"You know I think that punch bag has taken enough punishment."
Alex stopped her attack on the bag and turned to smiling face of my best friend Rob.
"It can take it, besides, it was looking at me funny." She smiled grabbing the bottle of water being offered to her.
Rob probably had a point though, She'd been working out her frustrations on the bag for a while, raining punches and kicks down on it in fast fury. Nothing like a good work out session to help deal with pent up anger, and her cheating boyfriend certainly gave her a lot of fuel. Tossing the bottle back at Rob she started her warm down, rolling her eyes at the wolf whistles her bending over garnered from a few of the other occupants of Rob's gym.
"You'd think they'd know better."
Rob shot the guys a mildly disapproving but amused look. "They do, they just like seeing if they can get a reaction."
"My knee could give them a good reaction in their crotch." She replied loud enough for them to hear.
"Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Alex's head whipped round and her face lit up as she heard the familiar Irish lilt of her godfather.
"Dave!" Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed his cheek, "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Italy."
"Came to see how my new Diva was getting along."
"In other words developmental want to make sure that I'm not going to screw up"
"They have every faith in you. They know I wouldn't put you up for it if you weren't good." Dave Hugged Alex tightly and turned his attention to Rob, "what you say you get in the ring there Rob and let Lexi show us what she can do."
"Don't worry babe, I worked out most of my frustrations on the punch bag." Alex patted Rob on the back before winking at her godfather and entering the ring by doing a back flip over the top rope.
Dave Finlay watched his god-daughter wrestle her best friend. She was agile and strong, holding her own against the larger, more muscular man. She was a high flier, using the ropes and her gymnastic training to aid her in her fast paced assault.
Dave smiled as Alex hit a Dragonrana for the pin, Vince and Stephanie would definitely be happy with their new diva.
"So did he give you a script? What did he say? Who are you going to be fighting?"
Alex raised an eyebrow at Rob as he fired a barrage of questions at her within seconds of walking into their shared flat. After she'd fought him, and gone over some moves with Dave at the Gym, her godfather had taken her out to lunch followed by a walk along Camden lock.
It was nice, they caught up with family news, chatted about the independent wrestling scene, and all things WWE. Dave had first made the suggestion to Vince that they give Alex a chance six months previous, after he'd had a rather heated discussion with her over the state of the Diva division.
"All I'm saying is that the Divas are essentially nothing more that eye candy, sure they started out that way, but with Jacqueline, Lita, Trish, Molly Holly and Victoria things changed." Alex gave Dave a pointed look, "and you of all people should know that."
"Doesn't it frustrate you," Alex continued, "that we're back to stick thin girls, who parade around in their bra and panties and look like if they took a decent bump it would break them in half?"
"Alex."
"Just stating an opinion." Alex raised her hands in defence, "one that a lot of people agree with."
"So you think you could do better eh?" Dave said with a grin.
"What better than Layla and Michelle? Have you seen me in the ring recently?" Alex smiled and downed her beer, okay so she was a little tipsy, and being ever so slightly cock sure, but had she been sober she wouldn't have said exactly the same thing, well perhaps not in such a big headed way.
But underneath the slight slurring and the drunken ego, Dave could see she had a point, and much to her annoyance he would hold her to her claims the next morning.
Alex could say with good faith that she had never hated her godfather so much as she did when she got rudely awakened by him, dragged out of her hotel room, and pushed towards a ring so that John Laurinaitis could check her out.
Her hangover did not appreciate it. But John seemed impressed with what he saw.
Six months was a long time, especially in wrestling, but Alex soon found herself two days away from her début on Smackdown as a WWE diva. She hadn't seen a script, had no idea what they were planning on doing with her character, she didn't even know if she had a future with the E after her début. She did however know that she'd be fighting Santina Marella. Not that she was going to tell Rob that, no, she was keeping that quiet. It was just a shame she wouldn't be able to see his reaction.
"I honestly don't know Rob. All I know is that I'm going to be on Smackdown, I'll find out what I'm doing when I arrive at the O2 on Tuesday."
Rob sat himself down on the floor in front of the sofa, a pout adorning his handsome features. "You're no fun."
"and you are acting like a five year old."
"Says she, who is watching CBBC."
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Tuesday morning arrived, the recording would start at 7:30 but Alex was due at the Arena at 11:30, she had to meet with John and the creative team, and Marella wanted to go through some of their spots before the match.
To say she was nervous was an understatement. Rob cooked her breakfast before heading out to work, with the promise that he and his mate Greg would try and get a good pop for her, from their front row seats.
Grabbing her bag, she navigated the London underground and before she knew it she was standing in front of the intimidating structure that was the O2 arena.
Dave was ready and waiting for her, and took her round to the backstage entrance, there were a few crew members milling about, but apart from that the corridors of the o2 were relatively quite. The activity within it's halls wouldn't pick up for a couple of hours at least.
It wasn't the first time that Alex had been backstage at a WWE taping, she'd spent most of her summers as a teenager touring with them, though the last time she'd been to one she'd walked the halls beside her godfather hidden underneath an oversized hoodie, hoping that no-one would notice her. Now she was a well developed 23 year old, who in a few hours was going to go out and wrestle in front of a crowd of thousands.
She almost wished that she was here just to watch the action, like she was the last time. For now however she was still hiding beneath a hoodie.
"Are you coming in with me?" Alex asked as they reached the room her meeting with creative would take place in.
"You really are nervous."
"What me? Never." Alex smiled, "okay just a little bit."
Dave pulled her close, kissing the top of her head lightly. "You'll do fine, and yes I am going in there with you, but in my professional mode."
Alex pushed her hood back and raised an eyebrow, "well that just fills me with confidence." elbowing her godfather lightly in the side, she stepped forward and took a deep breath, before knocking on the door.
The meeting went well, creative seemed to have a lot of faith in her, thanks in no small way to her godfather no doubt. Her future and storyline with the company all depended on how well she did tonight. And if she did well, they had a great direction for her to go in. Alex was definitely happy. She just hoped she could pull it off.
After her meeting with creative there was a non stop whirlwind of things for her to do. First up she was taken straight to the seamstresses to get her in ring gear sorted out, they'd done a fantastic job, and the outfit was just her style. She had loose fitting red trousers with black detailing sewn into them, and a chunky red and black belt. Her top was a tight red vest that bared her midriff, and cut low on her chest. Underneath that she'd be wearing a black bikini top.
She'd been told what colour scheme they'd be giving her a couple of weeks in advance, so that she'd been able to pick up some wrestling boots to match, and wear them in.
As soon as she'd got the outfit on and they were pleased with the fit she was whisked through hair and make-up, her blonde tresses, teased and coiffed into a style that looked good and she was comfortable wrestling in. Then it was straight into a room where a photographer was ready and waiting to take a few shots for the website.
It was all a bit surreal, and definitely a step up from the indie circuit.
Somewhere along the way Dave had gone off to do his own thing and Alex had been left in the capable hands of one of the show runners. She was a nice girl and helped Alex learn her way around the backstage area.
It had been a few hours since she'd first entered the building and she was itching for a cigarette. After changing back into her street clothes, she made her way to the loading bay of the arena, and settled herself down on some crates, watching technical crew milling about as she found solace in the burning tobacco.
As she sat there letting the cool breeze wash over her, her thoughts drifted to the fact that, if all went well tonight, she'd be in New York next week and then on the road, travelling with the company. She'd miss Rob, and her friends in London. But at least by going on the road she wouldn't have to deal with bumping into James, or whichever slapper he was sleeping with on any given week. He'd actually made everything easier, the only thing he'd ever done that she could be thankful for, and it hadn't even been intentional on his part. If he'd had his own way, she'd still be completely oblivious to his cheating ways, and he'd still be living off her trust fund. Bastard.
"Got a light?" Alex was drawn out of her thoughts by a soft southern drawl.
Turning her head she watched as the charismatic enigma, Jeff Hardy sat down next to her, cigarette in hand.
"Sure thing." She smiled and pulled the lighter out of her pocket, offering it to the youngest Hardy, which he took with a thanks and a smile.
He really was striking in real life. She could certainly see why he had so many female fans.
Taking back her lighter, Alex lit up another cigarette, and held her hand out, he was the first wrestler she'd seen today. And if she was going to be with the company she might as well start introducing herself. "I'm Alex by the way."
Jeff took the proffered hand, "Jeff Hardy, and you must be our new diva?" he said with a smile.
"Hopefully, if all goes to plan tonight."
"You're wrestling 'Santina' tonight?" Jeff asked using air quotes as he said the name of Anthony Carelli's in ring persona's twin sister alter ego.
Alex laughed, "yeah, and I'm pretty sure I can take her."
"Oh I don't know, she's pretty feisty."
"Does someone have a little crush?" Alex said teasingly, her eyes dancing with laughter.
"Ah man, every guy on the roster is lining up to bang that hot piece of meat."
Jeff and Alex stared at each other, their faces a complete mask of seriousness. It didn't last though, as they both cracked at the same time. Their laughter filling the air.
"Alex your wanted in the arena."
The two wrestlers turned their heads, as the runner who'd been showing Alex around appeared behind them.
"I better be off then." Alex jumped off the crate and brushed her clothes down, "It was nice meeting you. Catch you around."
"Likewise, and if I don't see you before, good luck in your match."
Jeff gaze followed Alex's retreating figure as she made her way inside. The newest Smackdown diva piquing his curiosity.
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After Alex had left Jeff she met up with Anthony to go over their match and to run through the script for their promo, not that Alex would have much to do in that. It was going to be a pretty short match, but they were going to make it an exciting one.
They planned a few spots, and went over them in the ring, to make absolutely sure that both of them were happy and comfortable with them.
It was daunting being in the middle of the empty arena, the thought of being in the middle of that ring later tonight with the arena full to capacity was absolutely terrifying.
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Alex waited outside of Teddy Longs makeshift office, her stomach a knot of nervous energy. Inside Teddy and 'Santina' had just started their promo. Which she was to interrupt as soon as she was given the signal.
Santina was on Smackdown to try and get out of her Khali kiss cam appearance at Backlash and Alex was to throw a spanner into the works.
"You wanted to see me Mr Long?" Alex entered the office interrupting Santina mid flow.
"Lexi, right on time."
Alex was doing her best not to crack up as Santina gesticulated and pouted at her intrusion.
"Santina, meet Smackdown's newest Diva, Lexi. I'm scheduling you two in a match tonight. If you win, I will talk to Khali, if Lexi wins, the kiss cam goes ahead."
"I am Miss Wrestlemania, she is nothing."
"Then you have nothing to worry about. Miss Marella"
The promo ended, and Alex and Anthony made their way to the gorilla position their match was next up.
Santina's music hit and the crowd went crazy. Anthony gave Alex a good luck kiss on the cheek before making his entrance as Santina.
"The next match is scheduled for one fall, making her way to the ring from Calabria, Italy. Miss Wrestlemania, Santina Marella."
Alex watched on the screen as Santina made her way to the ring, dreading what was about to come next.
"Don't worry if you get no reaction, they don't know you. You just kick Santina's ass in the ring." Jeff had appeared behind her, his words of encouragement spoken close to her ear.
Just as she was about to reply her music hit, and before she knew it she was making her way down the ramp.
"and from London, England, Lexi."
The match went by in a blur, Alex dominated at the start, before Santina got a couple of cheap shots in, seeing her moment Alex jumped up onto the top rope, before launching her Dragonrana, and getting the three count.
Cheers erupted around the arena, but Alex had a feeling it was more to do with the fact that Santina still had to do the Khali kiss cam, than it was for her. Still it gave her a buzz, and she excited the ring on a total high.
She had just had her first match on Smackdown, in her home town, and she had won. Sure she was scripted to, but she'd won none the less.
Dave was waiting for her backstage a huge grin plastered on his face. "You did good out there, Alex"
Alex hugged her godfather, "I did didn't I?"
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jeff waiting to go out on the ramp, giving her a smile and a thumbs up before disappearing out of sight to the biggest pop of the night.
Next week the hard work really started though. She'd made her début and now she'd make a name for herself in the WWE.