Text By Jed Shaffer

What if...CM Punk took the Ring Of Honor World Title to WWE??

Part II

Our story continues at WWE's Unforgiven pay-per-view where two high-profile matches feature men with divided attentions. In one, Matt Hardy finds himself locked inside a steel cage against the man who stole his girlfriend and ruined his life, Edge ... but his attention is split by the growing hostility between him and Ring Of Honor wrestler Homicide. Meanwhile, the company's—possibly the industry's—most controversial Superstar, CM Punk, faces four challengers for his newly won Intercontinental Title ... but the problems of his holding Ring Of Honor's top belt are growing, as Ric Flair and Mick Foley have both targeted the straight-edge superstar ... and Ring Of Honor's finest have plans of their own ...

Sep. 18, '05: WWE Unforgiven:

With the Hardy/Edge blood feud taking the step inside of a steel cage, and the five-way Intercontinental defense, two of Raw's most explosive and chaotic situations are set to explode and wreck havoc over the company.

But before either can bow, as the pay-per-view begins, cameras swing into the crowd to catch four men coming down the steps. Dressed casually, but obviously not simple audience members from their size, security quickly intercepts them, where they flash tickets. Reluctantly, security allows the four men to pass. When they get to the front row, the last one in line pulls up a satchel, opens it and pulls out the contents: the Ring Of Honor World Championship belt, which he puts over his shoulder. Within seconds, Raw GM Eric Bischoff is on the scene, flashing a completely disingenuous smile. "Something I can do for you, gentlemen?"

"Nope," says Bryan Danielson, not even looking at Bischoff.

"Move out of the way, maybe," says James Gibson flatly.

"And if you could get that beer man over here, that'd be great," adds Colt Cabana.

If Bischoff is taken aback, he doesn't show it. "And you guys are?"

Cabana looks up, flashing a 1000 megawatt smile. "Oh, I'm sorry! Colt Cabana, that's Jay Lethal, James Gibson--I think you know him. Didn't you work here once?"

"Yeah."

"And, uh, down at the end, that's Bryan Danielson."

"That's great. Fantastic," says Bischoff, his words laced with irony. "Let me make myself perfectly clear, gentlemen. I assume you're from that promotion, that, what is it, Land Of Honor or something? I don't really care. The point is, if you guys think you're gonna jump the rail and do what ECW did 7 years ago, do not think I'll hesitate in ordering security to break every bone in your bodies. And after that, I'll make sure you get to know the inside of the local jail real well, are we clear? This is my show, and these are my Superstars."

Lethal is up and getting in Bischoff's face before anyone can blink. Cabana and Gibson both get to their feet, pull Lethal back and try to talk sense to him. While they do that, Danielson casually stands up, approaches Bischoff calmly and says; "Now let me make myself perfectly clear, Eric," he says as calmly as if he were reading a bedtime story to a child. "The only person we have a vested interest in is CM Punk. See, I may be holding his property, but as much as we hate to admit it, he's still our champ. And that means, until CM Punk loses that belt, he belongs to Ring Of Honor." Danielson tosses the belt back into his seat, then suddenly gets as close to Bischoff as the guard rail will allow. "And that also means," he adds, "that any time I want to make him my bitch--a parking lot, a back alley, your backyard or mine--I will. Now as for tonight ..." Danielson brushes off Bischoff's shoulder and straightens his lapel. "Tonight, you don't have to worry. We're here to watch. As long as Punk keeps to his business in that ring tonight, we won't make trouble. We're just sending a message tonight--that wherever he goes, Ring Of Honor follows. And that if he wants that belt, he has to come fight for it in Ring Of Honor ... where this belt belongs." Danielson returns to his seat, putting the title back over his shoulder. Bischoff tries to speak at the foursome, but none of them pay him any attention, leaving Bischoff with no choice but to walk away.

While Punk's controversial position is a captivating story, the matter grabbing the most attention is the very personal, very intense--and nearly homicidal--blood feud between Edge and Matt Hardy. One of two semi-main events for the evening, Matt and Edge's steel cage match proves to be just as much about containing the brutality inside for everyone else's protection as it is a license to maim for the two enemies. In a pre-match interview, Edge updates an unsympathetic audience that Lita is still in the hospital, awaiting plastic surgery to deal with the scarring and maiming at the hands of Matt Hardy and his steel spike. Edge warns Hardy to expect nothing less then what he delivered to Lita and then some, as it is Edge's stated goal to drive Hardy back out of the fed.

When the match finally bows, neither fail to live up to the promises of their months-long, company-spanning feud. Chairs, Hardy's metal spike, the cage itself, and a length of barbed wire all wind up used by the wrestlers to rend, bludgeon and bloody the other. After nearly twenty grueling minutes, both men are bleeding so heavily, most of their upper bodies are drenched in blood; Edge is limping, a victim of more attacks to his damaged knee, while Hardy is clutching one injured shoulder. Hardy manages to close out the match with a leg drop from the top of the cage that nearly kills both men. The crowd is as elated to see Hardy win as they are to see the gruesome living-snuff-film finally come to an end. Paramedics have to put both men on gurneys and wheel them into waiting ambulances. But before Hardy's ambulance can leave, Homicide comes out of the shadows of the loading dock, rushes the driver, yanking him out and tossing him aside. He leaps into the back and, brandishing a fork, jabs it into Hardy's forehead. Authorities swarm on the scene, but Homicide's crew, The Rottweilers, hit the scene and overwhelm the ambulance, dragging Hardy out onto the concrete and stomping him. It takes ten WWE wrestlers, alongside authorities and arena security to get the situation under control. Authorities subdue Homicide, Ricky Reyes, Low-Ki and their manager, Julius Smokes, and pack them in op cars. Homicide yells and fights all the way into the cop car, yelling "You're dead, motherfucker! Don't be showin' your face in Ring Of Honor, Hardy! You's a dead motherfucker!"

The backlash is immediate, as, before either Carlito or his challengers can come out for the five-way match, Bischoff is back in the faces of the Ring Of Honor wrestlers, warning them all not to do so much as blink in CM Punk's, or anyone else's, direction. The foursome all hold hands over their hearts and re-state their intentions to watch and nothing more; Bischoff warns them that if any of them plan anything like their "street thug friends" did to Matt Hardy, they'll find themselves, and their home company, slapped with a lawsuit so mind-bogglingly big, their grandchildren's grandchildren won't be able to make good on the debt. Colt Cabana stands up stiff and straight, puts a hand to his forehead like a military cadet and yells out; "Oh, captain, my captain!" Flustered, Bischoff walks away.

One by one, the five men come to the ring, each one eyeing the four ROH wrestlers carefully. Carlito goes to spit apple towards them, but stops after getting death-glares from Gibson and Danielson. Big Show gives them only a moment's glance, while Shelton Benjamin gives them all nods and waves, which they acknowledge with returned polite, if restrained, gestures. Ric Flair walks right up to the four and offers his hand, but is perplexed none stand up and go for the handshake. Danielson stands up, which makes Bischoff's excess security jump to attention; Danielson smirks, pats the belt on his shoulder and sits back down. Flair lingers a moment, perplexed by Danielson's reaction and the snubs, then goes on to enter the ring.

Finally, CM Punk makes his way down. As soon as he's at the ringside area, he heads right for his former ROH colleagues, getting into a staring match with Danielson. Once again, Danielson gets to his feet, this time advancing up to the guard rail. Security springs into ready-mode, but they're denied anything but a stand-off and some harsh words; Punk demands his belt, to which Danielson replies, "Come to Boston and take it." Danielson takes his seat again, but not before giving Punk the parting shot of a middle finger in the face. Punk looks to his old friend and Second City Saints member, Colt Cabana, for support, but Cabana turns away.

As soon as the bell rings, Punk finds that, regardless of personal issues or hatreds, he is the one common enemy among all the other wrestlers. But Punk proves craftier then expected, and manages to evade the lynch mob, all the while exploiting existing grievances to shift the focus away from himself. In fact, focus shifts slowly but surely onto another person, the largest and most difficult target of the five, the Big Show. The only one of Punk's four opponents who don't get distracted from taking out the WWE's most anti-WWE employee is Flair, who goes after the loudmouth and utilizes the no-disqualifications atmosphere to his advantage. It isn't highly technical, but a shot to the groin levels the youngster, and Flair goes to work on the legs, as Carlito, Shelton and Show all trade off on each other.

But as the match continues, attentions shift, and Flair's continued working over of Punk draws eyes to him, as he is more or less the freshest man in the ring; Punk uses the reprieve when Show goes after Flair to go outside and rest as the other four slug it out. Show becomes the new primary target, but his size and strength advantage are more then a match for the others. He fells Flair with a big boot, nails a double chokeslam on Shelton and Carlito, then, for good measure, hits the chokeslam on Flair, too. Show pulls the straps of his singlet off his shoulders as the crowd cheers him on. But the chance for victory evaporates as Punk ascends the turnbuckle; Show turns as Punk leaps and catches the straight-edger, but Punk wraps his arm around Show's neck, locking in a guillotine choke. Show begins to droop as he struggles to breathe. When Punk's feet touch the mat, he quickly spikes Show with the Devil Lock DDT; Flair starts to stir, but before he can make a move, Mick Foley runs out, reaches through the ropes and grabs his ankle, holding him in place. Punk rolls Show onto his back and, as Foley and Flair brawl on the outside and Shelton and Carlito start to stir, makes the pin for the Intercontinental Championship. Punk snags the belt and makes tracks for the back before anyone can clear the cobwebs and come after him. Flair and Foley see Punk depart and both give chase, though they push and shove each other as they run, and end up brawling again before they get to the back.

Bischoff comes out again as the ring clears, regarding the ROH foursome with obvious contempt. "So, I think you're done here," says Bischoff. "You can go now."

Danielson looks at his cohorts, shrugs, and stands up. "We paid for tickets, Eric, so I think we'll stick around. Maybe see your ..." Danielson looks at the belt on his shoulder and gives it a pat. "get a good look at your champion."

"And I don't leave any show until I'm done with my nachos," says Cabana, holding up his basket of chips and cheese.

Bischoff pauses, considers saying something, then just walks away, shaking his head. Danielson chuckles as Bischoff walks away as the bell rings to signal the introduction of the main event. The challenger, Kurt Angle, is introduced first to a chorus of boos. The WWE Champion, John Cena, is welcomed like a war hero ... except by the Ring Of Honor contingent, who give him no reception, save four hard stares. Cena catches their glares and approaches them; all four rise, setting the security on high alert. Cena gets right up to the barricade, holding up the WWE Title, not saying a word. Danielson steps forward, half-grinning; he looks from Cena to the belt and back again, then responds by holding up the ROH Championship and saying, "This is pro wresting's real world's championship belt." Before Cena can respond, Danielson turns and walks for the exit, the other three ROH wrestlers falling in line behind him, throwing scowls in Cena's direction as they leave the arena.

Sep. 19, '05: WWE Raw:

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler pimp CM Punk's first Intercontinental Title defense, a one-on-one rematch against Carlito, as well as a confrontation between Mick Foley and Ric Flair, as Raw begins, as well as an update on the conditions of Lita, Edge and Matt Hardy, who are all in the hospital as a result of their accumulated injuries.

Raw kicks off with the champion, John Cena, coming to the ring, stomping to the ring with purpose and anger, coming off his disqualification loss to Kurt Angle. He eschews the normal theatrics of getting the crowd riled up and goes right for a microphone. "Last night," Cena starts, then pauses. "See, I don't know where to begin with last night. Cause, you see, last night was full of things that pissed off the champ. Eric Bischoff, he pissed me off, as you could see when I F-U'ed him through a table. Kurt Angle, you pissed me off, too, and believe me; if you think I'm done with you, boy, it's only just begun. But last night ..." Cena's voice trails off; he shakes his head and scratches his head. "See, the thing is, being WWE Champ ... that means I'm the face of this company. I represent this company, to the fans and the stockholders and the entire world. So, what am I representing? A company where a guy attacks a woman with a railroad spike. A company where two legendary figures are pissing and moaning like little girls over who gets to fight another guy. A company where guys from other wrestling companies come in and disrespect the WWE and the men and women who work here, up to assaulting them with deadly weapons." Cena shakes his head again, head cast down, looking absolutely disgusted. "CM Punk. You come in here, you run down the entire company, you run down every man and woman that busts their ass for these fans, you flash your belt that you stole from your last company, and then you take one of our belts. And worst of all, you leave the door open so your old buddies can come in and disrespect the WWE even more." Cena approaches the nearest cameraman and gets up close to the lens. "You guys watching? You guys wanna swim in this ocean? I can make that happen. If you're feelin' froggy, guys--just jump. That's all I ask."

The audience suddenly turns, causing Cena to look to the ramp. Standing at the top of it is CM Punk, the Intercontinental Title around his waist. "Hey, folks, look," says Punk. "The WWE Champ ... the Intercontinental Champ ... in one place, at one time. Two champions. But we got more in common then holding worthless belts, don't we, John?" Punk strolls down the ramp and hops in the ring, Cena eyeing him like an eagle would a field rat. "We both don't really care much for Eric Bischoff, but then again, who does? We're both role models for kids ... although, whereas I'm a fantastic choice, being straight-edge, I don't think many parents are gonna want little Billy mimicking some Vanilla Ice-wannabe. But one thing we are absolutely, 100% on the same page about is those four guys who strolled into Unforgiven last night. See, the last thing I wanted to do was leave a door open so they could slime their way in here. I wouldn't wish this company on my worst enemy, let alone a bunch of never-will-be's like them. I don't wanna see them here any more then you do. Now, why you think this is my fault, I don't understand--"

Cena rips the microphone out of Punk's hand and tosses it aside. "Man, if I have to hear one more word from your mouth, I think I'm gonna puke." Cena steps up to Punk, jabbing his finger in Punk's chest with every point. "If it wasn't for you stealing their title belt, we wouldn't have guys like Mick Foley and Ric Flair tearing each other's throats out. We wouldn't have guys like Matt Hardy in the hospital because a bunch of street thugs rolled up on him and jacked him up with friggin' forks. And we wouldn't have those guys sitting in our front row, mocking this company. You, Punk. This is all you."

Punk snatches the microphone away from Cena, a sick grin on his face. "So what do you propose we do about this little misunderstanding? Have a match? You and your wide array of punches and Yo! MTV Raps music-video poses against my superior technical skills and martial arts? Oh, wait, I know. You watched 8 Mile last night; you wanna do a rap battle! Well, gee willikers, mommy and daddy never let me listen to that there gangster rap!"

"I've got a much better idea," says Eric Bischoff from the stage. Cena's and Punk's attention switches to the Raw GM, who is beaming as if he's about to burst with excitement. "In just a few weeks, Raw will be presenting WWE Homecoming, and we need a big, blow-out main event for the show. Something that reaffirms the position of this company as not just the leader, but the innovator in sports entertainment. And since the two of you have so much in common, I figure why not?" The crowd almost squeals with anticipation. "In one corner ... John Cena ... and his partner, CM Punk ..." The crowd suddenly goes quiet, absolutely confused; JR and Lawler even voice their puzzlement. "And they will take on, in a historic match for Raw, and for this industry ... a match only I, Eric Bischoff, the man who brought you the nWo and Goldberg, could pull off ... Ring Of Honor's Bryan Danielson and Colt Cabana!" Bischoff smiles the biggest, phony used-car-salesman smile he has at Punk and Cena and departs, leaving Punk to chase after Bischoff, complaining the whole way while Cena glares at Punk from the ring.

Via satellite, Todd Grisham interviews Edge in his hospital room, who looks less like a beaten professional wrestler and more like someone who stepped on a landmine. "Edge, after the carnage of last night at Unforgiven, and the steel cage match with Matt Hardy," asks Grisham, "the world wants to know your condition, and your plans."

"The doct--" Edge winces and holds his chest. When he catches he breath, he starts again. "The doctors say I should be ready to leave in a day or two. I'm banged up, and I'll have some scars, but that's nothing compared to what that lunatic Matt Hardy did to Lita. You wanna know my plans? Get revenge. Because nobody gets the better of Mr. Money In The Bank."

"What are your opinions on the actions taken by this man from Ring Of Honor, Homicide, and his violent attack on Matt Hardy last night?"

"I'd say Matt Hardy has a knack for pissing people off. And I'd say that ... well, you ever heard the old saying 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend'?" Edge's smile answers the question before Grisham can even answer it. "Listen, Grisham, let's get one thing straight; Matt Hard--"

Edge's sentence dies in mid-syllable as Matt Hardy, dressed in a hospital gown, rushes into the room as fast as his injuries will allow him, and hurls himself onto Edge, throwing wild, clubbing forearms faster then the eye can see. Nurses scream for security as Edge tries to fight back, but Hardy's upright position gives him all the advantage; he gets off Edge, bends down, grabs the gurney and lifts, tipping it over and sending Edge thudding to the tile floor. As Edge scrambles to find some kind of safety, Hardy grabs Edge's IV stand and swings it like an axe, bringing it down on Edge over and over again until hospital security finally arrives. Hardy manages to take out the first two security guards, and grabs a tazer from their waistband; as more security piles in, Hardy leaps onto Edge and jams the tazer right against his heart. More security pours in and they manage to get Hardy off Edge. Hardy screams "You can't get rid of me! I won't die!" as officers haul him away from Edge's hospital room.

Ric Flair approaches the ring, and though he's wearing one of his trademark Nature Boy robes, he has no strut or swagger to him; he is all business. He grabs a microphone and gets right to it. "Mick Foley! I want you out here now! You're a punk, your'e a fraud, you're a shame to this business, and I wanna kick your ass right here, right now! Get out here!" Flair gives Foley a few seconds, and, when Foley's music fails to bring out the former WWE Champion, Flair calls him out again. "Foley! This is why you failed in WCW, and this is why you'll only be known for crap like getting slammed on thumbtacks and thrown off cells; because you're a coward! A gutless, old coward, a hack who can't go! Look at me! I got 20 years on you, and I can still go all night and half the morning, too! Now get out here!"

Foley appears, but on the TitanTron instead of the stage. "Ric, I'm not going to apologize for not being there tonight," says Foley to an unexpected chorus of boos. "You see, I have better things to do then chase some old man around the country. I realized last night, after I stopped you from winning the Intercontinental Title, that I'd let my hatred for you distract me from what I'm supposed to be doing: beating some sense into CM Punk, and standing up for Ring Of Honor. So, before you can shove your ample nose into their business--something the boys in ROH most certainly told you they don't want--I'm taking the bull by the horns. I'm training, and I'm going to come out of retirement to beat CM Punk myself. And unlike you, I won't put my own personal desires for glory over the sanctity of the ROH Championship; once I beat CM Punk, I will march right into Ring Of Honor and hand-deliver the championship to whomever they choose." Foley pauses, a smirk popping up on his lips. "Now, as for our little 'confrontation' tonight ... if you're itching for a fight, I have a friend who'd be more then willing to give you a fight, if you like."

Mick Foley's proxy is Shelton Benjamin, who refuses Flair's offer of a handshake. "C'mon, kid, don't let Foley screw up your head," pleads Foley. "He's using you to avoid me."

Benjamin gestures for Flair's mic; Flair gives it to him, and Benjamin promptly tosses it aside, then crouches in a ready position. Reluctantly, Flair removes his robe and locks up with the fiery youngster. But they don't get in more then a couple reversals and a trade-off of chops before CM Punk runs down and goes after Flair. But not only does Flair fight back, but Benjamin comes to Flair's defense. Punk tries to get away from the pair, but Benjamin manages to catch Punk; Flair whoos, points at Benjamin and yells for him to do it, and Benjamin slaps on a figure-four. Flair grabs a microphone and says; "Carlito! Come and get him!"

When Carlito comes out, Benjamin and Flair leave the ring, but stay at ringside. Carlito immediately goes to work on Punk's damaged leg, with Benjamin and Flair cheering on the otherwise-despicable Caribbean superstar. But the injury doesn't stop Punk from cheating every opportunity he gets, and the cheating pays off when Carlito tries to splash Punk in the corner, but Punk drops down and Carlito eats the exposed turnbuckle. Punk rolls up Carlito and, with a handful of tights as good measure, gets the pinfall.

But with his bum wheel, Punk isn't fast enough to make his usual escape; Benjamin and Flair catch him, and are joined by Big Show and John Cena. With Carlito, the four begin to dissect the Intercontinental Champ, with everyone scoring a hit of their finisher on the straight-edge superstar. Flair goes last, locking in his signature figure-four as tight as a drum; Punk, almost comatose by this point, snaps to as soon as the pain sets in and begins screaming and tapping furiously, but Flair keeps the hold locked in until officials come in to break up the mob justice. As Punk is helped to the back by medics, every WWE superstar they encounter applauds at the sight of Punk's misery.

Sep. 24, '05: Ring Of Honor's "Survival Of The Fittest '05":

With Bryan Danielson obligated to other commitments, he, and the (twice-over) kidnapped ROH World Title belt are absent from the promotion's annual one-night tournament. And with the opportunity to both showcase their abilities and speak their minds, every single member of the tourney's field seizes their moment; Samoa Joe promises to do what he did once before, to rescue the belt from a coward and restore its glory. The members of Generation Next collectively vow that, if it takes their entire membership, one of them will stop CM Punk in his tracks. Christopher Daniels pledges that CM Punk will not deny him the title that has eluded him in his career--that of world champion.

The most chilling words come from Punk's former best friend, Colt Cabana, who disposes of his normal happy-go-lucky nature for a short, but memorable promo. "Punk, every man in this building wants a piece of you," he says. "But there is only one guy who had your back, whether you were going after Raven or Jimmy Rave, when you needed back-up against The Prophecy or to win the tag titles with. You stabbed this whole promotion in the back, Punk ... but I'm probably the only guy who considered you a friend. And for that, I owe you more then you know, more then everyone else combined. For betraying Ring Of Honor, and for betraying me, I owe you the kind of beating only a friend can deliver."

After the field is narrowed down to the six-man finals, and the show comes back from intermission, Nigel McGuinness successfully defends his Pure Title against one half of the ROH Tag Champions, BJ Whitmer. As Nigel stands in the ring, proud of his tainted victory, the lights go to black. A spotlight directed at the front entrance of the arena pulls everyone's attention. CM Punk approaches the ring, dressed in his wrestling gear, with the Intercontinental Title around his waist. Punk looks at Nigel, cocking his head to the side. "What's that you got?" Punk asks. "You pick that up at XPW's estate sale?" Punk unfastens his belt and holds it aloft. "This, ladies and gentlemen, is a championship to be proud of. Sure, it comes from a company that's absolutely bankrupt in talent and morality, but think of the good wrestlers who've held it: Bret Hart. Randy Savage. Pedro Morales. Curt Hennig." Someone in the crowd yells out for Ricky Steamboat, a name from CM Punk's past that makes him shudder. "Didn't that loser drop the strap to a Fat Elvis impersonator? Yeah, keep worshipping at that temple, jackass, see how far you get. The point is that, unlike that toy you have, Nigel, I have a championship. A championship with a prestigious legacy that has been building over thirty years to this moment ... to me. Just like the Ring Of Honor World Title ... it had to slog through years of mediocre half-wits and sluggish stiffs, until it could finally arrive at the one and only symbol of perfection ... CM Punk."

Suddenly, Punk's jovial demeanor vanishes. "The only problem is, this rotten son of a bitch, Bryan Danielson has my belt. Now, I know that coward piece of shit isn't here tonight. The only way he's getting his hands on that belt is by stealing it; he can't take it the old-fashioned way, not from a true, fighting champ like me." The crowd chants for CM Punk to shut up, albeit with a little profanity, and Nigel puts in his two cents.

"Bloody hell, can't you hear these people?" says Nigel. "Shut up, before I smack the spit from your teeth!"

Punk eyes Nigel harshly. "I don't think this is any of your business, curtain-jerker! I'm out here on business; I'm here to defend my Ring Of Honor World Title against someone I feel is a worthy opponent. I hold belts in two companies; I don't have time to waste on menial, generic midcarders like yourself."

"Well, then, tell us who he is," says Nigel, gesturing for Punk to get on with it.

Punk straightens himself proudly, like a ring announcer. "Ladies and gentlemen, my opponent tonight ... Pelle Primeau!"

The diminutive ROH training school student comes out to virtually no reaction at all, good or bad. But before Primeau can get in the ring, Nigel holds up a hand. "Wait a bloody moment, son. Before you get here in this ring, hold on just a moment." Punk turns to ask what the hold-up is, and turns right into a European uppercut. Nigel lights into the stunned Punk with more European uppercuts and chops, backing him into a corner. Punk has no time to think about reacting, let alone putting a plan in action, before Nigel lifts him up on the turnbuckle, grabs his head and sticks him with the Tower Of London. With Punk laying in a heap, knocked stupid, Nigel grabs the microphone and says, "He's all yours, kid," as he leaves the ring. But the young student, half the size of Punk (if that), takes one too many big risks, and Punk manages to catch the youngster and tie him up with the Anaconda Vice. A quick tap-out later and Punk stands above the kid, victorious, looking down on him with disgust. The ref orders Punk to shake Pelle's hand, but instead, Punk lifts Pelle up and spikes him with the Devil Lock DDT. Punk points to the corner, signalling for the Pepsi Plunge, much to the crowd's dismay, and drags Pelle to the corner.

But before Punk can break Pelle, six men all come out and stand at ringside, glaring up at the reviled champion; Roderick Strong, Samoa Joe, Colt Cabana, Austin Aries, Jay Lethal and Christopher Daniels--six men who have traded blows and spilled blood against one another over the years, and are minutes from doing battle to determine the winner of the Survival Of The Fittest--stand side by side, their harsh glares saying everything that needs be said. Punk drops Pelle and slinks out of the ring, and back through the crowd. Halfway to the door, he stops when Joe clears his throat over the mic and holds up Punk's forgotten Intercontinental Title. "Forgot something?" he says cheerfully. "Hey, guys, think we should keep it?" The other five guys rousing vote against such an action. "See, we got a little more class then you. So, why don't you come here and get your belt and get the hell outta here?"

Punk comes back to the ring, hesitantly sliding in the ring; Lethal psyches out Punk by faking a lunge, sending Punk skittering back against the turnbuckle. "Oh, come on," says Joe. "Did they cut off your balls when you got up to Stamford? Jesus, I don't remember you being this big of a pussy six months ago."

Punk sneers, but against six guys, takes no action against the slight. Cautiously, he inches forward and grabs the proffered belt ... except that Joe doesn't let go. Punk tugs, and Joe suddenly jerks the belt, and Punk, up close. "This belt," he says, looking down at Punk with murderous eyes, "we're sending back with you. But that other belt you have, that belongs to us. And believe me, no matter who wins tonight, know this--someone will be taking it from you. The longer you keep it from us, the worse your beating's gonna be."

Joe releases his grip on the belt. Punk wastes no time in leaving the ring, hopping the barrier and leaving the arena. In his absence, he missed Roderick Strong overcome his five opponents to win the tournament. Strong gestures at his waist, an obvious challenge to the absent Punk. As he's celebrating, a very unexpected guest comes down the aisle, greeted by a hailstorm of jeers that he ignores. The six men in the ring watch as Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff enters the ring. Bischoff doesn't bother with pleasantries, getting right down to business instead.

"I'm here for two reasons, and I'll make 'em both brief. First, I want to make sure that what I proposed on Monday Night Raw is a go. Um ... Colt Cabana ... that's your name, right?" Bischoff shakes his head disapprovingly, but soldiers on. "I want Punk humiliated as much as you want the chance to do it. So, do we have a deal ... you and your buddy, Bryan Danielson, against Punk and the WWE Champion John Cena?" Colt nods emphatically; Eric responds in kind. "Good. Don't go thinking this is some kind of audition; it's one-time-only. That's all. Now, as for the other issue ... this little drama with your title, it's not only taking up time on my show, it's causing outright chaos. I got WWE wrestlers fighting over who gets to fight Punk, there's this street thug ... what's his name, Homicide? He attacks one of my talents with a fork, like this was a prison yard. Well, it's done. No more. If he hasn't heard by Monday, I'll tell him myself; if he doesn't come back and defend that belt at every Ring Of Honor show, I will send him down to rot in development hell. But in return, I want your solemn vow that these little invasions you guys keep running on Raw ... they're done. No more. After Raw Homecoming, I don't wanna see another one of you guys on my show. Understood?" Before Bischoff can get his reply, he throws down the microphone and walks out.

Sep. 26, '05: WWE Raw:

CM Punk comes out, once again in his designer suit and sunglasses. The crowd lets Punk know what they think of him with an "asshole" chant that Punk disarms. "I may be an asshole, but I'm a champion in two wrestling companies," he says dryly. "Plus, I'm straight-edge, and that means I'm better then you." Punk removes his sunglasses and puts them in his lapel pocket, then clears his throat. "There's a couple things that need addressing. First, there's next week, and Raw's Homecoming show. See, I'm partnering with this company's shining light, The Great White Joke, John Cena. Now, you look at who we're facing, and who I'm partnered with, and who I am, and you realize one of these things ain't like the other. I might as well be teaming with a kindergartner, or a paraplegic, for all the help he's gonna be. Cena, I don't like you, and I sure as hell don't respect you; you're a fraud, and a disgrace to any wrestler--any real wrestler--who's ever held a championship. Do me a huge favor and stay on the apron next week; don't tag in. I want to win next week, and I sure as hell can't do that if I have to keep pulling your punch-kick-finisher BS out of the fire over and over again. These guys we're wrestling are sharks, and you're nothing but a guppy gushing blood. So just stay on the apron, and I'll get the win for us, deal? Good." The crowd chants for Cena, but Punk talks over them. "And then ... and then there's Eric Bischoff, and his supposed authority to order me to defend the Ring Of Honor World Title." Punk gets up close to the nearest TV camera. "You don't have the stroke for that, Eric. Outside these arena walls, your power dies. Not even Vince McMahon has the power to lord over other companies, no matter how delusional he may be."

The music of Raw's General Manager signals his arrival. As he walks to the ring, Punk shakes his head. "Please, Eric. Don't embarrass yourself. You don't have the authority, and you sure as hell don't have the skills to take me on in a fight. I've seen your 'karate'," he says, making quotation marks in the air.

"Oh, I'm not here to fight you," says Bischoff with all the good-natured pleasantry of an executioner. "But I am here to tell you that I do have the authority to make your life a living hell if you don't go back to Ring Of Honor and defend that belt."

Punk smiles. "Go ahead. Demote me. Send me to Heat. Send me to OVW." Punk pats the belt on his shoulder. "But this comes with me."

Now Bischoff smiles, and the smile makes Punk take a step back. "That's where you're wrong, Punk. You see, you may be right. I may not be in a position to actually command you to defend the Ring Of Honor Championship ..." Bischoff's smile grows even bigger, a fine counterpart to the evil twinkle in his eye. "... but I can strip you of the Intercontinental Title if you refuse to defend your other title."

Punk stews a moment, shooting daggers from his eyes in Bischoff's direction. Suddenly, the hostility disappears ... only to be replaced by a fiendish gleam in his eyes. "You're right. But you can't strip me if I maintain my status with regular defenses and do not break my contract in any way." Bischoff's face twists in a sneer, one that just eggs on Punk's smarmy attitude. "So I'll defend this belt tonight, against the opponent of my choosing. If, that is, you have a couple seconds open on the schedule so I can dispatch with one of your hapless, incompetent sports entertainers."

"Fine. But don't think I'm going to allow you to pull what you did at the Ring Of Honor show two days ago and pick some rookie prelim guy so you have a cakewalk. Your opponent needs to be championship-caliber competition."

"I can deal with that." Punk's crocodile smile is so large, it threatens to engulf his head. "Since I know he's here tonight, my opponent will be ... Mick Foley." Punk shoves his microphone in Bischoff's chest and walks away.

When Bischoff gets back to his office, he finds Mick Foley there waiting for him. "Mick, I--"

"I can't wrestle him, Eric. I'm retired. Retired. If fighting Evolution taught me anything, it's that I don't have what it takes to get the job done anymore, no matter what name I go under."

Bischoff sits in his chair, leaning forward with his hands steepled. "Let me see if I understand you, okay, Mick? What I'm hearing you say is that the WWE Intercontinental Title ... a title that's been around for the better part of thirty years ... a title that CM Punk, a man you've made no secret of disliking, holds. You're here before me, declining to participate in a match against CM Punk for the Intercontinental Title, the number-two belt of this brand, and the second-oldest belt in this company. The company you work for. You'd rather lay down arms when asked to help the company that signs your paychecks against this loudmouthed little prick ... but you're first in line to beat CM Punk's brains in when the cause is helping another company. Am I hearing you correctly, Mick?"

Foley stammers, caught entirely off-guard. "I wouldn't put it that way--"

"Of course you wouldn't. From a guy that spit on the WCW Tag Titles, I shouldn't expect better. Tell you what, Mick; you don't want to wrestle tonight? Spectacular. I'll just hand the shot to someone else." Bischoff pauses for so long, Foley starts to move towards the door. "Oh, Mick. One thing. This kind of insubordination, I can't let it stand. So I'm going to need to see you prove your loyalty. You can do that by refereeing the Intercontinental Title match." Foley looks at Bischoff with mouth agape. After a few long, agonizing seconds, Bischoff makes a shooing gesture. "Run along now!"

CM Punk is the first one introduced for his Intercontinental Title defense, and as he enters the ring, his irritation at the switch of opponents--thereby short-circuiting his plan--is screaming from every pore. Foley, who can't even be bothered to swear the traditional zebra shirt, looks just as annoyed. Punk and Foley trade pointed glares as Lillian Garcia stalls, asking the official if knows who the other wrestler will be.

Instead, Eric Bischoff comes out on the stage. "Lillian, I'll handle it. The opponent, challenging for the Intercontinental Title is Ric Flair!"

The crowd explodes as the 16-time World Champion hits the stage, strutting and whooing up a storm. By contrast, Punk and Foley finally find something to agree on: hatred of the Nature Boy. Both Punk and Foley give Flair the evil eye as he steps in the ring, but Flair is too busy playing to the crowd to notice. When Flair finally acknowledges his two adversaries, he whoos in their direction and struts a little more.

Disgusted with Flair's antics, Foley signals for the bell; Punk pounces as Flair is busy taking off his robe, giving Punk the advantage. Punk scores with stiff martial arts kicks and knee strikes, and after the flurry has Flair on the mat, Punk goes for the pin. Foley only looks down in disdain; Punk leaps to his feet and gets in Foley's face. Flair crawls behind Punk and gives him a crotch shot and turns it into a roll-up, which Foley equally ignores. Now Flair jumps up and berates Foley; Foley regards Flair with all the attention one would pay to watching paint dry.

From there, the match quickly disintegrates, as Foley shows no effort to enforce anything resembling rules; Flair brings in a steel chair, while Punk brings in his title belt. The turnbuckle pads come off in all four corners. Rope breaks are ignored entirely, as is blatant cheating like holding the ropes or pulling the tights. But all pinfall attempts are ignored. The action spills to the outside, and the use of foreign objects becomes even more profound, as the ring bell and a cable come into play. With Flair and Punk oblivious to Foley's actions, neither can protest his ultra-fast count, and only know the match has reached an official--if tainted--conclusion when they hear the bell ring and Lillian Garcia proclaim the match a double-count-out. Flair and Punk both gape at Foley, who gives the duo a pair of middle fingers. Punk, holding the ring bell, quickly swings it and connects with Flair's skull, then takes off at Foley; Foley runs for the stage, but Punk catches him on the ramp and lays into him with his martial arts kicks. The kicks drive Foley to the ground, and when Foley manages to get to his knees, Punk unleashes with a buzzsaw-like kick that nearly sends Foley's head into the cheap seats. Punk slaps Foley in the face a couple times and, upon getting no response, walks away, his enemies broken and battered.

Oct. 1, '05: Ring Of Honor's "Joe vs. Kobashi":

The headlining match, pitting ROH legend Samoa Joe against Japanese wrestling titan Kenta Kobashi, is enough of a dream-come-true for wrestling purists and the ROH fanbase that the ever-present black cloud of CM Punk and his holding of the ROH World Title hostage is almost forgotten.

Until Mick Foley shows up at the very start of the evening.

The crowd, previously awash in the excitement from the anticipation of the main event, turns sour almost instantaneously. Foley lets them get their chants of "You're not welcome" and "You got punked" out of their system. "I didn't come here tonight to make you angry, or to cause a riot," says Foley. "I know, especially the guys in that locker room, are getting pretty tired of seeing guys from the WWE come into their turf like they owned the place. But I can't say enough how sincere my desire is to help this company get back what is rightfully theirs. I'm not like that lying son of a bitch Ric Flair; I can promise you, his only interest is in himself. He--"

The lights go dim, and the Godzilla intro fills the arena, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Samoa Joe saunters out, his eyes locked on Foley like a heat-seeking missle. As the sold-out crowd chants "Fuck him up, Joe, fuck him up!", Joe gets in the ring; Foley extends a hand, which Joe greets with a chuckle. "You think I'm stupid?" he asks. "You bash me in the head with a chair months ago, you send your corporate puppet friends to try and collect our title, and then you have the nerve to come in here and say you understand how we feel when we see guys from the WWE coming into our events?" Joe's false humor drops like a rock in a lake as he suddenly gets into Foley's face. "Give me one reason--good or not--why I shouldn't choke your ass into a coma right here and now."

"Because I know what tonight's main event means to you, Joe," says Foley nervously, "and I'm here to help you with it. I'm here to help everyone."

"And what makes you think I want your help? What makes you think I need any help?"

"Well, I know that CM Punk hates you, hates this company and hates the fans, and that there's nothing he'd like more then to come in here tonight and ruin your big night. And that's why, out of my own piggy bank, I hired extra security that have orders to detain CM Punk if he tries to get into the building."

With that, a batallion of fully-armed and armored SWAT-style security guards pour into the building through the front doors, taking up stations at every door, encircling the audience, and two posting at every corner of the ring. Joe seethes, pacing the ring as he turns over the situation in his mind. Finally, he points to the front door and says through clinched teeth; "Go. Now."

Foley doesn't even try to argue; he drops to the floor, climbs over the guard rail and leaves through the front entrance. But he stops when Joe calls out to him. "Foley! Be here tomorrow." Foley nods and leaves.

As the evening unfolds, the guards, and the show's opening incident are forgotten about amidst the show's turns and twists; newcomer Claudio Castagnoli upsets Colt Cabana. New tag team champions are crowned in a major upset. The Embassy's long-suffering valet, Jade Chung, finally turns her back on her abusers and joins the rival Generation Next stable, helping Survival Of The Fittest winner Roderick Strong beat Embassy "crown jewel" Jimmy Rave. And throughout the event, the company's top names--Cabana, James Gibson, Christopher Daniels, Nigel McGuinness, Jay Lethal, and Strong--all state their case, either by actions, words or gestures that they should be next in line for Punk and his stolen title.

But the night's sanctity is shattered after the penultimate match, a contest between Jack Evans and Homicide. Following Evans' victory, Homicide leaves the ring in frustration, and as he passes one of Mick Foley's super-security, the guard headbutts Homicide, the helmet hitting Homcide's skull with a dull knocking sound that can be heard in the first couple rows. Every pair of eyes in the place whips around as the security guard gets on top of Homicide and jabs a tazer in his side. So stunned is Evans and ROH's native security force--as well as the rest of Foley's security team--that Homicide's running buddies in The Rottweilers are on the scene before anyone else has even moved. The guard whips out his baton and starts laying out Homicide's friends and gets in a few shots on Homicide before everyone's stupor is broken and they detain the rogue security guard. As he struggles against the guards holding him back, the rogue guard's helmet falls off, revealing him to be Matt Hardy, screaming for Homicide's blood. The guards quickly remove Hardy from the arena as the crowd chants for Samoa Joe.

Joe comes out, sans music, with the members of James Gibson, Jay Lethal, Colt Cabana and several ROH training school students in tow; he talks to them all briefly, pointing in various directions. One by one, the collective goes to every one of Foley's security guards and demands they remove their helmets. After confirming that no one else has infiltrated the squadron, Joe returns to the locker room so the preliminaries to his historic match can begin.

The historic match goes off without a hitch, leaving the crowd chanting "Match Of The Year" and Kobashi's name. Kobashi, the victor, is showered with streamers from the crowd; Joe gives him a handshake and raises his hand to the delight of the on-their-feet crowd. So, with the thunderous noise of chanting and clapping, it is to no one's surprise that the panicked screams of Jade Chung aren't heard until she runs into the ring and begs for Joe's help. Frantically, she points towards the front door; Joe follows, as does the crowd, out into the dimly lit parking lot.

Jade leads Joe and the crowd outside. Under the glow of the parking lights, the scene is revealed; the shared rental car by Generation Next has been hit. Roderick Strong and Jack Evans, the members of the stable at the event, are laid out on the concrete, bloody and clutching their torsos. Standing above them is CM Punk, brandishing a baseball bat, yelling at Strong that he won't be getting anything. Joe yells out at Punk; the ROH Champion drops the bat, slides over the hood of his car, gets in and disappears into the night as Chung checks on her fallen friends. The rest of the ROH locker room arrives in time to see Punk's taillights disappear into the night traffic.

Oct. 2, '05: Ring Of Honor's "Unforgettable":

With a second huge dream match in as many days headlining Ring Of Honor's show--this one pitting Kobashi and his selected partner Homicide against Samoa Joe and his selected partner, Homicide's Rottweiler running buddy Low-Ki--the hope is high for another milestone event like the night before ... minus the incursions of Matt Hardy and CM Punk.

It is with Joe that the night begins, but not his match. His approach to the ring is without either his normal laid-back bravado, nor fan-friendly fanfare; he simply walks to the ring, enters and gets a microphone. "I don't know if anybody here was at our show in Manhatten last night, or if you read up what happened on the 'net ..." Joe trails off, scratching his head and rubbing at his face nervously. "Roddy Strong and Jack Evans got the shit kicked outta them by CM Punk in a parking lot with a baseball bat. He didn't beat 'em here in the ring, he didn't wrestle them ... he assaulted them out there, out in the street, like some kind of criminal. That isn't how we do things here in Ring Of Honor! That may fly in Connecticut, but in Ring Of Honor, it starts and stops in this ring." Joe pauses, looking out over the crowd. "See, far as I'm concerned, all this shit--whether we're talkin' the championship, or the Rottweilers turning into homicidal maniacs, or Bryan Danielson turning into a vigilante--it all started when Mick Foley first stuck his nose in this company. He's the one that talked CM Punk into signing with the WWE, so if it hadn't been for that fat sack of crap showing up here in the first place, we wouldn't be in this hellhole we're in now." Joe stops pacing, turns to the ramp with almost murderous eyes and barks out; "Foley. Get out here. Now."

Foley comes out to a now entirely hostile group; his shoulders are slumped and his general demeanor is defeated and broken as he approaches the ring. Hesitantly, he climbs under the bottom rope and mouths an apology. "No, I don't wanna fuckin' hear it, Foley," snaps Joe, approaching Foley so fast, the hardcore icon is forced to back up into the corner. "I don't wanna hear how you didn't mean it. You meant it. You didn't come to ROH as a friend or to put us over; you came here as Vince McMahon's shill. You came here to get me and Punk to sign to the WWE. Admit it!"

Foley cannot even mouth the words. When Joe screams it in his face again, Foley can only nod.

"So then all this ... Punk taking the belt to WWE ... Bryan Danielson stealing it and not bringing it back ... Homicide and Matt Hardy ... killing the friendship between Punk and Colt ... everything ... it's all your fault. Isn't it? Isn't it?!"

Again, Foley, unable to look Joe in the eye, can only nod.

"And now, now you're gonna be our number-one crusader, huh? You're gonna be our savior in Stamford. You're gonna ride in on your white horse and clean up the mess, a mess you made." Joe laughs without a shred of humor. "That cracks me up." Joe steps back, giving Foley some breathing room. "You wanna do me a favor? You wanna do Ring Of Honor a favor? I want you to ride that white horse back up to Connecticut, right up to Vince McMahon's office, and tell him Ring Of Honor ain't for sale anymore. We don't want to see his shills around here anymore, and we sure as hell don't want his 'talent' showing up on our shows. And you personally ... just stop. Don't help us anymore. Don't be our knight in shining armor. Don't be our hero. No more security teams, no more proteges, nothing. And tell your buddy Ric he needs to keep his nose outta our business, too. Got that?" Foley nods, and Joe approaches him once again. "One more thing. I don't ever want to see you here again. Ever. Not in someone's corner, not chasing down Punk in the parking lot, not even signing autographs at the merch booth. The next time I see you at an ROH event is the next time your wife sees you in the hospital. Understand? Good. Now get to steppin'."

Foley doesn't hesitate for a second to leave, and doesn't spare a look back at Joe or the audience on his way out of Ring Of Honor. The crowd serenades the three-time WWE Champion and hardcore icon with a rousing chant of "Don't come back".

The banishment of the unwanted Foley is the start of good news for the promotion on the second of their international-attention-getting shows. The only possible bad news--regarding the conditions of Roderick Strong and Jack Evans--is neutralized when they appear not long after Joe's confrontation with Foley and both vow not only to deliver performances better then ever, but to win and move themselves up in contention for a shot at Punk.

But with a growing list of contenders for Punk's title, and a champion missing in action, being "in contention" is a meaningless achievement ... until, after the show comes back from intermission, the crowd is stunned by the appearence of former manager, promoter, booker and generally controversial personality, Jim Cornette. Cornette thanks the fans for their warm reception and proudly backs Ring Of Honor as carrying on the tradition of old-school wrestling at its finest.

Then, he drops the 10-megaton bombshell; "Now, I know none of you came here and paid your twenty bucks or whatever to listen to me yammer on about what you already know," he says, "so let me get right to the point: the people who own Ring Of Honor, they need someone on the front lines to help keep this company from sinking. That's why I'm here. Effectively immediately, I am the Commissioner for Ring Of Honor." The crowd explodes at the announcement. "Now, now, I know you're all excited, but I got a bunch of business to attend to, so if you'll work with me here, we can get it done, and you can get back to enjoying the wrestling, okay? First? Samoa Joe. You don't make the rules; I do. I say who comes and who goes, I say who can get in and who needs to be headin' for the hills. Now, I happen to be of the opinion that Mick Foley's done more harm then good for Ring Of Honor, but I don't think he's done it on purpose like you do. Still, the fans have voices their opinion, so I am going to ask that Mick Foley stay out of Ring Of Honor from now on. But Joe ... I don't ever wanna see you trying to be this company's sheriff again." Cornette straights his tie, and continues. "Now, second piece of business; Matt Hardy and Homicide. These two wanna tear each other apart, and I don't care if Matt Hardy's WWE or not, I don't see why we can't let 'em do what they wanna. October 29th, at This Means War, it will mean war for those two--I'm authorizing an unsanctioned street fight between the two. And just in case you're in the building, Matt, I will pull my okay for that match and ban you from ROH for life if you interfere in tonight's main event. Now, third piece of business; Bryan Danielson. He comes back at our next show, on October the 14th. And as much as I don't like CM Punk--and I hear you chanting, believe me, I'll get to him in a second--he is the champion, and the champion should have his belt. So, bring the belt with you, because I'll expecting CM Punk to be there, and I'll be expecting you to hand it to him. And I say I'll be expecting CM Punk to be there because my fourth and last piece of business is about him; starting at the next show, you'll be defending that belt, and every show after that till you lose. I don't care if you gotta skip a WWE house show, or your momma's birthday, or Christmas or whatever your excuse is; you be here, you defend that belt, or I will strip you of the title. No excuses."

Oct. 3, '05: WWE Raw Homecoming:

In addition to a parade of former WWE Champions and Legends paying tribute, two major tag matches highlight Raw's return to the USA network on a special three-hour episode: Edge and Kurt Angle team to take on Matt Hardy and Shawn Michaels in a falls-count-anywhere tornado tag, and, in the landmark inter-promotional main event, CM Punk and John Cena team up against Ring Of Honor's Bryan Danielson and Colt Cabana.

The show kicks off with a tribute in the way of the return of Piper's Pit. Roddy Piper reminisces about Raw and his wilder times in the WWE, then gets to calling down his guest, Ric Flair. But instead of Flair, Mick Foley comes down. Piper looks at Foley with his normal wild-eyed stare and says; "Maybe I've been whacked in the head one too many times, but I swear, Ric, you've let yourself go! Did you get lost at a buffet?"

Foley ignores Piper and produces his own microphone. "I'm sorry to come out here like this and interrupt the show, but I have some important business to discuss. Many of you may not know that, over the weekend, I made an appearence at Ring Of Honor's weekend shows, where I was promptly ordered never to return by one of their talent." Foley shakes his head, leaning against the ropes, looking down at the arena floor. "I just don't get it. I do the right thing, I try and help this little company out with their problem, and what do I get for it? I get beat up and sent packing. I get insulted and told I'm the cause of all the misery. And I get some old, washed-up, bitter, has-been who can't let go of the spotlight, trying to screw me over every step of the way." Foley paces back and forth a couple times, then, in a fit of anger reminiscent of his Mankind days, starts hitting himself in the head and pulling out hair. "Is this how I'm to be repaid? Is this my reward for years of service, for getting thrown off the Hell In A Cell and getting my brains smashed in by The Rock in front of my family? Is this what I get for getting Pedigreed on thumbtacks? What the hell good is it for me to do the right thing and try to stop some snot-nosed kid from pissing all over the company I gave my blood and sweat to rebuild, what good is it when I try to help save this company from self-serving sons of bitches like CM Punk and Ric Flair, and I get kicked to the curb like yesterday's garbage? Everyone in this goddam building hates CM Punk as much as I do, and everyone in this building knows that Ric Flair can't be trusted! What--"

Piper finally has enough of Foley's tirade; he steps up and slaps him across the face, killing Foley's rant dead in its tracks. Foley's eyes radiate ice-cold fury, which Piper barely has time to register before Foley snaps and attacks Piper. Foley punches and kicks Piper to the mat before sliding out of the ring and grabbing a chair. Ric Flair runs down to save his old friend, but Foley turns in time and blasts Flair upside the head with the chair. Chair in hand, Foley starts swinging, going for Piper's hip and Flair's back at first, but within seconds, just going for whatever he can hit. By the time Foley is done, Flair is bleeding, Piper cannot stand, and the crowd is left speechless. Foley drops the chair and walks off, the mad gleam in his eyes all too familiar. As he walks backstage, he crosses paths with Vince McMahon, present to celebrate the show's return to USA; Vince actually takes a couple steps back in shock and horror when he sees Foley approaching, looking disheveled, his palms covered in blood from grabbing Flair by the blood-soaked hair and screaming in his face. Foley stops in front of Vince, who looks horrified to even be near the crazed former WWE Champion. Foley reaches out and grabs one of Vince's hands, clasping it in his blood-covered hands. Vince tries to squirm his hand away, but Foley clinches down.

"I want him, Vince," says Foley in a drab monotone. "If you don't give him to me at Taboo Tuesday, next time, I hand you a body part." Foley releases Vince's hand and walks away, leaving a horrified Vince calling for a towel.

Flair's blood is only the first to be spilled, as the particpants of the tornado tag match quickly drop any pretense of wrestling and get right to brawling. By the time ten carnage-filled minutes have passed, Hardy has Edge's forehead torn open, while Shawn Michaels' forehead is split wide from a shot with the ring bell. Not a single pin attempt is made in the first ten minutes, however, as the desire to maim, punish and eviscerate is too much to resist. When attempts are finally made, it is done by the Hardy/Michaels team, although none are successful. By the time the match makes it to a commercial break, both announce tables are ruined, and virtually anything around ringside has been dented, broken, bashed or smashed ... but no one will stay down for the three count and suffer the humiliation of losing to their long-time nemesis. And without rules or barriers, the ref has no choice but to let the match continue until a winner is declared.

When the end finally comes, it is sudden, dramatic and very frightening. As Hardy tries to put space between him and Edge to catch a breather, someone in the crowd leans forward and throws a cup of liquid on Hardy's face. He immediately falls to the ground, screaming and writhing in pain. Edge capitalizes and scores the pin, but medics immediately hit the scene and check on Hardy, who holds his eyes, saying he can't see. Security is dispatched to get the attacker as the medics rush Hardy to the back. By the time Raw comes back from commercial, moments before Vince McMahon is to head to the ring to talk about the homecoming, Jim Ross announces that, per the medics, Matt Hardy is blinded after being attacked with chlorine bleach; the attacker, in custody and being taken to the local police station, is identified as Homicide.

With this unspeakable act still looming overhead like a black cloud, Vince McMahon takes to the ring to, ostensibly, talk about Raw's homecoming ... but really, he talks about himself, his accomplishments and how great he is. Video clips are shown of his various "triumphs", many of which are of him humiliating Stone Cold Steve Austin. Vince proclaims that, despite the show's track record thus far tonight, it is still a celebration, and the historic main event will be one talked about for generations to come, "something," he says, "that Steve Austin could never provide!"

The sound of glass breaking shocks Vince, who does his trademark McMahon Exaggerated Gulp as Austin stomps down the ramp. After intimidating Vince just by being there, Austin makes with his own video clips, reminding Vince about the million-and-one ways he'd suffered his own humiliations, from the concrete in his Corvette to the beer bath to the hospital attack. "I'd say, Vince, that maybe we kinda did it ... together," says Austin. "You know ... you and me ... we kinda helped each other. You think so?"

"Hell, no!" barks Vince. "If it hadn't been for you, the WWE wouldn't have had the black smear on its record of having you as a WWE Champion! You brought misery and suffering to my life every second you were on Raw!"

Austin shrugs and says, "Well, Vince, for once and once only, you're gonna hear me say 'you're right'." Austin takes a deep breath, opens his mouth, pauses ... and nails a picture-perfect Stunner on the Chairman. Before Austin can celebrate with a Steveweiser, Shane McMahon comes out, but he doesn't even get to open his mouth before getting dropped with a Stunner. Stephanie follows, shrieking at Austin until he drops her too. Linda is last, excoriating Austin for ruining Raw's homecoming and for attacking her family after spending the past two years getting them all on the same page. Austin apologizes and suggests a way to get them all on the same page again, which is a Stunner for Linda. Finally, Austin enjoys his beers, leaving the entire McMahon family laying in the ring, unconscious.

Bryan Danielson and Colt Cabana are introduced first, with Danielson proudly carrying the ROH World Title over his shoulder. When CM Punk is introduced, he avoids getting in the ring, staying down on the arena floor, glaring up at Danielson and the (technically twice) stolen belt, who makes sure to hold it up for everyone to see. John Cena, however, marches right into the ring, virtually ignoring the man forced to be his partner. Despite the match being contested under WWE's rulebook, Cabana and Danielson both show a measure of respect by approaching Cena and offering hands to shake; Cena reluctantly takes Cabana's hand, but finds no double-cross. Danielson's handshake also holds no treachery, although Danielson and Cena exchange hard stares. Punk, however, gets no gestures of respect when he finally gets in the ring.

Cena starts things off for his side, squaring off against Cabana in a surprising game of mat wrestling and reversals, showing a side of Cena rarely, if ever, seen by the fans. After a couple minutes of trading holds, Cabana tags out to Danielson. The self-proclaimed Best Wrestler In The World wows the crowd with stunning mat work and vicious kicks that sound like they should be field goal attempts. Danielson backs Cena into his own corner, but offers a clean corner-break; it is then that Punk tags in (and hard enough to be a knife-edge chop), telling Cena as he steps in not to "get in his way". Punk points to the apron and tells Cena to stay there while he takes care of business.

And for a few minutes, Punk does indeed take care of business, matching Danielson's offense hold for hold and kick for kick until he gets the advantage. But when Danielson is able to tag out to Cabana, Punk tries to tag out; Cena drops down and tells Punk to "keep showing me how it's done". Cabana seizes the opportunity and starts taking it to Punk, thus shifting the advantage to the Ring Of Honor wrestlers. Minute by minute, Punk is dissected, getting in only the most token of offense as Cabana and Danielson tag in and out. The crowd cheers, but in a restrained manner; seeing Punk beaten is pleasing, but a loss for Punk is a loss for Cena, and that isn't pleasing to the audience. All the more confusing is Punk's attempts to tag out, which Cena reacts to by stepping away and telling Punk he "doesn't wanna get in the way".

Finally, Punk manages to get in some desperation offense and drops both Danielson and Cabana long enough to demand Cena come in and help him. With the crowd chanting for the WWE Champion, Cena steps through the ropes as Danielson and Cabana pull themselves to their feet. Punk berates Cena for taking his time doing the right thing. Cena shrugs and says "You're right", then kicks Punk in the gut and delivers a ring-shaking F-U. Cena gestures to Danielson and Cabana, as if to say "He's all yours", and leaves. Bischoff comes out and argues with Cena, but Cena ignores him and keeps walking. In the ring, Cabana, the legal man, picks up Punk off the mat and nails his Colt .45 finisher and makes the cover. The audience counts along as the ref's hand hits the mat three times. Danielson and Cabana celebrate as the audience cheers for Punk's defeat. Cena stops at the top of the ramp and turns to face Danielson and Cabana; he points at them and gives them the thumbs-up, and gets the gesture in return.

As Bischoff fumes, Vince McMahon's lackey Jonathan Coachman comes out. "Eric," he says. "Eric! I have a message from Mr. McMahon." Coachman clears his throat; Bischoff's face goes sheet white and he falls to his knees. "He'll be here next week. Your two months are up." Coachman shoves the microphone in Bischoff's hands and walks away, leaving Bischoff alone on the stage, shell-shocked. He doesn't even notice as Cabana and Danielson laugh at him on the way to the back.

Oct. 10, '05: WWE Raw:

The build to WWE's interactive PPV, Taboo Tuesday, begins on Raw with CM Punk defending the Intercontinental Title against Ric Flair, and Edge--bragging that he retired Matt Hardy and thus deserves a title shot--faces Shawn Michaels.

But perhaps nothing is more anticipated then Raw GM Eric Bischoff's confrontation with Vince McMahon, and Vince strides to the ring as soon as the opening pyro is finished. From the twisted snarl on his face, it is obvious the Chairman is not in the mood to mess around, and his words back that up; "Eric Bischoff, front and center now."

Bischoff comes to the ring almost penitently, bowing just a little, averting his eyes and offering a handshake. Vince watches Bischoff's prostrations with no discernable interest whatsoever. "Stop it, Eric, you're making a fool of yourself," growls Vince. "It's far too late to be kissing my ass, so at least have the decency to face me like a man. Show me that respect, at the very least."

Bischoff almost seems relieved, dropping the penitent act and adopting a mask of contempt every bit as obvious as Vince's. "Fine, then, Vince. You want me to be real? I'll be as real as you can get." Vince makes a motion for Bischoff to continue, which he does without hesitation. "I know why you hired me. Everybody in this building, and everyone watching at home, they know the history; how I went from being a second-string announcer to Vice President, and how I brought WCW up from some second-rate rasslin' company to a company that almost put you in Chapter 11. Everybody knows how I almost buried this company, and how Nitro kicked Raw's ass in the ratings for 82 straight weeks. That's an achievement I'm damned proud of." Bischoff shrugs, a little grin spreading out on his face. "And that's all well and good ... but that's the past. WCW's dead. You killed it and bought the corpse. You went and fired a bunch of hard working men and women, made a few more million off some DVD's, and then you got to thinking: 'You know what would be great? If I hired Eric Bischoff!' Not to help run your company, no; you wanted to hire me for the same reason you hired Dusty Rhodes when he got fired from the NWA--so you could humiliate me whenever you felt like it. You wanted the pleasure of having your greatest business nemesis, the guy who almost killed your company, under your thumb. That's the kind of guy you are, Vince. You couldn't care less how I could help your business. You just wanted to get some jollies kicking me around. Well, guess what, Vince? I know what's coming, and it gives me such a thrill to take the wind out of your sails, because the truth is it'll be a relief to be away from you. You're sick, pathetic excuse for a human being, and the sooner I can get on with my life, away from you and your sick pathetic family, the happier I'll be. So go ahead. Do it. Get it over with. Do it!"

Vince blinks, an eerie smirk on his face, his head cocked to the side. "Why, Eric ... how could you think I'd do such a thing? Why would I fire you?" Vince pauses and starts to count out fingers. "Is it because you've tacitly allowed WWE Superstars to go to another promotion and risk serious injury fighting against wrestlers who aren't contracted WWE Superstars? Is it because you've created an environment where Matt Hardy can ram a metal spike in a woman's face and Mick Foley can attack a WWE Legend that has an artificial hip? Or maybe how you allowed a hoodlum and his street gang criminal friends to invade our sanctity not once but several times, the last time causing injury to one of our performers that might result in his retirement? Or maybe how you allowed Stone Cold Steve Austin to show up, uninvited last week and gives Stunners to me and my entire family? Or maybe, just maybe, because your respect level with the Raw Superstars is so non-existant, that you allowed the WWE Champion to conspire with wrestlers from another promotion to defeat him and his partner in the main event of Raw Homecoming? Is that why you think I'd fire you?" Vince shakes his head and puts a hand on Bischoff's shoulder. "Eric, Eric, Eric." Vince's demeanor suddenly grows very dark. "I wouldn't dream of letting you go. You have an iron-clad contract, Bischoff, and I'll be damned if I don't every last damn dollar's worth out of it. No, Eric, you're sticking around ... you're just getting a demotion. From now on, you'll be sitting alongside Jerry Lawler as Raw's play-by-play man ... since I'm firing Jim Ross." Everyone, Bischoff included, gasps at once. "I heard your commentary, JR, how you cheered on your buddy Austin as he attacked my family. I can't have that kind of insubordination, that kind of blatant disrespect for authority in my company. And since I can't really punish Austin, I have to do the next best thing, which is to punish his best friend. So, Jim Ross, you're fired! Eric, report to the booth."

The stunning firing of Raw's longtime play-by-play man puts everyone out of sorts. Mick Foley crosses paths with JR as he heads for his car to leave the arena. Foley is at a loss for words, and goes for a hug, but JR backs up. "Mick," he says sternly, like a parent scolding a child, "pull your head out of your ass. You're a hero to millions of kids, and you go out there and you attack Ric Flair, cause he wants to fight the same guy you want to? You attack Roddy Piper, why, cause he's Ric's friend? You oughtta be ashamed of yourself." Foley tries to talk, but JR cuts him off. "Mick, you know I'm a friend, and that's why I'm telling you this. CM Punk, yeah, he is a little punk. And maybe he does need to learn a lesson. But you're goin' about it all wrong, and you're letting down the fans." JR turns and walks away, leaving Foley in silence to contemplate JR's words.

Edge comes out for his match with Shawn Michaels, his self-proclaimed first step on a campaign to get a title shot at Taboo Tuesday. Unfortunately for him, Michaels comes to the ring with the very same goal, and surprises the youngster with a showstopping performance that puts Mr. Money In The Bank on his heels. Without Lita to rely on, Edge has to find ways to cheat to take the advantage; fortunately for him, the opportunity presents itself when Edge ducks a Sweet Chin Music that connects with the ref. Edge uses his MITB briefcase to lay out Shawn Michaels, but without a ref to make the count, the cover is moot.

Suddenly, the crowd erupts as the TitanTron's picture switches from a display of the in-ring action to a shot of Matt Hardy; he is lying in a hospital bed, bandages over his eyes, propped up to "look into" the camera. "Adam," Hardy says calmly. Edge's head snaps around at the sound of Hardy's voice. "I bet you love seeing me like this, all laid up and out of action. Well, here's some bad news; the doctors say I got lucky and I musta closed my eyes and blocked most of the bleach that Homicide threw in my face. I should be good enough to come back by Taboo Tuesday. Now, I was given a choice; I could either face you again, or I could go the Intercontinental Championship. And since I kinda owe CM Punk for cheating me outta the Ring Of Honor World Championship, and he's got one of our WWE titles and you don't, I'm going after him. But don't think we're done, Adam; I have this friend who's gonna help me take care of you."

Edge turns around, but doesn't have much time to register who is standing before him. James Gibson, formerly Jamie Noble during a run with the WWE, kicks Edge in the gut, doubles him over, nails the Gibson Driver and heads for the crowd. The ref starts to stir at the same time Shawn Michaels does. HBK manages to crawl over, drape an arm over Edge for a pin, and three seconds later, Edge's campaign is killed in the starting blocks.

Backstage, Mick Foley approaches Ric Flair's dressing room, but when Ric opens the door and sees Foley, the door is slammed in Foley's face. Undeterred, Foley knocks again, only for Triple H to open the door, step out, and close it behind him. "What?" growls Triple H.

"Listen, Hunter, I know we haven't always seen eye-to-eye," Foley says, looking at his feet, "but ... well ... I'm here cause I realize ... um ..."

"Come on, Mick, spit it out. I ain't got all day. I'm going with Ric to the ring for his match with CM Punk. Make it quick."

Foley takes a deep breath, steels himself and says; "I'm here to apologize to Ric. I shouldn't have gone after his friend, and I shouldn't have questioned what he was doing. We were both trying to help Ring Of Honor. It shouldn't matter who beats some respect into CM Punk, as long as someone does. And I'm retired, so, better him then me."

Triple H looks at Foley, looking in his eyes, replaying the words over and over in his mind. As he does so, Foley extends a hand and adds; "And, despite of everything that happened between me and Evolution last year, well ... it's nice to see you back."

Triple H looks at Foley, then at his hand, and back to Foley. Finally, Triple H nods slowly and takes Foley's hand. "Thanks. That means a lot. I'll tell Ric what you said."

CM Punk's normal cocksure attitude is notably absent when Ric Flair comes down with Triple H in tow, and as he wrestles the 16-time World Champion, he spends a lot of it looking over his shoulder. The distraction of Triple H causes Punk to make costly mistakes that Flair capitalizes on to get the offensive edge. The crowd, already solidly behind Flair, really fires up when Flair starts targeting the knee, a sign the figure-four is drawing near.

But as Flair gets Punk on his back to slap on the signature submission finisher, Edge races down to ringside, comes around Triple H's blind side and spears him almost out of his boots. Flair catches the assault on his friend out of the corner of his eye and becomes distracted, giving Punk enough time to floor Flair with a low blow. Punk calls for a chair; Edge tosses in one, and when Punk asks for another, Edge does so. Punk smashes Flair in the head with the chair, then, after Flair hits the mat, slides one under Flair's head. Punk raises the chair to nail a one-man con-chair-to, but is stopped by Mick Foley, who comes in, snags the chair from Punk's hands and blasts the straight-edge superstar between the eyes. Foley swings over the ropes at Edge, but he dodges, scoops up Punk and beats a retreat to the back. Foley watches the two head for the hills, yelling out a vow to exterminate CM Punk once and for all.

Behind him, Flair comes to, holding his aching head and sees Foley in the ring, standing at the ropes, holding the chair. Flair grabs the other chair, comes up behind Foley and blasts him in the back of the head. Triple H comes to and has to drag away Flair kicking and screaming, but after multiple chair shots and closed-fist blows to the head, the damage is done. Raw fades to black on the visage of Foley, laying face down in the ring, unconscious, as Triple H pulls Flair, practically frothing at the mouth like a rabid dog, away from the scene.