Raw: September 24, 2007
I sigh as I get back to the Divas locker-room after wrestling and defeating Jillian in a match during the WWE Heat tapings before Raw. While being on Heat instead of Raw was not anything to be thrilled about, it was better than nothing. On the bright side, I had won my match.
Candice smiles as she looks at me. "Congratulations on the win, Rissa."
I nod. "Thanks, Candice."
"I have a Mixed Tag Team match tonight."
"Oh cool. What's the match?"
"I'm teaming with Jeff Hardy to face Shelton Benjamin and Beth Phoenix."
"That actually sounds like a lot of fun. I haven't talked to Shelton in ages either."
"It'll be fun. I wish I didn't have to wrestle Beth yet again though."
"Hey, you're talking to a girl who just had to wrestle on Heat."
"Fair enough. Randy isn't here tonight by the way."
"Good, I don't want to see him right now."
"Did the birthday party not go well?"
"It went horribly. Randy and Chris disappoint me."
"How bad was it?"
"Oh, it was horrible. I had to take Chris back to my apartment. I gave him so much shit about it."
"What about Randy?"
"I couldn't even bring myself to say anything to him."
"How bad was the fight I'm going to assume they had?"
"I know there were a lot of words exchanged between them. Chris shoved Randy. I had to get between them to stop it from escalating into a fist fight."
Candice sighed. "That's pretty bad."
"I know. I don't even know what was said. I don't care enough to ask. They both knew they were supposed to behave. They didn't have to talk to each other at all."
"I bet Tyler didn't take it too well."
"He didn't. He told me that he doesn't like Chris."
"That's not good."
"It's not good at all. I think Randy got in Tyler's ear when it comes to Chris."
"That's why you're happy that Randy isn't here."
"Yeah, the next time I talk to him, I'm going to let him have it."
"I'm sure you will. What issues does Tyler claim to have with Chris?"
"He says that Chris seemed a bit stuck up to him, and he's not a big fan of an almost twelve year age difference."
"Randy is pretty stuck up too though."
"Exactly."
"And there's plenty of relationships that have twenty years or more of an age difference. Twelve years isn't that bad."
"I still think Randy got in his ear about it."
"I agree, but the view on that depends on the person. Your brother may just not have the same view as you."
"Either way, Randy Orton is meddling in my personal life, and I'm sick of it."
"I can't blame you, Rissa. We should probably meet up with Jeff and discuss this Mixed Tag Team match tonight. That way there's a strategy."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"Yeah, that's why I said we. Jeff likes you just as much as he likes me, if not more. I'm sure you'll be more than welcome."
"Okay. Let's go."
Candice and I looked at each other as we stood in front of the door to Jeff Hardy's locker-room.
"Do you want me to knock?" I ask.
"Yeah…" Candice answers. "Maybe one of us should have texted him to ask if he was here first."
"If he's not, we can check catering. Either he'll be in there or someone who's seen him will be." I knock on the door and wait for an answer.
"Doesn't look like he's here."
"I'm right here actually." Jeff says from behind us.
Candice and I both turn to see Jeff. He gives us both a quick hug before opening the door to his locker-room.
"I assume you're here to discuss the Mixed Tag. Come on in." Jeff tells us.
Candice and I follow Jeff into the locker-room. I close the door behind us.
Jeff grabs a pack of Skittles. "Either of you want a pack? I bought a bunch earlier."
Candice shook her head. "I'm good. I don't eat this close to a match."
"Marissa?"
I nod. "Sure. I've had my match. I'll take one. Thanks."
"Of course."
Jeff and Candice discuss their strategy for the Mixed Tag Team match against Shelton and Beth. Since I'm not in the match, I sit and listen without saying a word.
"Sounds like we're all good." Candice comments.
Jeff smiles. "I agree. See ya out there."
"See ya out there." Candice goes to leave.
I go to follow her out of Jeff's locker-room.
"Marissa, do you have a minute?" Jeff asks.
Candice and I exchanged a confused look.
"Uh…sure." I sit back down. "I'll meet you in guerilla, Candice."
"Okay." Candice exits the locker-room.
I look at Jeff. "So what's going on?"
"Well…you remember my sister, right?" Jeff asks.
"DJ? Of course I do. She's a sweetheart. Why?"
"She got signed to a developmental contract. They've got her down in FCW."
"That's cool. I'm glad to hear that."
"She won't tell me or Matt about anything that's going on down there with her though."
"So you want me to check on her for you two since I go there sometimes?"
"Is that too much?"
"No, not at all. I get it. I never went through it personally, but I know that developmental can be rough."
"I still wonder how you got out of that."
I give a small laugh. "Sometimes, I wish I had gone through it. It would've done me favors."
"I think you've done pretty well for yourself."
"I had to vacate the one championship I have had after three weeks because of an injury, I can't get Vince to finally hand me the rematch I should have, and I'm practically stuck with managing and wrestling on Heat if I'm lucky at the moment."
"I tried to help you out at that dinner by bringing it up."
"I know you did. I don't think I thanked you for that, so thank you. I just wished it'd work."
"I get that feeling."
"It's like the storyline is already there. Vince just won't let me have it."
"They just signed you to a new contract. You'll get your chance."
"Maybe. Can I ask you about something?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"Let's say you and Matt didn't like someone that DJ was dating. What would she need to do to get you two to give the guy another chance?"
"Is this about your older brother not liking Chris?"
"Who told you about that?"
"Chris told me about the fight with Randy and how he could tell he wasn't liked all that well, as well as you telling him that pretty much. Randy then also bitched to me about getting into it with Chris." Jeff shrugs. "Guess it comes with being friends with them both. I gave them both a bit of shit because acting up at that birthday party was out of line."
"Did either of them listen though?"
"We both know how hard headed they both are. You know the answer. Anyway, if you want my advice, get Chris to apologize to your brother over the incident at the party. Then, maybe have lunch together, but make sure it's only you three. Keep everyone else away from it, especially Randy."
I nod. "That could work. Thanks, Jeff."
"Have you given Randy shit yet?"
"No, but I will. I would've tonight if he was here."
("Loaded" plays)
"The following is a Mixed Tag Team match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Cameron, North Carolina, weighing in at 225 pounds, the Intercontinental Champion, Jeff Hardy!"
Let me show you what love is.
Let me show you how to move your body.
Let me show you how to make me crazy.
Too much loving never hurt nobody…
"And his partner, first, being accompanied by Marissa, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the WWE Women's Champion, Candice Michelle!"
Ain't no stoppin' me now!
You can't rock with me
No stoppin'
You can't rock with me…
"And their opponents, first, from Orangeburg, South Carolina, weighing in at 248 pounds, Shelton Benjamin!"
("Count on It" plays)
"And his partner, from Buffalo, New York, Beth Phoenix!"
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Shelton and Jeff start the match off. Shelton drives Jeff into a corner immediately. He beats on Jeff. Jeff stumbles out of the corner, but Shelton still holds the advantage. Shelton Irish Whips Jeff into the ropes, but Jeff starts to fight back against Shelton. Jeff Irish Whips Shelton into the ropes and takes him down. Shelton tries to counter Jeff, but Jeff knocks Shelton out of the ring and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. Beth goes to distract Jeff, but Candice knocks Beth off of the apron. Candice joins Jeff on the top rope and they taunt to the crowd before jumping onto their respective rivals. Candice and Jeff get in the ring. Beth and Shelton do as well. Jeff tags in Candice, making both Candice and Beth legal.
Beth knocks Candice down before locking her in a double arm submission. Candice kicks Beth in the knee and elbows her in the face before trying to lock in a Headlock. Beth shoves Candice away and tags in Shelton, making both him and Jeff legal.
As I check on Candice, Jeff immediately runs in and takes Shelton down with a couple of Clothesline before going for the Twist of Fate on Shelton, but Shelton shoves Jeff in the corner. However, Jeff climbs up to the top rope and hits Shelton with the Whisper in the Wind. Jeff continues to beat on Shelton, but Shelton Irish Whips Jeff into the corner. Jeff goes to jump on Shelton, but Shelton counters into a Powerbomb. Shelton pins Jeff.
1…2…kickout!
Shelton stomps on Jeff before locking him in a Facelock. Shelton drives his knee into Jeff's back. Jeff escapes, but Shelton hits him with a Backbreaker. Shelton pins Jeff again.
1…2…kickout!
Shelton Irish Whips Jeff into the ropes again, but they both hit each other with a Crossbody respectively. Both men tag in their partners.
Candice continuously hits Beth before hitting her with a Dropkick. Candice then hits Beth with a Hurricanrana. Candice goes to Irish Whips Beth into a corner, but Beth counters. Candice avoids Beth in the corner and pulls her down. Candice pins Beth.
1…2…kickout!
Candice runs at Beth, but Beth kicks her in the gut. Candice hits Beth with a Facebreaker. Shelton gets into the ring, but Jeff Clotheslines him out. Jeff helps Candice hit Poetry in Motion on Beth before Shelton pulls him out of the ring. Beth clubs Candice from behind while Candice was distracted. Beth hits Candice with a Cradle Suplex before pinning Candice.
1…2…3!
"Here are your winners, Shelton Benjamin and Beth Phoenix!"
I give concerned looks to both Candice and Jeff before locking eyes with Beth. Beth smirks at me. I cross my arms and glare at Beth. I knew that there was no way that I was getting my match for the Women's Championship now, but if Beth was able to beat Candice, I had no issue taking on Beth myself.