[Week 1 — November 16, 1998 | Firstar Center, Cincinnati, Ohio]
The screen explodes with static, distorted riffs, and quick cuts — Austin dropping a Stunner, Rock smirking with the Corporate Title, Undertaker raising his arms in firelight, Kane unleashing pyro, DX crotch chopping in green haze. The snarled "THIS IS THE WWF ATTITUDE ERA!" voice booms before the feed slams into the live arena.
BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!
Red and white pyro blasts rattle the stage frame, sparks cascading down like molten rain. The camera shakes as fans jump to their feet, waving handmade signs:
"AUSTIN 3:16 = RATINGS KING"
"STEPHANIE + J.J. 4EVER"
"CORPORATE ROCK SUCKS"
"I'M HERE FOR THE LONE WOLF"
The noise is pure chaos, a swirling wall of screams, chants, and the heavy bass of thousands stomping in unison. The air is thick with pyro smoke, cheap beer, and the faint tang of arena nachos.
JR: "We are live in Cincinnati, Ohio, just 24 hours removed from one of the most shocking Survivor Series events in WWF history — Deadly Game has rewritten the rulebook!"
King: "Rewritten? JR, the McMahons perfected it! Vince played the whole world, The Rock is the Corporate Champion, and tonight—ohhh, I can't wait—Ken Shamrock is gonna break that rookie J.J. Styles in half!"
JR: "Don't count out the Lone Wolf, folks. If J.J. Styles can beat the Intercontinental Champion here tonight, he earns himself a shot at the European Championship next week. And King, I think the Corporation may be underestimating him."
The No Chance in Hell theme hits, and the boos roll in like thunder. Vince McMahon walks to the ring in a tailored grey suit, smug as ever, flanked by Shane McMahon, The Rock (in expensive sunglasses, WWF Title over his shoulder), and the rest of the Corporation — Ken Shamrock, Big Bossman, and Pat Patterson & Gerald Brisco.
Vince: "Last night… you people witnessed greatness. You witnessed the birth of the most electrifying WWF Champion this company has ever seen. You witnessed corporate destiny fulfilled!"
The Rock takes the mic, calling himself the "People's Corporate Champion," to an avalanche of "ROCKY SUCKS" chants.
Rock: "The Rock is the champ, the Corporation is on top, and there's not a damn thing any jabroni in the back can do about it — ESPECIALLY some rookie punk named J.J. Styles."
The crowd pops at your name. Camera cuts backstage to you and Stephanie watching on a monitor — you don't flinch, just smirk, hands on your vest straps. Stephanie's got her arms crossed, eyes locked on the screen with a knowing grin.
From there the show flows into the real 1998 matches:
[Match 1 — D'Lo Brown & Mark Henry vs. The Headbangers] — D'Lo pins Thrasher after the Sky High.
[Match 2 — Goldust vs. Jeff Jarrett (with Debra)] — Goldust wins via DQ when Debra distracts the ref and Jarrett nails him with the guitar.
[Match 3 — Val Venis vs. Tiger Ali Singh] — Val wins with the Money Shot; post-match, The Godfather offers Val "ladies" as a business deal.
Kevin Kelly catches up with you before the main event.
Kevin Kelly: "J.J., tonight you're facing Ken Shamrock, the Intercontinental Champion, with a European Title shot on the line. The Corporation's made it clear they don't respect you. How do you respond?"
You look straight into the camera.
J.J.: "Respect isn't given. It's taken. Shamrock's tough, no doubt — but I've bled in cages he wouldn't dare step into. Tonight, I walk through him. Next week, I take the gold."
Stephanie steps into frame, resting a hand on your chest.
Stephanie: "And after tonight… Vince will realize that his Corporation just made their biggest mistake."
Crowd in the arena watching on the Tron erupts.
[Match 4 — Al Snow vs. Marc Mero (w/ Jacqueline)]
The arena buzzes as "What Does Everybody Want?!" blares and Al Snow struts out with Head in hand. Signs wave in the crowd: "GOT HEAD?" and "LONE WOLF 4 LIFE." JR chuckles on commentary.
JR: "Folks, we've got some… unorthodox personalities here in the WWF, and Al Snow's right up there."
King: "Right up there? He's got a mannequin head as his tag partner!"
Mero, escorted by Jacqueline in a sparkling red outfit, gets loud heat. The bout's quick — Snow ducks a right hand, cracks Mero with Head, and scores the pin. Jacqueline shrieks at the ref post-match.
Vince is with Shamrock, Bossman, and The Rock. Vince warns Shamrock not to "embarrass the Corporation" against "that MMA rookie" tonight. Shamrock's eyes are dead serious.
Shamrock: "Don't worry. Tonight… I make him scream."
The Rock smirks in the background, sipping bottled water like he's above it all.
[Match 5 — The Brood (Edge & Christian) vs. Too Much]
The arena turns blood red as The Brood rises through the floor with their trademark eerie theme. The crowd gives a solid pop for Edge and Christian, who quickly dismantle Brian Christopher and Scott Taylor. The finish: Edge hits the Downward Spiral on Taylor for the pin. After, The Brood gives their infamous "bloodbath" to Too Much.
Michael Cole's at the interview set. You stand with arms crossed, wearing your Shield-style vest, black MMA gloves on. Stephanie is beside you, looking corporate-sharp but with a defiant smirk.
Cole: "J.J., tonight it's the Intercontinental Champion, Ken Shamrock, and if you win, you're the #1 contender for the European Championship. But with the Corporation's numbers…"
J.J.: "Let 'em try. I've been outnumbered my whole life. Doesn't matter if it's one-on-one or one-on-four — I'll take Shamrock apart piece by piece."
Stephanie leans in.
Stephanie: "And if any of Vince's goons so much as touch you tonight, they'll regret it. My father's not the only McMahon who can play games."
[Match 6 — WWF Tag Team Championship: New Age Outlaws (c) vs. The Oddities]
Massive pop as "Oh, you didn't know?" echoes through the arena. Road Dogg does his mic intro, Billy Gunn flexing beside him. The Oddities (Golga & Kurrgan) come out with Luna, and ICP music blaring. The Outlaws retain after a Fameasser on Golga.
[Main Event — Ken Shamrock (w/ Corporation) vs. J.J. Styles]
The arena lights shift as "Danger Zone" hits, Shamrock pacing like a predator. The boos rain in, but his eyes are laser-locked. He slides into the ring, shadowboxing, yelling at the ref to check your gloves.
Then the lights drop — crowd noise spikes.
"RE… SPECT! WALK! WHAT DID YOU SAY?" The opening riff of Walk by Pantera blasts through the PA. Fans stand, fists in the air. You walk out slowly, black vest gleaming, hair tied Ragnar-style, expression cold. Stephanie follows a few steps behind, all business.
JR: "Listen to this ovation for the Lone Wolf! This young man has made an impact in just weeks here in the WWF, and tonight could be his biggest match yet."
King: "Biggest… and maybe his last, JR."
Bell rings. The crowd's hot right away, chanting "LONE WOLF! LONE WOLF!" as Shamrock circles low, his stance tight. He lunges in for a single-leg — you sprawl fast, sprawling hips heavy on his back. Shamrock tries to roll through, but you catch his wrist, torque it, and transition to a standing kimura grip.
JR: "Styles going right for the arm! That's MMA 101 right there!"
Shamrock forces the break by shoving you into the corner. The ref calls for a clean break, but Shamrock buries a shoulder into your ribs before backing away — drawing instant heat.
You smirk. Alright… we're doing it your way.
First exchange:
Shamrock shoots again — this time you sidestep, catching him with a stiff knee to the body. You whip him to the ropes, duck his clothesline, rebound, and crack him with a flying forearm smash. Crowd pops. You roll through, pop to your feet, and wave him up.
Shamrock rushes in — BAM! you hit a spinning back kick to the gut, then snap him over with a quick judo hip throw. You drop an elbow to his jaw and hook the leg:
1…
Kickout at 2.
Bossman hops on the apron, jawing at the ref. Stephanie immediately storms toward him on the outside, pointing and yelling. Bossman smirks — until she slaps him right across the face. The arena erupts.
JR: "Stephanie McMahon just slapped the taste outta Big Bossman's mouth!"
That distraction's enough for Shamrock to rake your eyes and blast you with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head. You drop to one knee. He hooks you, lifts, and drops you with a belly-to-belly suplex that shakes the mat.
Shamrock stalks, grabs your ankle, twisting into the ankle lock — the crowd gasps. You grit your teeth, dragging yourself toward the ropes, fingers stretching — you grab the bottom rope! The ref forces the break at 4.
Shamrock's furious — stomping the leg, then driving elbows into your knee.
Shamrock pulls you up — swings for a clothesline — you duck, spin, and crack him in the temple with the Kinshasa! The crowd explodes, chanting "HOLY S**!"* You collapse on him for the cover:
1…
2…
Foot on the rope!
You drag him to center, signaling to the crowd — the noise is deafening. You grab the arm, roll into the Kimura Lock, wrenching back with everything you've got. Shamrock fights it, face red, screaming — and finally, he taps out!
Bell rings — crowd goes nuts.
Howard Finkel: "Here is your winner, by submission… J.J. STYLES!"
Stephanie slides into the ring, hugging you tight as you raise your fist. The Corporation's livid on the ramp, Vince shaking his head in disbelief.
JR: "The Lone Wolf is now the #1 contender for the European Championship!"
[Nov 23, 1998 – RAW is WAR– Columbus, Ohio]
The RAW is WAR pyro explodes from the stage, the sound rattling through the packed Nationwide Arena. Fans are on their feet, holding up signs that range from "Lone Wolf 4 Life" to "DX Rules" to "Vince Fears J.J. Styles".
JR: "We are live on the USA Network, just twenty-four hours removed from Survivor Series, and folks, the road to Rock Bottom in December starts tonight!"
King: "Yeah, and it's also the road to humiliation for your Lone Wolf, JR. Vince McMahon made sure of that!"
Inside the ring stands Vince McMahon, flanked by The Rock, Shane McMahon, Big Boss Man, and the stooges. Rock's WWF Championship glimmers under the spotlight.
Vince: "Last night, history was made. The Rock became your Corporate Champion. And tonight, history will repeat itself when another so-called 'fan favorite' is put in his place."
Crowd: "ASSHOLE! ASSHOLE!"
Vince: "J.J. Styles, you've been quite the story lately. But this isn't a fairy tale — it's the World Wrestling Federation. And tonight, you face a true champion… X-Pac!"
The camera cuts to backstage where I'm standing with Stephanie McMahon, watching on a monitor.
Steph: "He's trying to get in your head. Don't give him that satisfaction."
Me: "He already lost, Steph. I'm walking out with that belt tonight."
The Rock: "Finally… The Rock has come back to Columbus! And The Rock says this — after X-Pac's done with your candy ass, you can take your little MMA crap and go back to whatever bingo hall you came from."
Boos fill the arena. My jaw clenches, but I keep my eyes on the screen.
Cut to DX's locker room. X-Pac laces his boots while Road Dogg and Billy Gunn hype him.
Road Dogg: "Pac, Lone Wolf's good, but you're the champ for a reason. Shut him down."
X-Pac: "He's tough. I'm ready. Tonight, I walk out still European Champion."
I pass their door, glancing in. My eyes lock on X-Pac's for a brief, tense moment before I walk on without a word.
JR: "There's the challenger — laser focused."
King: "Focused? He's walking into a trap!"
[Match 1 – The Godfather vs. Steve Blackman]
The Godfather comes out with a train of women; Steve Blackman's all business. Mid-match, the camera cuts to me at ringside, leaning on the barricade, watching silently as fans pat my shoulder.
JR: "J.J. Styles is out here early, scouting maybe?"
King: "Scouting? Please. He's just trying to steal the spotlight."
Godfather wins with the Pimp Drop.
Vince, Rock, and Boss Man are in the office. Vince tells Boss Man to "keep an eye" on me tonight.
[Match 2 – Val Venis vs. Tiger Ali Singh]
Val Venis wins quickly. Camera cuts to me backstage wrapping my wrists in black tape, head down in concentration.
[Segment – AlMankind's looking for Mr. Socko, comedy bit with Al Snow. I walk past in the background; Mankind pauses to look at me, nodding slightly.
[Match 3 – Kane vs. Edge]
Kane wins with a Chokeslam. During replays, we see X-Pac warming up, then cut to me pacing the hallway.
Sable cuts a promo about being Women's Champion. I'm seen again in the locker room doorway, sitting quietly with a towel over my head.
[Match 4 – Ken Shamrock vs. Goldust – IC Title Match]
Shamrock retains via ankle lock. Commentary mentions my MMA background and says I probably respect Shamrock's submission skills — but my own Kimura Lock is "deadlier."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steph adjusts my vest straps.
Steph: "Remember — the Corporation's expecting you to lose. Prove them wrong."
Me: "Always."
[Match 5 – The Brood vs. LOD 2000]
The Brood wins. Pyro fills the arena red. Another crowd sign: "Tonight Lone Wolf Hunts Gold".
DX comes out, hyping X-Pac. He says, "Styles is tough, but he's not taking this title from me."
I appear on stage mid-promo. No music, no taunt — just staring him down before heading backstage again.
[Match 6 – MAIN EVENT – European Championship: X-Pac (c) vs. J.J. Styles]
JR: "Here we go! The Lone Wolf has arrived!"
"Walk" by Pantera hits and the crowd loses it. I walk out in my Shield-style gear, hair down, eyes locked. No high fives, no smiles — pure focus.
King: "He looks like he's heading to a fight, not a match."
JR: "For J.J. Styles, there's no difference."
The bell rings. We lock up — chain wrestling, fast counters. I target X-Pac's legs with low kicks, trying to slow his speed. X-Pac hits a spinning heel kick for two.
Boss Man comes to ringside; crowd boos. Steph comes down too, standing in my corner.
X-Pac goes for the Bronco Buster; I dodge, and he crashes into the turnbuckle. I hit a snap German suplex, follow with stiff forearms.
X-Pac goes for the X-Factor; I counter into a Kimura Lock dead center. He fights, but I crank it harder until he taps out.
JR: "He's done it! The Lone Wolf is the new European Champion!"
King: "No! No! This is a disaster!"
Steph slides in, hugging me tight as the crowd roars. I lift the belt high. Boss Man argues with the ref; I just smirk.
After the broadcast ends, Steph drags me into my locker room, locks the door. She pulls me close, whispering in my ear.
Steph: "You proved them all wrong… my champion."
She kisses me hard, pushing me against the wall, her hands tracing the lines of my torso. The European Championship clatters to the floor as her nails dig into my shoulders.
The night ends with the sound of her breathless laughter, the belt gleaming under the dim light.
END OF VOLUME 1