RAW - SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 - Indianapolis, IN
The WWE Unified Women's Champion, Melina, made her way down to the ring. She greeted the fans enthusicstically as she made her way to ringside, then climbed up onto the apron, up the ropes and dropped into her trademark split before sliding into the ring. Afterwards, her opponent for the evening, Jillian, made her way to the ring. For tonight, the WWE's resident songbird did not serenade the fans with her "unique" vocal stylings.
The match lasted about three minutes and even though Jillian got some good licks in, it wasn't enough to overcome the champion. Melina hit the Sunset Split and scored the win. After the match, Melina celebrated with the fans at ringside until Gail Kim's music came over the PA and she came out onto the stage with a microphone.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Gail told Mel from across the arena. "You sit out most of the year, then just waltz right back in here and get a title shot. What kind of favors have you been doing in the back? Hmmm?"
Melina climbed back into the ring with Justin Roberts' mic and responded to Gail's accusation. "First of all, Gail, I was out with a torn ACL. I had surgery. I had rehab to do. Second, I got a title shot because I was a champion when I got hurt, and nobody beat me to take the title from me. Third, if you don't think I deserve this belt, then why don't you just walk your skinny little butt down that aisle - and try to take it away from me!"
Gail started to walk down the aisle when the overhead lights blinked and the "you've got mail" chirp came over the PA. Michael Cole stood up and walked over to the podium where the computer the mystery GM sends his e-mails to was located. Cole announced, "I have received an e-mail from our General Manager. And I quote: Gail, it's understandable that you're frustrated over the lack of title shots you've received. And Melina, it's equally understandable that you want to prove you deserve to be Unified Women's Champion. I will make a match between the two of you, but you're not going to fight here tonight on Raw. Instead, you will face each other this Sunday at Hell In A Cell on pay-per-view."
Both women appeared satisfied with the announcement. Gail backed up the ramp, signaling that after their match, the title belt would be hers.
SMACKDOWN - OCTOBER 1, 2010 - Oklahoma City, OK
Tonight's women's matchup was a rematch from last week: WWE Unified Women's Champion Melina will defend against Michelle McCool, with the stipulation that if Michelle failed to win the title from Melina, she would get no further title shots as long as Melina is champion. Further, to prevent the outside interference that marred their last encounter, Michelle's former BFF, Layla El, would be in a cage above the ring.
Michelle came out first, followed by Melina and lastly, Layla. Michelle and Layla almost got into it before the match ever began. Officials at ringside calmed the situation down, Layla calmly stepped into the cage and was lifted up into the air so the match could begin.
Melina got off to a fast start, frustrating Michelle with her agility and speed, but her talents couldn't stave off a thumb to the eye from Michelle. The "Cool" half of the former "Team Lay-Cool" went to work battering Melina. Along the way, Michelle took time out to taunt her former best friend. Layla yelled back at her and led the crowd in rooting for Melina. It must have worked, because Melina found the strength to counter Michelle's attempt at a back bodydrop by hitting the Extreme Makeover. Alas, Melina was too tired from the beating she had taken to go for a cover, but she began feeling her second wind as the crowd got behind her. Melina started going to town on Michelle, and Layla cheered Mel on all the way.
Melina whipped Michelle into the ropes, and Michelle geared up to give Mel a big boot to the face, but when Michelle went for the move, Mel did a split to get out of the way and the referee wound up on the receiving end of Michelle's foot. As the ref reeled from the blow, trying to get his bearings back, Layla pulled a set of brass knuckles from out of her top. She reached her hand out of the cage and tossed them to Melina, yelling "Mel! Catch!"
Melina went to catch the weapon, but Michelle went for them, too. Mel and 'Chelle struggled to get control of the knucks, neither one giving up. Michelle kicked her opponent in the stomach to finally gain control of them and held the knucks up, but just as she did, the referee turned around back to the action. Upon seeing Melina on the mat and Michelle standing over her with a weapon in her hands, he immediately disqualified her and called for the bell.
Michelle was absolutely LIVID! She argued her point that she didn't use the weapon, but it wasn't enough to convince the ref. Tony Chimel announced, "Here is your winner, as a result of a disqualification, and STILL WWE Unified Women's Champion, ME-LINA!" The ref raised Melina's hand as he returned the championship belt to her.
After she was lowered and released from her cage, Layla headed up the aisle with Melina. She looked back briefly to thumb her nose at her former best friend. Michelle just growled back, "I'm gonna get you for this!"