-The 2012 WWE Over The Limit pre-show opens up with Todd Grisham and The Coach as fans are still filing into the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Grisham and Coach hype tonight's matches.
-Justin Roberts has the call in the ring and announces that the opening contest tonight will be the Shane McMahon Invitational to determine who will receive a shot at the WWE Champion tomorrow night on RAW. 25 Superstars from RAW, Smackdown and ECW have responded to the invite and start to make their way to ringside. Each has drawn a number and will enter the match accordingly one-by-one.
Shane McMahon Invitational featuring Superstars from RAW, Smackdown and ECW (Winner gets a WWE Championship Match on Tomorrow Night's RAW)
The ring is quickly surrounded and we eventually discover that Santino Marella has the unfortunate distinction of drawing #1 and his first opponent is JOHN CENA. The bell rings to get us started and Santino reluctantly meets Cena in the middle of the ring. Santino tries to trick Cena into looking the other way and comes up with a Santino Stunner, but Cena doesn't even leave his feet. Cena rubs his jaw and decks Marella in the face with a stiff right hook. Cena shrugs it off and makes the cover for a three count.
Santino Marella is eliminated.
In steps BRODIE LEE and this might be more of a challenge. The Big Rig and Cena begin exchanging heavy blows and Brodie sets up for a Half Nelson Suplex. Cena fights out and comes back with a Spin Out Powerbomb and connects with a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena preps for The FU and Brodie answers with a Truck Stop for two.
Brodie sets up for a Package Piledriver and Cena fights out and goes for a Gutwrench Suplex. Brodie counters back and connects with a Brodie Bomb and Cena kicks out at 2 1/2. Brodie strangles Cena with an Overhead Choke Bomb, but he battles out yet again and drops the Big Rig with a Spinebuster. Cena climbs to the top rope and connects with a devastating dropkick. The Cenation Leader attempts a bulldog, but Brodie blocks it and answers with a Double Underhook Suplex for another nearfall. Brodie primes up for a Big Rig Boot, but Cena ducks under and trips the other leg, locking in the STFU. Brodie drags Cena to the bottom rope, but JBL pulls back the rope from the outside and Brodie has no choice but to tap.
Brodie Lee is eliminated.
JBL jumps in next and drops an elbow to the back of Cena’s head and goes to work. Bradshaw backs into the corner and waits for Cena to return to his feet before decapitating a groggy Cena with a Clothesline From Hell to pick up a shocking elimination.
John Cena is eliminated.
THE GREAT KHALI climbs over the top rope and drops JBL with a scoop slam. Khali helps The Wrestling God back to his feet and sets up for a short-arm clothesline, but JBL catches him with a thumb to the eye. JBL drills Khali with an UNBELIEVABLE powerbomb and picks up the three.
The Great Khali is eliminated.
MVP slides into the ring and begins trading fists with JBL. Mr. 305 knocks JBL off balance with a Spinning Capoeira Kick and drops him with the Playmaker to pick up the three count.
JBL is eliminated.
In comes ELIJAH BURKE. More back and forth fists. Burke stuns MVP with 4-Up and drives him to the corner before connecting with the Elijah Express to pick up a quick three count.
MVP is eliminated.
In next is the Celtic Warrior SHEAMUS. The Great White catches Burke between the eyes with a Double Axe Handle and drops him with a Rolling Fireman’s Carry. Sheamus goes to the top and blindsides The Silver-Tongued Pugilist with a Battering Ram and goes into a frenzy of slaps before concluding with a nasty spinning backfist. Burke crawls to the outside and Sheamus captures him for a barrage of forearm clubs to the chest. Burke rolls from the ring, deciding he’s had enough and walks away, taking the ten count.
Elijah Burke is eliminated.
Evan Bourne tries to climb into the ring and Sheamus catches him with a Knee Trembler to the head on his way in. Bourne flops to the mat and Sheamus plants the defenseless Bourne with a Fiery Red Hand for the three count.
Evan Bourne is eliminated.
BOOKER T steps in and goes toe-to-toe with Sheamus, trading lefts and rights before The Celtic Warrior regains the upper hand and drops Booker with White Noise for two. Booker comes back with a Russian Leg Sweep and connects with a Harlem Hangover for a VERY close near fall. Booker backs Sheamus into the corner and works over him with backhand strikes until The Celtic Warrior comes back with an Irish Curse Backbreaker for 2 1/2.
Sheamus sets up for a High Cross, but Booker drops down and comes back with a vicious spinebuster for two. The Irish Madman hoists Booker up for a Running Powerslam but Booker escapes again and connects with a Superkick. Booker gets two before The Great White gets his foot on the bottom rope. Booker sets up for the Book End, but Sheamus fights out of it. Sheamus whips Booker T off the ropes in an attempt for a Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker, but Book answers with a kick to the gut and sets up for the Scissors Kick. Sheamus dodges and comes back with a Brogue Kick that nearly takes Booker’s head off his shoulders. Sheamus makes the cover and gets the three.
Booker T is eliminated.
R-Truth jumps into the ring and Sheamus beats him down in the corner before connecting with a Fallaway Slam. The Celtic Warrior sets up for a short-arm clothesline, but Truth ducks under and stuns Sheamus with Little Jimmy and picks up the HUGE upset three count.
Sheamus is eliminated.
In comes MR. ANDERSON. The Head Asshole comes in and hits Truth with a Side Slam Backbreaker for two. Truth answers back with an Inverted Sitout Suplex Slam and gets another nearfall. Truth climbs to the top and goes for a 450 Splash, but Anderson dodges, sending Truth crashing into the canvas. Mr. Anderson returns to his feet and drills Truth with a Spike DDT to pick up the duke.
R-Truth is eliminated.
ABYSS is next in the ring and he takes Anderson off his feet with a Spear and plants him with a Chokeslam before rocketing him off the ropes for a vile Black Hole Slam for three.
Mr. Anderson is eliminated.
SAMOA JOE enters next and begins brawling with Abyss before catching him with a Dragon Suplex for two. Joe drills Abyss with a Samoan Drop. Abyss rolls to the outside and Joe connects with an Elbow Suicida, taking the Monster out of the equation. JOHN CENA returns to the scene and begins brawling with Joe to the back. The referee rules a double count-out on both men.
Samoa Joe and Abyss are eliminated.
SHELTON BENJAMIN and MARK HENRY climb into the ring and another contest begins. Benjamin springboards and attempts a Diving Clothesline, but Henry is a wall and Benjamin collapses to the mat. Henry connects with an Elbow Drop and moves in for the kill. Henry crushes Benjamin with a World’s Strongest Slam and picks up the three.
Shelton Benjamin is eliminated.
Ten superstars remain and in comes MUHAMMAD HASSAN. Hassan attempts an inside cradle, but Henry collapses on top of him and picks up another three count.
Muhammad Hassan is eliminated.
Hassan begins to protest to the referee about biased officiating and security has to drag Hassan to the back. The distraction enables DAMIEN SANDOW to sneak into the ring and mount an offensive. Sandow connects with a series of Underhook knee lifts and a Russian Leg Sweep for two. Sandow drops the Cubito Aequet and Henry kicks out with authority. Sandow hits a Swinging Neckbreaker and Henry kicks out again. Henry staggers The Intellectual Savior to the Masses with a Fallaway Slam and locks him in a Bearhug. Sandow jams his thumb knuckle deep into Henry’s eye and as The World’s Strongest Man reels, Sandow locks in a straightjacket and connects with the Illumination for another stunning upset.
Mark Henry is eliminated.
Sandow celebrates, but fails to notice that TENSAI has climbed into the ring behind him. Tensai crushes Sandow with a Train Wreck and picks up the three count.
Damien Sandow is eliminated.
SIN CARA jumps in next and goes for a Handspring Back Elbow, but Tensai won’t be budged. Cara falls to the mat and Tensai drops an elbow to the back of his head. Tensai scoops Cara back up and hits a Chokebomb for the pinfall.
Sin Cara is eliminated.
Only six superstars remain and in comes ALBERTO DEL RIO. Tensai beats him down and goes for a Double Underhook Suplex, but Del Rio answers with a Bridging German Suplex for two. Del Rio summons Tensai back to his feet and connects with a Step Up Enziguri for another nearfall. Tensai fights back in and goes for a Pumphandle Slam, but Del Rio slides out the back and hits a Single Arm DDT for two.
Alberto connects with a Double Knee Armbreaker and cinches in the Cross Armbreaker, refusing to let go. After several minutes of struggle, Tensai finally taps out.
Tensai is eliminated.
In comes JAMES STORM who takes Del Rio off his feet with a brutal spear. Storm locks in the Sharpshooter and Del Rio escapes to the bottom rope. Storm goes for a Double Knee Backbreaker, but Del Rio grabs the ropes for leverage. Del Rio comes back with a Diving Senton for two. Del Rio lifts Storm back to his feet and The Cowboy connects with Closing Time to pick up the three count.
Alberto Del Rio is eliminated.
CARLITO is next with the number of superstars at ringside dwindling. Storm catches a charging Carlito with the Last Call and picks up the three count.
Carlito is eliminated.
JEFF HARDY flies into the ring next and begins throwing hands with Storm. James gets the upper hand and sets up for the Eight Second Ride, but Hardy lands on his feet and comes out of NOWHERE with Whisper In The Wind. Hardy picks Storm up off the mat and hits a Twist of Fate, planting Storm’s skull into the canvas before drilling him with a Swanton Bomb for the three count.
James Storm is eliminated.
Only BOBBY ROODE remains. The “It Factor” slides into the ring and the final war is under way. Roode sets up for the Pay Off, but Hardy counters with a Sitout Jawbreaker. Hardy goes for a Diving Clothesline, but Roode dodges, sending Hardy to the mat. Roode goes for a Spear, but Hardy hits a Baseball Slide that sends Roode flying across the ring. Hardy comes back with a Twist of Fate, but Jeff lands in a way that re-aggravates the injuries suffered at the hands of Jeff Jarrett two weeks ago. In a haze, Hardy crawls to the cover with the last of his energy and picks up the three.
Winner and NEW #1 Contender for the WWE Championship: JEFF HARDY
-After the match, Hardy staggers to the back before collapsing on the stage. Officials have to help The Enigma to the back to examine him and determine if he can even be cleared to compete tomorrow night.
-We go to replays before Grisham and Coach go back to hyping tonight's card. They air a promo video for Triple H versus Brock Lesnar in the Street Fight.
-Paul Heyman is backstage with ECW officials putting the polish on the smashed up Hardcore Title in easily one of the most HILARIOUS damn things on WWE television in recent memory. Heyman instructs them to move the pedestal out to ringside for the Battle Royal next.
-We go back to the ring and Joey Styles walks out to the ring to an ENORMOUS pop to call the Hardcore Title Battle Royal as only Joey can. The bell rings and Bob Artese makes the call, announcing that the following contest is for the Hardcore Championship and will be contested under "Bring Your Own Weapon Rules", which of course means there are no rules; other than those regarding elimination.
Out first comes Eddie Edwards brandishing a crutch. Suddenly the sounds of a car wreck go off throughout the arena and the crowd EXPLODES as MICK FOLEY comes out as a surprise entrant in tonight's contest, Barbie in hand. Foley chants are now echoing throughout Raleigh. Out next is Ryback to a mixed reaction, but he appears unarmed. He begins pacing the ramp and the stage before finally setting his eyes on the car propped in the corner. He walks over and rips the car door right from its hinges, drawing an audible gasp from the crowd.
Rellik enters next carrying a cheese grater, followed by Steven Richards armed with a stop sign. Muhammad Hassan is out next to MASSIVE heat and he's armed with piano wire. Tajiri enters and he appears strangely unarmed. Hardcore Holly hits the ring and stops at ringside, pulling out and setting up tables at every end of the ring before sliding in. Sabu comes out next carrying a Steel Chair wrapped in barbed wire. Kevin Thorn enters, spitting blood and toting his staff. Out next is Raven with his Shopping Cart of Horrors, but it's only carrying a basket of Singapore Canes. Raven grabs one for himself and throws the entire basket into the ring. Tyler Reks enters with his fists wrapped in an iron chain.
Davey Richards hits the ring carrying a fire extinguisher and Rhyno follows him out with a steel garbage can. Mikey Whipwreck is out next with a Leather Strap and Paul Burchill comes out armed with a lead pipe. Elijah Burke hits the ring unarmed, goes to the ringside area and grabs the ring bell.
Out next is William Regal to a HUGE pop with his brass knucks. Abyss comes out carrying Janice and finally Tazz hits the stage carrying a gigantic bag over his shoulder. The Human Suplex Machine rolls into the ring as the others look on. Tazz opens the bag and dumps MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of THUMBTACKS onto the ring canvas. Tazz spreads them with his feet until the majority of the canvas is now thumbtacks. WOW. Since Burke has the ring bell, the brawling begins and here we go.
Everyone goes at it and with everyone armed, it gets ugly quick. Burke clobbers Whipwreck with the bell, opening a gash above his right eye and eliminates him. Rellik slices Burke’s face with the Cheese Grater, drawing blood. An outraged Burke buries the bell in Rellik’s ribs and dumps him to the floor with a shot to the head. Kevin Thorn and Steven Richards begin dueling in the corner while Eddie Edwards duels his crutch against Rhyno’s trash can.
The still bizarrely unarmed Tajiri lurks in the corner and sneaks up behind Hassan before blasting the Poison Mist into his face. Hassan falls to the canvas and ends up with hundreds of thumbtacks in his back and arms. Hassan screams out in agony, unsure which hurts worse. Burke clobbers Tajiri with the ring bell and in a stunning turn of events, Abyss helps Burke dump Tajiri from the ring. Stunned that he was betrayed by his fellow Unholy Alliance member, Tajiri climbs back onto the apron and Abyss buries Janice into The Japanese Buzzsaw’s ribs. HOLY SHIT. Tyler Reks bashes Ryback in the face with a steel chain and tries to eliminate him, but Ryback fights back in. Abyss helps several others to eliminate Kevin Thorn. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ABYSS?
Tyler Reks is eliminated. Eddie Edwards is out next. Abyss and Mick Foley begin go at it now, trading blows between Janice and Barbie. Tazz and Burchill double team Burke, but Burke fights back with the bell, and eliminates Tazz, then Burchill. Steven Richards bends his Stop Sign around Burke’s head and slams him into the thumbtacks. Holly sneaks up behind Steven and throws him over the top, crashing through one of the tables. Raven clubs Holly over the head with a Kendo Stick and tosses him over the to through another one.
Regal and Raven go at it in the center of the ring. Raven flogs Regal about seven times with two Kendo Sticks at once. Regal takes a swing out of desperation and clocks Raven with the brass knucks, dropping Raven into the thumbtacks. Raven returns to his feet and fights Regal to the ropes, before both fall over the top to the floor. The pro-Regal/pro-Raven crowd boos loudly, greatly displeased with this outcome. Foley and Abyss continue brawling. Foley bodyslams Abyss into the thumbtacks, then Hassan again. Foley goes after Davey Richards and hits a Double Arm DDT, dropping Richards face first into the thumbtacks.
After several minutes of brawling, Foley slips on Mr. Socko, wraps him in barbed wire, and locks the Mandible Claw on Burke. Abyss and Foley go at it again, and Abyss gains the upper hand with a Black Hole Slam into the thumbtacks. His face pouring with blood and riddled with thumbtacks, Richards grabs the fire extinguisher and blasts it into Foley’s face. Sabu throws the barbed wire steel chair in Ryback’s face, Abyss clubs him with Janice and Richards smacks him upside the head with the extinguisher and Ryback is a bloody mess. SOMEHOW Ryback fights back in and takes Richards out with a brutal Meat Hook Clothesline over the top rope. Ryback drives Foley into the thumbtacks with Shell Shocked but Abyss catches him with Janice. Abyss tries to dump Ryback, but he holds on.
Ryback fights back in and smashes the car door over Abyss’ head, breaking the window and hog-tying him in the process Ryback pushes him over the top and sends him crashing through the third table. Burke bashes the ring bell into the back of Ryback’s head and eliminates him. Rhyno charges for the Gore, but Burke dodges and comes back, dropping Rhyno face first into the thumbtacks with the Elijah Experience. Hassan tries a diving cross body, but Burke knocks him from the top rope, sending him crashing through the barricade. More Holy Shit chants. Sabu throws the barbed-wire chair at Burke’s face and goes to dump Burke, but Foley surprises both of them and sends them to the floor.
We’re down to Rhyno and a very bloody Foley. Rhyno charges again, but Foley catches him with a powerslam back into the thumbtacks. Foley stomps Rhyno deeper into the tacks and sets up for a Double Arm DDT. Rhyno slips out and goes for the Gore, but Foley comes back with Socko. Rhyno fights out and hits a Rhyno Driver. Rhyno tries for another Gore, but Foley dodges, sending him crashing into the ring post shoulder first. Foley rolls under the bottom rope, pours MORE thumbtacks onto the one remaining table, douses it in lighter fluid and sets it ablaze. Foley climbs back onto the apron and Rhyno slingshots him back into the ring and drops him over the top to the ring apron. As Foley returns to his feet, Rhyno comes back with a rib-shattering Gore that sends Foley off the apron and through the flaming, thumbtack-laden table.
Winner and NEW WWE Hardcore Champion: RHYNO
-After the match, Paul Heyman comes down and rewards Rhyno with the Hardcore Title and the Man Beast celebrates the victory. Chants of “HE’S HARDCORE” rain down upon the new champion.
-We get the opening video package featuring the Championship Scramble Matches and the bad blood between Triple H and Brock Lesnar that led to tonight’s Street Fight. The pyro goes off inside the arena and Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us to the show.
SHANE McMAHON hits the ring and The Chairman of the Board has a few announcements to make regarding the direction of the WWE roster and recent events involving the Nexus. Shane O’ tells them that since the return of Jeff Jarrett, the retirement of Goldberg and the brand-switching of Matt Hardy and Rob Van Dam. The rosters of RAW and ECW in particular, have been thrown out of balance. As a result, at midnight tonight, ALL THREE rosters will undergo what Shane is calling “Brand Re-Alignment”. The chairman says each brand’s former World Champions will be largely unaffected, as will the Diva’s Division. However, some mid-carders and low-carders will be switching brands tonight. As it concerns the Nexus, Shane says he understands that they initiated a boycott of the show tonight, but he knows better than to take them at their word. Therefore, he has placed extra security in and around the arena, flooded the backstage area with black shirts and has sentries outside the building to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Shane tells everyone to enjoy the show and hands the mic back to Lilian Garcia for the call. Lilian announces that tonight’s opening contest is The Championship Scramble Match for the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. The crowd erupts into a shocked pop and here we go.
World Heavyweight Championship Scramble Match: CM Punk versus Chris Jericho versus Jeff Jarrett versus Randy Orton versus The Miz versus The Undertaker
Out first comes The Miz to a HUGE pop. The newly fan favorite Miz slides to the corner and awaits his randomly selected first opponent. The lights go down and the crowd ERUPTS as the lightning flashes and the gong sounds and THE UNDERTAKER has been selected to start this match against an understandably beleaguered Miz. The Deadman and Miz move toward the center of the ring and stare each other down as the bell rings to get the Scramble under way.
Determined, Miz takes the first swing, but Taker beats him back with a flurry of lefts and rights and a Big Boot to the face. Taker wears down the Miz with a blatant chokehold and hits a Sidewalk Slam. Taker goes for a Heart Punch, but Miz ducks out of the way and comes back with an Irish Whip to the buckle and follows in with a Turnbuckle clothesline before letting Taker fall to the mat. Miz goes up for a Diving Double Axe Handle, but Taker catches him by the throat and tosses him over the top rope to the ring apron. Taker goes to the outside and hits a Guillotine Leg Drop. The Deadman goes for a running DDT, but Miz counters with a kick to the face and hits a springboard bulldog. Miz goes for a Discus Punch, but Taker catches him by surprise with a Drop Toe Hold and locks in Hell’s Gate. Miz struggles and gets his foot on the bottom rope.
Taker begins clubbing Miz in the back, when Miz grabs hold for a Snapmare and drills The Deadman face first into the canvas for two. Taker returns to his feet and Miz answers back with a Big Boot of his own for two. Taker gets back to his knees and Miz hits a Snap DDT for another two count. Miz is clearly getting visibly frustrated as we approach the six-minute mark.
The buzzer goes off and out next is JEFF JARRETT. The King of the Mountain goes right to work, going at it with The Miz. Jarrett goes for a Double Underhook Facebuster, but Miz counters out and moves into position for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Jarrett rolls him off. Miz charges and Jarrett locks in a Sleeper Hold. Miz begins fading but Undertaker charges and takes Jarrett out with a Big Boot before chokeslamming both of them. Miz and Jarrett roll down to the outside and Taker hits a Suicide Plancha that sends all three through the ringside barricade. More “Holy Shit” chants. Taker rolls them back in and hits Snake Eyes on both men from opposite corners of the ring. The Undertaker is the only man standing as we approach the 12-minute mark in the contest.
The buzzer sounds again and here comes CHRIS JERICHO. Y2J comes charging to the ring after Taker, but the Deadman telegraphs it and sends Jericho crashing back to the outside with a Back Body Drop. Taker turns his attention back to his opponents in the ring and Jarrett stuns him with a Diving Cross Body for two. Taker crawls to the ropes and Jarrett hits a Leapfrog Guillotine, landing on his feet outside the ring. Jarrett rockets Jericho back into the ring and goes for a DDT, but Miz comes from out of nowhere and catches Jarrett with a neckbreaker from behind. Miz hits a Reality Check on Taker and Jericho comes from the top with a Missile Dropkick for two. Jericho goes for a Tiger Suplex on Miz, but Jarrett chimes in and hits Jericho with a Belly to Belly Piledriver for 2 1/2.
Jarrett rolls to the outside and grabs El Kabong. Jeff splinters the guitar over Miz’ head and goes for the cover, but Taker hits a leg drop to the back of Jarrett’s head to break up the count. Taker scales to the top rope and goes for a Missile Dropkick, connecting with Jarrett and drawing a HUGE applause. Taker hits a Running Flying Clothesline on Miz. The Deadman sets up for a Tombstone Piledriver on Jericho, but Jericho fights out and slips down Taker’s back. Jericho locks in an Armbar and drops Taker with a Flashback. As we approach the 18-minute mark, Jericho hits Jarrett with a series of powerbombs. Jericho turns the tables and drops Miz with a Breakdown. Jericho screams “THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE, JUNIOR!” as the buzzer goes off.
Out comes RANDY ORTON. The Viper comes flying down to the ring and goes after his opponents like a house of fire. Orton dazes Jericho with a European Uppercut, catches Jarrett with an Angle Slam which draws a HUGE pop (considering the circumstances), drops The Miz with a Lou Thesz Press and starts working over his face. Undertaker shows up behind Orton and Randy senses him. The two begin trading blows in the center of the ring and Taker whips Orton to the buckle, but Orton counters, sending The Deadman to the corner instead. Orton scales to the top rope and drops Taker with a massive Superplex.
The Viper stuns Jarrett with a picture perfect Dropkick and hits Jericho with a Knee Drop before catching a charging Miz the most VIOLENT snap powerslam he’s ever administered. Orton returns to his feet and is FIRED UP. We’ve not seen this much intensity from The Viper in a LONG time.
Orton climbs to the top and goes for a Diving Crossbody, but Taker captures him mid-leap and drills The Viper with a Tombstone Piledriver. Taker makes the cover and gets a three count. THE UNDERTAKER is the current champion.
The Undertaker goes for Old School on Chris Jericho, but Y2J has it scouted and nails Taker with a DEVASTATING Codebreaker on the descent. Jericho crawls to the cover and gets the three. CHRIS JERICHO is the current champion.
Jericho hits a Double Underhook Backbreaker to the Miz and hits a Spinning Wheel Kick to Jarrett. Jericho goes for a One-Handed Bulldog on Orton, but Randy blocks and comes back with his signature backbreaker. Orton hits a Belly to Belly on Taker and an Gutwrench Neckbreaker on Miz. Orton backs into the corner and Punts Jarrett in the head, sending him to the outside. We are getting down to the 24-minute mark and everyone is patiently awaiting the arrival of CM Punk.
The buzzer sounds and THE NEXUS comes sprinting down the entranceway and the participants in this Scramble Match are in SERIOUS trouble. The eight members of Nexus quickly spread to double team each of the four conscious participants (excluding the punted Jarrett) and the brawling begins. Finally, CM PUNK hits the stage and burns a path to the ring to join the fray. Punk revives Jarrett and the six members of the scramble match begin fighting with the members of Nexus. The numbers game evens up as NIGEL McGUINNESS and WWE CHAMPION BRYAN DANIELSON come down to even the odds. Eventually, the eight men involved in title matches tonight drive The Nexus into a retreat from the ring and back through the crowd. Danielson and McGuinness leave the ring and the Scramble begins to wind down.
With three minutes remaining, the rush for the title REALLY intensifies. Still barely conscious, Jarrett sneaks in and drops Taker with The Stroke and picks up the three count. JEFF JARRETT is the current World Champion. Time winds down even faster as Orton clobbers Jarrett with a falling clothesline, sending him rolling to the apron. Randy hits an IEDDT and primes up for the RKO. Orton connects, makes the cover and gets the three. RANDY ORTON is the current World Champion.
All SIX begin brawling in and around the ring. Jericho takes Taker to the outside and they begin fighting over the barricade while Punk and Jarrett begin exchanging rights and lefts on the ramp. Punk clocks Jarrett with a Roundhouse Kick, leaving him unconscious on the walkway. Orton sets up for the RKO in the ring, but Miz blocks and hits the Skull Crushing Finale, picking up the three with 30 seconds to spare. THE MIZ is the current World Champion.
Miz celebrates and tries to leave the ring, only to get back to his feet and walk into another Roundhouse Kick. Punk hoists the staggering Miz onto his shoulder and hits the GTS. Rushing to the cover, Punk collects a three count with THREE seconds to spare. The time limit expires and the bell rings.
WINNER and STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: CM PUNK
-After the match, CM Punk celebrates with The World Title in hand as Orton and Miz pull themselves to opposite corners and icily stare down Punk. Jericho looks on in disbelief from the crowd and Taker has a look of exhausted frustration as CM Punk rolls to the outside and walks up the ramp to where the unconscious Jarrett lies. Punk hoists the gold above his head in defiance of everything Jarrett said about him three weeks ago and stands above him as STILL the World Heavyweight Champion.
-We go backstage to Shane McMahon discussing matters with the GM's and reassuring them that for the most part, all World Champions, former and current will remain unaffected by the midnight transition. However, there IS a 1 in 100 probability that someone could be moved.
-We get a video package of the building feud between "The Rated R Superstar" Edge and Kurt Angle.
Inferno Match: Edge versus Kurt Angle
We go back to the ring and Justin Roberts has the call. Kurt Angle hits the ring first to a mixed reaction--mostly boos and the classic serenade of "YOU SUCK". Out next is Edge to a MASSIVE pop from the Raleigh crowd. Edge quickly realizes that he can't slide into the ring as the inferno trough is in the way and elects to go over the top rope into the ring instead. The Rated-R Superstar tosses his ring jacket to the timekeeper and the flames flare up to get the match started and here goes the bell.
At the outset, Angle looked like a trapped rat that wanted no part of Edge--repeatedly searching for an exit, but the flames prevented a safe evacuation. Angle finally resigned himself to fighting being the only alternative and came at the Ultimate Opportunist with a furious barrage of European Uppercuts. After another escape attempt, Angle attempted a Top Rope Moonsault, but was brought back to the canvas with an Electric Chair Drop, sending the flames shooting to the top rope. Edge continued the beatdown with a battery of forearms to the face and a beautiful dropkick. The heat at ringside by this point was drawing sweat from everyone in the first three rows.
Angle reverses the momentum, blocking a Spinning Heel Kick and locking in the Ankle Lock. Edge struggles for the bottom rope to break the hold, but quickly realizes that reaching for the flames would be counter-productive. Edge somehow manages to escape the hold and send Angle to the ropes, quickly recoiling to the opposite side of the ring after realizing how close he came to the fire. Furious, Angle wraps Edge up in an iron-fisted waistlock and repeatedly drops Edge on the surgically-repaired neck with German Suplex after German Suplex until he reaches about 15 and releases the hold.
Angle rockets Edge over the flames and to the outside of the ring before scaling to the top rope and launching himself at Edge with a Frog Splash, but The Rated-R Superstar has it scouted and plucks Angle out of mid-air with a picture perfect Spear. With Kurt unconscious on the arena floor, Edge scoops up The Olympic Gold Medalist and delivers an Edgecution, dropping Angle legs first on the inferno trough, setting the knee pads and boots ablaze. Angle writhes in agony trying to snuff the flames out as the bell rings.
WINNER: EDGE
-After the match, EMT's and technicians swarm in to extinguish the barbecuing Angle. Edge heads up the ramp and salutes the fans while facing the stage. Dr. Rios and others help Angle onto a stretcher and wheel him to the back.
-We go backstage with Triple H and Stephanie, the RAW GM is trying to loosen The Game up for his Street Fight tonight by working on his neck and shoulders. Shawn Michaels hobbles into the room on crutches, leg in a cast and tells The Game to be careful out there tonight and says he expects Triple H to tap into that dark side he remembers from all of the times they beat the hell out of each other nearly a decade ago. Batista steps in with his arm in a sling and tells Hunter that if he weren't working with one arm, that he knows DAMN WELL he'd be in there ripping Brock apart as well. Ric Flair rolls in to a chorus of WOOOS in a wheelchair and arm in a cast and tells Triple H to get the job done tonight, not just for himself, not just for his family and not just for the three of them, but for the welfare of EACH and every man and woman in that locker room that draws a paycheck, because as long as Brock Lesnar is allowed to run roughshod over RAW, no one in WWE is safe. The Game steps up, sledgehammer in hand and walks out the door, determined look on his face.
ECW Championship Scramble Match: John Morrison versus Kane versus Big Show versus Jack Swagger versus Rob Van Dam versus Matt Hardy
Out first comes Rob Van Dam to a MASSIVE POP from the pro-ECW crowd. Rob Van Dam awaits his first opponent as the pyro explodes and the stage bursts into flames as KANE enters second. Kane reaches the ringside area and Van Dam runs to the opposite ropes and launches over the top with a Springboard Cross Body. Kane catches him and throws him into the barricade. The Big Red Monster locks in a Clawhold on the outside and the match still hasn't officially started. Kane rips up the protective mat on the floor and hits a brutal sidewalk slam on the concrete. Kane rolls Van Dam back into the ring and the bell rings to get the clock started.
The Devil's Favorite Demon strikes with a DDT and goes to the cover, but Van Dam kicks out at two. Kane goes for a powerbomb, but Van Dam rolls through and comes up with a Sunset Flip for two. Kane charges and Van Dam answers back with a Step Over Spinning Wheel Kick. RVD scales to the top rope and hits the Five-Star Frog Splash. Van Dam makes the cover and gets 2 1/2. In disbelief, RVD argues the call with the ref and walks directly into a Tilt-A-Whirl Side Slam. Kane makes the cover, but Van Dam kicks out at two. Kane hits a Big Boot and follows up with a Scoop Slam.
The Big Red Machine hoists RVD up for a Tombstone, but Rob escapes from behind and comes back with a Roundhouse Kick and a Guillotine Leg Drop. Van Dam summons the strength for a Northern Lights Suplex, but Kane kicks out at one. RVD rolls to the outside and grabs a steel chair. RVD throws it at Kane's face, but he catches it and The Whole Dam Show answers with a Van Daminator to knock Kane senseless. RVD goes for the cover and gets another nearfall. We are nearing the six-minute mark and the entrance of another participant.
The buzzer sounds and out comes MATT HARDY. Hardy grabs a chair from under the ring and starts swinging wildly, taking out both Kane and RVD in the process. Matt scales to the top rope with chair in hand and hits a Chair-Aided Top Rope Leg Drop to Kane. Matt grabs RVD and lands a Side Effect for two. Hardy begins working over Kane again and goes for a Diving Elbow Drop from the second rope to the back of Kane's head, but The Big Red Monster recovers and drops him with a swift uppercut. Kane lifts Hardy up and drills him with a Tombstone Piledriver. Kane makes the cover, but Van Dam breaks up the pin with Rolling Thunder.
Van Dam hoists Matt up for a Lifting Double Underhook Facebuster, but Hardy comes back with a Back Body Drop and plants RVD with a Russian Leg Sweep. Matt goes back up for a Diving Clothesline, but Kane catches him and blasts Hardy with a Chokeslam. Kane climbs up to the top and hits RVD with a Diving Clothesline of his own. Kane slams Hardy and comes back with a running seated dropkick for two. The twelve minute mark is fast approaching as Kane awaits his next victim.
The buzzer sounds and here comes THE BIG SHOW. The World's Largest Athlete is met at the ropes by the Big Red Monster and they begin trading MASSIVE punches. Big Show locks in a Bearhug and Kane desperately tries to power out. Kane starts boxing Show's ears to break the hold and Big Show answers with a gargantuan Sidewalk Slam for two. Show locks Kane into an Abdominal Stretch and nearly forces a submission, but Van Dam and Matt Hardy break the hold with a double con-chair-to. RVD, Hardy and Kane triple-team Show and dump him over the top rope to the floor with a back body drop. RVD hits a Diving Plancha that staggers the Giant, Hardy hits a Diving Cross Body that gets the Big Show wobbling and Kane caps it off with a Diving Clothesline that takes him off his feet.
Kane throws Show back in and hits a Backbreaker before dropping Hardy with a Front Powerslam. Kane goes for a Chokeslam on Van Dam but RVD counters out and sends Kane reeling into the corner. RVD grabs the chair again and goes Coast to Coast on Kane with a Van Terminator. Chants of "THIS IS AWESOME" as all four men are left lying. Big Show returns to his feet and crushes RVD with a Showstopper Leg Drop. Show primes up and gets ready to deliver WMD, just waiting for the first man to return to his feet, and it's Hardy. Show LEVELS Hardy with a shot that by all accounts, should have broken Matt's jaw. Show makes the cover and picks up the DECISIVE three count.
Big Show is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Big Show continues his dominance, helping Kane back to his feet in the corner and begins lighting him up with lung-collapsing chops to the chest. Show continues the beatdown with stiff fists to the ribs. Show sets up for the Final Cut on Van Dam, but RVD counters with a Pele Kick as the clock reaches 18 minutes.
The buzzer goes off and here comes the DEFENDING ECW Champion, John Morrison. Morrison hits the ring and immediately goes to work on Show with a Corkscrew Moonsault. Morrison takes out Van Dam with an Enziguri and blindsides Kane with a Springboard Elbow Drop. Morrison hits a Superkick just as Hardy is returning to his feet. The Guru of Greatness wows the WWE Universe with a Corkscrew Plancha to RVD on the arena floor. Morrison rolls back into the ring and hits a Leg Lariat on Kane. John goes for a Moonsault Side Slam on Kane, but gets caught with a Chokeslam instead. Kane goes for the cover, but Show breaks up the fall with a Leg Drop.
Big Show regains control, dropping Hardy with a Military Press Slam to the outside and locks Kane into the Colossal Clutch. Morrison breaks up the hold with a European Uppercut and an STO Backbreaker to the Giant. Morrison hits a Wheelbarrow Facebuster to Van Dam and a Pele Kick to Kane. Morrison follows up with a Standing Shooting Star Press for two. The defending champion goes after Hardy with a Capoeira Leg Drop and gets another near fall. We are nearing the twenty four-minute mark and the clock begins to count down.
The buzzer sounds for the final time and here comes Jack Swagger. Swagger almost gets to the ring, but Morrison blows the crowd away with a BEAUTIFUL Shooting Star Plancha to the outside. Lots of Morrison chants at this point. Morrison rolls back in and goes for Moonlight Drive on Hardy, but Matt fights out and comes back with Northern Lights for another nearfall. Matt catches RVD in the corner with a clothesline and rebounds with a Bulldog. Hardy goes for a Moonsault on Kane, but Kane moves out of the way, sending him crashing to the canvas. Kane hits a clothesline on Morrison in the corner and stuns the crowd with a Chokeslam on the Big Show. Kane makes the cover and gets the three with only minutes to spare.
Kane is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Swagger gets back into the match, clipping Kane's knees out from under him. Swagger hits an Oklahoma Stampede on Hardy and attempts a Red, White and Blue Thunder Bomb on Morrison, collecting a two. Swagger attempts Northern Lights, but Morrison counters back out with a Capoeira Kick, a Flying Chuck and Starship Pain. Morrison makes the cover and regains his title as the clock continues to tick down.
John Morrison is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Morrison has little time to celebrate as Hardy answers with an Ice Pick and a Twist of Fate. Hardy makes the cover and gets three.
Matt Hardy is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Swagger meets Hardy with a Big Boot and a Wheelbarrow Suplex. Swagger takes the still dazed Hardy and drops him with a Gutwrench Powerbomb for three. Only 1:30 remains in the contest.
Jack Swagger is the Provincial ECW Champion.
Show regains control with a Headbutt to Swagger and a Chokeslam to Kane. Big Show goes for a Spear on Van Dam, but RVD dodges, sending the World's Largest Athlete crashing into the buckle. Van Dam follows up with Rolling Thunder. As Van Dam is lying on the mat, Morrison sets up for Starship Pain, but RVD is able to move at the last possible split second, sending Morrison crashing into the mat. RVD leaps to the top rope and plasters Morrison with a Five-Star Frog Splash. RVD collects the three count with :15 remaining on the clock.
Rob Van Dam is the Provincial ECW Champion.
With bodies strewn everywhere, the final fifteen seconds tick off the clock and the match is over.
WINNER and NEW ECW CHAMPION: ROB VAN DAM
-After the match, RVD body-surfs the ever loyal ECW crowd as chants of "EC-DUB" nearly drown out Van Dam's music. Morrison lies in the ring, clutching his ribs in disappointment. As opponents return to their feet, a LIVID Big Show levels Hardy, Morrison, Swagger and lastly Kane one-by-one with WMD. Big Show examines the carnage, shaking his head out of frustration and yells out in rage before leaving the ring in disgust.
-Jeremy Borash is backstage with A.J. Styles and asks him why Lance Storm has targeted him and the United States Championship. Styles says he still has no clue as to why Storm attacked him at Extreme Rules but has no problem putting him away and retaining the gold tonight. JB asks him about the knee and A.J. says it's still a little shaky, but it's in good enough condition to kick Lance Storm's ass tonight and get the job done. Lance Storm walks in and sneers at Styles. Lance tells A.J. that he's sick and tired of the illustrious history of the belt being sullied by a pathetic West Georgia yokel like him and speaks on the irony of class, dignity and prestige being brought back to the UNITED STATES TITLE by a CANADIAN. Storm heads toward the ring as A.J. looks on.
WWE United States Championship Match: A.J. Styles versus Lance Storm
Back to the ring and Justin Roberts announces the U.S. Title Match. Out first is Lance Storm to a decent pop. The United States Champion A.J. Styles enters next and gets a standing ovation from southeastern crowd. We get formal introductions and the bell rings to get this one started.
Storm got the early jump to keep the high-flying Styles grounded. The former Impact Player threw the champion off his game with a Springboard Crossbody and began working the leg to set up for the Maple Leaf, but A.J. was able to negotiate his way out. Storm hit a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Mr. Excitement wore out Styles with a rush of punches and kicks that worked the champion into the corner. Styles reversed the momentum after dodging a Diving Reverse Elbow from the top. The U.S. champion rebounded with a Stylin' DDT and picks up a near fall.
The action spilled to the outside when Storm attempted to knock Styles off the apron with a Baseball Slide, but A.J. would dodge again and send him to the arena floor with an Asai Moonsault. The champion throws Lance Storm back into the ring and connects with a top rope Flying Forearm. Storm tries to get back into the match with a running lariat, but Styles evades the assault and comes back with a flawless dropkick for two.
Storm dug deep into his repertoire, lighting Styles up with a flurry of Shoot Kicks and a POWER-PLEX for 2 1/2. Storm made one last effort to finish the contest with a top-rope Spinning Heel Kick, but Styles knocked him from his perch and connected with a GORGEOUS Pele' Kick. A.J. scales to the top rope and CRUSHES Storm with a Styles Clash. The maneuver appears to have re-aggravated Styles' knee injury suffered a couple of weeks ago at the hands of the Canadian Maple Leaf.
Styles climbs back to his feet and notices that Storm has rolled 3/4 of the way across the ring. Styles gets a wild look in his eyes and scales to the top rope. Looking at the distance between him and Storm across the ring, Styles develops a glossy stare and begins laughing maniacally, almost as though even HE can't believe that he's about to do what he's about to do. Planting off his feet, trying to get as much thrust as possible, Styles LAUNCHES himself across the ring and hits a STAGGERING Spiral Tap from COAST TO COAST. Holy Shit chants ensue. Styles crawls to the cover and gets the three.
WINNER: A.J. STYLES
-After the match, the ref helps Styles back to his feet and presents him with the gold as the WWE Universe is ON THEIR FEET. Styles thanks them all and limps toward the back as Lance Storm is helped to his feet in the ring.
-Backstage with Shane McMahon, who is suddenly surrounded by the Nexus. Ziggler tells Shane that he understands that most World Champions will be unaffected by this midnight re-alignment, but in case he hadn't noticed, the majority of the Nexus is composed of ignored talents who haven't been put in position to "grab the brass ring yet". Barrett warns Shane that he had better not be planning on separating members of the Nexus. Shane insists that he's "rooting for them" to stick together, because he would rather see them fall as a collective unit rather than being split up on a technicality. Barrett sneers at the Chairman and leads the troops away.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Rey Mysterio versus Christian
We go back to the ring out first comes Christian to a decent pop and he has a mic. Captain Charisma says that this whole week has been a feeling of nostalgia for him. Christian points out that RAW was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last Monday when he qualified for this match; the site of his first time winning the IC Title back in 2001. He continues, saying it was just a few miles down the road in Charlotte, North Carolina where he won his second IC Title in a Battle Royal at Judgment Day, just a little over 9 years ago this week. Christian says history has a tendency of repeating itself and vows to begin his NEXT reign as champion here tonight. Christian tells Rey it's nothing personal, it's just about the title. Rey Mysterio comes out next to a slightly larger pop.
The bell rings and they go at it. They lock up and after a series of hammer locks and wrist locks, Rey tosses Christian to the outside with an arm drag. Christian slaps the apron out of frustration and slides back in. Christian charges and Mysterio meets him with a Dragonrana. Christian gets back to his feet first and clubs Rey with a lariat to the back of the neck. The Pontiff of the Peepulation scales to the top and comes up with a Diving Reverse Elbow for two. Christian hits an Inverted DDT Backbreaker and follows up with a neckbreaker. Mysterio rolls into position for an inside cradle and gets a VERY close two count. Rey rolls through and locks in an Inverted STF, but Christian is able to get to the bottom rope.
Mysterio goes to the top for a Diving Moonsault, but Christian gets back to his feet and knocks him from his perch. Christian climbs to the top and takes Rey down with a Spinebuster from the top rope. Christian crawls to the cover and gets two. Christian cinches in a Cloverleaf and the Intercontinental Champion crawls to the bottom rope to break the hold. Mysterio moves toward the corner and up the turnbuckle and begins exchanging lefts and rights with Christian. Rey gets the upper hand and sends him to the mat. Mysterio springboards from the top rope and hits a spinning wheel kick. Rey goes for a Wheelbarrow Bulldog, but Christian blocks and hits a Facebuster instead. Christian climbs to the top and hits a Flashpoint uppercut.
Christian whips Mysterio to the buckle and lands a Tornado DDT for another two count. Mysterio fights back in as Christian lifts him back to his feet and locks in an Armbar. Christian escapes and tosses Mysterio to the outside. Christian hits a springboard in the corner and leaps over the top rope to the outside with a Diving Cross Body. Christian throws Mysterio back into the ring and sets up for a Frog Splash, but Rey rolls away at the last minute, sending Christian back to the arena floor. Mysterio crawls to the ring apron and launches with a Diving Hurricanrana that sends Christian head first into the barricade. Christian escapes to the ring again and surprises a charging Mysterio with a Sunset Flip, but Rey rolls through and goes for a Buzzsaw Kick, but Christian ducks and goes for a schoolboy roll up for two. Mysterio rolls through and comes up with a roll-up of his own for another two. Both men return to their feet and we get a standoff and a standing ovation.
Christian whips Mysterio to the buckle, but Rey counters and sends Christian instead. Mysterio charges and Christian comes back with a Pendulum Kick. With Rey dazed, Christian charges for a Spear, but Mysterio catches him with a Drop Toe Hold and a 619. Rey connects with a West Coast Pop and Christian kicks out at two. The Master of the 619 goes for a DDT, but Christian counters into a Fireman’s Carry and drops him with a Gutbuster for two.
Mysterio goes for a Headscissor Takedown, but Christian beats him to the punch again with an Implant DDT. Christian drapes Rey over the middle rope and steps on his back to choke him out. Christian goes to the top for a Diving Headbutt, but Mysterio rolls out of the way and Christian falls to the floor. Mysterio gets back to his feet and hits a Springboard Corkscrew Plancha to a huge pop. Both men crawl back into the ring and Mysterio sets up for a Mysterio-Rana, but Christian has it scouted and falls into position for a roll up and a two count.
Mysterio rebounds and Christian catches him with a flapjack. Christian springboards out of the ring and smacks Mysterio across the face before sliding back in. Christian nearly decapitates Mysterio with a Dropkick and gets two. Captain Charisma attempts a Twisting Sunset Flip out of the corner, but Mysterio rolls through again and catches him with a Buzzsaw Kick. Rey makes the cover and gets 2 1/2. Rey goes for Mysterio Express, but Christian answers with an Alabama Slam for two. Rey trips Christian up again and hits the 619 again. Mysterio springboards from the top rope and Christian catches him from out of NOWHERE with a Spear. Christian makes the cover at Mysterio kicks out a split second before the three and the #1 contender is beside himself.
Christian runs to the timekeeper’s pit and grabs the belt, but Mysterio hits a Suicide Dive that sends both crashing into the barricade. The referee reaches 9 before Christian gets back into the ring. Rey goes for an Irish Whip, but Christian counters into the Killswitch and connects. The ref makes the count, but Mysterio gets his foot on the bottom rope just before three and Christian buries his face in his hands out of frustration.
Mysterio hits a drop toe hold and sets up for 619, but Christian ducks out of the way and ends up in position for the Killswitch again. Mysterio blocks with a double Mule Kick that sends Christian back to the ropes and Rey connects with the 619 this time. Rey scales to the top rope and hits a Diving Splash from three-quarters of the way across the ring. Mysterio makes the cover and gets the three count.
WINNER and STILL INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: REY MYSTERIO
-After the match, Mysterio celebrates the title win with Angie, Aalyah and Dominik at ringside while a visibly frustrated Christian pulls himself back to his feet in the ring. Christian moves toward the ramp to head to the back, but has a sudden change of heart and returns to assault Mysterio in front of his family. Christian whips Mysterio head first off the ring post, sending him ricocheting in the opposite direction. Christian rips up the mats by the barricade where Mysterio's family are seated and proceeds to drop the champion face first onto the concrete with a Killswitch. Christian smacks his chest in defiance and storms toward the back to a chorus of boos.
-We see The McMahon family, HBK, Flair and Batista setting up shop to watch tonight’s main event from the Luxury Box.
-We see the Wolves gearing up backstage. Richards is pretty banged up, but still game for tonight's Tag Title Match.
-We get a video package for the next match.
Tag Team Championship Match: The Fortunate Sons versus The American Wolves
We go back to ringside and Bob Artese has the call. DiBiase and Hennig hit the ring first and look extremely confident that the belts will be leaving Raleigh with them tonight. Howling Wolves puncture the arena and the crowd EXPLODES as The American Wolves hit the stage. Eddie and Davey look PISSED heading into this match and considering the circumstances of how they lost the tag titles, they have every right to be. We get formal introductions and the bell rings to get us started.
The champions once again tried to get the jump on the Wolves, but Eddie and Davey were ready for them this time. The Wolves dragged the champions to opposite corners and Richards picked Hennig apart with forearms to the face while Edwards lit DiBiase up with a blizzard of shoot kicks and chops. Hennig fought off the onslaught with a Dropkick that sends Richards to the floor.
Hennig rolls to the outside and follows up with a series of mounted punches to the head. This created enough of a distraction for DiBiase to rebound with an Inverted Atomic Drop and a falling lariat that sent Eddie Edwards reeling. Hennig tries for a Snapmare on the outside, but Davey counters with a Snap DDT to the arena floor that eliminates Hennig from the equation. Davey flies back in with a Springboard Dropkick and the Wolves go to work.
Davey drills DiBiase with a Shoot Kick and Eddie hits a Frankensteiner to send Ted to the floor. The Wolves partner their attack on the champions with a Flying Forearm Smash and a Diving Crossbody to the outside. Eddie throws DiBiase back into the ring and tears him apart with more knife-edge chops. The Wolves get into another bout of one-upsmanship as Richards tries to collapse Hennig's rib cage with more shoot kicks in the opposite corner.
Davey cinches in a German Suplex and Edwards hits a Superkick that sends Hennig into the Suplex and flying out of the ring. DiBiase slides back into the ring and tries to lock in a Million $ Dream, but Edwards counters. Eddie throws another stiff kick to the ribs. Eddie sets up for a Powerbomb and Richards caps it off with a Backcracker before crawling to the cover and getting the three.
WINNER: THE AMERICAN WOLVES
-After the match, the Wolves celebrate their newly won Tag Titles and play to the crowd before heading to the back.
-We go backstage and Brodie Lee has found his way into Teddy Long’s office. Teddy tells Brodie that he’s been impressed with his work over the last several weeks and apparently so has WWE brass. Teddy says that Shane McMahon has a HUGE announcement concerning tomorrow night’s RAW and that a series of names came up, including his specifically. Teddy says he has NO IDEA what Shane has planned, but that it definitely includes Brodie and several others. Brodie seems pleased with this revelation.
-Jeremy Borash is backstage with The Sandman. We see footage of Dreamer’s Singapore Cane incident with Steve Blackman from Tuesday and the subsequent beatdown Dreamer administered to The Sandman during his attempted attack. The Sandman says that the depths of Dreamer’s threshold for pain never ceases to amaze him. But there IS one thing that will amaze the WWE Universe tonight. The depths that he, The Sandman, will sink to to ensure that Tommy Dreamer never sets foot in a WWE ring again. Sandman walks away toting the Singapore Cane.
“I Quit Match”: Tommy Dreamer versus The Sandman
We go to the ring and out first is Tommy Dreamer to a huge pop. The Sandman makes his way through the crowd next, greeted by floods of boos. Sandman goes through his beer bash ritual and stands on the ringside barricade, brandishing his Singapore Cane at Dreamer, who's holding one of his own in the ring. Sandman rolls into the ring and into the corner, but Dreamer's not waiting for the bell and starts laying into Sandman with his cane. The bell rings and here we go.
Sandman fights back out with a few good cracks from his cane until Dreamer puts one right between the eyes. Dreamer goes under the ring and tosses a garbage can FILLED with Kendo Sticks into the ring. Dreamer grabs the trash can and bends it over Sandman's head. Dreamer removes the turnbuckle pad and drags Sandman to the corner, bashing his skull against the metal ring about twenty times until a great deal of blood comes dripping from an ugly cash in his forehead. Dreamer grabs the mic and shoves it into Sandman's face, but Sandman grunts a negative response, so the match continues.
Dreamer grabs a handful cookie sheets and wraps them one by one over Sandman's face. Tommy produces a TASER from his pocket and goes to stick it to Sandman, but Sandman greets him with a low blow and tases Dreamer with a shot to the knee cap. As Tommy writhes in agony, Sandman lays into him with shot after shot after shot with the Singapore Cane. Sandman grabs the mic but Dreamer won’t quit. Sandman grabs a cowbell and blasts Dreamer in the temple with it. The corner of the bell catches Dreamer and he bursts open like a bloody grape.
Sandman slides a Shopping Cart on its side and into the ring and delivers a bulldog to Dreamer on top of it. With blood pouring down his face, Dreamer is starting to look like his signature t-shirt. Sandman produces some brass knucks from his own pocket and takes a swing but Dreamer ducks and comes back with an Inverted DDT. Dreamer grabs a two-by-four from under the ring and once again reaches into his pocket for a matchbook. Dreamer douses the wood in lighter fluid and sets it ablaze. Tommy lays the wood to Sandman’s back and sets his shirt on fire. Dreamer grabs an extinguisher and puts him out before clubbing him with the tank upside the head. Dreamer hits a falling neckbreaker and grabs the ring bell.
Dreamer takes a swing, but Sandman dodges and answers with a Drop Toe Hold that sends Dreamer face first into the bell. Sandman hits Rolling Rock and picks up a Stop Sign and plants it in Tommy’s face. Sandman produces a rag from his back pocket and douses it in ether. Sandman winds up and tries to plant to rag in Tommy’s nose, but Dreamer moves and Sandman gets the ref instead. The ether-soaked rag is so highly concentrated that the ref is out within seconds. Sandman breaks a beer bottle over Dreamer’s forehead, but with no ref, no decision can be reached.
Sandman finds Foley’s Barbie and sets up to take a swing, but Dreamer answers with a low blow. Dreamer hoists Sandman up and hits a Fallaway Slam and he lands on the bat. More “Holy Shit” chants. Tommy rolls to the outside and dismantles the announce table. Dreamer grabs one of the closed-circuit TVs and bashes it into the back of Sandman’s head. Dreamer grabs a FORK from his pocket and digs it into Sandman’s forehead, drawing out even MORE blood. Chants of “THIS IS AWESOME” from the bloodthirsty ECW crowd. Dreamer wraps his fist in a steel chain, but Sandman answers with a low blow with the Singapore Cane. Sandman strangles Dreamer with the chain and lays him out on a table. Sandman hits a Bitchin’ Leg Drop through the table.
Sandman rolls Dreamer back into the ring and slides ring steps in after him. Sandman lays Dreamer’s head across the top step and bashes his skull with the Singapore Cane repeatedly but Tommy STILL won’t quit. Sandman sets Dreamer up on the top rope for a Heinekenrana, but Dreamer shifts the momentum and hits a top rope powerbomb onto the ring steps. Dreamer throws Microphone Cords into the ring and begins strangling Sandman before setting up for a TommyHawk on top of the ring steps. Dreamer sets up for the Dreamer Driver, but Sandman fights out and slams Dreamer into the ring steps with a flapjack.
Dreamer grabs a Singapore Cane wrapped in Barbed Wire and begins choking Dreamer out with it before hitting a White Russian Leg Sweep. Upon landing Sandman mercilessly grinds the cane into Dreamer’s throat, but with mic in hand, Dreamer gurgles a “NO”.
Sandman and Dreamer both retreat to the outside and produce more unique weapons. Sandman takes a swing with a bullhorn but Dreamer dodges and DRILLS Sandman with a cinder block in the ribs, watching him crumble to the mat. Tommy hits the Dreamer Driver, but Sandman refuses to die. Dreamer produces a steel chair wrapped in barbed wire and begins slamming it over Sandman’s back and head, but Tommy decides he isn’t done. Somehow, Dreamer finds even MORE thumbtacks left over from the pre-show and scatters them over the mat. Waiting for Sandman to return to his feet, Tommy takes a swing with a crutch, but Sandman kicks him in the gut and takes a swing of his own, shattering the crutch and lodging YET ANOTHER butterfly screw in Dreamer’s elbow. Tommy collapses into the thumbtacks and begins convulsing on the mat. Sandman grabs the mic, but Dreamer STILL says “No”.
Sandman lifts Tommy back to his feet and he comes from out of NOWHERE with a Dreamer DDT into the thumbtacks. Tommy sets Sandman up for a Piledriver on the ring steps, but Sandman hits a Back Body Drop, sending him into the thumbtacks again. Sandman sets up for a Piledriver of his own on the steps and BEULAH comes flying down the ramp BEGGING Sandman not to go through with it. She catches Sandman’s attention and he grabs her by the hair and drags her into the ring before shoving her down to the mat.
Sandman produces a pair of HANDCUFFS from his pocket and chains Dreamer to the ring ropes. Sandman picks up a Singapore Cane and goes to work. Sandman swings as hard as he possibly can into Dreamer’s back. Sandman grabs a mic and Dreamer continues to refuse. Five more lashes to the ribs, STILL, a barely conscious Dreamer says “No.” Sandman takes four more lashes, the fourth shattering the Singapore Cane across Dreamer’s head. Sandman grabs the mic, shoves it in Dreamer’s face and Tommy spits blood into his face before screaming “THANK YOU SANDMAN, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER?!!!” This draws a HUGE POP from the ECW crowd, but unfortunately for Dreamer, that’s EXACTLY what Sandman has in mind.
Noticing Beulah is coming to, Sandman grabs her by the back of the head and picks up the Barbed Wire Steel Chair. Sandman sets it in position and locks Beulah in for a DDT attempt. A screaming Dreamer begs Sandman not to do it, but Sandman says he’s gonna need Tommy to speak a little louder into the microphone. He hands Dreamer the mic and Tommy relents; “If it’ll keep you from doing that to Beulah, then I’ll do it. I QUIT.” The bell rings and the ref raises Sandman’s arm in victory.
WINNER: THE SANDMAN
-After the match, Sandman takes the mic and tells Tommy that he appreciates the humility, but that he never gave his promise that he’d let Beulah go. Dreamer’s pupils dilate in UNMITIGATED HORROR and begins SCREAMING at the top of his lungs as he watches Sandman DDT Beulah face-first onto the barbed wire steel chair. HOLY SHIT. Dreamer breaks down sobbing as he can only watch helplessly as Beulah lies motionless in the ring. Dreamer looks Sandman in the eye and calls him a “Miserable Son of a Bitch” as the victor leaves the ring. Officials finally release Dreamer and he collapses in front of Beulah just weeping.
Bloody, Battered and out of a job, the physical damage pales in comparison with the emotional blow dealt to Tommy Dreamer as he scoops his blood-drenched wife up in his arms and carries her to the back as the crowd gives him a STANDING OVATION and respectful chants of “THANK YOU TOMMY”. Joey Styles says it best when he points out that the name of the show may be “Over The Limit”, but tonight The Sandman went “Over The Line”.
-We get replays of this EPIC match and the SHOCKING finish that transpired just moments ago. Sandman steps back onto the stage with a beer in hand and downs it to a cascade of boos.
-Cameras head backstage and A.J. Styles is still limping around in the back when he spots Delirious devouring a Happy Meal while rambling on and on about it. A.J. just shakes his head and walks away. While rambling, the Hurricane swoops in and lectures Delirious on his poor nutritional choice. After a brief exchange of words, a frustrated Delirious throws the bag of French fries at Hurricane’s face and splatters a number of ketchup packets on his costume before storming off.
-We go backstage and Triple H is psyching himself up for tonight’s Street Fight when SABLE walks up behind him and wishes him luck in the main event before walking off. Hunter tells her to wait and says it’s good to see her again. The Game is conversational for a few more moments before the mood changes and tells her that he’s not stupid. He knows damn well why she’s here and he knows damn well who she’s married to.
Hunter analyzes the situation and says that 15 years makes a WORLD of difference. He says that fifteen years ago, he started with her, then moved to Chyna and ultimately ended up with Steph. He then points out that SHE started with him, then moved to Marc Mero and now she’s married to BROCK LESNAR. Hunter says clearly one of them married up and the other one worked their way down the Douchebag Ladder and settled; and since his wife’s maiden name is McMAHON, he’s pretty sure it’s not him. Hunter tells Sable to go find her husband and make sure he knows that the ONLY way he’s leaving the ring tonight is in an AMBULANCE at best and a BODY BAG at worst. Sable storms off and The Game looks UNBELIEVABLY focused.
-We get a video package of the Danielson/McGuinness feud over the WWE Title, tracing back to the Elimination Chamber Match at last month's Extreme Rules.
2 of 3 Falls Match for the WWE Championship: Bryan Danielson versus Nigel McGuinness
Back in the ring and Justin Roberts has the call. He explains that the first fall can only be won by pinfall, the second fall can only be won by submission, and should the match carry to a third fall, there will be a 30-Minute Iron Man Match to determine the winner and WWE Champion. Out first comes Nigel McGuinness to a HUGE ovation from the Raleigh crowd. Out next is the WWE Champion Bryan Danielson. The champion looks ready for war and as the crowd serenades him with "The Final Countdown" chants of "Best In The World" and "YES!". A chant of "You're Gonna Get Your F@#%ing Head Kicked In" rains down on Danielson and a glimpse of confidence flashes in his eye and in the form of a sly grin. We get formal introductions and the bell rings to get us under way.
The match starts off with the two men in the middle of the ring, locked in a staredown. Chants of "Let's Go Nigel" and "Let's Go Dragon" go back and forth for several moments before they begin exchanging European Uppercuts. Nigel works Danielson into the corner and connects with a Running European Uppercut to the temple that puts him on the ropes. McGuinness goes to work with a series of headbutts that compromises Danielson's equilibrium. Nigel whips the champion to the opposite corner, but The American Dragon is able to regroup and rebound with a backflip out of the corner and over an oncoming McGuinness. Danielson returns the favor with a barrage of forearms of his own. The champion connects with a running dropkick that sends Nigel to the outside and hits a Springboard Suicide Senton to the arena floor.
Danielson rolls Nigel back into the ring and goes to work with STIFF shoot kicks to the chest and about the shoulders, all while screaming YES in his face. On the kick to the head, McGuinness blocks and answers with a cross chop to the throat. The challenger is able to catch a breather after a Snap DDT in the center of the ring. The referee begins the 10 count and Nigel returns to his feet at 8 to stop the count. The challenger begins working over Danielson's arm with an arm ringer and repeated elbows to the right shoulder. The champion fights out and whips Nigel to the buckle, but he rebounds with a top-rope headstand. The American Dragon charges in and gets dropped with a Mule Kick.
Danielson tries to go after Nigel with a running lariat, but the challenger dodges and responds with a hammerlock into a Northern Lights Suplex. Bryan kicks out at two, but the shoulder is clearly in trouble. Nigel preys on the injured wing with another hammerlock and a Snap DDT. The game plan clear, McGuinness goes for the hammerlock again, but Danielson shoves him off and connects with a Roundhouse Kick out of desperation that drops Nigel like a ton of bricks. The champion scales the top turnbuckle trying to shake some feeling back into his arm and drills the challenger with a Missile Dropkick. The Dragon goes for the cover and gets two. Bryan goes back to the top for a Diving Headbutt, but Nigel beats him to the punch and trips him on the top turnbuckle. In perfect position, Danielson falls victim to a devastating Tower of London. Nigel makes the cover and gets the three count.
Winner of the Fall: NIGEL McGUINNESS (1-0)
The ref helps Danielson back to his feet and the bell rings to get the second fall under way. Nigel tosses Bryan to the buckle and follows up with a shoot kick to the back and a falling lariat to knock the wind out of the champion. McGuinness attempts to continue the assault, but Danielson refuses to roll over and die, fighting back with another series of forearms. Danielson hits a trifecta of German Suplexes before floating into a Northern Lights Suplex for two. The American Dragon wows the Raleigh crowd with a beautiful Danielson Special that forces Nigel to scramble for the bottom rope.
Danielson went to work with a surfboard and a Dragon Sleeper, but Nigel rolls to the side and begins throwing elbows to break the hold. The champion hits a running clothesline, sending McGuinness back to the floor. The American Dragon follows up with a running high knee from the ring apron and moves in for the kill with a Flying Forearm Smash, but Nigel ducks and throws Bryan over the barricade into the crowd. Nigel flings Danielson back into the ring and follows in, but gets caught with a European Uppercut. The WWE champion locks in an Indian Deathlock, but McGuinness is able to reach the ropes again. Danielson whips Nigel to the buckle, but the momentum shifts and the Dragon heads to the corner instead. Bryan hits another backflip out of the corner and hits the challenger with another clubbing forearm before knocking him senseless with a running dropkick to the face.
Like a shark that smells blood, Danielson pounces and locks in the YES! Lock. McGuinness struggles valiantly for about two minutes, trying to break the hold. Nigel is able to turn Danielson on his back and break the hold. The challenger transitions seamlessly into London Dungeon, but before he can seat himself into position, Danielson slides out of the hold and surprises McGuinness with Cattle Mutilation from behind, locking the hold in airtight in the center of the ring. Left with no escape route, Nigel is forced to tap out.
Winner of the Fall: BRYAN DANIELSON (1-1)
So begins the Iron Man Match. The bell rings and the clock gets started. Danielson goes back to work, attempting to lock in the YES Lock again. McGuinness has it scouted and returns to his feet with a crushing sidewalk slam, taking the wind out of both of them. Nigel returns to his feet first, but Danielson catches him with a shoot kick to the back of the leg and returns to the shoot kicks, knocking McGuinness back into another lifetime. The American Dragon goes for the head again, but Nigel dodges and comes back with a series of knife-edge chops.
Unfazed, Bryan Danielson comes back with a kick to the shoulder and kicks him all the way back to the turnbuckle and wears him out with a foot choke to the throat. The ref begins the count and Danielson screams “I HAVE ‘TIL FIVE”. Danielson continues the onslaught with a Danielson Special in the center of the ring, but before he can lock in the hold, Nigel wriggles free and comes back with a dropkick to the side of the head. Nigel attempts to capitalize with a running big boot, but Danielson ducks out of the way and comes from out of nowhere with an inside cradle for the stunning three count.
Danielson pinfall. (Danielson leads 1-0 at 5:57)
Danielson goes for another roundhouse kick, but Nigel comes back with another cross chop to the throat. The match degenerates into a mid-ring shoot kick contest as the pair exchange shots. Danielson finally establishes the upper hand with a shoot kick to the back of the knee and a Release German Suplex that sends McGuinness flying halfway across the ring. The champion applies a double wrist lock and tries for a foot stomp, but Nigel counters with a Mule Kick that sends Danielson reeling into the corner.
Nigel crushes the champion with a running European Uppercut. Unsatisfied, Nigel goes for a running clothesline, but the champion comes back with a big boot to the face. Danielson climbs to the top for another Missile Dropkick, but Nigel sidesteps with an Artful Dodger. Nigel rockets off the ropes and nearly decapitates Danielson with a Jawbreaker Lariat. The three count is academic.
McGuinness pinfall. (Score tied 1-1 at 10:00)
Nigel works the champion back into the corner and continues the beating with a combination of punches, kicks and headbutts. Danielson tries to fight back out, but McGuinness jams a thumb in the eye when the official isn’t looking. The ref pulls Nigel out of the corner to break up the melee. Nigel charges back in and walks into a discus elbow to the face. Danielson won’t quit. The American Dragon hits a Tiger Suplex for two. Danielson follows with a snap underhook suplex and Nigel has to retreat to the outside to formulate a new game plan.
Danielson takes to the air with a Suicide Dive into a Flying Forearm smash that sends both men THROUGH the barricade. More Holy Shit chants. Both men beaten and barely able to move, the champion returns to his feet first and fires Nigel back into the ring. As Danielson climbs back onto the apron, McGuinness plasters Bryan with a running forearm and drags the champion into the ring, feet hooked on the top rope. Nigel sets up for another London Dungeon, but Danielson fights out, shoving an elbow into the bridge of McGuinness’ nose, knocking him to the mat. Danielson leaps and stuns the WWE Universe with a Springboard Diving Headbutt. The champion crawls to the cover and gets the three.
Danielson pinfall. (Danielson leads 2-1 at 12:45)
WADE BARRETT and THE NEXUS make a beeline to the ring for the second time tonight, surround the ring and beat the living hell out of McGuinness, drawing a DQ.
McGuinness wins by DQ (Score tied at 2-2 at 18:57)
Barrett and the Nexus exit the ring as quickly as they came, leaving Danielson perplexed and McGuinness unconscious. Danielson goes for a cover, but Nigel kicks out at 2 1/2.
In disbelief, Danielson argues the call with the ref, and Nigel finds an opening to go back to work on the damaged arm with an arm wringer to the canvas and a Hammerlock-Aided Powerslam. By this point, Danielson’s arm is all but gone as the time continues to wind down.
The champion kicks it into high gear as we get down under the five-minute mark and stuns the challenger with a one-armed Northern Lights Suplex for two. Danielson goes back to the kicks and wears out McGuinness some more. The final two minutes begin to tick away as champion and challenger begin to panic. Danielson with a small package for two. The champion tries to take Nigel out of the equation permanently with a series of elbows to the back of the head. Danielson cinches in the YES Lock with under a minute left, and after several seconds of struggle, the challenger forces himself back to his feet. With Danielson still locking on the facelock, Nigel backs into the corner and propels himself off the buckle into a victory roll to collect a surprise three count.
McGuinness pinfall (McGuinness leads 3-2 at 29:57)
The final three seconds melt off the clock and the bell rings. WE HAVE A NEW WWE CHAMPION.
WINNER and NEW WWE CHAMPION: NIGEL MCGUINNESS
-After the match, McGuinness collapses into tears as the WWE Title is handed to him. Confetti begins to fall as the new WWE Champion celebrates in the corner. Seated in the opposite corner, a stark contrast to the Elimination Chamber Match, Danielson transitions between stunned silence and quiet contemplation in the corner. Nigel comes down off the turnbuckle and meets Danielson in the center of the ring, where the former champion offers a handshake. The new champion appears skeptical, following the events of prior weeks and refuses to reciprocate. Incensed, Danielson smacks the hell out of McGuinness’ face and leaves the ring. Danielson screams from the ramp “If you don’t respect me enough to shake my hand after that match, then I’ve got NO respect for you, either.”
-We go backstage and Jeremy Borash has caught up with Wade Barrett and asks for an explanation about what just happened. Barrett says that he and the Nexus were just following orders put forth by their new guiding force. JB asks for a name, but Barrett asks what business it is of his and departs the area.
-We get another promo video for the Street Fight and how this tale of bloody vengeance came about.
STREET FIGHT: Triple H versus Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar hits the ring first for tonight's main event. Lesnar looks extremely confident heading into this contest. Brock steps into the ring, glares up at Batista, Michaels, Flair and Stephanie in the skybox and points the finger at Steph saying he's dedicating this match to her. The lights go down and one of the fixtures jars loose, falling from the rafters into the audio tech area, setting off every last pyrotechnic and concussion in the arena. The overabundance of fireworks creates a MASSIVE blaze at the top of the stage.
Suddenly, The King of Kings intro hits the titantron and Triple H's theme begins to play. The GAME rises up from under the stage through the flames to an EXPLOSIVE POP. The Cerebral Assassin looks prepared for war as he heads to the ring. Hunter goes through his entrance routine and casts Lesnar a death glare from the middle rope to the floor.
Lesnar returns to the opposite corner and we get a nose-to-nose staredown in the middle of the ring as Lilian gives us formal introductions. The bell rings and the icy staredown continues. Lesnar tries to throw the first punch, but Trips blocks and comes back with a STORM of lefts and rights, hooks, crosses and uppercuts until he works Brock into the corner.
The Game and Lesnar continue exchanging blows in the corner until Brock begins fighting out with a succession of knee lifts to Hunter's ribs. Lesnar tosses Triple H to the opposite corner with such force that Lesnar comes off his feet and The Game crumbles to the mat. Lesnar helps him back into the corner and follows up with a devastating Superplex that lands both men on their neck.
Lesnar rolls to his feet first and retreats to the announce table area and grabs the bell. Lesnar goes to the corner to bury it in Hunter's skull, but a seated Game sweeps Lesnar's feet out from under him, sending Brock face first into the bell instead. The Purveyor of Pain returns to his feet with blood dripping from a puncture wound in his temple. Lesnar unleashes his frustration and adrenaline-fueled rage on Triple H, beating him senseless in the corner with heavy meat hook fists to the face. Lesnar grabs another street sign from under the ring and leaves it's imprint on The Game's face. Lesnar goes for the cover, but The Game kicks out at two. Hunter surprises Brock with a Drop Toe Hold and applies a Figure Four Leg Lock which draws a HUGE POP, lots of WOOOS and a smile of approval from the Nature Boy in the skybox.
Lesnar throws punches until Trips breaks the hold and both men return to their feet. Brock charges and Triple H is there with a running neckbreaker. Hunter makes the cover and gets two. The Game rolls to the outside and picks up a baseball bat. Lesnar gets back to a vertical base and with all the form of David Wright, Triple H takes a nasty swing and connects with Brock's neck, sending him crumpling back to the mat. Hunter drops the bat and kicks the ring steps loose before throwing them into the ring. Hunter returns to the ring and is met by Lesnar with a Repeating Powerbomb, culminating with a Powerbomb on the ring steps. Brock makes the cover and gets 2 1/2 and looks on in disbelief as the blood drips down his chest and is now staining his MMA-style trunks.
Lesnar finds the handcuffs left over from Dreamer and Sandman's bloody battle earlier and restrains his opponent with both hands behind his back. Lesnar sets up the helpless Triple H for an F-5 and drops him across the ring steps, sending him to the arena floor. Overzealous, Lesnar now lounges on the top turnbuckle and wipes the blood from his face. Lesnar rolls to the outside and throws Triple H into the barricade with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Lesnar hangs Triple H's cuffs around the top of the ringpost and grabs a Singapore Cane. Lesnar slowly and methodically wears The Game out with the Kendo Stick until the restraints on the cuffs break, sending Triple H crashing face first to the arena floor.
Brock grabs some more microphone cables from behind the announce table and begins choking Triple H out. Lesnar wraps his fists with a chain and begins bashing it into Triple H's head, drawing blood. Brock grinds the chain into his wound to create a larger blood flow and both men are now bleeding profusely. Lesnar rolls a crimson-masked Triple H into the ring and at this point, Stephanie Mcmahon has left the skybox and is at ringside, checking on her husband's condition. Brock Lesnar has found a STAPLE GUN. OH MY GOD. Stephanie is BEGGING Lesnar not to go through with it as he holds it to the Game's temple. Brock isn’t buying her sincerity and pulls the trigger. WOW. The Game writhes in excruciating anguish as Lesnar shrugs it off.
Lesnar sets up a table, but Triple H catches him from out of nowhere with a Chop Block and begins punching Lesnar in the face out of desperation and won’t let up. Brock fights back to his feet and connects with a Backbreaker. Lesnar cinches in the Brock Lock and drags Hunter to the center of the ring, but Trips won’t quit. The Game ACTUALLY manages to counter the hold, rocketing Lesnar into the table and draping him over it.
Hunter locks in an Abdominal Stretch, but Brock is still too strong for it, hip tossing Triple H through the table and getting a two count. Lesnar follows Triple H to the outside and attempts to throw him over the barricade with a German Suplex, but Hunter has reached under the ring and produced a fire extinguisher, bashing it into Lesnar’s face and blasting him with its contents.
The two warriors brawl through the crowd and into the electrical area. Hunter throws Brock into the control panel and an electric charge briefly electrocutes him, sending him to the floor. Triple H throws him back over the barricade and into the ring, but the time taken in doing this has helped Lesnar to recover and he kicks out at two. Triple H rolls down to the outside and rips up the mats around the ring and sets up for a Pedigree, but Lesnar counters with a Back Body Drop and clambers back into the ring.
Hunter comes to and spots a lead pipe and crawls to it, but Lesnar beats him to the punch and steps on the pipe as Triple H puts his hand on it. Lesnar grabs the pipe and drives it into Hunter’s back. Brock goes to the announce table and tears it apart grabs a TV and pastes The Game with it before rolling him onto the table. Lesnar tries to get him back to his feet and Hunter hits a desperation snap DDT, sending both through the announce table. Triple H rolls back in and meets Brock with a Sleeper, but he counters out and throws Triple H into the corner with a series of shoulder thrusts, dropping him to the mat. Lesnar scales to the top and successfully connects with a Shooting Star Press. Triple H kicks out on sheer will and Brock is getting pissed.
The Game answers with a High Knee that staggers the beast and a Knee Facecrusher that takes him off his feet. Hunter goes back to choking Lesnar out, but Brock struggles to the bottom rope and out of the ring. Hunter goes out after him and throws him back in, hits a HUGE Double A Spinebuster and a PEDIGREE. Certain that the match is over, The Game crawls to the cover and places an arm over, but SOMEHOW Lesnar kicks out at 2 1/2. In disbelief, Hunter charges with a Running Clothesline, but Brock catches him and drops into position for the KIMURA LOCK. Lesnar wrenches and torques relentlessly, but The Game refuses to quit on behalf of everyone he’s fighting for and finally Lesnar just breaks the arm. UNBELIEVABLE.
Triple H rolls around in misery, clutching the forearm and elbow as Brock moves in to pick the bones. Lesnar hoists up The Game for an F-5, but with the last bit of energy he had left, Hunter fights out with elbows from the good arm and stuns him with, of all things, an RKO. The ENTIRE crowd is on their feet chanting “THIS IS AWESOME” and “PLEASE DON’T DIE”. Triple H sets up for another Pedigree, but realizes he can’t put any sort of pressure on the arm for a Double Underhook and Brock quickly hits a Back Body Drop from the ring to the arena floor through another waiting table.
Lesnar shoots Triple H back into the ring and sets up for another F-5, but The Game slides out again and pulls another one out of thin air, connecting with a seemingly spontaneous Sweet Chin Music. HBK flashes a grin from the skybox and vacates, headed toward the ring on his crutches. Shawn crawls over the barricade and toward the carnage. Hunter lays Brocks head across the ring steps, almost execution-style and grabs his sledgehammer. He goes to take a swing and realizes that the broken arm will keep him from lifting the shaft above his head.
Shawn Michaels crawls into the ring and tells Triple H to hold Lesnar up and Hunter complies. Michaels winds up and takes a swing with his crutch SHATTERING it across Brock’s broken, bloody face. As Lesnar wobbles, The Game invites Stephanie into the ring and places one very swift kick into “No Man’s Land” dropping him back to his knees. Hunter slams his head back onto the steps and somehow manages to wield the steel chair properly enough to hit a sloppy Con-Chair-To.
This is almost definitely a done deal, but a determined Cerebral Assassin decides he’s not quite satisfied with this finish. Trying one more time to hoist the sledge, the Game has a sudden revelation and reverses his hold on the hammer, grabbing it with his good arm by the HEAD of the hammer instead. Trips raises the hammer upside down and PLUNGES it SQUARELY into the back of Brock’s head. Lesnar goes limp, slides from the ring steps down to the mat and Trips collapses into the cover and the referee makes the DECISIVE three count.
WINNER: TRIPLE H
-After the match, Hunter drags himself to the corner on his side, careful not to do further damage to the broken arm. Stephanie and Shawn help him back to his feet and they lead him to the entrance ramp. Shawn trips along the way, losing his grip on the Game and he faceplants into the floor out of exhaustion, but they quickly help him back up. With the entire evening’s pyro depleted, a SEA of black and green confetti begins falling from the rafters. Batista and Flair have left the luxury seats and meet the trio onstage and examine the carnage.
EMTs rush down to the ring to tend to Brock Lesnar, who is lying motionless in the middle of the ring. They strap him to the flat board and load him onto the gurney before rolling him upstage to the ambulance waiting to take him from the arena. They wheel Brock past Triple H and the group looks down on his fallen adversary before watching him get hoisted into the back of the ambulance. They close the doors on the vehicle and sound the siren as Hunter looks on with a stoic satisfaction on his face. He kept his promise that Lesnar would leave in an ambulance. The EMTs roll out of the arena and The Game and company celebrate a hard-fought victory as confetti continues to fall and Over The Limit goes off the air.
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