The Wrestling Bard 10.04.08: Shawn Michaels vs. AJ Styles, Part 1

Oh, and a sidenote to the person or persons stealing other people’s log-in names for the sake of being annoying…I got two words for ya…

Seriously, it’s really ridiculous. Get your own screen name.

And with that, let’s get rolling.

The Feud Begins:

Week 1
Monday Night RAW: Shawn Michaels defeats Lance Cade in a short, slightly competitive match. HBK celebrates, but a man is running through the crowd. It’s TNA’s AJ STYLES! AJ stares at HBK and drops a clipboard in the ring when security comes to run him off. HBK stares at the contract with a bewildered look on his face.

TNA Impact: AJ Styles opens the show and has a microphone in hand. “Now I know that most of you don’t watch the shows that ‘the other wrestling company’ have every week, but let me catch you up on what happened. AJ Styles is a man known for taking big risks, inside and outside the ring. Well this week, I took a huge risk. I invaded the other company on their live show. Now, I didn’t go there with a plan to make them look bad, because they do that well enough on their own. No, I went there for one reason and one reason only. This reason was worth the fines I had to pay when the security guards caught me. There is one match that people have talked about ever since they first saw me in TNA. There has always been this question: ‘What would happen if AJ Styles got in the ring with SHAWN MICHAELS?’ It’s a dream match! The fans have dreamed about it, and I’ve dreamed about it. Last Monday, I ran into the ring and looked Shawn Michaels in the face, and I gave him a clipboard with a contract for a 1-on-1 match! Because everybody and I mean EVERYBODY wants to see that match. How about it Shawn? You say that you do everything for the fans! You’re the Showstopper, the Main Event, the Icon! Well, how about you give the fans the one thing that they’ve been dreaming about for the last five years? Shawn, I’m begging you, what is your answer?”

Week 2
Monday Night RAW: Shawn Michaels comes out during the show and has a microphone and the contract. “Last week, something very strange happened. Last week, somebody ran into the ring, stared into my eyes, and left this,” (Michaels holds the clipboard up) “in the ring for me. Needless to say, I was a little confused. I thought I had recognized this guy from somewhere, but I couldn’t quite place it. Well, curiosity got the best of me, and I read it. Now, I’m sure only some of you are aware of this, but there is another wrestling company that operates of Florida. I think some guy that beat me at Wrestlemania wrestles there, but I don’t remember. But what is on this piece of paper on this clipboard is a contract for a match with one of their wrestlers. That wrestler is the one who ran into the ring last week. This week, he is my honored guest: ‘The Phenomenal’ AJ STYLES!”

AJ makes his way to the ring in a TNA T-shirt and his wrestling gear. “AJ Styles! Now, some of these people may not know who you are, but I know who you are. You are one of the most talented wrestlers is not signed by WWE. Some of my students have talked about how they tore it up with you on the independent scene. I’ve seen you and I’m quite impressed. Impressed enough that I’m considering…considering, signing this contract. But I’m not sure. See, I don’t see why I should. Maybe you could explain why I should wrestle somebody from another promotion?”

AJ takes the microphone. “I may not be the most well known wrestler in the world Shawn. I may not wrestle in stadiums and I may not have grown up in a farm league. I’m not all that interested in ‘sports entertainment’. But wrestling fans know me very well. Shawn, you revolutionized pro wrestling in the nineties. I remember watching you hit a moonsault and being blown away. But I’ve revolutionized wrestling in this century. I am a world class athlete. They call me ‘Phenomenal’ because I do things that other people just can’t. People have compared me to you my entire career. To wrestling fans, AJ Styles vs. Shawn Michaels is a DREAM match. You’ve always been a man who is out to entertain the fans, so why not give them what they want to see?”

Shawn grabs the mic, “Well, you certainly talk a big game. I know you can back it up, but to the majority of the audience in this arena tonight, you’re just a young punk trying to make his name at the expense of mine. You aren’t the first one, and you won’t be the last. But this audience sees people challenge me all the time AJ. And they are all asking the same question…’What’s so special about this guy?’ Why does he deserve to have a match with the Showstopper?”

“Well Mr. Shawn, I can certainly see your point. I’m willing to prove myself to you and to these fans that I am special, and I DO deserve to wrestle you.” “Well AJ, I happen to have somebody who is willing to wrestle you. If you can beat him, and impress this crowd, then I will accept your challenge.”

Paul London comes down to the ring. AJ and London have an amazing eight-minute match, and AJ impresses with several trademark moves, including the Pelé Kick, the knip-up rana, and the German Suplex into a wheelbarrow facebuster. London impresses as well with the Tiger Wall Flip, a dragon suplex and a shooting star off of the apron. The finish comes when AJ blocks a 450° Splash with his knees and hits the Styles Clash for 3. The crowd gives AJ a standing ovation.

Shawn grabs the mic and comes into the ring. “Alright, alright. I’m convinced. You sir, are indeed ‘Phenomenal’. I WILL wrestle you.” HBK signs the contract and the crowd cheers. “Oh by the way. Good luck, because you’re gonna need it.”

Vince McMahon comes down to the ring. “Cut the music! Shawn, you listen to me. Listen to me! You have a lot of nerve Shawn. God knows I’ve taken more crap from you than I’d take from just about anyone else. But you have crossed a line here Shawn. You just invited a wrestler from another company, a small time promotion in Florida, onto my show, and you let him wrestle one of MY superstars, and he BEAT him! You’ve humiliated the WWE Shawn. I hope you’re proud of yourself! Now, I’ll allow you to have your little match, but there is no chance in HELL of me letting it happen on live television for another company. Not on pay-per-view, not on their pathetic excuse for a TV show! If you want this match, it will be at a live event with no cameras, and the only people that will get to see it will be those in attendance. My competition is NOT getting a ratings pop because one of my contracted wrestlers makes an appearance! So have fun having your little match in front of 500 people Shawn.”

TNA Impact: AJ has a sit-down interview with Mike Tenay . “AJ, what does having this match mean to you?” “This match means everything Mike. Shawn Michaels is a legend in this business, and it is an honor to get to wrestle him. Opportunities like this only happen a few times in your life, and I’m very thankful that Shawn gave me this opportunity.” “Can you explain what Shawn means to this business?” “Very simply, I don’t think there would have been an X-Division without Shawn. Shawn was a pioneer for smaller, more athletic wrestlers. God gave him the talent to be one of the best performers this business has ever seen, and Shawn has lived up to that. Shawn was doing dropkicks and moonsaults in a time where most wrestlers were content to punch and kick. He worked his butt off, and inspired a generation of wrestlers, myself included.” “AJ, why do you think this is such a dream match?” “I think people watch me and all of the amazing things I can do, and I’m just one of those guys that people want to see wrestle bigger names. Popular high-flyers like Rey Mysterio and Rob Van Dam, and when you think of legendary high flyers, the first name that should come to mind is Shawn Michaels. He was an innovator, he was a pioneer, and he made the style mainstream.” “But you’ve been innovative your whole career.” “Well that’s why it’s such a dream match. You know, Antonio Rocca set the high-flying foundation and Shawn improved on it. I took the foundation of Rocca and Shawn, and I improved upon it. I think that I’m the best there is at what I do, and what I do is amaze people. So it’s like, people want to see the innovator of the styles against the epitome of the style, and see who’s better.” “So who do you think is better AJ?” “Hahaha, way to put me on the spot Mike…um, I wouldn’t have made this challenge and gone to all the effort and taken the risks that I’ve taken if I wasn’t confidant that I can win. You know, no disrespect to Shawn, because I have the utmost respect for him. But this is kind of old-school versus new school, and I think Shawn has a thing or two to learn from me, and I can learn a thing or two from him, with all of his experience. But really, I think the real winners will be the fans in attendance, because they will get to see something very special. It’s just too bad that it has to be at a house show and not on TV, but Vince doesn’t want Shawn wrestling for TNA, so I’ll make do with what I have to.” “Thank you for your time AJ.” “Always a pleasure, Mike.” “And fans, AJ mentioned that Vince McMahon will not allow Shawn Michaels to wrestle with live cameras there. But our fans in Philadelphia are going to be the luckiest fans in the world this Saturday. We will be running a show in the old ECW arena, and the headlining event for that show, will be the dream match between Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles.”

TNA House Show:
vs.
They circle and AJ offers a handshake. Shawn accepts it and they circle again. They lock up and Shawn applies a side headlock, AJ fights into a top wristlock, and then he shoots for a single leg takedown, and works a heel hook, Shawn rolls to his back and AJ cartwheels out of it. AJ gets a go-behind and hits a waistlock takedown, and Shawn works his way to escape. Another lock up leads to another side headlock from Shawn, and AJ shoves him to the ropes, leapfrogs him and then sprawls on the rebound, and DRILLS Shawn with a flipping dropkick. Shawn rolls outside to catch a breather. Back in the ring AJ offers another handshake, and Shawn accepts it once more. They lock up again and Shawn gets a headlock takeover and AJ counters with a headscissors. Shawn escapes and AJ gets his own headlock takeover and Shawn counters to a headscissors, but AJ knips out to escape and poses for the fans. Shawn gets another headlock takedown and avoids the side headscissors this time. AJ bounces off the ropes but Shawn keeps the hold on. AJ counters into a hammerlock, but Shawn gets a reverse drop toehold and gets a front facelock on AJ. AJ gets to his feet and hits a northern lights suplex for 2, and Shawn bridges up and he back slides AJ for 2. Shawn gets another headlock takeover and AJ is getting frustrated. AJ gets to his feet and again counters to a hammerlock, and he hits a backdrop for 2. AJ keeps the hold on and uses a reverse half-nelson to turn HBK into a pin-cover for 2. AJ gets a pair of armdrags and holds onto an armbar. HBK gets to his feet and he grabs the ropes instead of countering. AJ gives him clean break and they circle again. Shawn goes for the headlock but AJ counters it to a hammerlock before he can apply the hold. Shawn counters with a snapmare and works a rear chinlock. AJ gets to his feet and he backs into the turnbuckles. HBK returns the clean break. They lock up and AJ applies a front facelock, and HBK backs AJ into the ropes, and this time he hits a knife-edge chop. He hits a few more chops and whips AJ, but AJ comes off the ropes with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. AJ hits a few forearms and whips HBK, but telegraphs a back body drop and Shawn counters with a swinging neckbreaker for 2. HBK powers AJ to the corner and hits a pair of chops and AJ reverses a cross-corner whip and follows with a flying forearm. AJ poses and HBK takes him down with a clothesline. Shawn whips AJ to the ropes and goes for a back body drop but AJ lands on his feet and hits a spinning wheel kick for 2. AJ picks Shawn up and hits his suplex into a neckbreaker for 2. HBK reverses a whip, but misses a clothesline and AJ hits him with a spinning crescent kick and a somersault senton for 2. AJ whips Shawn to the corner and follows, but Shawn catches him with his feet, crawls on the ropes and hits a headscissors that sends AJ to the floor. Shawn goes up top, MOONSAULT TO THE FLOOR! Shawn rolls AJ into the ring and climbs up and nails AJ with a double-axe handle for 2. Shawn hits a pair of chops and hits the ropes, but AJ catches him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Shawn holds his back and AJ hits a snapmare and a stiff kick to the back for 2. AJ hits a scoop slam and a knee drop for 2 more, and then applies a reverse chinlock. Shawn gets to his feet and hits a few elbows to the gut, hits the ropes but AJ hits a backbreaker into a gutbuster. AJ applies the Muta Lock, and he turns it over for added pressure. AJ eventually gives up on it and covers for 2. AJ sets HBK up in the corner and hits a series of corner thrusts to the back. He goes cross corner and charges, but Shawn tosses him over the top. AJ lands on the apron and he hits the Superman Forearm. AJ applies an abdominal stretch, and then hits a pump-handle gutbuster! 1…2…NO! AJ follows with a backdrop driver and heads up top, and MISSES THE FROG SPLASH! Shawn recovers and he hits a few chops, and AJ hits a club to the back, whips Shawn, FLYING FOREARM! KNIP UP! Shawn hits an inverted atomic drop and a pair of clotheslines. He hits the scoop slam and goes up top, PICTURE PERFECT ELBOW! Shawn tunes up the band, SWEET CHIN MUSIC…but AJ catches the kick and hits a German Suplex into a wheelbarrow facebuster! 1…2…NO! AJ sets up for the Styles Clash, but Shawn hits a back body drop, and AJ lands on his feet, and he hits the Stylin’ DDT! AJ lifts Shawn into the torture rack, SPINNING RACK BOMB! 1…2…NO! AJ sets up for the Styles Clash again, but Shawn grabs his legs, jackknife pin, 1…2…3!

After the match AJ Styles is visably frustrated. Shawn offers his hand and AJ accepts it without incident.

Week 3:

Monday Night RAW: Shawn and Paul London lose to Chris Jericho and Lance Cade. Later in the night, while Shawn is in his locker room, Vince McMahon comes in. “Shawn, there’s something we need to talk about.” “What’s up, Vince?” “Well you see, last week, when you let AJ wrestle on my television show, he didn’t have permission to wrestle. Now Jeff Jarrett called me up, and said that he would sue me for allowing a contracted wrestler to wrestle for the competition. Now we discussed this a bit, and Jarrett said that he would overlook it if we made a tradeoff, a quid per quo as it were. I need you to wrestle a match for the other company this week, on television. I don’t want any trouble, Shawn. Do you hear me?” “I’ll be more than happy to take a day off from taking orders from you, Vince. You can count on me.”

TNA Impact: Shawn Michaels is in the building and he says hi to some of the folks. Kevin Nash is there and they hug. “How’s it going buddy? It’s been forever! I hear you’re making Vince’s hair turn grayer by the day!” “Well, Kevin, some things don’t ever change.” Homicide and Hernandez show up. “Well look at this, it’s a happy reunion. You know Shawn, just because you a legend somewhere else, doesn’t mean you get special treatment here, aight? You gotta earn respect here in TNA, you understand?” “Well, I don’t expect special treatment. But I know all about respect. Now, I have to wrestle a match tonight, and I think it’s time the Clique got back together, what do you think Kev?” “I think that’s a great idea Shawn. A great idea.”

Later in the night Shawn and Nash defeat LAX when Nash hits a powerbomb on Homicide and Shawn hits Sweet Chin Music on Hernandez. They celebrate and AJ comes down to the ring. “Shawn, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. But I want to ask you for a rematch, one that will be seen by more than just the people in an arena. I don’t care if it’s in TNA or WWE, but I want a second chance.” “I’ll think about it AJ.”

Week 4:
Monday Night RAW: Shawn Michaels comes down to the ring as RAW opens. “Allright, I don’t want to take up too much of everyone’s time, so let’s get it rolling. AJ Styles, please come out here.” AJ comes down to the ring with a microphone in his hand. “Now, AJ, I’ve thought about your request for a rematch that can be seen by everyone instead of just the poeple in the arena, and I…” “Shawn, is it yes or no?” “I was getting to that. My answer….is YES! Now, I’ve talked to Vince, and he says the only way he will allow it is if it will happen at a WWE Pay Per View. As it happens, I’m not booked for Survivor Series this Sunday, so how about it?” “Well Shawn, the sooner the better. I will wrestle you this Sunday.” They shake on it. “By the way Shawn, I want you to know, I don’t plan on losing again. Be at your best.” “I will be. I will be the Showstopper this Sunday…and you better be at your best, because nothing but your best will beat me at my best.”

TNA Impact: AJ Styles defeats Matt Bentley in a slightly competitive squash to prepare for this Sunday. AJ grabs the mic and says, “Now, I know that we don’t like to advertise the competition, but I hope you all check out the WWE PPV this Sunday. Shawn Michaels and I are going to tear the house down, and I guarantee a win for TNA!”

Later, Shawn has a sit-down interview with Tenay. “Shawn, why did you grant AJ a rematch?” “There are three reasons Mike. First off, is that I respect the fans, and I think they should get a chance to see us on PPV instead of a small local arena. Second is that I respect AJ. He deserves a chance to shine on WWE PPV and get exposed to a larger audience. He also deserves a second chance to see if he can beat me. Thirdly is that the result of our first match ended in a roll-up, which some might call a fluke. I don’t the result to be called a fluke, I want a decisive winner.” “Now Shawn, AJ has guaranteed…guaranteed…that he will beat you this time. What do you have to say to that?” “Well, AJ is an amazing athlete with a ton of heart. If he beats me, he will have earned it. He deserves a chance to see if he can beat me, and I want to beat him decisively. He and I will both be at our best Sunday, and the better man will win. I hope for AJ’s sake that he is up to the challenge he’s made for himself. I made no guarantees…I would hate to promise a win and come back to my home company a loser.”

WWE Survivor Series
vs.
AJ rushes in with a forearm to the face, whips Shawn to the ropes and leapfrogs him, sprawls, goes for the dropkick but Shawn holds onto the ropes. Shawn applies a side headlock, but AJ throws him to the ropes and hits a back elbow and covers for 2. AJ hits a scoop slam and he follows with a knee drop for 2, and then he hits a stiff kick to the back for another 2. AJ powers Shawn to the corner and hits a series of corner thrusts, goes for the corner forearm but Shawn moves, AJ lands on the ropes and hits a springboard crossbody for 2. AJ gets a wheelbarrow rollup for 2 and a small package for 2. AJ tries a discus clothesline but Shawn ducks and gets a schoolboy for 2, and AJ counters it into a roll-up for 2. AJ hits Shawn with a spinning crescent kick and Shawn goes to the floor. AJ hits a baseball slide to the back and hits the ropes, TOPE CON HILO! AJ picks Shawn up and Shawn hits a chop, but AJ punches him. They trade blows and Shawn wins that, whips AJ toward the ring and AJ backflips off of the apron, Shawn tries for Sweet Chin Music but AJ catches it, ENZUGIRI BY SHAWN! Shawn goes into the ring and waits for AJ to come inside. They start talking and AJ settles down. They lock up and AJ applies a side headlock. HBK shoves AJ to the ropes and hits a back elbow and covers for 2 before applying a rear chinlock. AJ hits a series of elbows to escape, but Shawn reverses an Irish Whip and hits a back body drop and goes back to the rear chinlock. AJ backs Shawn into a corner and gives him a clean break. They lock up and AJ gets a go behind into a waistlock takedown, HBK tries to fight out and he charges the ropes and AJ goes out to the floor. AJ rushes in and hits a series of knees and elbows, whips Shawn and Shawn gets a crucifix for 2, and AJ slaps Shawn in the face and gets a schoolboy roll-up for 2. AJ whips Shawn and goes for the discus clothesline but Shawn ducks and hits a clothesline. Shawn sets AJ up in the corner and hits a few chops, tries to whip AJ cross-corner but AJ reverses and Shawn flips in the corner. He comes out and AJ gets a rana for 2. Shawn counters it into a pin for 2 and they trade four more nearfalls, and Shawn slaps AJ across the face, PELÉ KICK by AJ! AJ grabs a front facelock, and he does the alligator roll and slams Shawn’s back into the post. AJ does a bow and arrow lock against the post and breaks at four. AJ hits a springboard somersault senton to the back and covers for 2. AJ hits a backbreaker for 2 and applies a reverse chinlock. AJ drives his knee into the back and applies a surfboard. Shawn gets to his feet and turns it over, but AJ goes to his back and kicks Shawn in the jaw, and hits a backdrop suplex for 2. AJ applies a camel clutch, Shawn starts to get up and AJ jumps onto his back. He switches to a body scissors and turns Shawn into a pin for 2, and then applies a choke. Shawn works his way out of the body scissors and backs into the corner to break the sleeper, but AJ hits a hurricane rana. AJ picks Shawn up and Shawn hits a series of rights, and they trade blows, AJ goes for the discus lariat again but Shawn ducks and gets an O’Connor Roll for 2. Shawn charges and AJ hits a fireman’s backbreaker, and clutches his knee. AJ goes to apply the Muta Lock but he applies it vertically. Shawn counters and slams AJ’s knee into the mat. Shawn hits a chop block and a springboard elbow drop on the leg. Shawn lifts AJ up and hits a dragon screw and applies a single leg crab. AJ gets the ropes to escape, and Shawn kicks at the leg. Shawn hits a shin breaker, FIGURE-FOUR! AJ fights to escape and turns the hold over, and Shawn breaks it. Shawn chops at AJ and sets him up top, goes for a superplex, BUT AJ COUNTERS TO A FRONT SUPLEX! FROG SPLASH TO THE BACK! 1…2…NO! AJ hobbles on his knee and goes for the Stylin’ DDT, but he hurts his leg and hobbles. Shawn goes for another shin breaker but AJ counters with a sunset flip for 2, HEARTBREAK LOCK by Shawn! AJ crawls and thinks about tapping, but he gets the ropes. Shawn chops at AJ, and AJ reverses an Irish Whip, and Shawn hits the flying forearm. He knips up and punches at AJ, and hits a scoop slam. Shawn heads up top and connects with the flying elbow. Shawn goes for Sweet Chin Music but AJ blocks it and NAILS the discus lariat! 1…2…NO! AJ lifts Shawn up, CLIFFHANGER DDT! AJ took the referee out with the move. He covers for 3 but it doesn’t matter. AJ picks the referee up, SWEET CHIN MUSIC…blocked by AJ, BOSTON CRAB! Shawn crawls towards the ropes, and AJ picks Shawn up, STYLES CLASH! But AJ lands on his knee! AJ clutches at the knee and slowly covers Shawn, 1…2…NO! AJ goes to the apron, goes for the Superman Forearm, SWEET CHIN MUSIC IN MID-AIR BY SHAWN! 1…2…3!