As the Ministry all left their dressing room simultaneously, headed for the arena, Taker brought his huge hand around Stephanie's arm, pulling her back inside.
Taking in her new look, Taker, with his arms folded up, looking like an exact replica of Satan himself, gave his new bride an up and down inspection, as Stephanie breathed in and out with shaky breaths, clearly uneasy.
Taker's face was always so unreadable, so Stephanie really couldn't tell if Saphirra had done a good job making her over to Taker's satisfaction or not.
All she knew was it was showtime, and she was more nervous in this very instance than she had ever been before in her entire life, even more so when she was forcefully strapped onto that symbol. For that, she was an unwilling participant. For this, however, she was a very willing participant, and if people caught on to her act, then they'd hate her forever.
So many people felt bad for her because of the perceived situation she was in, but she was only putting on a front, and that, although Stephanie had agreed to move forward with the plan, made her very uncomfortable.
"Why didn't I just say no?"
Taking a finger and wrapping it around a lone curly tress, placing it over her shoulder, Taker looked down at Stephanie, who was slouching down on the door a bit, asking, "You ready?"
Stephanie, however, was barely audible when she said, "I think so."
Looking up at her husband, Stephanie knew what Mark could be when he was nice, sincere, and even compassionate, but that was at home. When he was at work, he was the Undertaker, and from his presence alone, he didn't seem like he gave a damn about anybody but himself, so she questioned herself again, "Why did I agree to this?"
With his all black wrestling attire, tied up hair, and the facial structure of fallen angel, Stephanie could understand why so many people were intimidated by him without him even opening up his mouth first. She had been with Mark for a week plus now, and she was still intimidated from just standing in front of a man whom she thought she was getting to know better …
… And Taker seemed to know that, as well.
Leaning into Stephanie's personal space more, Stephanie closed her eyes, her breathing uneven, her hands sweaty, her body trembling. She didn't know why, but Mark was scaring the crap out of her. It felt like last Monday all over again.
Stephanie, feeling Taker's hands on the side of her face, lips trembling with fear and anticipation, heard him tell her finally, "You better not slip up," before he grabbed her by the arm once again, dragging her back out the locker room.
As the pyro lit up the arena, sending tons of sparks up into the ceiling, dazzling and pumping the crowd for another big time show, an excited Michael Cole on commentary greeted the fans watching at home.
"Hello, everybody and welcome to another edition of Raw is War! I'm Michael Cole, alongside me my broadcast partner, Jerry "the King" Lawler! We are live from the sold out San Diego Sports Arena, from San Diego, CA, and King, what a night's it's gonna be!"
"Oh, you've got that right, Michael Cole, and finally, maybe, we can get some answers or an update into the condition of Vince and Shane McMahon!" King exclaimed frantically.
"Not only do we hope to get an update on both Shane and Vince here tonight, but we've got hot tag team action! Corporation members, Triple H and Big Boss Man meet Ministry members, the Acolytes, Farooq and Bradshaw, the winners to face the WWF Tag Team Champions, Kane and X-Pac, next week right here on Raw!" Cole told the crowd at home.
"And speaking of the tag team champions, they're going to be split up here tonight, because the Big Show, Paul Wight, and the Seven Foot Monster, Kane, well, they're going be teaming up in a handicap match, against all people, X-Pac! What's up the deal with that, Michael Cole?" King asked notedly.
"I don't exactly know about that, but I do know that in a Hardcore Match tonight, Ken Shamrock, the "World's Most Dangerous Man", will take on Mankind! And King, you ready for this? The WWF Women's Champion, Sable, is going to be putting her Women's Championship on the line here tonight against Debra in an Evening Gown Match!"
"I think I might just die and go to Puppies Heaven, Michael Cole, woo hoo!" the very excited King screamed over the headphones.
"And Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Undertaker has promised us here tonight that the Rattlesnake, the WWF Champion, will be in live in action, King. The new majority owner of the WWF, he's in a foul, foul mood."
As the last word was spoken from Cole, a light gong filled the arena, the lights in the arena went dim, a demonic chant was heard, and Taker's music loudly played throughout, as Taker, flanked to his left by Paul Bearer, who was being escorted behind by Saphirra and Stephanie McMahon, who looked sick to her stomach.
The thought of both Saphirra and Bradshaw getting under skin, coupled with the fact that she was actually going to go through with this plan that Mark had concocted, was taking a toll on her, and it definitely showed in her outer appearance. Although she was supposed to look worried and fearful, which she actually was, because it was part of her act, Steph was very a nervous wreck.
She was frightened to death of her father seeing her like this, she didn't know how people would react to her new look, she was afraid of people calling her out because of her relationship with Mark, despite the fact they he was supposed to be this overbearing and abusive monster, and she didn't quite sure know what exactly Mark had in store for the show tonight, since this was his first official Raw as the new principle owner of the company.
What if her father objected to her divorcing Mark and wanted to settle for an annulment right away? What if he tried to physically assault Mark? Even though Vince was a tough competitor himself, Steph new that her father wasn't in any shape to be taking on Mark, who was a 328-pound wrecking machine, in his frame of mind, wouldn't be a wise decision at all.
Mind riddled with troubling thoughts, Steph, as the rest of the Ministry climbed into the ring, absently came through the bottom rope, as well, as Taker, rolling his eyes into the back of his raised the lights. Stephanie, feeling now would be the perfect time to start putting on the show, stood in the middle of the ring, jerking her arm away from Saphirra, folded her arms up, poked out her lips, and began looking very peeved off.
"My, God, would you look at this, King? Look at how that demonic Undertaker has poor Stephanie McMahon dressed!"
"Is that Stephanie? She looks, she looks like a completely different person, Michael," King said whispering over the announcements.
"That's Stephanie McMahon," Cole confirmed.
As Paul Bearer reached outside the ring for a microphone, putting the instrument up to the Phenom's mouth, the camera panned all over Stephanie's body, with Cole noting on commentary, "Look at the fright on Stephanie McMahon's face."
As soon as Taker was about to speak, the crowd in San Diego began chanting loudly for Austin, forcing Taker to look around the arena in disgust.
"Listen to these chants for the Rattlesnake!" Cole promoted.
"Austin…" and as Taker was speaking, the crowd began to chant for their WWF Champion even louder. Looking around a bit before continuing, Taker continued, "After tonight, no longer will you be the World Wresting Federation Champion."
With the crowd booing now, Stephanie gazed over at Paul Bearer, who was silently nodding and smiling, while Edge was squatting in his black trench coat, while the rest of the Ministry stood ominously around Taker, with Ryan was smiling psychotically next to Stephanie.
"You see Austin, you stuck your nose in business, where it didn't belong, and now you must pay for the consequences of your actions. First, you almost ruined…", then Saphirra, fiendishly, push Stephanie in the back towards Taker, with him grabbing her by the wrist, yanking her forward, forcing her to concentrate on her movements with those high heeled boots on, "…You almost ruined a very special ceremony, but let's just say you didn't have the pair to get the job done."
"Whoa," King exclaimed on commentary.
"On top of that, Austin," Taker continued. "You had the nerve to not only assault Saphirra last Thursday on Smackdown!" which drew heavy cheers from the crowd, as Saphirra looked around at the crowd in San Diego in clear disgust, not understanding how people could cheer for Austin, especially after he delivered a Stone Cold Stunner to a woman.
Rubbing under jawline slowly, Taker then said, "… you also had the audacity to put your hands on my wife."
Stephanie then looked up at her husband flabbergasted, honestly clueless as to why Taker was blaming Austin for she hugging him, while Cole said on commentary added, "Well, wait a minute. Stephanie's the one who ran down to hugged Austin."
Still holding Stephanie tightly around her wrist, Taker warned, "Don't you realize boy that you never put your hands on another man's wife?"
As the crowd continued to gasp, King noted on commentary, "Wow. The Undertaker just called Austin, 'Boy!'"
"Now with that being said Austin, last week, you wanted to play the role of the spoiler. That was your decision. But tonight Austin, I'm going to play several roles: judge, jury, executioner, and coroner."
"Wow," exclaimed King.
"Tonight Austin, it all ends, and I promise you, somebody won't be walking out of this building, and that somebody is gonna to be you."
As Stephanie continued to strain against the death grip Taker had around her wrist, the bangles that he purchased her sinking into her skin, cutting off circulation and turning her wrists red, Taker looked right into the camera, the crowd booing lightly, with Paul Bearer smiling on and said, "Tonight, it finally ends here. Tonight Austin, for the World Wrestling Federation Title, you, me, a Last Man Standing Match."
"WHAT!?" shouted both King and JR over commentary, while Cole went on to say, "A Last Man Standing Match with Austin and the Undertaker, right here tonight, King!"
As the crowd continued to scream loudly at the match being announced, Taker, with Stephanie still squirming against his grasp said, "And Austin…"
But before he could finish the rest of his statement, the sound of glass breaking filled the arena, as the World Wrestling Federation Champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin, burst through the curtains, making his way onto the stage, as the crowd in San Diego went absolutely bananas!
As Taker and his Ministry all stood in the middle of the ring, Paul cursing Austin visibly for interrupting the Lord of Darkness, Stephanie got sick to the stomach.
Although she was married to Mark now, she had absolutely nothing against Steve Austin. In fact, even though her father and Steve had been at each other's throats for the past two years, she had always liked and respected Austin, and she figured that the feeling was somewhat mutual, since Austin was only one of three people who attempted to help her before Mark forced her to marry him.
Austin, with the stick in one hand, the WWF Title hanging from another, however, wasn't in the mood for much talking, addressing Taker only briefing.
"Undertaker, you come out here, running your little measly mouth, doing a lot of talk about old Stone Cold, and I'm not a real sentimental guy, but to show you just how I feel about you, I just want you to know, from the bottom of my heart …" and then with his free hand, he sent the finger straight to Taker's way, who did not look phased by the dirty finger gesture.
Paul, however, was very upset, looking around at the crowd in San Diego with complete revulsion, who continued to show their extreme loyalty for the Rattlesnake.
"As far as this Last Man Standing Match is concerned, hell, I don't see why we have to wait until later on tonight, how about we do this, right here, right now!" Austin proposed, the crowd going absolutely bonkers at the notion of Taker and Austin getting it on, right then, right there.
"Wait a minute, King, he's coming down here! The ring is surrounded by the Ministry!" Cole noted frantically.
"Austin, you may be a tough SOB, but do you also have a death wish?" King asked wildly on commentary. Austin was beyond a doubt shoe leather tough, but with every last member of the Ministry up in the ring, the odds of him surviving in a supposed one on one fight were slim to none.
As Austin got closer to the ring, Taker looked around the ring, and whispered something in Paul's ear. Suddenly, Paul began instructing the rest of the Ministry exit, the crowd screaming loudly, knowing they were about to see a honest to goodness slugfest! As the Ministry began exiting the ring, Austin began walking up the steel steps, talking smack along the way.
"They're about to go here King, they're about to go!"
As soon as the last Ministry member exited the ring, Austin, ready for a fight, made a beeline towards Taker, but instead of striking, Austin had to stop mid-stride, as Taker, who still had a hold on Stephanie's arm, pulled her directly in front of him, blocking Austin's attack!
Stephanie, eyes wide with fear, afraid that Austin was going to strike her just to get at Taker, looked like a deer in headlights! Staring into the raging blue eyes of Austin, Stephanie, shaking with paralyzing fear, didn't have much time to think about anything else, before Taker pushed her to the left and began attacking Austin, while Stephanie struggled to get out of the ring from the ensuing chaos.
Striking Austin with blow after blow, fist after fist, bullying him into the turnbuckle, then choking Austin with his foot, the crowd began to cheer loudly, "Austin! Austin! Austin! Austin!"
Taker, however, undeterred by the unanimous crowd support of Austin, continued to stomp Austin deeper into the turnbuckle, resorting to even choking him with his hands, as Austin kicked and squirmed effortlessly, Taker easily cutting off his oxygen supply!
Saphirra, then running over to the announcer's table, wanting to get some revenge on Austin for his Stunner to her on Smackdown, forced Tony Chimel out of his seat, sliding the chair into the ring. Walking over to the steel chair, Taker bent down to pick it up, but with a surge of adrenaline, as soon as Taker was vertical again, Austin, the brawler that he was, attacked Taker from the side, giving him piston like rights to the side of the head, causing the crowd in San Diego to resurge with "Austin" chants, as Taker dropped the chair in the middle of the ring from Austin's assault!
Austin, then whipping Taker into the ropes, was about to go for his signature Lou Thesz press, but he tripped under the bottom rope by Gangrel!
Once Austin realized who it was who tripped him, Austin reached over the top rope, grabbing Gangrel by the hair, pulled him up on the apron, gave him two big birds, and knocked him back down to the outside!
Trying to sneak up behind Austin, Taker grabbed Austin around by his shoulder, but Austin, seemingly with eyes in the back of his head, began striking Taker once again, and with a kick to the gut, was about to give Taker another Stone Cold Stunner, but at that very moment, the entire Ministry swarmed the ring, and although Austin was fueled off pure hatred alone, managing to fight off Mideon, and then Edge, the seven-on-one gang assault just became too much for him.
As the crowd watched on in horror as Austin received boot after boot to the back of the head and neck, Taker, picking up the chair again, ordered for the Ministry to pick Austin back up to his feet. Once Austin was upright again, Farooq and Bradshaw whipped Austin in to Taker, who blasted him in the skull with the steel chair!
"Oh, my God! You could hear the thud of Austin's head coming off the chair shot!" Cole screamed over the broadcast booth.
"Sounded like a car wreck!"
While Saphirra looked on evilly, wanting Austin to feel the same pain that she felt last Tuesday night, Stephanie watched on in horror. She couldn't believe that Mark had put her in the way of danger! While they did have a pre-promo talk before they all came down to the ring, Steph again agreeing she was going to play up the role of the poor victimized wife, him using her as a shield was not part of the plan, and if Austin didn't have the reflexes of a seasoned veteran, she'd be out cold right about now!
Then, Taker, absolutely snapping, grabbed the chair again, and started pounding Austin over the back with it, over and over again, the chair contorting from shot after shot, blow after blow!
Stephanie, mouth wide from the scene she was witnesses, screamed on the side of the ring for Taker to stop, but Taker wasn't through! Turning Austin on his back, who was also busted at this point, Taker straddled him and began pounding him over and over again with big right hands to the head, opening him up even more, before going on to choke him, with not even one member of the Ministry daring to stop him!
Completely unconscious now, Taker then stood over Austin, as the crowd roared with boos, and as Taker and the rest of the Ministry exited the ring, Taker gave Austin one more kick to the head, finally leaving, as officials, agents, and referees stormed inside, in an attempt to help the Rattlesnake. Stephanie, who was leaning on the ring ropes, honestly concerned for Austin well-being, was screamed at by Taker.
"Get here, now!"
Looking back at the fallen Austin, Stephanie walked over to her husband slowly, as the staff continued to attend to Austin, trying to help him off the canvas. As Taker grabbed Stephanie by the wrist again, pulling her backwards with him up the ramp, Taker looked down at the beaten Rattlesnake, with nothing but vengeance in his eyes.
As the Ministry were making their way backstage, the officials still trying to help Austin up, up on the Titantron, a black limousine was seen pulling into the back of the arena.
"It's Vince, it's Vince! Vince has come back to save the day!" King screamed loudly, while Cole attempted to surmise just who was in the car. "Who is it? Who's in the limo!"
"Please let it be it Vince!"