Indianapolis, Indiana - December 20, 2008
Pre-Show Results: [[ Earlier Today. ]] [[ The scene opens up outside of the arena in the parking lot. A Mercedes car pulls into a parking spot and parks. A few seconds later, the driver's door slowly opens and Ricky Steamboat steps out in a suit and a top coat over it, protecting himself from severely chilly winds in Indianapolis this time of year. He pulls out a briefcase from the passenger side and closes the door, making his way to the entrance of the arena. In mid-stride, Steamboat is stopped as CM Punk comes from off camera, stopping right in front of Steamboat. Punk is wearing a black hat, jeans, and a black zip-up hooded jacket, the hood up over his head, blocking just about all of Punk's face. ]] CM Punk: We need to talk. Ricky Steamboat: What's going on? CM Punk: That's exactly what I was going to ask you, Steamer. [[ Punk runs his hand down the back of his head. ]] CM Punk: I know you saw what Chris Jericho and his thugs did last week to my friends. Ricky Steamboat: Yes, Punk, I did. [[ Punk waits a moment and takes a step closer to Steamboat. His tone is very stern, almost intimidating. ]] CM Punk: So what are you going to do about it. Ricky Steamboat: Punk, honestly, I don't know. CM Punk: You've got yourself an epidemic on your hands. Colt Cabana, my best friend.. My trainer, Ace Steel, they're in the hospital right now. Broken noses, chipped teeth, they're messed up good, Steamer. Adam Pearce has a black eye. Ricky Steamboat: I know, Punk, I know. But what am I supposed to do? I can't fire six people on my roster, six draws, and let Eric Bischoff scoop them off the free agent market immediately! As much as I hate to say it, it's bad for business.. And we need all of it we can get right now. I know you're mad. I know you're upset.. Things will work itself out. Trust me. [[ Punk is no where near satisfied. ]] CM Punk: Since Jericho's so big on giving out ultimatums, I'm going to hand out one of my own. [[ The camera pans around, revealing Punk's emotionless face among the shadows cast on it by his hat and hood. ]] CM Punk: If you don't handle The Standard... I will. [[ Punk shakes his head. ]] CM Punk: And you DON'T want me to handle it. [[ Silence. Steamboat puts his head down, he knows he's in a dilemma. ]] Ricky Steamboat: I know it's not much, but you can start off by fighting Tyson Tomko tonight if you want. CM Punk: Fine. Ricky Steamboat: And you let me handle the rest. I will not tolerate some sort of civil war dividing my roster in half. [[ Steamboat steps to the side of Punk and begins walking forward to the entrance. Steamboat stops and looks back. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Good luck. [[ Steamboat walks into the arena as Punk stands in the parking lot, hands in his pockets. ]] Match
One:
Singles Match
[[ Chris Jericho grabs Rob Van Dam and sends several knees to his head, then kicks him out of the ring to the ring mat. His music hits and the fans are giving Jericho down the road as he soaks it all up in the middle of the ring. Ricky Steamboat comes out, which changes the crowd's reaction to loud cheers, letting Jericho know something is going on. He slowly turns around, expecting the worst, but his fears are calmed as it's only Ricky Steamboat and not Cena or Danielson. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Nice victory, Chris. [[ Jericho smiles proudly, puffing his chest out, confidently. ]] Ricky Steamboat: And I hate to interrupt your celebration, but, after the amount of chaos you and your friends have caused my company the past few weeks, it's only fair that I return the favor. [[ Jericho props himself on the ropes, leaning towards Steamboat. ]] Ricky Steamboat: First things first, after some careful deliberation, I've decided that next week at Honor and Glory, Takeshi Morishima will defend the United States Championship against AJ STYLES! Larry Sweeney has been ringing my phone off the hook and beating my door down threatening to not allow his group to show up next week.. And if they don't, they won't have to worry about coming back! [[ Huge cheers as Jericho rolls his eyes. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Now, on to you and your friends.. Next week, while you fight for the World Heavyweight Championship.. Edge and Randy Orton will take on John Cena and CM Punk in a tag team match with relaxed rules! There must be a winner. [[ A mixture of "CENA!" and "C-M-PUNK!" chants start up throughout the arena. ]] Ricky Steamboat: And in your match, Chris, I've got a special idea in mind. Bryan Danielson defends his World Championship against Chris Jericho, and THE STANDARD IS BARRED FROM RINGSIDE! If any of your friends interfere on your behalf, scratch that.. If any of your friends even get SPOTTED LOOKING at ringside, you and your entire group IS FIRED! [[ Jericho staggers back from the ropes like Steamboat just shot him. He screams "IT'S NOT FAIR!" ]] Ricky Steamboat: Oh, Chris, it is fair. I have two of my competitors in the hospital right now. Colt Cabana has no idea who he is and Ace Steel is facing major reconstructive surgery on his face. Adam Pearce is at home in Chicago nursing his wounds and he'll be back in a few weeks and I'm sure he'll be coming for you. [[ Steamboat continues as Jericho smirks, proud of what he's done. ]] Ricky Steamboat: Smile now. But next week, when you fight the animal known as Bryan Danielson, we'll see who's smiling then. Danielson is a machine, one unlike you've never faced before. I have seen this man beat Shawn Michaels, one of the greats of all time. I've seen him bloody Ric Flair in the middle of that ring on more than one occasion. Chris, some time very soon.. Your group will be weeded out of this company, and we can proceed on about our business. [[ Pause. ]] Ricky Steamboat: And next week will be a good start. [[ Commercial break. The playing field is definitely level for Danielson's first title defense in the new LoC next week on Honor and Glory! ]] [[ In the catering area backstage, we see several wrestlers sitting around tables. Some are eating from the catering table and the camera focuses on Grizzly Redwood, Ernie Osiris, Rhett Titus, and Matt Hardy of all people, playing cards at one table. Jeff Hardy lays his tray on the table and sits down, watching the game going on. ]] Ernie Osiris: Hey, Matt, can I borrow some change? [[ He scratches his messy beard. ]] Matt Hardy: No. [[ "Dirty" Ernie gets up and flips the card table over and leaves. Rhett chuckles as Hardy looks furious. ]] Rhett Titus: Matt, brother, chill-ax my man. It's just cards. Matt Hardy: Who was that guy? Rhett Titus: No idea, never met him before. [[ An obvious lie. ]] Rhett Titus: Matt, you've been in this business a long time, brother. You've seen it all. Let me ask you a question. Matt Hardy: Sure, man, no problem. Rhett Titus: When you were bangin' Lita, brother, when you went down on her and was fixing to munch on the carpet.. [[ A sly smile comes to his face. ]] Rhett Titus: Did your breath echo? [[ Hardy clinches his fists. ]] Rhett Titus: It's a legitimate question, brother. I mean, if she boinked Edge behind your back, who's to say he was the only one? If I were around, I'd showed her that the THRUST.. IS A MUST! [[ Hardy stands up and grabs Titus by the head and throws him out of the area. The scene quickly escalates as Tyler Black, Necro Butcher, and Allison Wonderland enter the scene. ]] Tyler Black: Temper, temper. [[ Jeff immediately stands up and faces Black. ]] Tyler Black: Matt, you found out first hand that nothing saves.. Not even the love of a woman. [[ He turns to Jeff. ]] Tyler Black: And Jeff, you put your focus on alcohol and drugs. Nothing saves but the Age of the Fall. The true revolution that will save this world. Jeff, you've crossed the Age of the Fall. You stood in my way of becoming United States Champion.. And now, it's time to pay for your sins. You screwed me, this revolution, this group, out of taking our first piece of power in League of Champions.. And now you have to pay the price. [[ He continues. ]] Tyler Black: Jeff, you have nowhere else to run. We're here, right now, to extend a challenge to you. You've avoided us long enough. [[ Hardy nods. ]] Jeff Hardy: Whatever match it is, considered it accepted. I back down from no one, not even your so-called "revolution." That battle royal was every man for himself. In case you have forgotten, I didn't win the title either. Tyler Black: And you never will. You're not championship material. You have your focus on other things. Next week, your focus better be on the Age of the Fall.. Or it'll be your worst mistake. [[ Matt steps beside his brother. ]] Matt Hardy: If you have a problem with my bro, you have a problem with me. [[ Black rolls his eyes. ]] Tyler Black: Even better. [[ A smile comes across his face. ]] Tyler Black: Next week at Honor and Glory, let's have a tag team match. Matt Hardy: Let's. Jeff Hardy: You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. Tyler Black: Oh, I think we do. One week at a time. This revolution will expand.. One week at a time. [[ The Hardy brothers walk off, leaving the Age of the Fall standing there. Val Venis walks into the picture with a tray. He sets it down, grabs his plastic cup filled with soda and looks at Tyler Black. ]] Val Venis: I feel ignored by society. [[ He takes a drink. ]] Val Venis: I wanna' join the revolution. [[ Tyler Black slaps the drink out of his hand, the contents splashing everywhere on the floor. ]] Val Venis: GIVE ME A BREAK! [[ Necro rears back and delivers a sickening knock out punch to Venis, dropping him onto the soda that was knocked out of his hand! Venis is unconscious lying on the floor from the Necro Butcher! I guess his attempt to join the Age of the Fall was declined! ]] Match
Two:
LoC Elite
Championship
[[ In the hallway backstage, we see Chris Jericho walk up to Kurt Angle, who is chatting with one of the LoC production crew. The crew member walks away as the camera focuses on Jericho and Angle. Angle looks skeptical of this whole situation, unsure of how to react. ]] Kurt Angle: What do you want? Chris Jericho: To apologize. [[ Angle looks confused. ]] Chris Jericho: Kurt, the way The Standard and myself have treated you, an Olympic athlete, a World Champion everywhere you've worked.. It's be unacceptable. Edge attacked you after the fatal four way two weeks ago for no reason. I threatened you with bodily harm, forced you out of the ring.. I treated you like a curtain jerker, a bottom-feeder.. When in reality, Kurt, you're probably more recognized and respected in this business than myself. [[ Angle nods. ]] Chris Jericho: This group I've formed, we're legitimate. We take care of one another and we have the best intentions of this business in mind. You know this industry we both love and have bleed gallons for is hurting, Kurt. It needs a savior. It needs a positive example to heal the wounds. John Cena, CM Punk, Bryan Danielson.. Those people aren't the answers, Kurt. Those people are the problem. [[ Jericho runs his hand down his face. ]] Chris Jericho: It's just like this, Kurt.. Together, you and I can apply an iron grip to this company that will never be broken. Myself as LoC World Champion, you as the Olympic Hero. Together, we can set an example for this business. We can make people stand up and take notice.. We can control the entire business and make it ours. You've seen what we've done, the dominance we've spread throughout LoC. Slowly we're taking out those who continuously belittle this business. [[ Jericho smiles. ]] Chris Jericho: And Kurt Angle, there's no one else I'd rather have on my side than you. [[ Angle strongly considers the option. ]] Chris Jericho: Kurt Angle, newest member of The Standard. [[ Pause. ]] Chris Jericho: You in? Kurt Angle: Sounds good. Sounds damn good. Chris Jericho: Absolutely. I know you have a big match with Orton tonight. He considers it an honor to be facing you.. But, join us. Don't fight Randy. Save your energy and efforts for someone who deserves it. Someone downgrading your twelve World championships. [[ Jericho slaps Angle on the shoulder. ]] Chris Jericho: Tell you what. I'll come to the ring before you and Randy fight tonight. I'll get your answer then. Plenty of time to consider the benefits of joining us. The money, the power, the gold, the women.. Kurt Angle it can all be ours. Come, bask in some of the power we possess right now. I'll see you later tonight for your decision. [[ Jericho smiles and walks off, Kurt Angle stands there, totally surprised by that talk. He rubs his chin, soaking in everything Jericho said. He shakes it off and opens the door into the locker room. Inside, AJ Styles, CM Punk, and John Cena are in the middle of a discussion. ]] John Cena: Welcome aboard, AJ. AJ Styles: Thanks. I had your back in the old LoC, so I figured why not this time. Someone's gotta' put a stop to them puttin' guys' faces through walls. And who better than us, right? CM Punk: Exactly. When I get my hands on those guys next week, they're going to regret the day they screwed with CM Punk and his friends. If they leave that ring on their own accord, then I have failed. [[ Angle just walks on by the group and sits down at his locker. ]] John Cena: Kurt, what's wrong, man? Kurt Angle: Nothing. [[ Angle looks up to the ceiling and then back down. ]] Kurt Angle: Just something on my mind. [[ Cena walks over to him and pats him on the shoulder. ]] John Cena: If you need anything, we here for ya'. Kurt Angle: Thanks. [[ And after that, we go to the ring. Kurt Angle has a serious decision to make tonight. If he makes the wrong one, Chris Jericho and company will definitely make him pay for it like they did to the Second City Saints last week! What will Kurt decide? ]] Match Three:
Tag Team Match
[[ After the match, Teddy Hart swipes the microphone off the table at ringside. He slaps on it a few times, creating several loud thuds echoing throughout the loud speakers in the arena. He looks around as Harry Smith and Nattie Neidhart stand beside him. ]] Teddy Hart: A few weeks ago, Harry and me, we got fuckin' screwed! [[ He paces around in a circle, still talking. ]] Teddy Hart: And we're not cool with that. [[ He continues. ]] Teddy Hart: So here's how it's gonna go.. Million Dollar BITCHES.. Next week at Honor and Glory.. You faggots defend those belts against us.. WE'RE CASHIN' IN OUR REMATCH! [[ Teddy acts as if this is some stunning loophole no one else knew about. ]] Teddy Hart: You talk about your legacy, next week, we cement ours as the best tag team in this company! [[ Quickly, the challenge is answered as Ted Jr. and Mike DiBiase come out without Ted DiBiase. ]] Ted DiBiase Jr.: Your rematch request.. Accepted. [[ DiBiase looks around at the crowd, then back to Hart. ]] Ted DiBiase Jr.: And when we beat you guys.. Again.. OUR legitimate legacy, not one you're milking off of.. Will be PRICELESS! [[ There we have it, the rematch is scheduled for next week! It'll be a high-stakes rematch for the LoC World Tag Team Championship! ]] [[ The scene quickly switches to the back where Bryan Danielson is wearing a yellow "Cattle Mutilation" t-shirt and his ring gear. The LoC World Heavyweight Championship is wrapped around his left shoulder, shining in the light brightly. Danielson looks bitter and sour, like always. Michael Cole is standing beside him, looking almost nervous to conduct this interview. ]] Michael Cole: Bryan Danielson, thank you again for giving me a few minutes of your time tonight. [[ No reply. ]] Michael Cole: Two weeks ago, we saw Chris Jericho win the number one contendership to your LoC World Championship, and, in the process, formed an alliance with several top stars here in League of Champions. Thus far, they have blazed a path of pure destruction. [[ Still nothing. ]] Michael Cole: Next week, live in Detroit, Michigan, "Honor and Glory." Your first title defense in nearly eighteen months. You've beaten the best. You've defeated Chris Hero, Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Christian Cage.. But this, this may be your toughest test yet against Chris Jericho. Bryan Danielson: False. [[ Danielson adjusts his title on his shoulder. ]] Bryan Danielson: Chris Jericho won the right to fight me for the title, and that's fine, okay? But what's not okay, is the fact that he went ahead and crowned himself LoC World Champion without even fighting me. Last time I checked, I was the only true undefeated wrestler in this company. Last time I checked, I was the BEST.. WRESTLER.. IN THE WORLD! [[ He turns to the camera. ]] Bryan Danielson: Chris Jericho has turned his sights on John Cena and CM Punk and anyone who's associated with them. Chris Jericho and his "Standard" have done nothing but ignore me, overlook me, second-guess me. And that's fine, okay? That's perfectly fine with me. That just makes next week a whole lot easier to kick Chris Jericho effin' head in. [[ Danielson takes his title off his shoulder and displays it to the camera. ]] Bryan Danielson: I love professional wrestling. I love League of Champions. I love being the reason this company functions. I have represented this company in main events all over the world. I've defended this title in Japan, Canada, in Solid Gold Wrestling.. Anywhere, against anyone, at any time. Chris Jericho is disrespecting me by acting as if I don't exist... And that's fine. [[ Danielson slaps the belt. ]] Bryan Danielson: For over one-hundred days now, ten defenses, this title has not left my side. Next week in Detroit at "Honor and Glory," the first super show in eighteen months. The biggest show in LoC history.. Chris Jericho will NEVER overlook Bryan Danielson ever again. Chris Jericho is going to have his shoulders ripped from his socket with Cattle Mutilation, his jaw broken with the roaring elbow, his cranium busted with my elbows.. He wants to overlook me. I'll make him regret the day he signed that LoC contract. [[ Danielson snarls into the camera, looking like he just ate something sour. ]] Bryan Danielson: I WILL NOT BE TREATED AS SOME SECOND-RATE CHAMPION! I TOOK THIS TITLE AND I MADE IT A "WORLD" TITLE! I TOOK THIS COMPANY, AND I MADE IT LEGITIMATE! I AM NOT SOME FUCKING MID-CARD ACT! I AM THE MAIN EVENT IN THIS COMPANY! I AM THE LoC WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION... [[ Pause. ]] Bryan Danielson: And next week, that will remain the same. Chris Jericho can worry about John Cena all he wants. He can go hang out with his little group and bloody mid-carders all night long. When he steps into the ring with me, he'll recognize what Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Chris Hero, Jeff Hardy, Beef Wellington, Satoshi Kojima, and many, many more have found out before.. Including Chris Jericho's own buddy Christian Cage found out last week when I knocked his ass out cold in the ring.. I am the "American Dragon." [[ He points to himself with his thumb. ]] Bryan Danielson: I am Bryan Danielson. [[ A brief pause to milk the moment, Danielson is letting it all out from the heart. He sends it home sternly. ]] Bryan Danielson: The best wrestler in the world. [[ Fade. ]] Bryan Danielson
versus
Chris Jericho Match
Four:
Singles Match
[[ Takeshi Morishima shows himself at the top of the ramp as AJ Styles has his hand raised in victory. Styles sees Morishima and begins making a belt motion around his waist, letting him know that next week, that title is his. Larry Sweeney does his best to hold his top client back, telling him to save it for next week. What a match that will be next week from Detroit, Michigan as AJ Styles goes after Morishima and his United States Championship! Can AJ Styles stop Takeshi Morishima's reign before it even truly gets started? We'll find out next week on "Honor and Glory!" ]] Match
Five:
Singles Match Chris Jericho: So, Kurt, what's it going to be? It's time for your decision.. A decision that will change your career for good. [[ The fans quickly encourage Angle to fight. ]] Chris Jericho: You could choose to come and side with us, to join The Standard and join in on our dominance.. Or, you could choose to fight Randy Orton, it'll be the last match you ever compete in. You saw what we did last week. You know what we're capable of, and Kurt Angle.. I know you're going to make the right choice. I just know what happened tonight. I know you're in doubt. [[ He continues. ]] Chris Jericho: After our little talk tonight, I saw that you were once again invited to join John Cena's little "army." I saw him try to woo you to their group as if you were some sheep. Kurt, you're a wrestling machine. You're one of the best in the world.. In history. The only place you belong is among the elite. We are wrestling, Kurt. We are the ones who are saving ourselves, banding together, and fighting against those who have no passion for this sport. [[ He doesn't skip a beat as Angle listens. ]] Chris Jericho: And next week, when I take Bryan Danielson's World Championship, I will have all the power I need. We will control this company from top to bottom.. And Kurt Angle.. We want you along for the ride. Don't fight Randy Orton.. It's not worth two of the top men in this business to be at one another's throats. Kurt Angle, The Standard can give you anything you want. The money, the fame, the honor, the glory.. We have it all. [[ Angle nods. ]] Chris Jericho: What you see before you isn't a stable, a group, or a cause. We're a family. These people would do anything in the world for me. We're together because we're all on the same page. Kurt Angle, why not you? [[ Jericho extends his hand for a handshake. ]] Chris Jericho: Are you ready to make history? Are you ready to go down as one of the men who set the world of wrestling on fire? [[ Angle walks right to Orton's face and the two have a tense stare down for several seconds. The fans are just begging for Angle to knock Orton's head off right now. Angle backs away, puts his head down, almost in shame. He walks over to Jericho and shakes his hand. KURT ANGLE HAS JOINED THE STANDARD! THE BALANCE OF POWER IS DEFINITELY IN THEIR FAVOR NOW!! The other Standard members applaud in excitement as they have gained a new member. Jericho raises Angle's arm in the air as the fans begin nearly rioting, throwing bottles and trash into the ring, littering the mat with various pieces of garbage! They can't believe their eyes as Kurt Angle and Randy Orton shake hands, the men should be fighting right now! Angle turns to Jericho who raises the microphone back to his lips. ]] Chris Jericho: You won't regret your decision. Kurt Angle: I know. [[ ANGLE SLAM ON CHRISTIAN CAGE! ANGLE SLAM ON RANDY ORTON! KURT ANGLE IS NOW JUMPING HIS NEW TEAMMATES! WHAT'S GOING ON?! Chris Jericho shoves Trish into Angle's arms and hightails it out of the ring quickly before Angle can get his hands on him! Angle gets punched by Tomko, but HE NO SELLS IT! FIGHTING SPIRIT~!! ANGLE SLAM ON TOMKO! Edge spears Angle, but he pops right back up! BELLY TO BELLY! ANGLE LOCK ON EDGE, WHO BEGS FOR MERCY! KURT ANGLE HAS SNAPPED ALL OVER THE STANDARD IN A SHOCKING TURN OF EVENTS HERE AT THE END OF GLORY!! ]] [[ Chris Jericho is almost in tears after Kurt Angle fooled him and the world by seemingly joining the Standard, only to turn against them moments later. This is the first time The Standard has looked weak at all since LoC reopened its doors a few week ago. Chris Jericho runs his hands through his hair as he watches Angle give Trish Stratus a German Suplex! Jericho, though, has problems of his own as BRYAN DANIELSON pops up from the crowd and locks in the CROSS-FACE CHICKEN WING! JERICHO IS IMMEDIATELY TAPPING AS THE FANS ARE BLOWING THE ROOF OFF! The Standard is getting their just desserts handed to them one week before the biggest LoC show of all time! Danielson is refusing to release the hold, sending a clear message to his opponent next week that he won't be taken lightly! Bryan Danielson and Kurt Angle have definitely rocked the very core the Standard has put together strictly on sneak attacks and swerves! ]] [[ Fade out. ]] |
