ruthless agrresion

[blackHEART]

MONDAY NIGHT RAW:

A-Train
Al Snow
Batista
Chris Benoit (currently inactive)
Chris Jericho
Christian
Chuck Palumbo
Edge
Eugene
Garrison Cade
Heidenreich
Lance Storm
Mark Henry
Matt Hardy
Maven
Mick Foley (part-time)
Randy Orton
Rhyno
Ric Flair
Rob Conway
Rob Van Dam
Rodney Mack
Rosey
Scott Steiner
Shawn Michaels
Shelton Benjamin
Simon Dean
Steven Richards
Sylvain Grenier
Tajiri
The Hurricane
Tomko
Triple H
Val Venis
William Regal

Gail Kim
Ivory
Jazz
Lita
Molly Holly
Nidia
Stacy Keibler
Trish Stratus
Victoria

Jerry Lawler
Jim Ross
Justin Roberts
Lilian Garcia


================

THURSDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

Akio
Big Show
Bill Demott
Billy Gunn
Billy Kidman
Booker T
Bubba Ray Dudley
Charlie Haas
Chavo Guerrero
D-Von Dudley
Danny Basham
Doug Basham
Eddie Guerrero
Funaki
Hardcore Holly
JBL
Jamie Noble
John Cena
Johnny Stamboli
Kane
Kenzo Suzuki
Kurt Angle
Luther Reigns
Mark Jindrak
Matt Morgan
Nunzio
Orlando Jordan
Paul London
Rene Dupree
Rey Mysterio
Rico
Scotty 2 Hotty
Shannon Moore
Spike Dudley
Test
The Undertaker

Dawn Marie
Jackie Gayda
Torrie Wilson

Michael Cole
Tazz
Tony Chimel

[blackHEART]

How did we get here?

We regret to inform you, sir, that you slipped into a coma in the dying weeks of WCW. Nitro is no longer a thing and Vince McMahon bought his competition. Although this purchase was in full effect, Vince McMahon didn't own the contracts of some of the bigger stars - AOL did. Instead of buying those deals, Vince used the leftovers that WCW had to offer while the big stars collected big guaranteed paychecks working zero dates.

The roster got to be pretty big, and once the nWo made its way to the WWF, creative decided it be best to hold a brand extension - splitting Raw and SmackDown into two separate entities. Both brands created different identities for themselves. Raw was seen as the flagship brand with over the top personalities and focused a lot on the sports entertainment aspect. And is this a good time to mention Eric Bischoff is working for Vince McMahon? And Bischoff is managing Raw? SmackDown, however, was offended by their "B-Show" nickname and focused on putting on classics inside the ring to develop new stars.

You ask about your Attitude Era beloveds? Stone Cold Steve Austin had issues with Vince McMahon (go figure) off-screen that were very much legitimate. Over creative differences and his injury history, Austin retired from pro wrestling on WWE.com following his spectacular WrestleMania 19 match with The Rock. Picked number 1 overall by Vince McMahon to SmackDown, The Rock dabbled in an acting career after SummerSlam. The Rock returned for his program with Austin, and decided he would continue with professional wrestling in a part-time role. And yes, The Undertaker and Kane are still around. The Undertaker's a Deadman again after a short identity crisis as a biker and Kane's not wearing a mask anymore... he should've kept it on.

I guess things really begin at WrestleMania 19. After The Rock sent Austin out on his back, Brock Lesnar landed a perfect Shooting Star Press on Kurt Angle and began his reign as WWE Champion a year into the business. Also notably on the show, Triple H successfully defended against Booker T as part of what fans know today as the "reign of terror" and a re-born Shawn Michaels made his first WrestleMania appearance since 1998 to beat Chris Jericho. Oh, we should mention DX is no longer a thing. And Shawn Michaels of the 90's is a complete 180 from the Shawn Michaels of today.

Next year's WrestleMania, back at Madison Square Garden where it all began... again, told a completely different story. Chris Benoit was rumored to win that year's Royal Rumble, but a DUI the night before took him off the show. Instead, Eddie Guerrero won and set up a main event match with WWE Champion Kurt Angle, which he won. Lesnar lost the title to Angle during WrestleMania season, thanks to Goldberg, and would go on to lose to Goldberg at WrestleMania 20 and both men would exit the company. Shawn Michaels battled to be in the title picture and lost respectively to Triple H in the co-main event. The Rock returned in his part-time role to help Mick Foley against Evolution, but it was to no avail in a 3-on-2 defeat. And this night, John Cena won his first title in WWE by defeating Big Show for the United States Championship.

This set up the next few months of 2004. WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero ruled SmackDown until he lost the WWE Championship to Kane, thanks to a trade made by Kurt Angle. At SummerSlam, Angle beat Guerrero and Kane retained the WWE Championship against his brother Undertaker in two WrestleMania rematches. On Raw's side, Triple H main evented SummerSlam for Raw with Ric Flair and after planting seeds of dysfunction in Evolution, the "Fingerpoke of Doom" was re-enacted as Evolution pulled one over on Bischoff. Evolution laughed in Bischoff's face but it was Bischoff getting the last laugh with Sting making his WWE debut a few weeks later. Sting tried ending Triple H's reign by becoming World Heavyweight Champion at Taboo Tuesday, but with Bischoff voted in as official, he screwed over Sting. While for SmackDown, Kane's WWE title reign came to an end due to injury, a separated shoulder and with the title available in a battle royal, John Bradshaw Layfield won his first WWE Championship.

At the Royal Rumble, Batista won the opportunity to challenge for a world championship, eliminating Sting and then John Cena after a controversial ending. The Rock returned to challenge Sting to a match at WrestleMania 21, being recruited by Eric Bischoff to do Bischoff's dirty work. And after winning a #1 contender's match, John Cena would go on to wrestle JBL for the WWE Championship.


WRESTLEMANIA 21:

MATCH 1: Rey Mysterio def. Eddie Guerrero

MATCH 2: Edge def. Chris Jericho, Christian, Randy Orton, Rob Van Dam, and Shelton Benjamin to win the Money in the Bank Ladder Match

MATCH 3: The Undertaker def. Big Show

MATCH 4: Trish Stratus(c) def. Christy Hemme w/Lita to retain the Women's Championship

MATCH 5: Kurt Angle def. Shawn Michaels in an inter-promotional match

MATCH 6: The Rock w/Eric Bischoff def. Sting

MATCH 7: John Cena def. JBL(c) to win the WWE Championship

MATCH 8: Batista def. Triple H(c) w/Ric Flair to win the World Heavyweight Championship



Authors Note: This booker starts right after WrestleMania 21, my favorite Mania of all-time and the first I ordered on Pay-Per-View. As you can see, I took some liberties in changing what happened in the years leading up to WrestleMania 21, but kept most of it the same. The inspiration of this was the Ruthless Aggression series on the WWE Network, the "what if" of The Rock versus Sting at WrestleMania 21, and taking Benoit out of the limelight of WrestleMania 20. This also provides liberties on the roster, which I'll be posting rosters that are (again) mainly the same but there's some tweaks (ie. Sting on Raw). I'm starting this booker about midway through of my isolation, but after testing the waters, I feel this booker can be promising while also navigating my senior year.

A roster page will be put up momentarily.

[blackHEART]

WRESTLEMANIA 22
~ Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship
~ Triple H vs. The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship
~ Eddie Guerrero vs. The Rock
~ Edge vs. Sting

ROYAL RUMBLE
~ Edge vs. John Cena

SURVIVOR SERIES
 ~ Edge defends the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber (Raw)

** WWE DRAFT **
Booker T to Raw
John Cena to Raw
Kane to Raw
Batista to SmackDown!
The Rock to SmackDown!
Triple H & Evolution to SmackDown!

SUMMERSLAM
~ Batista vs. Christian for the World Heavyweight Championship
~ John Cena vs. The Undertaker for the WWE Championship
~ Randy Orton vs. Triple H

The Great American Bash
~ John Cena vs. Kane for the WWE Championship
~ JBL vs. The Undertaker

Vengeance
~ Sting vs. The Rock
~ Randy Orton vs. Triple H

Judgment Day
~ John Cena vs. JBL for the WWE Championship (Ambulance Match)

Backlash
~ Batista vs. The Rock for the World Heavyweight Championship
~ Randy Orton vs. Triple H
~ Chris Jericho vs. Edge
~ Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian vs. Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship

[blackHEART]

*****



Monday Night Raw opens up with Triple H coming down with Evolution's Ric Flair and Randy Orton. While they make their way to the ring in foul moods, a package shows the dissolution of Evolution beginning when Batista won the Royal Rumble and turned his back on Evolution, making it a three-man group. Fast forward to last night where stilled images are shown of "The Animal" becoming World Heavyweight Champion at The Game's expense.

TRIPLE H: When I had this idea a couple years ago, I came to Ric with a vision that would transcend this business. I had a vision... a vision that a 16-time world champion and the best damn superstar today could bring along the future. Ric and I would mentor them, show them the ropes, and we'd have our fingerprints on the business for the next thirty-plus years. You give these kids everything. Everything they have, everything they know, is because of you. And in this ring, we see the difference between an appreciative kid, and a son of a b*tch.

Triple H pauses to receive the boos from the crowd.

TRIPLE H: Last night, Batista showed just how unappreciative he was for what Evolution did for him. Hell, he's not even at WrestleMania if it wasn't for us. He's not even in the Royal Rumble match. He's distributing Bibles for Reverend D-Von. Evolution found him at the perfect time, we waited for him to heal his injury, and we took over this business. And this is how he repays us? This is how he repays ME?

Batista's music hits and the World Heavyweight Champion stands out on stage with the belt draped across his shoulder and in a high-priced silver suit.

BATISTA: Repay you? Hunter, I did exactly what you wanted. You wanted to make Randy and I stars, and last night, I became a star and more importantly, World Heavyweight Champion.

Batista raises the belt high, symbolizing his arrival.

TRIPLE H: You raise that title as high as you can for now. Because I'm winning back MY World Heavyweight Championship... and I'm doing it tonight!

Batista laughs but The Game isn't amused.

TRIPLE H: What's so funny?

BATISTA: I had another idea in mind. See, I just got back from meeting with Bischoff and I pitched an idea he happened to like. Quite frankly, it's already booked.

Triple H looks on perplexed.

BATISTA: I offered to compete tonight in the middle of that ring, but not against you Triple H... but against YOU!

Batista points beyond Triple H and Randy Orton's jaw drops. Orton complains of his shoulder after last night's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

BATISTA: And what Bischoff and I decided, since I am... ya know... the CHAMP, was if Randy can beat me, you have your rematch at Backlash. But, if Randy doesn't come through, then you can kiss this title goodbye... for GOOD!

*****

Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcomes everyone to Monday Night Raw and introduces what's on tap for tonight, including what they just learned that Evolution's Randy Orton will face ex-Evolution member and current World Heavyweight Champion Batista later tonight for Triple H's right to a rematch. Chris Jericho is hosting a Highlight Reel with the Money in the Bank winner Edge. And speaking of participants from last night's ladder match, Christian and Rob Van Dam battle for the right to wrestle Shelton Benjamin for the Intercontinental Championship. But up next is a World Tag Team Championship match.

MATCH 1: Tajiri & William Regal(c) def. Hurricane & Rosey (9:08) to retain the World Tag Team Championships
Tajiri and William Regal battled Hurricane and Rosey. Regal works on the legs of Hurricane and Tajiri comes in with the strikes, while keeping Rosey on the apron. Hurricane gets to Rosey on the hot tag and it appears we'll have new World Tag Team Champions. As Rosey works on Regal, Hurricane tries a diving crossbody to the outside of the ring that Tajiri counters with a dropkick. Rosey is about to put Regal away with a swinging side slam when Tajiri gets inside the ring and sprays mist in the face of Rosey, right in front of the official, causing a disqualification.

Tajiri and Regal get away from the ring and as Hurricane gets in the ring to help his partner, slides in two guys who begin assaulting the Hurricane.



These two guys sweep Rosey to the edge of the ring with their feet before solely focusing on the Hurricane and hitting a Snapshot.

"Good job boys."

At the top of the ramp, a woman holds a microphone with a sly smirk across her face.



"To you uneducated fools in the audience, let me introduce you to WWE's sexiest tag team. I am Melina, and these are my boys Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury. We are M-N-M. And this is our stage now."

Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro pose over the fallen superheroes before meeting Melina up at the curtain.

*****

Backstage, Randy Orton is taping up in Evolution's personal locker room while talking to Stacy Keibler. Triple H and Ric Flair come in and send Stacy out before bringing Orton's focus back to tonight's match. Triple H demands Orton get his head in the game and beat Batista by any means necessary... or else.

*****

MATCH 2: Christian w/Tomko def. Rob Van Dam (12:49) to become #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Title
Champion Shelton Benjamin watching from ringside behind a pair of shades, seeing RVD getting the upper hand on Christian. As Christian whiffs on a springboard DDT, Van Dam hits the Rolling Thunder to get things going. Van Dam gets several moves of offense in before going up top for the Five-Star Frog Splash and Tomko gets on the apron to distract the official, the third time Tomko's become involved. Van Dam leaves his station and shoves the official out of the way before punching Tomko in the face, off the apron. The official is trying his best to eject Tomko from ringside, while behind, Van Dam turns around and the champion clocks him! Van Dam's nailed with the Intercontinental Championship and Benjamin rolls out of the ring and places the shades back on. The official finally gets Tomko started up the ramp and he turns around to see Christian, holding his ribs, crawling over to Van Dam and places his arm over his opponent's chest and the official counts three.

Jim Ross tries to figure out why Benjamin would help Christian get a title opportunity, and Lawler believes Christian's an easier path for Benjamin to keep the title and labels the champion brilliant!

*****

Backstage, Todd Grisham stands by the interview spot.

TODD GRISHAM: "Ladies and gentlemen, Muhammad Hassan and his friend Daivari."

The camera pans over and zooms out to fit Hassan in and Daivari. Hassan has his head held high, looking rather upset.

TODD GRISHAM: "Last night at your first WrestleMania, Hul-"

MUHAMMAD HASSAN: "Shut up Todd!"

Grisham is startled by Hassan's raise of voice in his ear.

MUHAMMAD HASSAN: "I know exactly what you're going to say. You're going to spin the American propaganda to make me look like a bad guy. I'm not the bad guy!"

Hassan bends his waist to tower over Grisham.

MUHAMMAD HASSAN: "America has an agenda. An agenda against me! Against Daivari! Against people like us! It has an agenda to keep us at the bottom, and guys like Hulk Hogan at the top... Do you like Hulk Hogan?"

Grisham stutters, glancing over to his production crew off-camera.

MUHAMMAD HASSAN: "Did you grow up idolizing Hulk Hogan? Was he your role model? Was he your idol?"

Todd Grisham pulls the microphone to his mouth to answer, but Hassan forcefully grabs Grisham's wrist and keeps the microphone at his lips.

MUHAMMAD HASSAN: "Of course he was, Todd! You idolize people like yourself. You idolize the white male. You said your prayers, you ate your vitamins. You wanted to be just like the man who looked like you. While people like me are looked at as the enemy. We're the example of what not to become."

Hassan looks dead in the camera and steps forward, lowering his voice.

MUHAMMAD HASSAN: "Let me tell the world what I've become. I've seen the looks. I've heard the whispers. I see the difference in the mass media's agenda. People like Hulk Hogan are presented in a different light than people like me. And Daivari and I, we've been paying attention. And if that's what you want..."

Hassan has an intense stare down before he steps away from the camera and Daivari follows suit.

*****

MATCH 3: Rhyno def. Maven (3:38)
Rhyno takes care of Maven rather quickly, Maven being no match for Rhyno's power, size, and experience. Maven understands he got himself into too much after a GORE!

As Rhyno celebrates in the ring, Jim Ross gets word and sends it straight to the camera feed from the parking lot. A car pulls up and "The Vigilante" Sting steps out. Sting, dressed in casual attire but still donning the face paint, steps out and makes his way into the arena. Ross addresses the rumors circling around the locker room today and Sting is to address that NEXT!

*****

Sting's music hits and he casually walks to the ring with his head down. Sting looks up at the end of the ramp, forcing a smile and high-fiving a couple young kids lunging in the front row. Sting walks around the ring to get a microphone before stepping inside the ring. Sting stands in the center after his music dies down, looking out at the crowd.

STING: "I started in this business back in 1985. Over the last twenty years, I've not taken a moment for granted. In those twenty years, I never imagined I would wrestle at Starrcade. And I would've said you were crazy if you told me I'd be competing at WrestleMania."

Sting accepts the applause from the crowd.

STING: "And well, after last night, I met with my wife. And after strong consideration, I'll be honest guys, I just don't have it anymore. After competing in three pay-per-view matches, I'm oh-and-three."

The crowd begins to let out sighs and gasps.

STING: "I just celebrated my 46th birthday. And there's a man behind this paint. This man has a wife and three kids; Garrett, Junior, and Gracie."

Sting pivots his dress shoe on the mat before looking up.

STING: "And I wanted to come out tonight to say thank you... thank you."

Sting becomes overwhelmed by the "Thank you Sting" chants and takes a few deep breaths.

STING: "No, thank you."

Sting lays the microphone down and waves as his music begins to play. A devastated Sting steps out of the ring and walks up, high-fiving several more fans before getting to the top of the ramp and bowing to the crowd as a sign of appreciation. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler recap, stunned of what they just heard from Sting.

*****

Randy Orton is standing by backstage, taping up his wrists when the World Heavyweight Champion Batista approaches him. The two intensely stare down and Orton clinches his fists, holding them up to his face, before Batista takes a step back.

BATISTA: "Relax, Randy. I'm just here to talk."

Randy Orton hesitates before loosening up but keeping his hands clinched, ready to strike if need be.

BATISTA: "You and I have had a helluva time here in WWE, with Evolution and Triple H. We were the evolution of this business. We are the evolution of this business. And no matter what happens tonight, you and I are cool. I understand what your job is tonight. But Randy, there's a better way. Just look at last night. I won this..."

Batista glances down at his World Heavyweight Championship displayed proudly on his shoulder.

BATISTA: "And you almost earned a shot at this. But maybe after I'm done with Triple H, we give the people what they wanna see."

RANDY ORTON: "Cut it out, Dave. I know exactly what they want to see. They want to see me kick your ass and then for the title to come back to Evolution - a group, a family bond you should have never broken."

Batista looks away and smirks.

BATISTA: "I get it. But keep this in mind. Triple H only cares about one thing. Maybe he's past the point of mentoring, and now he's just manipulating."

Batista shrugs, turning around showing a lot of trust in Randy, and walks away showing Orton with a lot to think about.

*****

MATCH 4: Victoria def. Christy Hemme w/Lita (3:29)
Hemme was dominated outright by Victoria and it didn't take long for Victoria to hit the Widow's Peak and find Lita hanging her head low in disappointment.

As Lita checks on Hemme, Lawler and Ross hype the Highlight Reel up next with Money in the Bank winner Edge!

*****

The Highlight Reel is set up in the ring after commercial with Chris Jericho already residing in the ring.

CHRIS JERICHO: "At the Staples Center last night, WrestleMania made history. Six guys made history. WrestleMania 21... WrestleMania goes Hollywood... the first ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match! We changed the landscape of the WWE forever. The briefcase holds a contract. A man can cash in this briefcase to become World Heavyweight Champion anytime over the next twelve months. And folks, that's my guest tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, Edge!"

Edge energetically comes out displaying his Money in the Bank briefcase for everyone to see with his signature trench coat on. Edge, in celebratory mode, gets in the ring with Jericho and the host offers his hand that Mr. Money in the Bank shakes.

CHRIS JERICHO: "Edge, or should I say Mister Money in the Bank, welcome to the Highlight Reel!"

Edge smiles and nods.

CHRIS JERICHO: "Let's begin by addressing what happened last night. Let's take a look."

On the Jeri-tron 3000, pictures are displayed of last night's Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Photos of Edge making his way to the ring, Benjamin leaping on a springboard dive on top of everyone, Jericho nearly getting the title, and Edge hammering Rob Van Dam in the shoulder with a steel chair, to the final picture of Edge holding the briefcase up high.

CHRIS JERICHO: "Now to get this out of the way, I was in this match. And Edge, believe me, there are no hard feelings on my end."

Edge begins to raise the microphone to his mouth and Jericho continues.

CHRIS JERICHO: "As a matter of fact, I think we can be friends."

Edge tilts his head and begins to raise the mic again, but Jericho cuts his guest off.

CHRIS JERICHO: "Because the way I see it, I am the man who invented the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Isn't that right? And I'm the man who came up with the concept of a world title match on the line. There's been nothing like it before! So why wouldn't you wanna be friends with the man who's catapulted your career?"

Edge looks out to the crowd.

CHRIS JERICHO: "If it wasn't for me, you're probably not at WrestleMania last night, you're sure as hell aren't on the Highlight Reel. Actually, you weren't even booked on the show after winning last night. Chris Jericho basically put food on your table these last two nights."

Edge scoffs at the idea.

CHRIS JERICHO: "Remember me when you cash that in and maybe, just maybe, win the World Heavyweight Championship. Because without Chris Jericho, who knows, maybe you're still one of those spot monkeys in that TLC match a few years back."

Edge scratches his head and lifts the microphone up to speak, but again Jericho cuts him off.

CHRIS JERICHO: "So you're probably wondering why I invited you to be a guest on the Highlight Reel, right? Am I right?"

Edge takes a deep breath before raising the microphone to speak again, but of course...

CHRIS JERICHO: "I'm right, I'm always right, I'm Chris Jericho bab-eh. I invited you on the Highlight Reel tonight to make a, um.. business proposition, if you will. A business proposition that will launch your career to new heights. Because let's face it, you needed me to get this far, and nobody believes you can do this on your own."

Edge backs up to the ropes and pushes his elbow in to create distance and relieve stress.

CHRIS JERICHO: "I'm offering you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. An offer that makes you the first client of the Y2J Agency."

Edge gives off another look.

CHRIS JERICHO: "After being world champion before, and being the only man to defeat The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin in the same night to become Undisputed WWE Champion, and after watching you piggyback off my concept, I figured you'd be the perfect first man to join the Y2J Agency."

Jericho steps a little closer to Edge with a huge cheesy grin on his face and extends his hand.

CHRIS JERICHO: "So what do you say?"

Edge takes a moment to compose himself and take a deep breath.

EDGE: "So I can talk now?"

CHRIS JERICHO: "Talk now? You've been quiet this whole time. But it's okay, being in the Y2J Agency, you don't have to worry about talking. At least, until I can teach you how to use a microphone."

Edge breaks out in a laugh and shakes his head.

EDGE: "Can't use a microphone, huh? Well let me try to answer your 'business proposition' without one. Here you go."

Edge reaches out and places his microphone in Jericho's extended hand. Jericho looks at him cross-eyed and gets rushed with a SPEAR! Edge spears Jericho on the Highlight Reel! Edge pops up and stands over Jericho, shouting down at him and making his answer loud and clear. Jericho rolls to the outside while Edge grabs his briefcase and poses on set of the Highlight Reel, and Jericho's left on the outside holding his ribs in frustration.

*****

Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin is on his way towards the exit after his job tonight is done.

?: "Shelton!"

Benjamin turns around and behind him hurries Eric Bischoff.

ERIC BISCHOFF: "Where you think you're going?"

Benjamin looks back at the exit door and back at his boss.

ERIC BISCHOFF: "I'm glad you're still here. Because I can't wrap my head around your actions earlier tonight. I mean, helping Christian become number one contender for your title? What was that?"

Shelton Benjamin avoids eye contact, staring off in the distance, and shrugs.

ERIC BISCHOFF: "Well, it seems you're very eager to defend this title next week. So next week it'll be Christian one-on-one with you for the Intercontinental Championship."

Shelton anxiously scratches a face without facial hair.

ERIC BISCHOFF: "See you next week, champ."

Prior to the commercial break, Triple H and Ric Flair come out with Randy Orton to be in his corner for the main event up next.

*****

MATCH 5: Batista vs. Randy Orton w/Ric Flair & Triple H in a non-title main event
Batista's dealing with Flair and Triple H constantly on the outside, and with the official only having one set of eyes, Evolution got several shots in on the World Heavyweight Champion behind Mike Chioda's back. Looking to earn Triple H a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship again, Orton gets close to finishing off Batista and even hit a RKO! Orton goes for the cover and Batista gets his foot on the bottom rope as Orton doesn't hook the outer leg. Orton gets up and Ric Flair gets in the ring to yell at Orton for a rookie mistake as Triple H goes over and pulls Batista over the apron and pounds his fist into Batista's face. Flair gets sent to the outside as Triple H steps away and Orton waits for Batista to get to this feet for another RKO. Triple H demands Orton pick Batista up and not waste time. Orton goes over to pick the champion up and Batista hits a Spinebuster! Batista's energized and gets to his feet and lands a few right hands before hitting another Spinebuster. Batista shakes the ropes for a Batista Bomb as he stares intently at Triple H and Flair looking on, giving his former Evolution pals a thumbs down, before turning around and getting Orton in position for the Batista Bomb and Orton drops to his knee and low-blows Batista causing a disqualification.

Batista drops to the mat holding his crotch and Orton falls to the mat in relief. Triple H and Ric Flair rush the ring to beat down Batista and toss him to the outside before hearing the official announcement that Batista's won by disqualification, therefore, Triple H does NOT earn another opportunity at the title. Triple H and Flair go berserk and complain about the ending. Orton is reaching his feet and Triple H looks back before clotheslining the hell out of Orton! Triple H gets on top and begins pummeling away. Ric Flair doesn't know what to do but gets pushed out of the way by Triple H who goes for a steel chair and slides it in the ring. Triple H places the chair in and hits a Pedigree on Orton onto the steel chair. Triple H blames Orton for tonight and begins to pick Orton up again, but is clocked from behind by Batista. Triple H rolls out of the ring and Flair leads him up the ramp. Batista intimidates The Game up the ramp before checking on Randy Orton and asking for medical help down to the ring.

*****