Full summary: The Miz has returned from filming The Marine 4 and he's thrown into a mix of brand new talent, including the new Divas Champion, Paige. He goes out of his way to introduce himself and something about her hits him. Will there be more than a casual friendship or will things turn in a whole new direction on the road? How are they going to suppress their feelings for each other knowing that they can't be more than good friends?
May 26: Monday Night RAW - Knoxville, TN; Thompson-Boling Arena
Miz's POV
I'M BAAACK. The most must see WWE Superstar is back on Raw (and SmackDown), ladies and gentlemen! I was gone for about a month and a half because I was filming the new WWE Studios installment of The Marine: The Marine 4 starring Mike "The Miz" Mizanin! Shameless plugs are shameless, even in my own mind.
I walk into the building with my rolling bags in tow. A few of the guys and production crew immediately greet me and nod in my direction. I give them one or two smart-aleck remarks to keep those smiles on their faces. It's good to be with these people again. I continue to trudge along reading the paper signs that point to the dressing rooms. I see my good buddy Nick, Dolph Ziggler, standing against the wall next to the room door. He lifts his head.
"YOU KNOW!" I yell what he always says when he walks down the ramp to him and his cheeky smile is paired with rolling eyes. We greet each other and run the small talk.
"Dude, so many things have changed since you left."
I know this, it's not like I haven't been watching any of the shows, but I let him go. I open the door and he follows behind me.
"A bunch of new guys and girls running around here. It makes me feel so old."
"It's time to start the teaching then, right?" I begin to unpack and set up my things in the assigned cubby on the left wall.
"Yeah, probably. I'm kinda sad AJ had to go though."
"Woah, what happened to April?"
"Nothing! Meant that she let her title change hands so she can get some time off, is all. It's different."
"Oh, okay. So we have a new Divas champion, huh? Paige, right?" I layout my trunks for the night, the grey and white ones should do.
"Yeah, NXT chick. She's been the buzz of the Divas Division. Won her first defense at Extreme Rules against Tamina."
Thanks Ziggy, I knew that too.
"That's awesome." I'm glad they're giving the Divas an actually opportunity, it's about time.
SHOWTIME! Five minutes before we go live. It's electric. My return is written like this-Kofi wins his singles match against Swagger, then I come out to give him a beat down for that hot, hot heat. Then, Ziggler comes running down the ramp to save him. Which would set up a tag match for next week. A slow start in my opinion, but working with my friends is always fun.
Everyone is ready in their gear and warming up for their matches. I'm near the interview area, heading towards the catering table for some water. I see the new Divas Champion, Paige, with a leather jacket on and the title clutched on her shoulder. I like her taste.
She turns to me and I can see her eyes flicker up and down, like a recognition scanner in her head. Cute face.
"I don't believe we've properly met, hello Paige, I'm Miz." I say reaching my hand out.
"Hi, Miz! I'm Paige-er, yeah you already know that," she laughs shyly, "it's awesome to meet you." She takes my hand for a moderately firm shake.
"And it's AWWWESOME to meet you too."
The music booms throughout the arena and that's the signal Raw has just begun. I prepare my ears for the fireworks and the pops resonate through my entire body. Gotta love that feeling. Afterwards, I can hear the fans cheer. As the CEO Triple H's music plays, it all turns to jeers.
I turn my attention back to Paige as she's watching the monitor. I can see the jittery expression on her face, the ultimate rookie giveaway. I remember when I used to have that anxiety back in the day.
"So uh.." I break her attentiveness, "congrats on becoming champ, champ!"
"Thanks! It still hasn't hit me yet quite honestly." Her British accent brings her cuteness factor up a few bars. It sounds soothing.
"Had that same feeling when I won the WWE strap. Don't worry kid, it's real and you're not dreaming."
Paige slowly forms a sly smile and I knew those words meant something to her. Feels heartwarming.
"Thanks, again. I-"
"Saraya!" Emma interrupts her and comes over with the happiest looking face in the building. Saraya is her real name, huh? It's pretty.
"Oh what's up, Miz, sorry if I broke something here." Emma has an accent too, Australian.
I smile at her, "Hi, Emma."
"We just have to go over our parts for the show really quick."
"No, no, go right ahead! That's fine with me. Maybe I can catch you after Raw or something?" I don't know what possessed me to say that, like we're going to continue our conversation later, but it is nice to say.
"Sure, I'll see you later then. Um, good luck in your match!"
She and Emma begin walking away in the other direction.
I stand in the same spot, "Actually, it's my return!"
"Oh, yeah, good luck returning tonight!"
"See ya, Miz!" Emma yells after her.
"Bye, girls!" I wave to them.
My head shakes in amusement. Those two are a kick.
Hmm, maybe it's the fact that I'm seeing a new face in the business, but there's something about Paige, or Saraya. She's so young in her career, I could teach her some new tricks and she could even show me something I don't know. I'm excited to be on the road again, especially if I can improve the talent around here. I'm definitely going to be watching what she does later...
Paige's POV
I get dragged to a large blue trunk of a container by Emma. I'm kind of upset that she pulled me away from The Miz. I feel like he actually wanted to talk to me, which is a new feeling around here-especially because he's a male Superstar. A lot of the guys are too stuck in their own head to say anything to the new talent.
"Alright, so in hour 2 we're gonna..."
Emma starts and I just take off into space. Normally, I'd be 100 percent focused with her, more so since it's Monday night, but I'm shaken. My mind is swirling around the would-be extensive conversation with Miz. So many questions for him too. I wonder how he handled carrying the WWE in his hands. There's a small part of me that is screaming because I'm terrified of failing to do so. I mean, it is only the Divas division but that's the reason why I'm at the top now-to restore what it has come to. Now I'm wishing AJ didn't take time off so she can help me with all of this. At least I have my best friends on the road...
But Miz.
Mike The Miz Mizanin.
Did he really want to talk to me again? I hope so. I could learn so much when it comes to speaking on the mic. Plus, he's not a bad-looking teacher either..
"HEY! PAIGE!"
I snap back to reality.
"Were you even listening to me?"
"I'm sorry Emma, I just-I was thinking about something."
"Something?...or someONE? Was it Miz, it was Miz right?"
She knows me too well so I nod.
"Woah, what did I interrupt back there?"
"Nothing! He just came up to me and we introduced each other. But that's the thing, Emma, HE walked up to me. I didn't have to awkwardly poke and prod for a reply."
"You should really stop thinking like that, Saraya. The fact that you have that," she points at the title on my shoulder, "means that you earned it. And you're welcome to talk to anyone. Get it?"
I love Emma, she's so straight-forward with advice. I always trust her intuition. But at the same time, we're not the same person.
"I know you're right, but it's still hard for me. Talking to Miz made my stress float away, I guess."
"Well, then you should talk to him more often if you feel that way."
"Yeah, I want to."
"Cool, but seriously Paige, we have to focus on the NOW."
"Alright, alright!"
Back to work for me.
Leave a review if you liked it! I've already written the other chapters and they'll be up when I get some opinions on this beginning one ;) What do you think? Hit or miss?