Jericho walked into the arena slowly, still a bit sore from his match last
night. Despite Stephanie massaging his aching back, he was still quite
sore. He also had a bandage on his head from where he got cut, and a
bandage on his arm from when he had gone through the plexi-glass chamber.
He slowly made his way to his dressing room, wondering what his match for the night would be. Maybe he and Christian would be defending the Tag titles against some other tag team.
He walked inside his dressing room, and saw Christian had already arrived, judging by the other bags in the room. Jericho set his things down, and started unpacking his things. Christian walked in moments later.
"Hey man, congratulations on last night."
"What?" Jericho asked.
"You got into the final three, that's pretty good."
"Oh, thanks, Edge told me to say hi by the way," Jericho said.
"Oh, cool, yeah, I haven't talked to him since last Saturday."
"Yeah, that's what he said. So do you know what we're doing tonight?"
"I have no idea. Did you hear about HHH?"
"No, what about him?" Jericho asked, not really caring that much.
"Apparently he got injured last night during the match, something with his throat, he had to be hospitalized last night."
"Really? Well, I guess I gotta give it to him for finishing the match."
"Yeah, I mean, at the very least he has guts."
"Maybe I should call Steph and tell her?"
"If you want."
"Well, she might find it interesting," Jericho said, grabbing his cell phone from his bag. He dialed the hotel, and got connected to their room.
"Hello?" Stephanie answered.
"Guess who got injured last night?" Jericho said over the line.
"Well, I know it's not you, so who is it?"
"Your slime ball ex," Jericho said, giving a small chuckle.
"Seriously," Stephanie said, not being able to hold her laughter, "Is it bad?"
"I don't think so, something about his throat," Jericho looked up, "Hey Christian, is it serious?"
"No, I don't think so, they only kept him overnight for observation."
"No, it's not serious," Jericho told her.
"I hate to laugh when someone gets injured, but when it's my ex-husband, who I despise, it's hard not to."
"Well, after everything he put you through, I think karma is just biting him in the ass."
"So you're saying he deserved it?"
"Did he hurt you, and humiliate you?" Jericho said.
"Yeah, why?"
"Then he deserved it."
"I love you, so what's on tap tonight?"
"No idea, but I better go, I have to get ready anyways."
"Ok, see you later, bye."
"Bye baby," he said, before hanging up.
Jericho stayed in his locker room until the show started, before settling back and watching the monitor provided for him. He saw HBK walk out and he couldn't help but feel glad that HBK had come out on top last night. As long as HHH didn't retain, he was fine with it.
He saw as RVD walked out, and all but demanded a shot at the title next week. If anyone should get a shot it should be him, he thought. He was the last guy eliminated before HHH and HBK had duked it out for the title. He saw Bischoff walk out, and his face turned bitter, still not happy with what Bischoff had done to Stephanie.
Bischoff announced that tonight there would be a Triple Threat Match for the #1 Contender's spot. Jericho thought that would be a fair idea, he did deserve another chance after all. Christian walked in from the bathroom.
"What's going on?" he asked, looking at the screen.
"Looks like I've got a match later for the #1 Contender spot."
"Cool, against who?"
"RVD and Booker T."
"Oh man, that's gotta suck."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Well, you're supposed to be the bad guy, and they're supposed to be good guys, looks like you might get double-teamed."
"Shit, I didn't think of that," Jericho muttered, suddenly becoming worried about the match. He was going to have a hard time beating two men who were against him.
"Dude, I got your back though."
"Seriously?" Jericho said, looking up at him.
"Of course, we're a team, and friends."
"Cool, man." Jericho suddenly heard a whirring sound coming from one of the vents, "Do you hear something?"
Christian stood quietly for a moment, "No."
"Are you sure, I hear this like whirring sound. It's coming from over there," he said, pointing towards the wall.
Christian stood closer to the wall, and listened again, "Actually, yeah I do hear something."
Jericho went over to the wall to examine the sound closer. It might have just been air in the vents, but it didn't sound like it. He kneeled in front of the grate, and saw that there was something in there.
"I think there's something in the vent," Jericho said.
"Really?" Christian asked, kneeling next to him.
"Yeah, look right there," Jericho told him, pointing to the object.
"What the hell is that?"
"I don't know, is there anyway to get this thing off."
"Here let me see."
Christian felt around the grate, and saw a small opening where he could just barely get his finger underneath. He jimmied it, and then pried the corner open. The grate was fitted to the wall, and didn't have any screws, so Christian just lifted it off. They both looked surprised at what they found.
"A camera?" Jericho said, befuddled.
"Why is there a camera in here? Is someone filming us?"
"I don't think so, look no red light," Jericho said, looking at the camera.
"Hey, do you think this is that F-View camera thing?"
"I think you may be right, what do we do now though?"
"Should we break it?"
"No, then they would find out. I've got a better idea."
"What?"
"We just have to play our parts."
"Our parts?" Christian asked.
"Yeah, I mean, what else can we do, thank God they haven't filmed so far, they could have easily filmed me when I was on the phone."
"Oh with-"Jericho put his hand over Christian's mouth.
"Don't say a word."
"Mfjoshde," Christian mumbled behind Jericho's hand.
"Good. Now we have to be in character."
"Like how?" Christian asked once Jericho had removed his hand from Christian's mouth.
"Well, last week, I hit you with the steel chair right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, what if you were upset with me this week, and I come in to ask you for help and then you refuse because you're still pissed."
"But then I would come out and help you anyway," Christian said, catching on.
"Exactly, throw them off."
"That'll work."
"Ok, let's get this thing back on there."
They carefully put the grate back on, making it look like they hadn't even touched it. They went back to the television, and Jericho saw that Steiner was on. Jericho had never been able to stand that guy, he was always annoying and just grated on his nerves. Jericho motioned for Christian to go into the bathroom, away from the camera.
"I'm going to go out there."
"Dude, with Steiner out there."
"Yeah, why not?"
"I don't know."
"I mean, when we were in WCW, I never got to the big time, sure I had that one thing with Steiner, but I was never elevated. Now I'm in the big leagues, I should go out there and show it off."
"You're crazy man, you should do it."
"Ok, I'm out."
Jericho walked backstage, avoiding an actual physical confrontation. Cooler heads had prevailed this time. Besides, he wanted to be in top form for his match later on, and fighting with Steiner now would just be stupid on his part.
But it felt good, it felt good to be on top. In WCW he had always been too small and not main-event material. But then he had come to WWE, then WWF, and they had seen potential in him, and look where he was now. It was a pretty good trade-up.
Vince had been very excited to sign him, and despite their differences, he knew Vince liked him. Which was a good thing considering he was dating his only daughter. That was another reason that he was glad he came over when he did, Stephanie was here.
Jericho went back to his dressing room, preparing the little skit that he had planned with Christian. Bischoff really thought they were all fools didn't he? Well, little did he know that THEY were the ones manipulating him.
After Christian left the room in a fake huff, Jericho got ready for his match. He walked over to the gorilla afterwards, and waited for his entrance. He wanted to be the best out there.
The match was going ok, Jericho had managed to level the playing field against Booker T and RVD. Whenever he was down, they would go after each other, and Jericho was able to capitalize.
Jericho was fighting with Booker, and saw Christian running down the ramp with a chair. Booker ran into the ropes, and met a swift chair to the back instead. Jericho tried to get the pin, but Booker broke out of it.
Jericho then put Booker in the Walls, hoping he would tap. He was so into the match he didn't notice Christian get laid out by Steiner, and then Steiner coming into the ring. Steiner attacked him, and Jericho was so tired from the match he had a hard time fighting back.
Suddenly Jericho felt himself on his back, he didn't even have time to think before RVD hit him with the Frog Splash. He didn't have enough energy to get up, so he just stayed still. He was now more sore, and just wanted to get back to the hotel.
He was regretting interrupting Steiner.
Jericho walked slowly down the hallway of the hotel. His back was killing him, he wanted a nice soft bed to lay on. He had taken an extra long shower at the arena, hoping the warm water would soothe his aching muscles. It had only helped slightly, and he was still sore.
He opened the door, and threw his bag onto the couch. Stephanie heard the noise and came into the room, and saw him walking slowly over to the bedroom. She let him pass into the room, and he went straight for the bed, lying down gingerly.
"I think I'm going to stay in bed for the next week," he told her. Stephanie climbed on the bed, and kneeled next to him, looking down at his face
"Are you ok? I saw what Steiner did to you."
"Yeah, and now I'm sore all over."
"Why did you target him Chris, you should have left well enough alone."
"Nah, it's more fun getting into trouble."
"But look at you now."
"Well, I'm just sore."
"Fine, but why did you go out there and interrupt him?"
"I guess some of the old Jericho came back."
"The old Jericho?" Stephanie asked, lying down next to him.
"WCW Jericho, you know, the guy who was too small to be a major threat. I just saw Steiner, and remembered how it was in WCW, and I guess I just had to go out there, prove I was good enough."
"Of course you're good enough, you were the first Undisputed Champion, you've held every single title you can hold, you've main-evented WrestleMania."
"Yeah, but it was like it was like I was transported back or something. WWE was a much better place for me though."
"Well, of course. It IS the better business."
"No, that's not why it's better."
"Then why, because you got a bigger shot here?"
"Nope, not that either."
"Then why? Don't keep me in suspense."
"Because you're here."
"Chris," she said blushing as she kissed him on the cheek.
"What, it's the truth. So I'm thinking that Steiner is going to show up on SmackDown."
"Yeah, he probably will. I'll probably have to have Kurt hold me back so I don't slap the taste out his mouth for hurting you."
"Wow, you really are a bitch."
"You're damn right."
He slowly made his way to his dressing room, wondering what his match for the night would be. Maybe he and Christian would be defending the Tag titles against some other tag team.
He walked inside his dressing room, and saw Christian had already arrived, judging by the other bags in the room. Jericho set his things down, and started unpacking his things. Christian walked in moments later.
"Hey man, congratulations on last night."
"What?" Jericho asked.
"You got into the final three, that's pretty good."
"Oh, thanks, Edge told me to say hi by the way," Jericho said.
"Oh, cool, yeah, I haven't talked to him since last Saturday."
"Yeah, that's what he said. So do you know what we're doing tonight?"
"I have no idea. Did you hear about HHH?"
"No, what about him?" Jericho asked, not really caring that much.
"Apparently he got injured last night during the match, something with his throat, he had to be hospitalized last night."
"Really? Well, I guess I gotta give it to him for finishing the match."
"Yeah, I mean, at the very least he has guts."
"Maybe I should call Steph and tell her?"
"If you want."
"Well, she might find it interesting," Jericho said, grabbing his cell phone from his bag. He dialed the hotel, and got connected to their room.
"Hello?" Stephanie answered.
"Guess who got injured last night?" Jericho said over the line.
"Well, I know it's not you, so who is it?"
"Your slime ball ex," Jericho said, giving a small chuckle.
"Seriously," Stephanie said, not being able to hold her laughter, "Is it bad?"
"I don't think so, something about his throat," Jericho looked up, "Hey Christian, is it serious?"
"No, I don't think so, they only kept him overnight for observation."
"No, it's not serious," Jericho told her.
"I hate to laugh when someone gets injured, but when it's my ex-husband, who I despise, it's hard not to."
"Well, after everything he put you through, I think karma is just biting him in the ass."
"So you're saying he deserved it?"
"Did he hurt you, and humiliate you?" Jericho said.
"Yeah, why?"
"Then he deserved it."
"I love you, so what's on tap tonight?"
"No idea, but I better go, I have to get ready anyways."
"Ok, see you later, bye."
"Bye baby," he said, before hanging up.
Jericho stayed in his locker room until the show started, before settling back and watching the monitor provided for him. He saw HBK walk out and he couldn't help but feel glad that HBK had come out on top last night. As long as HHH didn't retain, he was fine with it.
He saw as RVD walked out, and all but demanded a shot at the title next week. If anyone should get a shot it should be him, he thought. He was the last guy eliminated before HHH and HBK had duked it out for the title. He saw Bischoff walk out, and his face turned bitter, still not happy with what Bischoff had done to Stephanie.
Bischoff announced that tonight there would be a Triple Threat Match for the #1 Contender's spot. Jericho thought that would be a fair idea, he did deserve another chance after all. Christian walked in from the bathroom.
"What's going on?" he asked, looking at the screen.
"Looks like I've got a match later for the #1 Contender spot."
"Cool, against who?"
"RVD and Booker T."
"Oh man, that's gotta suck."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Well, you're supposed to be the bad guy, and they're supposed to be good guys, looks like you might get double-teamed."
"Shit, I didn't think of that," Jericho muttered, suddenly becoming worried about the match. He was going to have a hard time beating two men who were against him.
"Dude, I got your back though."
"Seriously?" Jericho said, looking up at him.
"Of course, we're a team, and friends."
"Cool, man." Jericho suddenly heard a whirring sound coming from one of the vents, "Do you hear something?"
Christian stood quietly for a moment, "No."
"Are you sure, I hear this like whirring sound. It's coming from over there," he said, pointing towards the wall.
Christian stood closer to the wall, and listened again, "Actually, yeah I do hear something."
Jericho went over to the wall to examine the sound closer. It might have just been air in the vents, but it didn't sound like it. He kneeled in front of the grate, and saw that there was something in there.
"I think there's something in the vent," Jericho said.
"Really?" Christian asked, kneeling next to him.
"Yeah, look right there," Jericho told him, pointing to the object.
"What the hell is that?"
"I don't know, is there anyway to get this thing off."
"Here let me see."
Christian felt around the grate, and saw a small opening where he could just barely get his finger underneath. He jimmied it, and then pried the corner open. The grate was fitted to the wall, and didn't have any screws, so Christian just lifted it off. They both looked surprised at what they found.
"A camera?" Jericho said, befuddled.
"Why is there a camera in here? Is someone filming us?"
"I don't think so, look no red light," Jericho said, looking at the camera.
"Hey, do you think this is that F-View camera thing?"
"I think you may be right, what do we do now though?"
"Should we break it?"
"No, then they would find out. I've got a better idea."
"What?"
"We just have to play our parts."
"Our parts?" Christian asked.
"Yeah, I mean, what else can we do, thank God they haven't filmed so far, they could have easily filmed me when I was on the phone."
"Oh with-"Jericho put his hand over Christian's mouth.
"Don't say a word."
"Mfjoshde," Christian mumbled behind Jericho's hand.
"Good. Now we have to be in character."
"Like how?" Christian asked once Jericho had removed his hand from Christian's mouth.
"Well, last week, I hit you with the steel chair right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, what if you were upset with me this week, and I come in to ask you for help and then you refuse because you're still pissed."
"But then I would come out and help you anyway," Christian said, catching on.
"Exactly, throw them off."
"That'll work."
"Ok, let's get this thing back on there."
They carefully put the grate back on, making it look like they hadn't even touched it. They went back to the television, and Jericho saw that Steiner was on. Jericho had never been able to stand that guy, he was always annoying and just grated on his nerves. Jericho motioned for Christian to go into the bathroom, away from the camera.
"I'm going to go out there."
"Dude, with Steiner out there."
"Yeah, why not?"
"I don't know."
"I mean, when we were in WCW, I never got to the big time, sure I had that one thing with Steiner, but I was never elevated. Now I'm in the big leagues, I should go out there and show it off."
"You're crazy man, you should do it."
"Ok, I'm out."
Jericho walked backstage, avoiding an actual physical confrontation. Cooler heads had prevailed this time. Besides, he wanted to be in top form for his match later on, and fighting with Steiner now would just be stupid on his part.
But it felt good, it felt good to be on top. In WCW he had always been too small and not main-event material. But then he had come to WWE, then WWF, and they had seen potential in him, and look where he was now. It was a pretty good trade-up.
Vince had been very excited to sign him, and despite their differences, he knew Vince liked him. Which was a good thing considering he was dating his only daughter. That was another reason that he was glad he came over when he did, Stephanie was here.
Jericho went back to his dressing room, preparing the little skit that he had planned with Christian. Bischoff really thought they were all fools didn't he? Well, little did he know that THEY were the ones manipulating him.
After Christian left the room in a fake huff, Jericho got ready for his match. He walked over to the gorilla afterwards, and waited for his entrance. He wanted to be the best out there.
The match was going ok, Jericho had managed to level the playing field against Booker T and RVD. Whenever he was down, they would go after each other, and Jericho was able to capitalize.
Jericho was fighting with Booker, and saw Christian running down the ramp with a chair. Booker ran into the ropes, and met a swift chair to the back instead. Jericho tried to get the pin, but Booker broke out of it.
Jericho then put Booker in the Walls, hoping he would tap. He was so into the match he didn't notice Christian get laid out by Steiner, and then Steiner coming into the ring. Steiner attacked him, and Jericho was so tired from the match he had a hard time fighting back.
Suddenly Jericho felt himself on his back, he didn't even have time to think before RVD hit him with the Frog Splash. He didn't have enough energy to get up, so he just stayed still. He was now more sore, and just wanted to get back to the hotel.
He was regretting interrupting Steiner.
Jericho walked slowly down the hallway of the hotel. His back was killing him, he wanted a nice soft bed to lay on. He had taken an extra long shower at the arena, hoping the warm water would soothe his aching muscles. It had only helped slightly, and he was still sore.
He opened the door, and threw his bag onto the couch. Stephanie heard the noise and came into the room, and saw him walking slowly over to the bedroom. She let him pass into the room, and he went straight for the bed, lying down gingerly.
"I think I'm going to stay in bed for the next week," he told her. Stephanie climbed on the bed, and kneeled next to him, looking down at his face
"Are you ok? I saw what Steiner did to you."
"Yeah, and now I'm sore all over."
"Why did you target him Chris, you should have left well enough alone."
"Nah, it's more fun getting into trouble."
"But look at you now."
"Well, I'm just sore."
"Fine, but why did you go out there and interrupt him?"
"I guess some of the old Jericho came back."
"The old Jericho?" Stephanie asked, lying down next to him.
"WCW Jericho, you know, the guy who was too small to be a major threat. I just saw Steiner, and remembered how it was in WCW, and I guess I just had to go out there, prove I was good enough."
"Of course you're good enough, you were the first Undisputed Champion, you've held every single title you can hold, you've main-evented WrestleMania."
"Yeah, but it was like it was like I was transported back or something. WWE was a much better place for me though."
"Well, of course. It IS the better business."
"No, that's not why it's better."
"Then why, because you got a bigger shot here?"
"Nope, not that either."
"Then why? Don't keep me in suspense."
"Because you're here."
"Chris," she said blushing as she kissed him on the cheek.
"What, it's the truth. So I'm thinking that Steiner is going to show up on SmackDown."
"Yeah, he probably will. I'll probably have to have Kurt hold me back so I don't slap the taste out his mouth for hurting you."
"Wow, you really are a bitch."
"You're damn right."