[XL]

The still dazed Shad Gaspard manages to pull himself into the ring to celebrate with Burke. The referee checks on Kofi, who doesn’t seem to be moving very much. The big screen buzzes to life, and we see R-Truth standing in what appears to be a music studio.

TRUTH: Hold up there, Elijah and Shad…I’m not in the building tonight because I’m recording a hot new track for my upcoming album…but I made sure to take some time to join you two fools via satellite and try and get to the bottom of exactly what your problem is with me.

A stagehand tosses Elijah Burke a microphone.

BURKE: Are you serious right now, Ron?

TRUTH: Hey now, easy with that Ron business…I go by R-Truth now.

BURKE: And THAT is the problem exactly. You’ve been in this business a long time, so you should know how much of a struggle it is for people like me and Shad here to make an impact…but here we are now, standing before you as a force to be reckoned with in Hard Knocks Wrestling.

TRUTH: A force to be reckoned with, huh? I won my match last week too, you know.

BURKE: I’m well aware, Ron. I have the utmost respect for your in-ring abilities. What agitates US is that you don’t seem to have any respect for YOURSELF. Don’t you remember where you came from? Don’t you remember how hard you had to work to get to where you are? Don’t you remember a time when nobody wanted to give you the time of day just because you didn’t LOOK like somebody that they wanted in their main events? You’re acting like you’ve forgotten. You’re not representing your background well. You’re not trying to show people that they were wrong about you all along. All you’re doing is dancing around, making stupid songs, and trying to make the people happy that would have been perfectly content to see you never amount to anything. Kofi here isn’t much better, either. You’re a sell out, and you’re a puppet, perfectly content to bask in the negative light that the industry has cast upon you. Not us, though. We’re putting those LIGHTS OUT.

Shad gestures towards his “LIGHTS OUT” t-shirt as he nods in agreement. Elijah hands him the mic.

SHAD: I used to be the same as you, Ron. I used to dance around and act like an idiot, because that’s what they wanted me to do. Not anymore, though. Me and Elijah are gonna take this company over, and we’re gonna do it OUR way.

TRUTH: Come on, man. Y’all can’t be serious, can you? You do know it’s 2010, right? What you two need to do is stop making excuses for your shortcomings and get off of my back just because I love my job and I like to have fun with it. THAT’s what I represent, and that’s the truth…the whole truth…and nothing but the TRUTH.

BURKE: We’ll see what’s really true soon enough…


At this point, Kofi Kingston has returned to his senses a bit. Unexpectedly, Shad turns and nails him with a clothesline. Elijah and Shad begin to stomp him on the ground as Truth yells for them to stop from the screen. Matt Striker demands the production truck to cut away.

***COMMERCIAL***

THE BIG SHOW v. BATISTA v. CHRIS JERICHO (WINNER GETS A HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE SHOT AT GRADUATION)

The Big Show enters first, ready to take care of business and prove why he belongs in the main event of Graduation. Chris Jericho enters next, looking extremely confident. Batista’s theme song hits…but he doesn’t appear. The music stops and starts again…and Batista still doesn’t show. After the third time, the referee shrugs and signals for the bell, starting the match without him. Matt Striker is furious on commentary, saying that Batista is a disgrace for apparently turning down ANOTHER heavyweight title shot. Chris Jericho is absolutely crestfallen. The Big Show smiles at him.

Jericho and The Big Show circle each other for a moment before they engage in a collar and elbow tie up. The Big Show easily shoves Jericho back, sending him toppling backwards over himself on the mat. He quickly gets up and engages in another collar and elbow, yielding a pretty similar result. Jericho gets to his feet again, kicking the bottom rope in frustration. The Big Show makes the universal sign for ‘a belt belongs here’ by waving his hands around his waist.

Jericho runs at The Big Show. He ducks a clothesline and continues to the ropes. The Big Show turns around to receive him, but Jericho baseball slides between his legs. Jericho regains his vertical base and hits a vicious chop block on the Big Show’s left knee. The giant drops to one knee in pain. Jericho quickly sends some kicks into the Big Show’s right leg until he successfully sends him to both knees. Jericho applies a rear chin lock, applying as much pressure as he can against The Big Show’s impressive size. Jericho immediately yells to the ref “HE’S OUT! RING THE BELL! IT’S OVER!”.

Much to Jericho’s chagrin, The Big Show’s actions send a different message. He fights through the pain shooting through his legs and rises to his feet. The tenacious Jericho stays locked on his back, wrapping his legs around as much of The Big Show’s midsection as he can. This proves to be a mistake as The Big Show grabs Jericho’s legs and sends all of his weight crashing backwards onto him.

The Big Show takes a moment, grabbing on to the ropes for support as he shakes some of the sting out of his legs. Jericho writhes on the ground in such pain that his dissenters might even pity him for a second. The Big Show briefly admires his handy work before forcing Jericho to his feet. He reels back his sends a crushing fist into Jericho’s midsection. Jericho doubles over in pain. The Big Show reels back again, unleashing another devastating blow to Jericho’s midsection. Jericho clutches his stomach and falls forward, sliding down the Big Show and landing in a quivering mass at his feet.

The Big Show holds his hands above his head in triumph, and the crowd shows him their appreciation. The Big Show pulls Jericho to his feet and Irish whips him into a corner. He shushes the crowd and sends a thunderous clap down onto Jericho’s chest, which echoes throughout the arena. The crowd begins to chant “ONE MORE!”, and The Big Show is happy to oblige. He shushes them again and winds his hand back to attempt another chest slap…

The next moments come quickly. As The Big Show winds his hand back, Batista emerges from underneath the ring. He has a steel folding chair in his hand. Batista jumps up onto the apron just as the crowd quiets for the Big Show and sends a much more sickening echo throughout the arena as he clocks The Big Show’s head with the chair. The chair dents and The Big Show’s forehead begins trickling blood as he falls to the canvass, out cold.

Batista crawls into the ring and surveys the damage. The felled Big Show is lifeless on the mat. The injured Jericho is clutching his chest and staring upwards at him as if all of his prayers have just been answered. Batista winks and shoots Jericho a finger gun before nodding his head towards The Big Show. Jericho crawls over on top of the Big Show while Batista exits the ring and heads back up the ramp. The referee slaps the mat three times, and Chris Jericho earns his way into the Graduation main event.

Chris Jericho via pinfall

EMTs rush to the ring to attend to the Big Show. Chris Jericho steps around them as he celebrates, still clutching his midsection. The crowd is lively in its disapproval.

**

Backstage, we find Christy Hemme in her cheerleader outfit. She stares quizzically at a vending machine, tapping a thoughtful finger to her chin. A sheepish Evan Bourne approaches her, and she smiles as she notices him.

CHRISTY: Hey Evan! How are you?

BOURNE: Hey Christy…I’m OK…a little banged up from that beating Punk laid on me last week, but I’ll live.

CHRISTY: You poor thing. (smiling seductively) Is there anything I can do to help you?

BOURNE: (not entirely picking up on her signal) No, it’s OK…I was actually just coming over here to say thanks for showing some concern for me last week. I know The Miz pulled you away, so I hope you didn’t get in trouble with your boyfriend or anything…but that was just a really nice gesture, so I thought I’d show some appreciation in return.

Evan reaches off camera and produces a dozen red roses. Christy graciously accepts them.

CHRISTY: Oh my god, Evan! You are too sweet!

Christy moves in and hugs Bourne. It catches him off guard at first, but he soon returns the embrace. Christy really seems to be enjoying herself until The Miz, Alex Riley, and Chris Masters (collectively known as Team Awesome) appear, all wearing street clothes under their lettermen’s jackets. They do NOT look happy. Christy quickly releases the hug and holds the flowers behind her back.

THE MIZ: What the hell is going on here, Christy? Team Awesome is placed in DETENTION, and you’re over here fraternizing with the biggest dweeb the wrestling world has ever seen?

CHRISTY: I was just looking for something to drink, and he came up and said hello. It’s not a big deal.

The Miz reaches around Christy and snatches the roses out of her hand. He turns to Riley and Masters with an incredulous look on his face. They both shake their heads in disgust. The Miz turns his attention to Evan Bourne

THE MIZ: Flowers? You’re buying my girl FLOWERS? What a hack move. Have you ever even kissed a real live woman?

BOURNE: I really don’t think that what I do in my private life is any of your business.

THE MIZ: Oh, I know that! Nothing you do in your professional life is any of my business either. You know why? Because you’re a NOBODY around here. Nobody cares about you, and nobody ever will. I’m not even going to get mad at you for hitting on Christy, because you are absolutely insignificant to Team Awesome’s master plan. You see, once this whole ridiculous detention thing is over next week, I’m going to start making my strides to the Hard Knocks Wrestling heavyweight title…and as long as A-Ri and The Masterpiece have my back, there’s not going to be anything that YOU or anyone else around here is going to be able to do to stop me.

Evan Bourne rolls his eyes.

BOURNE: Whatever, man. You can call me insignificant all you want, but as it stands right now…I’m booked for a match tonight, and you…(Evan looks the three men up and down before snickering)…you’re just three grown men serving a detention. I’ll catch you later, Christy.

Evan Bourne goes about his way. The Miz tosses the roses in the same direction before turning to Christy Hemme with a scowl. Christy shrugs as we cut to commercial.

***COMMERCIAL***

SPOILER: show

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Ric Flair makes his way to the ring wearing a suit. He doesn’t waste much time with fanfare as he storms to the ring. He is handed a microphone as he gets in the ring.

FLAIR: CM PUNK! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

Not much time passes as CM Punk’s theme song hits and he appears at the top of the entrance with a microphone. He starts to take a couple steps towards the ring, but pauses, noting Flair’s demeanor. He opts to take care of tonight’s business from the top of the entrance.

PUNK: I know you’re crazy Ric, but I’m about the last person you want to be call—

FLAIR: SHUT UP! Just please, SHUT…UP! All you kids do today is talk and talk. That’s ALL you do! I am an ICON in this industry, and now you’re going to listen to what I have to say! Now, last week, you told me that I was the most vile and despicable specimen to ever lace a pair of boots. You seem to have a problem with the fact that everyone in this building respects me for what I’ve done, and for what I CONTINUE to do to this day.

PUNK: That’s right, Flair. You’re a cancer to this industry. It’s time for you to hang it up for good, and—

FLAIR: AND WHAT, PUNK? And what? YOU think that you’re going to be the man to actually get me to do it? Listen here, junior…I’ve seen punks like you come, and I’ve seen them go. They all say the same thing. They all say I’m hogging the spotlight. They all say I’m cancerous to this profession, and they all think that they can beat THE MAN. Well you know what I think about that, Punk? I think that your actions last week are more cancerous to the industry than anything I’ve ever done in my career! You think you’re so great? You think your generation’s talent is so great? When you started choking a guy like Evan Bourne…a guy who IS great, and a guy who CAN be the future of this industry…you were definitely doing more harm than good. I’m not here to hold anybody down. I’m not here to steal anybody’s shine…but what I AM here to do is to make sure that the RIGHT people of today’s generation are the ones that carry us into the future…people like Evan Bourne…not tattooed blowhards like yourself.

PUNK: You’re so senile, you don’t even know what’s good f—

FLAIR: SHUT UP! I’m not finished! I’m going to save you the trouble of the old song and dance, because I know EXACTLY what you want from me! You want a fight! But not only do you want a fight, you want to put my career on the line! And you know what, Punk? That’s fine! This happens to me ALL the time, and I’m still standing RIGHT HERE! See Punk, it’s guys like YOU that are holding themselves down, and that’s one thing…but when you’re trying to hold your own generation down, you are the doing more damage than I ever could. That’s why I want to nip YOU in the bud. How about this…at Graduation, Ric Flair versus CM Punk. If you win, I’ll retire for good…but if I win…YOU retire!

PUNK: WHAT? That’s ridiculous! I’m not putting my career on the line against a has-been like you! I have too much to contribute still!

FLAIR: Fine. Have it your way…but Ric Flair ain’t goin’ ANYWHERE! WOOOOOOOOO!

The crowd responds with a ‘WOOOOOO!’, which frustrates Punk. Flair woos again, and the crowd returns it again. Flair continues to ‘WOOOOOO!’, and the crowd continues to ‘WOOOOOO!’ back repeatedly until Punk becomes enraged, tearing at his hair.

PUNK: STOP IT WITH THE WOOING! STOP IT! NO MORE! RIC FLAIR! YOU’RE ON FOR GRADUATION! I ACCEPT!

Flair stops wooing and casts a sinister smile in Punk’s direction. Punk stares back at him with hatred in his eyes.

***COMMERCIAL***

EVAN BOURNE v. PAUL BURCHILL

Paul Burchill starts the match off looking pretty sharp, looking to capitalize on Bourne’s state after the brutal attack from CM Punk last week. Burchill keeps Evan grounded after a hard slam, using his size advantage. Burchill locks Bourne in a leg scissor around his midsection.

Bourne is clearly in pain, but he claps his hands to get the crowd to rally behind him. They happily do, and he feeds off of their support. Bourne manages to wiggle his way to the ropes, and the referee forces Burchill to break the hold. Evan uses the ropes to get to his feet. Burchill comes charging at him, but Bourne catches him with a drop toe hold, causing Burchill to land neck first, sprawled across the second rope. He stays in that position as Bourne bolts towards the opposite ropes. As he comes back, he springboards off of Burchill’s back and jumps, twisting in the air to place a leg drop across the back of Burchill’s neck. The impact slings Burchill backwards to the middle of the ring as Bourne lands safely on the apron. Bourne gets to his feet and springboards off the middle of the top rope, launching himself into the ring and rotating backwards in a beautiful shooting star press which lands flush. Bourne hooks both legs as the referee slaps the three count.

WINNER: Evan Bourne via pinfall

Bourne climbs all four corners, appealing to the crowd as he celebrates his victory. One fan in particular appears at the top of the entrance. You may recognize her as Christy Hemme. She smiles huge and applauds vigorously. Evan notices her and smiles, flashing her a peace sign.

Matt Striker stands from the announce position with a house microphone.

STRIKER: Congratulations on an impressive victory, Evan. I don’t mean to take away from your celebration, but I’ve got some law to lay down. Since the rules of detention state that NO member of Team Awesome is allowed to set foot in the ring area today…yes, that includes you, Christy…and they are CLEARLY in violation…ALL members of Team Awesome are hereby BANNED from title contention of ANY kind, INDEFINITELY!

Christy covers her mouth with her hands, realizing she has made a pretty major mistake. Evan Bourne chuckles and shrugs at Christy, mouthing the word ‘sorry’.

We cut backstage and find The Miz in a fit of rage in the dressing room. He flips over a table before picking up a metal folding chair and slamming it repeatedly against the lockers. Alex Riley and Chris Masters rush to his side to try and calm him down, but he pushes them away and lets out an angry scream.

***COMMERCIAL***

KURT ANGLE v. JACK SWAGGER (WINNER FACES CHRIS JERICHO FOR THE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE AT GRADUATION)

Both men are intense during their entrances. Mick Foley gives a nod to Swagger’s intestinal fortitude for even competing in this match with a broken nose. The referee signals for the bell, and they meet face to face in the middle of the ring. Swagger taps his face protector as he jaws at Kurt about being a cheater. Swagger shoves Kurt, stumbling him back a few steps. Angle retaliates by shooting on Jack’s legs, wrestling him down to the mat. They roll around on the canvass for a bit, exchanging glancing blows before they break the plane of the bottom rope, causing the referee to stand them back up.

Swagger starts jawing at Kurt again, but he stops midsentence and ducks behind Kurt, locking his hands around his waist. Swagger picks Angle up and uses his leg to sweep Kurt’s feet out from under him as he slams him face first into the mat. Swagger floats around Angle’s back and applies a front face lock. Swagger tightens his grip and starts rolling around the ring while keeping his grip to apply extra pressure to the hold. In an arrogant move, Swagger suddenly releases the hold, slapping the back of Kurt’s head a few times before getting back to his feet and encouraging Angle to do the same.

Angle massages his neck as he slowly gets to his feet, giving Swagger a look as if he has maybe underestimated him a bit. The look slowly dissolves into a smile as Angle signals for Swagger to bring it on.

Swagger obliges and lunges in for a grapple. Kurt quickly drops to one knee and grabs Swagger’s leg. Kurt flips Swagger over his head and to the mat and smoothly transitions into a rear chin lock. Kurt keeps the hold locked in with one arm as he repeatedly slaps The All-American American’s face guard with his free hand. Kurt then releases the hold with no prompting before returning to his feet and encouraging Swagger to do the same. Swagger grabs his face in pain before jumping to his feet and yelling at the ref to tell Angle to stop cheating. The referee rolls his eyes as Swagger turns his attention back to the Olympic gold medalist.

Swagger and Angle circle each other before engaging in a collar and elbow tie up. Swagger uses his strength to muscle Kurt into a corner. The referee calls for a break, and Swagger does… but he immediately thrusts a shoulder into Kurt’s midsection, using the ropes to help drive him forward. Swagger sends a bruising knee into Angle’s stomach before grapping his head and snapmaring Kurt to the canvass. Swagger drives his knee into Angle’s spine, and the pain shows on Angle’s face. He repeats the knee before shoving Kurt’s shoulders to the mat and making a quick cover. Angle kicks out at one and a half.

Swagger picks Angle back up to his feet and connects with some stiff forearm shots to his head. He sends Angle into the ropes with an Irish whip and lowers his head for a backdrop. Angle picks up on the anticipation and sunset flips over Swagger. Instead of trying to pull him down for a pin though, he repositions himself and snatches Swagger’s ankle out from under him. Swagger falls face first to the canvass, and Kurt locks in a standing ankle lock. Swagger screams out in pain before pushing himself up on his hands and using his other leg to dive towards a bottom rope. He makes it, and holds on to the rope for dear life as the referee calls for Angle to break the hold.

Swagger pulls himself to his feet and begins to circle Angle again. Angle goes to shoot for a takedown, but Swagger catches him with a boot to the stomach. Swagger comes down across Angle’s back with multiple clubbing forearms. Swagger picks Angle up and slams him hard to the mat with a scoop slam. Swagger looks to follow with an elbow drop, but Angle rolls out of the way. Angle gets to his feet and grabs both of Swagger’s legs, flipping over him in a pinning combination. Swagger kicks out at two.

Both men return to their feet with neither having gained a clear cut advantage yet. Swagger smiles at Kurt before dropping down to all fours in a popular amateur wrestling starting position. He urges Kurt to start in the advantageous position. Angle is agitated, but he agrees. Angle walks over to Swagger, but instead of positioning himself on top, he quickly rolls Swagger up in a mahistrol cradle into a pin. Swagger kicks out at two and a half. Swagger slaps the mat, screaming “THAT’S NOT HOW THAT WORKS!” at Kurt. Kurt shrugs before saying “show me” and dropping down to all fours himself. Swagger rolls his eyes, but agrees. Swagger walks over to Angle, but instead of positioning himself on top, he cocks back and explodes a vicious kick into Kurt’s ribs.

Angle rolls around on the ground in pain as Swagger stomps on his ribs a few more times for good measure. Swagger pulls Angle to his feet. He takes the back of Angle’s tights in one hand and the back of his head in the other. Exhibiting some fairly impressive strength, he tosses Kurt, sliding him across the mat and underneath the bottom ropes. Kurt’s ribs slam into the ring post. Swagger wastes no time in hopping outside the ring and going to the opposite side of the ring post while Kurt lies in the ring writhing in pain. Swagger grabs underneath Angle’s chin with one hand and Angle’s foot with the other. Using his own leg as leverage on the ring post, Swagger tries his best to try and bend Kurt Angle around the ringpost. Kurt yells out in pain as the referee shouts at Swagger to get back in the ring. Feeling he has done a substantial amount of damage, Swagger takes the ref’s advice and re-enters the ring.

Swagger brings Kurt to his feet and sets him up for a vertical suplex. It lands beautifully. Matt Striker comments on how Swagger appears to be setting Angle up for his Gutwrench Powerbomb. Swagger sits Kurt up to a seated position. Swagger places his knee into Kurt’s back, pulling Kurt’s arm behind him for some serious pressure. Pain is etched on Angle’s face, but he yells “NO!” every time the referee asks him if he would like to submit.

Swagger keeps the hold locked in for a bit before letting go on his own terms. Swagger drags Angle to his feet before Irish whipping him into the ropes. Upon Angle’s return, Swagger manages to catch him in an overhead belly to belly suplex. Unfortunately for Kurt, he lands awkwardly in the ropes, with his neck tied up between the second and bottom ropes and his feet dangling just above the ground on the outside. Kurt panics a bit as he begins to choke, but he manages to sit on the apron to stop some pressure. The move still does not get his neck from out of the ropes. Striker mentions Kurt’s past problems as the referee rushes over to try and get him free. Swagger does some jumping jacks in the ring before tearing his singlet straps down and yelling, mocking Kurt Angle. Swagger walks over and yells in Kurt’s face that he’s going to beat him “with a broken freakin’ nose!” as the referee continues to try and help Angle escape the ropes.

***COMMERCIAL***

It’s still all Swagger when we return. He has Angle locked in an abdominal stretch. As the referee gets in Kurt’s face to ask if he submits, Swagger uses his reach to grab the top rope for added leverage. He releases the rope as the referee returns to position, not suspecting a thing. Swagger takes his free arm and fires some forearms into Kurt’s ribs before wrenching back even harder on the hold. The referee checks on Kurt again, and Swagger grabs the rope. The referee notices this time and shouts at Swagger to break the hold. Before Swagger gets a chance to react, Angle lowers his center of gravity enough to be able to hip toss Swagger off of him and to the mat.

Swagger gets back to his feet as Angle tries to take a moment to recuperate. Swagger charges at Angle to try and minimize that time, but Angle is enough about his wits to duck down and toss Swagger over his head, over the top rope, and onto the floor out the outside with a back body drop. Angle collapses to his knees, clutching his ribs. Swagger is confused and hurt on the outside. The referee begins to count Swagger out. He gets all the way up to seven before Kurt makes his way to his feet and goes out after Swagger.

Angle snatches Swagger up off the floor and slams his head into the ring apron. He does this two more times before grabbing Swagger’s arm and Irish whipping him into the fan barricade. Angle mounts the fallen Swagger and rains down some punches into his forehead as the referee pleads for them to get back in the ring. Angle picks Swagger up and guides him back over to the ring, rolling him in under the bottom rope. Kurt gets in the ring himself as well, pulling down his singlet straps and releasing a yell. Kurt urges Swagger to get to his feet as he waits to attack. Swagger uses the ropes to pull himself up and stumbles towards Kurt. Angle goes behind Swagger , picking him up for an attempted Angle Slam…but his ribs are too injured to hoist Jack over. Kurt drops Swagger mid move and doubles over in pain, clutching his ribs. Swagger is winded, but he smiles as he realizes his earlier strategy paying off now.

Swagger’s smile gets even bigger as he notices that Kurt is in perfect position for a Gutwrench Powerbomb. Swagger quickly grabs Angle around the waist and hoists him up into the air. However, Angle twists his body and slides down Swagger’s back, landing behind him. Angle quickly snatches Swagger’s leg and with his hands and trips him face first to the mat with his other leg, keeping his grip. Swagger’s face becomes one of panic as Angle locks in a standing ankle lock. Swagger begins to make some moves towards the ropes to break the hold, but Angle wraps his legs around the targeted ankle lock leg and falls to the mat himself, stopping Swagger from moving. Swagger has no choice but to tap out.

WINNER: Kurt Angle via submission

Kurt’s theme music hits the PA as he celebrates his retained Graduation title shot with the fans. Chris Jericho and Batista appear at the top of the entrance. Jericho smiles at Kurt and Batista stands behind him menacingly with his arms folded across his chest. Kurt motions for them to ‘bring it on’, but they maintain their positions at the top of the ramp. Kurt drops to his knees and raises his hands in the air as red, white, and blue pyrotechnics explode above the ring.

***CREDITS***