(fantasy) the landscape changeth, part 2
Jacob Gilbert
is not married to Triple H. Instead, she's cozy with business
partner/boyfriend "Action" Jack Hunter.
Last time, on Smackdown: McMahon-Hunter Enterprises reopened for
business, which has folks thinking AJ is turning heel. Subtle, maybe,
but not full. Yet. What we forgot last time, since we set it up, was
that AJ beat Billy Gunn in 4:15 with the Nightmare Plunge. Crowd still
popped for AJ, despite Steph accompanying him to ringside still
wearing her new ECW cap.
7/11, NYC: Jack learns that he & Steph will not be on the cards in New
Haven and Albany after all, due to the Invasion angles. However, other
commitments have forced Kevin Kelly to cancel guest-hosting "Powerslam
Radio" (which exists in our version only) and the accompanying
announcers' forum. Steph immediately pitches the idea of a
split-location broadcast. She & Jack will do part of the show from
Albany anyway, since they're booked for a mall appearance on 7/14
during the day, and Howard Finkel will do the rest in NYC.
7/14-Powerslam Radio: Jack opens from Albany and explains the late
changes. Notes that there's still time to get a good seat for the
show. He & Steph talk about Invasion. She says she made a pure
business decision, and knows that she has to keep one eye on Paul
Heyman at all times. In turn, Heyman had best grow eyes in the back of
his head, because if he screws Steph over in any way, AJ will rain
down some royal vengeance as only he can. They also talk about the
Molly-Spike love story, and Jack has a sneaking suspicion that they're
headed down a certain primrose path that Steph has already trod. It's
then time for our hosts to pick their hypothetical ECW/WCW teams for
Invasion. Steph, no fool, gets Jack to pick first. He suggests a team
of Booker T., DDP, Rhino, Rob Van Dam, & Tommy Dreamer. Steph agrees
on 3 of 5, but subs the Impact Players for Rhino & Dreamer. Not the
final choices, of course, but based on their own speculation as fans
instead of being in the biz themselves.
Back in NYC, Linda McMahon joins the show. Howard asks her about
Invasion, and she is supportive of both of her children (no shock
there), but doesn't trust Paul Heyman. Knowing that Bubba Dudley has
already made peace with Steph, Linda says it won't take much for
Heyman to get Bubba to go back on his word if necessary. 2nd half of
the show features Lillian Garcia and the Starlight Orchestra in
concert.
7/15: Jack & Steph, back home, take in the Mets-Red Sox game at Shea.
Compared to the chaos of the past week, it's like vacationing at a
monastery.
Next: Raw @ Providence.
J. C. Gilbert