UCW Meltdown – July 2 – 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 week’s edition of UCW Meltdown. Cornette and Team 3D began the show with a re-writing of the events at No Remorse, bending the truth in their favour until Cornette changed tact to call out Samoa Joe, taking issue with Joe’s comments about the GM and state of Meltdown last week. Cornette then offered Joe his release from UCW, but Joe strongly refused to quit, stating he fights for the people and wants to be the UCW Champion for the people. Cornette then books a match with Joe vs. Angle for the next week on Meltdown, where the winner becomes No.1 Contender, but should Joe lose to Kurt Angle again, then Joe must leave UCW. Cryme Tyme then returned to defeat the Major Brothers, before the Majors were confronted by LAX backstage in a frank exchange of views. Rhino then tore through Lance Cade before being interrupted by Shawn Michaels, who stated that although Rhino won, HBK believes he had him beat at the PPV, challenging Rhino to a Re-Match at Revolution. Then with the tag titles on-the-line, London & Kendrick appeared to defeat Team 3D until Cornette reversed the decision, using a technicality to force the NEW champions to return the title belts to Team 3D, prior to a merciless beat-down. Then in the main event Samoa Joe battled Great Khali, eventually applying the Kokina Clutch until Kurt Angle came out to get involved, ending things with a DQ. Khali and Angle then proceeded to beat down Samoa Joe, before Triple H came out to make the save, sending Khali sprawling to the outside, leaving Joe to send Angle over the top rope too, before an awkward stand-off ensued, leaving Triple H & Samoa Joe standing face-to-face with Joe’s career now at stake, facing Angle tonight in a match that could decide his future for the better or worse.

WATCH OUT FOR THE BOMBFALL! Then as Meltdown goes live once again, following a deafening pyro display and a huge cheer from the crowd in the arena, those cheers instantly turn to jeers when Team 3D walks out through the curtain, joined by Brother Devine who has both Tag Team title belts hanging on his shoulders, briefly pausing half-way down the ramp while inciting more hostility from the crowd, then turning and looking back towards the entrance way. Then with 3D on the ramp, attention now turns towards the main stage and with the crowd jeering once again, Cornette makes his way into view, walking awkwardly and wearing a business suit, having a band-aid on his fore-head and a stiff neck following events this past Friday, holding a briefcase in his left hand, Cornette slowly makes his way down the ramp, approaching Team 3D and shaking hands with both Brother Ray & Brother Devon, then finally patting Brother Devine on the back, with the crowd booing even louder, while Brother Ray & Brother Devon enter the ring, as Bubba calls to the attendant, demanding a mic before the brothers climb to the top of separate turnbuckle-posts, making ‘3D’ hand signals as Devine enters the ring and opens the ropes for Cornette, who climbs through them and into the ring. Then with Team 3D still on the corners, making ‘3D’ hand signals and then dropping back down to the canvas with Devine, smiling broadly and patting each other on their backs, with the crowd booing loudly, the crowd begins chanting…“3D Sucks…3D Suck…3D Sucks…” louder and louder, but Brother Ray eventually shakes his head, taps the top of his mic to make a noise, saying…“Why don’t you people have some respect, we’ve got a hurt man here, Brother Cornette suffered a debilitating guitar shot to the head Friday Night on Infest, thanks to that washed-up former wrestler turned B.S. wannabe General Manager, Double J Jeff Jarrett…but before anyone gets too excited about the change over there, don’t be too happy because nothing has changed over here…We still run the show, Brother Cornette is still in charge and all you people had better get used to that fact, because after the incident happened not one of you sent in a ‘get well soon’ message, there were no ‘well meaning’ text messages or E-mails either, you people disgust me, you’re pathetic…What if it were you? You’d expect to be cared for and looked after, right? Well Mr. Cornette not only expects, but he deserves it and you don’t even care, so what does that say about all of you? What kind of people are you ‘wrestling fans’ anyway? What kind of ‘superstars’ do we have working for this company these days, when after everything Mr. Cornette has done for them since taking over on Meltdown, increasing business, guaranteed contracts, TV ratings, house show attendance figures, monthly pay-offs, PPV bonuses…the list goes on but no one has ever said thank you, well tonight we change that because despite being the GREATEST Tag Team ever, despite being the UCW Tag Team Champions and despite being filthy rich ourselves, Team 3D are also humble. You see we know where we came from and we accept that, we also appreciate what we have and what this man Jim Cornette has done for us all, so Devon, Devine please join me in a round of applause for the greatest boss on earth, the man who signs the biggest cheques and the man who makes the world go around, and around and around…The ever loving lord of Pro-wrestling, James E. Cornette!!!” And then with Brother Ray leading the chorus, while the crowd break-out in boos, jeering these proceedings with deafening results, Devon and Devine begin clapping, with Cornette smiling, while Bubba yells obnoxiously at the very top of his voice, saying…“1-2-3 go, For he’s a jolly good FELLOW, for he’s a jolly good FELLOW, for he’s a jolly good FEEELLOOOW…And so say Team 3D and so say Team 3D!!!” And when Bubba then hands Cornette the mic, with boos from the crowd growing, disgusted to the point of revulsion with the over-bearing scenes being witnessed here, Brother Devine hands Devon & Bubba their tag belts, leaving himself empty handed, Cornette stands silent, covering the mic and thanking Bubba, before the GM begins, saying…“Why thank you Bubba and thank you Devon and Devine, it means a lot, because at least somebody appreciates the job I am doing for this wrestling company, after all that is what it says out on the marquee ‘wrestling’ and that is what UCW is, not a glorified retirement home for washed-up has-beens to get a fabled ‘one last run’ like Sting said on Infest. Or the only reason Jeff Jarrett is back to steal MY spot-light, after I turned Infest into a success by agreeing to the transfer of The Animal Batista, then bringing some discipline to things in the last few weeks, turning business around, but after Batista got in my face, Jarrett assaulted me live on the air and took my job, you’d think UCW Management would do something about that, but they did nothing, because instead all I have heard is that they are concerned with my ‘abuse of power’ well I’ve got news for them and anyone else who dares to question me around here, since my contract is performance based…no one can get rid of me unless I quit first, and frankly put that is simply never gonna happen…So get used to me being here, because I am never going to go away!!! Now on a lighter note, here in this briefcase, there is a very special item reserved for a very special individual in our presence, someone whose displays of selflessness in a crisis have not gone un-noticed by me, nor by his colleagues. A man who possess such quick wit and lightning-fast reactions, cool headed thinking under pressure and is willing to sacrifice himself for others, people this man is an example to us all and tonight we honour him, Brother Devine!” And as Devine appears surprised, but extremely happy, then quickly looking smug, smiling broadly from ear-to-ear and receiving a hard pat on the back from Devon, followed by Brother Ray, Cornette then hands the briefcase over to Brother Devon, who holds it while Cornette clicks it open and removes a bright, shining title belt, saying…“And here is your prize Brother Devine, now you may all recognize it, formerly known as the ‘Corporate Championship’ after purchasing it from Roode Inc. I also went to the trouble of registering an official change of name…So here you are, Brother Johnny Devine you have earned it and now no longer will you be gold-less, belt-less or title-less because with this ‘Meltdown Championship’ in your possession, you’re the most deserving singles champion in UCW…the new Meltdown Champion, here you go, put it one, show the world how the humble 3D Family wears success!!!” Then with further boos descending from the crowd, Cornette hands Devine the belt, before Devine takes it gently in both hands, before raising it high above his head, almost bursting into tears while celebrating, before strapping it around his waist and, after standing with his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest and standing proudly, Brother Ray quickly embraces Devine, then Devon also joins in a 3-way family hug, while Cornette looks on with pride, responding to this with applause of his own, seemingly oblivious to the jeers raining down from all around the Action Zone arena,  then with the hug over, as Bubba & Devon raise Devine’s arms high above his head, aggressively pointing to his belt, then their own, they all stand with their arms aloft, making ‘3D’ hand signals and generating even louder jeers from the live audience. Cornette then begins to laugh, sharing a brief word with Brother Devon and Devine, then handing the mic back to Bubba who now begins to stroll slowly around the ring, saying…“Thank you Brother Cornette, now not surprisingly we still get no respect, you people couldn’t even stay quiet to let our very own Brother from another Mother, have his 15 minutes of fame, his moment of glory, his well earned place in the sun, well since you give us no respect, we refuse to give you any respect or satisfaction, because we know you would like nothing more than to see Team 3D eventually fail, right? That it would really make your day to see us someday lose these tag team titles, right? Well guess what? It ain’t gonna happen, it’s impossible, just look at last week, after London & Kendrick came within inches of screwing us out of these title belts, Devine & Cornette saved the day…They would not let the forces of injustice prevail, and brother Cornette did the right thing just like any proud, profession GM would do, he looked at the video footage and reversed the decision. But still people have said, gee that’s not fair, they should have re-started the match…Well boo-hoo, wah-wah, somebody call a wah-mbulance for those pathetic little cry-babies, just like you JR, we heard what you said…we saw you backstage, you supported London & Kendrick, just like these idiots. You wanted us to lose so badly, you don’t even care if it’s legal! Well apparently UCW Management wants to make people happy, like all you fans, which is why they have taken it upon themselves to once again interfere with things, interfering in our business and since a result was never officially declared last week, therefore they’ve made the official decision that London & Kendrick should remain, still the No.1 Contenders to the Tag Team Titles pending a Re-Match at Revolution, well we say big deal…London, Kendrick all that means is you get a stay of execution, because if you couldn’t get the job done last week, you will never get the job done, you’ll never rise to the occasion, you’ll never beat Team 3D…and nobody ever will, right Devon?” And then as Bubba hands the mic to Devon, with Cornette smiling, Brother Devine and Bubba then wait as Devon flexes his neck muscles before then, saying…“Oh My Brother…TESTIFY!!!” Then with the crowd breaking out in boos, Devon hands the mic back to Cornette, who waits for the jeers to abate and subside, saying…“Now with that dealt with, onto issues elsewhere and concerning John Cena, now while Cena remains an Infest Superstar, his influence remains here with me, inside my head because John Cena was fore-warned not to interfere in my main event, last Friday night, but he had to buck the trend, he had to go against the system again, like he always does…but due to the actions of Jeff Jarrett, Cena was lucky to escape, you see if I had my way John Cena would now be stood in the un-employment line, awaiting his hand-out from the government, because I was set to fire me, live on TV, but because of Jarrett I couldn’t. So that brings me to tonight and you, Samoa Joe…”

But when Cornette 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 main entrance, 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, wearing white wrestling boots & a blue wrestling-suit emblazoned by yellow flames, Kurt now begins to advance down the ramp, with an intense look of rage on his face, while Cornette looks on with confusion, as Kurt gets closer and closer to the ring and, while remembering the violent history between these men the crowd feels the tension, when Angle enters the ring and steps towards Cornette, shaking hands with the GM, then mouthing something to him as Cornette smiles, while the crowd become louder, jeering the former Olympic Gold Medallist and GM, before Angle slowly backs away, with Angle soon calling for a mic and, as the jeers for him subside he begins to speak, saying…“First of all Mr. Cornette, my honest apologies for interrupting you this way, but since you mentioned Samoa Joe, I felt compelled to come out here and thank you, because you see tonight I am going to defeat Samoa Joe and he will be leaving UCW, that you can be assured of…and when he does I will become the new No.1 Contender, and when I face Triple H at Revolution I will re-claim the UCW Championship, now, while that is a guarantee, none of it would have been possible without your assistance, because you made the match and added the stipulation. You made all of this possible, so sir, Mr. Cornette I do thank you and I know all the trouble Samoa Joe caused you, all the disrespect he has done you, but rest assured you will not have to deal with that, ever again, after tonight…because tonight will be Joe’s last night on UCW Meltdown, in fact it’ll be his last night in UCW, period and That’s Real…That’s DAMN Real!!!” And Cornette says…“Well now thank you Kurt, it is nice to be appreciated for once, it’s good to have at least one more superstar who appreciates what I’ve done for them, unlike Samoa Joe and unlike John Cena or even Batista. Now back to business and, you’re presence is appropriate because I was about to announce what we discussed, namely the fact that tonight the match with you & Joe is bigger than usual, it’s huge, therefore we cannot run the risk of an unfavourable result…something like a DQ, similar to what happened at No Remorse when Joe got out of hand. So for tonight, simply in the interest of fairness, our main event will be…No Count Out & No DQ!!! Now I’ve already briefed my security to be on the look-out for any Infest Superstars, and any unauthorised personnel or anyone suspicious will be ejected from the arena, but should anyone else get a bright idea about interfering in the main event tonight, I’m talking about London & Kendrick, the Major Brothers, Shawn Michaels, in fact, just to make sure…should anyone on the current Meltdown roster interfere tonight, either on behalf of Samoa Joe or Kurt Angle…they will be fired right here tonight!!! No questions asked, because I am not running the risk of a backlash on these events, there will be no UCW Management comeback. So 3D, Devine, this means you too, there is a special VIP area set-up for you to watch the show, so please be comfortable, but do not leave there until after the show. And that goes for anyone else in the back, there will be no outside interference in that match tonight, and as for you now Kurt, since you are so certain of a victory tonight…since you will ‘always’ beat Samoa Joe, you won’t mind proving it…because if you don’t beat Joe tonight, then instead of Joe, you’ll be leaving UCW because God damn it, someone is getting Fired…Tonight!!!” And with a look of shock spreading across the face of Kurt Angle, the crowd cheer, before quickly seeing the pleased look on Cornette’s face and jeering once again, while Angle remains speechless as Cornette turns and walks passed the Olympian, beckoning Team 3D & Devine to follow him out of the ring as Devine moves quickly, getting to the ropes and holding them open for Devon, Bubba and also GM Cornette, with the new Meltdown Championship Belt hanging proudly on his right shoulder, while Kurt Angle stands quietly in the ring, still unable to believe what has happened.

And with Team 3D, Devine and Cornette all making their way up the ramp together, receiving jeers from the crowd as Bubba & Devon reclaim their Tag Team title belts, raising them high above their heads and smiling, while we join JR & King at ringside, following yet another intense and controversial start to things, JR offers to comment, saying…“Ladies, gentlemen welcome once again to the UCW Action Zone with me, Jim Ross and my broadcast college Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler and King, here tonight, we expected controversy, we expected drama but we didn’t expect that to happened, because not only is Samoa Joe’s UCW career on the line, but Kurt Angle’s as well!” King says…“Yes indeed JR, but all it does is bring more intrigue to the main event, because as the GM said, now someone is definitely leaving UCW Meltdown, tonight, whether it’s Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle or anyone who interferes, someone will be fired!” Then JR says…“And as we know the GM is concerned with success and TV ratings, so tonight should provide plenty of that because if Joe loses, and he very well could, Cornette gets what he wants. But if Joe wins and Angle loses, which can also happen, then the GM gets to flex his muscles once again and fire Kurt, so he wins either way, but with a ‘no DQ & no Count Out’ stipulation, not only has he covered all the bases, but no rules can be broken and no matter what happens, Cornette will be protected, even from UCW Management because he is showing no favouritism to either man…” King says…“That’s right JR it would be brilliant if it wasn’t such an evil plan, but, elsewhere life goes on and it is easy to forget we have other matches to present…” And JR says…“Correct King, and following the ruling from UCW Management, London & Kendrick will also compete tonight in preparation for Revolution, where, after all the controversy last week, they will receive another shot at Team 3D and, against the better wishes of Jim Cornette and company, their Tag Team Titles as well, plus also coming up tonight LAX will be in action as they look to be victorious, attempting to return to winning ways in the hunt for a tag team title shot themselves, but first as he awaits an answer from Rhino regarding the challenge issued last week, tonight the Showstopper Shawn Michaels will be facing, yet another formidable foe, from the Punjabi jungles of India & standing at least 7ft 3” tall…The Great Khali!!!” 

MATCH 1

The Great Khali vs. Shawn Michaels

I’M JUST A SEXY BOY! As the crowd suddenly erupt with applause at his entrance, the Heartbreak Kid makes his way down the ramp with his usual energetic charisma, climbing into the ring and performing his famous pose, with the crowd going wild, before the strains of obscure sitar music now resound over the arena sound system and attention turns towards the entrance as the Great Khali strides out through the curtain, without Ranjin Singh but striding out through the curtain with his usual confidence, The Great Khali makes his way imperiously down the entrance ramp towards the ring, while Michaels watches with gritted teeth, slowly brushing air away from his face. Then as the crowd watch in awe, Khali steps onto the apron and over the top rope and, while Khali advances towards HBK as the bells ring and Michaels now grits his teeth, before making a fast start and charging directly at Khali, catching the Giant off-guard. Khali then quickly raises his arms, shoving HBK off, sending the Showstopper down, before Michaels springs back to his feet and charges again, leaping into a Thesz Press, only for Khali to stand tall and catch HBK in mid-air, before staggering backwards, into the ropes and releasing his hold of Michaels, who drops to his feet on the canvas, before continuing his rabid assault with a barrage of rapid-fire right and left hands, before Khali lashes out with a almighty shove again, sending HBK down once more, only for the Showstopper to spring-up again and charge forward with determination, when the Punjabi Nightmare counters with a raised foot, and a devastating Big Boot, taking Michaels down hard to the canvas. Then as Khali begins to gain some focus, while Michaels lay flat on his back, attempting to clear his head as the crowd wince, fearing for Michaels well-being here, as Khali now roughly drags HBK to his feet with a firm handful of hair and hoists him into the air, dropping him with a slam, before standing dominantly over the Showstopper and raising both arms in the air, roaring as the crowd now jeer. But as Khali looks to drag Michaels back to his feet, throttling him around the throat with both hands, now HBK begins to fight back, lashing out with an aggressive rake to the eyes of Khali, staggering the Giant back, setting him off-balance and buying himself several moments to mount an attack, stinging the chest of Khali with a stiff knife-edge-chop. Then as Khali staggers again, Michaels sees an opening, striking with another chop followed by a hard right hand, before the Giant’s power shows again as he connects with an aggressive knee, doubling Michaels over and backing him up, before sending him into the far ropes. But with Michaels digging deeply coming off the ropes with tremendous momentum, he launches into a spectacular Flying Fore-arm, connecting and staggering Khali, rocking him back on his heels, as HBK then quickly turns and hits the ropes again, charging towards the Giant and connecting with a clothesline, rocking him again, before again hitting the ropes and ducking under a wild swing from Great Khali and, after hitting the far ropes this time, again coming off with tremendous momentum, only for Khali to unload with an almighty swing, connecting with his Hand Chop, clattering the skull of Michaels and sending him down to the canvas in a heap and, while the crowd fear the end for HBK, Khali now re-asserts his total dominance, striding forwards and again dragging Michaels head up off the canvas and slowly clamping his hands around the head of HBK and applying his deadly Vice Grip, however as Michaels fights desperately to escape, before Khali can cinch in the hold, managing to hook his feet around the bottom ropes, as Khali continues to squeeze, until the referee begins to count and with the Giant possibly in danger of being DQ’d, Khali releases HBK and steps back. Then as Shawn gets slowly to his feet again, stepping forwards in a dazed state, he is able to duck under a wild swing from Khali, before Khali now turns around to confront Michaels who has a moment to set himself, launching forward into Sweet Chin Music, attempting to kick Khali square in the jaw, only for the Giant to block the Super Kick with his hands, grabbing Michaels’ foot, before Michaels quickly leaps with his other foot into a modified standing-dropkick, sending Khali staggering backwards, as the ref turns around to take avoiding action, causing Khali to stumble backwards into the ropes. Then as the crowd begin to cheer, HBK now takes advantage with Khali looking out to the crowd, Michaels now strikes, connecting with an excellent Chop Block to the Giant, buckling his leg from behind and sending him down. Michaels then stomps on the head of Khali and fires up before heading to the top turnbuckle with the Punjabi Nightmare lying down flat on his back. Then as HBK stands perched on the top and looking out into the energized live crowd, Michaels then comes flying off the top rope and down, crashing into the Big Man, 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. Michaels then begins to tune-up the band and, when Khali slowly begins to stir, Michaels continues to stamp and stamp his foot ever more. And as Khali now rises, re-gaining his unsteady footing, before dropping down again to one knee facing HBK, Michaels launches across the ring, with some Sweet Chin Music, but Khali lashes out, connecting with a vicious and brutal low blow well-placed to the groin of Michaels, collapsing him down to his knees and with HBK floundering on the canvas in a heap, with referee forced to call for the bell and an instant DQ and the live crowd jeering, Khali now gets to his feet and stands tall and, when Michaels slowly attempts to rise, Khali advances and now clamps his hands on the head of HBK to apply his Vice Grip. Then as Michaels attempts to fight, but then begins to fade, the crowd fears for him, while Khali maintains the pressure on the Vice Grip and the bell continuing to ring, such is the violence of this desperate situation, as Khali continues to torture HBK…

WAR! But when attention suddenly turns towards the main stage in the Action Zone, the live crowd erupts with unexpected shock and surprise at the events before them as, with Khali now breaking him Vice Grip on Michaels who slowly rolls to the outside, Rhino comes down the ramp with eyes burning with rage and now focused on Khali, but then pauses at the foot of the ramp as he observes the sight of Khali in the ring. Then with Khali beckoning War Machine, Rhino pauses to beat his chest with anger, before quickly charging forwards and sliding into the ring, getting instantly to his feet, blocking a right hand from the Punjabi Monster and then going on the attack himself, connecting with a barrage of several vicious right hands to the head one after another, rocking Khali backwards into the ropes, before attempting an aggressive arm-whip, only to be reversed and sent across the ring himself and away into the far rope. But, when Khali steps forward and swings a HUGE clothesline, Rhino quickly ducks it, while keeping his momentum and hitting the far ropes. Then as Khali turns around, Rhino comes charging back toward the Giant, then leaps to deliver a huge patented running shoulder block, connecting firmly and squarely against the chest of Khali, staggering him back and off-balance. Rhino then quickly hits the ropes once again, charging with a HUGE running clothesline and connecting with the staggered Khali, sending the Punjabi Warrior into the ropes and then tumbling up, over the top rope, then down to the floor at ringside, but landing on his feet. And as the crowd cheers, Khali begins backing up the ramp, away from ringside, while Rhino calls for a mic, saying…“Last week, Shawn Michaels issued a challenge to face me at Revolution, because in his opinion our first match ended without a clear winner at No Remorse, but I disagreed at the time. But now after watching the footage, I see what he means, there was a moment of doubt…So Shawn, if you still want that Re-Match with me, then I accept. But on one condition, I cannot keep looking over my shoulder for you, waiting for the knife to hit me in the back…So if you want a Re-Match at Revolution, you’ve gotta agree to watch my back as long as I watch yours…until we get there, now after tonight you can see I have already got your back…So do we have a deal?” Then with Michaels slowly staggering back to his feet down on the floor at ringside, HBK locks eyes with Rhino and as the crowd begin chanting back and forth again, saying…“Re-Match…Re-Match…Re-Match!!!” Michaels gradually climbs the steps, before stepping through the ropes and slowly approaching the War Machine, before, after seemingly an eternity of silence, HBK extends his hand and nods in acceptance, while Rhino drops his mic and accepts the handshake with the crowd cheering loudly, and Rhino then pats HBK on the back and raises his arm aloft in a token of victory, before both men release hands and share a moment of mutual respect as we cut away.   

Backstage we now join Crystal Louthan with the returning tag team, Cryme Tyme, saying…“Ladies and gentlemen, with mutual respect growing between both men, Revolution looks set to be a different story from the intense grudge match displayed, back at No Remorse between HBK the Showstopper and the War Machine, but now, please welcome my guests, JTG and Shad Gaspard, of the returning Cryme Tyme, now guys after an absence of over six months, now you are back on Meltdown, exactly what kept you away for so long and what now are your goals here in UCW?” Then JTG says…“Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-YO…YO! Yo, do you wanna know what really hood? Yo Shad, tell them what’s hood…” And then when JTG has finished he turns to Shad, saying…“Now what J is trying to say is, while Cryme Tyme were away for a while, we kept busy like we always do…but now we’re back, we after the Tag Team Titles, we after success and girl, we after making that money, money, yeah, yeah, ah that… Money, Money, yeah, yeah…Tell them, J…” And then both men together continue, saying…“Ah that money, money, yeah, yeah…Ah that money, money, yeah, yeah, come on girl…shake that big ass for Cryme Tyme!!!” And with that Crystal joins in, dancing and shaking her butt to the tune JTG & Shad are singing, while we cut away.

A promotional vignette then airs, beginning with a view of a wild western town, complete with sand-covered street, saloon bars and the faint sound of guns fired, before the scenes changes when the following voice-over begins to tell the tale, focusing on an empty, dust-filled arena surrounded with a battered, run-down ring, while the scene changes again and we see find James Storm, sat on a lone bar stool, holding a bottle, wearing a black Cowboy Hat and set against a black back-ground, saying…“Now I’ve heard people say that AMW were the Greatest tag team around, now that may be true, but I never felt like I could fulfil my potential in a tag team, because I always felt like I was carrying around excess baggage. But for Chris, America’s Most Wanted was his ticket to fame and fortune and we rode it all the way, from NWA Champions, to main events to singles matches, we had each others back, hell we knew each other better than we knew ourselves and we did become a team, maybe even closer than brothers. But after 5 years together, that’s a real long time, longer than some marriages, things started to change and we started having problems, major problems. I wanted to enjoy myself, but all Chris wanted to do was wrestle, every day and all night all he talked about was business, and it started getting to me, then one day I said to myself…Who is really to blame for these problems in AMW, Chris Harris or me? And it was then that I realised that, if I wanted things to change, I’d have to be the one to change them because sooner or later if I didn’t do something, Chris would have. He was already talking about splitting up, talking about moving on, after everything I had done for him…So then and there I had made up my mind, me, Cowboy James Storm would be the one in control…I would be the one to end AMW, now it took a while to pick the right moment, but when it happened, I did it right, because there could be no mistake. AMW was done and the Cowboy was on his own, ready to get what I had coming and ready to take the success I deserved, all along…” And then as the picture slowly faces to a blank screen, the following text appears, reading…“Cowboy James Storm…Coming Soon to Meltdown…to be continue…”

MATCH 2

Latin-American Exchange w/ Salinas vs. Cade & Murdock

LAX! And with both Homicide & Hernandez receiving a welcoming crowd reaction, both men enter the ring and signal to the Action Zone crowd with LAX hand signals, before Cade & Murdock confront them and gain the brunt of the crowd’s displeasure. And following the bell as Cade initially attempts to intimidate the smaller Homicide, 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. And, despite the dirty tactics used by Cade & Murdock, their experience as a team means nothing as Homicide is able to take advantage of a mild-miscommunication, enabling him to dive towards his corner and earn a hot tag to his partner, Hernandez. And as the big man enters the ring, the match turns around as his power soon shows. And while he cleans house on Cade before nailing Murdock down and off the apron, Homicide quickly climbs to the top rope as Hernandez picks Cade up, off his feet, lifts him high into the air and drops him down to the canvas with the Border Toss, Homicide comes crashing down on top of Cade with an elbow off the top turnbuckle, before Hernandez then kneels down to make the cover on Cade and the crowd cheers, with the ref counting, 1…2……Suddenly the Majors drag Hernandez to the outside!!! And with Homicide having turned away to raise his hands high above in victory, suddenly turning back around in disbelief, Brett Major clatters Hernandez down hard, with a Frantic DDT on the ringside floor following a kick to the gut from Brett Major. And with the crowd going wild and Homicide in complete shock with these events, now the referee calls for the bell, ending the match with a DQ victory for the LAX, quickly the Major Brothers roll into the ring, looking to attack Homicide 1-on-1 and, when he turns to see them enter and realises he is alone without Hernandez to aid him, Homicide grits his teeth and charges directly at Brian & Brett, looking to lash out, while Salinas rolls into the ring attempting to assist Homicide, but as she does this, Homicide is distracted by her presence and when trying to protect her, loses focus, allowing the Majors to take advantage, with Brian quickly shoving Salinas down, drawing HUGE boos from the live crowd and sending Homicide into a angry rage, before the numbers advantage plays against him, as the Majors now double-team him, giving Homicide a taste of his Guerrilla Warfare. And with both LAX men laid out, along with their Salinas, the crowd go wild, loudly jeering their former favourites, when Brian Major takes Homicide down to the canvas following a Frantic DDT, before both Majors then scale separate turnbuckles and one-after another leap off, crashing down on Homicide to deliver the Major After Shock double-team move. Then after getting to their feet and sharing a high-5, receiving jeers from the crowd, Brett & Brian Major make a quick exit, leaving both LAX & Salinas down in the ring.

Backstage we now join JB and Team 3D in the reserved Action Zone VIP suite, complete with tables of buffet foods, penny sweets and beer, plus a huge TV screen, while Bubba, Devon and Devine sit with their feet up on a long stretched-out sofa, with Melina standing in the background with a plate of sandwiches in her hands, looking bored, while the Tag Team title belts and the new Meltdown Championship, hanging prominently on the wall, while JB crouches down next to Brother Ray, saying…“Gee guys, this VIP suite really is awesome, you guys have got a great view, but after what we just saw from Brian and Brett, what do you make of their actions, responding but perhaps over-reacting to their verbal exchange with LAX last week?” And Bubba says…“You suck Borash, their actions? That is such a typical question, such a typical ‘wrestling question’ but if you must know, actually we’re impressed, because finally the Major Brothers grew some balls…a little bit too late to save them, but balls none-the-less, now…if you don’t mind, London & Kendrick are up next, so, JB be a good boy and fetch some popcorn and Melina, wash the dishes sweetheart!” Then as Melina turns around and storms off in a huff, JB begins looking for popcorn, while Bubba begins burping loudly into the camera, with Devon laughing to himself, saying…“Ha, ha, ha, oh testify, ha, ha, ha!!!” And with that we now slowly cut away.

MATCH 3

London & Kendrick vs. Worlds Greatest Tag Team

And with the opening in-ring action now set to begin in the UCW Action Zone, following the controversy with Team 3D last week, London & Kendrick enter first, coming through the curtain and down the ramp with confidence and exuberance, eager to show that they can come back from that adversity to win and gain revenge. Then, as Paul & Brian stand tall in the ring and accept a welcoming crowd response, Benjamin & Haas now make their way to the ring, full of cockiness and arrogance, looking determined to put the high-flyers in their place and re-establish themselves. But as things get underway, it is the fan favourites who begin with a very fast start, gaining the early advantage and catching their opponents un-aware and off-guard, utilising several quick arm-drags and dropkicks, before finally settling things down, when London uses a deep arm-drag on Shelton and grounds him into a stiff arm-bar. However as the match wears on and World’s Greatest Tag Team begin to fight back, the high-flyers are caught off-guard as Benjamin & Haas combine for a double-team, cutting off London and gaining the advantage, as the crowd reacts with disdain at this. But, as Haas and Benjamin retain the advantage, utilising frequent tags at all times, eventually a miner miscommunication allows Paul London to scramble for a hot-tag, bringing a fired-up Kendrick into the action as he now cleans house with authority, taking both Haas and Benjamin down in quick succession, gaining a few near falls. Then as Benjamin and Haas look to manipulate the referee, the official is distracted, when Brian Kendrick now has a cover on Haas, leaving the crowd totally frustrated, before World’s Greatest Tag Team now re-gain control, but as they look to finish, Haas enters for a double-team when Paul London charges into the ring and connects, sending both men over the top rope with a clothesline, as Benjamin has Brian down. Then as Shelton climbs to the top rope, looking for a flying cross body off the top, Kendrick stands as Benjamin launches into the air, taking the high flyer down again, only for Kendrick to roll through on the subsequent cover, hooking the tights as well, holding on as the ref makes the cover, 1…2…3! Giving London & Kendrick the win! Then with Haas down at ringside, as Shelton soon rolls to the outside in frustration, London re-enters the ring to join his partner, as they both celebrate a famous victory, gaining applause from the crowd and JR & King on commentary, on this night and, receiving another ovation from the fans as London & Kendrick stand tall in triumph, but when London & Kendrick turn to leave, attention turns towards the Big Screen where we see Brother Ray & Brother Devon facing the screen from their VIP suite. Team 3D then begin to mock London & Kendrick with phoney applause with Bubba, saying… “Attention London and Kendrick, we are glad you won another match, but, we have some important news for you…straight from the office of GM Jim Cornette, now boys remember last week when you tried to screw us out of the tag team titles, well as you know UCW Management have stricken that match from the record books, pending a Re-Match at Revolution…But that is not the only stipulation to be added, because hot from the press…If you do not do the impossible, if you don’t beat us, London & Kendrick will cease to be…because if you do not win the tag team titles, should you not become tag team champions at Revolution, July 20 live only on PPV, then boys you will never be allowed to team-up again here in UCW, forever and ever, therefore this match will be your one and only chance to become tag team champions, but as we already know…You could never, ever, ever, ever beat or defeat Team 3D, because me and my brother Devon are the Greatest Tag Team in worldwide history, we’re the Tag Team Champions and you can never beat us…Because Nobody Can, tell them, Devon…” And Brother Devon then says…“Oh My Brother…TESTIFY!!!” And then as the footage from the Big Screen fades and Team 3D slowly disappears, the crowd remain silent as London & Kendrick are left alone, looking at each other, standing in disbelief at the announcement, while we cut away from the controversy.

Backstage again we now re-join JB once more, with a peaceful looking Triple H, carrying the UCW Championship Belt on his right shoulder and appearing relaxed, wearing blue jeans, a leather jacket and an official ‘King of Kings’ Meltdown T-shirt, saying…“Triple H, in just a few moments Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle will face-off, going 1-on-1 yet again in UCW for the latest chapter in this immortal rivalry, but, tonight may be the very last time they ever meet in competition, because last week, having placed Joe’s career on the line…tonight Jim Cornette did the same to Angle, therefore someone will be leaving not only Meltdown but UCW for good, tonight, even if someone interferes they will be fired too. Now with so very much on-the-line, it may be easy to over-look the fact that the winner tonight will move on and upwards, to Revolution where they will face you Triple H for the UCW Championship on PPV, so tell me Hunter…Who do you favour to win tonight and who would you prefer?” Then HHH says…“That’s an interesting question JB, but one I haven’t thought about, because quite honestly I don’t care who wins, so I really don’t give a crap about this, you now, it’s just that simple. I mean I guess I should do the sporting thing right? Saying that I hope the better man wins, but in any case, the better man is right here, because you’re looking at him…The Game, Triple H, see that’s why I have this belt, that’s why I am champion…Why I can call myself the King of Kings, and nobody, repeat nobody even thinks to question it…because they all know I have earned it!!! Now if Angle wins, I’ll beat him…I’ve done it before and so I’ll do it one more time, but if Joe wins…Well now, that’s interesting…We’ve never had a clear-cut result, never truly settle our issue…so I say bring it on…but it won’t change the end result, because I am not losing this belt, not now, not ever, not to either one of them, got it?” And then with Triple H looking JB up and down with disdain he turns as we cut away.

And back at ringside we now re-join JR & King, with our main event moments away, while tension begins to build in the Action Zone, JR now looks to assess the scene, saying…“Well now King the moment has arrived, we begun tonight at high tension, almost 45 minutes ago fearing for the UCW career of Samoa Joe, but supporting him, now however things have changed and win or lose, someone is getting fired tonight, now that could be the Samoan Submission Machine or indeed the Gold Medallist, but, either way it is regrettable that one man has to lose his job and his families livelihood, due to the out of control ego of our GM, but nonetheless that is the situation we face!” King says…“And JR, with this match being No DQ & No Count Out, anything goes, plus should any member of the Meltdown roster interfere, that person will be fired, so, in theory we could have two people fired here tonight…where will it end JR, where?” Then JR says…“I really don’t know King, but for either Kurt Angle or Samoa Joe, surely it will end tonight because one way or another one of them will be leaving and, now I am being told that due to the HUGE consequences at stake in this main event, television executives allowed us more time…and we’ll be staying here until the end, the bitter end if necessary folks, so whatever happens you won’t miss a second of it!” Then King says…“Oh God, JR the tension is too much I don’t think I can watch…” And JR says…“I know what you mean King, but we’ve still got our jobs to do here, unless you wanna be fired too. And I wouldn’t put it past Cornette, not recently now, however regardless of our feelings folks, we’ll try to remain impartial throughout…”

Loser Leaves UCW No.1 Contenders Match

Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle

JOE’S GONNA KILL YOU! The familiar entrance music of Samoa Joe then sounds, bringing a HUGE cheer from the sold-out live crowd, with Angle waiting in the ring, before the Samoan Submission Machine himself now gradually comes out into view, slowly making his way through the curtain with an intense expression upon his face, while the crowd chant…“JOE…JOE…JOE…JOE!” as Joe pauses on top of the ramp, running his thumb across his throat and acknowledging the loud roar from the crowd, before quickly marching down the ramp and handing his towel to the ring-attendant while the ref keeps Angle restrained as Joe now enters the ring, without hesitation, stepping-up to confront the Olympic Gold Medallist and former UCW Champion and, following the entrance of both men, as the ref somehow manages to keep them apart, during the official pre-match introductions, as they stand on opposite sides of the ring, intensity dripping from every pore of their bodies and eyes trained with focus, eventually the ref calls both men towards the centre of the ring for instructions. Samoa Joe & Kurt Angle then both step forwards and, following these instructions, return to neutral corners as the anticipation builds for this colossal grudge encounter. And as the bell rings and both men begin to advance, slowly moving into position, attempting to scout their opponent for a weakness, eventually they step into a stiff, collar and elbow tie-up, as neither man gives way at first, until Joe’s weight shows and he drags Angle into a standing side-headlock, as Angle immediately counters, driving Joe back into the ropes and then shoving him off and away into the far ropes. But as Angle attempts to follow-up with a belly-to-belly, as Joe comes off the ropes, his momentum takes him into Angle, sending Kurt down with a huge shoulder block. Joe then quickly hits the ropes and as Angle gets to his feet, Joe takes him down again with a low boot to the face before Kurt rolls to the ropes to compose himself slightly. And as Joe milks the cheers of the crowd, a focused Angle slowly gets to his feet, before both men step forward to lock-up again. But as they do, Kurt suddenly shifts, ducking under Joe’s left arm into a quick go-behind, applying a vice-like waist-lock, before arching his back and taking Joe down with an quick-release German suplex, sending Joe half-way across the ring. But as Joe quickly gets to his feet from this, Angle ducks down low and charges for a double-leg takedown, but Joe counters, getting his boot up and delivering another stiff boot to the face, sending Kurt down. Angle though is also quick to his feet this time, as both men begin to boil with rage, stepping into the centre of the ring, intensely squaring-up to one another once again, until Angle unloads with a vicious head-butt, staggering Joe backwards on his heels, before rocking his head with a stiff European upper-cut, only for Joe to fight back, lashing out with a chop to the chest and connecting with a stiff martial-arts style kick to Angle’s leg. But as Joe tries another kick, Kurt sees it coming and grabs Joe’s leg, before tripping his standing foot out from underneath him and sending him down, then attempting to turn Joe over into an Ankle Lock, only for Joe to think very fast, kicking Kurt off, but as both men get to their feet again and Angle tries to go-behind, Joe lashes out with a stiff elbow, connecting with the jaw of Angle, breaking his grip. Joe then begins to unload, peppering Angle with several unanswered right hand shots, followed by a stiff chop, taking Kurt down with a snap-mare, then a chop to the back, a kick to the chest and hitting the ropes before dropping a knee on Kurt Angle’s head. And following a cover and a 1-count, Joe drags Angle to his feet, but as he does this, Kurt delivers a sneaky fake to the face of Joe, followed-up by a European upper-cut, but as Angle tried to shoot him off into the ropes, Joe was able to reverse it and then, Joe sends Angle flying off his feet and crashing to the canvas with a back-body-drop, before Joe drags him to his feet, tucking his head between his legs, hoisting him up, then dropping Angle with a power bomb, but holding onto him for a quick cover, however as the ref counted to 1, Joe quickly changes his position at a moments notice, placing Angle in a Boston Crab, and as Kurt begins to writhe in pain from the stress on his weakened back as the ref begins to check on the Olympic Gold Medallist, suddenly Joe shifts position again, countering himself into an attempted STF hold. But as Joe hooked Angle’s leg into place, before he could lock in the cross-face part, Kurt reached around the opposite side and grabbed hold of Joe’s exposed right foot, yanking him over and into a miraculous, desperate Ankle Lock out of nowhere. Although once again, Joe fought to counter the move, rolling over onto his back, kicking Angle off and sending him stumbling across the ring and, as Angle got up and staggered back into the corner, Joe charged across the ring and was able to leap up, connecting solidly with a running high knee, rocking back Kurt Angle’s head again. And with Kurt seemingly dazed, Joe was able to hoist him up onto the top rope, ready for the Muscle Buster, but as Joe then went to drag Angle down onto his shoulders, Angle lashed out with a slap to the face of Joe, causing Joe to turn away briefly. Then, as Joe came back for another attempt, Kurt lashed out again, this time with a vicious fake to the eyes, again forcing Joe to turn away briefly, with his vision now impaired. Angle then stepped down from the ropes, before coming-up behind Samoa Joe, locking his arms around Joe’s waist and taking him down with a quick-release German suplex, again sending Joe across the ring, as Kurt drops to his knees as well, still feeling the pain in his lower back, following a back-body-drop and Boston Crab. And as both men get to their feet, with Joe slightly ahead, Kurt unloads with a punch, however Joe blocks it and connects with one of his own, before Angle swings again, connecting and rocking Joe’s head back, but Joe then cuts Angle off with a sneaky, stiff knee to the mid-section, before backing him up into the ropes for an Irish whip, but Angle now manages to reverse the move, sending Joe away and into the far ropes, before quickly dropping down to the mat in front of Joe as he came back off the ropes, but as Joe’s momentum takes him back across the ring into the far ropes this time, Angle follows-up and as Joe comes off again Kurt connects with a stiff, well-placed knee to the mid-section, sending Joe down. Kurt then jumps on Joe with intensity, unloading with several vicious punches to the head, before locking in a rear-chin-lock, wrenching Joe’s neck and sitting down on his lower back, again and again and again. And with Joe now weakened, Angle only intensifies the extreme pressure and strain, applying a neck-vice body-scissors submission hold, grape-vining Joe’s upper-body. But as the ref pays close attention and Joe’s arms begin to go limp under the strain, the ref raises Joe’s arm once and then twice, but as the crowd begins to get involved, chanting…“JOE, JOE, JOE, JOE!” suddenly Joe shows a burst of high energy, pushing off the mat with his legs and rolling Kurt on his back, trapping his shoulders, as the ref counts, 1…2…Forcing Angle to break the hold, but as both men stand up, Kurt reaches out and takes Joe down again, with a high, side-headlock take-over, applying a side-headlock on the canvas, before countering into a reverse-chin-lock. And, with both men low on the mat, Angle squats down behind Joe for the chin-lock, wrenching on Joe’s neck and choking his throat, while pushing his knee into his back; Joe then begins to fight back forcing his way to his feet, as the crowd begins to cheer and Joe buries the point of his elbow deep into the gut of Angle, time after time, eventually breaking free and quickly charging to hit the ropes, but as Joe does this, coming off the ropes with tremendous momentum, Angle is just one step ahead, stopping Joe in his tracks, locking his arms around his waist and sending him flying with a patented over-head belly-to-belly suplex, before getting to his feet yelling… “YEAH!” At the top of his voice and as the crowd begins to see the end for Joe, Angle turns to see the Samoan Submission Machine arching his back on the canvas, quietly stalking Joe from behind as the Samoan Submission Machine clears his head, waiting for the perfect moment to strike as Joe slowly gets first of all to his knees, eventually getting to his feet, with his back to Angle, still a little un-steady legged, while Angle comes from behind like a piranha, hooking Joe’s arm, hoisting him up, looking for the Olympic Slam, but as Angle lifts Joe off his feet, Joe quickly counters, sending Kurt flying across the ring with a miraculous low arm drag, out of nowhere. And as Angle lands on the mat, he quickly gets to his feet and charges back at Joe, running straight into a succession of stiff clotheslines from Joe, one after another, until Joe drags Angle up and looks for an Irish whip, but again he reverses the move, sending Joe into the ropes and taking him down with a drop-toe-hold manoeuvre, before quickly floating over into applying a front-face-lock, dragging Joe back up. But not to be denied, Joe over-powers Angle, driving the Olympic Gold Medallist, backward into the corner and ramming his back into the turnbuckle, breaking his grip. Then, with the live crowd on his side and huge momentum building in his favour, as Samoa Joe sees Angle slump to the mat he begins to unload with many heavy stomps, before running the soul of his shoe across Angle’s face, then quickly hitting the ropes and coming back with a brutal face-wash to the head of Angle down in the corner. Finally Joe then drags Angle to his feet on very un-steady legs and looking dazed, before connecting with an atomic drop to Angle and hitting the ropes on the far side, and taking him down with a high running dropkick, followed by a sin-ton backsplash, for a long 2-count. Joe then drags Angle to his feet and sends him into the corner, before hoisting him up on the top rope and leaping to deliver a brutal kick to the face, rocking Kurt’s head back again, before dragging him down onto his shoulders for the Muscle Buster. And as Joe then turns around and takes two steps forward, somehow Kurt manages to wriggle free and slide down Joe’s back, into a modified sunset-flip, shifting his weight to take Joe down before grabbing his leg and countering into the Ankle Lock. Then as Angle quickly turns Joe over and really cinch in the submission, Joe now begins to writhe in pain, from the un-bearable agony of the Ankle Lock, grabbing his own hair and almost pulling it out from the unimaginable pain he is in, while Angle continues to twist Joe’s foot and ankle left and right, begging him to tap. And as the pain shows itself on the face and in the eyes of the courageous Samoa Joe, the Samoan Submission Machine somehow manages to grit his teeth through the pain and roll onto his back to attempt a counter, but as Angle tries to turn him back over Joe lashes out with desperation, kicking Angle’s near foot out from underneath him, and pulling the Olympic Gold Medallist down to the mat and into the Kokina Clutch. And with Joe clamping his fore-arms firmly around the throat of Kurt Angle, wrenching and choking and pulling away at his neck muscles with vicious intent, Angle attempts to wriggle free, but as he tries Joe grape-vines Angle’s mid-section with his thick legs, locking his feet together over Kurt’s stomach for extra pressure. And with Angle raising his arm and looking ready to tap, the crowd collectively gasp, before Kurt brings his hands close to his own throat, attempting to break Joe’s grip. But, as Joe tightens his hold on the throat, Kurt reaches down and grabs Joe’s foot, attacking the previously weakened ankle and loosening the grape-vine on his body, before yanking Joe’s foot and pulling himself free of the vice-like leg body scissors, countering back into the Ankle Lock as Joe, now once again over-come with pain, releases the Kokina Clutch and begins to writhe on the canvas from the Ankle Lock. And as the crowd begin to feel the end is near, as Kurt increases the pressure, intensifying his grip and twisting the ankle harder still, suddenly Joe rolls through, sending Angle sprawling forwards before countering into a quick roll-up pin attempt, as the ref drops down to make the count and the crowd come to the edge of their seats, …1…2…But when Angle kicks out, with Samoa Joe slowly limping back to his feet, the enraged Olympic Gold Medallist springs to his feet, pouncing on Joe once again, grounding the Submission Machine with an aggressive double-leg takedown and, grabbing hold of Samoa Joe’s stray foot, Angle wrenches on the Submission Machine again turning him over and right back into the relentless Ankle Lock one more time. But again, before Angle can find a solid vertical base to properly cinch in the hold, Joe lashes out, kicking Angle off and sending him sprawling back and into the referee, sending both men tumbling down to the canvas, as Angle attempts to clear his head, while Joe now stands and begins tending to the fallen official down on the canvas as Angle springs to his feet and, with Joe distracted Kurt quickly comes from behind, clamping his arms around the waist of Samoa Joe and taking him down to the canvas with his patented Triple Olympic German suplexes, one-after-another-after-another, before releasing his grip and leaving Joe lying flat on his back down on the canvas. Angle then gets to his feet and after removing his shoulder straps, he looks around, before firing-up with renewed intensity and, with Joe laying prone and motionless, Angle bites his gum-shield and moves in on a defenceless Joe, for the Ankle Lock.

And as Angle viciously grabs the ankle, applying the Ankle Lock without remorse, beginning to twist, pull and wrench away on the ankle of the Samoan with no mercy, Joe now begins to writhe in pain, from the un-bearable agony of the Ankle Lock, grabbing his own hair and almost pulling it out from the unimaginable pain he is in, while Angle continues to twist Joe’s foot and ankle left & right, begging him to tap. And as the pain shows itself on the face and in the eyes of the Submission Machine, the Samoan somehow manages to grit his teeth through the pain and begin to counter, lashing out with pure desperation, kicking Angle’s near foot out from underneath him, and pulling the Olympic Gold Medallist down to the mat and into the Kokina Clutch. And with Joe clamping his fore-arms firmly around the throat of Kurt Angle, wrenching and choking and pulling away at his neck muscles with vicious intent, Angle attempts to wriggle free, but as he tries Joe grape-vines Angle’s mid-section with his thick legs, locking his feet together over Kurt’s stomach for extra pressure. And with Angle raising his arm and looking ready to tap, the crowd collectively gasp, before Kurt brings his hands close to his own throat, attempting to break Joe’s grip. But as Joe tightens his hold on the throat, making sure to keep his hands on the throat, away from Kurt’s mouth, gradually Angle raises his arm and seems ready to tap out. With the crowd noise now reaching a fever pitch, as they chant…“JOE, JOE, JOE!!!” Angle begins to clench his fists again, attempting to fight out of the Kokina Clutch, but as he becomes weaker from the effects and has no strength to mount an attack, Kurt Angle taps out…and as Joe releases the hold, he looks in shock at the referee, who remains down. Then with the crowd and Joe becoming frustrated with things, slowly Joe gets to his feet, stepping towards the referee, while Angle begins to rise, feeling his throat and getting to his feet then, angered at having tapped out himself, with Joe now tending to the official, Angle quickly gets to his feet and attacks Joe, clubbing him from behind with several right hands, then backing him into the ropes, but when Kurt attempts an arm-whip, Joe reverses the move, over-powering Kurt, sending him into the far ropes and then quickly taking him down with a snap slam, but when Joe makes the cover, with the referee still down, Joe slaps the mat with rage, but with the ref down the match continues. And with the tension rising in the crowd, Joe now drags Angle up before sending him into the far corner and then charging, connecting with a brutal hard clothesline, crushing Kurt hard against the turnbuckle. And with Kurt going limp, Joe drags him up and hoists him onto the turnbuckle-post, before dragging Angle down and onto his shoulders, looking for the Muscle Buster, while a commotion begins among the crowd at ringside as Joe now steps backwards, before we see a strange figure rolling out from underneath the ring, dressed in black, wearing black jeans and a black sweatshirt complete with a hood covering his head, and obscuring his face. And when the crowd gasp with complete shock at this sight, while Samoa Joe turns around back in the ring, with Angle resting on his shoulders, the figure now rolls into the ring and with Joe prepared to slam Angle to the canvas, gradually the masked figure stands and with Samoa Joe now alerted to the situation, due to the reaction of the crowd, when Joe turns towards the direction of the figure, suddenly the un-known intruder charges forwards before Joe could possible react, connecting with a devastating Spear to the mid-section, instantly sending Joe down, dropping him to the canvas with Angle flopping down on top of him, none the wiser, while confusion and disbelief spreads throughout the entire live Action Zone crowd, concerning the identity of this unknown intruder but also the motive for his actions, with a dazed Angle now covering a motionless Samoa Joe and the referee still down, slowly the intruder dressed all in black quickly removes his hood, revealing himself, sending a shock-wave through the crowd as all at once we see his long blonde hair, evil and sadistic grin, intense eyes and recognise this man to be none other than Edge, formerly of Friday Night Infest, but without a place to wrestle following No Remorse, then with jeers raining down on the Rated R Superstar, Edge now smiles even wider, before crouching down and tending to the fallen match referee, regaining his senses, while the live crowd continue to watch with disbelief as the official briefly hesitates, then with Edge rolling to the outside to watch from the ramp, the ref slowly resumes, seeing that Angle has the cover on Joe, the official clears his head and now begins, counting......1……2……3……Giving Kurt Angle the win! And with all now shocked, the arena remains deathly silent for a moment, with the crowd unable to comprehend, before slowly an avalanche of jeering and boos descend down heavily upon Angle, who slowly rolls over onto his back with his weak arms raised high above in victory, while Edge clenches his fists and begins his own intense celebration at ringside and, with Meltdown now coming to an end along with the UCW career of Samoa Joe, scenes of confusion and denial can be seen on the faces of many fans in attendance, having witnessed the end of an era and the final UCW match of the man from Samoa, the Samoan Submission Machine. And with Edge standing proudly on the main stage, with his sadistic eyes almost bursting from their sockets with his ravenous intensity, Kurt Angle slowly gets to his feet, using the ropes for support, before he sees Edge, while a look of confusion spreads across his face, having no clue to his presence and, with the show going off the air amid these scenes of sadness and chaos, JR comments, saying…“King, I am currently at a total loss for words and unable to explain things, because not only have we seen Kurt Angle become the new number one contender, but the UCW career of Samoa Joe has been brought to an abrupt and premature end, but not directly by the Olympic Hero himself, rather by the involvement of that man, Edge, formerly of Infest and currently unemployed…Why, oh why is he even here, tonight in the Action Zone? And what does this mean for the future of Meltdown?”