Live from Hammerstein Ballroom, New York

Episode #539


Scene opens with the camera cutting to the backstage area, where the atmosphere is noticeably tense. The door to the General Manager's office suddenly swings open with tremendous force, revealing a furious Jon Moxley.

Still wearing his ring gear, with his hair hanging loosely around his face and frustration written all over it, Moxley storms into the room. His EAM Television Championship is no longer around his waist, and the absence of the title seems to make his mood even worse.

Behind the desk sits Randy Orton, comfortably leaning back in his chair, casually looking through some paperwork. He barely acknowledges Moxley's arrival before slowly lifting his eyes.

Moxley: You son of a bitch.

Orton puts down his papers and looks up, seemingly amused by the interruption.

Orton: Well, look who it is. Come on in, Jon. Don't mind the door. I'm sure we can afford to replace it.

Moxley: Don't you fucking start with me, Randall! Not tonight. Not after what you just pulled out there.

Moxley takes a few steps closer to the desk, pointing an accusing finger at Orton.

Moxley: Fifteen years. Fifteen fucking years we've been doing this dance. You and me. We've been through everything this company has had to offer, and you know damn well that there isn't a single person in that locker room who knows me better than you do. And after all this time, this is what you come up with? Hiding your ass up in some VIP balcony, sending that fucking lunatic down here to take my championship?

Orton leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

Orton: First of all, watch your language. You're in the General Manager's office.

Moxley: Oh, fuck off!

Orton: Secondly, I didn't send anybody anywhere. You had a championship match, Jon. You walked into that arena as champion, and you walked out without it. That's how this business works. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And tonight, you lost.

Moxley lets out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.

Moxley: You think I'm stupid? You think I don't know what you're doing? You knew exactly what would happen when I walked down that ramp expecting to face you. You wanted to embarrass me. You wanted to make me look like a fucking fool in front of everyone in that arena. And you know what? Congratulations. You got your moment.

Moxley slams both hands onto the desk.

Moxley: But now I'm here, and I want answers. More importantly, I want you. Get your ass out of that chair, put your boots on, and meet me in that ring. No security. No excuses. No hiding behind your fucking office. Just you and me, one more time!

Orton remains seated for a moment, staring at Moxley. Then, almost deliberately, he cracks a slight smile.

Orton: You know, Jon, that's always been your problem. You never learned when to walk away.

Moxley: And that's always been yours. You never learned when to shut the fuck up.

Orton chuckles, slowly getting to his feet.

Orton: Fifteen years. I remember it all. The fights, the championships, the moments where we damn near tore this company apart just to get at each other. And I'll give you this much, Jon. You've earned your place in this company. Nobody can take that away from you.

He pauses, looking Moxley directly in the eyes.

Orton: But don't mistake history for obligation. Just because we've been at each other's throats for fifteen years doesn't mean I owe you another match. Especially not because you couldn't keep a championship around your waist for one night.

Moxley steps around the desk, getting closer to Orton.

Moxley: You owe me more than a match, Randall. You owe me the chance to beat your ass for everything you've put me through.

Before Orton can respond, a familiar voice interrupts from the doorway.

Shawn Michaels: Whoa, whoa, whoa. What's going on in here?

The camera turns as Shawn Michaels enters the office. He looks between the two men, immediately sensing the tension.

Moxley: Oh, perfect. Just what we fucking needed.

Shawn: Nice to see you too, Jon.

Orton takes a step back, seemingly pleased with the interruption.

Orton: Shawn. Perfect timing, actually. We were just discussing unfinished business.

Shawn: Really? Because from where I'm standing, it looks more like two guys who need to settle something in the ring.

Moxley points toward Orton.

Moxley: That's exactly what I've been trying to tell this asshole for the last five minutes.

Orton turns his attention toward Michaels.

Orton: You know, Shawn, I was actually thinking about something you and I discussed recently. Remember? Your little situation.

Shawn's expression changes slightly.

Shawn: I know exactly what you're talking about, Randy.

Moxley: What situation?

Orton slowly walks around his desk, now standing between the two men.

Orton: Well, since we're all here, perhaps it's time we addressed it. Shawn Michaels has been given a rather simple condition. The next match he loses... is the last match of his career. No second chances. No negotiations. He loses, he retires.

Moxley looks at Shawn, then back at Orton.

Moxley: And what the hell does that have to do with me?

Orton: More than you might think, Jon.

Orton pauses, letting the tension build.

Orton: You see, Shawn has been walking around here with the belief that he can still compete at the highest level. And perhaps he can. But eventually, Father Time catches up with everybody. Even legends.

Shawn takes a step forward.

Shawn: Careful, Randy. You're talking about a man who's been doing this just as long as you have.

Orton: Oh, I'm well aware. That's why I think it's time we put that theory to the test.

Orton turns back toward Moxley.

Orton: You want a match with me? You want your retribution? Fine. But I'm not interested in giving you what you want on your terms.

Moxley narrows his eyes.

Moxley: Then what are you proposing?

Orton smiles.

Orton: At our next Pay-Per-View, you'll get your opportunity to stand in that, not only together with me, but together with one of the biggest legends this industry has ever seen.

He turns toward Shawn who looks surprised, while Moxley simply stares at Orton.

Shawn: Hold on a minute. You're seriously doing this?

Orton: Absolutely. And let's make one thing perfectly clear. Shawn, you know the stipulation. The next match you lose is your last. That doesn't change just because I put you in a Triple Threat.

Shawn shakes his head, looking increasingly frustrated.

Shawn: You really are a son of a bitch, Randy.

Orton: Perhaps. But I'm the son of a bitch who makes the matches around here.

Moxley suddenly starts laughing. Not because he finds anything particularly funny, but because the situation seems to have finally given him something he wanted.

Moxley: You know what? Fine. Triple Threat. I don't give a shit if it's you, Shawn, or both of you. I'm walking into that ring, and somebody is getting hurt.

He steps closer to Orton, their faces almost touching.

Moxley: And Randall? You can hide behind that General Manager title all you want. You can make whatever matches you want. But sooner or later, you're going to have to look me in the eyes and answer for everything.

Orton doesn't back down.

Orton: I'll be looking right at you, Jon. Just make sure you don't lose sight of Shawn.

Moxley turns and storms out of the office, slamming the door behind him.

Shawn remains standing, looking at Orton with a mixture of disbelief and anger.

Shawn: You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.

Orton: Oh, I think I do, Shawn. The question is... do you?

Shawn stares at Orton for another moment before shaking his head and walking out.

The camera stays on Orton as he returns to his chair, picks up his paperwork and casually continues where he left off.

We go to the Jamboree vignette before we get a recap from last nights PPV, highlighting everything that went down...

We see the surprises who entered the " Take it Or Leave It " Ladder match, as well as the sad department of those contracted to EAM who did not manage to win it. We get to see Gene Snitsky become the new EAM Television Champion, not to mention Charlotte and Alexa capturing the EAM Women's Tag Team Titles. We are about to see more, when the video suddenly gets interrupted, and we cut back to the arena, where Max Caster is making his entrance as an official member of the EAM roster, but also the number one contender for Punk's EAM World Heavyweight Championship. Caster raps his way out on the stage and down the rampway until he gets into the ring, getting a good reaction from the home crowd. He then cut's a promo about the situation, a situation that he truly intent to use in his advantage. To be fair, it's not even a spoiler. Because in 3 weeks time, you will all be calling Max Caster your World Heavyweight Champion!
Music cranks the speakers again, and the audience explodes as EAM World Heavyweight Champion; Cm Punk makes his way out on the stage with a microphone and t he title around his waist. Punk replies, telling Caster he aint wrong, except for one thing. He wont ever be EAM World Heavyweight Champion. At least not on Punk's watch, that's for sure!

The segment ends in a stare-down between the two as we get a commercial for the upcoming EAM PPV, Wrass Bash 13, which will be live from Monterrey, Mexico. It will also feature wrestlers from a couple of Mexican Promotions, like Lucha Libre Feminil, who is located in Monterrey. Not to mention that a couple of " Legends " are rumored for the event. You sure dont want to miss this!


Singles Matchup
John Morrison Vs Will Ospreay


We go backstage where we hook up with Prince Devitt as he walks up to Cole and White. There is a conversation between them, where Devitt asks humbly if he can come back to the group, and Cole and White thinks for a moment before they decide he can, but only if he helps them out with a couple of problems they got.... We cut back to the arena, where Jack Vaughn and Donovan Cecil is already in the ring. Jack takes it upon himsef to cut a promo on both men's behalf, where he talks about how their journey in EAM so far hasn't been....great... But when that i said, he doesn't feel they have been given the chance to show everyone what they are really capable of either. Something that hopefully will turn. He gets interrupted then when music cranks the arena speakers, introducing their opponents.

Tag Team Matchup
Jack Vaughn & Donovan Cecil Vs Hafthor & Hall


As we get back from commercials we are about to get our main event of the night. But before that we cut to the backstage area where we hook up with the members of The Algorithm, as they are discussing who should go out there tonight. Stevens says that since this match is a non-title match, and because he is the leader of the group, he and Cassidy has this tonight. Letting Drake and Paul get the night off.

Tag Team Matchup (Non-Title)
The Algorithm (Aaron Stevens & Orange Cassidy) Vs reDragon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish)


As the show is coming to an end, the camera cut's to an undisclosed location, where we get a promo from Joe Gacy. He talks about set-backs, about skeletons in the closets and skeletons in the ground. He talks about ghosts from the past, and the haunting memories of old, coming back. He also talks about the fact that he kows who the masked person in the audience that night was, and that the person underneath the mask is the perfect example of what he's just been talking about. He would known such cowardice anywhere.....