MITB Qualification: Christian vs. Goldust

As we return to ringside the bell sounds out, Lillian Garcia stood mid-ring, microphone in hand.

'Ladies and Gentlemen this next match is scheduled for one fall.....and it is a Money In The Bank qualifying match!' she announces with a smile, nice pop for that, music instantly hitting from the speakers as the screen goes into widescreen view.

'Oh no' goes JR, '24 Karat Productions' flashing up on the screen.

'Oh no!!' squeals King, Goldust striding out onto the stage, blonde wig intact, to a nice pop from the fans, gold pyro exploding up from the stage as he heads down the ramp.

'Well it's bizarro world here on RAW, as is normally the case when you're sat next to Jerry Lawler at ringside folks' announces Ross, Goldust giving the camera a quick snarl as he passes it.

'JR, we already got rid of Titan, The Boogeyman hasn't been seen for years-'

'Probably working for the NSA' deadpans Ross as Goldust climbs the steps, pausing for a bit of support from the fans before he enters the ring.

'Blizzard is long gone....but we've still got this sick freak.....why?!' asks King, Goldust now heading to the turnbuckle, climbing it and posing, whipping off his wig and throwing it into the crowd.

'Well because for all the bells and whistles, for all the...uniqueness....of Goldust, he's a hell of an in-ring competitor lemme tell ya, son of the great Dusty Rhodes, and right here, he's got a chance to go to WrestleMania' replies Ross, Goldust climbing down as our screens return to normal and his music fades out, drum beats and guitars sounding out to replace them

'GO!!!!' screams the singer, the fans popping big, recognizing the music.

'Wait a minute....' goes Lawler.

'It's Christian!' cries Ross, Christian walking out onto stage, huge grin on his face, the noise level only getting louder as Captain Charisma slaps his chest, addressing his peeps once more.

'A return to Monday Night RAW for a former Cruiserweight and former 4 time WWE Tag Team Champion, Christian, and bah Gawd they're on their feet' goes Ross, the camera panning to fan with a 'Peep' sign.

'Tonight's full of returns, JR!' squeals King, Christian eyeing up Goldust as he climbs the steps.

'Well Christian made a brief return to ECW last year with his brother Edge but this is official WWE return right here, a massive opportunity awaits this young Canadian, he could make a huge impact right here...no pun intended' adds Ross.

'Pun?' asks King, JR dismissing it as Christian enters the ring, referee Mike Posey asking him to wait for the bell, Goldust smiling on the opposite side of the ring, these men full of knowledge of each other from past stints in WWE claims Ross.

'CM Punk, William Regal and possibly Rob Van Dam we believe already qualified for the Money In The Bank match at WrestleMania 25, you win that, you got yourself a contract for a world title shot, anytime, anywhere, simple as that, Christian of course well versed in ladder matches' goes Ross as the bell rings out and Christian and Goldust circle each other.

'Well Goldust kinda looks like the guys that work in Home Depot, does that count as experience?' enquires King, no response from Ross as Christian calls in the collar and elbow tie up, both men struggling for an early advantage, Christian digging in his heels against the slightly taller Goldust but that allows the Bizarre One to shift his balance, into the Side Headlock, Christian trying to break it, no, walks Goldust back to the ropes, throws him off, Goldust rebounds, Shoulder Block by Christian who immediately backpedals, leaps over Goldust on the mat, rebounds, Goldust leapfrogging the Canadian, Christian puts the brakes on the other side though, Goldust lands, turns - Dropkick by Christian, Goldust down and scrambling back into the turnbuckle with a wry smile on his face, the crowd liking that one. Christian allows Goldust to climb to his feet, beckoning him back in, the Bizarre One almost accepting that early shot, in for another collar and elbow tie up, this time it's Christian who grabs the Side Headlock, Goldust alert, throws Christian to the ropes, he holds on, Goldust charges in, Christian with the boot-no, caught by Goldust who grins, pie-facing Christian back over the top rope, Christian lands on the apron though, great agility, Goldust meets him there with a right hand, wobbling Christian, tries another, blocked by the former Tag Team Champion who responds with a shot of his own, grabbing the head and running along the apron - bounces Goldust's head off the turnbuckle, Goldust falling to the canvas, Christian's quick to climb to the top rope - dives off, Headbutt - no-one home, Goldust rolling aside in the nick of time to the crowd's dismay.

'You gotta wonder if that's as a result of Christian being away from the ring for a prolonged period of time, taking that early risk, and he might pay dearly' comments Ross as Goldust climbs to his feet, pulling Christian with him, grabs the arm - Irish Whip, Christian rebounds, hard Back Elbow by Goldust, the crowd reacting with shock at the noise it makes, Christian down and holding his jaw as Goldust now heads to the ropes, rebounds - Leg Drop across the throat, first cover of the match - one....two-no, Christian rolls a shoulder out, still holding that jaw.

'Goldust perhaps seeing an opportunity here to go after that head and neck area, perhaps softening Christian up for the Reverse DDT Goldust prefers to utilize' goes Ross, Christian again pulled up to his feet and whipped to the turnbuckle, smacking the pads hard, Goldust charging in - Clothesline, nowhere for Christian to go but down as he feels the impact, Goldust keeping on offense though, pulls Christian up - and takes one of his legs, pulling it across the corner of the turnbuckle, the fans beginning to rise as he does the same for the other one, Goldust backing up, getting some support here, Christian desperately trying to free himself, here comes Goldust - no, Christian somehow escapes, sitting on the middle rope, leans back - kick to the head, great agility, Goldust staggering back as Christian escapes to the apron now, beckoning Goldust in, Shoulder Thrust, the head kept between the legs - Back Body Drop, Goldust sent sailing over the top rope to the mat on the outside.

'Goldust got more air than Michael Jordan!' squeals King as Goldust rolls into the announce desk, the crowd popping, Christian recovering and rolling into the ring, Goldust looking like he may have hurt his arm as he tries to pull himself up, the referee starting the count but there's no need, Christian charging at the ropes, leaps to the second one - dives over the top onto Goldust.

'GOOD GOD THE HIGH RISK, THE ULTIMATE CHANCE!' cries Ross, Christian knocking his opponent down on the outside to another big pop.

'Christian has taken leave of his sense' warns Lawler as the Canadian climbs to his feet first, helping Goldust up and rolling him under the bottom rope, the referee quickly checking on both men as Christian hooks the leg of Goldust - one....two....t-no, Goldust kicks out. Christian looks undeterred, pulling the Bizarre One to his feet, here's the whip, into the pads, Christian charging in - no, Goldust gets the boots up to the jaw, Christian staggers back, Goldust dropping to his knees - Throat Thrust, audible all around the arena, Goldust springing up now - explodes with a Clothesline and just like that the momentum shifts again, Goldust now hooking the leg - one....two...no, Christian kicks out, Goldust not letting him get away this time, arm around the throat, the Sleeper on the mat, Christian trying to lean back and release some of the pressure but Goldust has a knee in the spine, Mike Posey checking it's not a choke, it isn't, Christian scrabbling at thin air as the fans begin to chant his name, looking to will him on but Christian's fading fast, Goldust telling the referee to 'ask him' but Christian shakes his head, still some energy left, the Canadian gritting his teeth as he maneuvers to his knees, pushing up with one leg, now at a vertical base, Goldust looking stunned, Christian with an elbow to the gut, then a second, grabs the head - Snapmare, Goldust scrambling to his feet as Christian staggers back with the effort, Goldust charges, Christian takes the head - runs Goldust over the top rope but he holds onto it, the Bizarre One steadying himself on the apron, Christian already charging at the corner, looking to spring off that second rope, he does - caught with a Clothesline by Goldust in mid-air

'What a counter to that high risk offence, Goldust not missing a step here' goes Ross as Christian clutches his shoulder on the canvas, Goldust looking like he may have hurt his arm too, stepping through the ropes and pulling Christian up, boot to the gut, takes the arm - Irish Whip, the Canadian sent running, he rebounds - Powerslam by Goldust, driving the air out of Christian, ring-shuddering impact, here's a cover - one....two....threNO, Christian rolls a shoulder out to a big pop, Goldust looking like he wants to end it, pulling his opponent roughly to his feet - whipped to the corner again, Goldust runs in - Back Elbow in the corner, the head area again taking some punishment, Christian staggers out but Goldust's hoisted himself to the top rope, grabs hold of Christian's head and pulls him back in, looking for Diamond Dust perhaps - no, Christian holds onto the ropes, Goldust tries again but Christian's valiantly battling against what could be the end of his MITB hopes, turns - right hand staggers Goldust, the crowd cheering on the former Cruiserweight champ as he fires off another right hand, Christian now climbing the ropes as Goldust tries to stand on the top one to get some leverage, right hand is blocked by the Hollywood native, Christian with a third right hand of his own as he climbs to the top, dangerous territory here.

'This is the high risk district, ya better watch out right here' warns Ross as Christian hooks the arms, looks backwards-

'DOUBLE UNDERHOOK SUPLEX OFF THE GOOD, GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY' roars JR, the fans popping big as Goldust goes sailing halfway across the ring and lands hard on his back, Christian looking like he took an awkward landing as well though, unable to capitalize, both men lying flat on the canvas for the time being, referee Mike Posey with no option but to start a ten count as we see a replay.

'Look at this, Goldust flies about ten feet across the ring' goes Ross, Goldust flipping over in slow motion and taking a big bump onto the canvas, back to live action though and we're at a count of five, Christian just about on his feet, Goldust in the corner, trying to help himself up, the Canadian perhaps sensing an opening, he charges - desperation boots to the jaw by Goldust, Christian staggered, Goldust grabs the head from behind - Reverse DD-no, Christian reverses, Gut Kick, grabs the head, DD-no, reversed again, Goldust grabs the head from behind again, lifting Christian straight off his feet but the Canadian flips down the back, great agility, grabs the head - drops Goldust straight south, Backbreaker, the leg quickly hooked, the crowd on their feet.

ONE

TWO

THRE-NO

Somehow, Goldust manages to get a shoulder up off the canvas, Ross praising his testicular fortitude after that one, Christian looking a little shocked, protesting with the referee who's having none of it, Christian back to the task at hand, staking Goldust from behind, urging him to get up, he eventually does, on spaghetti legs, Christian takes the arms, turning....turnin-no, Goldust grabs the waist, running Christian to the ropes - he holds on, Goldust rolling backwards on the canvas, Christian turns, Goldust running back in - Drop Toehold onto the middle rope, the crowd popping as Christian builds up steam, stamping his feet, backpedals, rebounds - leg dropped across the back of a prone Goldust, Christian backing up as Goldust rises, no idea where his opponent is, the arms taken....twists

'KILLSWITCH, HE CALLS THAT THE KILLSWITCH, LIGHTS OUT FOR GOLDUST' cries Ross as Christian drops Goldust face first on the canvas, rolls him over, leg hooked, the fans counting along.

ONE

TWO

THREE

There's a massive pop as the referee's hand hits the mat for the third time, Christian looking to the skies with a satisfied grin, the bell ringing out.

'HERE IS YOUR WINNER.....CHRISTIANNNNN' announces Lillian, the caption telling us what we already know, Christian now qualified for the Money In The Bank Ladder match.

'He damn sure made an impact!' cries Ross as Christian climbs to his feet, his hands raised, 'Just Close Your Eyes blaring out'.

'JR.....Christian's going to WrestleMania!' squeals King, the Canadian pointing to himself, then to the ceiling where we see the MITB briefcase is swinging, Christian nodding as the fans cheer.

'He sure as hell is and for my money, whoever ends up in the Money In The Bank match had better watch out, because Christian, the ladder match specialist, the Impact Player, Captain Charisma, is gunning for that briefcase' announces Ross, Christian pointing at Goldust and nodding his head, knowing his opponent put up a good fight.

'Christian back in the WWE....and in a Ladder Match at WrestleMania......who'd have thought it JR?' asks King, Christian now backing up the ramp, motioning to climb a ladder.

'Well at the start of the night, not me, but that's exactly what we're gonna see at WrestleMania 25, Christian, with a shot at a World's title opportunity, bah Gawd' goes Ross, Christian stopping for a moment and turning, looking up at the TitanTron as it springs to life to show Vince for the second time this evening, in his office

"Christian... Christian..." he says to get the former WWE Tag Team Champion's attention

"First of all welcome back and congratulations.. I know you have a hell of a chance in the Money in the Bank... but right now I'd like to turn these fans attentions toward this screen.... and the first two picks for the 2009 Draft Lottery. Now this will be an entirely random draw, each show getting one pick. There will be eight such picks within this broadcast, all other members of the draft being drafted to their shows in the hour immediately following this broadcast"

The crowd pop, Christian nodding, looking up at the screen in interest, maybe wondering just who will be drafted himself.

"Seems simple enough JR.. but... are WE in this?" asks King

"Yessir, all Superstars, announcers, ring announcers, General Managers... everything is up for the draft here tonight" confirms Ross as McMahon's image fades away to be replaced by two graphics side by side, one red and one blue, almost like the wheels in a shot machine, ready to spin round.... and they do. Picture after picture spins past our eyes, through Big Show and Jay Lethal, Shawn Michaels and Undertaker, every star before both start to come to a halt.....