UCW Meltdown – March 12 – Wednesday Night Action Zone

As the opening strains of Guns’ N’ Roses’ Welcome to the Jungle blast from the screen, we are shown brief highlights from last weeks edition of UCW Meltdown. Randy Orton soundly defeated Eric Young after a surprising competitive encounter, before again mocking the crowd, using Young’s ‘Sting’ T-shirt to deride The Icon. The Major Brothers then came within an inch of defeating LAX in non-title action, before Team 3D cost them the match with a DQ, before a visit to GM, Jim Cornette. Christian Cage then made his return to Meltdown, hosting the Peep Show with Special Guest HBK, Shawn Michaels, agreeing to a match-up at Immortality but, following Cornette’s official confirmation, the stipulation was added that neither man, would be allowed to get physically involved with the other before Immortality and, Cage persuaded Cornette to allow him to choose a selection of opponents for HBK, allowing Michaels to burn off his aggression to Cage before they meet on March 30. Triple H then defeated Samoa Joe, following the involvement of his rivals VKM, having been tempted to by Karen Angle, VKM tried to cost The Game this victory, only for HHH to counter, taking advantage of their presence to distract Samoa Joe, hitting the Pedigree and pinning Joe to advance to Immortality for the UCW Title. Kurt Angle then came close to defeat in a back-and-forth match with the Dead Man, before once again The Monster Abyss came to inside, ending things in a DQ, brawling with Taker to the outside and eventually Choke Slamming him down, through the announce table and ending the show standing tall over Taker’s remains.

And following this introduction we are shown some brief footage from Friday night, taken live backstage at Infest as Randy Orton was leaving Shane McMahon’s office, clutching an envelope in hand. But when Christy Hemme approached, Orton smiled, saying…“Thanks to Shane the contents of this envelope are extremely interesting but, along with everyone else including Jim Cornette, if you wish to know what is inside, you have only to watch Meltdown this Wednesday night and all will be revealed…” Then as Orton smiles arrogantly to himself before stepping passed Christy and away, walking down the corridor and out of sight, Christy simply shrugs as the footage ends.

A promotional vignette then airs showing the image of an empty, smoke filled arena, black and white footage then cuts in-between a slow ranging view of the empty ring, footage from past greats such as Harley Race, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart, while dust sprays up from empty seats in the arena, swept away like the sands of time, until an image of the Undertaker casting a shadow over a murky graveyard setting changes the mood and following a burst of light from the eyes of the Dead Man, suddenly the picture becomes bright and colourful with a tremendous pyro display, giving way to footage from such current stars as Samoa Joe, Triple H, Kurt Angle, Randy Orton, Christian Cage, The Monster Abyss and Shawn Michaels among others, with bright light flashing across the screen, complete with the following voiceover… “In every generation ONE man shall rise above the rest, to achieve true greatness, every man will DREAM to become better, stronger, faster and greater than his peers, success, achievement, glory and pride do not come without sacrifice and hardship but, only in hindsight can we reflect on our GLORY having determined our DESTINY, for while the road is long and arduous, the journey and the destination do beckon, onward and upward…as far as the eye can see, we struggle to claim these ambitions, beyond the reach of the weak…for only those who dare to dream, can achieve them, Capture the Dream on March 30, 2008…UCW Immortality…The Legacy Awaits…” 

WATCH OUT FOR THE BOMBFALL! And after the live opening to the show, immediately the Action Zone is engulfed with an avalanche of jeering and boos while, with JR & King at ringside, Brother Ray & Devon of Team 3D make their entrance, coming out onto the main stage with an arrogant, aggressive swagger about them, before slowly strolling down the ramp and into the ring, both men dressed to compete, with Brother Ray wearing a flannel shirt over an official Meltdown Team 3D T-shirt, while Devon has the sleeves cut-off his 3D T-shirt, as both men stand inside the ring, grinning from ear-to-ear with sadistic satisfaction, relishing the crowd’s response, before Brother Ray calls for a mic and as Devon places his hands over Ray’s ears, telling him to ignore the boos and wait for silence, Brother Ray suddenly blurts out, saying…“OK, OK, you’ve had your fun, now shut-up and listen to what I have to say, because my brother Devon and I have the answer to the Big Mystery from last week! Why did we attack the Majors? Why did we get involved in their match with LAX? Why did we ruin their chance to become the No.1 Contenders, for the tag team titles? And finally why can’t we just let things drop after Destiny, give the Majors credit, forget what happened and simply move-on with our careers and continue our legacy? Well right now I am here to tell you why, JB asked us last week for an explanation and tonight, we will give one…And quite frankly it won’t take a genius to work out, this isn’t rocket science, its basic math…1+1=2. We are Team 3D, that’s part one, part two is the UCW Tag Team Titles…and the fact that we do not have them YET!” And as the crowd begins to boo louder, Devon instantly yells abuse back at them, while Brother Ray quickly has a look of rage spread across his face, before saying… “You see, last week it was rumoured that if the Major Brothers defeated the LAX, UCW Management would grant the Majors at tag team title shot at Immortality but, as Cornette confirmed to us after the show, that depended on the manner of victory, therefore our interference ended the Major’s hopes. And as it would turn out tonight, re-opened the door for us, because after we had our brief chat with Mr. Cornette, where Devon and I explained to Mr. Cornette what he has always said from day one, that HE runs the show. UCW Management shouldn’t be able to go over his head and, after that the GM began to sees things the way we do, he began to see things our way, he began to realise that UCW Management were trying to maintain their control but, on a weekly basis it is Cornette himself that makes the decisions, not the UCW Board, which is why tonight is OUR night. Tonight we have a ‘One Night Only’ opportunity, because as we explained to Jimbo last week, UCW Management can’t control him, now UCW Management and all you people may think that after the match last week, the Major Brothers should be the No.1 Contenders anyway, we see things differently, because we think…If we beat LAX here tonight, we should be the No.1 Contenders!” Then as the crowd continues to boo, growing louder still, Devon now takes the mic, saying…“But apparently despite his position as General Manager of UCW Meltdown, Cornette doesn’t have the power to over-turn the ruling against us by the UCW Board, to make such a match…So LAX the rest is up to YOU…Do you have the GUTS?” Then as the Latino members of the crowd in attendance begin responding loudly, Devon hands the mic back to Brother Ray who continues to rile-up the crowd further, saying…“You see we can become the No.1 Contenders by beating the LAX tonight, Cornette was able to convince UCW Management to agree to that, on one condition, that the UCW Board will only sanction this by over-turning the ruling, if LAX agree, by facing us tonight. So what do you say LAX, do you accept our challenge tonight, will you face Team 3D…Will you put your PRIDE on the line to take us on tonight, knowing that if we beat you, we will earn a shot at those titles, we so richly deserve? Or on the other hand, are you afraid to face us again, afraid of what might happen, afraid after being protected all this time, always having to face weaker opponents, finally you can no longer hide. Finally you will face some REAL competition and, finally after being kept safe for so long, now the titles will once again be in jeopardy, because Team 3D will be coming for YOU Homicide and YOU Hernandez, tonight, and you will know what it feels like to be beaten, to be embarrassed, to be humbled, to suffer another beating at the hands of the GREATEST tag team in pro-wrestling. So if you are scared, if you are afraid, you can refuse, you can reject our challenge, stay in the back, don’t face Team 3D tonight, but if you stay there back stage tonight, be prepared for the reaction, be prepared for next week and what you will have to do, you’ll have to look your loyal followers in the eyes as the LOSERS that you truly are, explain why you refused this challenge, explain why you let each one of them down, explain to them that it was simply put…Because you were afraid to face Team 3D!!! That’s right, ain’t it Devon, they’re scared, they’re afraid and they’ll never beat us?” And as the rowdy crowd begin to roar with disapproval, Devon now takes the mic, saying…“Oh My Brother…TESTIFY!!!” But as Brother Ray again takes the mic…

LAX! Suddenly attention now turns towards the entrance way as the crowd cheers, interrupting Team 3D with the familiar sound of 3-gunshots piercing the arena air, signalling the arrival of the Latin-American Exchange, with their Mystery Member, while standing firm, Brother Ray & Devon assume a defensive position in the ring. And as Homicide & Hernandez come through the curtain with their Tag Team Titles, making their way down the ramp, Team 3D soon begin beckoning them into the ring, but when Homicide & Hernandez reach the foot of the ramp, holding their belts high, Brother Ray & Devon seem nervous as LAX hand the belts to their Mystery Member, before LAX now quickly charge forward and after sliding into the ring, 3D bail out, drawing further jeers from the live crowd. But as LAX beckon Team 3D toward them, Brother Ray & Brother Devon begin backing away, up the ramp towards the stage, when Homicide claims a mic and, as the Mystery Member joins LAX in the ring, Homicide says…“Orale Brother Ray, Devon, amigos we are not afraid of anything, we fight for PRIDE, for HONOR and the Latino Nation and tonight you Fat Pigs, tonight if you want a piece of us…We are not gonna run and hide, because tonight, LAX came to fight and do what we do best. And Team 3D we have beat you before, but tonight we can do it again, one more time, if that is what it takes to shut you up, but Brother Ray and Devon, beware what you have coming…because later tonight, we accept your challenge…But in this ring you will LIVE & DIE in LAX, Brrrrra!!!”

And as Team 3D nod in agreement before heading back through the curtain and away, Homicide, Hernandez and their Mystery Member begin playing to their supporters, while we now join JR & King at ringside, for a rundown of tonight’s events with JR, saying…“Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the Wednesday Night Action Zone and, King I’m sure you’ll agree, one way or another, we have a can’t miss show tonight, because not only do we have that match-up just announced, with LAX vs. Team 3D, but a HUGE main event as the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, the Showstopper, takes on the Legend Killer, Randy Orton…As chosen last week by Christian Cage…” King says…“But more to the point JR, did you happen to see Infest last Friday night, because Randy Orton showed-up for a meeting with Shane McMahon and afterwards, not only did he leave smiling, but he had in his hand an envelope. Now Orton said, tonight he would reveal the contents and we would find out along with Jim Cornette, so my question to you JR is, what do you think is in Randy Orton’s Infest envelope?” JR says…“Well your guess is as good as mine King, but I gather we shall all find out before tonight’s show is over, but beyond that monumental Meltdown Main Event, also coming-up later tonight after physically decimating the Undertaker last week, costing the Phenom the UCW Championship for the second time in as many weeks, The Monster Abyss was due to see action in the ring, but with his actions as of late, the decision was made to cancel those plans to save any further damage to our roster, but regarding the actions of Abyss and with so many questions still un-answered, from the controversy surrounding his father, James Mitchell to these recent attacks, tonight JB has compiled a special profile looking at the situation from every angle, hoping to somehow get inside the head of the man known to so few as Chris Parks…” King says…“Rather JB than me, I couldn’t even begin to unravel the mind of Abyss, but I do know this…I would hate to be facing Abyss inside that ring any time soon!” JR says…“That’s right King and I believe Cornette was right to cancel Abyss’ match, plus following his victory last week in the Undisputed No.1 Contenders match-up, Triple H and UCW Champion Kurt Angle will confront each other Face-to-Face, inside the ring ahead of their match at Immortality. And considering their history, expect things to get very intense and very personal, all the way until March 30th…” King says…“JR you know my thoughts about what happened last week with Triple H, I think Samoa Joe got screwed and I also think something should be done about it…” JR says…“Well I can’t comment on that, but I do know that Joe is here tonight, although it will be interesting how the Samoan Submission Machine responds…” King says…“If I was Joe I’d respond by taking Triple H out of action for good but, tonight is not all about the revenge, destruction and injustice felt by many last week, because we will also be seeing a return to action of one of our biggest fan favourites, the Charismatic Enigma Jeff Hardy, who will compete for the first time in weeks…” JR says…“Yes indeed King and we know that young Jeff Hardy is a huge risk-taker, as-well-as a dare-devil, but with his recent pursuit of a match with The Great Khali, Hardy may have bitten-off more than it would be wise for him to consider chewing, although Khali has been strangely silent as of late. But with all that still to come, along the Road to Immortality, it’s time to get the action under-way, on Meltdown…”   

MATCH 1 Jeff Hardy vs. Kenny Dykstra

9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1! But before proceedings can begin, Christian Cage now enters, making his way down the ramp un-announced, to join JR & King on commentary, saying…“Excuse me JR, King, but since I do not have a match of my own tonight, and since Cornette has forbidden Shawn and I from getting physical with each other, I’ve decided to occupy my time with a little scouting mission on Shawn Michaels, watching his match later tonight against Randy Orton. But with time on my hands, you will get the pleasure of my company for the entire evening, you’re welcome…” And as we begin the live action from ringside with JR & King and Christian Cage, Jeff Hardy makes his entrance, receiving a HUGE warm reception from the crowd, the Charismatic Enigma dances his way out through the curtain and into our view doused in florescent paint and glowing in the dim arena lighting, the crowd cheers, while Hardy quickly slides into the ring, then leaps onto the second turnbuckle rope, gaining a further warm welcome from the crowd, as he drops back down to the mat. Then following the arrival of his opponent, Hardy meets Kenny in the ring-centre, before the bell sounds and things get under-way with Hardy making a very fast start, high-lighting his dare-devil, risk-taking style, allied to a sound, more technical base. Kenny though becomes frustrated and following a succession of quick, near falls, Kenny lashes out with an elbow to the face off the ropes, briefly cutting Hardy off, only for Jeff to come back strongly, looking to send Kenny away into the corner, before drilling both feet into his face off the turnbuckle, only for Kenny to move, sending Jeff crashing to the canvas. Kenny then begins to take over control briefly, gaining several near falls himself before Hardy fights out of an effective sleeper hold, breaking free and hitting the ropes then taking Kenny down with a wrap-around lariat. Hardy then fires-up and after taking Kenny down with a number of stiff clotheslines, his patented Whisper in the Wind is enough to keep Kenny down for a close 2-count. However as the match wears on and Jeff takes firm control, scoring several near falls, eventually the Twist-of-Fate keeps Kenny down long enough for the Swanton Bomb, followed by the 1-2-3 count. Jeff then receives the adoration of the crowd for his win, but as the referee raises the hand of The Enigma in victory, attention now turns away, directed towards the main stage where we now see the translator for The Great Khali, Ranjin Singh, stood wearing a suit and applauding Hardy for his victorious efforts, before Singh makes a gesture with his hand, signifying that while Jeff won tonight, Khali is much taller than Kenny Dykstra, before shaking his head and turning away, while Jeff looks on as Singh heads back through the curtain and we now cut away.

And with Jeff Hardy leaving the ring, backstage we now catch sight of Samoa Joe, marching down the hallway, with Crystal Louthan chasing after him in hot pursuit, saying…“Joe, Joe we all saw what happened last week, with you and Triple H but, with the UCW Title Match now set for Immortality…What do you plan to do now, how will you move on and, do you now regret accepting the match with Triple H?” But suddenly Joe stops in his tracks, grimacing with disdain at this final comment, saying…“Get one thing straight, I did not accept the match, Cornette made the match, VKM got involved and Hunter took advantage. I don’t need to regret a damn thing, because on even ground there is no man in UCW I cannot take…but here and now, Cornette has some talking to do and he better make this right, or otherwise Crystal, maybe just maybe, I will have something to regret after all, now get outta my way…” And with that as Joe marches off on his way down the corridor, we stay with him, when the camera follows Joe up to the door of Cornette’s office, as he knocks loudly, before bursting inside, aggressively slamming the door behind him, as we cut away.

Non-Title Tag Team Challenge Match

Latin-American Exchange vs. Team 3D

And with both teams having made their way to the ring, Team 3D receiving boos, while LAX and their Mystery Member garner a majority of cheers from the crowd, with Christian Cage making negative comments about LAX, while supporting 3D, during the referee’s instructions, both teams begin trash-talking with one another, before Homicide & Devon choose to begin, as Hernandez & Brother Ray step away. Then with Homicide of LAX locking-up with Brother Devon to get things underway, he quickly applies a standing side-headlock before being forced back into the ropes and then sent across the ring into the far ropes by Devon who quickly drops down, avoiding contact when Homicide continues his momentum into the opposing ropes. But as Homicide hits the ropes this time, he is caught off-guard by a stiff knee to his lower back from Brother Ray standing on the apron, stopping him in his tracks and drawing the derision of the crowd and also Hernandez, as Devon takes the advantage, aggressively jumping on Homicide with venom from behind with several right hands, he tags in Brother Ray to begin a mild double-team, before stepping to the outside. Now, following several near falls, a momentary miscommunication between Team 3D allows Homicide to dive to his own corner and scramble for the miraculous hot-tag, bringing Big Hernandez into the ring and he promptly cleans house on Devon before running into a sucker-punch clothesline from Brother Ray, sending him down hard. Brother Ray then promptly covers him, but when Hernandez kicks out at 1 and a half, he tags in Devon who scales the turnbuckle and comes off the top with a high diving-head-butt, only for Hernandez to kick out once more, before Devon drags him up and Hernandez quickly counters with a kick to the gut, before hitting the far ropes at speed and then coming back to clatter into Devon with a solid Big Boot, taking him down. Then, following a near fall on Devon from Hernandez, Brother Ray now complain to the ref from on the apron, bringing Homicide back into the ring to even the debate, but as the official leads Homicide back across the ring to his own corner in an attempt to maintain control, Hernandez begins to argue back and forth with Brother Ray, causing a distraction and allowing the once prone Devon to crawl behind Hernandez, before suddenly taking him down from behind with a roll-up, as the ref turns around, counting to 2 before Hernandez kicks out. But as both men spring back to their feet, Hernandez catches Devon with a boot to the gut, before hoisting up and off his feet, then taking him down with the Cracker Jack, before making a cover of his own and, with the ref counting, Brother Ray now quickly steps into the ring to break the count. Then as the referee leads Brother Ray back to his corner, with both men now down, the Mystery Nation Member climbs up and onto the ring-apron armed with a slapjack, but with Brother Ray protesting to the official, the Mystery Member goes unseen and, after tossing the slapjack into the ring and dropping down to the canvas once more, Hernandez claims the slapjack, with Brother Ray continuing to complain to the ref, and as both men get to their feet and Hernandez attempts to swing the slapjack, suddenly Devon lashes out with a kick to the groin, buckling Hernandez at the knees, knocking the slapjack out of his hands and as Brother Ray now stops his complaining, the referee turns around to see Devon hitting the ropes on the far side for momentum, with Hernandez struggling to stand. But as Devon hits the ropes, now seen by the ref, the Mystery Nation Member grabs Devon’s ankle, briefly catching him off-guard, allowing Hernandez time to recover and when Devon turns back around, Hernandez decks him with a stiff clothesline, leaving both men down on the canvas, in a heap. Then with the Mystery Nation Member’s actions having been seen by the official, who now also sees the slapjack lying on the canvas, he ejects him from ringside, before Hernandez and Brother Devon begin looking for a tag to their partners and, with the Mystery Member gone and Hernandez and Devon struggling for the corners, attention now turns to the entrance way as the Major Brothers slowly come into view, making their way down the ramp, wearing blue jeans and official Meltdown T-shirts, arriving at the foot of the ramp and standing at ringside to watch the match un-fold. Then as Hernandez and Devon now dive towards their partners out-stretched hands, Homicide tags Hernandez and Devon tags Brother Ray, as both come charging in, Ray ducking a clothesline from Hernandez before hitting the ropes and then taking him down on the turn with a leaping back elbow, then as Homicide gets to his feet Brother Ray turns and nails him off the apron, before dragging Hernandez up and, heaving the big man off his feet and planting him with a huge mid-ring body slam. And as the crowd begin to jeer loudly, Devon scales the turnbuckle as Ray spreads Hernandez’s legs apart and Devon comes flying off the top with his diving head-butt, as Brother Ray then makes the cover, but Hernandez kicks out after a long 2-count.  Brother Ray then tags in Devon, who re-enters having rolled back to the apron, helping Ray drag Hernandez to his feet and, they combine to send him into the ropes, but as Hernandez hits the ropes, Homicide having regained his position on the apron, blind tags himself in so when Hernandez comes off the ropes and Ray & Devon deliver the 3-D, the ref refuses to count because Hernandez is no longer the legal man. Then, with Ray heading back to the apron, Homicide comes flying off the top with a cross-body, taking Devon down. But with the crowd now on the edge of their seats, Devon rolls through from the cross-body, getting back to his feet with Homicide firmly in his arms and, as Brother Ray then goes to the top rope, Devon hoists Homicide into the air and Ray connects with a version of the Doomsday Device, taking Homicide down with a huge flying clothesline, as Devon makes the cover but, with the ref counting, 1……2……Suddenly the Majors drag Devon to the outside!!! And with Brother Ray having turned away to raise his hands above in victory, suddenly turning back around in disbelief, Brett Major clatters Brother Devon down, with a Frantic DDT on the ringside floor following a kick to the gut from Brett Major. And with the crowd going wild and Brother Ray in complete shock with these events, now the referee calls for the bell, ending the match with a DQ victory for Team 3D, before Brother Ray aggressively confronts the official, attempting to explain things, but with Brother Ray protesting the result having backed the referee into the corner, quickly the Major Brothers roll into the ring, coming-up behind Brother Ray and, when he feels their presence and realises he is all alone without Devon to help him, Brother Ray gulps, turning to face the Major boys and quickly looking to lash out, before the numbers advantage plays against him, as the Majors now double-team him, giving Brother Ray a taste of his own medicine. And with both LAX men laid out, along with their Mystery Member and Devon down at ringside, the crowd go wild, when Brian Major takes Brother Ray down to the canvas following a Frantic DDT, before both Majors then scale separate turnbuckles and one-after another leap off, crashing down on Brother Ray to deliver the Major After Shock double-team move. Then after getting to their feet and sharing a high-5 and accepting the crowd’s cheers, Brett & Brian Major make a quick exit, leaving Team 3D and LAX down in the ring.

Backstage we now re-join JB standing outside the door to Jim Cornette’s office, saying…“Ladies and gentlemen as the intriguing Tag Team Title situation continues, allow me to turn your attention elsewhere. Now many of you witnessed just as I did, UCW Destiny on PPV and a main event matching the Undertaker against Kurt Angle, when proceedings took a foul and shocking turn with Undertaker poised for victory. Suddenly The Monster Abyss burst through the canvas, up into the caged-ring itself, allowing the UCW Champion to escape before quickly laying waist to the Dead Man, bloodying his face, leaving him motionless, to the point that even to this very day, personally I do not believe I shall ever be able to remove that image from my mind, the Undertaker battered, beaten and broken…lying at the feet of The Monster Abyss. Then only days later following the shocking announcement that James Mitchell, known to us as the former manager of Abyss, was in fact the Father of The Monster, real name Chris Parks or indeed Chris Mitchell, to which Abyss reacted with malice, rejecting calls from James Mitchell to re-unite with him, to be a family once again, Abyss lashed out with violence, Choke Slamming his estranged father to the canvas, only to be confronted by a vengeful Undertaker. But while seeking his own revenge, the Dead Man was still suffering from the beating he took at Destiny 3-days before, rendering him in no condition to quell the beast, with Abyss in no mood to resist, delivering a Black Hole Slam to the Undertaker, onto the hard, steel, main stage floor. And that would bring us to last week, the Undertaker now recovered from his injuries, enough to compete with Kurt Angle in a Rematch, again for the UCW Championship, before once again The Monster Abyss came to inside, ending the match in a DQ, brawling with Taker to the outside and eventually Choke Slamming him down, through the announce table and ending the show standing tall over the Dead Man. Now many can and have speculated on the reasoning deep within the mind of Abyss, the motivation behind these brutal attacks…But here is my take on the situation…” But at that precise moment the door to Cornette’s office opens directly behind JB, before Samoa Joe emerges, but as JB turns to approached Joe upon leaving the office, the Samoa Submission Machine simply barges passed JB, on his way out of sight, while JB turns back to the camera with a nervous look in his face, as we cut away, following these intense scenes with the screen now showing JB’s special report, attempting to delve deep inside the mind of the most destructive force in UCW, arguably the most unstoppable force in the industry, with several monstrous images, detailing his recent spate of brutal attacks, complete with the following voice-over… “The Monster Abyss, a tortured soul since childhood, lost in a maze of confusion. Born into a cruel world that tore his fledgling life apart and transformed his being, into a living, breathing weapon of mass destruction, programmed for annihilation.  Incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, an appetite for violence grew from within, giving way to an existence of total insanity and a mission of unstoppable devastation. A master in the sadistic art of bloodshed, his body bares the scars of his journeys to hell and back, as he attempts to vanquish all before him, whoever may cross his path. Once lead by the maniacal, manipulator of the underworld Father James Mitchell, who cared for Abyss like his own child, yet tossed him aside like a worthless swine, The Monster would then find himself alone in the very same world that rejected him. Forced to confront his own demons for the first time, in a life bereft of all direction, this terrifying behemoth found his way to UCW, for a fresh start and new beginning, in an attempt to purge the ghosts of his past. His arrival would raise many questions, would he succeed in his efforts to break away from the constant memory of his past, or was he destined to fall back into the clutches of the squalid under-belly of society? Initially the omens were good, seemingly focused on establishing his ring dominance, but when confronted by James Mitchell once again, Abyss showed signs of weakness, confused and torn as his former mentor now baited him with claims of a new monster. But when Kane arrived to battle Abyss, we all saw the true nature of The Monster, defeating the Big Red Machine in a brutal Last Man Standing match at Doomsday. Abyss seemingly then moved-on from that, forming an alliance with the Undertaker, for a tag team match with Christian Cage & Tomko, only for Mitchell to soon return, bringing The Great Khali to attack Abyss. But when these efforts were un-successful, Mitchell began to attack Abyss mentally, claiming an unholy alliance of his own with the Undertaker, while week-after-week events only conspired to add fuel to the fire, with the Dead Man and The Monster crossing paths with un-avoidable inevitability. Eventually Mitchell would be un-covered as a liar, no such unholy alliance existed, but while Abyss remained torn between his unspoken contempt for James Mitchell and a growing need for resolution as a restraining order protected Mitchell from harm, The Monster turned his anger towards the Dead Man…without remorse or restraint, brutalising the Phenom and bringing a shocking end to proceedings at UCW Destiny. And with the wrestling world in shock over these events, following just 3-days later, James Mitchell dropped the biggest bombshell of all, revealing to the entire world, that he was all along in fact the FATHER of Abyss…but as these words range aloud, Mitchell called his son to the ring, but with his words sending Abyss over the edge, Abyss Choke Slammed his father, unleashing the rage he has carried for so long. But, as the world looked towards The Monster and the Undertaker came to confront him, Abyss would resume his brutal assault on the Dead Man with a Black Hole Slam. Now after a further attack and no resolution in sight, the facts are left to be examined, while simply put The Monster Abyss is clearly a man buried in considerable turmoil, lashing out at the world for the torment he feels. Why has he picked the Undertaker, honestly who knows? There may be a reason, or there may be no reason what-so-ever. Does Abyss equate the anger and shame he feels towards his father, James Mitchell, to the presence of the Dead Man courtesy of the mind games Mitchell has played or, has Mitchell simply succeeded in sending his son spiralling out of control for good, without hope of rational thought…making him an even more dangerous proposition? The answer may only exist in the mind of Abyss himself, or perhaps James Mitchell, but there is no doubt that since we learned that James Mitchell is indeed his father, Abyss has certainly been on a rampage, while now the question has to been asked, without a father figure to control him, who if anyone can tame The Monster and, given these recent attacks, we have to ask what has been their effect on the Dead Man, while the Undertaker is known for his ability to absorb an enormous amount of pain, and to keep coming back stronger than before, could he now have reached the limit?” Only time will tell for sure, while the world awaits a resolution to this controversy, the brutality looms large for us all, with Abyss consumed with rage, anger and wrath. Is The Monster unstoppable…Is he truly beyond reasonable control by mortal means? And if not then what can possibly stop Abyss from laying waist to yet more victims, searching for solace in the destruction of others…Inflicting pain to ease his demons?” 

TIME 2 PLAY THE GAME! And as we return to ringside with JR & King & Cage, before a truly deafening response breaks out to welcome the entrance of Triple H, coming down the ramp, dressed in casual jeans and an official King of Kings T-shirt, wearing a leather jacket and with a particularly intense attitude about his entrance, with the arena bathed in a dark green glow as the sound of Motorhead reverberates, The Game then climbs onto the apron, smiling while looking out into the crowd, before turning to spit his water out into the front row to a deafeningly loud reaction. Triple H steps through the ropes into the ring, calling for a mic to address the crowd, before pausing briefly while cheers echo all around the sold-out Action Zone arena, saying…“Believe me I could listen to the sound of those cheers all night long, because they are like music to my ears and after last week nothing can ruin my mood, but two months ago I wasn’t so happy. You see two months ago at Road 2 Glory, everybody saw me defeat the UCW Champion, but I was not awarded the title belt, due to a technicality. Then one month ago, I found myself the last man in the ring, supposedly victorious in the Four Corners of Destiny, but again on that occasion, decisions went against me and I was foiled on another technicality by the official. But, after last week, despite attempts by Karen Angle, VKM and my opponent Samoa Joe, nothing would stand in my way…and as I stand before you tonight, I can proudly say, that The Game Is On…and at Immortality on March 30th, live and exclusive on PPV, Madison Square Garden, New York…the King of Kings Goes Back on His Throne...”

But when Triple H is cut-off in mid-sentence, the arena lights gradually begin to dim, signalling the arrival of Kurt Angle as attention now turns towards the entrance way, we hear the beginnings of some really intense music playing over the sound system, before a dark silhouetted figure rises on a platform from below the Action Zone stage, with a hood covering his head, then as the crowd begins to jeer as he steps forwards, removing his hood and revealing the gold UCW Championship Belt around his waist, wearing white wrestling boots and a wrestling-suit emblazoned with yellow flames and being joined by his wife Karen Angle who makes her way out through the curtain wearing a very sexy, very short, low-cut purple dress with high-heeled black shoes, Kurt now begins to advance down the ramp, pausing half-way to remove the belt, holding it high above his head and tilting his head back, basking in his own glory, before continuing to advance and entering the ring, with a huge smile upon his face, while holding the ropes open for his wife who enters the ring as Kurt follows her, placing his proudly held UCW Championship Belt casually over his left shoulder and then once inside, Karen calls for a mic and, while the jeers from the crowd subside, Kurt confronts Triple H as the arena becomes hushed with momentary anticipation, before Karen returns and hands her husband the mic and Kurt begins to speak, saying…“So that’s it Hunter, you’ve got it all worked out, it’s just that simple, right? You’re gonna show-up at Madison Square Garden, step into the ring against me and, what? I’m simply gonna hand over the UCW Championship…Is that you’re idea? Because that’s what it sounds like, you think Immortality is a fore-gone conclusion, but do you really believe that? Deep down inside, I don’t think you believe yourself, because even as we stand here 3 weeks away from the BIGGEST night of the year, the Grandest Stage of them all, UCW Immortality on March 30…live & only on PPV, I can’t help but feel like we’ve been here before…only 2 months ago at Road 2 Glory. Now on that night the stage was set, the odds were in, the crowd felt a title change, and what happened Hunter? Did you deliver? No, what happened is…You Choked!” Then as Angle turns to his wife Karen and they both begin to smile, Kurt continues, saying…“So Hunter, excuse me if I don’t take your threat seriously, but honestly, you’re gonna have to do a lot better than that…if you think you can intimidate me, because I’m Kurt Angle…the UCW Champion, the BEST wrestler in the world today, and if you don’t believe me, this belt doesn’t lie…I am the standard here in UCW. So, before you go making plans for March 30…maybe you should do some research first? Ask the Undertaker what its like to face Kurt Angle, ask Sting, even ask Samoa Joe, because they were NEVER the same after they faced me…and come Immortality, Hunter…The Match Is On…But when the night is done…The Game will be OVER!” But as the crowd seem impressed with Kurt’s statement, the Champion grits his teeth, before turning to see his wife Karen who begins to trash talk with the King of Kings, before Triple H himself turns to look out at the crowd, then back at Kurt Angle, saying…“Kurt, if you don’t shut your wife’s mouth, I’ll do it for you once again but, this time I’ll do all these people a favour and shut if permanently…so listen to me, you can say what you want, you can talk about the past, about Road 2 Glory and, beyond…but the simple fact remains that when I look into your eyes right now Kurt, what I see is not a GREAT champion, what I see is not a man who is to be respected, what I see in your eyes Kurt Angle is FEAR…Fear of me, fear of losing your title, fear of failure in front of your wife…and these people, and the biggest fear of all, being that you can’t do a thing about it…Because you know as I know only too well, the Pedigree conquers all…and at Immortality that belt is coming home with me…”   

But with Kurt Angle & Triple H standing nose-to-nose in this electric atmosphere, proceedings are interrupted by the familiar entrance music of Samoa Joe sounding, bringing a grimace of disdain to the face of Triple H, as Angle slightly backs away, before the Samoan Submission Machine himself now gradually comes out into view, while the crowd chant…“JOE…JOE…JOE…JOE!” as Joe pauses on the main stage, smiling briefly while the cheers and chants from the live crowd gradually increase, opposing the reaction of Kurt Angle who observes Samoa Joe with utter contempt, before eventually being handed a mic and, after a slightly mixed response breaks out, saying…“Hold on a second boys, this is a real nice back-and-forth things you’ve got, but you’re missing something. Now Triple H you look surprised to see me tonight, and with good reason but all will become clear in a moment and as for you Kurt, earlier you said I was never the same after facing you…well that may well be true, because from that day to this I am better than I ever was…because I am more vicious, more hungry and more determined that ever before, to take what I feel belongs to me! And after I won the Four Corner of Destiny, I earned the opportunity that I deserve, against you Kurt Angle at Immortality for the UCW Championship. Or so I thought, because thanks to Jim Cornette I was forced to defend my opportunity against you, Triple H…against my will I might add because I really had no choice in the matter, then when that little tramp Karen Angle got VKM involved in things I got screwed…” And with Kurt & Karen Angle disgusted by Joe’s insult, as the crowd begin to cheer, surprisingly Triple H finds the situation amusing and begins laughing with the crowd, saying…“Hey Joe, that sucks…but don’t worry because you got screwed by Karen, just like I did and hell, I heard she screws almost anybody at one time or another!!!” And with this comment bringing an even louder reaction from the Action Zone crowd, Kurt has to hold Karen back from getting at Triple H, while Samoa Joe remains calm, saying…“That’s great Hunter, just keep laughing funny man, because in a moment, you won’t be laughing anymore…You see although that ‘tainted’ victory last week, booked you a place a Immortality and a shot against Kurt Angle for the UCW Title, while that may be good enough for you, I simply refuse to take NO for an answer, which is why I went to see Jim Cornette and it so happens that he agrees with me but, with the referee’s decision final Cornette had no idea what to do to make things right. Until that is I stepped in…You see before Cornette made the match between you & I, you Hunter laid down the ground rules…You said should I beat you in that match, you would walk away, but if you beat me…You would advance to UCW Immortality on March 30 and challenge Kurt Angle for the UCW Championship. So don’t worry, you’re place at Immortality and you’re title shot are safe, but due to the interference, due to the manner of victory and due to Cornette demanding an Undisputed Winner, and because you failed to mention the consequences of defeat in the outcome for me, the result was called into question…therefore like you were given a second chance, following Destiny…I too have been granted a second chance to make things right and, by order of Jim Cornette the UCW Championship Match at Immortality on March 30, will now be a Triple Threat Match…Kurt Angle defending the coveted championship against you Triple H and against me…the Samoa Submission Machine, Samoa Joe!!!” And as Kurt Angle and Triple H both become irate in the ring, along with Karen, while the live crowd erupts with shock and surprise at his stunning announcement, Samoa Joe drops his mic and runs his thumb across his throat, then raising his arms, before slowly making his way down the ramp with an intense expression on his face. And with the sold-out live crowd chanting his name, Samoa Joe now enters the ring, quickly getting to his feet as Karen Angle takes the UCW Championship Belt and quickly rolls to the outside, Triple H & Kurt Angle struggle to removes their jackets, allowing Joe time to get to his feet and begin to connect with several right hands, rocking back the head of Angle and then The Game with quick rapid-fire succession, before HHH & Kurt both lash out in tandem, winding Samoa Joe and cutting him off following a double kick to the mid-section. The Game and Angle then join forces, sending Joe into the far ropes and bending down to deliver a tandem backdrop but, when Joe hits the ropes he comes flying back off them with a running high knee, connecting with Kurt Angle and sending him down, when HHH takes avoiding action. But as Joe quickly gets back to his feet and turns round, looking to confront Triple H, he walks directly into a boot to the gut from The Game, who quickly hooks his arms, attempting to plant Joe down with the Pedigree, with the crowd getting to their feet, only for the Samoa Submission Machine to fight hard, dig deep and find a counter, forcing HHH up and off his feet with a backdrop, sending him up, over the top rope, down to the floor at ringside. And with HHH crashing down in a heap on the floor, Joe returns his attention to Angle, slowly getting to his feet in a slightly dazed state, while HHH staggers to his feet on the outside and reaches underneath the ring-apron, while Joe stalks Kurt and clamps his arms around the throat of the UCW Champion, attempting to cinch in the Kokina Clutch only for Angle to lash out with a mule kick, buckling Joe to his knee. But while Angle turns his back and quickly grabs his throat, the crowd roars approval as Triple H claims his sledgehammer from under the ring, raising it above his head in an almost mesmerised state of mind and entering the ring. But as The Game brandishes the weapon in both hands, with Joe getting to his feet, when HHH steps forward and swings with full-force, unleashing the sledgehammer, suddenly Joe ducks just as Angle turns around, causing Triple H to stagger forwards, crashing the sledgehammer into the skull of the UCW Champion, caught off-guard, sending Kurt Angle down to the canvas in a heap, knocked totally unconscious, before HHH stops in his tracks and turns to swing once more towards Samoa Joe, only for the Samoan Submission Machine to explode forward with pure aggression, beating Triple H to the punch and connecting with a stiff, hard running clothesline, unleashing his power and sending The Game sprawling up-and-over the top rope, crashing down to the floor at ringside once again. And with HHH in an enraged heap, before getting to his feet and roaring aloud with frustration aimed at Joe in the ring, while Karen Angle cries with concern for her husband as Joe continues to stand tall, running his thumb across his throat and then slowly motioning around his waist, before pointing directly at the UCW Championship Belt in the hands of Mrs. Angle, while on the ramp Triple H slams his sledgehammer down to the floor in a rage, before striking his famous HHH pose followed by several aggressive Crotch Chops, and as Joe locks his eyes firmly on The Game, HHH also motions around his waist, before again striking his famous pose and roaring with intense passion and focus, while Joe scales the near turnbuckle and begins playing to the Action Zone crowd but, never taking his eyes off Triple H, while Angle remains stretch-out on the canvas and, with Christian Cage speechless on commentary with JR and King, now we cut away.

Backstage we now re-join JB with the arrogant looking Legend Killer Randy Orton, saying…“Well JR, with the Immortality Meltdown Main Event having been resolved, with a Triple Threat Match featuring Kurt Angle defending the UCW Championship against both Triple H and Samoa Joe, attention now turns to my guest at this time and, Randy Orton you have been no stranger to controversy during your career but please, don’t keep us in suspense any further…What is in the envelope and, why the secret?” And as Orton begins to smile to himself, before removing a letter from the envelope, saying…“JB the reason for my secrecy is because I don’t trust anybody around here, this is a very delicate document and, extremely important both to me and my career, because it means that after tonight I will no longer have to play second best again. After tonight I will get the respect I deserve, after tonight I will be a true superstar, not only a Legend Killer but a certified LEGEND, because this document is actually, a contract…signed my Shane McMahon, and myself, for me to join UCW Infest!!! Yes that’s right, I am leaving Meltdown because this hell-hole offers nothing for me, nothing for my future, nothing at all…Not while Jim Cornette controls my career. You see he has buried me from day one, but I have continued to fight for myself, against the odds and here I hold my reward…and so JB take a very good look, because after I kill the legend of Shawn Michaels and soften him up for Christian, making him easy prey at Immortality…I will bid farewell to the Meltdown crowd, goodbye to the Action Zone and say hello to my new adoring public on Friday nights, because, everything comes to he who waits and this is my last night on Meltdown…” And as Orton re-places the contract inside the envelope and turns away from JB, heading off in determined fashion to the ring, JB hands back over to JR at ringside.

And as we re-join the ringside announce team of JR & King and Christian Cage, following this shocker, JR now offers a summary of the night’s events so far, saying…“So there we have it gentlemen, momentarily against Shawn Michaels, apparently Randy Orton will compete for the final time as a Meltdown Superstar, before taking up a new position on Friday nights with Shane McMahon on Infest…” Cage says…“You sound surprised JR, but I say good luck to Orton, he deserves it, believe me I know what it’s like to have Cornette screw around with your career but, my only hope is that I can somehow follow Orton to Infest, and get away myself!!!” King says…“Come on Christian, it can’t be all bad? Meltdown is the No.1 Brand, we’ve got all the big stars…Guys like Kurt Angle, Triple H, Samoa Joe and you too, but if Randy wants to step out on his own, these people won’t be sorry to see him go!” JR says…“I won’t disagree King, but Christian I am hearing something in my ear, apparently Jim Cornette has ordered that you leave the ringside area immediately, before our main event…so Instant Classic, you need to make an Instant Departure, right now because things are due to get under-way in just a moment, with HBK…” And as Cage removes his head-set and slams it down on the desk in a fit of rage, slowly getting to his feet as King moves his seat out of the way, Cage walks away, heading around the ringside area and receiving abuse from the crowd as he goes…  

Classic Choice Main Event Match

Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels

I’M JUST A SEXY BOY! As the crowd suddenly erupt with applause at his entrance, Shawn Michaels comes through the curtain wearing his usual eye-catching ring-attire, an official ‘Meltdown Showstopper’ T-shirt and white Cowboy Hat, smiling broadly, the Heartbreak Kid makes his way down the ramp with his usual energetic charisma, playing to the crowd seated by the aisle-way, as Cage looks on with utter contempt, before HBK drops to his knees to perform his famous pose with the crowd going wild, then following his famous pyro display, Michaels quickly springs back to his feet, playing to the crowd once again before quickly turning and locking eyes with Cage, while the Instant Classic begins making his way up the entrance ramp to the back, before HBK slowly advances down the ramp to come face-to-face with Christian and, with the crowd able to feel the tension between these two men burning in the air, slowly Cage begins to smile, pointing to his chin and daring Michaels to touch him, knowing that any contact would cancel their match at Immortality, HBK remains still, even as Cage spreads his arms and offers Michaels a free shot, Shawn backs away, before Cage hears the jeering from the live crowd and steps out of Michaels’ way, allowing HBK to pass without contact with the Instant Classic heading to the back, before Michaels enters and hands his Cowboy Hat and T-shirt to the ring-attendant. Then following the entrance of Randy Orton, drawing loud disdain from the crowd, both men are given their final instructions, before the official calls for the bell and with an intense start to the match following a stiff collar-and-elbow tie-up, both men become locked in the corner, forcing the ref to separate them away from the ropes. But while Michaels breaks cleanly, Orton lashes out with a vicious kick to the gut, buckling HBK, before following-up with a solid club down across Michaels’ back, buckling his knees. Then as the ref admonishes Orton for his actions in the corner, Orton drags HBK up by the hair, backing him into the ropes with a hard right hand. Orton then looks for an arm-whip but is reversed and HBK sends him into the ropes, only for Orton to careen back off the ropes into Michaels, taking HBK down hard. Orton then poses for a moment before turning and, as HBK now begins to stand, Orton hits the near ropes but Michaels drops down again to avoid further contact, before Orton’s momentum takes him into the opposite ropes again as HBK stands, quickly taking Orton down with a high hip-toss. And with Orton arching his back, Michaels performs a patented Crotch Chop, before dragging Orton up to his feet and quickly taking him back down with a side-headlock take-over, but Orton counters, catching Michaels’ head in a leg-scissors and quickly forcing HBK to break the hold. Then as both men spring to their feet, Orton lashes out with a stiff thumb to the eye, followed by an Inverted Backbreaker, sending HBK down as Orton springs back up, posing again before attempting a cover, only for Michaels to kick out on a 2-count. Orton then drags Michaels to his feet and clubs him back down from behind, connecting hard before stamping down on the back of HBK, weakening him further. Orton then begins to take control, stamping down on every one of Michaels’ limbs, before attempting to pin him with a single foot, only for the HBK to kick out again. Orton then delivers one final stamp, before backing-up and hitting the ropes and connecting with an accurate knee drop, squarely on the point of Shawn’s forehead, before clearing his head and then quickly hooking Michaels’ leg for a quick cover, only for HBK to get a shoulder up at the last second, to the Legend Killer’s regret. And with Orton beginning to feel frustrated at his inability to put Michaels away, he drags HBK into a seating position from behind and cinches in a rear chin lock, clamping his arms firmly around his throat and hampering his ease of breathing by cutting off the flow of oxygen and slowly beginning to choke Shawn Michaels out. But with the ref about to ask Michaels if he wishes to continue under such pressure, suddenly the crowd then begins to react, as HBK tenses his arm into a fist and begins to fight against Orton’s grip, gradually forcing himself back up to one knee. Michaels then tries to loosen Orton’s hold on his throat, with little success at first, but as the crowd comes alive even more, HBK drives his elbow back into the gut of Orton. With power and intensity in every swing, Orton now begins to weaken and eventually he buckles at the knees and is forced to loosen his grip on HBK, following the effects. Michaels then turns to face Orton, as Randy steadies himself, before swinging at HBK. Shawn then blocks this swing and scores with a knife edge chop of his own to Orton, followed by another, but as Michaels looks to unload a third time, a desperate Orton lashes out with a quick thumb to the eye, buying himself just a brief moment. Orton then takes a hold of HBK’s arm and quickly shoots him away into the far ropes, but as Orton looks to connect with a patented high standing-dropkick to Michaels, Shawn stops his momentum by grabbing the top rope and causing Orton to crash down to the mat. Michaels then tries to clear his head as Orton staggers up and as HBK moves forward, Orton explodes with anger and swings with a wild clothesline. But with Orton telegraphing the move a mile away, HBK is able to duck underneath, before coming back with a stinging knife edge chop before taking hold of Orton’s arm and looking to shoot him into the ropes, but when Orton manages to reverse the move he is able to send Michaels away and into the far ropes instead, but as Orton quickly moves in to follow-up, suddenly HBK comes back with his patented flying fore-arm, connecting firmly with the head of Orton and taking them both down to the canvas. And as the crowd roar loudly with excitement for this Meltdown Main Event match, suddenly HBK digs deeply and nips up, gaining a HUGE reaction from the crowd. Michaels then fires up and, as Orton slowly staggers to his feet, HBK takes him down with a succession of stiff clotheslines, before scooping Orton up and grounding him with a power-slam, right in the centre of the ring, to the delight of the watching fans as Michaels then points towards the corner, before firing up and yelling with passion. Michaels then heads over to the corner and begins to slowly climb the turnbuckle and, as Michaels then perches himself on top of the turnbuckle, he looks all around the arena and out into the crowd before getting to his feet and, with Orton lying still, Michaels comes flying off the top rope and crashing down onto the Legend Killer with his patented flying elbow drop. Michaels then gets to his feet once again and begins to fire up, with passion and intensity before stamping his foot on the canvas. And as Michaels begins to tune up the band and, Orton slowly begins to stir, the live crowd can sense the impending end of this encounter as Michaels stamps his foot and, as Orton regains his unsteady footing, before slowly turning around and stepping forward, Michaels launches himself across the ring with some Sweet Chin Music, only for Orton to duck at the final moment, causing HBK to miss the Super Kick, before staggering forwards to catch his balance, allowing Orton to steady himself and, when HBK turns around, Orton now leaps to connect with a high standing dropkick, sending Michaels staggering away backwards off-balance and into the far ropes and with HBK dazed and stumbling back and falling against the ropes with such force, that his arms now become tied-up between the ropes, leaving him unable to escape. And as the crowd cringe as Orton gets to his feet with a sadistic look in his eyes, Michaels begins to squirm frantically in an attempt to free himself from the ropes, while Orton advances to deliver several short, sharp, stiff right hands to Michaels, battering his head with vicious effect, while the referee attempts to drag Orton away. Randy then shoves the official away and goes back to work, brutalising Michaels but, with HBK trapped in the ropes and Orton showing no sign of allowing him to escape, the referee slowly begins to count, 1…2…3…4…5…before ending things on a DQ! And following the sound of the bell, as Orton turns to see the ref roll to the outside, with HBK announced as the winner, the Legend Killer grimaces with disdain before, with the crowd booing and jeering Orton now returns his attention back to Michaels, freeing him from the ropes and clubbing him down with a brutal right to the head, leaving HBK down on the canvas, lying in a heap having suffered great punishment, while Orton now looks out into the crowd, grinning to himself with evil intensions before lowering himself down to the mat and grinding his knuckles on the canvas, almost salivating as he prepares to strike, with Shawn slowly clearing his head and, while Randy stalks HBK like a coiled cobra ready to explode, HBK slowly recovers, using the ropes to pull himself back to a firm vertical base and back up to his feet as Orton waits until HBK turns around into his path and as the crowd holds it’s breath, Randy now leaps to execute his devastating RKO manoeuvre, taking Michaels down, crashing his head firmly onto the canvas. And with Michaels down, Orton springs-up, striking his famous pose while boos and jeers rain down from all around the arena, attention now turns towards the main stage as Jim Cornette comes through the curtain, wearing a business suit and armed with a clip-board in one hand while smiling and slowly making his way down the ramp, pausing half-way as Orton now sees him and, with confusion spread across the face of the Legend Killer and members of the crowd, Cornette is handed a mic by the ring-attendant, before waiting for the crowd to hush, saying… “If I could have your attention for a moment and Randy that’s includes you, because I have something to say that I think you may be very interested to hear. Now, having heard your comments earlier about tonight being your last night on Meltdown, I feel you should know something, because you obviously haven’t read the fine print, on that contract you were so eager to sign, because if you had you would realise that, it is only valid if you can secure a release from your current Meltdown Contract, before Immortality and Randy, there is one very good reason why I won’t grant that. Now you have not been shy in your demands for a UCW Championship Match, demanding to be featured on the BIGGEST stage of them all at UCW Immortality, but you have not gone about things the correct way, the right way, the best way. Instead you have gained the hatred of myself, of these loyal UCW Meltdown fans and of one man in particular. You have great talent and great potential Randy, you do but, instead of using your talents to achieve great things, you use them to destroy things, people and LEGENDS from the past, men who paved the way for this business and, men who without them, you would not have a business to work in today, in UCW. So, when Shane McMahon contacted me about your contract, I knew what I had to do, UCW Management has not seen eye-to-eye with me on this…but I would not give up. And as people know I was looking for the right answer for a very long time although, it took me a while to realise what I actually needed to see and what people wanted, therefore since you are so keen to sign a new contract, here in my hand I have one but, it has TWO names on it…Your name and your opponent for March 30 at Immortality, while you will stand face-to-face with that man next week, when we sign the contract, you will come face-to-face with the man who you have tried and failed to drive away, the man who has captured the imagination of one and all like no other before him, people all over the world have chanted his name in anticipation of this very moment, the man who would not bow to your threats, the man who these people know as simply…The Icon and he will return…So Randy Orton at Immortality on March 30, live and only on PPV…Get Ready to Pay the Price, when you will face this man…”   

And as the live crowd fall silent following a deafeningly loud crash of thunder then, immediately followed by a blinding flash of lightning, the arena is plunged into dark, with the only light visible now coming a single beam shining down from the rafters, while attention now focuses upon the Big Screen, as Orton checks his surroundings, before on the screen itself we see a shadow-cast figure, hunched with his back turned, leant against the wall of a rain-soaked cathedral before another flash of lightning brings about a fresh down-pour, sending drops from high above as the figure stands, tilting back his head of hair and embracing the heavens, before turning to walk away, wearing a long black trench coat and carrying a black baseball bat within both hands, while the faceless character stalks the damp, murky ground in this house of the holy, we hear the following words, softly spoken by the timid voice from a preacher man, saying…“Evil abounds on this plain; it permeates our world, inhabiting our very lives

Thus when a man attempts to extinguish this deadly foe he is often seduced by desire, giving himself over to the other-side, embracing his new quest for self glorification,

And at once, becoming the very essence of which he once vowed to stand against…

He’s coming…

But from the ashes of a once great man there rose a curse and a wrong, to be righted

And he looked to the sky for a vindicator to strike fear into the eyes of his nemesis

For when a noble heart is full of deceit and a dark shadow falls over the soul

From the shadow of darkness, comes a purveyor of all that is righteous and light…

He’s coming…

…And I heard as it were, the almighty roar of vengeance as he did speak…

His head and his hair glowed white like wool, his eyes burning as the flame of fire...

And from his mouth there came a sharp-edged sword…Oh death, where is your truth?

He’s here…

With an army of one and a voice of silence, walks a champion for eternal justice…

And he came forth with lightning and thunder, his presence was as the sun did shine, now and forever in his wake. He is the alpha, the omega, the Beginning and the End...

Oh death, where is your victory?

And I behold a pale horse, for the mark on him was as death…and hell followed after, yet in these days shall men seek and never find glory, but always flee from him and, naïve that the only thing we fear is indeed fear itself, one man shall fall beneath him...  

It’s time…

So with mind and body, pure and just, the warrior does come, seeking with authority, the power to strike with his own sword, as the battle between good and evil begins…

For This Is Sting…” And as the ominous, shadow-cloaked figure continues his path, down a winding stair-case, we are focused on his feet, pounding the harsh concrete, before he reaches the bottom step and pauses while the camera scrolls ever up-ward, past the black ring-attire, the familiar gloved-hands and onto the famous painted-face, with a piercing gaze to strike terror upon all who witness his being, the man stands, while the picture becomes blurred and he slowly turns away, walking into the night, before the screen fades to black and the lone image of a single scorpion only remains.

And as the arena crowd roars with approval, with Jim Cornette now having departed, Randy Orton stands alone in the ring, with a nervous thought and a speechless look, before Meltdown comes to an end with Randy focused on the image of the scorpion, looming large upon the Big Screen and with fear in his eyes Orton now sees his fate, while high above the darkened Action Zone we now see a crow nestled in the rafters, watching over one and all as the single spotlight begins to fades as we go off the air.