Their numbers dwindling down from 17 to 8, the would-be Season VIII FAN Idols enjoyed a brief respite from the Game, watching the drama of Monday Night Raw enfold from the Gorilla Position.
Their Host, KingOrangeTyger, was saying goodbye to the cool-as-a-cucumber Jazzman, who had just been eliminated from the competition.
KingOrangeTyger: So Jazzman, my friend, what now?
Jazzman: Well, I have to admit that I planned on playing for at least a bit longer but it's alright. I did talk to some of the production people, though. Real cool cats. They hooked me up with another gig. Not too bad, if I do say myself.
Jazzman grinned, took a silver trumpet out of a case, and started to play a light and breezy tune, prompting his new client to come out and shake his groove thing:
Teddy Long: Holla Holla, Playa!!! That's some smooth bop, Mr. Jazzman!!! Maybe later I can have you play one-one with the Undertaker! He plays a mean sax!
Jazzman: Sure Mr. Long, that'd be hip!
Addressing the other contestants, KingOrangeTyger sighed and said,
"Per the Orders of Triple H, who evidently is my boss for as long as the FAN Network conducts business with WWE on their program which, believe me, won't last for too much longer, I've been told that we're all to receive new gimmicks..."
(Pictured: Vince Backstage. Thought this was a cool image.)
After being mobbed by a never-ending procession of writers, producers, costumers, make-up people, the Brooklyn Brawler, Billy Kidman, and, for some reason, Papa Shango, the eight Remaining FAN Idol Contestants waited backstage for the opportunity to present their Songs for Round 22: We're Live Here, Pal!
Spiderfab4 was christened "The Spyder", a silent, Eastern European vigilante that dressed in an old gangster's outfit complete with a fedora and tie, who would place a tarantula upon his fallen foes' faces:
While Dammit Cage(King)!! was rebranded as Elias Cage, Modern Day Master of Escape:
KingOrangeTyger gave the Contestants a backstage tour flanked by his panel of Judges. The Strong Show was clad in a camouflaged singlet, his identity protected by his ever-present ninja mask; Knalsic Loves to Boogie, turned into X-Treme Sports Star Kid Knalsick (Vince being as timely as ever), kept pestering the Strong Show about the up-coming Rounds, wondering if a 60's music Round was around the corner or if they had to pick songs for a specific Superstar. The Strong Show kept mum, even as the Ultimate Pegasus Warrior, his neon tassles billowing as he ran up and down the hallways, screamed at the top of his lungs about the Progressive Rock Gods.
fw91, turned into Frank Wraith, Ghost Soldier of the 91st Parallel, an American Indian Marine gimmick, was told to paint his face in an elaborate coyote-inspired design, with FAN judge Orange, now called Count Bertoldt von Orangiskew, the arch-nemesis of all things rock and roll, giving him specific Triple H overseen instructions on what was appropriate for this Business!!! fw91 grimaced but played nice, thinking that, hell, he's lasted this far, might as well humor the Humanoids and do what he's told so he could last long enough to win this whole insane Season. Besides, they gave him a tomahawk and those things are cool.
Eventually, the FAN Idol contestants and judges were led to Gorilla, where they meet up with several FAN Members ready to make a run-in on a John Cena match.
Good ol' JR was telling FAN wrestlers
Headkase, squat and massive behind his mask, and
Jack Diamond, tall and menacing, that they were to were to be the Shield's back-up muscle for this evening.
JR: Now, we all expect a slobber-knocker out there. Don't worry about Cena, he's tougher than a two dollar steak, just make sure that he, by gawd, looks like he was broken in half!
"Just as long as I get my money, my good man!" reminded the crafty FAN Manager
Toomaguchi, who made sure to remove his Rolex watch and load his "walking stick" with a metal rod.
Accompanying the nefarious Toomaguchi was his own personal hit squad,
Mr. Throwback Nostalgia, in his Hulk Hogan styled attire, and
Zigglerbump, who flashed his big bright smile and put on his 300 dollar suglasses. Coordinating the whole attack was another FAN Manager,
"Playboy" Don Douglas, who ran over the plan with the entire crew again. Simply put, they were going to end Cena's Reign of Terror Once. And. For. All. (or not but they had to give the old FAN try)
JR: KingOrangeTyger! You look happier than a scalded dog given some of JR's Patented Chipotle Ketchup! How are you doing, you old Okie!
KingOrangeTyger:... I'm not from Oklaholma but-
JR: College Football!!! Fruity by Gawd Fruity Keeng, As God as My Witness! Boomer Sooner!!1 Stone Cold! STONE COLD!!! STONE COLD!!!
As JR continued to be JR, the Contestants presented the following Songs for
Round 22: We're Live Here, Pal!Someone Like You- Adele (MTV Video Music Awards)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQPjqnxuX_oDance This Mess Around- The B-52's
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLq4GtJ-KKoEve of Destruction- Barry McGuire (Hullabaloo 1965)
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IwYNWYaS3bIThe New Pollution- Beck (MTV Video Music Awards)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGFXLcOLM90Remedy- The Black Crowes (MTV Video Music Awards 1992)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9UqmANjynEThe Descent- Bob Mould (The Late Show with David Letterman)
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MjUSG35ccAsTrue Believers- Bouncing Souls (Area 4 Festival 2011)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzJkEv3xhaMDrum Battle- Buddy Rich vs. Animal (The Muppet Show 1978)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t7G3TKdKeMYoung Homie- Chris Rene (The X Factor 2011)
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dYPTS_39I8gThe Food- Common (Chappelle's Show)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhN09QkfIGMAlberta- Eric Clapton (MTV Unplugged)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh7sqDlxBaEI'm the Slime- Frank Zappa (Saturday Night Live 1976)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWA-TXJmeQoSuicide Blonde- INXS (MTV Video Music Awards 1990)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnj5FnuwtLELightning Bolt- Jake Bugg (Jonathan Ross Show)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEZGzXXFTZYAnyone But You- Jewel
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG6cTTatXRkI Knew You Were Trouble- Taylor Swift (BRITs 2013)
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bEh2iECS0To