Chapter 38: What's the Decision on the Dotted Line?
RAW was in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Nicole was facing Trish Stratus for the Women's Championship for the third time this year in singles competition.
The gang was still at the hotel in Erie, Pennsylvania where the RAW houseshow was and Nicole was walking next door to Tina and Brittany's hotel room. Nicole knocked on the door and a minute later, Tina opened the door.
"Hey," Tina said.
"Hey, good morning," Nicole said.
"Come in."
Then Nicole stepped inside to see Brittany finishing packing her stuff.
"Morning, Nicole," Brittany said.
"Morning, Brit," Nicole said. "So, did you enjoy the weekend?"
"Yes, I did. It was fun."
"I'll bet the fun part was talking to Jeff Hardy."
"Oh, yeah. Jeff Hardy," Tina said.
During the weekend houseshows, Brittany finally got the chance to meet Jeff Hardy. They always talked for a while and Brittany started developing a crush on Jeff, but couldn't admit it to Nicole, Tina, or him.
"What are you talking about?" Brittany said.
"Come on, don't play innocent with us," Nicole said. "I've seen the way you looked at him."
"Yeah and I've seen the way he looked at you," Tina said. "He likes you and you like him."
"Well..." Brittany said, "he is kind of cute and...alright, you wanna know the truth?"
"Yeah," Nicole and Tina said.
"I sort of...have a little crush on Jeff."
"Oh, Brittany, how sweet," Nicole said.
"Well, I'm still new and I don't wanna jump the gun. I mean, I know I'm gonna see again, I just need some time."
"Hey, we're not gonna force you."
"Yeah, it's your decision," Tina said.
Several minutes later, everyone made the plane trip from Erie, Pennsylvania to Atlantic City, New Jersey and after checking in the hotel, John and the girls went to the arena. When they arrived there, Melina was walking up to them.
"Well, well, well," Nicole said, "look what the cat dragged in."
"Meow," Brittany said.
"John, why don't you go ahead?"
"Alright," John said as he walked away.
"You know, Melina, I've been quiet all weekend and now I'm gonna say it straight to your face. Last Monday, I was shocked and should've told Mick Foley a few months ago to never trust the poison. You just like driving people away, don't you?"
"Melina, you really are sadistic and I don't understand why Mick Foley would become friends with you," Tina said as she walked around Melina.
"Well, you better strap on your belt and hang on tight," Brittany said, "because later on tonight, I got a match with you and maybe nobody is gonna fall for any of your tricks again."
"Tootles," Nicole said.
Then Nicole, Tina, and Brittany walked away without Melina saying a word to them because she too afraid of them.
The girls continued to walk down the hallway until Vince McMahon's son, Shane, walked up to them.
"Hello, ladies," Vince said.
"Hello, Shane," Nicole, Tina, and Brittany said.
"Nicole, I have some news for you. You heard of Seventeen magazine, have you?"
"Yes, I have," Nicole said.
"Well, my father's not here and he wanted me to tell you that they called and they want you and the rest of Eddie's Angels for a photoshoot and an interview. Just like us in the WWE, they found you girls to be inspirational and they want you for the October issue next Wednesday."
"Wow, that's...that's amazing. Um...yeah, sure."
"Great. Well, I'll see you ladies later."
"Okay," Tina and Brittany said as Shane walked away.
"Wow. Okay, I have a feeling things are gonna get better," Nicole said. "I'm recording a song with my fiancé Wednesday and I got a photoshoot with Delancey and Rochelle next Wednesday. Oh, I hope tonight will be a start."
"Don't worry, Nicole," Tina said. "Things will get better."
"Yeah," Brittany said.
"Well, I'll see you girls in a bit," Nicole said.
"Okay," Tina said.
Then the girls went their separate ways.
Then RAW was and Shane McMahon was in the ring explaining to the crowd that D-Generation X's sophomoric pranks have hit a new low and that they went too far and endangered his and Vince McMahon lives last week.
Then Edge's entrance theme played and he came out from the curtain with Lita following him. The two walked down the ramp and got into the ring and Edge grabbed a microphone. Edge took off his sunglasses and said,
"Shane, if you're running the show, you need to do something. Listen, I know you had a bad week last week, but look what John Cena did to me. Roll the footage. Roll it!" Then the Titantron showed Edge being thrown into the Long Island Sound by John last week. "I am the WWE Champion. You do not put your hands on the WWE Champion and throw me into that polluting, disgusting cesspool known as the Long Island Sound. Shut up! You need to fire John Cena. I want him out of my life. I'm sick of him, I want him gone."
Then John's entrance theme played and he came out from the curtain with Nicole, Tina, and Brittany following him. Nicole was wearing a white midriff top with slits in the middle, black pants, sparkly silver scarf, and her hair curled. Tina was wearing a black tube mini dress with a zipper in the front and adjustable belt, black boots, and her hair straight. Brittany was wearing a pink lace tube top, pink miniskirt, pink boots, and her hair curled. The four walked down the ramp and they got into the ring. John grabbed a microphone and said,
"I knew this was gonna happen. Pump the brakes, pump the brakes, pump the brakes. Easy, Skeletor, you don't want me to take a walk right now. Every week you come out here with this glorious story about you and me that ends up in a happy ending for the Rated R Superstar. Hell, if I leave now, then the last thing all these people will remember is me throwing your ass into the Long Island Sound. Advantage, Cena. That is not a happy ending for you and don't get it twisted. The happy ending you got from Miss Skanks-A-Lot after the show, that don't count. And I'll tell you why, because she gives them to everybody. Speaking of that, Shane, you seem a little stressed. I mean, if you got 10 bucks, and I know you do, think of the possibilities."
Of course, John was referring to Lita and then he does Shane's dance with Nicole, Tina, and Brittany cracking up.
Here comes the money
The ho comes for money
Nicole, Tina, and Brittany continue to crack up on the mat and the ropes.
"See, this is why you want me gone," John said. "That's why you want me out of your life because I mess with your head. You want me gone? Fine. Here's your chance." John pulls out a piece of paper out of his pocket. "This right here is a three-year contract straight off the desk of Teddy Long to go to Smackdown. I have no problem signing it, I just need one thing from you and that's one more match. You and me for the WWE Championship. You win, if you beat me, I sign on the dotted line, no questions asked, and I'm out of your life. You can own Monday night. Rated R can stand for RAW. You can be the greatest champion that ever lived." Then John handed Shane the contract. "What you think? What's it gonna be?"
"It's signed by Teddy," Shane said as Edge took the contract and takes a look.
"You want me gone? There's my ticket out. What's your answer?"
"Fine," Edge said. "I'll do it. I'll do it, I'll do it with two conditions."
"You name them."
"Number one, I name where the match takes place and it sure as hell won't be in this dump. Fine, and number two, I name what kind of match it is. You don't like it, Howdy-Doody? Too bad, so sad. Deal?"
"Deal."
John and the girls went to leave the ring but...
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Shane said. "People need to start learning respect around here. Get back in here. I didn't dismiss you. You don't treat the WWE Champion in a disrespectful manner by throwing him into the Long Island Sound. No, no, no. You don't do that. And just as D-Generation X has a match tonight, guess what? So do you. And since you're out here, well, I can't think of a better time than to start that match-up." John took off his black "Chain Gang" black cap and "Chain Gang Assault Battalion" t-shirt and threw them into the crowd. "And since you're ready, let's introduce your opponent right now."
As Shane, Edge, and Lita left the ring, Chris Masters' entrance theme plays and he comes out from the curtain. He does usual thing at the top of the ramp and walks down the ramp and went into the ring. Nicole, Tina, and Brittany leave the ring as the referee calls for the bell.
John and Chris lock up and John nailed a suplex on Chris for two. John sent Chris to the corner and then hit the fisherman suplex for two. Chris comes back with feet in the corner and then a clothesline. Chris got John on the apron and gave him an elbow to the face and then choked him over the bottom rope. Chris hit some jabs and John nailed right hands but then ran into a powerslam for a two count.
Chris locked in a camel clutch but John fought out and hit the flying shoulder. John nailed the spinning powerbomb and then went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and nailed it. John went for the FU but Chris blocked and hit a reverse DDT. Chris called for the Master Lock and went for it but John reversed into the STFU. Edge then hit the ring with a steel chair and nailed John in the back.
Edge nailed John with the chair in the back again and then left the ring. Edge went under the ring and pulled out a ladder. Nicole tried to grab the ladder from Edge with some help from Tina and Brittany pulling her and Edge shoved the ladder into Nicole falling onto Tina and Brittany. Edge got the ladder into the ring and rammed it into the face of John. Edge went out of the ring again and teased John laving on the mat. Edge went back under the ring and pulled out a table. Brittany got up on the turnbuckle as Edge set the table up in the corner and Brittany tried to nail a hurricanranna but Edge grabbed onto her. Edge was holding Brittany upside down and pulled her up. Then Edge laid Brittany on the ropes sending her outside of the ring to the ground. Then Edge tossed John through the table. Edge grabbed his title belt and took a microphone and said,
"I have good news, John. I've decided where the match is gonna take place. It's going to be Unforgiven in my hometown of Toronto, Canada and I've decided what match it's gonna be. A match that you never had, a match that I have never lost. It's gonna be Tables, Ladders and Chairs."
Edge left the ring and Nicole got into the ring and checked on John. Tina was helping Brittany up and Tina went inside the ring and helped Nicole get John out of the ring. The three along with Brittany walked up the ramp and then walked to the back. As everyone was walking down the hallway not saying anything to each other, they went into the locker room and Nicole and Tina helped John and Brittany sit down. Nicole was still standing looking up at the ceiling.
"Nicole, are you okay?" Tina said.
"No," Nicole said. "I'm now thinking about jumping off a bridge and into a river."
"Nicole!" John, Tina, and Brittany said.
"I'm sorry. That was wrong. I mean, I don't know what would happen to you, Tina and Brittany, if John and I left to go back to Smackdown."
"You're worried about that?" Brittany said.
"Yeah."
"Nicole, nothing is gonna happen to us," Tina said. "And besides, Unforgiven is three weeks away so don't worry about that."
"Yeah, Nicole," John said. "You shouldn't worry about them."
"Yeah. But if you and I go to Smackdown, only one good thing can come out of that. I can reunite with Delancey and Rochelle."
"Yeah, I guess that's the only good thing about that," Brittany said.
"John, are you okay?" Tina said as Nicole sat next to John.
"Yeah, I'm fine," John said holding his back. "Man, that hurts."
"I can't believe this," Nicole said. "A Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. I've seen those matches and they can be pretty dangerous and painful."
"Yeah," Brittany said. "John, do you think you can survive a TLC match?"
"Hey, I've been in an 'I Quit' match and the Elimination Chamber match," John said. "You know damn well I'll survive a TLC match."
"That's true," Tina said. "One last chance, one last chance. That is gonna be a bigger challenge for you."
"Well, you know what they say," Brittany said. "What goes around, comes around."
"What are you saying, Brittany?" Nicole said.
"I'm saying that if Edge can screw John in Boston, Massachusetts at Summerslam, then we have no choice but do the same to Edge in Toronto, Ontario, Canada."
"Oh, yeah," Tina said. "I think I know exactly what you're saying."
"What do you think, John?"
"I say, hell yeah," John said. "Things are getting personal and you know what? You ladies are perfect for the job."
"Of course," Nicole said. "We're the Chain Gang Diva Squad and we help the Chain Gang Solider solve problems."
"Damn straight."
A little later before Brittany's match against Melina, Nicole, Tina, and Brittany were walking down the hallway and Jeff Hardy was walking up to them.
"Hey, ladies," Jeff said.
"Hey, Jeff," the girls said.
"Um, you girls go ahead," Brittany said. "I'll catch up with you."
"Okay," Nicole said.
Nicole and Tina walked away and they were hiding behind a corner to see Brittany talk to Jeff.
"So you got a match tonight?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah, against Melina," Brittany said. "Um, I just wanna say congratulations on your match tonight and good luck."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Well, I should get going."
"Okay."
"Oh, wait. There's one more thing." Then Brittany kissed Jeff on the cheek. "See ya."
"See ya."
Then Brittany walked away and met up with Nicole and Tina who saw the whole thing and smiled. As they were walking to the arena, Nicole tapped Tina on the shoulder and they both gave each other a high five because they knew there was an attraction between Brittany and Jeff Hardy.
Then it was time for the Divas' match which was Brittany against Melina. Nicole's entrance theme played and she came out from the curtain with Tina and Brittany following her.
"The following Divas' match is scheduled for one fall," Lillian Garcia announced. "Introducing first being accompanied to the ring by Tina Alexander and the WWE Women's Champion, Nicole Mitchell, from Manhattan, New York, Brittany Swanson," Lillian announced.
Brittany was wearing a two-piece black and silver bikini top and black pants. The three Divas walked down the ramp and went into the ring. Brittany got on one of the turnbuckles and raised her arms in the air. She got back down and stood next to Nicole and Tina waiting for Melina to come out. Johnny Nitro's entrance theme played and Melina came out from the curtain.
"And her opponent from Los Angeles, California, Melina," Lillian announced.
Melina walked down to the ring with photographers taking pictures of her. She did her ring entrance and started prancing around. She stared at the girls and Nicole and Tina left the ring as the referee called for the bell.
The match started off with Brittany and Melina locking up and Melina went behind Brittany and Brittany reversed it and took Melina down in a roll up for a one count. The two locked up again and Brittany twisted Melina's arm. Melina reversed it and took Brittany down with a fireman carry take over. Melina twisted the arm of Brittany on the mat and then rolled her up for a two count. Melina whipped Brittany and Brittany came back with a headscissors and then some shoulder blocks in the corner. Brittany got a monkey flip on Melina but Melina landed on her feet. Brittany went for an Enziguri, but Melina was able to duck it.
Melina got some elbow drops on Brittany and then a suplex and a pin on Brittany for a two count. Melina whipped Brittany off the ropes and Brittany came back with a neckbreaker. Brittany took down Melina and then she pinned her for a two count. Brittany went for a DDT but Melina got a Northern Lights suplex on Brittany and a pin for a two count. Melina got a suplex on Brittany and then Melina went to the top rope and came off with a high cross body on Brittany for a two count. Brittany laid Melina flat down on her back and Brittany whipped Melina into the corner and Melina bounced over Brittany.
Melina went for a kick but Brittany caught Melina's leg and Brittany slammed Melina down and nailed some right hands. Brittany stomped on Melina and hit a couple of knee drops and then got the Big Apple on Melina then a pin for a three count to get the win.
"Here is your winner, Brittany Swanson," Lillian announced.
Nicole and Tina got into the ring and raised Brittany's arms in the air. The three highfived each other and left the ring. The girls were walking up the ramp slapping the hands of the fans and they went to the back as RAW went to a commercial break.
Later it was time for the Women's Championship match which was Nicole against Trish Stratus who was the number one contender for this match beating Victoria last week. Nicole's entrance theme played and she came out from the curtain.
"The following match is scheduled for one fall and it is for the WWE Women's Championship," Lillian Garcia announced. "Introducing first from St. Louis, Missouri, she is the WWE Women's Champion, Nicole Mitchell."
Nicole was wearing a "Chain Gang Assault Battalion" t-shirt made into a tube top, black pants, black suspenders, and the Chain Gang wristbands. Nicole walked down the ramp and went into the ring. Nicole stood in the middle of the ring and she raised her title belt in the air. Then Nicole got on one of the turnbuckles and did it again. Then she got back down and stood waiting for Trish to come out. Trish's entrance theme played and she came out from the curtain.
"And her opponent from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Trish Stratus," Lillian announced.
Trish walked down the ramp and went into the ring. She stood in the middle of the ring and raised her arm in the air. Nicole gave her title belt to the referee and he raised it in the air and called for the bell.
Nicole and Trish shook hands and the girls locked up. Trish shoved Nicole down and then Nicole tossed Trish to the outside. Nicole slammed Trish head first into the apron and then sent her back into the ring and covered for two. Nicole slammed Trish with a face slam into the mat and nailed an elbow drop for a two count. Nicole shoved Trish to the corner and kicked away at Trish and nailed a snapmare. Trish came back with a shot to the midsection and then went for a back kick but Nicole blocked and Trish scored with an Enziguri for two.
Trish hit a flying forearm and then a monkey flip in the corner. Trish hit some right hands and then nailed a fisherman suplex for two. Nicole came back with a back elbow and then nailed a flying clothesline. Nicole went for a right hand but Trish blocked and nailed one of her own. Trish shoved Nicole to the corner and hit a splash. Trish hit a monkey flip and then signaled for the Chick Kick. Trish went for it but Nicole ducked and nailed the X Factor for the win.
"Here is your winner and still the WWE Women's Champion, Nicole Mitchell," Lillian announced.
The referee gives Nicole her title belt and raises her left arm in the air. Then Nicole looks down at Trish and helps her up. The two gave each other a hug and raised each other's arm in the air. Then Nicole and Trish left the ring and as they were going to the back, Nicole and Trish turned around and raised their arms in the air. The two Divas then gave each other a kiss on the cheek and went to the back.
"Hey, great match, Nicole," Trish said.
"Thanks, Trish," Nicole said. "I still can't believe you're retiring from the WWE. The company is not gonna be the same without you."
"Well, it's a decision I made and I have to take some time for myself, you know."
"Yeah and the nerve of Lita getting in your business with that. That bitch is so nosy."
"Well, you beat her for the Women's Title at Summerslam and Lita deserved it."
"Yeah."
"You know, Nicole, in the beginning I have underestimated you, but you have the advantage to become the next Trish Stratus. You're the three-time Women's Champion, which one title reign lasted eight months being the longest in a decade, a Playboy cover girl, the 2006 Babe of the Year alongside Delancey Scott, one of last year's Teen People's 25 Hottest Stars Under 25, and a certified recording artist with a gold album overseas in England."
"Don't forget soon-to-be Mrs. John Cena."
"Oh, yeah. I can't forget that. Well, Nicole, you just hold onto that title for as long as you can. Don't let Lita, Mickie, Melina, and Victoria get it."
"Don't worry. I won't. Well, I'll see you around and of course, you'll still be part of my wedding."
"Oh, we'll keep in touch on that."
"Alright, see ya, Trish."
"Bye, Nicole."
Then Nicole and Trish went their separate ways.
After RAW was over, John and Nicole went back to the hotel and John was laying on the bed on his stomach. Nicole got out of the bathroom in her pink mesh babydoll and panties from Victoria's Secret. Then Nicole climbed onto the bed, laid on top of John, and caressed his sides.
"So, how's my sexy marine doing?" Nicole said.
"He's doing alright," John said as he smiled.
"I hope so, because you know that we gotta record a song for 'The Marine' on Wednesday."
"Yeah, that's right."
"I gotta tell you, watching the behind-the-scenes of the movie made me thought about it and I cannot wait to see it when it comes out on October 13th."
"You're gonna be blown away. Believe me."
"Yeah. Do you feel like having a nice back massage right now?"
"Yeah, that would be nice."
Nicole then straddled John's waist and started giving him a massage on his back and shoulders.
"Hmm, that feels good," John said.
"You know I just thought of something," Nicole said.
"What?" John said.
"You know, 'The Marine' is coming out on the 13th of October, but do you know that it happens to be Friday the 13th?"
"You know, I never thought of that. I just hope it's good luck."
"It will be. Believe me."
A few minutes later...
"Okay, I'm done," Nicole said as she finished giving John a massage.
"Thanks, baby," John said. "How about I give you a massage?"
"Sure, okay."
Nicole then took off her babydoll and laid on her stomach on the bed. John then started giving her a massage. He started massaging slowly on her back and then on her shoulders.
"Oh, my god, John," Nicole said. "You are so good. I'm sure I'll get some more once we're married."
"You will," John said.
A few minutes later, John was done giving Nicole a massage and he noticed that she fell asleep. He then turned off the light, went into bed, and fell asleep next to Nicole.