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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
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The broadcast faded to advertisement, freezing on the iconic, unforgettable visual of the God King lying unconscious at the feet of the legends he tried to erase, cementing one of the most electric, chaotic, and deeply satisfying television segments in the history of sports entertainment.
The moment the USA Network broadcast cut to commercial, the digital landscape absolutely exploded. The three minute television break felt like an eternity for a fanbase that was currently buzzing with unprecedented adrenaline. Twitter became a localized warzone of hot takes, heated discussions, and massive trending hashtags.
The primary topic of conversation was, undeniably, the jaw dropping addition of the six time World Champion Booker T and the seven foot legend and veteran Big Daddy Cool, Diesel, to Randy Savage's rapidly expanding rebellion. The visual of the legends standing tall over the Triple Crown Champion was an image immediately burned into the collective consciousness of the internet.
However, in the deeply cynical, hyper-
analytical corners of the wrestling community, a vocal minority of fans felt a creeping sense of déjà vu.
@SmarksTears: "Look, seeing Booker and Nash is cool, but hasn't this whole 'Locker Room vs. The Undisputed System' storyline become a bit stale? It's just a repeat of the same formula. Sandro pisses everyone off, the roster rebels, and then Sandro eventually beats them all anyway. We've seen this movie."
@WrestlingAnalystX: "He has a point. Look at the history. Last year, we had Triple H and the entirety of D-Generation X reunite, with a freshly retired Shawn Michaels acting as their manager, trying to take Sandro down. The God King destroyed them. Then the Undertaker and Kane joined forces as the Brothers of Destruction. Sandro beat them. Then it was Mark Henry, Christian, John Morrison, R-Truth, and Edge. Every time the WWE superstars band together to take down the Undisputed System, they fail. It's kayfabe booking 101 to make the Undisputed System look like an unstoppable faction."
It was a valid critique from the hardcore base. The WWE had spent the better part of two years feeding top tier, Hall of Fame level superstars, including the Game, the Deadman, and the Rated-R Superstar, to Sandro Zhang's golden empire to build his credibility as the ultimate final boss.
But the larger, mainstream public, the casual fans who had tuned back in specifically because of the Triple Crown Era's massive cultural crossover, immediately pushed back against the cynicism.
@AttitudeEraLifer: "You guys complain about everything! Yes, it's a repeated rebellion, but the changing superstars make it incredibly exciting! Who would have expected to see full DX return with HBK managing? Who expected the Edge and Christian reunion? And now, a dream team of The Rock, Randy Savage, Booker T, and Diesel?! That is absolute fantasy booking!"
@TeamBringIt: "This time feels different. You have The Rock and Chris Jericho putting their egos aside. You have Sheamus, who just physically took the IC Title away from Kofi. You have CM Punk and the Straight Edge Society out for pure blood. If this massive dream team can't take out Sandro and his boys, nobody can."
The speculation began to run rampant. What if this was actually the end of the line for the Undisputed System?
@EmpireLoyalist: "Even if the faction falls, the God King isn't going anywhere. Sandro will just drop the dead weight. He can stay the Triple Crown Champion as a singles competitor with his Queens and Paul Heyman beside him. He doesn't need Big E or Drew McIntyre to win."
@HeelHeatCentral: "Assuming Heyman doesn't stab him in the back first. The walrus is a legendary backstabber. Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Big Show... Heyman always abandons a sinking ship. If Sandro's empire falls, watch Paul Heyman be the one holding the dagger."
The discussion was growing hotter by the second, the debate splitting the fanbase straight down the middle between those who wanted the Triple Crown Era to end and those who worshipped the ground the God King walked on.
But the digital arguments were abruptly cut short as the USA Network logo flashed across the screen, and Monday Night RAW tuned back into the live broadcast.
The chaotic energy of the opening segment carried over into the rest of the three hour broadcast. The Jacksonville crowd was riding a massive high, and the WWE capitalized on it by delivering a fast paced, action packed show. Match after match ensued, keeping the in ring quality at an absolute premium.
In between the bouts, backstage segments and promos were strategically inserted to further the sprawling narratives on the Road to WrestleMania.
The cameras caught a furious CM Punk pacing in the locker room with the Straight Edge Society, promising to turn Sandro Zhang into a martyr. Another segment showed Sheamus polishing his Intercontinental Championship, confidently turning away a backstage challenge from a returning superstar.
The fans were eating it up, happy to see high stakes action perfectly balanced with compelling sports entertainment drama.
But as the clock ticked closer to 10:45 PM Eastern, the anticipation in the Veterans Memorial Arena began to peak. The ring crew swiftly changed the canvas and wiped down the ropes. It was time for the main event.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the absolute boiling point of Monday Night RAW!" Cole shouted, his voice still ragged from the opening brawl. "And what a main event we have in store for you!"
"I am on the edge of my seat, Michael!" Lawler cheered, fixing his crown. "We are going to see three absolute legends team up in a six-man tag team match!"
"It is a travesty that these men are even allowed to compete!" JBL complained bitterly, his mood entirely ruined by the night's events. "They assaulted the God King! They should be in handcuffs, not in the main event!"
Suddenly, the arena lights dimmed.
The majestic, unmistakable synthesized horns of "Pomp and Circumstance" echoed through the sound system.
The Jacksonville crowd jumped to their feet, delivering a massive, deafening pop. The Macho Man Randy Savage stepped out onto the stage. He was wearing a fresh, neon yellow and hot pink fringed jacket, his signature wrap around sunglasses reflecting the arena lights. He didn't run to the ring, he stood at the top of the ramp, spinning his finger in the air, soaking in the adulation.
Savage walked down the steel ramp, slapping hands with the fans, and slid under the bottom rope. He climbed the turnbuckle, pointing to the sky, before dropping back down to the canvas to await his partners.
The music faded. The crowd waited.
"CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKA?!"
The funky, driving bassline hit the speakers, and the arena exploded all over again. Booker T, the six time World Champion, emerged through the curtain. Dressed in his classic red and black flame trunks, Booker hit his signature pose, holding his hands up and staring at his palms before extending them to the crowd. He marched down the ramp, full of fire and swagger, entering the ring and giving Savage a firm, respectful handshake.
Two legends were in the ring. The fans were already going crazy.
Then, the aggressive, heavy revving of an 18 wheeler truck engine blasted through the speakers, followed by a slow, ominous, thumping bassline.
Big Daddy Cool stepped out into the arena. Diesel, standing a legitimate seven feet tall, dressed in his classic black leather pants and black tank top, slowly walked through the curtain.
He threw his hand up in the iconic "too sweet" gesture, drawing a massive cheer from the Attitude Era faithful. He took his time walking down the aisle, stepping effortlessly over the top rope, his massive boots thudding against the mat.
The three legends stood in the ring together, waving and greeting the fans. The visual of Randy Savage, Booker T, and Diesel sharing a squared circle was a bizarre, beautiful slice of wrestling history.
But they needed opponents.
"AWESOME!"
The arrogant, pulsing rock theme of The Miz hit the speakers, drawing a massive chorus of boos. The A-Lister stepped out from the curtain, wearing his expensive Hollywood sunglasses and a long, faux fur coat.
But he wasn't alone.
Stepping out to his left was the conspiracy obsessed, highly aggressive version of R-Truth. And stepping out to his right was the All-American American, Jack Swagger.
The three heels, a formidable trio of current era competitors, walked down the ramp together. They were unified in their disdain for the returning veterans. They entered the ring as a cohesive unit, immediately glaring across the canvas at the three legends.
"Look at this matchup!" Cole exclaimed. "The Miz, R-Truth, and Jack Swagger! Three men who believe that the veterans are stealing their spotlight!"
"And they are absolutely right!" JBL barked, aggressively pointing at the monitors. "This is their era! This is their time! Savage, Booker, and Nash need to go back to the retirement home! I hope Miz, Truth, and Swagger absolutely tear them apart! The God King would love nothing more than to see these nostalgic relics humiliated!"
"You're just bitter because your golden boy got dropped on his head earlier tonight, John!" Lawler laughed, completely dismissing JBL's outrage. "I am backing the legends all the way!"
The referee stepped between the two teams, ordering the non legal men out to the ring apron. Diesel and Randy Savage stepped out for their team. R-Truth and Jack Swagger stepped onto the apron for theirs.
Starting the match for the legends was Booker T. Starting for the opposition was The Miz.
The referee checked with both men, ensured the corners were holding the tag ropes, and signaled for the bell.
DING! DING! DING!
The Jacksonville crowd immediately began a rhythmic chant of "BOOKER T! BOOKER T! BOOKER T!" The Miz sneered, circling the six time champion. He held his hand up, demanding silence from the crowd, which only made them boo louder.
Miz stepped forward, looking for a quick collar and elbow tie up, but Booker T was too fast. Booker ducked under Miz's arms, hitting a lightning fast arm drag that sent the A-Lister skidding across the canvas.
Miz popped up, looking furious. He charged again, and Booker hit a second, deeper arm drag, maintaining wrist control and locking Miz into an armbar.
"Booker T showing that he hasn't lost a single step!" Cole praised. "He is taking The Miz to school right out of the gate!"
Miz fought up to a vertical base, driving a knee into Booker's midsection to break the hold. Miz hit the ropes, looking for a running clothesline, but Booker dropped down, leapfrogged over the rebounding Miz, and caught him perfectly on the return with a devastating, high angle flapjack!
Miz crashed face first into the mat, clutching his nose. Booker popped up to his feet, looked at his hand, and slowly wiped it across his chest.
"Oh, you know what time it is!" Lawler shrieked in delight.
Booker T hit the ropes, dropped to the canvas, and executed a flawless, spinning Spinaroonie right in the center of the ring! The crowd absolutely erupted!
Miz scrambled backward into his own corner, his eyes wide in panic, and immediately tagged in Jack Swagger.
The All-American American stepped over the top rope, puffing his chest out. Swagger, a former collegiate amateur wrestling standout, wasn't going to play games. He shot in for a double leg takedown, driving Booker T into the mat. Swagger seamlessly transitioned into a front facelock, using his significant weight advantage to grind Booker down.
Booker struggled, his face turning red as he tried to push the larger man off. Feeding off the clapping crowd, Booker managed to fight up to one knee, throwing sharp elbows into Swagger's ribs. Booker broke the hold, hit the ropes, and came flying back with a devastating leaping Harlem Sidekick!
The kick caught Swagger flush on the jaw, staggering the big man backward toward the legends' corner.
Booker lunged forward and tagged the massive, outstretched hand of Diesel.
The crowd popped massively as the seven-foot behemoth stepped over the top rope. Swagger turned around, still clutching his jaw, and found himself staring directly into the chest of Big Daddy Cool.
Swagger, operating on pure collegiate instinct, tried to shoot in for a waist lock on the giant. Diesel simply reached down, grabbed Swagger by the back of his singlet, and literally tossed the 260 pound man halfway across the ring with terrifying ease!
"Look at the sheer power of Diesel!" Cole yelled. "He tossed Jack Swagger like a ragdoll!"
"He's a freak of nature!" JBL complained. "That's not wrestling, that's just raw, uneducated mass!"
Swagger scrambled to his feet, charging angrily at Diesel. The giant merely raised his massive boot, catching Swagger perfectly in the face with a devastating big boot that echoed through the arena. Swagger collapsed onto his back, completely dazed.
Diesel didn't even bother going for a pin. He dragged Swagger by the ankle toward his corner and tagged in the Macho Man.
The roof practically blew off the Veterans Memorial Arena.
Randy Savage leaped over the top rope, the Madness burning in his eyes. Swagger managed to tag in R-Truth. The conspiracy theorist burst into the ring, utilizing his incredible speed, throwing a wild spinning heel kick.
Savage ducked under it with expert agility, catching Truth with an inverted atomic drop, followed immediately by his signature, wildly chaotic flurry of left handed jabs!
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Savage grabbed Truth's arm, whipping him into the ropes, and connected with a massive running clothesline that turned Truth inside out!
"The Macho Man is on absolute fire!" Lawler cheered. "He is dismantling R-Truth!"
Savage climbed the top turnbuckle, pointing to the sky, looking to end the match early with the Diving Elbow Drop.
But the veteran ring awareness of The Miz came into play. The A-Lister hopped up onto the ring apron, screaming wildly at the referee, causing a blatant distraction.
As the referee turned his back to argue with The Miz, Jack Swagger rushed around the outside of the ring. Swagger leaped up, shoving Randy Savage violently off the top turnbuckle! Savage crashed hard onto the top rope, crotching himself, before tumbling backward onto the canvas in absolute agony.
"A blatant cheap shot by Jack Swagger!" Cole shouted indignantly. "The numbers game and the dirty tactics of this current generation are rearing their ugly heads!"
"It's called strategy, Michael!" JBL applauded loudly. "The Miz and Swagger are using their brains! You exploit the referee's blind spot! That is how you win in the WWE!"
R-Truth, realizing the opportunity, dragged the incapacitated Macho Man into the heel corner. The match instantly shifted from a nostalgic showcase into a grueling, methodical beatdown.
The Miz tagged in, stomping furiously on Savage's chest, ensuring the legend couldn't make it back to his corner. Miz hit his signature running corner clothesline, his "Awesome Clothesline," dropping Savage to the mat. He quickly tagged in Jack Swagger.
Swagger executed a brutal Swagger Bomb from the second rope, driving his heavy frame directly into Savage's ribs. Swagger hooked the leg.
One! Two!
Savage miraculously kicked out!
"The Macho Man has the heart of a lion!" Lawler pleaded. "He just needs to make the tag to Booker or Diesel!" But the heels were operating like a well oiled machine. Swagger tagged R-Truth back in. Truth locked Savage in a tight reverse chinlock, grounding the high flying legend and cutting off the ring.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 21 (2011)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida, USA
Brand: WWE - RAW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Styles
Faction: The Undisputed System
Championships History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions, 1x FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion, 1x TNA World Heavyweight Champion, 1x TNA X Division Champion, 1x WWE United States Champion, 1x WWE Champion, & 1x World Heavyweight Champion
Other Achievements: 1x Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale Winner, 1x Mr. Money In The Bank, Youngest WWE Champion, PWI Top 500 (No.1) - 2010, & 1x KOTR (2010)
Wrestlemania Record: 1 - 0