October 6th, 2017
iWireless Center in Davenport, Iowa
Main Event
Sarita López was walking outside the arena with her luggage. Eventually she made to the building and once again came in contact with a familiar face, who saw her through the transparent door and opened it for her. She entered.
"Nice pick-up last week," said Roman Reigns to Sarita as he began walking alongside her once inside. He pivoted a few inches away to her side just in time before she rolled over his ankles with her gear. He was praising her for the victory over Carmella. "I told you things would work out if you let me come out there and have your back."
"You were right," Sarita with a smile. "I'm sure you'll handle business tonight with Rusev one-on one."
"Oh, you can believe that!" He exclaimed. "You know if you rack up enough wins, maybe you can get yourself in the Divas Title picture again. Another championship would look great on you."
"Shouldn't you be thinking the same thing about yourself Romie?" She asked.
"Romie?" He quickly asked back with a chuckle.
"Or would you prefer Mr. Reigns?" Sarita said with a grin.
"No, Romie will work for you," he reassured her. "It's cute when a beautiful woman says it to me."
"Thank you," she replied.
"You're welcome," he responded with a nod. "As for me getting a title? I'm 'The Guy.' So I'm not worried about it. It's only a matter of time before I get my hands on one."
"This is your empire huh?" Sarita asked with wit.
"You know it," he responded with another nod.
"Good luck tonight," She said yelling back at him while taking off. He waited a few seconds she was away from him before he mumbled off something.
"Sad to see you go, but I enjoy watching you leave," he muttered while rubbing his goatee.
Later on in the show
Tyler was shown backstage sitting in a customized chair with his nickname on it, while the makeup crew was working on him. The chair was very similar to one of the Mahogany brown chairs that directors would sit on at a movie set while instructing their cast and crew. The only major difference here was that Tyler's chair had "Prince Pretty" on the back where the word "Director" would be. Additionally, the arms of the chair had the word "Cuteville" written on them, bedazzled in vibrant colors and cursive fonts.
"Ew!" shouted Tyler.
"Something wrong Mr. Breeze?" asked one of the makeup artists. "We're nearly done powdering your face."
"Something is wrong," he replied with a pout, and one of the camera angles showed Tyson Kidd in his view while looking through the large mirror. "I see mediocrity in my peripheral vision, and it's a hideous sight!"
Tyler did not leave his special seat. Doing so would have been predictable. To keep the pretentious vibe up, Paul suggested he remain in the chair getting worked on as he engaged with Kidd in their conversation.
"FACT: As unique as NXT is now, its notoriety didn't take off until people like myself, Natalya, and Antonio Cessaro made appearances on the brand," shouted Tyson Kidd, to a seemingly uninterested Tyler.
"FACT: At NXT Takeover: Fatal Four Way, myself, Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, and you tore the house down in the main event," Kidd continued, and Tyler still didn't turn to exit his chair.
"FACT: Now that you're here, you know I can push you to your limit," said Kidd before glancing at at some of the items on the makeup artists' table, which in addition to literal makeup were Tyler's selfie stick, fragrance, and United States Championship. "Especially for that," he added, pointing to the title.
Tyler briefly had a scowl on his face, before licking his lips and beginning to speak.
"Since you weren't blessed with 'the gift of gorgeous,' and bored me in the process during your little interruption, allow me to spew some facts of my own."
Kidd didn't say anything. He just stared at Tyler through the mirror, who inevitably went on.
"FACT: You've proclaimed yourself to be the 'Crown Prince of the WWE' from the very beginning during your debut in the Hart Dynasty faction. But no one else seemed to think so."
The arena audience started to boo, who were looking on at the segment through the large titan tron screens.
"FACT: You've called yourself 'a workhouse' for this company, and yet eight years here, you've been rewarded with very little accolades to support that assertion. Meanwhile, on my very first main roster Pay-Per-View, I obtain tangible success without assistance."
More boos came in as Tyler talked down a well-respected, likable, fan-favorite in Tyson Kidd.
That was true. Tyler did beat a projected major star in Roman Reigns. And it was a clean pinfall victory. Tyler didn't cheat for the 1-2-3 at Summerslam, or during Roman's rematch for the championship on the Monday Night Raw that followed.
"FACT: When your wife escorted you to the ring for your matches at NXT, she was thinking about me the entire time. And in singles matches you and I have been in, she wished it was her, not you, who's shoulders I was pinning down to the mat."
Now that was just Tyler being a dick in character, and the heat he got from the crowd was well received. There was no real bad blood between Natalya, Kidd, and himself.
"All done Mr. Breeze," said the makeup artist, after another one combed Tyler's eyebrows with a miniature comb. A third sprayed him with some of the Gorgeous fragrance.
"Muah!" Tyler exclaimed, puckering his lips and gesturing to kiss himself through the mirror. He then stood up from his seat, grabbed his selfie stick, championship, and hurried by a seemingly angry Tyson Kidd, who especially was irked by Tyler's last comment.
"I'm not sure what the implications are here JBL," began commentator Byron Saxton. "Say what you want about a man's career, but his wife should be off-limits."
"So the truth is off-limits?" questioned JBL. "Tyler Breeze has had more success in two months than Tyson Kidd has had in eight years. The man is attractive. And Natalya probably does secretly think about him instead of the husband she settled for."
Tyler told Shannon two weeks ago that he and Kidd were paired for some house shows. Arn Anderson, who was one of the main roster agents, reported good feedback to Paul regarding the work the two men put together. Because of the high praise, he rewarded Tyler and Kidd the opportunity to put it to use with a televised feud.
Some people would have complained about the placement and preferred to see this angle kicked off on a main program such as Monday Night Raw, Thursday on Smackdown!, or on a Sunday a Pay-Per-View took place. While Paul could understand that position, he also had a digital network that needed content. Like many over-the-air television channels, the WWE Network had subscribers with their own niche base. Some fans subscribed for WWE Classics. Others subscribed to get the current main-roster Pay-Per-Views for free. Some fans solely liked the original programming. Some wanted NXT.
Everyone who had a WWE Network subscription had their reasons. But there were also other current product wrestling shows like Main Event, Superstars, and 205 Live that aired on the network. He needed a reason to keep viewers watching those as well. So in his view, with the expansion of the network, and the addition of the secondary title on NXT, which was the Cruiserweight Championship, it gave him the opportunity to essentially "spread the load" with how other angles were presented with members of the roster on the two primary brands. That's what he was doing here.
10:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time
Shannon was tagged in a tweet through the social media team of the WWE about a recent event. She didn't reply to it, or retweet it, but read it.
New Tweet from user AtWWE:
"Fans, did you watch #NXTTakeoverFight on the AtWWENetwork last night? If not, you should. Catch the replay on demand AVAILABLE NOW to see AtTheRock layeth the #Smackdown on the 'Diamond Diva', AtSStormWWE! Did she walk away still champion? Or did AtNiaJaxWWE ascend to greatness?"
Dwayne retweeted the WWE's tweet, and then responded himself. He too, tagged Shannon and his cousin in the tweet.
New Tweet from user AtTheRock:
"Had a blast AtWWE with the AtNXTUniverse. No disrespect to AtSStormWWE, but ya' just don't mess with family. Especially MY family. I take it personal. Very personal. Big cuz will always be there for you AtNiaJaxWWE. ALWAYS."
A fan retweeted the WWE's tweet, Dwayne's next, and then posted one of their own tagging Shannon in it. Apparently, they were "disappointed."
New Tweet from user AtOneOnOneWithTheGreatOne:
"AtSStormWWE: "I really, really hate you."
She replied.
AtSStormWWE: "Sorry for not being sorry that you feel that way AtOneOnOneWithTheGreatOne. I don't hate you. I'm just not incredibly interested in your existence."
Saturday, October 8th, 2017
The main roster had a live event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Kevin Owens cashed in his "Money In The Bank" Briefcase at the house show to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. That never happened before. Some Superstars cashed in advance for an upcoming Pay-Per-View like WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam did against John Cena at One Night Stand 2006. Other Superstars cashed in right after a competitive match. Examples of those included WWE Hall of Famer Edge against John Cena at New Year's Revolution 2006; another was Seth Rollins who joined Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 31 to capture the title. But never had it happened at a house show. Until now.
It took nothing away from AJ Styles, who was still well-liked in the company, and remained a top star. The company just decided to pull the trigger on Owens' cash in. AJ had a reputation for having great matches with anyone. Owens was in that conversation as well in some fans' opinions. They definitely put on a fun one.
The main event of this live event saw Natalya defeat Paige in a singles match to win the Divas Championship. Dana Brooke intefered, and cost Paige the match. They were continuing their brewing feud from television through the live events. Now that the title was off Paige, she and Dana could finally work a singles program after teasing it for nearly two months.
Meanwhile, NXT had a house show in Chicago, Illinois the same day. Shannon lost a singles match to Cheerleader Melissa via pinfall. Once revived, she put Cheerleader Melissa's celebration to an end...in a rather smarky way. A fan in Chicago who attended the event tweeted about it, and tagged her in it.
New Tweet from user AtChicagoCoolCat:
(1) "So after AtSStormWWE lost to AtWickedSplit, she attacks her from behind, and takes her down in a sleeper hold, leaving her in the ring. Storm then leaves, walks right over to a fan in the crowd wearing a AtCMPunk shirt, and yells, 'That's the real GTS, punk!' Of course, most fans booed and hated it. I loved it though."
The fan had more to say so sent out another tweet.
(2) "AtSStormWWE reminds me of AtFightOwensFight in ways. Solid in the ring and on the mic, and you know they're heels. But man, sometimes, they're so funny, that it's hard to hate them. I can't wait 'til she gets called up to the MR."
Shannon saw the tweet, and responded to the fan with a song lyric, humbled by his assessment. Being in the same sentence as Kevin Owens was a compliment in her view.
AtSStormWWE: "If you are what you say you are-a superstar-then have no fear. The camera's here. And the microphones, and they wanna' know, oh, oh, oh, yeah! If you are what you say you are-a superstar-then have no fear. The crowd is here. And the lights are on. And they want a show,' AtChicagoCoolCat. #NXTChicago"
Those were lyrics from Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco, featuring singer Matthew Santos on vocals for the excerpt Shannon quoted. The name of the track was called "Superstar."
Then she posted her own tweet tagging a Superstar on the main roster.
AtSStormWWE: "That's how you get AUTHENTIC heat AtRyback22. Didn't need to steal his entrance. I'm original. ;)"
That was Shannon poking fun at Ryback, who a few years ago took a jab at former WWE Champion CM Punk by performing his entrance. Punk, when entering an arena, would pose on a single knee, shout 'It's clobbering time,' and pretend to punch the hard camera, just as he turned his back to the fans to show off his "Best In The World" shirt from WWEShop dot com. Punk called Ryback out on numerous instances for being unsafe to work with. And that was Ryback's way of saying "Screw you."
Shannon was not involved in their beef, but was just being her smart, snarky self. She knew Chicago was "Punk Country," whether he was in the company or not. And because she was a heel, she was confident in her ability to be unique and creative enough to address it accordingly. If Punk decided to be smug with her and take the gesture too seriously, when she had no intent on starting a war, so be it.
Monday, October 10th, 2017
Orlando, Florida
10:00 AM
Shannon was awake, dressed, and on her way to the Performance Center. She grabbed her keys and purse with one hand, and the door knob with the other. Then her phone rang. She wasn't in a hurry with anything of dire importance today, so let go of the door knob, and took the call inside. She didn't know the phone number as it was not saved in her contacts previously. However, she recognized the 410 area code. It was one of five from her home state of Maryland. Did her mother get a new cellphone number, and called to tell her about it? Was it another relative? Was it an old friend from high school?
"Hello," said Shannon, answering the call instead of wrecking her brain speculating.
"Good morning, is Shannon available?" asked the caller, who had a male voice.
"Speaking," answered Shannon. "May I ask who's calling?"
"Absolutely," he replied. "This is Kevin Plank, Chief Executive Officer of Under Armour."
WHAT THE FUCK? AAAAAAH!
"Hello again Mr. Plank," said Shannon, who tried to contain herself, diguising her astonishment. "How are you this morning?"
"I'm just fine thank you," He said. "I hope you're doing okay as well."
"I am, thanks," She replied, clinching the phone tighter with her right hand.
"I received your number from Dwayne Johnson, who had quite a bit of nice things to say about you," said Kevin. "He even brought it to my attention that you've had a few exchanges on social media with members of the UA family."
Rocky gave him my number!
"Yes sir, that's true," Shannon admitted. "A couple of months ago, I tweeted Michael Phelps about joining the team, and he playfully mentioned letting me take over the reigns since he's retired from the pool. I believe I actually phrased it as 'trading in the flippers for fatherhood.' "
Kevin chuckled.
"That's funny, a good one," He remarked. "After talking to Dwayne, I called Mike, who told me you were a local kid."
"That's true, that's true," said Shannon with a smile. "I didn't stay home for college, like you did. Neither did Michael, who went to Michigan. But yes, I am a Maryland girl, born and raised."
"Great. I can't believe I didn't come in contact with you until recently," Kevin said while scratching the back of his left ear with his thumb. "While we're a global entity, when we can, we like to support home-grown, home-produced talent."
"That's excellent," Shannon replied nodding her head through her response. "I always felt like UA was home. Other sports companies-Nike, Puma, whomever-didn't really come to mind since I was surrounded by a strong UA influence growing up. Once I changed my wrestling gimmick for good, I didn't hesitate on getting my new gear customized by Under Armour. I still do. Every now and then, I get things at a hometown discount. I understand I can't get them completely free because I have no association with the company-"
"That's about to change-" Kevin said, quickly cutting her off.
"I'm sorry, what?" Shannon asked, who was becoming discombobulated by the second, first dropping her keys, then purse from her left hand.
"I'd like you to join the team," Kevin replied simply.
"You what?" She questioned aloud, raising both eyebrows while doing so. "Join the team?"
"Yes, I'd like you to join the Under Armour team," he repeated. "We'd like to offer you an endorsement deal and line with the company. How's that sound?"
"That uh, um…" She paused and removed the phone from her ear for three seconds, just to stare at the phone in awe. She needed confirmation that this moment was not a mirage. Then she placed it back to her ear. "That uh, that sounds awesome. I can't believe I'd even be considered-"
"Not only are you a Maryland athlete, you represent diversity in our brand," He cut her off a second time, but with a thorough explanation behind it. "We pride ourselves on not only being the best performance apparel brand, but welcoming a plethora of diverse athletes. We don't just limit our scope to football or basketball players. Phelps: World Class Swimmer. Spieth: World Class Golfer. Copeland: World Class Ballerina."
"Ballet requires just as much athleticism as it does art and technique," Shannon said, praising the savvy move by Plank to add performance-art, not just traditional sport, to his sphere of colleagues.
"Yes it does," Kevin agreed. "And through Copeland, UA is at the forefront educating people on how much the finesse of sports and fitness comes into play with dance. I understand Dwayne comes from your world partly; but by most people for the past decade or so, he's recognized as a global entertainer. Do you see where I'm going with this? With you joining Team UA, you'd be our first full-time professional wrestler of the brand. What do you say to that?"
"I say, I'm in!" Shannon exclaimed. It was better than saying "Holy Shit" to another potential employer.
"Fantastic," said Kevin with a smile on his face. "Now I'll have to get in contact with Paul Levesque, your other boss. His and my team of attorneys and executives will have to discuss the logistics of the figures and advertising. I understand the WWE partly owns one of our competitors. But UA will solely be working with you as the talent affiliated with the WWE. It won't be a total WWE-UA partnership across the rosters or overall brand. Again, I recognize the relationship they have with a competitor. But the nitty-gritty business complexities will be figured out. Trust me on that one."
"Okay, it sounds a bit complicated," Shannon began. "But I'm confident all parties involved will work something out where everyone feels good about the decision made."
"Don't worry, it will get resolved, and compromises will be attained," He once again reassured her. "When they do, I'll debrief you on them, and have contracts drawn up to be signed."
"Sounds great, but I have to be honest about something before this moves any further," Shannon said as her smile dissipated.
"What's the problem?" Kevin asked as he narrowed his focus at no particular area of the wall in his office at the Under Armour Headquarters.
"It's not really a problem," She started. "More like a concern. UA's an apparel company. I don't have a background in fashion. I don't sew. I don't illustrate logos or graphic art. I'd feel kind of weird having my name associated with something I can't physically produce on my own. You know what I mean? It's like writing a cookbook without being a professional chef."
"I understand your concern Shannon, and it's a legitimate one," Kevin agreed, leaning in his chair. "Many of the people we have signed to endorsement deals like you, have no fashion-designing background. But here's the thing: just because you can't physically construct a shoe, shirt, or the plethora of other products we offer, does not mean you won't work hard for and with us. We do sports apparel, and have expanded to sports tech. That's our thing. You're a pro-wrestler. That's your thing. You know your body, and how you like to perform. You'll contribute with your ideas for products and placement, while our team of engineers, graphic artists, and designers construct, assemble, and promote them. We all work together to develop gear and devices to help you the athlete, perform at your absolute best, where you feel your most elite. I assure you it's a team effort 100% of the way, though our specific tasks may differ."
"How can I say no with a sales pitch like that?" Shannon asked with a bit of wit. "But seriously Mr. Plank, thank you for the clarity. It means a lot to me that I feel like I'm contributing if I'm on board."
"You will be for sure, absolutely," he said. "Like many in the 21st century workforce, schedules and lifestyle can be quite hectic. So there will be times where we'll do some preliminary things over email, or videochat. But of course, you'll have to make time to visit Headquarters in Baltimore for other matters, like testing products out."
"Yes sir, I'll keep you posted on my availability," Shannon said, while looking at her left arm, which wasn't shaking, but had a bit of goosebumps emerging.
"Wonderful," he responded, rising from his seat. "We'll definitely get in touch with you soon. The first order of business is the contractual paperwork. Then we'll proceed to the fun parts of putting your line together. And please, from this moment forward, no more 'sir' or 'Mr. Plank.' Just call me Kevin."
"You got it Kevin," She said through light laugher. "It's a surprising, yet gracious offer. I'm very grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to working with you and everyone at Under Armour."
"You're welcome Shannon," Kevin replied. "The feeling is mutual. Stay humble, stay hungry."
"Stay humble, stay hungry," she repeated Under Armour's company slogan at him. "Have a great day. Buh-bye."
THANK YOU ROCKY! Whew. This is unbelievable.
6:00 PM on the WWE Network
There was a new show streaming on the WWE Network that started this year called "Bring it to the table." It was a part of the WWE Network's line of original programming. As mediums of communication were evolving, and more and more people received news from digital media-whether it be social networking, or audio podcasts-the WWE wanted to embrace that. They also wanted to create a synergy across the platforms, integrating the fans with other people in media who had views about the world of professional wrestling. So this show had an open-forum type of discussion with radio personalities, podcast hosts, wrestlers, and others involved in the business past or present.
On every episode, one to three topics were presented to the panel, and as the title of the show suggested, members of the panel were allowed to express their views and "bring them to the table."
The host of "Bring it to the table," was DJ Peter Rosenberg of Hot 97 FM, based in New York City, NY. He had a huge Twitter following with over a quarter of a million followers. He also hosted a show on ESPN radio, and was one of the regulars WWE talent would be interviewed by when doing media tours in the tri-state area.
On today's episode was John Bradshaw Layfield, Shannon Storm, former WWE Diva Ivory, and Sam Roberts, who was a broadcaster on Sirius XM radio, and hosted his own weekly podcast. Like Rosenberg, he too was New Yorker, a fan, and interviewed lots of talent in the industry before as well.
The first topic discussed was the trio announce booth on the main roster "flagship show," Monday Night Raw. Recently, the WWE returned to a duo team with JBL and Byron Saxton, with Michael Cole retiring from the booth two years ago, and remaining with the company in a behind-the-scenes role.
JBL supported it, and wished it came back, saying it provided opportunities for more voices. Sam Roberts felt it created a "crowded house" environment, and believed the commentators themselves struggled maintaining order as they were focused more on pushing and promoting corporate sponsors, than the performers in the ring. JBL took exception to that, and was irate by Roberts' comment. Ivory believed having two solid commentators was better than a trio or quintet as sometimes the panel had five people announcing during Wrestlemania. For her, it was about quality over quantity.
Shannon agreed with that, and she too was not a fan of this generation's pursuit of trio announcing teams. When it was her turn to speak, she was clear that she didn't totally hate the idea overall, just the current product's attempt at it. She pointed out a few examples where there were solid trio announce teams: Randy Savage, Jim Ross, and Jerry "The King" Lawler in the WWF at Wrestlemania IX in Caesar's Palace. Another example was Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Tony Schiavone, and Mike Tenay in WCW. Her point here, was that in those instances, you had one to two people in those trios who had a deep passion for the business and excelled at an elite level at what they did (be it announcing like Ross, wrestling like Savage, or managing like Heenan). Therefore, they could provide a great perspective in facilitating the story of what the Superstars were trying to illustrate in the ring.
With respect to the multi-person booths of today, in Shannon's opinion, people in the booth-be it Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Percy Watson, David Otunga, etc-none of them had a deep passion for professional wrestling; nor did they have profound success. That made it difficult for audiences to buy into their contributions, and the Superstars in the ring seldom benefited from what they had to say. Even with Michael Cole, he had the tenure in the company, but lacked the knowledge, passion, and ability on the level of people like Jim Ross, Mauro Ranallo, or Joey Styles. That was Shannon's position.
The second topic was the importance of managers and valets. JBL didn't believe they were necessary and felt "if Superstars couldn't talk, they shouldn't enter the business." Sam Roberts pointed out a flaw in JBL's position, asserting that Brock Lesnar was one of the biggest stars of the modern era, and he for the most part of his career, always had a "mouthpiece" in Paul Heyman. Ivory too disagreed with JBL, and argued sometimes a manager enhanced a Superstar's "star power." She pointed out the late Ms. Elisabeth and Sherri Martel. Ivory mentioned fans being aware of the caliber of in-ring talent Randy Savage and Shawn Michaels had. But people were enthralled with Savage even more as a babyface with Ms. Elisabeth. And the opposite gift was given for Michaels, giving him more heat during his first heel run with how he belittled Sherri.
Shannon agreed with Ivory here, and even added to her point. Shannon also believed sometimes unintentionally a valet could become a Superstar on their own, rather than elevating the talent they're working with. So ignoring the opportunity to bring managers back into the WWE could be shooting down an opportunity to find hidden gems. Her example was Sable. When Sable first entered the WWF, she escorted Paul to the ring at Wrestlemania XII. He lost to the Ultimate Warrior, and mistreated her afterwards. Her real-life husband at the time, "Wildman" Marc Mero saw the act during his WWF debut. He defended his then real-life wife on-screen, and she proceeded to be his on-screen manager while he and Paul feuded on television.
Unexpectedly, something strange happened. Mero got injured and when he returned, the fans turned on him; but they fell in love with Sable instead. Vince rolled with it, had the couple feud on television, and she blew up. Sable, although she was never a competitive wrestler, became a very, very, over performer. More over than her husband. More over than many of the midcard males. She too, like many of the other performers, contributed to the Attitude Era's edgy boom. Fans realized in addition to being physically attractive and seductive, she could cut good promos, and expand the viewership even more mainstream. As the only woman in WWE history to be on the cover of Playboy three times, she certainly held her own.
Peter Rosenberg, who was both the host and moderator on the panel did his best to maintain order with his guests. But when the third topic of women's wrestlers came up, things took a turn for the worst.
"Goat, Goat, Goat," said JBL. "I will say it all day. You can't talk about great women wrestlers unless you talk about the 'Fabulous Moolah.' "
"Fuck her!" Shannon yelled. She was upset. JBL kept ass-kissing on the topics, and cutting she and Ivory off whenever he disagreed with something they said. It was getting to her.
"I mean come on now girlie," JBL said as he slapped the desk the panel sat behind with his left hand. "You can't listen to that goofball Sam Roberts talk about Lita and Trish. And Ivory, you can't mention yourself and Alundra Blaze, without mentioning Moolah! It's ludicrous not to!"
Shannon took a deep breath.
"I preface what I'm about to say with appreciation that I am employed by this company. But we're all lying at this table if we refuse to admit that Lita, Trish, Moolah, Blaze, and Young are a few of the 'chosen ones' that the WWE heavily promotes. I take nothing away from the other ladies' accomplishments. I do however take exception to Moolah, all due respect," said Shannon.
"So what now, you're going come on the show with revisionist history, and pretend the 'Fabulous Moolah' never existed?" JBL asked sarcastically.
"Quite the opposite actually," Shannon replied, shaking her head defiantly. "That's the problem. The history is what's missing. Is it fair to presume that for better or worse the WWE is the gatekeeper of wrestling history in the opinions of most fans? And what the WWE promotes as history tends to be taken as the gospel?"
Everyone except JBL nodded.
"That's my point," Shannon affirmed. "Women's wrestling has a much more elaborate history than that narrow scope our company typically emphasizes. It didn't start with Lita, Trish, Alundra, Moolah, or Mae. Women's professional wrestling has been a form of entertainment for the same length of time as men's professional wrestling, despite never being presented to the masses as such."
"We only really hear about women's wrestling-from the WWE at least-from that late 20th century window," said Rosenberg, the host. "Not much before."
"I can't imagine why," Shannon responded in sarcasm, patting her thighs as she did so. "Josie Wahlford, Laura Bennett, Masha Poddubnaya, and Mildred Burke. They're all early 20th century grapplers. The people on the main roster brag about filling 18,000 seated arenas on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday nights. So the fuck what! Burke did that in 1941, and took the title from Elvira Snodgras in Louisville, Kentucky. That led to her not only joining, but being viewed as both a leader and star in the NWA. That's how good she was!"
"Look, this is supposed to be a panel discussion with our opinions dammit!" JBL screamed. "No one asked for a history lecture."
"Evaluating some history is how some people form and shape their opinions, JBL," Shannon responded, not backing down, and narrowing her glare at the former World Champion. He didn't say anything for twenty seconds, so Shannon went on.
"Some shady shit went down with Burke's husband, Billy Wolfe," she continued. "They split, so she formed her own promotion. But like any bad ex, they always find a way to continue to fuck you in the ass."
"What are you talking about?" asked Rosenberg, who looked quite intrigued; and that upset JBL.
"You know how Bret Hart whines about being screwed?" Shannon asked. It was a rhetorical question, but instinctively, he nodded anyway. "Get over yourself bro. You were leaving in '97, and everyone knew. Burke was the real victim who got screwed, long before you cried about it happening to you. Anyways, there was a undisputed title bout for the Women's World Championship between Mildred Burke and her ex-husband's daughter-in-law named June Byers."
"Pete, I'm ready for the next topic," JBL rudely interrupted, but Rosenberg shut it down.
"No JBL," he said. "I'm interested in hearing this."
"Burke's ex-husband, Billy Wolfe, blackballed her from the NWA, promoting Byers as the champion. This lead to a ⅔ falls match between Buke and Byers to determine the true champion in 1954. Burke lost the first fall, but couldn't come back and rally to win the next two because her slimy ex and the NWA double-crossed her. They had the ref end the match right there, giving the fans the impression Byers defeated Burke clean, in the middle of the ring, treating it as a singles match; when it was supposed to be a ⅔ falls contest."
"Wow, that's messed up," said Roberts in a dejected voice.
"Damn straight it was," Shannon agreed. "Shit went to hell afterwards. After a lot more affairs and scandals occurred, suddenly Wolfe wanted out of the wrestling business. He let Moolah handle the women in the NWA, which meant no one but Moolah would matter for the next 30 years, before her eventual WWF jump. Now kids live in this facade that Moolah was some amazing second coming of tantalizing women's wrestling when that was never the case. The reality? She was decent, politicked the NWA for decades, and did the same shit with Vincent K. McMahon when she joined his company. I could name chicks of this generation, and the one before me-like yourself Ivory-who could wrestle circles around her!"
Shannon unclipped the mic to her chest, and walked off the set.
"You're welcome for the lesson," She mumbled before leaving the shot.
Shannon had no idea if there were more topics in the queue of the show, or not. But JBL pissed her off. She heard rumors of him being a bully. He didn't put his hands on her, but he was getting on her nerves with the constant interruptions of everyone. It was one thing as a heel commentator defending dastardly behavior of heels in the ring. That was something he was expected to do. But this was no angle for a show. Here, he was just being a loudmouth and speaking over people just for the sake of doing so. Shannon was human, and had a breaking point.
Shannon knew she was employed by the WWE. But it didn't mean she had to like every single company decision made, past or present. JBL had a right to be a total WWE kiss-ass. She had a right not to be. If Paul or Stephanie thought she said or did anything that crossed the line and contacted her for it, she'd have no problem explaining that to them. She figured they wouldn't reprimand her though. One, this was a show on the WWE Network, which had no content filtered. So swearing shouldn't have been an issue. And even if it was a filtered program, they were no longer PG anyway, so it's not like anything egregious was done.
Tuesday, October 11th, 2017
Orlando, Florida
9:50 AM
There was a tweet on the WWE's Twitter that was getting retweeted by all of the WWE's sub-accounts across departments, and by millions of other fans.
AtRandyOrton: "Went to Hawaii...and AtSLoWWE said 'yes.' "
Attached to Randy Orton's tweet was a picture of Sarita's hand with the engagement ring he proposed to her with.
It was a Platinum Cushion-Cut diamond ring. The ring, which had three stones, was a natural, genuine diamond shape of very good quality. Its center diamond had a carat weight of 2.51. The ring's initial price was $18,855. But Randy paid an extra $1,105 to have some side diamond detailing incorporated to entice his fiancée. The side diamonds, like the center diamond of Sarita's ring, were made of very good quality. The side diamonds unlike the center however, were cut in a half-moon shape. With the side diamond detailing measuring to .80 carats, the finished product totaled 3.31 carats, raising Randy's cost to $19,900.
Shannon didn't know if Randy proposed to Sarita today, yesterday, or weeks ago and just decided to go public with the announcement now. Shannon was tagged in many things on Twitter, and because she followed the WWE's account, many of their associated tweets showed up in her notifications. But she did not log on, read, post, and respond to tweets on a regular basis. She was very selective when she did say something there. So this was news to her.
Shannon decided to text Sarita.
Me: Um, why am I just finding out about this...you becoming #MrsViper?
Rita: Because you're so far removed from the 21st century that it's not even funny.
Me: Point taken, point taken.
Sarita didn't text Shannon back, but decided to call her instead. Shannon picked up after the second ring.
"Congratulations girl," said Shannon when she answered Sarita's call.
"Gracias mamí," said Sarita as she looked down at the ring on her left hand. "It's only been a few months, but when you know, you know I guess. And I love him."
"Not to say Randy is a typical man or anything, but I wonder if your on-going storyline with Joe has anything to do with him putting the rock on your finger," Shannon responded with a smirk.
They were referring to Roman Reigns.
"Hahahaha!" exclaimed Sarita. "Ha, you know after he was through being serious, and I said yes, he did mention that."
"Ha, I could imagine," Shannon replied. "But at least he admitted to being jealous. I mean Joe's married; but Randy loved you enough to know he was ready to put a stamp on it, before your eye wandered elsewhere."
"So, I need to ask you something," Sarita began with a pause.
"Okay…" Shannon said looking on the left and right side of the street before crossing to make it to her car. She picked up some amino acids at a nutrition supplement store. She unlocked her PT Cruiser, and dropped the bag on the passenger seat, then proceeded to the driver's side. "Hold up, I'm switching to hands-free...alright, go on."
"Will you be my maid of honor for the wedding?" asked Sarita. There was a pause. "Hello...hello...did the call drop? Shit, fucking T-Mobile!"
"No, I'm here," said Shannon as she started her automobile up. "My bad. I just didn't know what to say."
"Why not?" questioned Sarita with a furrowed brow. "Do you not want to?"
"I'd love to," She started. "I just thought because Kim, Mary-Kate, and Ash are your girls-"
"They are, and they'll be in the party as bridesmaids," Sarita replied cutting her off. "We're still tight. But I'm here now. I've grown up a bit, and am not a complete Hollywood wild-child anymore. I'm asking you because I want you to be."
"Okay, I'll do it," Shannon said quickly as she pulled out of park and began driving.
"Great!" Sarita yelled. "Thank you. We'll be in touch. You've gotta' meet Samantha. She's our wedding planner. She's spicy, and I adore her. Randy probably won't."
"Ha, oh boy," said Shannon. "Sounds like fun. So when are you getting hitched?"
"January," she answered rapidly. "But the thing is, you may be on Total Divas."
"Ugh!" Shannon huffed. "Why?"
"Because I'm on Total Divas. And I'm pretty sure the producers will want to film me, you, Randy, and Sam making preparations," Sarita explained. "They did a little for Nattie and TJ. They followed Trinity and Jey."
"I don't want this to be a permanent thing," Shannon warned. "The bare minimum. When it's done, I'm done."
"That's fine, that's fine," Sarita agreed. "No one's asking you to be a cast member. I'm just saying be warned that as you meet up with us, Total Divas people from E! may be lurking and getting footage for episodes."
Shannon sighed.
"What are you doing right now?" asked Sarita. "Well, tonight more specifically."
"Right now, I'm driving back to my apartment after a stop to the supp store," She started, before taking her right hand briefly off the steering wheel to rub her itching nose. Her left remained on the wheel. "I had an off-day today after finishing up a house show in Kissimee yesterday. I have plans tonight."
"Too bad," Sarita said with a pout on her face as she stretched her legs out on her hotel bed. "Because I was going to suggest you to come hang out with me later. You didn't go clubbing with me, KK, the twins, and Pamela in Brooklyn for Summerslam weekend. We have a show in Orlando tonight and-"
"I know, Pam told me," Shannon replied cutting Sarita off. "In the US Airways Center. That's why I said I had plans. We were going to hit up Big Daddy's afterwards. It's this sports bar and karaoke spot we go to down here when we're together."
"Oh okay, because the main roster's in Florida today," Sarita said. "My group is in Orlando, and the others are in Northwest Florida. Panama City I believe, is where your boo is."
"Yeah, I know. He said he wasn't going to bother because of the drive," said Shannon. "By the time he made to Central Florida from Northwest Florida, Big Daddy's would be closed, he'd be behind on the road with making it to the next city for the next show. He'd be beyond tired."
"So since you've already got plans with Pam, I guess maybe when I see you for your maid of honor duties, we can hang," Sarita said after sitting up and releasing a yawn.
"Why don't you just join me and Pamela after your show tonight?" asked Shannon. "You both are booked in the Orlando group. Just tag along."
"I don't know," Sarita said shaking her head. "I'm not trying to intrude on your thing. No one likes a third wheel."
"Dude, it's like you told me ten minutes ago with KK and the twins," Shannon replied in a soothing voice. "You don't do everything together now, but are still cool. Pam and I are good. You let us participate in your fashion show this summer. I don't think she'd mind you coming along for our karaoke venture."
"You sure?" Sarita wondered.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Shannon affirmed. "Just tell her I invited you, and you two can decide if you'll ride with her, or you'll ride separate and just follow her car to the spot."
"Okay, see you tonight then," Sarita said. "Later chica."
"Bye Sarita," said Shannon.
Big Daddy's Roadhouse
Orlando, Florida
10:45 PM
Shannon caught up with Sarita and Bayley and the karaoke bar. Bayley and Sarita wanted drinks.
"Thanks for inviting me again," said Sarita who spoke to Bayley and Shannon before lifting a glass to her mouth. "I'm glad you didn't mind Pam."
"I told you it would be fine," said Shannon to Sarita before turning to Bayley. "Kudos on beating Nikki last night on Raw. I mean, it's Nikki Bella. But still. It's a W. You're on TV. And it's hilarious watching people like her and Nattie butcher your name, and 'not know who you are.' "
"Thanks Shanny," said Bayley. "Fans are enjoying me being treated like a lost puppy, and wandering about the division still hopelessly positive."
"Well given I don't know how much longer you two plan on knocking them back," Shannon started a playful, annoying glare, and they smirked. "I'm going down to the stage and enjoy the atmosphere of those actually performing."
With that, she left her two friends on the upper level.
One woman performed Adele's "Someone like you." She was bit pitchy at first, but the crowd still edged her on to continue. It was karaoke after-all. It was about fun, not perfection for most in attendance.
After a few more performers took the stage, next up was Caucasian man with Charcoal hair and grey eyes. He looked to be in his early thirties, 5'8, and had a slender build. Shannon recognized the keyboards, guitar, and bass of the beat, as well as the introduction that commenced. It was a song by one of her favorite rappers.
"May I have your attention please?
May I have your attention please?
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
I repeat: Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
We're gonna' have a problem here."
It was crazy. It was funny. It had serious undertones. It was Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady," one of his biggest hits from the early '00s.
"Y'all act like you never seen a White person before. Jaws on the floor like Pam and Tommy just burst in the door, and started whopping her ass worse than he did before," began the man who rapped into the mic and looked on at the crowd.
"...Feminist women love Eminem. Chicka, chicka, chicka, Slim Shady, I'm sick of him," the man rapped mockingly. "Look at him walkin' around grabbing his you know what-"
As the man made his way through the aisle, Shannon playfully motioned her hand near his crotch as he past her. She did not forcibly reach and grab a hold of his genitalia. One, he past her before she got the chance to. And secondly, she was having fun, and wasn't intentionally being lewd.
"Flippin' the you-know who...yeah, I probably got a couple of screws up in my head loose. But no worse than what's going on in your parents' bedrooms," he continued. "Sometimes I wanna' get on TV and just let loose, but can't! But it's cool for Tom Green to hump a dead moose..."
This is why Eminem was one of Shannon's favorite rappers. Not only was Eminem a lyricist who was quick-witted and could freestyle against anyone in a battle. He was well-rounded. He could be wild and outlandish. Comical and aggressive, while pointing out hypocrises in society, and mocking them at the same time.
In those bars, Eminem was sounding off his frustrations with American culture on sex. The American media was very, very sexual, and marketed it heavily from magazine covers to exploiting women in music videos. And admittedly, you saw that bubble over during the Attitude Era in professional wrestling. Yet, at the same time, when individuals celebrated and highlighted sex, the masses-not just religious leaders-attempted to make people feel shameful about openly discussing and partaking in a human activity that many enjoyed.
"And that's the message that we deliver to little kids. And expect them not to know what a woman's clitoris is-" The man made his way back to Shannon's section when he delivered this line. He got on both his knees, and stared at Shannon's skirt while rapping the next few.
I guess he did catch me get a little handsy. Glad to know he's not shy.
"Of course they're gonna' know what intercourse is by the time they hit the fourth grade. They've got the Discovery Channel, don't they?"
The audience mumbled "Hell yeah." It was a funny moment. They did it on their own. The guy didn't encourage them to. He made his way through the crowd again.
"But if we can hump dead animals and antelopes, there's no reason why a man and another man can't elope," rapped the man to more cheers of Eminem's lyrics expressing support on the contemporary issue of gay marriage.
"But if you feel Iike I feel, I got the anecdote. Women wave your pantyhouse. Sing the chorus. And it goes…"
When the man shouted, 'Women wave your pantyhouse,' he made his way back to Shannon, and touched one of her legs with the hand not holding the microphone. She grabbed his hand, and pushed it further up her leg. But that was her limit. She wasn't going to let him make it to her upper thigh, inner thigh, or her pantylines. Shannon was a natural flirt, but did have a boyfriend. She could balance getting a rise out of the crowd without going too far.
"Oh shit!" exclaimed Sarita, still on the upper level with Bayley, but was looking down at the show. "Breezy's gonna' be mad."
"She's just having a laugh Sarita," said Bayley. "Nothing disrespectful. And besides, you're the engaged one."
" 'Cause I'm Slim Shady! Yes, I'm the real Shady.
All you other Slim Shadys are just imitating.
So won't the real Slim Shady please stand up?
Please stand up. Please stand up."
While the crowd proudly joined in during the chorus, Shannon asked the guy for his name, to which he replied, "Phil." It was nice to know the name of the person who you allowed to get a feel or two on you while sober.
"Will Smith ain't gotta' cuss in his raps to sell records," Phil began the second verse to a different side of the audience. "Well I do. So fuck him, and fuck you too! You think I give a damn about Grammy? Half of you critics can't even stomach me, let alone stand me..."
Phil finished up the second verse of the track on the far left side, and worked the crowd for the repeating chorus on the right. If he thought he was finishing the whole song alone, plans quickly changed. Because someone had other ideas.
"I'm like a headtrip to listen to, because I'm only givin' you things you joke about with your friends inside your livin' room," began Shannon, who grabbed the second microphone to Phil's surprise, and started verse three. The crowd popped.
She loved the next lines because it reflected her character, and she performed them proudly.
"The only difference is I got the balls to say it in front of all of y'all. And I don't gotta' be false or sugarcoat it at all," Shannon rapped then walked over to Phil, and grabbed his hand. She guided him over to her seat, and gestured for him to take it. He acquiesced.
She tapped her microphone, giving off the impression like she wasn't sure if the Big Daddy's staff would cut her off. It was similar to the ending of CM Punk's worked-shoot "pipebomb" on Monday Night Raw in 2011.
"I just get on the mic and spit it. And whether you like to admit it, I just shitted," Shannon said before sitting on Phil's lap. She wasn't going to give him a lap dance. But he could at least enjoy holding her for a while. "Better than 90% of you rappers out can. Then you wonder: how can these kids eat up these albums like Valiums?"
Shannon wrapped one arm around Phil, and turned to his face for the next two lines.
"It's funny. 'Cause at the rate I'm going when I'm 30, I'll be the only one in the nursing home flirting."
She winked at him, and instinctively he knew she wanted to exchange turns for the rest of the track. So he complied.
"Pinching nurses' asses while I'm jacking off with Jergens," said Phil. He did not pinch Shannon's ass. He readjusted her body across his lap, so he could make a fist with his unoccupied hand, feigning whacking himself. "And I'm jerking, but this whole bag of Viagra isn't working."
"And every single person is a Slim Shady lurking," Shannon continued. "He could be working in Burger King, spittin' in your onion rings."
"Or in the parking lot circling, screamin' 'I don't give a fuck!' with his windows down, and the system up," said Phil.
"So will the real Slim Shady, please stand up?" asked Shannon. "And put one of those fingers on each hand up."
About ten folks stood with their middle fingers in the air and smiled.
"And be proud to be outta' ya' mind, and outta' control. And one more time, as loud as you can, how does it go?" Phil rapped as he curled one hand behind his ear like WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. The fans cheered on, and screamed the chorus a third time.
The beat extended for some time after the chorus. Phil and Shannon together, rapped a section from one of their favorite verses again.
"And there's a million others just like me,
Who cuss like me, who just don't give a fuck like me!
Who dress like me: walk, talk, and act like me.
And it just might be the next best thing.
But not quite me!"
Phil and Shannon exchanged lines again in the outro, and got a standing ovation.
"Ha, I guess there's a Slim Shady in all of us.
Fuck it. Let's all stand up."
One of the neat things about this performance was that Phil had no idea who Shannon was. He was just a dude having a night out, wanting a good time. He didn't watch professional wrestling. He didn't know she was one, or even contracted by the biggest promotion. When Shannon left to go get a drink of water, and a pit stop to the restroom, someone in the crowd who was a wrestling fan filled him in on the details. He was going to ask her for her number, but didn't see which direction Shannon went to when she took off. There were several restrooms on each floor.
Ten minutes later, Bayley and Sarita came down to the stage. Bayley wanted to do a Destiny's Child number. She suggested "Independent Women" from the 2001 Survivor album. Sarita thought that was a fitting because she was a huge Beyoncé fan, and felt she was a self-made woman. Bayley reminded Shannon and Sarita that the song was on the Charlie's Angels movie Soundtrack, and encouraged her friends to do the signature poses of the angels during the intro and outro of their performances. They agreed.
The ladies looked cute in their leather outfits. Shannon had on a luminous, sandy brown, leather skirt to the knee, with a sweetheart neckline top. She wore bronze, 4" inch pointy-toe pumps on her feet. Her hair was down, straightened, with bangs. Sarita had on an all-black, mesh-back, leather pantsuit from her own line with a pair of 4½" inch high-heeled booties from Kim Kardashian-West's shoe line. Her hair was in a ponytail. Bayley wore a grey, leather dress to the shin with cap sleeves. On her feet were a pair of 3½" inch extended laced, peep-toe booties. Her hair was in a bun.
Following "Independent Women," Sarita was getting more comfortable, and enjoying herself with karaoke. She asked Shannon and Bayley to do another song with her: "Lean Back" by Fat Joe and Remy Ma from 2004. They were rappers from Sarita's New York hometown, and a part of group called "Terror Squad." Bayley performed the first verse by Fat Joe. Sarita performed the second verse by female rapper, Remy Ma. Shannon performed the third verse by Fat Joe. All three ladies performed the chorus together throughout the song.
Sarita, Bayley, and Shannon had their fun, and were going to leave Big Daddy's. But some fan heckled, "Kid-N-Play" at the ladies. This fan must had remembered the very first time Shannon came with Bayley to Big Daddy's in February. The duo performed "Jump" by Kriss Kross first, and Kid-N-Play's "Ain't gonna' hurt nobody." Shortly after their songs were over, to their surprise, a second Kid-N-Play track started from the track list of the particular CD in the karaoke bar that was playing. The staff at the venue didn't throw them off stage, and given their profession called for a lot of improvisation, they went with it. Kid-N-Play's "Roll Wit Kid-N-Play" came on, and they performed it completely: the raps and the accompanying dances.
So this fan who yelled for the Hip Hop duo, wanted the ladies to do another performance by the artists.
"I'll sit this one out," said Sarita who patted the other women's shoulders. "You two still have an audience."
Sarita found a seat in the crowd. Bayley and Shannon stared at the crowd for about twenty seconds. They were still howling and whistling. The staff member working the karoake equipment started a tune by Kid-N-Play. Hopefully it was one Bayley and Shannon remembered at least 80% of the lyrics, so they wouldn't embarrass themselves.
When they heard those opening chords of drums and cymbals, they were relieved. It was the battle scene between Kid and Play from the first House Party movie in 1990.
"Unless you're scared," said Shannon after picking up a microphone, playing off Bayley's hesitation to turn around to an impending challenge. Feeding off her best friend's chemistry, she figured Bayley would play to the crowd's howling, and milk their reaction a bit more. It was necessary. Whenever Bayley and Shannon did their Kid-N-Play personas, Shannon was always "Play," the cool, popular, party-host with the fade haircut. Bayley was always "Kid," the fair-skinned, underdog sidekick with the eraser haircut. In this battle scene, Play went first.
"It's the P-L-A-Y. Just here to say 'hi.' Asking you may I?" questioned Shannon who walked to the crowd, and spotted Phil again. She stood in front of him to say the next few lines. "Tell you about the day I, picked up a microphone, a pad, and a pen. The legend of the champ begins!"
Shannon placed her unoccupied arm across her waist, signaling a title belonged there. Technically, she was NXT Women's Champion. So Play's rhyme worked for her in that scenario.
"The party-host, with the most giving you a dose, see?" Shannon questioned, and cupped her hand before raising it to her lips, feigning taking a shot. "Leaving instructions, so listen closely: two lines form, and make sure you step soon. Girls at the backdoor. Fellas by the bedroom."
The original line was "Fellas at the backdoor, girls by the bedroom." But just like they did in February, Shannon and Bayley would stay true to the core of Kid-N-Play's lyrics, but tweak them to make them gender specific; or modernize them to whatever was relevant in context with their situation.
"The name is Play. Don't dare play me cheap! The microphone is a broom, and I'mma' sweep ya' off your feet with feelings that ya' never felt," said Shannon who kneeled down and touched Bayley's shoes as she approached the stage. "Another notch under the belt."
"It's no secret: I like to freak with the best of them. Then head to the stage in a test of women. And when it's done and said, and said and done," Shannon paused for a solid four seconds. "Shannon's gonna' be the victorious one!"
"Ohhhhhh!" yelled the crowd, who got into round one from Shannon as "Play."
"Yeah, dope ain't it?" Asked Shannon as the beat continued and Bayley moved closer to her. "Ha-ha, yeah I know."
"Woman, gimme that mic!" yelled Bayley.
Big Daddy's had several microphones. But in the House Party movie, Play and Kid shared one microphone for the battle. The ladies were keeping up the continuity from that iconic scene here.
"Oh, you want some of this?" Shannon asked in sarcasm, pointing at the microphone.
"Yo, it's my turn!" Bayley shouted, and snatched the microphone from Shannon.
"Yeah, go for yours," Shannon mumbled.
"Anything she can do, I do better," Bayley turned away from Shannon, and yelled at the crowd. "I can do anything better than her!"
"No you can't," Shannon said.
"Yes I can," Bayley answered back quickly.
"No you can't," Shannon repeated, and the crowd laughed.
"Yes I can, yes I can, yes I can," Bayley repeated and momentarily, began her first round as "Kid."
"I'm never fessin', possessin' all the tools that it takes to rock," rapped Bayley, who curled her fingers and raised them high like WWE Hall of Famer, the "Rated R Superstar," Edge. "I think it's time for the new kid on the block. With a style that's wild, yet so unique; I can't be stopped from reachin' my peak."
That was actually relevant to Bayley's WWE persona. Her fandom: from her ring gear, to the Wacky, Inflatable, Tube Men was definitely wild, and unique. It didn't mean it wasn't fun though. Because it was.
"Because givin' my all: that's how I gotta' live. It's my prerogative. So you know I gotta' give," Bayley said, and pounded her chest. "more on the dance floor, and I'll make your brain sore. Kid's revin' and buzzin', just like a chainsaw."
Bayley folded her arm to the crease of her elbow, and made a motion like she was cutting a tree down.
"I'll make 'em say, 'Damn man. That Kid, she's a grand man.' 'Cause I'll bust a handstand on American Bandstand."
Not caring that she had on a dress, Bayley rapidly lowered her body and did a one-armed handstand pose for two seconds, like a breakdancer. Thankfully, her dress did not rip at the seam, and it helped it came down to her shin, so no one saw her underwear. But she was enjoying herself.
"With these I please with ease and make her mind freeze," Bayley rapped to the audience, pointing at her index finger at her own temple. "I was born in the '80s, and you in 90s!" She shouted sharply at Shannon.
"Givin' you the highs and lows like a drama! And if the mic's got juice you know I'mma' keep whalin'," Bayley continued, before doing a slow, matrix-like wave, similar to the tube men in her entrance. "You know I'll have you starin' awhile. Because Bayley's much more than big hugs and smile!"
"Whoooa!" Yelled the audience, who felt Bayley ended her first round as "Kid" strong.
"Ha-ha. There it is," Bayley started, turning back to Shannon and nodded. "The hype shit."
"Ahh, I see," Shannon said with a light, condescending clap, as she waited for Bayley to give her the microphone back. "You think you're 'all that' now?"
"Yup," Bayley said with confidence as the beat pressed on. "And then some!"
"Alright, bust it," Shannon said quickly before her face went from a condescending smug, to aggression. This was the second and final round. Games were over.
"Anything you can do, I do better," Shannon started, repeating what Bayley did in the beginning of her inaugural round. "I can do anything better than you."
"No you can't," Bayley said, shaking her head.
"Yes I can," Shannon said, nodding.
"No you can't," Bayley repeated.
"Yes I can, yes I can, yes I can, Girl!" Shannon screamed, and then on she went with her last verse.
"It's my party, and I'll rhyme if I want to!" Shannon yelled walking right up into Bayley's face, looking pissed off while going for the win, the kill shot. "Be careful and don't you, step to the front of this!" Shannon patted her chest. " 'Cause I'mma' dismiss with a death kiss, and make you sorry that you ever stepped to this."
"Microphone Wizard. So come on and place your bets," said Shannon who jogged down the stairs and walked through the crowd. "Is it gonna' be me, or that hugging kid?" Sarita pulled her wallet out, playing along. Shannon loved that. "Why put your money on a sorry 'ol poor thing, when you get behind a sure thing?"
Shannon left the crowd, jogged back up the steps, and the irate look on her face did not disappear as she got back in Bayley's face. You would think she was cutting a promo in a WWE ring, and ready for a match.
"And that's me. The capital P on the high tip," Shannon continued and pointed at her best friend. "Just like Takeover Brooklyn: one false move, and you'll get your ass whipped!"
"Ohhhh!" the crowd went berserk again at the aggression and relevance of Shannon's line, for those who were wrestling fans in the audience.
"Just tell me how the rhymes and the cuts sound. You won't stop feeling the pain 'til you touch ground. Girl, you're going way out! I'm ready to serve you," Shannon said before checking her watch. It was 11:56 PM.
"If you can stay out past your fans' curfew. Look at her, already a 'has-been,' "
Shannon rapped, and threw a consoling arm around Bayley. Then she rotated her hand on that arm as though she was flipping a page to a storybook to read to children before bedtime. "Let Aunty Shannon say a rhyme that'll tuck yours and their little asses in!"
"Aaaah!" the audience yelled again, showing their feelings towards Shannon's final round. She went to the crowd again.
"Ha! Am I paid or what?" She asked them, after dropping the microphone, and extended her arms wide.
"Woman," Bayley began with a sigh. "You're livin' some kinda foul."
"Crazy!" shouted Shannon, slapping hands with members of the audience, who felt she won the battle.
"Alright, two can play at this game," Bayley said, rotating her head, left then right.
"Anything you can do I can do better.
I can do anything better than you.
No you can't. (Yes I can)
No you can't. (Yes I can).
No you can't. (Yes I can)."
With the crowd fully committed with them, Bayley and Shannon didn't even have to engage in the pre-round banter. The left and right side of the audience exchanged with the the call-and-response before Bayley started her final round.
"Not quite a storm. But once again, the girl's blowing smoke, about what she wanna' be," began Bayley, holding up a finger implying a contradiction. "But it isn't, wasn't, and it ain't ever gonna' be possible. 'Cause I got lots of pull. I'm on the main roster. And when you talk? There's lots of bull."
"Hoooo!" the audience yelled, and Shannon pointed her thumbs down at them in disappointment.
"When it comes time to step to a mic, I don't sit around," She said. "Shannon, you know I don't kid around. So come with it girl, don't even hide your bets. 'Cause Kid spelled backwards describes ya' best!"
Shannon bent her head down with a smirk, looking at her pelvis. "Pretty sure I don't have one," She mumbled in reference to Bayley calling her a dick.
"Look around! Watch the people clap hands in unity, as the momentum swings from you to me," Bayley continued, and true enough, they were applauding. "You issued a challenge. Yeah, you threw it up. Step to the stage."
Shannon proceeded to approach the steps, and when she did, Bayley pressed on.
"Too late. I blew it up!" Bayley yelled, and the audience erupted. The pop was even bigger when Shannon, once again, feeding off her best-friend's energy, took a flat-back bump on the stage, making Bayley's "explosive moment," visually epic.
"The knowledge to build: just filled with excellence," Bayley said as the crowd winded down from the hysteria. "You heard the rhymes. You've been petro ever since. There's no missin' the rhymes that I laid out. You didn't play. You just got played out!"
Another burst of cheers emerged when Bayley turned her thumb horizontally, and ran it under her chin like The Undertaker would when signaling for the end of a match. Shannon got up, and hugged Bayley. The two ladies bowed for the crowd, before they left the stage for good this time, and exited Big Daddy's Roadhouse with Sarita. They had a blast.