Sweeney: Alright, alright.. I gotta' jet. My man, we'll talk tomorrow! [[ He frantically shakes hands with Tyler Black. ]] Larry Sweeney: Man o' man! Look at that title belt! The gold's so bright, baby, I'm glad I have sunglasses on! Tyler Black: We need to talk about tonight. Larry Sweeney: Ah, it's nonsense! Steamboat is just tryin' to cause trouble! He's just got his panties in a wad over last week and our deal! Which, might I add, ended up workin' out GREAT for all parties involved. Tyler Black: You made money off me. I want the money back or else, I'll open this door and introduce you to Abyss. [[ Sweeney looks a little worried but thinks quickly. ]] Larry Sweeney: Fine.. Fine.. You want your money back? You wanna' try to put a price on carryin' championship gold around your waist? If it wasn't for me, you would've been CRUSHED by Morishima! You wouldn't have added firepower to your "revolution." If it wasn't for yours truly brokering that deal, you'd still be doin' promos out by the dumpsters because Ricky Steamboat won't let you in! [[ Sweeney is surprisingly growing a pair. ]] Larry Sweeney: You should be on your knees THANKIN' Larry Sweeney, pal! [[ Tyler Black looks none too enthused. ]] Tyler Black: Tonight, I have to face Morishima. I think it'd be in both of our best interests to ensure that this match doesn't go through. Chris Jericho: Give him what he wants. [[ Chris Jericho comes casually strolling into the locker room. ]] Chris Jericho: The Age of the Fall helped the cause last week by slowing down CM Punk's momentum and taking his Elite Championship away from him. Tyler Black is a hero in my eyes. [[ Jericho and Black shake hands. ]] Chris Jericho: If any of my people can return the favor, let me know. If you could keep it up, you'll be greatly rewarded. [[ He turns to Sweeney. ]] Chris Jericho: Both of you. Ricky Steamboat wants to try to squeeze us out. He wants this company rid of us. Yet, we are the foundation. We are the core of LoC. Without us, all this company would feature would be John Cena and Bryan Danielson arguing back and forth on who's the best wrestler in this company.. When really.. The man who holds the LoC World Championship is standing right here, the best in the world. [[ Sweeney nods in agreement, rubbing his hands together. ]] Larry Sweeney: Morishima's ready, my man. Chris Jericho: I think Tyler's right. It's in all of our interests for Morishima versus Black not to happen tonight. Now, I suggest someone come up with a way out of this. Ricky Steamboat cannot gain the upper hand. The Standard controls this company, and if all of us work together.. League of Champions will bow at our feet, and BEG for mercy. [[ Black and Sweeney like the sound of Jericho's promises. ]] Chris Jericho: Ricky Steamboat can try and try to stamp the fire out. But this company has been smothered in gasoline and set afire. Soon, very soon, League of Champions will be nothing but ashes. [[ Fade. ]] Match
One:
LoC World Tag Team Championship
[[ Backstage, we see Michael Cole and the debuting Jerry Lynn standing side by side in the interview area of the arena. Jerry Lynn is in ring gear, prepared for his big match later on tonight. ]] Michael Cole: Jerry Lynn, tonight, you make your League of Champions debut, challenging Chris Jericho for the LoC World Championship. [[ Lynn nods. ]] Michael Cole: Now, Jerry, some say you don't deserve the title shot being your first match and all, but Ricky Steamboat was so excited to sign you away from Solid Gold, that he decided to reward you for coming aboard. Jerry Lynn: I don't deserve it? I don't deserve a shot at the belt? [[ He looks stunned. ]] Jerry Lynn: I've been in this sport twenty years, Cole! I've wrestled all around the world! If anyone deserves a title shot, it's Jerry Lynn, dude. [[ He turns to the camera. ]] Jerry Lynn: I believe I have one good run left in me. I knew in Solid Gold, that wasn't gonna' be the case. I wasn't gonna' get the opportunity I DESERVED there. In League of Champions, Ricky Steamboat, one of the greatest pure wrestlers ever, knows what I'm capable of inside that ring on any given night. That's why tonight, I'm going to become LoC WORLD CHAMPION tonight in Anaheim, California! [[ Lynn flashes the devil horns on both hands, practically turning into a man screaming random phrases in the middle of sentences! ]] Jerry Lynn: Chris Jericho is SCUM! He's bloodying guys and cheating to win. Tonight, he'll have to cheat if he wants to beat "THE NEW F'N SHOW" JERRY F'N LYNN, DUDE!! [[ Bryan Danielson steps right up to Lynn's face and shoves him back. ]] Bryan Danielson: You'd better stay away from MY title, old man. Jerry Lynn: Shut up, Bryan Danielson! You've had your chance. Tonight, it's my chance. I have one good run left in this old body, and winning the LoC World Championship is the best way I can think of starting that final run. Bryan Danielson: Wishful thinking. I like that. [[ Danielson pats Lynn on the face. ]] Bryan Danielson: Keep the faith. Don't get your hopes up. I'm going to be the man who dethrones Chris Jericho as World Champion, a belt I never lost. I didn't lose my rematch last week, and I sure as hell know you're not going to take that belt tonight. There's no chance. Jerry Lynn: When I win that belt tonight, brother, you're gonna' look like an idiot. Bryan Danielson: The only person looking like an idiot is you, Jerry Lynn, thinking you're going to win the World title, the most prestigious title in the business today.. In your first match. [[ Danielson scoffs at the sight of Lynn, sarcastically delivering his final sentence. ]] Bryan Danielson: Good luck. [[ He looks at Lynn with a sour look. ]] Bryan Danielson: God knows you're going to need it, okay? [[ Danielson walks away as Lynn stands there, staring him down, looking irritated Danielson ruined his first LoC interview. Can Jerry Lynn be the man to end Chris Jericho's World title reign tonight in the main event of Glory? Does Jerry Lynn truly have one more run left in him? Tonight, we'll find out if that's the case! ]] [[ In a locker room all by his lonesome, we see Christian Cage propped against the white brick wall. His eyes are blackened, a bandage covers part of his forehead thanks to the beating he received from The Standard two weeks ago. ]] Christian Cage: I don't know why I even bother anymore. [[ He looks totally down and out. ]] Christian Cage: Look at me. Look at what I've been resorted to. [[ The camera pans out, showing a vacated locker room. ]] Christian Cage: I have to dress in his damp, ran-down locker room by myself. No friends, no allies, no one even giving me a second thought. Hell, I bet Ricky Steamboat has no idea I'm even in the arena tonight. Chris Jericho took everything away.. And for what? Huh? Why? [[ He seemingly waits for the camera to reply back to his rhetorical question. ]] Christian Cage: I lose a few matches, try to be sociable to an old friend.. And this is what I get in return? [[ He looks disgusted. ]] Christian Cage: I bloodied by own friend with a ring bell to prove that I was loyal to Chris Jericho. Worst mistake I ever made. Not because of the aftermath, but because I let someone like Chris Jericho convince me to do his bidding. That's all The Standard is. It's a cult. Chris Jericho has somehow lured elite competitors to bow at his feet. [[ He pauses, reflecting. ]] Christian Cage: I might say getting kicked out of The Standard was the best thing that happened to me.. [[ He looks to the camera, stone cold. ]] Christian Cage: But being isolated.. Being treated as if I had leprosy.. Being odd-man-out in this company.. It's not very fun. I understand I made my own bed by who I aligned myself with. And now, I guess, I'm going to have to lie in it. But it doesn't mean I have to like it. It doesn't mean I can't go get my revenge. [[ Christian extends his hands out, showing off his surroundings. ]] Christian Cage: I mean, it's not as if I have a lot of options right now. There's only one place to go.. And that's up. Tonight, I want to win, I hope to win. If I can, I KNOW I can turn this ship around and prove Chris Jericho that I am more than simply "dead weight" to this promotion. [[ Cage has practically given up hope, and who could blame him? With that, we go to the ring for the next match. ]] Match
Two:
Triple Threat Match
[[ After the match, we see Roderick Strong standing backstage, hands rubbing together nervously. He's wearing a red "Only the Strong Survive" t-shirt, jeans, sunglasses, and a green bandana on his head. In his most confident tone, he begins speaking. ]] Roderick Strong: Tyler Black. [[ Strong puts his hands on his hips. ]] Roderick Strong: Last week at the pay-per-view, you stole that Elite title from CM Punk. [[ Pause. ]] Roderick Strong: Now I want to steal it from you. [[ He struggles, but removes his sunglasses. ]] Roderick Strong: Like the Grinch That Stole Christmas.. And stuff. [[ He throws his sunglasses to the ground. ]] Roderick Strong: But instead of stealing Christmas.. I just want to put you on your back and take your belt off you. [[ He tries adding onto it. ]] Roderick Strong: Your Elite title belt.. Not the belt to your pants. [[ He shakes his head. ]] Roderick Strong: I'm not gay. [[ He tries to recover quickly. ]] Roderick Strong: If you accept my challenge, then I'll break your back! [[ He shows a fist, shaking it at the camera. ]] Roderick Strong: Seriously. [[ He points to himself. ]] Roderick Strong: I'm Roderick Strong, the Messiah of the Back-Breaker. [[ Now a double point to himself. ]] Roderick Strong: Future LoC Elite title champion. [[ His proud claim turns somewhat nervous. ]] Roderick Strong: If you accept this challenge, of course. [[ Fade. ]] Match
Three:
Singles Match
[[ Inside Ricky Steamboat's office in the arena, we see John Cena, CM Punk, AJ Styles, Rhino, and Kurt Angle all seated in chairs in front of a large wooden desk. Behind the desk sits Ricky Steamboat with a gravely concerned look on his face. ]] Ricky Steamboat: This has to stop, guys. [[ He runs his hand down his face. ]] Ricky Steamboat: The attacks, the fighting, the blood spill.. This isn't a gladiator pit in ancient Rome! This is League of Champions. This is a company I founded almost two years ago on respect, honor, and loyalty to this business. AJ Styles: Hey, we're only defending ourselves. John Cena: Yeah. No respect to you, Mr. Steamboat, but we didn't start this. Chris Jericho started it on day one. [[ Steamboat nods in agreement. He comes to the front of his desk, sitting on it. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Then I need you guys to end it. [[ He locks eyes with all five men in the room. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Can you do that for me? [[ He continues, very serious. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Once we get to Japan, at Tokyo Turmoil on the 28th, I have a plan. A match will be booked that will end this thing once and for all. Until then, I need the support of you five to make that happen. The rest of this company has sat idle and watched Chris Jericho and company wage war. They've sat by and watched the Age of the Fall form and get connected with Larry Sweeney to broker fraudulent deals to secure title matches.. Tonight, I'm making Black and Morishima fight. I just have this funny feeling they have a plan to get around it.. Again. CM Punk: I want the Age of the Fall. Ricky Steamboat: It'll be handled at another time. [[ He looks to Cena. ]] Ricky Steamboat: And John, I know you want Danielson, and that'll come as well. [[ He stands up. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Just not now. [[ He paces back and forth, making circles. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Title belts, grudges, revenge.. For the next few weeks, all I want you five to focus on is getting League of Champions completely rid of The Standard. From the top to the bottom. From Chris Jericho to Trish Stratus. Kurt Angle: I want Jericho. Ricky Steamboat: Speaking of.. Kurt, I just got this final report in today from our individual investigation on the Karen Angle situation. [[ He rips open an envelope and reads it over. ]] Ricky Steamboat: They found a body. Kurt Angle: I'll kill him! [[ Angle jumps out of his seat but Steamboat stops him from going anywhere. ]] Ricky Steamboat: But it wasn't Karen's. [[ Everyone looks confused. ]] Ricky Steamboat: It was Val Venis'. Rhino: He still wrestles? Ricky Steamboat: Yeah. It's a shame. Chris Jericho legitimately ended the life of one of the members of this roster. Guys, now more than ever.. The Standard must be stopped, along with all of their allies and business associates. As from the looks of things tonight, you can throw the Age of the Fall and Sweet N' Sour in with them, too. [[ Bryan Danielson comes walking through the door, his nose stuck in the air. He ignores everyone else besides Steamboat. ]] Bryan Danielson: Oh, I didn't know you were meeting with the jobber squad around here. Ricky Steamboat: I'm glad you're here. Bryan Danielson: If it doesn't concern my rematch for the LoC World title after I WASN'T defeated last week, then I'm not interested in anything you have to say, okay? Ricky Steamboat: That's not why I called you in here. [[ Danielson instantly becomes uninterested. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Larry Sweeney and his men have formed a business deal with Chris Jericho. I know you have a brutal and bloody past with Takeshi Morishima. I know you are one of the few men to hand him a clean loss in America. I need you to do it again. Bryan Danielson: Will the World Championship be on the line? Ricky Steamboat: Well, no. Bryan Danielson: Screw off. [[ Danielson cuts Steamboat off from saying another word. ]] Bryan Danielson: Once Morishima wins the LoC title and you want me to take it off of him.. You let me know. Until then, you'd best be working on booking me versus Chris Jericho for a World title match. You want The Standard gone? You let me handle that. These five can't do anything but make Jericho and company look more unstoppable than they truly are. [[ John Cena stands up and gets right in Danielson's face. ]] John Cena: As soon as Chris Jericho and The Standard's outta' da' picture. [[ He pauses, inhaling deeply. ]] John Cena: You're gonna' get beat. Bryan Danielson: Don't make me laugh. It's real easy to do something like you did last week when you jump someone from behind. Your fireman's carry and fist drop didn't do SHIT to me. When you learn real wrestling holds that doesn't consist of a fist drop, a fireman's carry, dusting your shoulder off, and pumping up your shoes.. Come find me. I don't wrestle shit. I only flush it. [[ Danielson side steps Cena and looks at Steamboat. ]] Bryan Danielson: Let me know when you decide to make the right decision and get me my title shot. [[ Danielson turns around and slams the door behind him as he leaves. We go to the ring as Morishima and Tyler Black prepare to hook up in a match that was supposed to take place last week at Retribution! ]] Match
Four:
Singles Match
[[ Larry Sweeney and Tyler Black shake hands on the outside of the ring on a job well done. Black intentionally got himself counted out to avoid having to fight Morishima one-on-one! Ricky Steamboat cannot be pleased about these events! Morishima raises his belt in the air as the fans boo the total lack of a match, many of which came just to see. HERE COMES CM PUNK! He downs Black on the outside on the floor and begins punching away on Black. Sweeney stomps on Punk's back with his crocodile skin boot, which he immediately regrets doing. Punk stands up and shoves Sweeney to the ground, bringing Morishima into the picture. Morishima runs to the outside and CRUSHES CM Punk with a stiff lariat! Black recovers from being jumped and enjoys what he sees as CM Punk lays on his back, trying to gather his bearings. Chris Jericho will have be happy with this turn of events! Morishima has seemingly taken out one of Jericho's top rivals! ]] [[ Davey Richards is at water cooler backstage getting something to drink as he sees Rocky Romero and SoCal Val slip off into a restroom. Richards cocks an eyebrow, curious as he doesn't even notice that the water is now overflowing from his Styrofoam cup. ]] Matt Hardy: Hey, bro, you might wanna' drink that. [[ Hardy taps Richards on the back, who snaps out of his trance, turning off the water from pouring in his cup any more. ]] Matt Hardy: What were you staring at? Davey Richards: Beeswax that's not yours. Matt Hardy: Alright, cool, my bad. [[ Hardy now goes to get him a cup, but Richards cuts him off. ]] Davey Richards: Let me ask you a question. Matt Hardy: Sure. Davey Richards: How do you know when someone is cheating on you with one of your good friends? [[ Hardy just stares at Richards without an expression. ]] Davey Richards: I mean.. Ya' know.. Since Edge was your buddy and he banged your girl. [[ He looks to the restroom door. ]] Davey Richards: Because I think SoCal Val might be cheating on me with Rocky. Matt Hardy: Maybe they're just washing their hands. Davey Richards: Hey! That's what she told me last time! [[ Richards gets his hopes up. ]] Davey Richards: You think that could be true? Matt Hardy: Not even. [[ Hardy is opening up to Richards a little bit now. ]] Matt Hardy: I once read Amy's phone while she was at the gym. I scanned through he text messages and found one from Edge. It said, "thanks for the fuck." I asked her about it when she got back, and guess what? She told me it was supposed to say "duck." Davey Richards: Maybe I should buy Val a duck. Matt Hardy: No, no.. As the weeks went by, Edge never mentioned Amy getting him a damn duck not even once! I looked all over for this alleged "duck." Davey, I never found it. Edge spelt his message right when he thanked my girlfriend for having intercourse with him. [[ Hardy clinches his fists in anger. ]] Matt Hardy: I hate Adam Copeland. Davey Richards: My bad, dude. Matt Hardy: Maybe things will go better with your girlfriend. Davey Richards: Oh, we're not dating. Matt Hardy: You made me recollect horrible memories for nothing? Davey Richards: It was like four years ago. At some point in time you have to get over it, man. [[ Hardy is breathing heavily, fuming big time at Richards. He slaps the cup of water out of Richards' hand, splashing it everything. Richards looks aghast. ]] Davey Richards: That was my water, you prick! [[ Richards head butts Matt Hardy fight in the face, sending Hardy staggering back into the brick wall! Davey grabs the blue plastic container the water is held in off of the base, with water spilling everywhere. ]] Davey Richards: I hope you're thirsty! [[ Richards smashes the container against Hardy's head, and then begins pouring the water all over Hardy! After it's empty, Richards continues beating Hardy over the head with the blue container until he's satisfied at its dents and bends all in it. Hardy is slumped over against the wall, trying to wipe blood from his nose from that attack as Richards stands over him. ]] Davey Richards: Idiot. [[ Richards storms off camera out of sight as we can hear SoCal Val screaming from the restroom, then followed by a thunderous "AZUCAR~!!" from Romero as the scene fades. ]] Match
Five:
LoC World Heavyweight Championship
[[ Chris Jericho kicks Jerry Lynn in the ribs repeatedly until Lynn rolls out of the ring and to the floor. Referee Brian Hebner grabs Lynn, helps him up, and begins leading him to the back as Chris Jericho snatches a microphone from the timekeeper's table. He slaps on the top of the microphone several times, ensuring that he is the center of everyone's attention. Barely out of breath, the champion speaks. ]] Chris Jericho: No matter what's put in front of me, I will prevail in the end. [[ The fans are booing loudly, almost drowning Jericho out. ]] Chris Jericho: I am the best in this business. And when I say that, it's not a catchphrase like Bryan Danielson uses. I am the ultimate headliner. I am the very reason this company exists. Yet, look at you people. You boo me, insult me, and throw your leftovers at me because I speak the truth. You know what? The truth hurts. Bryan Danielson, you will never get another rematch, because you never deserved this title in the first place. [[ He applies the title belt around his waist. ]] Chris Jericho: Kurt Angle, so maybe we didn't really throw Karen over a bridge. She's still in our possession. Every second of every day, she feels the pain you should be feeling. Because of your selfishness, the mother of your innocent children suffers. Think about that every night when you lay your head down on your pillow and close your eyes. When you dream, I hope you dream about the good times you shared together.. Because now, all the memories Karen has.. Are those of horror. [[ Jericho walks around the ring as the fans are absolutely giving him up the road! A random fan jumps the rail and into the ring! Security quickly tackles the fan before he can get to Jericho! Jericho walks over to the guy as security tries dragging him out of the ring and kicks him square in the face repeatedly until he's removed. Jericho takes a moment to collect himself and continues. ]] Chris Jericho: Look at this, Steamboat. You're allowing your wrestlers to get bloodied, your fans getting beaten. You gathered a group of men tonight who have been trying to rid LoC of me since day one, and they've not even come close. You want them to take me and my group out at all costs. Sorry, Rick. That's not in the plans. [[ Pause. ]] Chris Jericho: You've led enough lambs to slaughter. Just admit The Standard is winning the war. Admit you're glad we're here. The revenue from our chaos is helping pay off debtors. It's helping revitalize this business once again. Chris Jericho as World Champion is better for business than Bryan Danielson, John Cena, or AJ Styles as Champion. The Standard truly is saving this business by cleaning out the people who don't belong. The Standard is making it okay to support this business once again by raising the bar of excellence. The Standard truly is the measuring stick in professional wrestling, like it or not. And you know that. You know we're good for business. That's why you've only threatened us with suspensions and firings. You don't want to get rid of us for even one week.. Because that'll mean money out of your pocket. [[ Jericho smiles. ]] Chris Jericho: And that, Rick, means we have free reign. Your little plot to put a stop to us, it won't go through. You're a hypocrite. You're a man who wants to have all the power.. But Ricky Steamboat, whatever little solution you have cooked up to reveal next week, it won't matter. The Standard is in control. Chris Jericho, the undefeated League of Champions World Heavyweight Champion.. Runs this company. [[ Brief pause to milk the boos from the fans. ]] Chris Jericho: Period. [[ Takeshi Morishima and Larry Sweeney come down the aisle as Jericho pauses. Morishima is dragging KAREN ANGLE BY THE HAIR! SHE'S ALIVE! The fans look stunned as Karen Angle is bound by duck tape and gagged as Morishima rolls her into the ring, allowing Jericho to admire her as Morishima and Sweeney make their ways in. ]] Chris Jericho: I couldn't dare throw such a delicate woman off a bridge. She's too valuable. One false move from anyone in League of Champions, and I will in fact end her life just as I did Val Venis'. If Ricky Steamboat and his little group of sheep dare try to put a stop to The Standard saving this business... Then Karen Angle will be wiped off the face of this earth to go along with this entire company. This is no threat. No empty promise on my behalf. I have done everything I have said I was going to.. And trust me, Karen Angle's life means nothing to me. [[ He slings her to the ground hard, unable to protect herself. The camera pans in closely on Jericho. ]] Chris Jericho: Just like this company. [[ He spikes the microphone on the ground and Sweeney raises his arm in the air as the fans are near rioting at Chris Jericho! He's truly a mad man gone too far! He's using Karen Angle as some sort of collateral to ensure that nothing happens to him or the Standard. Next week in Japan, Ricky Steamboat has an idea for a match to end this war once and for all, but will it be a mistake that costs Karen Angle dearly? ]] [[ The entire month of February will be spent in Japan as League of Champions leaves North America for the first-time ever! It'll be an exciting month that ends with the next supershow on February 28, TOKYO TURMOIL! ]] [[ Fade out. ]] |
