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 A Night to Remember for Maven Huffman
Written by:
Michael
11/16/04
November 15, 2004
By Anthony Cali
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – It’s about 11:00 PM, Eastern Time, and the cement infrastructure of Conseco Field House is shaking to its core. Of the thousands of fans in attendance, not a single soul is seated. Indianapolis’ faithful are sending out a deafening roar. They want a new champion.
Earlier in the night, Maven – who was chosen to be the first of four Superstars to run Raw – was given a choice: he could either take a shot at defeating Triple H for the World Heavyweight Title, or join the most illustrious group in all of sports-entertainment, Evolution. Astonishingly, not even advice from Chris Benoit or Randy Orton could fully convince Maven not to accept the membership.
Even as Maven stood in the ring before what was to be the main event, it was unclear whose side he was on. A small child in the seventh row could be heard pleading, “Please Maven, don’t do it, don’t join. You can beat Triple H, I know you can!” Apparently Maven heard that young fan, as well as the thousands of others who all echoed the same sentiment. The former schoolteacher called for the bell, and the match began.
The soft-spoken athlete these fans had watched “graduate,” from Tough Enough winner to WWE Superstar made what they felt was the right decision, but in doing so, he signed up for the biggest battle of his career. Like every other Superstar in the back hopes to accomplish, he attempted to wrestle away the biggest prize in the industry from the most celebrated champion of the 21st century.
Right from the first lock-up, the fans were frenzied. With the addition of Chris Jericho, Benoit, Batista & Ric Flair at ringside, the contest better resembled a lumberjack match. That didn’t last long. The two Evolution members were forced to leave ringside, giving Maven what appeared to be a great advantage. Still, more Superstars from Sunday’s Survivor Series main event entered the fracas.
With Maven in control, Edge re-emerged from the back, as well as Randy Orton, who nailed the champion with a patented RKO. Before Maven could benefit from the relief, Gene Snitsky laid out the “Legend Killer,” slid into the ring, and took turns staring at both champion and challenger. The crowd hushed in anticipation of Snitsky’s decision, but after deliberation, he nearly decapitated Maven with a boot to the face.
Just like the final innings at Yankee Stadium during Game 7 of this year’s ALCS, the crowd knew it was over. “The Game” recovered, delivered a Pedigree, and covered Maven for the count of three, leaving Indiana the way he came in – World Heavyweight Champion.
Despite the letdown, nearly all of the fans stayed, and watched on as the Chantilly, Va., native (with the help of his three teammates) got back on his feet and took a bow. Even the young boy in the seventh row who’d been cheering vociferously continued clapping in respect for his beaten hero. By hanging with Triple H, and coming as close to victory as he’d come, Maven earned their respect, and proven beyond doubt that he really is tough enough.
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