(fantasy) the landscape changeth, part 3
Jacob Gilbert
married to Triple H. Instead, the Princess is cozy with business
partner/boyfriend "Action" Jack Hunter.
Raw is in Providence. All ad breaks are 2:00 in length, and we delete
the recap from Smackdown.
9:01--We open at the Friendly Tap, a local pub owned by referee Tim
White. Stone Cold Steve Austin is there, but not to sign autographs.
9:03--Show officially starts with the Spike & Molly-Dudleys/Heyman
angle. Seg ends at 9:12, followed by Kurt Angle & Vince McMahon.
9:14--Jack & Stephanie arrive in the arena in a rented black Pontiac
Grand Am. Steph has chosen to eschew the usual limo service this time,
for obvious reasons. She & Jack exit the car simultaneously and link
hands as they head into the arena.
StM: It feels like we're in for a big night, Jack. I can feel it. A
very big night.
AJ: I second that emotion, Steph. All the advantages are on our side.
Momentum, manpower.....
StM: Hold on, there, big fella. You're losing me already.
AJ: Relax, honey. I'll explain it all later when we sit down with
Shane. All I'm asking you to do, in the meantime, is find me a
suitable opponent.
StM: Already done, darling. I've arranged a rematch between you and
Tajiri. This time, though, I'm taking a chance on this being an ECW
rules, or hardcore, match. I realize that's familiar ground to Tajiri,
but....
AJ: Say no more, sweetheart. Not a problem.
Seconds later, Shane shows up, and he & Steph leave to take in a
meeting with Paul Heyman. Jack is left out, as usual, but Steph
promises to brief her man after.
Most of the matches have their decisions reversed due to the screwjob
finishes. Consider Booker T., Mike Awesome, and the Dudleys
disqualified for various violations. Cordell McShayne (Jack's cousin
Shane Cordell) makes all the calls. Indeed, Jack-Tajiri is added, with
Jack going over in 4:55 via the nightmare plunge. Tajiri's green mist
has no effect. Later on, though, Jack's concerned when he learns that
Shane & Steph have sunk all of their money and stock holdings into
ECW/WCW. To his relief, though, Stephanie isn't risking the just
relaunched McMahon-Hunter Enterprises. Jack will control that venture
until after the PPV at least. Stephanie is not willing to have Jack
mortgage his kids' future. She loves Jack too much to have him make
the same kind of sacrifice she's making.
Post-show: Much speculation as to what role Triple H would play down
the road, as it'd been thought he'd be a silent partner in WCW/ECW or
even MHE or both, but nothing's been firmed up----yet.
Next: Smackdown in Boston. Be there.
J. C. Gilbert