Smackdown! 5

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As Smackdown comes on air, the cameras pan around the arena taking in a smattering of signs for the Insiders, and one or two ‘McMahon is GOD’ signs. These accompany the usual “Bret stole my Hart!” and “WOOOO!” signs around, and a few new or rehashed “You SCREWED Bret” and “Lions for the Gold!”

Cole – Welcome folks to another edition of WWE Smackdown, and, we’ve all been pretty worried about Mr. McMahon’s Insiders! There’s been talk of moles in the Smackdown ranks since Monday Night RAW and we’ve got no idea who we can trust!

Coach – No question there Michael, but what we have to remember is, Mr. McMahon has given Smackdown GM Ric Flair the chance to join him!

Cole – I’m not sure that’ll happen Coach, we know the General Manager has had some problems with the Chairman in the past, and I doubt he’d be willing to, well, kiss corporate ass!

Coach – Watch your mouth Michael! Or YOU might be fired! Hey, the only reason you’d be THAT comfortable here at the broadcast position is if you’re the mole!

Cole – What are you saying Coach? You don’t trust –

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOO” the trumpets blare as the ‘Nature Boy’ makes his presence felt, strutting down the ramp to the usual explosion of tumultuous applause! Ric’s looking good in a cashmere suit and his ‘Hall of Fame’ ring! He struts on down to the ringside area and the fans at ringside are lapping it up, bowing to him and chanting “WOOOOOO” and “Flair Flair Flair!” He walks up the steel steps, and turns to fans and offers an amazingly well received ‘WOOOOO’! He gets into the ring and calls for a mic…

Flair – WOOOOOOOOO!

The crowd respond in kind!

Flair – So, it’s seems to me that the ‘nature boy’ has a tough decision to make! So what it comes down to, is pride! So, when Vincent Kennedy McMahon called me up and asked me, “Flair, you’ve got a choice to make! You can join the Insiders and work within the new system, or we can do it the hard way!” Well you know what I said?

The crowd starts a “Vince Sucks” chant.

Flair – I said, I need some time to think it over…

The crowd give a mixed response to this; many boo and chant “don’t sell out” while other chant “you sold out”!

Flair – And so, I’m here to make my final decision! So Vince, I know you’re listening; here it is! Smackdown will have NO PART of this new feud. We’re not getting involved! You do what you have to on RAW and ECW, but leave us –

“No Chance in Hell” hits and Vince McMahon makes his way down to the ring with ‘The Classroom’ and Triple H! Kelly Kelly seems reluctant to be with them, but is being ‘dragged’ by the hand by John Cena… Vince swaggers up to the steps and Matt Striker on apron and holds the ropes open for the Chairman, while the others slide into the ring and surround Flair! Ric looks ready for a brawl, and looks disgustedly at his long time friend, Triple H! McMahon calls for a mic from ringside as Big Daddy V and John Cena start swamping Ric Flair and Triple H stares him down.

McMahon – Well, Ric, I think you’re being a little hasty. You should reconsider my offer, before any unnecessary unpleasantness…

Big Daddy V growls and makes the ‘V’ symbol with his hand…

McMahon – But I’m not here to deal with you, well not tonight, I’ll give you one week Ric, one week to join MY Insiders… Neutrality is NOT an option!

Triple H gets a mic from ringside and stands opposite the Nature Boy, smirking.

HHH – John, V, relax, you hard dad… I mean the Boss! There’s no reason to try and intimidate the ’16 Time World Champion’! Hell, it’s not like the ’60 Minute Man’ can be intimidated right Ric?

Flair – Well you’ve got one thing right, Hunter, no two-bit ‘rapper’ wanabe and grossly obese monster are going to come here to MY show, and scare the ‘Nature Boy’ WOOOO! But Trips, what happened to the ruthless, outlaw I used to know?

HHH – Listen, ‘Naich’ I don’t know what you’re talking about. But I haven’t changed! I’m still the Game, and at Backlash I proved that I am that damn –

Flair – If that’s what you really think then-

McMahon – Both of you STOP IT! THIS IS MY MOMENT! I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of! You see, last Tuesday, I took the Tag Team Titles away from those degenerates in ‘ECW’… And I gave it to a real team! A team I knew would make the right decision! A team who’s captain is a member of a very ‘exclusive’ club… Please welcome, the British Lions!

Swing Low Sweet Chariots plays and Regal and Taylor appear on the ramp, holding the Tag Team Titles! William has a microphone and looks pretty pleased with himself!

Regal – Well Mr. McMahon, I’d just like to thank you for the opportunity! It was only a matter of time before we won these belts, but I’m glad that you saw fit to make it as soon as possible!

McMahon – Well Mr. Regal, I can’t think of a better team to hold those belts, and so, I’d like to extend the same offer to you as I have your general manager! Because you see, the Insiders are already here on Smackdown! Neutrality is NOT an option, and I want the Lions on MY side! So, what do you say?

Regal and Taylor turn to each other and have a quick discussion.

Regal – Well, Mr. McMahon, we’d like to thank you for this fantastic opportunity to join this ‘movement’. But, if it’s all the same to you, sir, we’d like a little time to think it over…

McMahon – What’s there to think over? Either you’re with me or you’re not! Surely you don’t think you could stand against the Genetic Jackhammer? I built this company! The wrestling industry is how it is because of me! But if you want to think this over, I want to remind you, I got you those belts, and I can take them away! You can take some time and think it over, but don’t keep me waiting, or you’ll be sorry… But now you’ve got a match to prepare for, and I promise the Insiders will have NO part in it, now go and get ready!

The Lions head to the back, arguing, probably about Vince McMahon’s offer.. Vince turns back to Ric Flair and motions for the Insiders to exit the ring…

McMahon – Ric, you’ve got one week…

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***Ads**

A promo for Judgment Day airs, highlighting the formation of the ‘Insiders’!

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As we come back, the horn hits straight away, and JBL’s limo appears on the ramp! The crowd is ruthless in their booing and waste no time in chanting “JBL SUCKS!” The driver gets out and opens the door to the limo; out steps Kevin Thorn, back in his old black suit! The crowd takes him apart screaming “you sold out” at him! He steps to the side and waits patiently as JBL gets out of the limo and waves to the crowd sarcastically, a big grin set in place! The two men make their way to the ring, and JBL get on the mic.

JBL – I can’t tell you how great it is to be back and hear each and every one of you chanting “J..B..L, J..B..L, J..B..L!”

The crowd boo again and let rip with a “You Suck” chant.

JBL – Now, that’s not a very nice thing to say about my blood sucking associate here. But it’s OK Kev, they’re just jealous! But tonight, I’m taking on the man who embarrassed you –

Thorn snaps and rips the padding off the turn buckle, but before JBL can react The End of Everything begins to play, and Shannon ‘Raisin’ Moore makes his way down the ramp, dressed in a black leather coat and three-quarter-length jean-shorts! He does the crucifix pose on the ramp, and walks in a comically lethargic way down to the ring, almost Zombie like, with exaggerated sighs! The nWo music hits when he’s about halfway down the ramp, and the remaining members of the bWo follow him down keeping with their respective gimmicks. Big Stevie Cool slides into the ring and grabs the mic from JBL.

Richards – We’ve got one thing to say to you, ‘J..B..L’! We’re taking over!

Stevie tries to jump JBL, but is cut off by Kevin Thorn who decks him! JBL motions to his limo, and out jump Lance Cade and Chris Harris!

Cole – I guess JBL all his bases covered from the very start of this match!

Coach – are you surprised Cole? The man’s a business Giant!

The ‘Cowboys’ waste no time in disposing of the Funak and Stone Cold Val Venus! The four men brawl at the ringside area, while Thorn clothslines Stevie over the top rope!

Cole – And JBL watches the carnage created, by, well I assume his new faction…

Coach – I love it Cole! And you know this man is going to join Mr. McMahon’s insiders!

Cole – Check out Raisin!

Moore has popped up behind JBL while he was watching Thorn take out Stevie! JBL turns, only to be met with a boot to the gut! Moore sets JBL up for the Raisin effect, but JBL spins out of the front-facelock, holding onto the wrist of the ‘Prince of Punk’! He drags him in and takes his head off with the closthsline form hell!

Cole – Despite the distraction, JBL counters the RAISINeffect and executes a decapitating clothsline!

Coach – And this one’s over!

JLB gets the pin, but the bWo keep brawling with his group at ringside! Surprisingly, both sides seem well matched! And it doesn’t take long for WWE officials to come out to break up the brawl!

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Backstage JBL, Kevin Thorn and the Wild Cowboys are discussing their recent victory over the bWo…

JBL – Did you see that little PUNK Shannon Moore try and get the cheap shot on me?! But I’ll tell ya, he wont be trying that again!

Cade – Hey boss, this week, those clowns showed up on our turf…

Harris – Maybe next week, we should return the favour!

JBL – I love it! Next week JBL’s Firm comes to ECW!

Regal and Taylor walk past the camera on their way to the ring, but are stopped by JBL! Irritated that they would just walk in on his air-time he grabs Regal from behind and spins him around!

JBL – Hey Regal, what’s the rush? You in a hurry to be on another hometown looser?

Regal – Listen to me, ‘Bradshaw’, I’m in no mood to get into an argument with you right now! In case you haven’t been paying attention, I’ve got a big decision to make John, and if you had been around for the last few months you might know the feeling. Now I hear you’re going to ECW next Tuesday…

Regal hoists his belt onto his shoulder and pats it twice.

Regal – Because, trust me ‘Mr. Layfield’, it feels a lot better to win in ECW than it does to loose…

Regal and Taylor storm off leaving JBL’s Firm looking furious!

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***Commercial***

A promo airs putting over ‘The Insiders’ and Vince McMahon’s ultimatum!

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As we come back, a large redheaded man is in the ring, wearing green bottoms with the Morse code letters ‘SOS’ on the back of them. He stands at an impressive 6’6 and has an immense, menacing stature! He looks furiously at the ramp as ‘Sweet Chariots’ resonates though out the arena. Dave Taylor marches down to the ring, his belt around his waist, followed closely by William Regal, who pauses momentarily under the titan tron to hold the belt above his head, glaring seriously down at the imposing opponent in the ring!

Justin Roberts – The following contest is scheduled for one fall, introducing first, standing in the ring, from Tampa Florida, by way of Dublin Ireland, Sheamus O'Shaunessy.

Regal makes a beeline for the ring and O’Shaunessy lets him slide into the ring, before cutting him off with a hard stomp to the head! He proceeds to lay into the British legend, until Regal grabs his foot, and takes a double leg, dropping him down to the canvas.

Cole – WOW! And impressive start by Tampa’s own Sheamus O'Shaunessy!

Coach – It’s Dublin’s own, but that doesn’t matter, because William Regal has the Regal Stretch locked in!

O'Shaunessy howls in agony and beings to forcibly drag his way across the ring to the ropes! Regal pulls back on his arm and neck, increasing the pressure, but the beast of a man keeps pulling himself to the bottom rope.

Cole – What a monstrous effort put forward by this local hero!

Sheamus reaches the bottom rope, but Regal wastes no time in dragging his head into a big dragon sleeper! O’Shaunessy fights it off, struggling to his feet, turning around and backdroping Regal to the outside! O’Shaunessy postures in the ring yelling for Regal to get back into the ring. When from out of no where Batista hops over the guard rail and attacks Regal!

Cole – What’s the meaning of this! Batista is attacking William Regal!

Coach – The ref’s called for the bell, but, WHAT A BATISTA BOMB!

Dave Taylor sprints after Batista, but he escapes over the security barricade and runs to the back!

Cole – Well this was shaping up to be one hell of a match, but Batista caused the disqualification, and look how frustrated Sheamus O'Shaunessy looks!

The big man is going ballistic in the ring, kicking the ropes and screaming at the ref, claiming it wasn’t his fault!

Cole – Well, he was looking to make a name for himself, and Batista robbed him of the opportunity!

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As we come back on the air, Paul London and Brian Kendrick are warming up in the ring.

Justin Roberts – The following is a tag team match! Introducing first, in the ring, the team of Paul London and Brian Kendrick!

‘Wild Eyed Southern Boys’ plays and The Wild Cowboys make their presence known! Chris Harris charges down the ramp, followed by Lance Cade, who swaggers down, posing and posturing for the fans, imitating JBL!

Justin Roberts – And the opponents, from the ‘Wild West’ The team of ‘Wildcat’ Chris Harris and Lance Cade, the Wild Cowboys!

Cole – Well it seems the Cowboys are coming out here without JBL or Kevin Thorn…

Coach – Well yeah Cole! What did you expect? The Firm doesn’t need to cheat to beat the likes of London and Kendrick!

Chris Harris starts the match off with Brian Kendrick. The two circle each other in the ring, and Harris charges at the smaller man! Kendrick sidesteps him and blasts his leg with a big kick, before taking him to the mat with a snap mare, and following up with a big basement dropkick!

Cole – Well Brian Kendrick taking control in the early going, and it’s looking bad for the Cowboys!

Coach – and look at Kendrick now with the rear naked choke applied!

Brian Kendrick has the pressure applied on the mat, and Chris Harris struggles to fight his way to his feet. He tries to shoot Kendrick off the ropes, but Brian doggedly holds on. Harris tries again, but this time Kendrick takes him over by the head, and keeps the pressure up on the now prone Wildcat! Harris fights his way to his feet again, and ploughs Kendrick with a huge backdrop! Both men are down and the referee starts the count…

Cole – The count of 3 and neither man is moving! Their respective partners must be irate!

Coach – OH NO! Here comes trouble!

Cole – Is that? It is! The Ministry is here! What is going on?!

Umaga wrenches Cade off the apron of the ring, and drops him with a Samoan Spike! He follows up by whipping him into the ring steps, and charging at him with a devastating hip strike! Meanwhile, the Big Show has Paul London by the throat and drives him through the announce table with a back breaking Chokeslam!

Coach – oh no! This isn’t right! I though the Insiders were going to stay off Smackdown for the week!

Cole – Now look at them taking out the men in the ring! CHOKESLAM! And the Samoan Spike! This is sick! This is just sick!

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A promo for Judgment Day Airs.

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We come back on the air to see Chris Jericho, Bret Hart and Jimmy Hart…

Jericho – Don’t worry about a thing Jimmy, look, I’ve got to run, Bret, I’ll see you out there.

The countdown hits and…. “BREAK THE WALLS DOWN!” Y2J appears on the ramp, his arms held wide in his usual pose. The crowd goes ballistic chanting “Y2J” and the camera pans around the crowd taking in numerous signs in support of Jericho, with messages like “Y2J is GOD” and “Break the Walls Down”. Chris struts down to the ring and steps into the ring with a big smirk on his face.

Coach – He looks pretty happy for the guy who lost the world title last Sunday at the Pay-Per-View!

Cole – Chris Jericho may have lost the match, but he’s still a top contender, and let’s not forget the controversial way in which Triple H won the belt!



Jericho calls for the microphone and struts around the ring with a huge grin on his face drinking in the huge crowd reaction, shamelessly basking in the attention.

Jericho – Welcome, to SMACKDOWN IS JERICHO! (the crowd pops and cants Y2J again).

Chris laughs, shakes his head and leans in the corner until the crowd cools down a bit.

Jericho – You’re all probably wondering why ‘The Sexy Beast’ is in such a good mood considering he lost the his chance to hold the Undisputed Championship last Sunday at Backlash, mere weeks after being entrusted to represent the Smackdown Brand as the Champion. And you’re right, I should be upset, but the fact of the matter is, I was robbed and I will get a rematch, because all of my Jerichoholics will not stand for this travesty of justice! But tonight I’m here to talk about an even greater miscarriage of justice, my good friend, and WWE legend, Bret ‘the Hitman’ Hart –

Jericho is cut off by an explosion of “Bret, Bret, Bret” chants. Chris smiles and walks around the ring nodding his head.

Jericho – You see, Bret Hart was screwed at Backlash, by this man!

“H..B..K” plays over the arena speakers and Shawn Michaels storms down to the ring, not looking left or right, and slides under the bottom rope.

Jericho – Welcome to the Highlight Reel Shawn! How’s it going, please take a seat, take that microphone and, well let’s have a little heart to heart to, well, Hart!

The drums beat slowly as the Pink and Black attack hits! The crowd goes wild and Jimmy Hart leads the Hitman down to the ring! Shawn Michaels stares down the ramp at Bret as Jimmy bounces around, pumping the crowd up! Bret marches right to the ring and gets in the Heart Break Kid’s face!

Jericho – wo, wo, wo! There’s no need to get physical right now! Especially around the obscenely expensive, yet undoubtedly resplendent Jeri-Tron 5000! Monkeys, bring it down!

The TV is lowered from the cealing, but HBK doesn’t wait! He superkicks Bret Hart, follows up with a second on Jimmy, then exits the ring to a deafening “You Screwed Bret” chant, and for the first time in his career Jericho is left speechless!

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The shoulder pipes blare over the intercom and Finlay makes his way down the ramp, holding the European Championship over his head, smirking. He walks once around the ring showing off the belt, before sliding under the bottom rope and walking over to his corner.

Cole – Well, Finlay looks happy to still have that European Championship around his waist!

Coach – Wouldn’t you be Michael? Finlay barely made it out of Backlash with that belt, and now he has to take on a man who he’s yet to beat! The very man who cost Edge that belt on Sunday!

The guitars screech as ‘Paparazzi’ plays and Melina makes her way to the ringside area. She marches right down to the announce table and takes a seat.

Coach – Hey it’s great to see you Melina!

Melina – Euch! Get away from me you sweaty little man.

Cole – Melina, always a pleasure, but do you mind if I ask why you’re out here?

Melina – Do I mind? Of course I mind! I am the most dominant Diva in the WWE! And tonight I’m scouting the match on behalf of the greatest wrestler in the world today, Edge!

Cole – Well I know a few wrestlers who would take issue with you calling Edge the ‘greatest wrestler in the world’ but that makes sense.

“Listen, it’s time!” Gregory Helms storms down to the ring and slides right under the bottom rope. He ignores Finlay and marches straight to the opposite side of the ring and yells some profanity at Melina at ringside..

Melina – What? I guess chivalry is dead…

Coach – So Melina, where is Edge tonight?

Melina – Hey Coach, my face is up here, not there…

Coach – Sorry, I was just…

Melina – You really are a disgusting little man!

Cole – Well be that as it may..

Coach – Hey!

Cole – where is Edge tonight?

Melina – He was feeling a bit down after being robbed at Backlash, so I gave him the night off.

Justin Roberts – The following contest is a Catch-as-Catch-Can match, and it is for the European Championship! In this match, the victory can be gained via submission or disqualification. A disqualification may occur when a wrestler leaves the ring, or uses a hold designed to injure an opponent, as well as under the regular circumstances. Regardless of how the match ends, the winning wrestler will be named the European Champion!

Cole – Well this match is a rematch from last Friday, and Helms demanded this kind of match, to ensure that if Edge tried to cost him the match, he’d win the title!

Justin Roberts – Introducing first, in the corner to my right, from Belfast Northern Ireland, he is the current reigning and defending European Champion, Finlay! And standing in the corner to my left, from Raleigh, North Carolina he is the challenger, he was the longest reigning champion in Smackdown history! Gregory Helms!

The referee calls both men into the centre of the ring and has words with them both before stepping back and motioning for them to begin the match. The bell rings and both competitors lock it up with a collar and elbow tie up!

Melina – This is so stupid! In a real match, these two wouldn’t waste time with a hold like this!

Cole – What are you talking about? The Catch-as-Catch-Can match is about as competitive a match as we’ve ever seen in professional wrestling!

Coach – I agree with Melina here Cole, Edge wouldn’t waste time with this!

Melina – You’re so disgusting Jonathan! Stop looking at me like that!

Finlay takes a hammer lock, and Helms teases throwing an elbow to the side of his head, but remembers that if he does it would be a disqualification! He changes tact, drops to his knees and takes Finlay over head with a big fireman’s carry, then takes a Key-Lock on the mat! Finlay struggles on the mat and works his way over to the ropes!

Coach – And Finlay’s got the bottom rope!

Cole – It doesn’t matter! In this kind of match, there are no rope breaks!

Finlay twists and turns, attempting to break the hold, rolls through the key-lock, and pulls Helms into a tight side headlock! Helms fights his way to his feet, but Finlay takes him down with a headlock-takeover! Helms struggles to get to off the mat again, but Finlay, takes him over a second time!

Melina – This isn’t wrestling!

Cole – Are you kidding? This is classic mat based wrestling!

Coach – I don’t know Michael-

Melina – Shut up Coach!

Helms grabs Finlay’s wrist and counters out of the headlock on the mat, and pulls him into side armbar! Finlay yelling out in pain as Helms pulls back on the pressure! Finlay rolls through the hold, but Helms puts him into another key-lock! Finlay struggles back to his feet, and takes Helms over with a fireman’s carry, but Helms keeps the hold synched in! Finlay rolls over onto his stomach, relieving some of the pressure from his shoulder, then rolls forward, nearly freeing himself! He quickly wraps his legs around Helm’s neck, and locks in a tight neck-scissors! Helms is forced to release the hold, but the referee checks Finlay’s leg positioning and tell him he must release the choke! The ref begins the 5 count, but Finlay releases the choke at the count of 3!

Cole – What a match! These two are trading these holds expertly!

Melina – Yeah, well, if these guys were any good, this match would be over by now!

Both men back off to their respective corner and rest for a moment. The crowd begins a slow clap, pumping both men up, and they begin to circle each other in the ring. Helms charges at Finlay, but he takes him over with a huge Armdrag, then locks in and over-hand shoulderlock! Helms tries to roll through, but Finlay follows him and synchs in a scissor-armlock!

Coach – Well Finlay with an expertly applied armlock!

Cole – This is the kind of hold that sucks the power out of a man!

Melina – That’s why Edge would never allow anyone to put him in this hold!

Finlay rolls forward, taking Helms with him! He then releases the armlock and locks in a tight front-face-lock! Helms manages to counter this and takes a waist lock on the fighting Irishman! Both men fight their way to their feet! Helms tries to take Finlay over head with a belly to back Suplex! Finlay counters with the standing switch and puts Helms into a standing full nelson!

Coach – The Masterlock is applied here!

Melina – It’s called a Full Nelson Coach! Everybody knows that!

Finlay forces Helms to the mat and quickly applies the Celtic Knot! Helms writhes in agony, trying to escape the excruciating hold! Out of nowhere Edge leaps over the guard rail, grabs the European Championship, and takes off to the back with Melina! Distracted by this, Finlay releases the hold and makes as if to leave the ring, but it stopped by the referee, warning him if he does, he will be disqualified, and loose the championship!

Cole – What the hell was that! This is disgusting Coach! Edge just stole the European Championship!

Coach – That came out of nowhere! This is madness!

Helms snaps and blasts Finlay in the back of the head with a huge right hand, before taking him over with a crippling Vertabreaker! The referee is left with no choice but to call for the bell, following the use of a closed right hand, and Helms storms out of the ring!

Cole – That was bizarre?!

Coach – Why would Helms get himself disqualified?

Cole – Maybe he forgot the rules?

Coach – Well there’s only one way to find out, tune in next week on Smackdown!

A video package airs recapping the events of the nights, then the screen fades to black and we see the WWE logo…