Wrestling
WWE 2K Story – Chapter Four, Part Three: The Emperor’s Arrival
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Monday Night Raw
Vince McMahon enters the ring to start the show, as the ring commentators are in shock that Vince sent his own son-in-law through Undertaker’s Urn. He begins by saying he didn’t want to do what he did on Sunday night but Triple H left him no choice. John Cena immediately interrupts, saying Vince is no different than when Hunter sent Shane through Undertaker’s Urn. Cena tells Vince he doesn’t trust him, and that Vince has never had the WWE Universe’s interest as his own. Vince tells John that he’s ashamed of him, stating that his empire is the most important thing to him. Vince claims Triple H was jeopardizing it.
A Display of Trust
He calls his bodyguard and new WWE Champion Jinder Mahal out, ignoring Cena. Mahal heads to the ring while also holding Undertaker’s Urn. Vince tells John that he will earn his trust, and tasks Cena with being the one to guard Undertaker’s Urn. Jinder holds the urn up to Cena who is hesitant, but eventually agrees and tells Vince he trusts him a little bit more now. Jinder bows to John and goes to leave the ring, but Daniel Bryan’s music hits.
He enters the stage and asks for his WWE Championship rematch. Vince gives a speech to Daniel about how they have everything under control now that Triple H is gone. He advises Daniel that he should go spend his time with wife Brie Bella and their newborn child. Daniel wants to fight, but Cena agrees with Vince and tells Daniel they seem to be doing fine for now. John tells Daniel to go be with his family and suggests giving his rematch clause to someone else.
Daniel says he still doesn’t trust Vince. Vince claims Bryan is full of conspiracy theories and tells Daniel if he really wants to leave then Vince will agree to Cena’s suggestion. Bryan ponders the decision, as Jinder Mahal is staring a hole through him. Daniel agrees but says he wants time to choose the right person to take the belt off Jinder Mahal. Vince tells Daniel he has until next Monday night to pick a replacement for his rematch but can fight his bodyguard Mahal tonight in a non-title match.
NORMAL MATCH – WWE Intercontinental Championship
(C) Bobby Roode vs. Darren Young (with Titus O’Neil)
Objective: Win with Bobby Roode
Titus O’Neil is upset Darren lost and walks backstage without him. Finn Balor’s music hits as Bobby Roode stares at the stage. Nothing happens until Finn Balor appears behind Roode, coming through the crowd. Roode slowly turns around, then quickly rolls out of the ring. Finn calls Bobby back to the ring, laughing at him. Roode yells to Finn that he’s not glorious and retreats up the entrance ramp.
WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is in the locker room with his Shield brothers Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins. WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn enter, as Owens tells Reigns that he got lucky on Sunday. Owens states that if he was there, then his best friend Sami Zayn would still be champion. Rollins & Ambrose back Reigns, until Big Show comes in to back Owens & Zayn. Big Show asks if there’s a problem, trying to scare the Shield. Roman has heard enough and punches Big Show. A big fight breaks out until referees and officials break up the brawl.
NORMAL MATCH
Johnny Gargano vs. Jack Gallagher
Objective: Win with Johnny Gargano
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Tommaso Ciampa comes out onto the stage. Ciampa tells Gargano that he’s starting to gain some of the respect he lost for Gargano when they were a tag team, but tells Johnny that he will always be the loser out of the two. Gargano scolds Ciampa for turning his back on him, but Ciampa says he is a two-time Cruiserweight Champion because of what he did. Ciampa said leaving #DIY for the Titus Brand was the best decision he ever made.
He tells Gargano that he knows he will use his rematch clause very soon, so Ciampa cuts a deal. He tells Gargano he will give him his rematch at Battleground and not a day sooner. In return, Ciampa will allow Gargano to pick the match stipulation. He rattles off a few suggestions such as First Blood, TLC, 2-out-of-3 Falls… Gargano reveals he already knows what match he wants. Hell in a Cell! The crowd erupts in a loud ‘Yes!’ chant. Ciampa is clearly not happy but eventually gives in by saying he will enjoy sending his former best friend to Hell.
Titus Brand Tension
O’Neil is scolding Young backstage for losing. Titus says he doesn’t have time to deal with Darren right now, but that his brand looks weak for Vince McMahon. Young asks why that matters, but Titus tells him to shut up because he has to go deal with Ciampa putting himself in a Hell in a Cell Match now. Titus leaves as Apollo Crews walks up to Darren Young. He tells Darren that Titus is not the same man he knew when they were the Prime Time Players and that he needs to be careful. Young tells Crews he was kicked out of the Titus Brand for a reason and that he is loyal to his good friend. Young storms off as Apollo watches a bit disappointed.
NORMAL TAG TEAM MATCH – WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
(C) The Bar vs. The New Day
Objective: Win with The New Day via disqualification
The Bar beat the crap out of New Day to get disqualified. They lose the match but retain their belts. The Bar decide to also take New Day’s unicorn horns as well.
Renee Young is interviewing Bayley backstage. Bayley reveals she is in a number one contender’s match to determine Asuka’s new challenger. Bayley says she is anxious to get back into the championship picture, as Sasha Banks arrives. She wishes Bayley good luck and they hug.
Bayley turns to leave, but is quickly turned around by Sasha and knocked out by one of her chains! Sasha beats the hell out of Bayley and smashes her head through the TV monitor! Sasha continues her melee of Bayley, asking if she still wants a hug? Officials break up the brawl as Stephanie McMahon is watching. Sasha walks up to Stephanie who says to Banks ‘Thank you. You may now have your match.’ Sasha, not very satisfied with what she just did, leaves without saying a word. Stephanie smiles.
NORMAL MATCH
Sasha Banks vs. Mickie James
Objective: Win with Sasha Banks
The ring commentators are shocked by Sasha’s actions but reveal that she is now technically the new number one contender for Asuka’s championship. She will receive a match at Battleground.
Vince and WWE Champion Jinder Mahal are in the back office. Jinder tells Vince that the Indian embassy is thrilled with Vince’s direction of the company, but Vince replies that both he and Jinder know that’s hardly important. Daniel Bryan walks into the office as Jinder demands to know who Daniel has in mind to face him? Daniel says he just got off the phone with a few contenders and will make his decision soon.
Vince questions why Daniel is calling people instead of just choosing someone from the roster? Daniel tells Vince that if he isn’t going to fight for the belt, then he wants someone he knows is reliable to finish the job. Vince tells Daniel he is not the bad guy here, but Bryan doesn’t buy it. Jinder gets in Daniel’s face and suggests he get ready for their match tonight, and to never disrespect Mr. McMahon again. Daniel tells Jinder he is going to enjoy making him tap out tonight and leaves.
6-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Big Show vs. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Objective: Win with Ambrose, Rollins & Reigns
The New Day is backstage, annoyed they lost their title opportunity and their unicorn horns. John Cena walks up to them and asks if they trust Vince? They do not, because they have been told by Vince that they won’t get a rematch versus The Bar despite the obvious disqualification. Vince walks up and asks if there is a problem? Cena says he is not sure yet, but Vince reminds The New Day they had two opportunities and he would like to give other teams a shot.
Vince asks if any of them have seen Goldust, which Cena becomes suspicious over after remembering Goldust acting weird a few weeks ago. McMahon claims it’s not a big deal, he just wants to talk to Goldust about the possibility of receiving a Legends Contract for everything he has done in the WWE. Vince walks off as Cena and The New Day look at each other with suspicion towards McMahon.
NORMAL MATCH
Daniel Bryan vs. WWE Champion Jinder Mahal
Objective: Win with Daniel Bryan
Smackdown Live
AJ Styles’ music hits as the Phenomenal One makes his way to the ring. He grabs a microphone and demands both WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champion The Usos come to the ring and pay for their sins. Styles says he lost two good brothers because of them, and he will fight to make it right. Vince McMahon comes out instead and tells AJ to calm down. He tells AJ they were just following orders from a misguided leader in Triple H. AJ doesn’t care, and demands he fights both of them. Vince says he respects The Usos and their father, Rikishi, so he won’t just serve them up on a platter for AJ to destroy.
He tells AJ that if he can find a tag team partner, then he can face American Alpha in a number one contenders match with the latter’s rematch clause on the line. AJ is not satisfied and says he wants to take the belts off of Jimmy and Jey now, that way they too know what it’s like to lose something they love. Vince tells AJ if he and his partner win tonight then they will get a championship match at Battleground and that’s the end of the discussion. A frustrated AJ is forced to accept.
NORMAL MATCH
Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax
Objective: Win with Charlotte Flair
WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Natalya is on commentary. Charlotte approaches her after the match and appears ready to attack until Stephanie McMahon comes out on stage. She tells Charlotte that she will not have her champion harassed on a weekly basis. Stephanie tells Charlotte that if she touches Natalya before Battleground, she will forfeit her championship match to Nia Jax. Charlotte begins laughing as Natalya taunts Charlotte right in her face. Charlotte leans towards Natalya like she’s going to attack, but she doesn’t. Natalya flinches, however, and trips over the commentary table wires. Charlotte laughs and walks away as Natalya looks angry after being embarrassed.
NORMAL TAG TEAM MATCH
Apollo Crews & Johnny Gargano vs. Darren Young & Titus O’Neil (with WWE Cruiserweight Champion Tommaso Ciampa)
Objective: Win with Crews & Gargano
Crews and Gargano leave the ring, celebrating. The Titus Brand begins to argue in the ring until Ciampa slaps Darren Young. Young goes to attack Ciampa but is jumped by Titus. The two beat down Darren Young until Gargano & Crews run in to make the save. The Titus Brand retreats back up the stage, as Crews & Gargano help Young to his feet.
Styles is looking for a partner backstage but runs into WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champion The Usos. They make fun of AJ for not being able to find a partner yet, and that it’s probably because no one wants to end up like his pathetic friends from Japan. Styles goes to hit The Usos, but his hand is caught by someone. AJ turns around to see Rikishi. He tells AJ that it would be a mistake to touch his children. AJ gets in Rikishi’s face until his boys assault Styles. They pick AJ up as Rikishi Superkicks Styles in the face. The family laugh, walking away while AJ recovers from being jumped.
NORMAL TAG TEAM MATCH
Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins vs. WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Objective: Win with Owens & Zayn
After the match, a camera shows Big Show beating the hell out of WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns backstage. The Shield immediately run to the back after the match. They find Reigns beaten down, but no Big Show in sight.
Vince is in his office with WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and Stephanie McMahon. He tells Jinder he is disappointed he lost on Raw, but Mahal says it doesn’t matter because he won’t be fighting Daniel Bryan at Battleground. Vince tells Jinder he would like to keep the belt on him until they find everything they need. Big Show enters and tells Vince that he did what he was asked and wants a championship now.
And Your New Hardcore Champion…
Vince snaps as Jinder Mahal turns around and opens a box revealing the Hardcore Championship. Jinder bows as Vince tells Big Show he is now the champion, and to pick it up. Big Show is confused, asking if this is a joke? Vince says it’s no joke, as the Hardcore Championship is back. Vince once again asks Big Show to pick it up. Big Show calls it a dirty championship and claims he wants real gold. Vince assures Show that the belt is much more valuable than gold, along with many WWE championships. For a third time, Vince says, ‘pick it up.’ Big Show says ‘whatever’ and takes the belt before leaving.
Go to ‘title management’ and put the WWE Hardcore Championship on the Big Show
NORMAL TAG TEAM MATCH
American Alpha vs. AJ Styles & Samoa Joe
Objective: Win with Styles & Joe
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champion The Usos and their father Rikishi are on commentary for the match. They begin to laugh when seemingly no one comes out to be AJ’s partner. Suddenly, Samoa Joe’s music hits! Joe comes out to the ring to be partners with Styles.
After the match, The Usos taunt Styles & Joe from outside the ring. Rikishi walks his kids around the ring and backs up the ramp as they continue yelling at AJ & Joe. Styles & Joe fist bump and hug before celebrating their win with the crowd.
Daniel Bryan is backstage and hangs up the phone as Vince and WWE Champion Jinder Mahal approach. They warn Bryan he doesn’t have much time to find a replacement, but Bryan confirms his choice will be on Monday Night Raw next week. Jinder demands to know who he must face, but Bryan simply says they’ll have to wait and see. Bryan walks off giddy as Vince and Jinder look back with distrust and anger.
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Photo Credit: WWE via WWE.com
