Wrestling
WWE 2K Story – Chapter Four: The Emperor’s Arrival
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Smackdown Live
The arena returns to Smackdown Live, as WWE Champion Daniel Bryan quickly comes out to the ring. He reminds everyone that a new authoritative figure will be coming to replace Triple H, Stephanie and himself. Daniel says this may be his last opportunity with some authoritative power and mentions WWE’s big event Money in the Bank is quickly approaching. He decides that he wants to go ahead and name participants for Money in the Bank, but Triple H interrupts on stage.
He tells Bryan that it’s not right to just name people into the Money in the Bank Match and that everyone should earn the right to participate. Bryan tells Hunter he doesn’t trust him at all but agrees that is the right thing to do. Bryan suggests he picks a few people to face off against a few people Triple H chooses. Hunter agrees, and reveals that the person taking over for he, Stephanie & Daniel Bryan will be arriving next week on Raw!
NORMAL MATCH
Finn Balor vs. Bobby Roode
Objective: Win with Finn Balor via count out
Roode leaves the ring after Finn Balor outwrestles him most of the match. Finn calls Roode back to the ring, as Bobby leaves up the entrance ramp getting counted out. Suddenly, the Titus Brand attacks Finn from behind. O’Neil hits the Titus Clash, as WWE Intercontinental Champion Darren Young screams at Finn. He pronounces that their match wasn’t a fluke and he’ll beat him again at Money in the Bank (revealing that’s where Finn will have his rematch).
Backstage, Tommaso Ciampa is watching what occurred. Renee Young approaches him and asks his thoughts on the return of his former best friend Johnny Gargano? Ciampa asks Renee if she saw what his crew just did to Finn Balor? He claims Gargano got lucky, and that Ciampa will win back his championship at Money in the Bank. He excuses himself as he has a match to get ready for.
ONE-ON-TWO HANDICAP MATCH
WWE Raw Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Nia Jax & Tamina
Objective: Win with Asuka
Alexa Bliss’ music hits after the match, as she stares in disgust at Asuka. Bliss tells Asuka she’s impressed that she beat both of her bodyguards, but says Asuka is no goddess. Bliss tells Asuka that she will not let Stephanie or Triple H down, and will take back her Raw Women’s Championship. Asuka welcomes Bliss to get into the ring, but Bliss says she’ll fight on her own terms which happens to be at Money in the Bank.
Alexa says just for added protection, she’s allowing Nia Jax and Tamina to compete in the match as well. On cue, Nia and Tamina attack Asuka. Alexa heads to the ring and joins in. She nails her patented DDT on Asuka and raises the championship belt with Jax & Tamina holding her on their shoulders. While on their shoulders, Alexa feels a similar shock that Mickie James felt a few weeks ago. Alexa drops the Raw Women’s Championship and scurries out of the ring, to Nia and Tamina’s confusion.
Paul Out?
Paul Heyman is in the medical office, as John Cena walks in. He asks Paul if he’s alright, before asking about where the urn is? He tells John that Stephanie had it last, but it will be impossible to find Shane. John asks where Brock is, as Paul reveals he quit to pursue other athletic goals. John commends Paul for staying around and helping fight, but Heyman doesn’t respond. Cena leaves as Heyman looks at John with some fear and doubt. Heyman grabs his cell phone and asks his limo driver to come to pick him up at the arena, saying he’s tired and wants to go home.
MONEY IN THE BANK QUALIFYING MATCH
Tommaso Ciampa (with Titus O’Neil) vs. John Cena
Objective: Win with John Cena
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan is backstage watching, and lets out a loud Yes! chant after seeing Cena win. Stephanie approaches slow clapping, saying that Daniel has been very good at balancing being both a competitor and an official. Bryan asks what she wants, as Stephanie tells Daniel she knows who is coming next week. Bryan is not impressed, but Stephanie says she has a feeling the new leader will lean more towards her side than Daniel’s. She leaves with a smirk as Daniel wonders who she might be referring to.
Ciampa is backstage livid he lost. He sees WWE Cruiserweight Champion Johnny Gargano talking to reporters. Ciampa runs right through Gargano, which sends the reporters off running. Ciampa beats the hell out of Gargano, asking if he thinks it’s funny to take his spotlight and championship? Officials finally pull Ciampa off of Gargano, as Johnny lays on the ground in pain.
MONEY IN THE BANK QUALIFYING MATCH
Randy Orton vs. Erick Rowan (with Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper & Braun Strowman)
Objective: Win with Erick Rowan
The Outsiders are in their locker room as Triple H walks in. They both apologize to him for not coming through, and that they took care of Goldust as he asked. Triple H thanks them, claiming Goldie needed a ‘reminder’. He admits he also has been disappointed by The Outsiders lack of success. Hunter gives a speech about how he can’t accept failure, and that the stakes are too high. He closes the door as a large beam of light is seen coming from under the door. Triple H walks out holding Undertaker’s Urn, as the rest of the locker room is completely empty.
Stephanie is in her office, trying to calm down both Dolph Ziggler & Big Show who are arguing. Dolph tells Big Show he lost a tooth because of him, but Big Show calls Dolph a whiny punk. Stephanie tells them to stop their bickering because they are both in a tag team match tonight where the winning team enters into Money in the Bank. WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens and WWE Universal Champion Sami Zayn walk in, as Owens says perhaps he and Sami Zayn should be the tag team instead?
Dolph walks out pissed off. Stephanie tells Owens and Zayn that’s not an option because Roman Reigns elected to use his rematch for the Universal Championship at Money in the Bank. Owens tells Stephanie that he doesn’t want to be in the Money in the Bank Match anyways because he wants to be ringside for his best friend Sami Zayn. Big Show makes fun of the two and leaves to get ready for his match.
MONEY IN THE BANK QUALIFYING TAG TEAM MATCH
Big Show & Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins
Objective: Win with Ambrose & Rollins
Ziggler pushes Big Show after the match, but he barely moves. Big Show begins to laugh as Dolph slaps him across the face, asking if that was funny? Big Show grabs Dolph by the neck, but Stephanie McMahon comes out on stage. She tells the two to stop fighting now. Big Show doesn’t respond, but Stephanie reminds him of the contract he signed. Big Show lets go of Dolph and leaves the ring, staring him down. Dolph catches his breath, laying near the turnbuckle frightened.
WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Natalya is being interviewed backstage. Renee asks if Natalya is annoyed she hasn’t fought lately? Natalya reveals she is not being overlooked, rather protected. She says she will be the longest reigning champion of all-time but is interrupted by someone saying ‘she’s no queen, and only queens can reign.’ The camera turns to reveal Charlotte Flair is back!
Natalya tells Charlotte to get lost but is attacked almost immediately by Charlotte Flair. Natalya runs off, dropping her championship in the process. Charlotte smiles and picks up the title. She feels the same ‘zap’ others have felt and drops the belt quickly, saying ‘ouch’. Charlotte stares at her hand, which is now twitching before she stares back at the championship belt with a look of fear.
Monday Night Raw
Vince McMahon’s music hits! The WWE Chairman is here! Vince McMahon comes out on stage and struts to the ring. A loud ‘Holy S***!’ chant breaks out as everyone including the commentators are shocked to see McMahon. Vince tells everyone they are not dreaming or in a different time period, he is here and back! He says ever since he gave full control of both shows to Triple H and Stephanie, a lot of crazy things have happened. He’s missing a son, he’s witnessed deceased superstars return to the ring and arenas have been sucked into different time periods. Vince says he is not happy, to say the least, deciding to come himself after Daniel Bryan became sidetracked from his job.
Vince asks Daniel Bryan to come out to the ring, which the WWE Champion does. He scolds Bryan for competing and winning championships, instead of doing what he was asked to do. Bryan says that in order to control the show he had to step in and compete, even against his own opinion. Vince tells Daniel that he has shown the same incapability to run the shows as his son-in-law and daughter have, but is relieved to see Daniel can wrestle healthy again. Vince says he is in charge now and offers Bryan a competitors only contract to continue fighting and defending his belt.
Lining Up to Face the Champ
A loud ‘Yes!’ chant fires around the arena. Bryan ponders the decision, as Dolph Ziggler interrupts. Ziggler tells Bryan to sign the contract and demands to Vince that he deserves another shot at the WWE Championship Daniel Bryan stole from him. Vince tells Dolph that he has had enough chances and that he already has a challenger in mind for Daniel Bryan. Vince welcomes his new personal bodyguard and WWE ambassador to their new global market of India, Jinder Mahal. Mahal walks to the ring, passing Dolph with an arrogant smirk.
Mahal enters and shakes Vince’s hand. Daniel laughs, saying Jinder is no match for him, to which Vince replies, ‘Well surely you then wouldn’t have an issue defending your championship against Dolph Ziggler?’ Ziggler smirks from the stage as Daniel Bryan claims he doesn’t deserve the title shot but will have no problem beating him again! Big Show comes out and demands a title opportunity too, saying he has left Dolph flat in the ring twice now. Vince likes the idea, and says it will be a Fatal-4-Way Ladder Match at Money in the Bank!
6-WOMAN TAG TEAM MATCH
WWE Raw Women’s Champion Asuka, Sasha Banks & Bayley vs. Nia Jax, Tamia & Alexa Bliss
Objective: Win with Asuka, Banks & Bayley
Backstage, The Shield are talking about qualifying for Money in the Bank. Roman talks about how disappointed he was to lose his belt to Sami Zayn. WWE Universal Champion Sami Zayn and the WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens approach, sarcastically applauding Roman’s effort at ECW One Night Stand. Owens reveals that he has a qualifying match for Money in the Bank tonight, so The Shield shouldn’t get cozy with the idea of winning the briefcase. Sami tells Roman he’ll be disappointed again at Money in the Bank when he beats him one more time. Roman says they can go right now but Zayn mocks Roman, claiming he’s not ‘The Man’ anymore. The duo walks off as The Shield look on annoyed and angry.
NORMAL TAG TEAM MATCH
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champion American Alpha vs. The Ascension
Objective: Win with American Alpha
Vince McMahon is in the backstage office with Stephanie and Triple H. Jinder Mahal is by Vince’s side. Vince tells them both that he is disappointed at what they have done while running the shows. Vince asks what Triple H did to The Outsiders? Triple H replies he simply ‘fixed a problem’. Vince feels the problem is still lingering, as Triple H thinks he is talking about Alundra Blayze. Stephanie says she’ll take care of Blayze and leaves. Vince asks if Triple H sent The Outsiders through Undertaker’s Urn, which Hunter admits to. Triple H tells Vince that he sent them through after they beat down Goldust.
Vince asks where Goldust is, as Hunter simply replies, ‘who cares?’ The Usos walk in and demand ‘what they are owed’ after watching American Alpha win their match. Vince is confused, but the Usos reveal they are owed a Tag Team Championship match from Vince’s ‘son-in-law’ for getting rid of Gallows & Anderson. Triple H confirms this, so Vince gives them a WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship Ladder Match against American Alpha at Money in the Bank. They leave satisfied as now WWE Raw Tag Team Champion the New Day walk in, revealing Vince asked them in.
We Just Don’t Set the Bar…
Vince says he respects The New Day with a long history they have within the family, but he wants to put on a good Money in the Bank show. He asks them to defend their championship against two opponents he feels are worthy competitors. The New Day reveals that’s fine, not afraid of anyone. Vince calls in The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) and introduces New Day to their opponents. He asks for the two teams to shake hands and to put on a heck of a match for the fans. They shake hands as both teams leave on respectful terms.
NORMAL TAG TEAM MATCH
WWE Intercontinental Champion Darren Young & Tommaso Ciampa (with Titus O’Neil) vs. Finn Balor & WWE Cruiserweight Champion Johnny Gargano
Objective: Win with Balor & Gargano
Bobby Roode appears on the big screen, revealing that the Intercontinental Championship will become glorious at Money in the Bank. Roode reveals he was granted permission to enter the title match between Young & Balor, making it a Triple Threat Match. Titus O’Neil is fuming at ringside, saying that’s not fair to his client Darren Young. Roode mocks Titus, saying maybe his brand isn’t as glorious as he thought. Roode laughs as O’Neil angrily leaves with his crew.
MONEY IN THE BANK QUALIFYING MATCH
WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens (with WWE Universal Champion Sami Zayn) vs. Samoa Joe
Objective: Win with Kevin Owens
During the match, Zayn tries to interfere but Roman Reigns comes down to the ring with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. They corner Sami. Joe chases Owens to the back, as The Shield are ready to pounce on Zayn. The lights turn off, then back on as the entire Wyatt Family is guarding Sami Zayn! They begin to attack The Shield as a 4-on-3 attack ensues. The Wyatt’s put all three Shield members through tables, as Bray proclaims the devil made him do it. He begins laughing as the lights go off and back on with the Wyatt’s gone and the Shield laid outside the ring. Zayn is the only one standing in the ring, as he celebrates with his title.
In the locker room, Alundra Blayze is packing her suitcase as Stephanie walks in. She asks Blayze how she is, before quickly opening Undertaker’s Urn and sending Blayze through it! Stephanie quietly leaves, as the locker room is empty with only Alundra’s suitcase remaining.
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Photo Credit: WWE via WWE.com
