King Cucaracha

I expect a segment with JBL making a grovelling apology to Adamle for insulting him last week to try and get in his good books. I also expect Kofi related schenanigans. If Adamle's clueless, he needs to make Kofi his go to guy at all times. "Tonight, you will be facing... KKOOOOOFFFFIIIII!!"

Jade vs. Malaysia is getting confirmed this week, if you wanted to stick anything in. If not, doesn't matter, just saying is all.

I had more to say on the Cena thing, but since he's finally stopped talking I'll link it to my original point. People cheering or booing Cena isn't neccessarily a problem if they use it right. When the announcers were instructed to ignore it, it was bad. When they gave in and started making reference to it, albeit spun into a positive, it added another dimension to Cena's character and arguably the reactions are better on the whole now than they were. However, there's no masking the fact people are chanting "You Can't Wrestle" at Khali. Loud. And often. That's the kind of reaction that needs action. And nobody will care if he can wrestle or not if he's turned into a comedy babyface, I promise.

All the CHIKARA guys seem to be treading water in ROH recently. Delirious is the most entertaining guy in the world in CHIKARA, but in ROH he's just not the same. Feuding with the Hangmen 3 didn't help because, well, they stunk. They managed to take maybe the most unique character in wrestling and make him disappear in the crowd. At least the stuff with Daizee and Rhett is something fun, I can't remember the last time watching Delirious was any fun in ROH. Hero... this whole uber-serious Hero thing, people didn't want it I don't think. Because the fans enjoyed what he was doing as Chris Hero they felt the need to 'make him serious', which he's okay at but nowhere near what he was. So some people cheered him? So what? People used to cheer heel Flair all the time, but he was still the best heel in the NWA. They didn't make him drop everything that entertained people. Claudio's maybe the most popular guy in CHIKARA, but somehow in ROH the booking's made him look like the biggest pussy in the world, to the point that nobody gave a crap about him challenging for the World Title when he should be a top contender by now. At least now they've apparantly reset him as a heel. Don't even get me started on the debacle that is Jigsaw.

I finally bought and watched the Pillman DVD. What were the plans at Bad Blood and then onwards for the Pillman/Goldust feud?

Phff! Khali and Regal wish he could hail from two countries simultaneously like Gail Kim. So, taking into account everything from in-ring work, ability in segments out of ring, mic work, character, look, gift to create compelling storylines, all of that... is there any arguement that Edge is the best in the world right now? I had this discussion elsewhere and I've yet to hear anything convincing. On the face of it he hasn't really changed that much. But it's amazing how much more well-rounded Edge has become since even his first World Title, and most definately since winning Money In The Bank at Mania 21 which I watched the other day to see virtually a totally different person.

You realise Raw is live, right? Raw, the show he's been on for some 3 years, right? It's weird how the only people who seem to think Cena turning heel is a viable option are the people who don't enjoy his face act as a way of entertainment. Not business. Entertainment. The arguement always seems to come down to "He should turn heel, because I think he's corny... and obviously everyone else agrees because some only kids and women cheer him!" Try and spin it as they might, in the end it comes down to personal dislike of what he's doing as opposed to whether it's a good idea or not. Listen, I cringe as much as the next person at most of his promos and plenty of what he does in the ring. But I can see turning him heel right now isn't the best option.

Money In The Bank Tournament Final Krista Isadora Duncan vs. Landon Maddix OAOAST Women's Championship Malaysia Nerdly © vs. Jade Rodez-Duncan

Another Money In The Bank 2nd Round (aka Quarter Final) Match Colombian Heat vs. Landon Maddix Women's Champion Malaysia Nerdly, in action And most importantly of all, The Love Shack, with first time ever guest Krista Isadora Duncan!

The scary thing is, kool aid drinkers isn't just some term thrown off by Timmy. The IWA markets shirts with the slogan "Drink The Kool Aid" and they use it as a positive term to describe, basically, the hardcore IWA fans who view the company as able to do no wrong. Which is kinda creepy in a way. That's the one thing I'd say to refute the point JINGUS made a lot earlier, about IWA not being the worst fed out there. That may be true and I'm sure there's plenty of other bad indy feds who pull stuff like this or similar. But IWA is comparitively high-profile in indy wrestling (not quite so much now as a few years ago, but still) has a genuine cult following. Cult being the operative word for a number of them. And Ian Rotten seems to be a really good leader for that cult, be that positive or negative. Seriously, they've got some pretty obsessive fans. Like any promotion I guess, but still. As somebody who used to watch a lot of IWA:MS and who's been following all this on CHIKARA's board for weeks, this has pretty much turned me off on IWA altogether. Which is a shame. But things have been weird for some time. From Ian's 'retirement tour', to the latest going out of business DVD sale aimed at the kind of fans who'll say on their board 'I'd love to buy more DVDs but I have to pay my rent, I hope you understand' (not an exaggeration), to the sudden realisation they're not going out of business, to this entire debacle. It's one cynical move after another recently. I still think a small part of this Levy beating or at least him being put against Mickie was to 'stick one' to the people who jokingly put Levy's name out there at CZWFans message board, which was very critical of Ian's non-retirement.

Yeah. I've been kinda joking around about Khali, but honestly, him yelling at the phone was legitimately funny and got a real positive reaction from the crowd. Reactions he doesn't get at the moment. I don't know neccessarily how much money there is a Khali as a comedy act, but I don't see enough in Khali the 70s/80s foreign monster heel either and it's easier to see which is getting the better reactions.

No, they should have gotten the actual Adam West. He could have even sung his own theme song. "ADAM WEEESSSTT, ADAM WEEESSSTT….and a little bit softer now… adam weeessstt…" If they go with Adamle the moron, they really need some sort of American Gladiators themed exhibition (preferrably The Eliminator) to determine a number one contender for the night, like Eugene's musical chairs. And have him hosting it, completely deadpan and treating it as if it were an actual episode of American Gladiators in it's heyday.

COLE Coming up next, Money In The Bank Quarter Final. Reject, Leon Rodez, first time one on one meeting... and with No Holds Barred! [b]*COMMERCIAL BREAK*[/b] COLE Welcome back to HeldDOWN~! and with The Coach apparently 'otherwise occupied', it's my pleasure to welcome Maggie Nerdly to the Sofa Central hotseat. And Maggie, uhm, I guess it's appropriate that you're out here to watch this since you've been a source of conflict in recent weeks between the two men we're about to see, Reject and your boyfriend Leon Rodez. MAGGIE First off hotbiscuits, good to be here. And second... yeah, I don't think it's all that ideal personally. But Josie grabbed me and told me to get out here to fill in, so I dunno. I'm just here to do my job. Or, your job. Or Coach's job, whatever that is. COLE God only knows. Well I understand this might be a bit of an awkward situation for you in that case, so I'll try my best to stay professional. MAGGIE Just call me by the right name and we'll be chill. COLE I make no promises. Finally we go up to the ring, the anticipating silence of the crowd turning to boos as "Renagade" by Jay-Z and Eminem hits. Down go the lights, only a single white spotlight shining out through the arena as the bassline hits. The first thing the light hits is the confident smile of Reject as he steps out. 'The R-Man' swaggers to the ring, shining up his Tag Team Title belt as he enters the ring. BUFFER The following contest is a Quarter Finals match in the $500,000 Money In The Bank Tournament... and, it will now be a NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH! Introducing first... hailing from The Bronx, New York. He weighs in tonight at two hundred and thirty five pounds. Representing The Deadly Alliance... one half of the reigning OAOAST World Tag Team Champions... ladies and gentlemen, this is RRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEJJJJJEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCTT!!!!! "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Climbing off the turnbuckles, Reject waves and winks down at Maggie. COLE Reject seems to have the eyes for you, Maggie. MAGGIE Either that or he's seen his reflection in something shiny. Reject grabs the mic from Buffer and paces the ring as his music dies down. COLE Looks like Reject's got something to say before this match! REJECT Well, well, well...looks like we're finally here, Leon. Just you, and me, one-on-one, No Holds Barred. *crowd cheers* REJECT Just like all these folks out here, I can't wait. I'm too excited, I gotta sit down... Reject motions to the timekeepers' table for a chair, which an official slides into him. He folds it out in mid-ring, and sits down in it, facing the aisleway. REJECT Because you see, after WEEKS of putting up with your attitude, with your cheap shots, with your jealousy...tonight, I finally get to make things right. I finally get a chance to take a chair...just like this one...(Reject turns to his side and rubs the back of the chair)...and decorate it with your blood. *crowd boos* REJECT Speaking of this chair...I want to take this time to flash back, to an incident that took place... At that moment, a fan slides into the ring, and Reject, hearing the commotion, rises from his seat and gives him a back kick to the chest, then lays in some stomps as security yanks him out of the ring. The crowd cheers, as Reject moves the chair back to the ropes, then calmly sits back down. REJECT As I was saying...I want to replay the scene from earlier tonight. Because I was watching it in the back after it happened, and I couldn't help but notice something that happened there in the aftermatch. So if the crew could just roll that tape, that'd be swell. Reject sits calmly as the tape plays. [quote]Reject looks over at Maggie, then walks up and puts his hands on her arms, asking her if she's okay, to which she nods approvingly. The crowd then starts to cheer, as LEON RODEZ runs to the ring! COLE And here comes Leon! COACH Yeah, a little late, don't ya think? Leon slides in and grabs the chair, then blasts Reject over the head with it as he turns around! COACH Wait a [i]minute![/i] COLE Big chairshot from Leon Rodez to his opponent tonight, Reject! COACH Now why would he do that? He should be thankful that Reject was there to save his girl! COLE I don't know what to make of this triangle that's been going on lately, Coach, I just don't. Leon ushers Maggie out of the ring, and the two leave the ring area, as Reject lays on the mat, looking between the bottom and middle rope at them as they leave. However, Maggie can't help but take a couple concerned looks back towards the ring at him.[/quote] REJECT Freeze it right there. The camera cuts back to Reject in the ring. REJECT You see that look, Leon? Take a good look. You know what that look says? Maggie KNOWS that she has something with the R-Man. Four weeks ago, when I took her out for dinner, she told me as we were leaving the restaurant: 'This is the most that a man has appreciated me in weeks.' And yes, I meant it that night when I said, that it was EXACTLY what it looked like...and [i]more.[/i] Reject cracks a sly smile, as the crowd boos. Over at the commentary table, Maggie looks on unimpressed. REJECT I gave Maggie everything that a woman could ask for from a man. Everything... Reject stands up, then walks over to the ropes and looks into the main camera. REJECT Everything that you, instead, choose to give to her SISTER behind her back. COLE Oh come on! The crowd gives a mixed reaction, part booing Reject, part stunned by his remark. REJECT So you can't blame her, Leon, for being concerned for a guy like me. And Maggie...this goes out to you. *turns to Maggie* I can continue to give all of that to you for as long as you want...it's your choice. But for now, Leon...I'm going to give [i]you[/i] all that I have. Starting right now. Reject gives a long stare into the camera, before handing the mic back to Buffer. COLE Is this guy delusional or what? Give me a break! Maggie, I apologise. Reject unstraps the Tag Team Title belt from around his waist and hands it to referee Mike Chioda. COLE If you don't mind me asking, what [i]is[/i] the deal with you and Reject? You did seem a little grateful for his help earlier if I'm honest. MAGGIE There is no deal, I just made a huge mistake trying to make Leon jealous and a huger mistake by involving this walking ego, okay? It's complicated. Simplest way I can put it is, I don't care about Reject, I just care about Leon. And apparently those sentiments stretch to the people of Richmond, as a roar goes up for "Rock The Casbah". BUFFER And his opponent! From Grand Rapids, Michigan... weighing in at two hundred, eighteen pounds. A member of The Love Generation... "THE NEW-AGE LOVE MACHINE"... "THE GRAND RAPIDS GOLDEN CHILD"... ladies and gentlemen, "SILKY SMOOTH"... LLLLLLEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOONN... RRRRRRRROOOOOOODDEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZ!!!! "YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!" The robed Rodez glides his way down the aisle, tagging hands with the Richmond crowd. He stops at the foot of the aisleway staring up at Reject who stares over the ropes at him. Leon doesn't look overly concerned though, as Reject predictably backs away when he enters the ring. After an acknowledgement of the cheers, Leon finally notices Maggie at the announce table is understandably distracted. Hands on hips, he thinks about saying something to her, but realises he has to focus on the match and leaves it be. COLE If you don't mind me aski... MAGGIE If it's about me and Leon, I kinda do, yeah. There's enough talk as it is. Uncharacteristic as it is for me to say this, let's just concentrate on the wrestling shall we? COLE Certainly. This promises to be an excellent encounter. And thanks to Reject cashing in his golden envelope earlier on, No Holds Barred to boot! You have to wonder who that'll favour. With half an eye still on Maggie, Leon comes out of his corner as Chioda goes over the now revised rules. Reject spends the whole instructions grinning at Leon, The Silky Smooth One's other half of the eye staring back. COLE If Reject's hoping to get under the skin of Leon Rodez, he'd better think again. *DINGDINGDING!* Chioda calls for the bell and the match begins with Reject getting the jump, running at Leon with a quick boot before firing away with right hands. Back comes Leon with rights to the body to try and fight Reject off, but Reject manages to back him up in the corner and grab the ropes to stomp away. Leon gets a mudhole walked in him until he's slumped against the bottom turnbuckle, Reject breaking away to pose. "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" COLE Reject wasting no time and with No Holds Barred, holding nothing back in the corner. Brushing off the boos, Reject helps Leon back up in the corner. A sudden switch turns the tables though with Reject caught in the corner and rained in on with right hands! "YYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Reject covers up under the punches until Rodez grabs the arm, whipping him out of the corner. Putting up a foot, Reject avoids hitting the turnbuckles, then jabs an elbow back as Leon charges in behind. Reject quickly hops up to the middle rope with Leon dazed. But not for long, a right to the gut allowing Leon to reach up and slam Reject off the turnbuckles. Holding his back, Reject is then bowled over with a clothesline. And a second. And... he dodges a third, scrambling underneath the ropes and to the floor for a breather. COLE Reject not feeling quite so froggy anymore, but LOOK OUT! The Richmond crowd erupt as Leon joins Reject on the floor with a PESCADO! "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" The Silky Smooth One tries to mount Reject with some right hands, but he's able to shove Leon away and create some distance around the ring. Rodez follows right after Reject though, catching up to him and clubbing him in the back with a forearm. In the ring, referee Chioda is powerless to do anything, as Leon clubs Reject again, before sending him roaring across ringside with a hard irish whip, only the unforgiving barricade stopping Reject's momentum! MAGGIE Looks like Reject made a bad call with that golden envelope of his. Leon isn't such a pushover after all, huh 'R-Man'? COLE We all know and love Leon as the happy-go-lucky entertainer, but he is tough. We're not quite so used to seeing him in these kind of matches. But he held his own admirably against the dominant Heartland Champion, Sandman9000, a few weeks ago in a similar environment. With Reject pulling himself up using the timekeeper's table, Leon climbs up the ring steps and raises a fist to the crowd. He then leaps with a fist drop, catching Reject between the eyes as he gets to his feet! Reject staggers away and ends up slumped over the announce table. COLE Uh-oh, coming our way here. Eagerly, Leon grabs a hold of Reject by the head, pulling him up face-to-face with Maggie... before BOUNCING his skull off the table! The smile on Maggie's face can't help but be noticed, as Reject is then bounced off the table a second time! But Maggie's presence doesn't pay off for Leon, distracted as the two troubled lovers lock eyes... allowing Reject to raise his leg back into Leon's crotch! "OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" COLE LOWBLOW! As Leon goes rigid in pain, Reject shakes out the cobwebs. With a wink to Maggie, he then informs her that "I've got this, baby", before he scoops Rodez up and drops him with snake-eyes across the announce table! COLE That momentary distraction cost Leon right there, hate to say it Maggie. MAGGIE Yeah, yeah, I know. Reject bundles Leon back inside and makes a cover... 1... 2... No! Irish whip by Reject, catching Leon on the rebound with a spinning wheel kick. Another cover... 1... 2... No! Reject stomps Rodez a couple of times, before stopping to pose once again. Waiting for Leon to get back up, Reject then feeds him the foot, looking for the Enziguri... NO! Leon ducks! Belly flopping off the mat, Reject walks into Leon's clutches and a release Exploder Suplex in the centre of the ring, for a cover... 1... 2... No! Backing into a corner, Reject manages to lure Leon into a boot before sending him face-first into the turnbuckles. COLE In the midst of the personal issue between these two, we're somewhat forgetting the high stakes here. The winner one step closer to AngleSlam, to $500,000, to a guaranteed World Title shot at any time they so choose for a year! Reject shoos referee Chioda out of the way and looks for an irish whip, corner to corner, only for it to be reversed by Leon. Jumping to the middle rope Reject goes for a crossbody out of the corner... fakes Rodez out... but still misses the crossbody when he finally leaves his perch as Leon deftly sidesteps! Leon quickly exits the ring and heads to the top to the excitement of the Richmond fans. With Reject doubled up in pain, Leon sizes him up as he stands tall on the top rope, waiting for the perfect opportunity to soar with a Steamboat-esque Top Rope Crossbody... ...AND GETTING DROPKICKED IN MID-AIR!! "OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH!!" COLE What a counter by Reject! Reject crawls over and hooks a leg tight... 1... 2... Kickout! COLE Only two but that dropkick was a thing of beauty. Timing, execution, everything. Despite avoiding the 3 count, Leon is still hurting and holds his ribs as he's pulled to his feet by Reject. A forearm rocks him against the ropes, setting up a clothesline. But Leon ducks, backdropping Reject up and over the top, Reject barely saving himself and landing on the apron. As he pulls himself up though, he sneaks a knee in through the ropes. MAGGIE You know I never realised how close to the ring this table is until there were two guys feet away from crushing us from a great height. COLE You get used to it. MAGGIE ...what's that supposed to mean!? COLE No, I meant... I was referring to being... not... nevermind I'm sorry. Reject gets his bearings and realising where he is, he reaches back into the ring and pulls Rodez out onto the apron with him. Looking down at the arena floor below, the smiling Reject looks set to execute something potentially dangerous which draws worried sounds from the crowd. But Leon fights him off. Shots to the gut connect on Reject, allowing Leon to drop safely to the arena floor. He then scampers back up to the apron, but this time behind Reject, allowing him to lift the Tag Team Champion up... *THUD!* "OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" ...AND DROP HIM WITH A BACK SUPLEX ON THE RING APRON!!! COLE OH, MY! Eyes bulging in pain, Reject's back arches as he lays on the hard apron. Leon, having landed safely on the floor, shoves Reject back under the ropes and into the ring. COLE Reject was just drove back first on that ring apron, one of the hardest parts of the ring. What a resourceful move from Leon. And Maggie I get the feeling you enjoyed that. MAGGIE It seems to have stopped Reject from talking, that's no mean feat. With Reject hurt, Leon delays climbing back into the ring, catching a look at Maggie before going over to the ring apron and rummaging under the ring... for a SINGAPORE CANE!! "YYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" MAGGIE Well that was convenient! Good folks at home, next time you're wondering 'where do I get me a singapore cane', put down the yellow pages, click off of Google search and find your nearest wrestling show. COLE Logic policing aside, this could be poetic justice for Reject... remember how Sandman9000 busted Leon open with a cane coming to Reject's rescue a few weeks ago. MAGGIE I was there and it wasn't pretty. Thanks for the reminder. 'Ppreciated. Leon juggles with the cane a little before sliding into the ring behind Reject. Still in some serious discomfort Reject struggles to get to his feet, apparently unaware of what's waiting behind him. The Richmond crowd encourage Leon to swing away and he sets himself, waiting for Reject to turn. Getting to his knees, the Tag Champion lets out a moan in pain trying to work the kinks out of his back and starts to crawl his way around towards Leon, who raises the cane up over his head... ...but gets intercepted with ANOTHER LOWBLOW!! "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Dropping the cane, Leon crumbles to the canvas, as does Reject. COLE Desperation move from Reject! Both men are down, we are going to take a quick, final commercial break... this crucial Money In The Bank Quarter Final Match continues when we come back, don't go anywhere! [b]*COMMERCIAL BREAK!*[/b] Back we come to see Reject in control, stomping Leon in the corner and only stopping to nurse his still aching back. COLE Welcome back to Richmond, where the road to AngleSlam and the Money In The Bank contract is still a painful one for Reject and Leon Rodez. And during the commercial break, both these men eager to get their hands on that singapore cane and neither able to connect, with the cane now laying out at reach at ringside. But these two men haven't needed weapons to inflict some serious pain on one another Maggie. MAGGIE No and no weapons is fine by me, since I'm gonna get blamed for whatever crap goes down here whatever happens. Reject slowly pulls Leon up in the corner and sends him across the ring with an irish whip. Massaging the lower back, Reject then follows in looking for a monkey flip. He comes out of the corner but Leon does not, holding onto the ropes. The back of Reject's head bounces off the mat and Leon capitalises with a jacknife pin... 1... 2... No! Both men climb back up and Leon is first to strike, with a jab! COLE Here we go! A jab! A jab! A jab! Rodez turns, blowing the kiss to the crowd, before turning back on his heels... ...into a boot to the gut! Boos shower Reject as he blocks the beloved combo and even more so when he nails Leon with his own jab! Another! A third! And a fourth! Riling up the crowd, Reject turns to the commentary table and blows a kiss towards Maggie, before springing up with a standing dropkick to the BUTT of Leon's jaw! No comment from Maggie, just a scowl up into the ring. Ignoring it, Reject rolls out of the ring past Maggie and goes over to grab himself a steel chair. COLE Reject, who made this match No Holds Barred earlier tonight, now looking to further 'cash in' on that golden envelope. Sliding back in, Reject waits on Leon to get back up... and CRACKS him over the head with the chair! COLE Payback from earlier tonight! And Reject may cash in big after that. Cover... 1... 2... NO! Looking annoyed Reject grabs the chair again, setting it down on the canvas and grabbing Rodez. He positions him over the chair looking for a DDT, but Leon manages to spin out of the facelock and reverse. Leon sends Reject off the ropes with an irish whip, putting his head down for a backdrop, only to get a boot to the shoulder blade to block. With Leon apparently dazed, Reject then backs up into the ropes again... *CLANG!* ...rebounding into a chair flung into his face!! COLE Reject's not going to like that, right in the kisser! MAGGIE Oh, what a shame. Both men are down again, taking the advantage of the chance to clear the cobwebs. "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" Pulling himself off the ropes, Reject walks out towards Leon, who manages to land a boot. Underhooking the arms, Leon sets up a Tiger Driver... but Reject spins out and snares a surprised Silky Smooth One around the head for the EULOGY... NO! Leon counters as he shoves Reject in the back, sending him off the ropes and back into the waiting arms for Blue Thunder... NO! Over the top escapes Reject, landing behind Leon. Waistlock is applied, looking for a German, but Leon blocks with an elbow. Another elbow frees him from the waistlock, allowing him to whip Reject into a corner and deliver Double Knees! Out of the corner staggers Reject, Leon hitting the ropes, tucking and rolling... but Reject ducks the Shack Attack, grabbing Leon around the waist and hitting a Northern Lights Suplex, with a bridge... 1... 2... NO! Rolling away, Reject aims for Leon's head with a spinning heel kick. A quick duck from Leon avoids it and leaves Reject open for a Backslide... 1... 2... No! Reject is up quickly and drops Leon with a clothesline. With Leon down, Reject makes his way over to his lower body and folds up his legs in an indian deathlock formation, threading one arm inside to the legs folded up. Reject then steps to the side looking to turn Leon over onto his front. COLE This is that new submission hold we saw Reject use last week in New York, which I'm reliable told is being called the 'R-Lock' by 'The R-Man'. But can he get it on? Reaching up, Leon grasps onto Reject's leg to try and prevent from being turned over. With a look of annoyance Reject struggles to free his leg and does so, managing to turn Leon over in one swift motion! Before he can lean down on the hold though Leon is able to scuttle forward and reach the ropes. Of course, with No Holds Barred Reject is under no obligation to break the hold. But as Leon starts climbing up the ropes on his hands he loses his leverage anyway, so releases the hold to kick Leon in the back of the head. COLE No go for Reject right there. And he's looking a little bit frustrated I think. Retrieving the steel chair, Reject then opens it up and sits it in the centre of the ring. COLE Now what does Reject have in mind? Encouraging Leon to his feet, Reject stalks with evil intentions. A boot doubles Leon up, allowing Reject to hook him by the head and aim him towards the chair, looking for a running version of the Eulogy... but Leon slips free before even reaching the chair! As Reject puts on the brakes, Leon grabs him by the tights and drags him back, lifting him up... ...AND DROPPING HIM CROTCH-FIRST ACROSS THE BACK OF THE CHAIR!!!! REJECT :O COLE You might not have to worry about Reject's advances much longer Maggie! Reject hobbles from his very awkward position, right into another one as Rodez dropkicks him in the back to send him sprawling throat-first across the middle rope. Up goes a roar from the Virginia crowd as Leon busts out a very quick jig, before folding up the chair again. Off the far ropes, Leon then uses the chair to add further damage to his body attack to the small of Reject's back! COLE Chair-assisted Call That Bitch Bojangles! As Reject falls off the ropes, Rodez slides away the chair and makes the cover... 1... 2... NO! COLE These two are putting in one hell of an effort here, with so much on the line! $500,000, the Money In The Bank contract, pride, perhaps your affections Maggie... MAGGIE Or not. COLE ...not to mention, the winner advances to meet Krista Isadora Duncan in the semi-finals, with 15% of Theodore Moneymaker's shares in TSM up for grabs! Leaving the ring, Leon goes in search of the singapore cane vacated earlier. Meanwhile, in the ring, Reject retrieves the steel chair, wedging it between the top and middle turnbuckles in a corner. Leon gets the cane to a roar of approval, sliding back into the ring. Still walking very awkwardly, Reject is still able to block the first cane shot with a boot to the gut though. However, mid-sigh of relief, Reject is shocked to see Leon suddenly recover... *THWACK!* ...cane to the back... *THWACK!* ...shot to the shoulder... *THWACK!* ...and one over the head! "YYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" LEON COME ON! COLE And Leon is ALL FIRED UP~! Reject stumbles around in a daze, Leon setting aside the cane and pulling Reject off his feet with a double leg takedown. The crowd rise expecting the Liontamer. But Reject gets his feet planted against Leon's stomach and manages to push him away... sending Leon backwards, hitting the wedged steel chair in the corner behind him! Out stumbles Leon and he gets caught in an inside cradle... 1... 2... NO! COLE Only two! We're seeing great resilience from both of these athletes. We know what stern stuff Leon is made of, and Reject if you get past the arrogance and the shortcuts he's been taking in recent months, a tremendous competitor in his own right. MAGGIE Pity they're both ruled by testosterone. Had to be said. Grabbing the singapore cane, Reject smiles as he looks to hand off some receipts for the shots he just received. He waits for Leon to step his way, lining up with it like a baseball bat and looking to take Leon's head off with a shot... but The Grand Rapids Golden Child saves himself from decapitation by ducking! Spun around in a 360, Reject then lunges forward... CHARGING SHOULDER-FIRST INTO THE CHAIR IN THE CORNER!! "OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Down goes Reject and Leon quickly signals for the end as he exits the ring. COLE Here we go, could be 450 time! MAGGIE Come on Leon! As Maggie's impartiality and professionalism finally drops, Leon reaches the top. He has to take a second to un-wedge the chair though to actually get on the top rope safely... ...allowing Reject to recover and lunge at the feet, CROTCHING LEON UP TOP!! "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Sighs of disappointment ring around the arena as Reject looks mighty relieved. Hand pressed against his back, he takes a deep breath before heading up the ropes to follow Leon. He lands a couple of short punches on Leon from the middle rope, before hooking him up for a superplex. From the middle rope apparently isn't enough for Reject though and he re-adjusts his feet onto the top rope. COLE Reject is going ALL the way up! This may not end well for either man! Reject pulls Leon up to his feet as well, precarious on the top rope. Both men hover over perilous drops and it's with much caution that Leon fires off a right hand to the ribs. And a second. Reject wobbles and loses a hold on Leon, who lands a third punch to the gut. Referee Chioda can only look on as both men teeter high above the ring, Leon throwing another punch to the body which finally knocks Reject from his perch... and DOWN, CROTCHED ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!! Feeling the worst possible pain known to man again, Reject is powerless to stop Leon from shoving him in the chest. But Reject doesn't fall from the turnbuckles, his feet getting caught under the turnbuckle leaving him hung upside down in the tree of woe! With Reject stuck, Leon climbs safely back into the ring. Heading for the opposite corner of the ring, Leon then sizes Reject up, ignoring his upside-down pleas for mercy and charging in... hesitating in mid-air before driving a thunderous dropkick into Reject's face!! COLE Wham! Another shot to Reject's precious face, I'm sure Leon enjoyed that. Falling from the tree of woe, Reject is pulled right back up by Rodez and placed right back where he started, sat on the top turnbuckle facing into the crowd. COLE Leon isn't done yet though. MAGGIE Looking at me... I hope this isn't for my benefit, two guys fighting over a woman is so draconian, dude. After the long look at Maggie, Leon steps up onto the middle rope behind Reject. He clubs him in the back with a forearm. And a second. Leon then steps up on top, setting up Reject. Both men stand up top in another precarious position, but this time the only way for both is down, as Leon pulls Reject back with a Back Superplex... ...BUT REJECT TURNS OVER IN MID-AIR AND LANDS ON TOP!!!! "OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" COLE OH! Counter by Reject, what a sudden reversal of fortunes! MAGGIE See, pride comes before a fall. Rolling off of the groggy Leon, Reject starts to get to his feet. But then he suddenly stops, crawling over and grabbing a hold of the steel chair. He slides it into position before slithering backwards and laying in wait for The Silky Smooth One. COLE Reject, preparing to read Leon his Eulogy. And the Eulogy is the last thing you hear. Slowly, to the sound of thousands of fans warning him of what awaits him, Rodez starts to pull himself back to his feet. Still looking groggy he uses the ropes for help, Reject on one knee and poised. Leon leaves the ropes and as he turns around, he walks right into the springing body of Reject for the EULOGY~1!~... ...NO!! Leon manages to shove Reject off at the last second... the Tag Champion narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with Mike Chioda! Reject starts to apologise to the ref before realising what he's doing, instead berating him for getting in the way and shoving him aside. Turning back around, Reject throws a Roundhouse Kick but Leon ducks it, spinning around himself and connecting with a Rolling Sole BUTT to the midsection. Leon then hooks up Reject in a 3/4 headlock, scaling up the ropes and floating backwards with the shiranui... *WHAM!* ...DRIVING REJECT'S HEAD RIGHT DOWN INTO THE STEEL CHAIR!!! "YYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!" COLE Feedback THIS, into the chair! Reject is OUT! Figuring there's no harm in making sure though, Leon pulls himself through the bottom and middle ropes. Reject lays in position as Leon scales the turnbuckles. He reaches the top, not wasting any time this time as he gets his footing and soars with the 450 SPLASH!! MAGGIE Score! Hook of the leg, the crowd up on their feet to count along... 1... COLE Four... 2... COLE ...Fifty... 3!!!! COLE ...and out! "YYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!" *DINGDINGDING!* Leon drops Reject's leg and rolls off him with a sigh of relief, arm raised weekly in victory. BUFFER Here is your winner, advancing in the Money In The Bank Tournament... LLLLLEEEEEOOOOOOONN... RRRRRROOOOOOODDEEEEEEZZZZZZ!!! "YYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!" With the ropes for help again, Leon pulls himself up with the adrenaline giving way to pain pretty quickly. Leon still manages to pump a fist to the people who applaud his hard-fought victory. At the announce table, Maggie is up and applauds her boyfriend with the crowd, Leon taking a look her way but certainly not rushing over to join her in his celebrations. COLE These two men, whether it was for Maggie's benefit, for the Money In The Bank contract and the $500,000 in the pocket, or probably a mixture of the two, put it all out there here tonight. But in the end, Leon Rodez gains a measure of revenge on Reject and he advances, one step closer to AngleSlam! What's left of Reject's energy rolls him out of the ring and he lies on the outside battered and beaten. The ring is left to Leon, who scales the turnbuckles on one side and gives the best bow his body will allow him. Leon slumps back to the ring... ...and as his celebrations continue, the view changes. Still we see Leon celebrating his win, but on the screen of a television monitor tuned in to the show. The camera pans out from the TV to reveal the lavish dressing room of one Krista Isadora Duncan! There she sits with a glass of something alcoholic in hand (of course), feet kicked up on a sidetable. On a sofa across from her sits her daughter Jade, who it's fair to say doesn't look overly thrilled with her uncle's victory. Setting down the drink, Krista watches the screen, watching Leon work the Virginia crowd and smiles as she starts to casually buff her nails. KRISTA Well, this ought to be interesting. FADE TO BLACK © 2008 OAOAST Entertainment

They should get random ex-American Gladiators to show up as his personal security when everyone inevitably tries to intimidate him. "Hey, have you met my friend Laser?"

Plus most people were dumbfounded that Adamle was GM, period. Honestly, I don't care how they book him, it should be entertaining whether it's in a positive way or a negative way. I can just sit back and forget about politics, sensible booking, is this smart booking, did the way Punk say that line mean he's being buried and just smile and relax in the fact that they actually made Mike Adamle GM of the #1 live show in wrestling. Some things just don't need serious thought or reason.

Since Nash has shown up a few times, did he ever officially refuse to job to Chris Sabin?

But if he's to be a successful face, he'll have to dumb it down a shade. Ranjin: "Today Khali, I've got you a job at the local McDonalds outlet, like normal American people who like you. This is going to be great!" *Guy pulls up at drive-though* Khali: "UNGHAGUGHGUNGIIGUHGH!!" Guy: "Oh man, I hate these damn things. I'm sorry, I can't understand you!" *Khali pokes his head out of the window* Khali: "UNGHAGUGHGUNGIIGUHGH!!" *Khali hands the guy an obviously wrong order* Guy: "Hey, this isn't what I ordered! Are you some kind of moron, I wanted two french fries, a large Coke..." *KHALI CHOP~!, guy slumps unconscious against wheel, Khali steals and eats the food* And, ratings go up.

Khali. The angry Punjabi monster shtick has run it's course, people don't seem to care and he's already lost to all the big faces (sans HHH, at time of writing of course). I know they already have The Big Show to play the big friendly giant, but Khali could be a different kind of BFG. One that doesn't realise he's becoming more popular until a heel points out he's no longer the monster and he's now a joke, at which point he squashes them. I don't think people care enough about his ringwork to boo him, but they seem to react okay when he's doing his incomprehensible rambling. So why not run with it. Give him a weekly segment where he talks to someone who doesn't understand, with hilarious consquences. Have a segment hyping a new WWE agony aunt where 'fans write in for relationship advice' and once the first letter is read, have it turn out to be Khali who gives his own special advice, with hilarious consequences. Hell, rip off the angle where Slick was trying to make Kamala human, have him go out into the real world every week and try different jobs and activities, with hilarious consequences. ANYTHING but slow walk, weak chop, raises arms and yell, rinse repeat.

Okay, stadium, I'm going to take The Emirates Stadium. No real reason, it's big and new and stuff. GK: Peter Schmeichel LB: Stuart Pearce CB: Tony Adams CB: Marcel Desailly RB: Daniel Alves LM: Ryan Giggs CM: Glenn Hoddle CM: Bryan Robson © RM: Luis Figo ST: Eric Cantona ST: Ian Rush ~~SUBS~~ GK: David James DF: Alessandro Nesta MF: Paul Gasgoine MF: Michael Essien ST: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer MANAGER: Sven Goran Eriksson HOME STADIUM: The Emirates Stadium Not bad, I don't think. Maybe not the biggest collection of talent, but a well-rounded team. Figo and Giggs provide plenty of width and good service for Rush up front, plus a decent scoring threat themselves. Not many wingbacks would fancy those two running at them on either side. Cantona and Hoddle and both free to roam and create, with Cantona dropping deeper rather than playing as an out and out striker. Both should create plenty of chances and chip in (quite literally) with a few goals. Robson is more of the 'holding' midfielder, meaning the 4 in midfield could stretch into a diamond when attacking. At the back, you wouldn't piss around with Adams and Marcel. Strong in the air, strong in the tackle, good threat from corners. Alves would likely get forward from right back, which would mean Pearce tucking in from the left and going to 3 at the back if he gets caught out of position. And Schmeichel in goal, what more can you say? Nesta would make an able replacement for either Adams or Desailly at the back. Gazza to provide even more dribbling at defenders and creativity when needed. Essien is probably the best asset to the team because he can fill in at right back if needed, play centre midfield, or the formation can be changed completely with Essien in the 'Makelele' role as an official holding midfielder with either three at the back or one up top, depending on the situation. If we were really in need of a late goal though, the super-sub is of course Ole. And all the while, Sven will be "uh... yes, very pleased".

Making quick work of the corridor beneath his feet, Leon Rodez is clearly in a hurry as he makes his way towards the office of the General Manager. With a quick look both ways to check the coast is clear, Leon pulls open the door and shoots in swiftly, almost bowling over a surprised Sophie Grey. There's worse people you could bump into, as evident by the apologetic smile on Leon's face. LEON Hey, I'm here to see Josie. SOPHIE Oui, redressez de cette façon. LEON Ooh. [i]Gracias[/i]. Leon breezes past the Affirmative Action lawyer, only realising once past her he's goofed on the wrong language, by which time it's too much of an embarrassment to go back and correct himself. So he brushes it off and carries on to the GM's desk. LEON Well well, long time no see! Looking up from her paperwork, Josie sees her former acquaintance (although, not in 'that' way) shutting the door to the office rather sharply, returning the smile he gives her. JOSIE That it is. LEON Sorry I haven't gotten around to congratulating you in person yet. But, better late than never. It's good to see you back. The two share a handshake from over the desk. JOSIE Yeah, well, it's good to be back. Honestly, by the end of my last run this place was grating at my last frikkin' nerve. But I had some time away and..... yeah, it's good to be back, like I said. So, what did you want? LEON Honestly? Refuge. JOSIE I'm sorry? LEON You wouldn't believe how hectic things are right now. Leon sits down opposite Josie, who looks like she's got tons of better and more pressing things to do than listen to whatever Leon has to get off his chest. LEON I've got Maggie on my case wanting to talk, Melody keeps trying to grab a moment with me which isn't helping, I've got Shayne and Tyler... they're like my new GPX... and they're yammering on and on about the crush they've got on Krista, who by the way happens to be the biological mother of Jade who it turns out isn't my sister but infact my niece, which I only found out about a few weeks before she did. Go figure. Now Jade's trying to be Women's Champion, then there's Zack calling favours these past couple of weeks, I've got guys hitting on my girlfriend, guys attacking me with kendo sticks, there's a cut on my head won't close up properly because it keeps getting re-opened by somebody. Seriously, who'd have thought being a wrestler would be so stressful? Just give me the chance to entertain a few thousand people, whatever I make in merchandise sales in my paycheck every month and forget the rest, you know? You know me, I'm not the kinda guy to let things get on top of me. And things like this have been happening to me since I signed with the OAOAST. JOSIE Like when everyone found out you used to be a pornstar? LEON Exactly! Granted, nobody remembers that anymore. But... I don't know, I always had something to console myself with. Family, friends, fans, titles. It's just been relentless lately... Leon pauses for a second, then shakes it off. LEON Man, listen to me go on, huh? Hey, when I'm World Champion and $500,000 richer I'll be on easy street, so why even worry! Speaking of which... what's the deal with you and Moneymaker? Looking a little taken aback at the question and what it's implying, Josie sits up. JOSIE There is no 'deal' between me and Moneymaker. What are you talking about? LEON He was the one who backed you to get the job, right? JOSIE Yeah, so I heard. And? LEON Well, let's just say Moneymaker doesn't do anything unless it benefits him. Trust me, I know. If he went to bat for you, there's a reaso... JOSIE Maybe it's because he wanted a pretty face to look at while he bitched about this and that. Maybe if he spoke up for me it's because even despite the bullshit I had to put up with week in and week out last time, I still did a damn good job in charge of this place! I don't know. I barely know the guy. Listen, I appreciate the advice Leon but I ain't some bimbo with half a brain, like all these Nerdly girls you seem intent on working your way through. I'm the General Manager. On my own merits. Okay? And don't take this the wrong way, but as GM I don't really have the spare time to devote to listening to your personal problems all night like I used to, so maybe find 'refuge' here some other time when I'm not so busy please? I've gotta keep on top of things this time. Getting the message, Leon is up off his seat and halfway out the door. LEON No problem, we'll... we'll talk some other time. JOSIE I'd appreciate that. And with that Josie goes back to her General Manager work, leaving Leon to find his refuge elsewhere, after having run the gauntlet of people he doesn't want to bump into in the corridors of course. COACH The sign on the door says 'General Manager', not 'Agony Aunt'. Suckas take note. COLE Well Josie, proving it's not 2005 anymore. Leon will have to find some other time to shoot the breeze anyway, because he's got a Money In The Bank Tournament Quarter Final against Reject to concentrate on. And that's coming up in our main-event here tonight on HeldDOWN~! COACH Well, that'll be one less thing for him to stress about after tonight at least.

As soon as Adamle got up and stood next to the apron when Shane came out, I kinda laughed to myself that it'd be him. And when it was, it's about the hardest I've marked out in years. Having Adamle as GM is one of the greatest, funniest, most bizarre things that's happened on Raw in forever. I'll admit to being a fan of Adamle because of the figure of fun he's become more than for his talents. But I don't care. I was literally smiling for about ten minutes straight after Raw ended, so they did something right in my book. The funny thing is, he actually did a pretty good job on commentary as well. Raw Is Adamle. I'll be watching.

Hey all. I'm back, obviously. Uhm... I'll be doing the main. And maybe other stuff.

Well, since we're all stealing Ron's old picks, I'll grab Alessandro Nesta as my sub defender. And for a manager, the one and only, soft spoken lothario, Sven Goran Eriksson. As we're drafting a club and not a national team, he would have a clue what was going on.

Agreed. Even as a United supporter there's something unique about hearing You'll Never Walk Alone that you don't really get at any other ground. Anyway, I'm going to be away for over a week from tommorrow, so I'm probably going to have to send a giant list of picks to you Franchise, if that's okay.

Well reading between the lines, it's got to be something to do with the videos where he was being treated in the mental institution. This is probably his way of making up for loving to inflict pain. Maybe him only satisfying his need when it helps someone else, or something along those lines.