It's happening. It's finally freaking happening. After three long years, AJ Lee is back, bitches.
RAW is a few short hours away. After a quick recap meeting with Triple H, AJ was informed her segment would be opening the show that night. The opportunity to open RAW after being gone for so long both terrified and motivated her to a whole new level she hadn't been on in her career before. This was going to be huge; Either in a really, really good way, or a really, really shitty way.
One of the worst things about being on camera was the need of makeup to seem more "presentable" under the bright lights. AJ didn't like makeup. Even the light touch up most WWE Superstars received was borderline unbearable. The makeup was the least of her problems. The stupid business suit she now had to wear since she was the on-screen commissioner made her feel a thousand times less like herself than a little blush and lipstick did.
Paige, having returned from catering, laid her chin upon AJ's shoulder. She made eye contact with the grumpy woman through the mirror and grinned.
"Ah, cheer up, baby girl," Paige kissed the top of AJ's head. "Just a little makeup never killed anyone."
AJ chuckled dryly. "That's easy for you to say. Besides, I hate this stupid ass suit they need me to wear. I swear, next week, no matter what, I'm wearing jeans and a hoodie during my segments."
"Ha, AJ Lee: The prettiest homeless woman in WWE," Paige laughed. "I can see that going over well with the boss."
AJ sighed. "I guess you're right."
As if the beauty requirement wasn't a big enough pain in the ass, the very last person AJ wanted to see right now took a seat next to her at the makeup booth. AJ resisted the urge to flip Nikki Bella the bird so hard she was sure a blood vessel or two was about to burst. But, deep down inside, AJ knew even the slightest indiscretion, especially with someone like Nikki Bella, would ultimately land her in hot water. So, as much as it pained her, she decided playing nice would have to be the way to play.
AJ checked over her shoulder for Paige, but she wasn't there. Typical. She probably headed back to catering after checking in on her.
"AJ, it's like, so great to see you again," Oh sweet mother of God, why did her voice have to be that fucking annoying? If her Botox pumped lips or silicone filled tits weren't a huge turn off already, that damned high pitched 'look at me, I'm pretty' tone in her voice made AJ want to violently tear her own hair out.
AJ's lips curled into the fakest smile she probably ever had to show anyone.
"It's so good to be back, Nicole," She said, feeling her soul catch fire for giving this lesser human the slightest attention.
"So, what do they have you doing now?" Nikki asked. "Are you still going to wrestle?"
"Yeah, first thing on my agenda is beating you with a steel chair until the army has to pull me off," AJ's inner voice screamed in reply. Instead of the petty death threat, AJ shrugged her shoulders. "You'll just have to wait and see."
"Well, I'm super duper excited to see what happens," AJ swore she was about to either burst into flames or have a stroke if she had to sit near this Diva any longer.
Like a saving grace, the makeup artist stepped away from AJ. Since she figured she closely resembled a rodeo clown, she didn't even bother checking herself out in the mirror before she quickly made her way to catering to meet back up with Paige. Maybe she could get some much needed Bella shit talking off her chest.
In just a few moments, RAW was going to start with a recap of Evolution. Afterwards, Stephanie McMahon would hit the ring and talk up Evolution like it was her hard work that made it all possible. Simple heel heat, but it worked like a charm. Then she was to call Corbin to the ring, berate him for letting The Bellas cheat, then right before she fired him Vinnie Mac himself interrupts to fire Stephanie instead. Then... Moment of truth.
AJ's heart was beating a million miles a minute. This is it: Three long years after her first retirement. Would the fans go crazy like Vince wanted? Hopefully. Because if it fizzled and died, then this entire ordeal was for naught and AJ would be right back where she was before returning to Orlando. And since her divorce finally went through earlier that day, it's not like she could go back to her shitty apartment in the most depressing city on Earth.
"Excited?" The voice belonged to Stephanie McMahon, the woman she was kayfabe replacing. She was always good to AJ, even after Punk split.
"Freakin' nervous as hell," AJ openly admitted with a shy grin.
Stephanie smiled. "Don't worry, AJ. The people have been demanding a return from you for years. It's going to be an astronomical pop when your song hits."
AJ nodded her head. "Right, because who wouldn't love to see me after walking away from wrestling for three years after my shithead ex-husband burned every bridge he had to this place because he couldn't handle the fact that he wasn't cut out for the main event spotlight three years ago?"
Stephanie laid a gentle hand on AJ's shoulder. "He burned his bridges. You walked away with dignity. That's why you're here, and he's miserably wondering where his life went wrong."
AJ nodded her head. "Yeah. I guess you're right."
Stephanie's music hit. "Oh," She said with a grin. "That's my cue."
AJ took a deep breath. Just a few more moments. Then the whole world will know: AJ Lee is back, bitches.
Monday Night RAW October 29, 2018
"Thank you, thank you," Stephanie McMahon stood center of the ring, soaking in the negative reception the live audience was sending her way. "I know, Evolution was a tremendously successful event. And I have to say, if it weren't for smart businesswomen like myself, it wouldn't have been possible."
"I'd have to disagree with that," Renee Young said over on commentary.
"Unfortunately, there is one little thing I don't like about last night," Stephanie continued. "The ending to the RAW Women's Championship match was not what I was expecting, as a fan or an executive of WWE. The fact that something like that was allowed to happen is unacceptable. So, I think I need a word with RAW's acting general manager, Baron Corbin."
As Stephanie finished speaking, Corbin's music hit. When the towering man came on the stage, he was unsurprisingly booed by everyone in the arena.
"Stephanie McMahon doesn't look happy with Baron Corbin," Renee commented.
"Well, Baron Corbin is the acting RAW general manager," Michael Cole added. "It's his job to maintain composure here on Monday Night RAW."
Corey Graves scoffed. "But to blame General Manager Corbin for Twin Magic is ridiculous. He had no idea they would do something like that."
Corbin entered the ring, clearly a little uneasy about talking with his boss.
"Listen, Steph," he began. "I know what went down last night at Evolution is not ok. I have put some thought into it, and I think the right thing to do is to have a rematch between Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella tonight."
That garnered maybe the only cheer Corbin ever received in his career. Even with the announcement of a rematch, Stephanie still seemed the opposite of pleased.
"That's Miss McMahon to you, Mr Corbin," Stephanie corrected. "Along with the disrespectful end to the RAW Women's Championship match, you have not been doing a good job of keeping your roster under control in recent weeks. Dean Ambrose attacked his tag team partner after their title win. Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman have been tearing each other apart over the Universal Championship. And your Intercontinental Champion hasn't defended his title in a number of weeks, has he?"
Corbin nodded his head. "I know it looks bad, ma'am, but I can fix this before it gets out of control."
Stephanie shook her head. "It's already too little too late, Corbin. You leave me with no other choice," A scowl crossed her face as she took a deep breath. "Baron Corbin... You're fi-"
Before Stephanie could finish her sentence, her father's music began playing through the speakers. Vince McMahon himself marched down to the ring, amongst the live crowd singing along with his entrance theme.
"Dad," Stephanie greeted her father with a smile after he entered the ring. "It's so good to see you. I was just in the middle of taking care of the management problem on my show."
"Stephanie," Vince said. "The first thing you need to realize is that Monday Night RAW is and always will be my show," The chairman's choice of words received a huge pop from the rambunctious audience. "Secondly, need I remind you that you are the one that appointed Baron Corbin as general manager after you sent Kurt Angle away? If anything, Corbin's short comings reflect on your decisions as a commissioner. If he is clearly unfit for this job, then what does that say about you?"
Stephanie smiled, signs of nervousness displayed. "Listen, dad, I know things aren't good on RAW right now..."
"Oh, you're damn right they aren't," Vince cut in. "Ratings are at an all time low. Ticket sales have been dropping drastically. My Superstars are fighting each other in the parking lots. All under your control, Stephanie. Unfortunately, you leave me with no other choice. And just because you are my kin, doesn't mean I'm willing to let this go."
Stephanie shook her head; She was saying something to Vince, but the microphone wasn't picking up what it was.
"Stephanie McMahon," Vince's face twisted in anger. "You're FIRED!"
The live audience became unglued. Stephanie dropped to her knees, screaming and weeping like a spoiled child.
"As for you," Vince turned his focus to Corbin. "You disgust me. I ought to fire you as well. But I will let the new commissioner of Monday Night RAW decide what to do with you," He focused back on his crying daughter. "The last thing you can do before getting the hell out of my ring is saying hello to your new replacement."
Vince, Corbin, and Stephanie all stared at the stage.
"Let's light it up!"
The roof of the arena blew off like a bomb had detonated. The audience lost their minds as the very familiar pop tune filled the arena after a three year hiatus. Somehow, the noise increased when the fan adored AJ Lee skipped onto the stage, smart looking business suit and all.
"Oh my!" Cole said in the way that made children cry. "It's AJ Lee! AJ Lee is back on Monday Night RAW!"
"It's been over three years since we've seen AJ!" Renee added excitedly.
AJ entered the ring under the middle rope. She stopped in front of Stephanie, who was still kneeling in the middle of the ring.
AJ smiled brightly. "You heard the boss. Get the hell out of this ring."
Stephanie shook her head as curses spewed from her lips. Eventually, she rose to her feet. As she shuffled towards the ropes, the crowd began a "na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye" chant to send off the former RAW commissioner.
"As for you," AJ turned to face Corbin. "You are pathetic. If you want this job, you are going to earn it. You will face Finn Balor tonight in the main event. If you win, you keep your job. If not..." She looked at Vince. "May I?" Vince nodded his head. AJ glared back at Corbin. "You're fired!"
Corbin's face seemed to grow pale; His job was on the line later that night in a match against a man he never seemed to get the one up on.
As for AJ, the roar of the crowd brought a smile to her face. Finally, it was clear to the world that she was back and here to stay. This time, it was forever. Or at least until she couldn't go anymore. Still, the feeling of pride and joy swelling in her chest like a balloon almost made AJ burst into tears.
"AJ Lee's back, bitches," She whispered to herself with a smirk.
