If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my P-Tang12!!!
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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
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But the match wasn't over yet. John Cena suddenly slid into the ring. The Franchise grabbed a second ladder, quickly setting it up right next to Christian's. Cena scrambled up the rungs with terrifying speed, meeting Christian at the summit. "Cena is not going to let it end this way!" Lawler yelled.
Cena threw a heavy right hook, catching Christian flush on the jaw. Christian swayed, nearly losing his balance, but he held onto the top of the ladder with his left hand and returned fire with a stiff punch of his own.
They traded blows, the two ladders rattling against each other.
Then, on the opposite side of the ring, a third competitor joined the fray.
Kofi Kingston grabbed a smaller, eight foot ladder. He didn't set it up beneath the briefcase. Instead, Kofi propped it against the top rope, creating a makeshift ramp.
Kofi backed into the corner, his eyes locked on the two men fighting at the top of the world.
"What is Kofi Kingston thinking?!" Cole asked in panic.
Kofi sprinted forward. He ran up the slanted ladder with impossible speed, using it as a launchpad, and soared through the humid Chicago air. He flew completely over Cena's ladder and caught Christian with a devastating, mid air Trouble in Paradise!
The impact was sickening. Christian was knocked completely unconscious. He fell backward, plummeting twenty feet and crashing hard onto the canvas below.
Kofi crashed into the ropes, tumbling safely to the outside, having sacrificed himself to stop the climb.
The Allstate Arena completely lost its mind. Chants of "THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME!" echoed through the building.
"I have never seen anything like that in my life!" Booker T screamed, waving his hands in the air. "Kofi Kingston just hit a spinning heel kick twenty feet in the air! That boy is not human!"
Cena looked down at the carnage, his chest heaving. He was the last man on the ladders. He reached his hand up, his fingers brushing the briefcase.
But out of nowhere, CM Punk was back.
The hometown hero didn't climb the ladder. He grabbed the legs of Cena's ladder from the canvas and violently pushed it backward.
Cena rode the ladder down, his eyes wide with panic. The ladder crashed into the top rope, and Cena tumbled over it, falling all the way to the ringside floor and crashing heavily onto the thin mats.
Punk stood in the center of the ring, bleeding from his lip, clutching his bruised ribs. He looked out at his people. The Chicago crowd answered with a deafening roar, willing him to finish the job.
Punk grabbed Christian's ladder, making sure it was centered. He began to climb.
He moved slowly, every step a monumental effort. He reached the halfway point. He reached the top.
Punk stood tall, reaching both hands up, grabbing the heavy green briefcase. He began to unhook the carabiner.
Suddenly, a blur of motion shot into the ring.
Edge had recovered. The Rated-R Superstar didn't climb the ladder. He backed into the corner, his eyes wide and manic, his fingers pulling at his hair. He crouched down, waiting.
Punk unhooked the first latch. He pulled at the second.
Edge sprinted forward, launching his body like a guided missile. He didn't aim for the ladder. He aimed for the man.
Edge leaped incredibly high into the air, catching CM Punk cleanly around the waist, and delivered a catastrophic, mid air Spear that pulled the hometown hero right off the ladder!
Both men crashed to the mat with a sickening thud, the impact knocking the wind completely out of their lungs.
A collective gasp of shock sucked all the oxygen out of the arena.
"A SPEAR OFF THE LADDER!" Cole shrieked, his voice completely raw. "Edge just pulled CM Punk out of the sky! He just sacrificed his own body to stop the climb!"
"This is pure, unfiltered desperation!" Lawler yelled. "Nobody wants to lose! They are destroying each other!"
The ring fell into an eerie, heavy silence. All eight competitors were down. The ladders were dented and broken. The green briefcase still hung in the air, untouched, mocking the broken bodies below it.
Minutes ticked by in agonizing slow motion. The fans watched closely, waiting to see who would be the first to break the stalemate.
A hand reached out, grabbing the bottom rope.
Slowly, painfully, Christian pulled himself up to his knees. His face was pale, his blonde hair matted with sweat. He clutched his ribs, coughing heavily. He looked around the ring, seeing Cena on the outside, Henry buried under the desk, Punk and Edge motionless on the mat.
Captain Charisma pushed himself to a vertical base. He stumbled forward, his legs trembling, and grabbed the heavy steel ladder set up in the center of the ring.
He took a deep breath, and set his boot on the first rung.
The crowd began to cheer, a low, steady rumble of respect for the veteran's sheer resilience.
Christian climbed. One step. Two steps.
He didn't look down. He blocked out the pain, blocked out the noise, and focused entirely on the green box hanging above him.
He reached the top rung. He stood there, swaying slightly, his hand reaching out.
He wrapped his fingers around the handle.
The crowd held its breath, waiting for someone to run in, waiting for another flying kick or another spear.
But nobody came.
Christian unhooked the first latch.
He took a deep breath, shifted his grip, and unhooked the second latch.
With a sharp, metallic click, the briefcase popped free.
Christian pulled it down, hugging the heavy green box to his chest, closing his eyes as a massive wave of relief washed over his battered body.
DING! DING! DING!
The upbeat, energetic theme music of Christian blasted through the stadium speakers!
The Allstate Arena absolutely exploded!
The fans leaped out of their seats, throwing their hands in the air, a massive, triumphant roar echoing through Chicago. It was a genuine, shocking surprise, and the crowd loved every single second of it.
"He did it!" Cole screamed, clapping his hands at the broadcast desk. "Against all odds, surviving an absolute demolition derby, Christian has won the Money in the Bank ladder match!"
"What an incredible moment for Captain Charisma!" Lawler cheered happily. "He has fought so hard, for so long, and now he holds a guaranteed World Championship contract in his hands!"
"You have to respect the hustle!" JBL admitted, nodding his head. "He outlasted seven of the best athletes in the world! That man just secured his future!"
Christian sat on the top of the ladder, tears welling in his eyes. He raised the green briefcase high into the air, soaking in the deafening adulation of the packed stadium. After a moment, he slowly, carefully climbed back down to the canvas, his legs barely able to support his own weight.
As his boots hit the mat, he was met by a familiar face.
Edge had managed to push himself up. The Rated-R Superstar stood in the center of the ring, clutching his ribs, looking at his lifelong best friend.
Edge didn't look angry. He didn't look jealous. A wide, genuine, incredibly proud smile spread across his face. He nodded his head, pointing at the briefcase in Christian's hands.
"You did it, man," Edge mouthed, his voice lost in the roaring crowd. "You did it."
Edge stepped forward, opening his arms wide.
Christian smiled back, a look of pure, brotherly love crossing his face. He stepped into the embrace, and the two legendary tag team partners shared a long, emotional hug in the center of the squared circle. The crowd cheered even louder, appreciating the beautiful, heartfelt moment between the two veterans after such a brutal war.
Edge gently patted Christian on the back and stepped away. He raised Christian's hand into the air, pointing at him, demanding the crowd give his brother the respect he deserved.
Christian turned away from Edge, walking toward the corner turnbuckles. He climbed up to the second rope, raising the green briefcase high into the air to pose for the fans on the hard camera side of the arena.
Behind him, Edge's proud smile slowly began to fade.
The warmth in the Rated-R Superstar's eyes vanished, instantly replaced by a dark, cold, violently hungry stare.
Edge slowly backed up, retreating to the opposite corner of the ring. He dropped down into a low crouch. His eyes went wide, twitching slightly as he stared a hole straight through his best friend's back. He raised his hands, grasping his own hair, the manic, unhinged energy of the Ultimate Opportunist completely taking over.
Christian stepped down from the turnbuckle, a massive smile on his face, turning around to face his brother.
Edge exploded forward.
He launched his body like a missile, crossing the ring in a fraction of a second, and drove his shoulder directly into Christian's midsection with a catastrophic, bone crushing Spear!
The impact folded Christian completely in half. The green briefcase flew out of his hands, clattering loudly against the canvas. Christian crashed to the mat, his eyes rolling back into his head, completely knocked out.
The Allstate Arena fell into a state of absolute, paralyzed shock.
For a terrifying three seconds, the stadium was dead silent. And then, the realization hit.
A massive, deafening wave of pure, unadulterated hatred and vicious boos cascaded down from the rafters. The fans practically threw their voices at the ring, furious at the sickening betrayal they had just witnessed.
"No! NO!" Cole shrieked, his voice breaking in sheer horror. "What did he just do?! Why, Edge?! Why?!"
"I don't believe this!" Lawler yelled, clutching his headset. "That is his brother! That is his best friend! Christian just won the biggest match of his life, and Edge just cut him in half!"
"That is the nature of the beast, Michael!" JBL roared over the deafening boos. "I told you! There are no friends in this business! Edge just looked at that briefcase, and he realized that Christian holds the key to the kingdom! The Ultimate Opportunist strikes again!"
Inside the ring, Edge slowly pushed himself up to his knees. He didn't look at the broken body of his best friend. He didn't acknowledge the hateful noise raining down from the crowd.
Edge didn't take the green briefcase. He didn't raise it in victory. He simply knelt down, picked the heavy metal box up by the handle, and pressed his lips against the cool steel. With a look of pure, unhinged obsession, Edge gently tossed the briefcase so it landed squarely on Christian's chest.
The image was jarring. The Ultimate Opportunist, standing over the broken, unconscious body of his lifelong best friend, a dark, sinister smile spreading across his face.
Edge slowly backed away from the carnage, slipping under the bottom rope. He dropped to the ringside floor and began his long walk up the steel ramp. The Allstate Arena showered him with absolute venom. Trash began to fly over the barricades. Fans screamed at him, their faces twisted in genuine anger.
Edge didn't seem to care. He didn't look remorseful. He stopped near the entrance stage, running his hands through his sweat-soaked hair, and looked back over his shoulder toward the ring. His eyes were manic, twitching slightly as he stared at the briefcase resting on Christian's chest before finally disappearing behind the heavy black curtain.
"I am sick to my stomach," Cole admitted, his voice thick with disgust. "Edge and Christian have bled together. They have traveled the world together. They have won championships together. And Edge just threw all of that away for a piece of green metal."
"It's a sickness, Michael," Lawler noted quietly, shaking his head. "Edge has held that briefcase before. He knows the power it possesses. It corrupts the mind. He couldn't stand the thought of Christian having that kind of leverage that he wanted so bad, even if it meant destroying the only real friend he has left."
"You can call it a sickness, I call it survival!" JBL argued, though even he sounded slightly rattled by the sheer brutality of the betrayal. "You cannot let personal feelings get in the way of the World Championship! Edge sent a message tonight! Trust no one!"
As the medical personnel rushed the ring to attend to Christian, the broadcast was forced to pivot. The Money in the Bank pay per view was a runaway freight train, and there was no time to dwell on the tragedy of the opening contest.
The mood in the arena shifted from shock to anticipation as the heavy, aggressive guitar riff of Drew McIntyre's theme music hit the speakers.
The United States Champion marched down the ramp, looking incredibly focused. His opponent was already waiting in the ring: the massive, hard hitting Celtic Warrior, Sheamus.
This was not going to be a technical masterpiece. It was a collision of raw power and unbridled aggression.
The bell rang, and the two European powerhouses immediately engaged in a brutal, stiff hockey fight in the center of the ring. They traded heavy right hands, the impact echoing loudly through the first few rows.
McIntyre relied on his explosive power and deep amateur wrestling background, utilizing a heavy belly to belly suplex that sent the Celtic Warrior flying across the canvas. Sheamus answered with absolute brute force, trapping McIntyre in the ropes and delivering the devastating Ten Beats of the Bodhrán, leaving the champion's chest completely raw and red.
The Chicago crowd ate it up, cheering the sheer, unadulterated violence.
As the match crossed the fifteen minute mark, both men were visibly exhausted. Sweat poured off their bodies. Sheamus backed into the corner, beating his chest, signaling for the Brogue Kick. McIntyre slowly pushed himself up. Sheamus charged, swinging his heavy boot.
McIntyre ducked the kick beautifully, bounced off the ropes, and connected with a devastating Claymore Kick out of absolutely nowhere!
The impact nearly took Sheamus's head off his shoulders. McIntyre threw his exhausted body over the challenger, hooking the leg to secure the hard fought three count and retain the United States Championship.
The hits kept coming. The WWE Tag Team Championships were up next.
The energetic hip hop beat of Cryme Tyme hit the speakers, and Shad Gaspard and JTG made their way to the ring, hyping up the Chicago crowd. But their smiles quickly faded as the harsh, blaring siren of the Nexus theme ripped through the arena.
Ryback and David Otunga marched down the ramp, looking like a pair of absolute monsters. But they didn't come alone. Flanking them closely, wearing matching black and yellow Nexus armbands, were Wade Barrett, Mason Ryan, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Darren Young, Curtis Axel, and Jinder Mahal.
"This is completely unfair!" Cole complained immediately. "It's a tag team match, but Cryme Tyme is basically facing a nine-on-two disadvantage!"
The Nexus members didn't attack. They simply surrounded the ringside area, crossing their massive arms, staring holes through Shad and JTG.
The bell rang, and the match began with a frantic pace. Cryme Tyme utilized their street smart tactics and rapid fire teamwork. Shad used his massive size to go toe to toe with Ryback, matching the Big Guy punch for punch. JTG used his speed to outmaneuver David Otunga, hitting a beautiful flying neckbreaker that secured a very close near fall.
But the psychological warfare was taking its toll. Every time JTG hit the ropes, he had to check his periphery to make sure Mason Ryan wasn't reaching for his ankle. Every time Shad went for a tag, he had to keep one eye on Wade Barrett.
The distraction finally cost them.
Around the twelve-minute mark, JTG managed to hit Otunga with a stunning dropkick. He scrambled toward his corner, reaching desperately for Shad. But as Shad reached his hand out, Wade Barrett discreetly grabbed Shad's ankle from the outside, violently pulling the big man off the ring apron and sending him crashing face-first into the steel steps.
The referee didn't see the interference.
JTG turned around in a panic, realizing his partner was gone.
Ryback was waiting. The massive powerhouse grabbed JTG by the throat, hoisted him into the air, marched around the ring with pure arrogance, and planted the Tag Team Champion with a devastating Shell Shocked.
Otunga slid into position, hooking the leg as the referee counted to three.
The Nexus flooded the ring, celebrating wildly as the referee handed Ryback and Otunga the WWE Tag Team Championships.
"They did it," Lawler groaned, rubbing his temples. "The Nexus just won their first taste of championship gold."
"This is a massive turning point," Cole noted gravely. "They aren't just invading SmackDown anymore to cause chaos. They are actively taking control of the brand's championships. And with an Intercontinental Championship match still to come, this could be a very dark night for Teddy Long."
The pay per view didn't slow down. The World Tag Team Championships were immediately put on the line in a fast paced, highly technical showcase between The Usos and The Hart Dynasty.
Tyson Kidd and DH Smith utilized their crisp, generational grappling skills, targeting the legs of Jimmy and Jey Uso to try and ground the high flyers. But The Usos relied on their unmatched chemistry and explosive athleticism. The match featured breathtaking tandem offense, rapid momentum shifts, and a series of near falls that kept the Chicago crowd on the edge of their seats.
In the end, Jimmy Uso managed to hit a spectacular top-rope splash on Tyson Kidd to secure the victory and successfully retain the World Tag Team Championships.
The broadcast returned from a quick video package, and the atmosphere in the arena instantly shifted. It was time for the Intercontinental Championship match.
The slow, heavy, menacing organ chords of Kane's theme music hit the speakers. The Big Red Monster marched down the aisle, the gold championship secured tightly around his waist.
He was followed immediately by the harsh siren of the Nexus.
Wade Barrett walked out onto the stage, a dark, confident smirk on his bruised face. And just like the tag team match prior, he was flanked by the entirety of his faction. Ryback and Otunga carried their newly won tag titles over their shoulders, openly flaunting their newfound power.
The bell rang, and Kane immediately proved why he was a terrifying champion.
The Big Red Monster charged forward, overwhelming Barrett with his terrifying size and raw power. He backed the Englishman into the corner, delivering a series of heavy, suffocating right hands. Barrett tried to fight back, throwing sharp elbows, but Kane simply absorbed the punishment, grabbing Barrett by the throat and tossing him across the ring like a ragdoll.
"Barrett is in way over his head!" JBL laughed. "You cannot play psychological games with a demon!" Barrett struggled to match Kane physically. Every time the challenger tried to mount an offense, Kane cut him down with a heavy big boot or a devastating sidewalk slam. But Wade Barrett was incredibly intelligent. He realized he couldn't win a fair fight, so he signaled his troops.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 21 (2011)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida, USA
Brand: WWE - RAW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Styles
Faction: The Undisputed System
Championships History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions, 1x FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion, 1x TNA World Heavyweight Champion, 1x TNA X Division Champion, 1x WWE United States Champion (1st - 376 days), 1x WWE Champion, & 1x World Heavyweight Champion
Other Achievements: 1x Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale Winner, 1x Mr. Money In The Bank, Youngest WWE Champion, PWI Top 500 (No.1) - 2010, & 1x KOTR (2010)
Wrestlemania Record: 2 - 0 Main Event: 1 - 0