AJ's conversation with Natalya gave her a little bit of a confidence boost. The blonde Canadian admitted she didn't favor the Bellas too. Maybe not as hardcore as AJ herself did, but it was a start. And since Nattie was a social butterfly, hopefully she'd mention how good AJ really is, despite what bullshit comments the Bella bitches made about her.
A few weeks went by without much word from anyone. It mostly stayed to dirty looks and hushed criticisms from plastic hoes and their Barbie besties. AJ simply blocked them out and continued her vigorous ring training with the small hope Triple H caught wind of her wanting a comeback and either giving it to her or firing her ass on the spot. Even though her new attitude gave no fucks this time around, she made sure to keep out of sight of any of the Bellas allies. The last thing she needed was Nikki to tell a higher up she was trying to get back in the ring before AJ herself could request a shot.
Thanks to her new determination to take the wrestling world over once again, AJ's body started to morph around her new workout schedule. Her arms and legs were way more toned than they were a few months prior. Every time she walked, Paige would take a second to whistle sharply and comment on how nice AJ's calves looked. AJ would roll her eyes and shoot back with a sarcastic retort, but she'd be smiling on the inside.
Paige wasn't the only one that noticed AJ's body becoming used to her new plan. Dean also made several comments about what he thought of AJ's progress. Much like with Paige, AJ would quickly spit a good nature insult or punch him in the shoulder but, on the inside, would be gushing over the kind words.
AJ's first Survivor Series as on-screen commissioner came with a little nervousness. She never made it this far, or this long, as an authority figure. Each week without competing in the ring made her hungrier for another chance at proving herself. TLC came and she didn't feel any better about her chances of Triple H simply asking if she wanted another opportunity. No matter, AJ was still going to work hard for her chance.
Shortly after Survivor Series, word finally broke on social media about AJ and CM Punk's divorce. Phil was the one to break it with a tweet about not giving up on your dreams, even if it costs your marriage to your best friend. AJ both laughed and cried at that quote. To think she split with him just to make a comeback with WWE was completely wrong. She divorced him because he was an arrogant prick that treated her like dirt. The fact that she became onscreen RAW commissioner shortly after the divorce was purely coincidental. The whispers and side glances reached an all time high after Phil told the world he wasn't married anymore. AJ just got angrier and hit the gym twice as hard to block it all out.
The night of TLC, AJ and Paige sat alone at a table in catering. The duo shared a plate of shredded chicken and spinach. They reviewed the notes given to them by production for a few backstage promos they were going to have. It was the first screen time they shared since before AJ's first retirement. Shane was wrestling, because of course he was, so Paige was the authority figure for SmackDown Live that night.
"Isn't this exciting, baby girl?" Paige asked with a grin. "Paige and AJ on WWE tv together again. It's like old times."
AJ shrugged. "I'd rather be in the ring. Steal the fucking show every night like we used to do."
Paige set a hand on AJ's shoulder. "You'll get your shot again, babe, don't worry." She squeezed AJ's shoulder. "Holy shit, AJ, you've been hitting the shoulder press?"
AJ shrugged. "Maybe. You should see my abs, dude. I swear I think I'm getting an eight pack now."
Paige started to continue the conversation, but she paused when Nikki and Brie Bella passed the catering area. AJ followed Paige's gaze, wondering why she suddenly stopped talking. She made eye contact with the twin with the biggest set of silicone tits. For a split second, AJ felt like putting her job on the line and putting Nikki into the ground. Instead, AJ simply shook her head and turned back to Paige.
"Cunts," Paige muttered under her breath.
"You can say that again," AJ replied. "Fuckin' plastic bitches think it's still two-thousand nine. They'll get a fucking wake up call one day. The day I fucking knee them in the face and lock on the Black Widow."
Paige giggled. "Seeing you so angry is such a turn on."
AJ rolled her eyes. "Fuck you, dude. You know how much I hate those bimbos."
Paige nodded. "Yeah, I do. So you should know how badly I want to see you make your comeback and put them in their place."
AJ, taking a sip from her bottle of water, pictured that moment when she finally got her comeback match. Not some lame as hell suit job, but another go around in the ring. All the talented women in WWE today would have such great matches with her; Bayley, Sasha, Becky, Charlotte, Asuka. AJ was starting to shake with excitement, but quickly reminded herself that she hadn't even pitched the idea to Triple H yet, so the chances of her jumping in the ring on tomorrow's edition of RAW was next to impossible.
Tuning her focus back to Paige, AJ talked over her notes for the promos taking place later on.
TLC 2018 December 16, 2018
After the pre-show concluded, the camera cut to backstage. In her office, dressed to the nines in a business suit she swore was suffocating her, AJ Lee stood beside SmackDown general manager Paige. Both girls, on screen together again for the first time in years, made the crowd erupt in a massive cheer.
"Well, you beat us fair and square at Survivor Series, which means Roman Reigns defends his Universal Championship in the main event tonight," Paige spoke, recapping the last few weeks of WWE tv. "That also means AJ Styles and Xavier Woods will be the co-main event."
AJ shrugged. "Should've picked better people to represent SmackDown."
"Did you happen to forget you only beat us by one point?" Paige asked.
"Well, all of my champions won," AJ explained. "You only came close because Team Blue won all of the six-man tags. Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Nikki Bella, and The Revival all did their part in securing a win for RAW and the main event of TLC. Now, if you'll excuse me, Paige. I have an elite show to run."
AJ walked off screen with Paige's bitter scowl to follow her out the door.
Paige high fived her best friend with a huge smile slapped across her face.
"We kicked ass," Paige praised.
AJ nodded her head. "I think so too. Now we just have a few more to go before the night's over."
AJ and Paige walked back to catering. Walking the opposite way to Gorilla, was Intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose. AJ's eyes immediately locked with his. Her heartbeat skipped a few notes, while her feet stopped moving and refused to let her keep walking.
"Kick ass shit, kid," Dean said, bumping fists with AJ, then Paige. "Don't know how I'll be able to follow that."
AJ scoffed. "You could learn to wrestle, for starters."
Dean chuckled. "Ouch. Alright, I see how it is. I'll catch up to you cool kids later," he started to walk away, but took a second to give AJ a once over. "You look nice, by the way. I can tell you're working really hard."
"Thanks, Ambrose," AJ gave him a once over. "You don't look too bad yourself. Good luck against Rollins. I think you're going over."
Dean snickered. "No shit. Like they'd have Seth go over on me... He's actually a pretty cool dude. Anyway, see ya later."
Dean walked away, leaving AJ to watch him as he moved further down the hall.
"Stare any harder and your eyes will pop out," Paige teased, snapping AJ from her trance.
"Fuck off," AJ shot back, blushing and walking away when Paige began laughing at her.
After the WWE championship match came the RAW Women's championship match, then the Universal title. AJ returned to the office set; After Nikki succesfully retains her title in a tables match against Sasha Banks, she will confront AJ and demand she make Brie the new general manager and give her a pay raise since she beat both Ronda Rousey and Sasha in pay-per-view matches, and the stupid steel cage match a few weeks before.. AJ would then shoot back with a sarcastic comment and that would end the segment.
AJ like doing promos. It was one of the more fun things about being a pro wrestler. But she didn't like Nikki Bella, and she knew she'd most likely get a sarcastic comment about her divorce.
AJ watched the monitor set up on the set in silence. The finish of the match came when Nikki did her lame Rack Attack Two point Oh move through a table. Very anti-climatic, in AJ's opinion. Then again, it was better than the ending of the six-woman steel cage that saw Ronda spear Nikki into the door of the cage and accidentally send her to the floor outside, which, obviously, meant Nikki one the match and retained her title.
The feed cut to a commercial. "Great," AJ thought to herself when the production crew did a final check. "Here comes trouble. Can't wait to hear this bitch's whiny ass voice again."
Just as AJ finished the thought, Nikki and Brie Bella walked through the door. A makeup artist tended to Nikki and Brie to quickly touch up on anything that may have smeared during the match.
"God forbid she actually breaks a sweat during her match," AJ inwardly mused again.
"AJ, ready?" A producer asked.
AJ nodded her head and took her place in front of her desk. She glanced at the twins, who were going over the script one more time before the show went back on air. Rolling her eyes and taking a deep breath, AJ turned to the prop tv she was going to turn away from at the beginning of the promo.
TLC 2018 December 16, 2018
Later That Night
AJ turned away from the ending of the RAW Women's title match. She nodded her head, seemingly impressed with the result. Or perhaps letting it set in that Nikki was still her champion.
From off-screen, Nikki and Brie Bella walked into the shot. The crowd started to boo them heavily, since Sasha was the fan favorite to win the title that night.
"AJ, glad we caught you," Nikki said. "I've been thinking about some things. One of them being the RAW general manager position. Since Baron Corbin is no longer filling that role, I'd like to give you a recommendation."
"Why do I need a general manager?" AJ asked, annoyed by the twins's presence. "I'm fully capable of doing things on my own on RAW. We won Survivor Series and our ratings are finally starting to increase."
Nikki scoffed. "Have you forgotten who I am?" She raised her women's title above her head. "I'm your women's champion. That means you should listen to what I have to say. Right, Brie?"
"That's right," replied the other twin.
"So I think you should really think about hiring my recommendation," Nikki said. "To be more specific: My sister, Brianne Bella. She more than deserves a position of power."
AJ chuckled. "Right, like I'm going to let a Bella be in charge. Our ratings would fall faster than Total Bellas's numbers."
The quick joke popped the crowd. Nikki and Brie exchanged a hateful stare, then Nikki turned back to AJ.
"Well, then I won't even ask you about the raise I was going to demand," Nikki said. "I'll just take this up with Triple H and see what he has to say."
"You do that, Nikki. We'll see who's side he goes with; Obnoxious cheerleader, or the commissioner of RAW." AJ snapped back.
Nikki gave AJ a once over. "Oh, I'll know he'll take my side over yours. Men can't stand being around you for longer than ten seconds. Just ask that husband of yours."
AJ's arms fell to her side. That part wasn't in the script, which meant Nikki went off the cuff for that one liner. AJ's fists clenched at her sides, her throat tightened into a knot, and her eyes began watering. Instead of denting the side of Nikki's skull like she wanted, AJ stormed off set and into the hallway.
"Aww, look, she's gonna go cry," she heard one of the twins say. AJ wasn't sure which one, but she didn't give a fuck anyway.
Nikki crossed a fucking line mentioning Phil. It was completely uncalled for and in no way made either woman look any better. AJ turned a few corners, wondering which poor soul would step in front of her first, try and calm her down, and receive the mother of all ass kickings. Luckily for that unlucky person, no one stopped her until she paused in front of a wooden door that read "Triple H" on a piece of paper.
AJ raised her fist and banged loudly against the door.
"Come in," replied the gravely voice of Triple H from inside.
AJ pushed the door so hard it clanged against the wall when she stepped through. Stephanie McMahon and Triple H stood around the desk in the center of the room.
"AJ-"
"I want a comeback match," AJ spat, hateful anger shaking her voice. "I don't care against who or when or how, but I'm done being commissioner. I was born to be a wrestler, and I want to wrestle again."
Stephanie stepped in for her husband. "AJ, listen, we just saw what Nikki said to you on the live feed. That was completely uncalled for and she will be disciplined for it."
AJ chuckled dryly. "Right, how? Losing a couple tag matches to the Riott Squad? No, I don't care what you do with her. I want to be a wrestler again."
Triple H exchanged a quick glance with his wife. "AJ, I know you're upset right now," he said. "Just take a second to calm down and we can discuss things further. Ok?"
AJ hated being told what to do, especially when it came to her emotions. But, unfortunately, Triple H was right. She was being erratic and she already knew her crying face would turn even the biggest AJ stan off. She took a moment to take a few deep breaths, playing a favorite song of hers over and over again in her head to help a little, then took a seat in front of the desk.
"I just want to wrestle," AJ muttered. She was still crying a little, but she was far calmer than she was a moment ago.
"I understand that, AJ," Stephanie said. "We want you to wrestle also. There's just so many women on both brands, we don't know where we'd put you and still be able to put over the other women too."
"The only thing I can think of, at the moment, is the Rumble," Triple H added. "We were going to pitch you the idea about entering it anyway. Coach Bloom mentioned you training at the Performance Center almost every single day. The fact that you've been doing that without my knowledge takes guts. It really does. Lucky for you, I've always admired people who take chances and go for what they want."
AJ nodded her head. "So, what you're saying is, there's no guarentee I'll be a wrestler after the Rumble. That could be my last match."
"For now, anyway," Stephanie said. "There's no correct way to see what the future is bringing. There could be a spot for you tomorrow. But, for the foreseeable future, we need you to continue being the on-screen authority figure for RAW."
AJ sighed. Though her actions were somewhat futile, at least Triple H and Stephanie now knew what her goal was. The Royal Rumble was a nice start, but a weekly match on RAW and continuous house show matches is what she was dying to get back. But, until then, AJ knew she just needed to keep kicking ass in the weight room and in the PC, and maybe then they'd finally give her that ultimate goal.
"Does that seem like a reasonable offer?" Triple H asked.
AJ nodded. "I don't want you to think I'm being ungrateful. You didn't have to bring me back at all, let alone the commissioner job. Everything with Phil just got so shitty so quick, I needed time to clear my head. I always knew my home was right here in WWE, I just... In hindsight, I have no idea why I even gave it up."
Stephanie laid a gentle hand on AJ's shoulder. "AJ... Wow, you really have been working out."
The three of them shared a laugh. It cut the tension a bit and made everyone relax.
"Thanks, I have been," AJ wiped her eyes with her shirt sleeve. "Sorry for ugly crying and kicking the door in. What Nikki said-"
"Was uncalled for and won't go without reprocussions," Stephanie cut in. "She might have gotten away with that kind of talk in the past, but I won't stand for it. Women in the WWE need to come together to achieve more. Not tear each other down with petty insults."
"Ok, you don't have to speak that way off camera," AJ said, getting another laugh from Triple H and Stephanie. "But I agree with you. Nattie was telling me she's excited to see what happens for me."
"Good, glad to hear it," Stephanie patted AJ's back then finally took her hand away. "Take a second, ok? There won't be any negativity from us to you because of this either. If I was in a similar situation, I would've done the same thing."
AJ thanked Triple H and Stephanie for letting her vent a little. She took a few moments to sit and shoot the breeze with them, then decided to get a move on and enjoy what was left of the show.
AJ walked down the hallway, making her way back to catering and hopefully find Paige waiting for her. She turned the corner, thinking about downing a forty when she got back to her hotel, but paused when Dean Ambrose nearly collided with her.
"There you are," Ambrose stated. "The hell happened? Paige is looking everywhere for you."
AJ, feeling tears well up in her eyes again, threw her arms around Dean and buried her face in his chest.
"What are you-"
"Just shut up," AJ growled into Dean's torso, pulling him in tighter to herself.
Dean slowly put his arms around AJ. When she didn't brush him off, he more snugly held her against his chest.
"Don't cry," Dean told her. "Nikki's just a miserable cunt."
AJ chuckled and cried at the same time. She hated crying, especially in front of friends, but at least Ambrose was cool with letting her get it out.