I am driving through Texas on I-10 and I can't get Shane's words. I also can't foget what happened in the hallway when we laid out Legacy. It seems funny to me because I have lost trust in the Clover but yet when I saw him in a battle I took his side. Do I want a title shot? Of course I do. Do I want to realign with Clover and give Plant Mafia another chance? That's the real question. I arrive in San Antonio and make my way into the arena. As soon as I step foot in the door I am greeted by Shawn Michaels. "Tulip, I just wanted to stop and make sure everything is going ok for you. I also wanted to talk to you about what happened last week. I saw you take up for the Clover and I also heard a rumor that Shane is going to give you guys a #1 Contender match against E&C." I start to speak but he cuts me off. "I just want you to think about how your career has been on a downward spiral since you guys fell apart. Hunter and I have been together for years and have split up time and time again. No matter how mad we make each other or what evil we have done to one another, we still know that sometimes you have to put the past behind you and help each other to advance your careers. I'm just saying; before you say no to Shane, just think about it." He starts to walk away and I call out: "Oh yeah welcome home Shawn!" He smiles and walks away.

I walk back to the locker room and do a few pushups. I sit down on the bench and begin to ponder what Shawn had said. I go back and forth with myself until I finally come to the conclusion that Yes, I do want Plant Mafia to ride again and Yes, I want a title shot. I start to convince myself that the Clover is a changed person and I can trust him...for now. I set out to find you to tell you that I am in if you are in. I turn the corner and see you talking to Edge. You didn't see me so I stepped back and tried to listen to what you two were talking about....

"Shane? Edge? What are you guys up to?". Shane responds, "Well, I was about to ask you two the same thing. However, I just want to share some insight with you guys. See, I'm an opportunist, a visionary, a pioneer you could say. See, the reason PlantMafia did not succeed is because you both are hungry for championship gold. What if I said I have a way for both of you to wear gold around your waists? But! Don't get too excited, as I'm not offering you a title shot...yet. See, with the addition of Edge and transfer of Christian to RAW, there has been a rebirth of E & C. What better matchup for the #1 contendership, than the rebirth of two great allegiances. Next monday night, on RAW, I want you 4 to go head to head in a tag-team TLC match. The winner moves on to the Rumble the following Sunday for a championship match against The Big Show and Miz. What do you say?"

I glance over at Tulip who is also doing the same. "You are right Shane, I do crave championship gold around my waist. I have held the tag-team championship before as well as the heavyweight championship. I would gladly duel with Edge and Christian. It would be a simple match at best. Edge appears to be 80 years old with the caveman beard he is growing." Edge squints his eyes and balls his fist as I continue. "Whoa Whoa gramps. No need to get too excited. Not yet. You see, there is a problem. You as opponents mean nothing. However, I have to have a partner that is trust worthy. Considering what happened between us, I do not expect him to trust me, nor would I trust that he is not filled with vengeance. I'm in. You need to ask him." I point to the Tulip.

You turn away and leave.

"Well, Clover, the offer is still on the table. You have til the main event of RAW next week to convince him, if you want the shot. Otherwise, I will be sure to make your trip down championship lane, very bumpy."

Shane and Edge exit, leaving me standing along. Not sure how this is going to work, but if I have to fight them both myself, I will do so.

I hear yelling behind me and I see Randy, Ted, and Cody running out the back door. There is a better time for this. I take off and leave them behind me in my rearview mirror. Off to San Antonio...

"What do you want Randy?" I ask. He replies: "I just wanted to apologize for what just happened out there. I let my emotions get the best of me and I couldn't resist messing with Clover. I truly am sorry that it turned out like it did but when I saw Ted pushing you onto the table, there wasn't much I could do. When the ref started counting I decided this was better for me anyhow. It's nothing personal, it's just me taking advantage of an opportunity." I jump up and get in his face.

Just before we start to rumble we hear: "Ted!" and then a loud crash! We look at each other and then run down the hallway just in time to see the Clover wrenching Ted in the Clover Vise. Cody is laid out beside them. Randy goes to check on Cody. Randy starts to help him up just as I hear the Clover say: "Cody...Ted...know that today, you felt the wrath of the greatest allegiance you have ever known...PlantMafia." So I do the only thing I know to do...I nail Randy with some Sweet Chin Music! I lean over Randy and say: "It's not personal, it's just me taking advantage of an opportunity." After I see the carnage of 3 men laid out I jump in your face.

 Recalling what I just heard, I scream at you "Allegiance?! What allegiance?! The allegiance you showed when you pedigreed me and sent my career into a tailspin?!" You don't speak. Suddenly we see security, refs, and other wrestlers running toward us. We quickly glance at each other and then sprint for the door. We get outside in time to see Shane talking to Edge....

I stumble back to my locker room. I catch a glimpse of Orton talking to somebody. I don't have the energy at this point to attack back. I surrendered to my room.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. I picked up a kindo stick (randomly laying in my room) and opened the door. Legacy. "What do you guys want?" I ask. Ted answers first, "Well, we just wanted to thank you for the distraction you caused. Sorry about throwing ol' Tulip on you, but it was necessary and I'm sure you understand. The fact of the matter is, I am now #1 contender. When I win the belt at Royal Rumble, I will give you first dibs on a title shot at Wrestlemania." Cody grabbed Ted's shoulder, "wa..wai..wait a minute. Why doesss (notice lisp) he get a title shot? Is it because I beat you in our game of pictionary? I'm sorry, but I was teamed up with the american dream...Dusty Rhodes. If anybody should have a title shot, its m....." I silence Cody by putting my finger up to my mouth. "First off, I would like to thank you for the title shot Ted. However, you cannot use and abuse me for your own personal advancement. You will pay for what you did. I have made my decision. Legacy will have enemies. Legacy will fear the name...Clover. You will have no choice but give me a title shot. Little guys like Cody here are more suited as cheerleaders than actual wrestlers."

Ted grins, and tells me..."hey, no biggie. It's your loss...". Ted and Cody walk away slowly knowing that I am raging.

"Hey Ted!" I called out the hallway. I then sprinted out of my locker room and speared Ted in the middle of the hallway. Cody started pounding on my back. I threw him to the wall. *SPLAH* After my DX chop I kick Cody in the gut. I then wrapped my arm around his neck and delivered a STUNNER!!! Ted is starting to get up when I run over and lock his arm with my legs. I then apply the Clover Vise. Ted is yelling...Cody is knocked out. I see officers and wrestlers running my way. I release my grip and stand to my feet.

"Cody...Ted...know that today, you felt the wrath of the greatest allegiance you have ever known...PlantMafia."

I pull you to your feet and as you get your balance I let go. I slowly turn around and make my way towards the ramp. I feel dejected, disappointed, and most of all I feel like an idiot for trusting Orton. I walk back up the ramp and make my way backstage. Shane stops me as I get behind the curtain. "What were you thinking he asked? Why in the world would you trust Orton?" I didn't reply as I didn't have an answer. I don't really remember what happened after I fell off of the turnbuckle and onto the announcer's table. I ask Shane what happened. He takes me over to a monitor and starts rewinding back to the moment it happened. I see me climbing to the top rope and I am furious with Orton for getting distracted. I get so mad that I tried to jump on him. That's when I see it: Ted gets up and pushes me hard off the ropes and Orton ducks out of the way and I land on the Clover. Now I really feel like an idiot. Legacy now has the #1 contendership in their pocket and also Randy Orton knows that he can get a title shot as soon as Ted has his. What was I thinking? Shane is talking to me but I am in a fog. I keep watching that replay over and over again. Shane says the name Clover and I snap out of it. "Shane, the Clover and I are history. There is no way that we are teaming up again so don't even get that idea." Shane looks at me puzzled. He answers: "I didn't say anything about you two getting back together. Is your head ok?" I turn and quickly head back to the locker room. Why did I assume that Shane wanted Plant Mafia back together? Is it something that I wanted closure for? Is it what I subconciously wanted? I sit down on the bench and begin to ponder my next move. I just lost the #1 contendership and am also losing respect of the WWE. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Just as I put the last of my stuff in my bag the door opens. It's Orton.....

NO...Cody stops the pin. The ref pushes Cody back to his corner while Orton climbs out of the ring. Me and Orton are standing face to face now.

I see you get up and start questioning Orton..."What are you doing? You are going to cost us the match! Get back up here now!" Randy gives you a side glance and then starts to walk back to the turnbuckle. About a half step later...he turns and hits me with an overhead punch. I fall back to the announcer's table. Randy is now kicking me in the gut. I cannot get a hold of him to prevent his attack. Orton removes the announcer's table top and the two monitors. The King and Michael Cole stand to move out of the way as Orton rolls me on the table.

SPLASH...CRUNCH!! I'm laying now through the table with another wrestler on me. I cannot tell who it is, but I start to black out.

The last thing I remember is seeing the Tulip on the top of the turn buckle. You kept yelling at Randy to stop. As you leaped to hit Randy, Ted gave you a big push from behind and Orton dodged out of the way as you crashed through me.

Orton walks up the ramp as you are being counted out. "...9...10! You are out" DING DING DING. "Winner by count out, LEGACCCCCY! Also, Ted Dibiase is our new number 1 contender!"

I feel the EMT's moving me now to ensure that I'm ok. Bruised no doubt, but fine. You give me your outstretched hand and help me to my feet. Confusion is in your face....1) Was this a Legacy screwjob on you for #1 contendership or 2) Did I, the Clover, just cause you the #1 contendership on purpose with my distraction of being ringside.

Inches...I swipe at Randy and miss! Cody grabs my leg. I kick at him but it does no good. He gets up and starts to drag me. I twist and turn over and use Cody's weight aginst him. He goes flying across the ring and I jump back to Randy and make the tag. He quickly goes to work on Cody. He picks up Cody by his head and turns him around. POW! He lays out Cody with his signature backbreaker. The crowd starts going crazy. Randy backs up to the corner and sets up for his punt to the skull. Cody slowly gets to his knees and Randy runs toward him and SMACK! He connects with Cody's head. He stops and looks at the Clover sitting at the announcer's table. He gives him a "warning" by giving him the slashing motion across his throat.

Ted sees this as his chance. He comes running in. I smack Randy's back and jump in the ring. SMAACCKKK! Superkick! Ted is out! I run over to pin Cody 1..2..argh he kicks out. I take him to the center of the ring. I start to kick him in the head. The crowd is feeling it. I go to the top rope, set up, jump, and SPLAH! Elbow Drop! I go to the corner and start to tune up the band. Orton turns and says something smart to the Clover but I can't make out what it is. Cody starts to get up and so does the CLover. I connect with Sweet Chin Music just as the Clover grabs Randy's legs and he falls face first onto the mat. I go for the pin. The ref is distracted! He realizes and dives to the ground 1..2...

Priceless...no doubt. Randy Orton's music was still playing while Ted and Cody exchanged glances. There is nothing but mass confusion on the face of all wrestlers involved. I agreed to come down to the ring as a "temp" manager of Legacy. By no means am I joining an alliance, but its always good to be in the spotlight. I tried to say something to Tulip so that there were no hard feelings, but Randy jumped down off the apron and stood in front of me.

"Clover, you have no business here. Leave us. You made your point. Your character shined through. You have to attack somebody who has their back turned. Next time, it will be you wiping blood from your head. " I turn and walk passed him to the announcer's table.

"Hey hey, looks like Clover has decided to join us", said Michael Cole. "Yes, a backstabber is always welcome at our booth" (The King).

I sat down and put on a headset. The bell dinged and the match begun...

The Tulip and Ted locked up. Ted kicked Tulip in the gut, and then hit him with a couple chest slaps back to the turnbuckle. The crowds reaction was an ol' Rick Flair "WOOOOO". Tulip quickly reversed positions and threw Ted into the corner. Kick...Kick...Hit...Hit. Tulip raised Ted up to the top of the turnbuckle. Tulip followed and setup a superplex. Ted, however, started hitting Tulip in the gut. Once...twice...SMACK. Tulip fell back from the turnbuckle. Ted climbed to his feet and leaped off the turnbuckle with a flying elbow drop. Tulip was then dragged to the corner and Cody was tagged in.

I looked over at Randy, and he was still staring at me. I'm sure he has an agenda for revenge. I kept pointing to my chair and asked if he wanted more. He started to walk my way when I stood to meet him. He reluctantly walked back and climbed to the apron and encouraged Tulip for a tag.

In the meantime, you got away from Cody after laying him out with a DDT. You both were winded. You crawled towards Randy's outstretched hand. You were 6 feet away...4 feet...2 feet...

Randy! I have been looking all over for you! Are you going to be able to compete tonight? If not I have to fi... He stops me there. "Do I look like I am ready to you?" He asks "Well no. Not really." I reply. "Well I am." I tell Orton that if his "health" costs me the #1 contendership, it will be him, not Legacy that will be in trouble. I hear Cody, Ted, and someone else talking coming down the hallway. Just as I start to catch a glimpse of them...CLICK, CLICK, BOOM! My music starts. I go out to a standing ovation. There is no dount who the crowd is pulling for. Just before I left, I told Orton to stay out of sight so Leagacy doesn't see him before the match. I get to the ring and do the usual routine with the crowd. Legacy's music hits. They introduce Leagacy and their manager....THE CLOVER! I start to put 2 and 2 together. He saw Randy and I talking and he is the one who attacked him! My mind begins to race as I wonder if Legacy knows that Orton is on my side for this one. They make it to the ring and you stay outside. There is an intense staredown between Legacy and myself. I turn to say something to you but I am interupted by Randy Orton's music. Legacy gets a smirk on their face as they think that he has come out to assist them and further hurt my chances. I have to admit that I am a little excited to see their faces when they realize. Randy makes it to the ring and he gets in my face. He then steps to the side and stands behind me. The look on Legacy's face is just how I imagined it! PRICELESS...no pun intended. They yell and Randy and ask him what he is doing. He simply retreats to the corner and steps out. Cody follows suit. It is me and Ted inside the ring to start this thing. Orton in my corner, Cody in Ted's and The Clover, somewhere in between....DING DING DING!

MVP's music has just finished, signaling that he has made his way to the ring. I step up to the stage and wait behind the curtain. My music is on. I head down the ramp and ignore the constant boos and chants of disapproval. I focus on MVP who is staring me down.

The ref signals for the bell...match started. We enter into a grapple. My strength and momentum pushes MVP to the turnbuckle. The ref comes to detach us. I lift my hands and back away as MVP starts pummeling me. I block a punch...counterpunch...punch...counterpunch. I begin to get the upperhand. I irish whip MVP into the ropes. I hit MVP with a back elbow. MVP drops. Not 1 second later, I drop down with an elbow drop to the chest. I grab his arm and pull him to the turnbuckle. I climb to the top of the turnbuckle. I jump for a flying slow motion (hair flowing) leg drop. MISSED...argh. MVP slipped out of the way. We both climb to our feet and MVP lands a diving spear tackle on the back of my right knee. My leg gives and I fall back to the mat. MVP begins working on my knee. MVP tries to get me into a standing figure 4 leg lock. I kick him back to the ropes. I then hit him with a drop toe hold. I scissor-lock his arm with my legs and wrench my hands under his neck. Crippler Crossface? YES. Except, I call it the Clover Vise. MVP pulls himself towards the ropes. I continue to crank back so that MVP can almost look me eye to eye now. His neck has to be seconds away from snapping.

With one final pull, MVP makes it to the ropes. The ref threatens to DQ me if I do not let go. I stand to my feet and pick MVP up. I am holding his head when he begins hitting me in the torso. He then runs to the opposite ropes and hits me with a flying shoulder tackle. He takes off and bounces off the ropes again...skip...skip...BALLIN'...elbow drop! I feel a quick momentum change. MVP goes for the pin. 1...2... ah, I kicked out. He picks me up and quickly scoop slams me. He climbs to the top rope. He jumps for a splash.

I rolled out of the way as MVP thudded against the mat. I quickly relocked in my Clover Vise. MVP is now in the middle of the ring. Nowhere to go. He struggles for a few seconds. The crowd is on his side. My position now is great...unstoppable. I take a deep breath and heave with all I had. DING DING DING. MVP tapped out. 2-0 since my return.

I again quickly leave the ring and exit up the ramp. I have one last thing to do tonight. I will be ringside at Legacy's tag team match tonight, for educational purposes. I have no strings to no one, but I need to study my competition as I WILL be champion once again.

I make my way to the arena and I get inside. I am rushed because I'm a little late today...traffic. I make my way to the locker room and find out that our tag team match has been approved and that my partner was found unconcious in the locker room. I become confused. Who would have done this? Orton has made many enemies so a lot of names are racing through my mind. I think of HHH. I think of Cena. I even think of Sheamus. I set out to find Vince. I find Vince talking to the one of the divas in the hallway...of course. "Vince! I hate to interupt you but I have to speak with you." Vince tells me to fire away. I begin telling him about what happened last night and that Randy may not be able to compete. Vince gets that crazy look in his eye. He says: "I'll tell you what. If Orton can't compete I will let you choose anyone in the WWE that you want as your partner." I am greatly appreciative of the gesture. I thank him and walk back to the locker room. I sit down on the bench. I hear HBK's music crank up. Oh no! RAW has already started! I franticly go out to find Orton. I have to know if he can compete or not. I am asking people if they have seen him and no one has. Then I hear Chris Jericho's music playing and the boos that follow. I continue down the hallway where I run into Legacy....

Cody begins to speak: "Well, well, well what have we here? It looks like you get another chance at my man Ted here? You can forget being the #1 contender because once we beat you, Ted will go on to win the title and I will FINALLY get a shot." I start to walk away but first say: "Dream on Cody. Oh and you may want to fix that lisp of yours. I wouldn't want you to bite your tongue when you taste Sweet Chin Music." I walk around the corner where I find Orton. he looks in halfway decent shape. I walk up to him and ask him if he can fight tonight...

I arrived at the RBC center and headed to my locker room. I catch a glimpse of Shane talking to Legacy (-Orton). I duck my head and keep walking. My match tonight is against MVP. Not really interested in this match, but I figure I gotta earn my respect back.

...KNOCK KNOCK. I open the door thinking Shane has come for his answer. To my surprise, Randy Orton is standing there. "Clover, I know about the deal that Shane offered to you. I know you are not stupid enough to accept. Legacy has a leader, they just do not know how to show true respect. Tonight, I will show them some discipline. Tonight I will team up with your frien...er, ex-teammate, the Tulip. We will punish Legacy, and then they will show me the respect I deserve. You do not want to stand on the tracks when the train is coming. This is my first and last warning...stay out of our way."

I crack a smile, give him the ol' salute and cap it off with a sarcastic, "Yes Sir!". He turns to walk away. The anger in my blood overwhelms me. I grab a chair leaning against the hallway wall. SMACK! I layed Orton out with a heavy thud to his head. "Orton, this is MY first and last warning...know who you should and should not boss around. I...am a should not. You are lucky that I will have mercy on you this time and not continue to pound this chair into your skull. Good luck in your match tonight. I will be watching close by."

I head down the hallway for my match...

"What do you want Randy?" I ask him sternly. He begins to speak "I saw what happened out there an..." I stop him there. "I don't want to hear it. Yes your boy beat me. Is that what you wanted to hear? But know this: I will settle this with Cody and if you get in my wa..." he cuts me off. "If you would let me finish I was just going to say that I saw what happened and as far as I'm concerned, you should still be the #1 contender." I am rather confused by this turn of events. I hear someone talking and I glance over Randy's shoulder to see Shane and Clover talking. Randy turns to see what I am looking at as they walk out the door. He starts again, "As I was saying. Cody and Ted have been acting weird lately. They don't want direction or leadership. They are stubborn. They want things their way. In my opinion if Cody had not been there you would have beaten Ted. I am willing to help you get a rematch with Ted. I will tell Ted that he and Cody are to have a  re-match against you and the partner of your choice. Only they won't know that your partner is me." I think for a second. Can I really trust Orton? Can I really trust the Viper? "Randy, I don't think..." He stops me, "Before you say no I want you to hear what I want in return. I will help you take down Legacy and you can get your #1 Contender status back. Once you beat Sheamus for the title, I want to be the first one you defend your title against. You don't have to answer me now. Just think about it." We leave it at that. He walked away and I headed for the door. My head is spinning. Still furious from my loss and confused by Orton, my thoughts are swirling. Then I remember "Oh yeah, what was Shane and the Clover talking about"?...

I finally kick off my wrestling gear and slip on my street clothes. I'm sitting in the locker room contemplating my next move, my next request to Vince to escalate my career. There is a knock on the door...

"Clover, its Shane. I actually had more to talk about before, but you seemed to be in a rush. Can we take a walk?"

I reluctantly got up and greeted the boss' son. "What's up Shane?". Shane continued to ramble on and on about how I'm important to RAW and that I'm a big influence on a lot of upcoming superstars. He then asks me a question that caught me off guard...

"I have been talking to Cody and Ted, Legacy of course. With the tension with Randy Orton amongst their group, they are in need of a leader. They did not want to ask you themselves, but sent me instead. As a big Legacy fan, I would be honored to ask if you would like to join the allegiance of Legacy in your quest to dominate the WWE. What do you say?"

I say nothing. I'm stunned. I do not want to join an alliance at this time...do I?

I grabbed my gear and headed out of the stadium. On my way out, I see the Tulip conversing with none other than Randy Orton himself. You both pause and watch me exit. Something about this does not add up...

As I make my way down out from behind the curtain I can feel the intensity of the crowd...the music doesn't hurt either. I slowly feel the nervousness fade away and adrenaline starts to flow. I begin to pick up the pace. Before I know it I am in the ring and really getting into the crowd. I go to the middle, I squat and flex. I go to the top rope and put my arms up as a gesture to thank the fans for supporting me in this main event match. My music begins to fade and I realize my competition is getting ready to come out. Ted's music blares through the speakers as the crowd starts to boo. Of course Cody Rhodes comes out with him...those guys never do anything apart from each other...I'm starting to wonder about those two. I back to the far end of the ring so Ted can enter. The ref comes over and checks my shoes, checks my clothes to make sure there is nothing hidden. He does the same for Ted and once we are cleared, the match starts.

DING, DING, DING! The match has begun! Ted and I start to size each other up. We enter a grapple and he gets the upper hand. Ted is slightly taller than me but I use that to my advantage as I squirm out of the headlock he had me in. I back off the ropes and run at him and hit him with a clothesline. He falls to the ground but quickly gets up. I grab him for an Irish whip but he reverses. He throws me into the ropes and Cody grabs my legs and I fall to the ground. The ref sees the whole thing and I am thinking that he is going to call it a disqualification. Instead he rolls out of the ring and ejects Cody! I see this as my chance. Ted is distracted so I set up. I am just waiting. He turns around and POW! Sweet Chin Music! He is laid out! I fall onto him. There is no ref! He is still arguing with Cody. So I get up and yell for the ref. He turns around and heads back for the ring. Ted has gotten up by this time. I turn around just in time for Ted to grab me and....SLAM!!! DREAM STREET! He goes for the pin. The ref rolls into the 1..2..3!! It's over! Boos rain from the crowd as Ted celebrates his "victory".

I sit up. I am in shock. I can't believe what just happened! I had been defeated. Wrongly defeated but defeated none the less. I roll out of the ring. I walk up the ramp and make my way backstage. No one speaks to me, They can see the frustration. I make it back to the locker room and sit down. I bury my head in my hands. I lost my #1 contendership and I didn't know how to react. I knew that it wasn't my last shot but I was hoping this was it this time. I start blaming people. I quickly think about the Clover. Then I think about Cody. I think to myself "Tonight I am going to end this." I set out of the locker room to find Cody but I am greeted by someone else...much to my surprise....

It has been about 6 minutes since the bell rang and me and Evan locked up. I could tell that I was out of shape, out of wrestling shape that is. My body pounded on the mat after a front drop kick to my jaw. I was dazzed. I could see Evan climbing the top rope. This is it. His finisher is set. The crowd's excitement was raising as the picture flashes reminded me of a lightning storm. Like a bird, Evan gracefully swooped down with his high moonsault. With a split second to react, I reached for the ropes and pulled myself out of the way. Evan thudded on the mat as I lifted myself to my feet. Evan also lifted himself up, while holding his torso. I grabbed his arm and sent him with an irish whip into the ropes. He flew back at me and jumped clear over my head. He bounced off the ropes again and I lifted my leg and kicked him in the gut. The wind was knocked out of him. I clinched his arms, lifted my head to the booing crowd...SPLAT.

"Pedigree!! Pedigree!! Pedigree!! All Clover has to do is pin him now. This match is over!"

The ref raised my hand in victory. My music thundered through the crowd. I did not celebrate. I simply jerked my hand from the ref, rolled under the ropes and walked back up the ramp.

As I walked backstage, I was stopped by Shane McMahon. He wanted to congratulate me on my victory, and hoped there were no hard feelings between us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Tulip prepping for his number 1 contendership match. He looked distracted.

I walked away immediately fearing confrontation. I can hear his music crank up. A different reaction from the crowd...of course he was a crowd favorite.

...Tonight I am facing off, yet again, with Ted DiBiase Jr. I have battled this guy time and time again in the past 7 months. I tasted gold just once before I fell back down the ladder but now I have a #1 Contender Match against Ted. This match will end our feud and elevate me back to the Championship scene...I hope. Something is different about this match though. I am finding myself doubting my ability to step up in this big match situation....this never happens! I sit down on the bench in the locker room and I gather my thoughts. That's when I hear it..."Big Train Rollin'..."

I forgot he was coming back tonight. Every time I hear that music it takes me right back to 7 months ago when we were both in the hunt for championship gold when he turned on me. Whenever that song is played I feel that kick to the gut all over again...it's all a blur after that. I am having a hard time thinking over the sound of the crowd cheering. I get a little interested and set out to find a tv monitor. I see The Clover, my former teammate and friend, locking up with Evan Bourne. So far it looks like an even match. I turn away for just a second for one of the referees to tell me good luck and as soon as I turn back to the tv I see it...a kick to the gut, arms wrenched up, and a face first slam to the mat. I can't even stand to watch the rest. I now hear that music again blaring through the speakers and boos echoing through the arena...I guess he won the match.

I have to forget what happened and focus. It's still hard knowing that The Clover is a big reason why I fell from going for gold to feuding with Legacy and other young guns such as myself. I begin the walk to the entrance. I see many other superstars in the hall. Most of them wish me good luck. Some on the other hand do not. Just as I turn the corner to wait for my music, I see The Clover. He notices me but is quickly distracted by Shane McMahon who tells him what a great match that was. Ted DiBiase walks up behind me along with Cody Rhodes. I try to ignore them. Then it hits "Click, Click, Pull....showtime!

...It has been about 7 months since I recall the day I kicked my teammate, my friend in the gut. I then publically humiliated him with a pedigree on the entrance ramp. My main concern was not that of my friend, but of greed. I had to rid myself of all competition. This cost me championship opportunities, and my tag-team partnership. Its time for a new beginning. Tonight, I will change history. Tonight, I begin my climb back to the top. Tonight, will be the beginning of my championship run. Tonight...Evan Bourne will be destroyed.

"Welcome to Monday Night Raw...this is Michael Cole and beside me is the King, Jerry Lawler. We have some great matchups for you tonight. We also have a new number one contender, in Hitman "Jimmy" the Tulip. His contendership is being challenged tonight by Ted Dibiase Jr. as his battle with Legacy continues. We have some other exciting matchups such as John Cena vs. Randy Orton in a gauntlet match, and a new beginning with The Clover facing off against the high flying Evan Bourne."

"Hey buddy...its your turn to go on..." somebody says to me down the hall. I pace down the hallway listening to Evan Bourne's music and the temperature of the crowd. My palms are sweaty, my heart is pounding. The crack of my music thunders from the speakers. My head is rattling. I step out of the curtain to the top of the entrance ramp. I lift my eyes to the fans. My head is filled with high chanting mixtures of "boos" and "you suck". I crack a smile. Time to go to work...