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Page 26 of 35
Hell in a Cell: Forxx vs. Nathan James
“Well, here it is King, a clash of titans in the confines of a steel cage and I’m not sure even a Hell in a Cell structure will be able to contain this contest.” JR comments as the HIAC cage is rhythmically lit up with a rapidly pulsing white strobe light.
“I have to agree JR, Nathan James and Forxx aren't what you'd call small guys and I think you hit the nail on the head, a clash of titans!” Lawler says excitedly as a familiar air of anticipation fills Ford Field. The energy building in the arena atmosphere turns to open hostility as Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’ starts to blare out and we are briefly shown derogatory signs aimed at The Foundation and the man now appearing on the stage, Nathan James.
“We're certainly no strangers to a Hell in a Cell, King, but I can’t recollect ever watching one of these matches and thinking ‘That’s just like the last one’ . And I'll bet my Oklahoma ass that Nathan James and Forxx bring their own kind of brutality to this match!”
“That’s a HUGE bet JR…” King quips. “…but I can’t disagree, James certainly doesn’t mind using a foreign object and Forxx spent a long time in ECW, he’s certainly no stranger to weaponry, it’s almost a guarantee there’s gonna be blood!” Lawler toots as Nathan James arrives at the bottom over the ramp and gazes up at the steel structure looming over him. The Foundation man stares silently at the Cell, the nearby baying fans seemingly blocked from James’ mind.
“He looks focused as Hell, JR!” King comments as James reaches out and lets his hand run along the side of the cage as he does a slow, contemplative lap around the structure before climbing in to the ring, the Englishman pacing up and down and re-examining the Cell from it’s interior perspective.
“Well King, looking at the accolades these two men share, not only are they proficient with weapons, but in his own right, these two individuals are among the biggest names in the WWE. James of course a multiple Intercontinental and Tag Champion and this guy….” JR pauses as Breaking Benjamin suddenly boom out into the arena. “…is a former WWE Champion, former ECW Champion, Tag Champion, Intercontinental Champion and US Title holder!”The enormous figure of Forxx appears on the stage to a good reception and the former ECW man smirks at the Cell as he strolls down the ramp, not seeming to make eye contact with James just yet. Instead the behemoth folds his arms and scans the steel structure before him, seeming to nod in satisfaction before climbing into the ring and after a brief glance up at the inside of the Cell, Forxx finally locks eyes with Nathan James, who returns the stare with little expression visible on his face.
“It’s hard to tell whether he has held more gold than steel JR, but you're right, both these guys have proved what they can do in the ring and I wouldn't like to pick a winner here!” King comments.
“But you're going to anyway….” JR says dryly.
“Of course!” Lawler toots. “The steel wins, every time!” He adds with a chuckle.
“Can’t say as I disagree King….” JR says as the door is closed, Forxx and James still with unwavering stares. “…but sometimes even the cage doesn’t come out unscathed! And we're underway!”The bell sounds out but both men remain fixed to the spot, staring….just staring.
“You can feel the tension King!” JR comments as the first movement comes from Forxx in the formed of a spoken taunt. James finally takes a forward step and replies in kind, Forxx moving forward himself to continue his verbal barrage, James quite willing to meet the challenge. The two come together in the center of the ring, barley inches separating them and James stares up at the behemoth Forxx, both men letting their mouths do the fighting for the time being until James gestures up at the cage mid-sentence and Forxx times the sucker punch perfectly sending James reeling backwards in surprise!Forxx decides not to follow up on the sneaky shot but manages a gloating smile as James leans against the ropes holding his jaw. The Foundation man slowly turns his gaze towards Forxx and the bigger man’s smile vanishes as James suddenly charges towards him, fast and low!The former ECW Champion has no time to react and James tackles him to the mat and proceeds to send in a shower of punches on any part of Forxx he can hit! Forxx takes a couple of shots and then hooks an arm around Nathan’s head, using his free arm to send in nasty looking knuckle punches and after a shift of weight, the two roll over and now Forxx has the elevation advantage, though still maintaining his grip on James’ head!Like wild animals the two pummel each other, rolling again, then again, the amount of punches, kicks, knees, elbow shots not abating throughout!The two-way barrage slows and stops as James tries to break free of Forxx’s grip, the impromptu headlock now fully locked in. The two rise slowly, James trying his best to at least get to his feet while Forxx does his equal best to keep the Englishman immobile and they both end up propped on one knee, Forxx seeming to be a little surprised at James’ strength. Nathan gives a loud shout of adrenalin and his leg muscles bulge as he powers up off the mat, forcing a grimacing Forxx to go with him but Forxx refuses to loosen his grip!James looks for the traditional escape and shoves Forxx in the direction of the ropes, both men rebound lightly and Nathan looks for the shove of momentum to send Forxx running but the behemoth grunts with effort and maintains the headlock, shaking his head with a wry smile. After a few seconds, James tries again and the two half run, half-stumble towards the opposite side, again they bounce off the ropes and again James looks for the momentum to help his push in Forxx’s back but again the former WWE Champion keeps his vice-like grip, Nathan howling out in anger and frustration rather than any pain while Forxx looks out at the fans, once again shaking his head .It seems James needs to come up with an alternative method of escape but apparently he doesn’t think of one and for a third time he powers himself and Forxx towards the ropes but twists his body as they rebound and Forxx goes into the ropes chest first….and Nathan uses the rebound momentum to scoop Forxx off his feet and the big man’s face is full of alarm as James roars with effort and hit’s the back suplex. The huge Forxx connecting with the canvas and sending a resounding boom through the arena!Finally Forxx’s grip is broken but James is not quick to his feet and stays on all fours, regaining some of his exerted energy. He slowly rises and approaches Forxx as the big man gets up to one knee, the former WWE Champion’s height advantage is taken away as Nathan drops in a vicious right hand on the top of Forxx’s head! A second shot hits it’s target but Forxx seems to take them easily, shoving James away before he can nail a third shot!Nathan isn’t dissuaded that easily and quickly returns with a raised fist, Forxx shoots up! Clothesline!
“Did you feel that King?!” JR says in awe as Forxx sends James to the mat with an audible impact!Nathan half-sits up, his eyes wide and a little unfocused and he shakes his head to get rid of the grogginess and surprise. Forxx spins round and quickly sends in a couple of heavy stomps, impeding Nathan’s recovery. James winces with each impact and seems helpless as Forxx drags him to his feet, whip to the ropes and James rebounds to duck Forxx’s intended clothesline, continuing his run to the opposite side and returning in time to connect chest to chest with Forxx. Despite the thumping collision, neither man moves!James’ balance falters just a little but he stays upright, Forxx’s size advantage showing a little. Unperturbed, Nathan sets off again and bounces off the ropes, returning for a second body check it seems and Forxx visibly braces for impact, Nathan using Forxx’s rigid upright stance to his advantage and delivering a swift toe kick to the gut a moment before impact!The unprepared Forxx doubles over and Nathan is quick to hook the head! DDT! Forxx remains motionless on the canvas for a second or two, clearly stunned by the impact and James rolls him over and looks for an early end to proceedings but only a two count results and Forxx easily throws a shoulder up. James doesn’t look too affected or surprised and gets to his feet. Forxx sits up, holding his head and wincing as Nathan double-takes at a turnbuckle and then approaches it, complaints from the officials accompanying him as he unties the top pad and exposes the steel link beneath, a roar of disapproval from the fans as the Englishman returns to Forxx, nailing a hard right hand shot as the behemoth gets to one knee. Forxx struggles up to his feet under a second and third shot and seems primed for the Irish whip. James yanks on the arm! Reversed and James heads at the exposed turnbuckle! The Foundation man throws out his hands and a foot and manages to stop himself connecting with the metal…but then Forxx ploughs into him from behind and Nathan is sandwiched between the exposed steel and the behemoth Forxx with a crunching impact!
“Well that'll shrink your chest cavity!” JR comments as Forxx backs up and leans against the ropes, still recovering from the DDT is seems as Nathan also comes away from the corner, clutching his chest in agony and dropping to his knees, his face a picture of pain. Forxx keeps his eyes on James as the Englishman grabs at the ropes to help himself up. The former ECW Champion steps out into a more central position and times his charge, heading full pelt at James who seems unaware of the impending impact only to drop down, holding the top rope and Forxx’s over the top clothesline misses it’s mark and the big man is sent unceremoniously tumbling over the rope, crumpling down on the outside between the ring-apron and the side wall of steel!
“The bigger they are JR!” Kings toots in childish glee, the fans encouraging the big man to get up before James can seize any kind of advantage but the Englishman looks focused and determined, although one hand still clutches his chest. James climbs out on to the apron and stalks a slowly rising Forxx, the arms of the Englishman go up and it looks like a double axe-handle is imminent until Forxx moves with a speed that defies his size and uses his arm to sweep Nathan’s legs and the Foundation man crashes down awkwardly on to the apron, almost bouncing off from it onto the outside mats. Forxx quickly sends in a stomp and James holds his lower back, the fall doing some damage it seems as Forxx takes the upper hand, pulling Nathan to his feet…Irish whip along the side of the ring and James’ shoulder connects sickeningly with the ringpost, the impact spinning the Englishman round and he goes to ground with his back against the cage wall, a nasty red blotch appearing on his collar-bone area almost instantly, solid proof of the impact! Forxx doesn’t waste any time in pursuing his quarry, quickly rounding the corner to stomp away again, the cage bulging slightly as Forxx drives his big boot into Nathan’s injured shoulder repeatedly! Nathan can barely move his right arm without crying out in agony but still Forxx continues the assault. After some ten or twelve stomps, Forxx maneuvers a beleaguered James right into the corner of the cage and then walks away, setting up for something it appears. As Forxx gets to the adjacent corner he slowly turns and quickens his pace, now running at James who sees the attack coming and uses the cage for leverage and drags himself out of harms way and Forxx drives his knee squarely onto the solid corner post, roaring out in pain and almost hopping away, a severe walking impediment now in effect!Forxx seems to shrug off the pain as best he can and notices James leaning against the apron with his back turned. Seizing the opportunity, Forxx grabs a double handful of Nathan’s short hair and walks him a few steps before suddenly doubling over in absolute agony!Forxx drops to his knees with no explanation as to why….until James stands fully upright and lifts up one arm, the arena lights glinting off of something metallic attached to James’ hand!
“Are those brass knuckles King?!” JR asks, still unsure until a close up shows both out home audience and our commentary team that that’s exactly what they are!
“He came prepared JR!” King enthuses. Forxx stays for a few seconds on his knees, holding the right side of his ribcage and seeming to gasp for breath while James closes in, again raising the brass and looking to…shoved away by Forxx and the big man’s will seems broken as he collapses down onto the mat. Nathan has a wry smile and evil intent in his eyes, Forxx apparently prone to any attack James chooses to use and he closes in once again…then suddenly his eyes widen and he starts back-peddling, almost stumbling in the process! From the camera angle, the source of his fear is unclear but all becomes apparent as Forxx slowly stands…brandishing a sledgehammer to a huge cheer from the crowd!
“Brass knuckles against a sledgehammer King, which would you prefer to be holding?!” JR booms as a game of cat and mouse follows, Nathan doing his best to avoid the wild swings of Forxx, the sledgehammer clattering against the side of the Cell twice and a metallic boom echoes around Ford Field as the hammer narrowly misses Nathan’s hand and thumbs down against the steel
steps!
“I'd prefer to be sitting right where I am JR!” King says realistically as James rolls back into the ring and is up to his feet in one motion. Forxx rounds the steps, his prey temporarily escaped but the big man is relentless in his pursuit and reaches up, grabbing the ropes to climb up onto the apron just in time to see James charging at him! Instinctively Forxx holds up the sledgehammer in a defensive posture but Nathan’s baseball slide connects anyway! The wooden handle of the sledgehammer splinters and breaks from the impact and Forxx is sent careening backwards into the wall of the cage, the slight flexibility in the chain link fencing making Forxx bounce back towards the ring, where Nathan is waiting with a metallic right hook!Forxx drops almost instantaneously as the brass knuckles connect and the camera shot gives us a close up of the former WWE Champions face, a large gash now above his left eyebrow, bleeding freely!
“There’s no need for this kinda thing King, dammit, an inch lower and Forxx could have been blinded for life!” JR says in disgust.
“Oh c’mon JR, you know as well as I do that there is only one rule in a Hell in a Cell match, survive by any means necessary!” King retorts, seemingly angering JR a little.
“Be that as it may King, but I'll be damned if I'd deem detaching a man’s eye from it’s socket ‘necessary’!”
“And that’s why you are an announcer JR!” King pipes up while back in the cage, Nathan picks up the head end of the broken sledgehammer, now closer resembling a club-hammer.
“Huh?!…Huh?!” James bellows through the cage at the fans as he holds aloft his weapons, even punching the cage wall with the brass knuckles as a threat to an overly verbal fan. Spitting at the floor in contempt for the fan, James goes back…to a Big Boot!! The Englishman is almost decapitated as Forxx drives the sole of his boot across James’ face and the Foundation man drops the hammer, closely followed by himself! Forxx seems to only have half his vision as blood flows into his left eye, he wipes it away as best he can but the blood still keeps cascading down his face. Forxx seems to be running on adrenalin alone and must be in agony but he is single minded as he approaches the downed James, tiredly dragging the Englishman up…whip and James runs full speed into the side of the cage! He manages to stay upright, his now empty hands clutching the chain link fencing to do so but this just enables Forxx to continue his assault, grabbing Nathan by the back of his head and shoving his face fully against the steel. James seems only half with it, but has enough presence of mind to howl in pain as his face is run up and down the chain links! Forxx puts even more pressure against James’ head for a few seconds before letting the Englishman slump to the floor, Nathan’s own face now a ‘crimson mass’ JR calls. Forxx retrieves the remnants of the sledgehammer handle, and again drags James to his feet, quickly slipping behind the Foundation man and positioning the piece of wood across Nathan’s throat! James immediately starts thrashing around in a vain effort to resist but the bigger Forxx has both the power, size and leverage advantage and after relatively short moments, Nathan’s throes of resistance subside and his body goes limp! Forxx keeps the wood where it is as he back-steps, dragging the lifeless James with him. Satisfied that James is out cold, Forxx releases his wooden grip and rolls James into the ring before his body slumps to the floor. Forxx rolls in himself and flips Nathan over for the pin! One!…Two! …The Englishman throws up a shoulder with nothing but instinct!!
“There’s life left in James yet King!!” JR booms as a shocked Forxx sits staring at the Ref, who simply indicates the two count and nothing more! Forxx’s eyes take on a darker look and he thumps the canvas as he stands, James still pretty much lifeless and laying on his side, unaware and probably not much caring what Forxx is doing, but the Englishman’s eyes are open…though unfocused. Forxx seems to deliberate for a few brief moments then a half smile crosses his face and after a glance around at the fans, he points to a turnbuckle, getting a rapturous ovation of approval. The former Champ drags James to his feet and walks him across to the turnbuckle, deftly, although tiredly scooping James up onto his shoulder…Snake Eyes! James’ forehead bounces off the top pad and he turns, stunned, straight back into Forxx’s waiting grasp…who quickly scoops him up again but this time signals the still exposed turnbuckle! The crowd shows it’s approval with a huge pop. Forxx begins a slow run-up and sets to launch James on to the….James wriggles free and drops down behind Forxx! The former WWE Champion turns in time to have Nathan’s hand suddenly slapped around his neck! With a supreme effort the Englishman lifts Forxx off his feet for a Chokeslam but instead of Forxx’s back hitting the canvas, James brings him down on the exposed turnbuckle! The back of Forxx’s head ricochets off of the steel and the force of the impact sends him stumbling forward a few steps before dropping to the canvas! James leans heavily against the ropes for a few moments, King screaming for a pin attempt but Nathan seems in more need of recovery than anything else. Forxx is motionless for what could have been a five count before suddenly twitching to life, the behemoth sitting up with a convulsive effort. James stares at the fallen Forxx and his mind is visibly doing overtime, the Foundation man comes away from the ropes and drags Forxx the rest of the way up to his feet, giving a tired looking gut-kick to the behemoth and setting up for the Wellington Bomb but the hoist doesn’t come. The fatigued James tries a second time and although Forxx’s feet leave the canvas this time, it’s not enough and he drops back down…suddenly Forxx is free and upright, he wraps an arm across Nathan’s throat and sweeps the leg simultaneously! STO!! Both men stay down for long moments but it’s Forxx who moves first, closely followed by James, both men’s faces a red waterfall with little but their eyes visible. Forxx is up and after a heaving breath, lays in a stomp to James who manages to stay up on one knee despite the kick. James is pulled up and Forxx sends him to a corner, Nathan’s legs barely getting him there! Forxx’s legs don't seem to fare much better as he follows in with a clothesline! With a hoist, Forxx perches James atop the turnbuckle and then climbs up himself…only to take a short right hand from James! Forxx fires one back but Nathan is quicker with the shove and Forxx drops off the ropes to the canvas but with presence enough to land on his feet only to look up and see James launching towards him and the flying shoulder tackle puts him to the mat! again both men remain grounded for long moments, both rolling away to use ropes to help get them vertical once more. They both half-stumble into each other in the center of the ring before starting to trade very tired looking shots, Forxx takes a shot! James takes a shot! Forxx! James! Forxx again! James again! James looks for a follow up but Forxx blocks and grips the arm, Irish whip at the exposed turnbuckle and Nathan connects, his back twisting unnaturally in pain! Forxx charges in for a turnbuckle splash but James shoots out a boot and catches Forxx square in the gut! Forxx doubles over allowing Nathan to wrap up, hoisted with an almighty roar from James and the Wellington Bomb……is stalled as Nathan twists round. Wellington Bomb on the exposed turnbuckle!!Forxx bounces off and crumples to the canvas, James practically falling on top of him rather than going for the pin but Forxx’s shoulders are down!
One!…Two!!…Three!!!
“Nathan James, King! James wins this brutal contest!” JR booms over the jeering fans. Nathan stays where he is across the motionless Forxx and breathes heavily for a while before a little more focus returns to his eyes and then the Englishmen slowly gets to his feet, seemingly unaware of the hostility thrown at him from the fans.
“I think we're gonna need some help out here for Forxx, he still hasn't moved but Nathan James, ladies and gentlemen, is leaving under his own steam!” JR comments.
“As always with a Hell in a Cell, JR. Two guys go in on their feet, one comes out on his back!” King pipes up as the cage is opened and Nathan leaves, not a celebration in sight as he slowly walks up the ramp clutching various injuries. At the top of the ramp the Englishman turns and looks back at the steel structure before leaving without word or gesture. The Officials in the ring try to rouse Forxx and we see a backboard being run down to the ring before the image switches to the faces of JR and Jerry The King’ Lawler.
“Well, I certainly hope Forxx is okay folks, we’ll keep you updated on his condition but it’s Nathan James that takes the victory here tonight King.”
“What better place to do it than WrestleMania JR?” Lawler replies simply before we head elsewhere
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WrestleMania 23