Raw opened with a video package to recap what had happened at Survivor Series, covering the WWE title match and the main event. When it was over Michael Cole welcomed the viewers to the show and then announced, "WWE will never be the same again after last night. We have a new WWE champion and sadly we're never going to see Stephanie McMahon again."

"I haven't even heard an update on Stephanie's condition after how that match ended," Lawler said, still sounding shocked at how the match had ended.

As he finished the sentence Stephanie's music played and the crowd roared as it was understandably the last thing that they had expected to kick off the show. They cheered again as she appeared on the stage and began to walk to the ring. "What the hell is this?" JBL demanded. "She's not supposed to be here! She lost the match!"

"I don't know what this is but I'm glad to see that Stephanie seems to be okay," Cole said with relief.

Stephanie got into the ring and took a microphone as the crowd erupted into a "Steph!" chant. "Thank you. Thank you everyone. I'm only out here for two reasons; firstly to say goodbye."

The crowd booed as JBL moaned, "Okay, goodbye. Now get out of here."

"I wanted to thank you all for your support and to tell you all that it has meant a lot to me, but I agreed to the stipulation that if I lost at Survivor Series I had to go and that is unfortunately what happened." A few people began to chant "Thank you Steph," as she continued, "I'm not going to stand out here and cry about how it was actually Brock Lesnar who beat me and not my dad, frankly I have more dignity than that. Although that brings me to the second reason I'm out here. I'm not the only one leaving due to what happened last night. Before I leave I have the pleasure of announcing that as my final act, Brock Lesnar... You're fired!" This was actually to cover for another lengthy absence for Lesnar but the crowd loved it, cheering loudly and then chanting, "Yes!"

With her announcement complete Stephanie walked over to hand the microphone back through the ropes to the ring announcer but just before she got there she stopped and said, "Oh, there was one other thing," as if she had just remembered it. As a smile spread across her face the noise from the crowd rose slightly as they wondered what was going on.

"I agreed that if I lost at Survivor Series I wouldn't show up to Raw or Smackdown again but... I don't remember agreeing that my dad would take my place in charge." The noise rose a little more as the crowd began to suspect where this might be going.

"With that in mind I've got a little surprise for my dad and his rented girlfriend when they show up here tonight... because I've appointed a new General Manager of both Raw and Smackdown."

The crowd roared at that news but still Stephanie continued, "This new General Manager has been given all of my rights and privileges and will be able to run the shows as he sees fit." Stephanie paused and smiled yet again, "I can tell you're all asking 'well who is it?' and I'm going to tell you. I found someone who my dad is going to hate working with even more than he hated working with me. I found someone who will make the very thought of coming to work seem like hell for my dad and his precious Nikki."

The crowd began to chant, "Austin!" and Stephanie laughed, "It's not Steve Austin. It's someone I think my dad will hate working with even more than Steve Austin. Steve Austin may have been good at beating my dad's ass but he'd be the first to admit that he's no businessman. This new general manager knows the business and I know for a fact that my dad cannot stand to even be in the same building with him." The crowd were at a loss which only increased their anticipation.

"Without further delay allow me to introduce you to your new General Manager." She pointed up the entrance ramp. For a few long seconds nothing happened and the anticipation was incredible. Then the music played, "Here comes the money..."

The crowd exploded as they realised that it was Shane McMahon. As Shane walked out onto the stage Michael Cole yelled, "Oh, I don't believe it! It's Shane McMahon! Vince is going to have a heart attack when he finds out! We haven't seen Shane McMahon for years!'

Shane jogged down the ramp and climbed in the ring, shuffling around it in his familiar style as Stephanie looked on, laughing. As his music stopped Shane shared a hug with his sister. She handed him her microphone and as she left the ring he said, "Give it up for my sister."

Everyone applauded as Stephanie walked up the ramp with tears in her eyes and disappeared through the curtain without looking back.

The crowd loved it as Shane cut a promo on Vince and Nikki and promised to make their lives hell.


Whilst that was happening Stephanie had walked back to her office. She picked up her phone and saw a text message. She read it and thought, "Seriously? Three messages in a week in the office and now you start with text messages? I'll call you when I'm ready, when the time is right for me! I get the feeling that it will be soon. I hope that this is what I think it is, please let it be true." She smiled with satisfaction.