"Leave me alone." I cried.
"Get up." Jeff told me. "It's time to leave."
"How did you get into my room?" I asked.
"That door, it's open." He answered.
I threw a pillow at him, but did get up. I told him to leave as I showered and stuff. He said we had to meet in the lobby in an hour and a half. Plenty of time. I took a pretty quick shower and spent the rest of the time packing. Getting everything together. Making sure I didn't lose any of it.
I met up with everyone in the lobby. We were waiting to bored a small bus that would take us to the airport. Adam and Jay were reading WOW magazine. Checking up on the latest WWF news. In it mentioned something about this new TV station. Matt and Jeff were in the gift shop getting some food for the ride. I sat next to Adam.
"What does it say?" I asked.
"What do you think?" He folded over the magazine and on the cover was Vince and something about the station.
"I know, but what does it say about it."
"If you didn't know already, Vince made you the official spokes person of it. You're going to be promoting it and doing a lot of work on it."
"Serious?" I asked. He handed me the magazine. "I wanted to be involved but not this involved."
"You and Cole have a news show. You have to talk about what goes on inside the ring, in character. As for what goes on outside the ring, Vince has men in control of that."
"Oh, so he dicked me over with the stuff that doesn't really count. I really wanted to help out with the real thing."
"Sorry."
I knew since that Undertaker and Kane thing Vince was going to be on my case. It was very clear to me he didn't like how I got involved. His version of punishment wasn't by suspension, But by a series of sucky matches and other things. And, yes, suspension if it was necessary. But, if it wasn't for me sweet talking Vince, I wouldn'd have this belt shot and neither would the Hardyz. Plus, whatever freedom we had in shaping our own destinies would be over.
Anyway, Vince told us about our matches for Smackdown. I was finally having that belt shot, and the Hardyz would face the Dudleyz for the Tag Team Titles. So, half of what we wanted was in effect. Also on Smackdown more with The Rock and Triple H. The on going drama with them. Triple H would be facing Austin tonight and The Rock would over hear a plan Austin had to screw with Triple H. He wanted to get him backstage and unable to fight in the match. Rocky would attack.
That's where I stop talking about Rocky and HHH. And start talking about what I was hearing with Adam, Jay, Matt, and Jeff. Two matches before the Tag Team Title match, Edge and Christian are to face the APA. The four men were talking about how they were going to get the Hardyz involved in helping E and C win. We had the freedom. Also, on top of all the HHH Rocky drama, Hunter was telling Jericho something. An added bonus to his idea. Austin was going to go after Steph and Jericho was going to be the one to help her and return her to HHH. A simple, yet good way for the two to bond. Anyone who saves HHH's wife is automatically a friend.
It was now set. I was friends with everyone, all eight. Jericho was making it with Triple H, and could easily help out with anyone. The two tag teams could do the same. It was all about the placement of how it would go. You couldn't throw it all at the fans in one night. It had to be done slowly. Sunday Night Heat, I heard, would be another shot. Nothing with Triple H or The Rock. But, with E and C and Jericho. Jericho would come in on E and C's side during a tag match against X-Pac and Justin Credible. And, do the same when the Hardyz would face them on RAW. But, with the Hardyz, E and C would be doing a little backstage beating before the match. Then Jericho's appearance would top it off.
So, it was all falling into place. An idea that has grown into something huge. Bonds would be made and people were gonna be amazed. It would take a week or so for the minor things to fall out. It's a lot to think about. In a short time. But, it would be amazing. Tonight would be the finishing touches on the Hardyz and E and C. And continue with Triple H and Rocky, with Jericho thrown in. I think Rocky was the one who is going to tell Jericho to watch out for Steph. I don't know though. Anyway, I was bored on the bus ride, and was sick of hearing everyone's ideas. So, I sat with Steph.
"Intense huh?" I asked.
"You're telling me! I've never seen these guys to wrapped up in an idea before." She said. "It is a great idea though. I hear that Jericho's gonna save me from Austin."
"Who would have thought that?"
"Right, but hey it's what they want."
"I just heard what Matt, Jeff, Adam, and Jay plan to do tonight."
"What's that?" She asked.
"Matt and Jeff are going to help Adam and Jay against the APA. And, I'm sure E and C will get involved with the Dudleyz."
"All we have to do is just sit back and watch. I don't have to do much. And, you're already friends with them all."
"Yup, we have it easy." I said.
"You're the reason why they're doing this. You know that, right? It's because of you they're giving all this a shot." She told me.
"What could I have done?" I asked.
"You came in here. When you got here every guy wanted to get a hold of you. Then, you made friends with the seven of them. And, they wanted to do something about it. You mentioned the idea of it all happening, and since they all took a liking to you, they went through with it."
"Oh." I said.
"Anyway, it looks like my father has given you a pretty major role in this new station."
"I know." I said.
"I haven't met anyone my father respects more than his own kids."
"Yeah, he is a nice guy. But, lately I've been noticing something."
"What?" She asked.
"Well, you're father's been real close to me. But, ever since I helped Mark and Glen he's been screwing with me."
"You're just imagining it." She said.
"I don't know. You watch. See how things go tonight."
She nodded. Steph was the sweetest girl. She loved her father, but he did have some of the qualities he had inside the ring. He was a forceful man. It was his way or the highway. And, he was very demanding. He wasn't afraid. He would do whatever it takes to keep the business running to the way he wanted it.
He was going to start me off slow. Put me in shitty matches. Doing what he did with the station. Not that I wasn't happy. But, I knew all I was going to do would involve being in character and the boring things. Wonderful for me. But, I would take whatever job I could get for that station. Then, after the matches he'd start to provoke me backstage and then he'd work his way into the ring. While that is going around, he'll piss off those closest to me and make it like hell for them. I know the whole deal.
After this match tonight, against Ivory, I wouldn't be getting the matches I really wanted. And, if I went for him for any ideas for matches for myself or others, he wouldn't be so quick to hand them over. He already promised the freedom thing, but he could take it away. I did have to watch myself. Wait for all of this to work and then yell at him. Once it was done, or really started, he couldn't take it away. The fans liked it too much.
We arrived at the airport and waited to bored our two hour flight. I sat in a chair and watched planes take off. I still hate to fly. I had a bag of peanuts and was tossing them in my mouth.
"Earth to Destiny." I heard Matt say. I turned to him and a peanut I threw hit the floor.
"Hey, Matt sit down." I said.
"What's up?" He asked.
"Nothing really. Watching the planes. The more I watch the more nervous I get."
"Oh, right, you hate flying." He put his hand on mine. "Heard about the Jay thing."
"And?"
"Loved how you played it off so well." He said.
"You knew?" I asked.
"Well, not at first but when Adam told us about you saying you were just friends I kinda got the idea." He answered.
"Nothing gets by you."
"Now that I am positive there was nothing there and nothing to ge over, lets talk about a certain someone." He turned and looked at Jeff who was talking with Adam.
"Jeff." I said.
"Right, Jeff. He likes you. I know he does. I know my brother too well." He looked at me. "Look, don't let this one go."
I was going to tell him my entire plan, but held back. He took his drink and joined Jeff and Adam. I finished off the bag of peanuts and got up. I stood around waiting to bored. The call was made and we slowly got on the plane.
I grabbed the seat next to Jeff before Matt could. He saw me get into the seat and he smiled as he passed. Jeff adjusted a few things and smiled at me.
"So, a lot's going on now backstage." I said.
"Yeah, with all these alliances starting." He replied.
"I heard what you and E and C have planned."
"What do you think?" He asked.
"Whatever you guys need to do is fine with me." I answered. I put my hand on my stomach.
"Are you OK?" He asked.
"No, I feel sick all of a sudden."
I got up and ran to the bathroom. Adam saw and got up after me. He waited by the door, hearing what went on inside.
"Hey, you OK?" He asked.
"Does it sound like I am OK?"
"Yeah, wrong question." He tried to open the door. "Let me in." I crawled over to the door and unlocked it. "Was it something you ate?"
"I didn't really eat much today." I answered.
"Maybe that's why." He reached into his pocket and pulled out an old melted chocolate bar. That made me throw up even harder. "What? It's still good." He finished it up.
"Thank you, Adam. That's just what I needed to see."
He sat down next to me. "You know we have a tapping today."
"I know that." I said.
"You have a belt shot." Gee, thanks for making me feel so much better.
"Yes, Adam, I know that."
"It would suck if you couldn't fight."
"Yes, Adam, I know that." I said again, but more pissed off.
"You better hope it passes."
I cried and then fell into his lap. I wanted to kill him for making me feel a whole lot better. After a few more minutes in the bathroom I went back and sat with Jeff. He looked at me as I sat down.
"I'm feeling better now." I said. "I'm sure it's just my fear of flying."
"Yeah, maybe." He replied. There was that weird silence for a while. "If you're not feeling well maybe I can get Vince to give you that title shot another time."
"Won't work. Right now he's just a little pissed at me."
"For what? Undertaker and Kane? That's a bullshit reason if you ask me."
"Yes, well that's what I think. You just wait and see."
"It doesn't really matter. You have your belt shot, and we have ours."
"You're missing the point." I said. "I didn't do anything wrong, and he's going to punish me for that. He's going to take away this nice little alliance we have going. He can ya know."
"He wouldn't do that."
"You said that yourself. Remember? Don't fuck up that relationship."
"That was Adam."
"Still, I'm screwed."
"Don't say that." He told me. "He'll cool off."
"He better."
I put my head back and closed my eyes. I wasn't feel so hot. Jeff knew enough to leave me alone. The plan landed and I just left by myself. I didn't want to talk or see anyone. I just wanted to get to the arena and get this match over with. I didn't even care if I won or not. I just cared if I was going to make it.
Matt and Jeff took me to the hotel. There, I put my things down and we headed to the arena. I sat in the back quite the whole way. I had bought something in the gift shop for my stomach and I was waiting for it to take effect.
"Are you sure you want this match?" Matt asked.
"Yes." I answered. "I'm feeling better already."
"That's because you threw up on the side of the road." Jeff said.
"Please, Jeff." Matt said.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
"All right, champ." Matt said. I could see him smile in the rearview mirror.
We arrived at the arena. I was just waiting for Vince to come in and say my match was canceled. But, he didn't. Hardyz and E and C were getting ready in one corner. Trips and Rocky were already in place. I watched on a TV.
"Hunter, just be calm." Steph said.
"How can I be calm? I have to face Austin. God, I'm going to rip him apart!"
"I know what he did was wrong, but you have to be cool until then." She walked to him and put her hand on his. "For me?"
"For you."
The cameras switched to Rocky. He was walking in. He didn't have a match. Then, went to Austin walking in. And finally, to the ring where The APA's music started. Bradshaw and Faarooq walked down the ramp. Once they were in the ring Edge and Christian's music started. They did their thing and then Edge was set to face off Bradshaw.
Match went on like any other. I saw Matt and Jeff ready to run in. Christian got a huge hit from Bradshaw and that's when they ran in with chairs. They beat on the APA until the ref got up and then they dove out of the ring. Christian laid on Bradshaw for the win. The Hardyz then helped E and C out of the ring. The four ran, and I mean ran, up the ramp.
I was backstage watching it all, laughing. The four of them laughed as they walked by. I followed them. They sat in the locker room now talking about the Hardyz match. Matt said that Adam and Jay should stand on the ramp and watch the match. Then, when the Hardyz win, E and C were going to run down and beat on the Dudleyz.
"Hey, it's the future Women's Champ." Adam said once he saw me there.
"Don't say that, I'm not yet." I told him.
"You will be." He said. "We'll make sure of it."
"I don't want any of you running in for me. I want to beat Ivory myself. I know I can. And, if any RTC member comes out, then you can. But, leave Ivory for me."
"All right." Jeff said. "You got it."
"Good." I said with a smile.
Now, it was back to this Austin thing. Steph was standing around when Austin came up. She jumped and grabbed the nearest thing, a pipe.
"I'll use this if I have to." She said.
"Oh, calm your ass down." He told her. He took the pipe from her.
"What do you want?" She asked.
"You very well know what I want."
He walked closer to her. She bitched slapped him. Austin got pissed and was ready to hit back when Jericho grabbed onto his hand. You could hear the crowd's volume grow.
"No, no Stone Cold." Jericho said. "Not this time." He walked to Steph and put his arm around her. "Ya see, we've got this thing going on, on the side here and I'd really like it if you stayed out." He smiled.
He put his fist up again. This time, Jericho responded with a nice kick to the groin and dragged Steph away. He went to Triple H's locker room and let himself in.
"I believe this is yours." He said handing her over.
"Jericho, what have I told you about you putting you hands on my wife."
"Hunter, when you hear this you'll be just as surprised as I am." Steph said. "I ran into Austin and he tried something again. And, he tried to hit me after I hit him. Jericho here stopped it all."
"Really?" Hunter asked with a surprised look on his face. "Thanks, Jericho."
"Yeah, no problem." Jericho said, then he left.
The Hardyz match. They were nervous, very nervous. Adam and Jay told them to calm down, they had their backs. Adam and Jay said they wouldn't run in until the Hardyz won. All of them were so confident they'd win. I wasn't going to walk out with the Hardyz this time. I had to worry about my match right after.
A few minutes into the match, E and C stood and the top of the ramp. They just stood there, pointing. The Hardyz did win it. Matt's Twist Of Fate followed by Jeff's Swanton Bomb sealed it. Matt covered D-von for the win.
After the victory, E and C ran down and started beating on the Dudleyz some more. Then, walked back with Matt Jeff. Now, it was my turn. Before that, the cameras went on Rocky.
"Listen, Angel I need your help." Austin said. "I need you to help me with Triple H. Before I rip him into pieces in the ring, I need you to set him up backstage. Can you handle that?"
"Of course, Austin." Angel said.
With that, Rocky went to Triple H's locker room and banged on the door. Triple H answered it, but he wasn't so happy to see the People's Champ.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"I heard something, with Austin." He answered. "And it took a lot for me to come here and save your candy ass, but I am. He's got Angel looking for ya. I suggest you don't leave this room."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Hunter, maybe you should." Steph said. "He did help me out."
"That you did, but I can't see Austin going to Angel."
"Well, he did."
Hunter stood around for a while then said, "all right, I believe you."
Rocky nodded and there was a commercial. My match was right after those commercials. I was still pacing in my room.
"Please, stop." Matt said. "You're making me very nervous."
"Then don't watch." I told him.
"Do something else, please." He said. I stopped pacing and began to jump. "Not that!"
"Leave me alone!" I yelled. "I am about to have the most important match of my career so far."
"You'll do fine." Adam said. He got up and started rubbing my shoulders. "This is your time now." A guy came in and told me to get to the ramp.
"Well, this is it." I said.
"Good luck!" Jeff told me.
"You won't need it." Jay replied. I thanked them and left.
"Well, Tazz you just saw a series of events that have surprised everyone." Michael Cole said. "First the Hardyz and Edge and Christian helping each other out. Then, Jericho helping out Stephanie McMahon-Helsmley. And, then The Rock getting involved with Triple H!"
"I have to say for once, Coleslaw, I have to agree." Tazz said. "Things are going very weird around here."
"Off that note, Destiny here has a title match against Ivory."
"Destiny's got the talent and the determination that's going to get her the gold. There is no doubt in my mind that she's gonna walk away with the title."
"We can't forget though about Right To Censor. Ivory's partner's in crime."
"Even with RTC, she still will win. She's also got a few friends backstage herself. But, even with that I believe in this girl very much and she's going places." Tazz said.
After that, my music started. I came out with a huge pop from the crowd. They loved me. Once I got in the ring RTC's music started. Ivory came out alone. I was surprised, but was expecting any of the members of RTC to run in.
Backstage, RTC was taking the necessary deeds to make sure no one ran in for me. Val Venus locked Jeff, Matt, Adam, and Jay in the locker room. Goodfather made sure Jericho was busy by pushing him around. Triple H and The Rock were too busy in their own affairs to care. So, I was screwed.
Meanwhile, in the ring, I was kicking ass. It looked like Ivory had no shot, not a chance in hell. Lets face it, it doesn't take much to push her around. I got on the turnbuckle to deliver the Bitch Bomb when Steven Richards got involved. He knocked me off and I feel onto the turnbuckle, one leg on each side. It hurt.
He threw me off outside the ring. Ivory got to the ref and distracted him so Steven could do a number on me. He threw me into the stairs then tossed me back in the ring. Then, he set me up for the Steven Kick. Bam, right in the face. I laid there in pain, Steven had basically fought Ivory's fight. Once good ol' Stevie Richards was done, Ivory kicked me while I was getting up and went for the pin. One, two, kick out. I wasn't going to back down that easy.
Matt and Jeff were freaked out by now, watching the monitors and seeing what was going on. Adam and Jay were just as bad. Jericho couldn't get passed Goodfather, Val had come over and helped him out. All four men locked in the locker room were jumping at the door to break it down.
Anyway, Ivory did get a few shots to me while I was recovering from Steven. But, after she tried to hit me with the belt, I fought back. I started throwing out everything I could. Even getting Richards in the process. I made it back up onto the turnbuckle and did the Bitch Bomb and got the win.
The four men finally got the door open as I Bitch Bombed Ivory. The ref handed me the belt and I raised in the air. I nearly fell over thanks to Steven Richards beating on me. Jeff ran down after I had won. I hugged him and he raised the belt with me. He helped me out. We got to the top of the ramp and continued to cheer. Jeff grabbed me by the shoulders and looked at me. He went in for a deep kiss, but instead just gave me one on the cheek.
I was amazed that he even tried to kiss me. Not that if he did would have been a bad thing, I wanted him too. Ugh, it's complicated. Anyway, I got backstage to a huge applause. I bowed and held the Women's Title up high.
"What did I tell ya?" Adam said. "I knew it, I knew it all along."
"You really are a champ, you didn't need any of us." Jay said.
"Yeah, have a nice day too, prick." Chris yelled down the hall. "Do you believe that? Freaking Val Venus and Goodfather attack me so I can't run in." He looked down. "But, I can see you didn't need it! Congrats!" He hugged me.
"We were locked in this locker room. Look, we broke the door down." Matt said.
"Hey, before I go out for my match, I want to say congrats." Hunter said.
"Thank you." I replied.
We all watched after the commercial break. Angel was behind a corner, stalking Triple H, just waiting. Triple H heard from The Rock what Angel's intentions were. So, when Angel stepped out looking all friendly, Triple H knew what to expect. The fans got a real kick out of it when Triple H shoved Angel into a garbage pail.
The match had started. The two men beat the living hell out of each other. Rocky was going to make the biggest move of his life. Triple H was near the end, Austin had him. That's when he struck. He started to run down the ramp, chair in hand. Steph got to the ref. Rocky beat the living hell out of Austin with that chair. After he was done, he took the chair and dove out of the ring. Steph stepped of the ring and the ref went back to the match. Triple H already had Austin in the pin. He had won.
After he won, Triple H took a long look at Rocky who looked back at him. Both looked like they were going to kill each other. Rocky stepped into the ring and they paced around each other. Triple H took Rocky's hand and raised it in the air. The crowd went insane!
Backstage I was jumping up and down. Even though I was in pain. Anyway, I knew this would happen, but it was exciting to see it all go down. They came backstage and I went and hugged them both.
"So, the crowd does like it!" I said.
"Guess so, there's still more that has to be done." Hunter said. "I have to have my turn with him. And, Jericho has to get involved."
"Not to mention these tag teams."
"Don't worry about us." Adam said.
"Right, they have me." I said. "I'm friends with all y'all."
"True. So, I guess that's fine." Hunter replied with a smile.
So, it looked like everything was going great. Then, Vince came in. He looked at the eight of us standing around talking. He stepped in the center of the room.
"Well, congrats on the two new champs tonight." He said. "And, this plan of yours is going great."
"See, we told you." Hunter said.
"Never doubted you." He replied. "Now, Destiny, you and Mr. Cole are starting tomorrow at like noon. Every noon."
"OK." I said.
"Be ready. This is a live show and I don't want that many screw ups." He looked directly at me when he said that. Steph had come into the room.
"I won't screw up." I said.
"Well, if you keep acting the way you have, then maybe." He started to walk away. "Oh, tomorrow you'll be fighting Haku."
"What?" I asked.
"Haku." He repeated and walked out.
"Goddamn!" I yelled. I threw my newly won belt at the door.
"Woah, calm down." Matt said.
"What did I tell you?" I asked.
"But, why?" Jeff asked.
"I wish I knew." I answered. "I mean, if it's because of Undertaker and Kane-"
"It can't be." Adam said. "That doesn't seem right.
"It's the only reason I can think of." I replied.
Dwayne picked my belt up and handed it to me. "I can find out." He said.
"I will." Steph spoke up. She left the room.
Vince was in his room getting ready to leave when Steph came in. "Stephanie, come in. What do you want?" He asked.
"I need to ask you something daddy."
"OK." He said.
"Well, I was wondering why you're not being fair with Destiny." She told him.
"It's too complicated for you to understand." He said.
"I don't think so, daddy." Steph said. She sat down. "Tell me."
"Well, in all honesty hunny, I don't like what she's becoming." He told her.
"How can you say that? She's one of the fastest growing new comers."
"She's too hot for me. Too good. The people love her too much."
"Dad, that's good for the business." Steph said. "Look, I don't like what you're doing with her."
"You don't have to like it. You don't own the WWF."
"Are you for real? Look around, dad, there's no cameras. Fans aren't seeing this. We're talking about for real, dad."
"I know we are." He said.
She didn't know what to say after that, so she left. Then, told me, and everyone else. I was out-ragged. Completely, 100% pissed off. I picked up a chair that was in the locker room and threw it at the wall. It made a clanky sound as it hit the wall.
"You need to calm down." Matt told me.
"Calm down, I can't calm down!" I yelled. Vince walked in the room and I went to lunge at him. Matt and Jay both grabbed me to hold me back.
"Have any of you seen my jacket?" He asked.
"No, Vince, we haven't." Hunter answered.
He nodded and left. Matt and Jay let me go and I charged at the door. After a few minutes and punching the door we left. I was still pissed off. I didn't talk to anyone on the way to the hotel. Once I got into my room I threw everything down, even the belt I had just won. There was a knock.
"What?" I asked.
"It's me, Jeff. Can I come in? Or, are you going to bite my head off?"
I let him in. "You can come in, but be careful, I might bite."
"Well, this isn't good." He said.
"Yeah, no fucking shit." I replied.
"Woah, woah, don't jump on the defensive so quickly. We're on the same team here."
"I know, Jeff, I'm sorry. It's just, I can't believe this. He's pissed at me for being good."
"It's all about popularity around here." He told me. "Same thing happened with the Triple H thing. He was thrown in with Steph because he was too popular. Now you've come around and all that's changing."
"A lot of things are changing since I've been here." I said. "I don't know if that's good or bad."
"It's good, very good." Jeff told me. He picked up my belt. "This is a start of something. Something big, you know that right? It's more than just the belt. It's a bond between eight superstars a bond that millions of fans never thought would happen. Don't you see? You've started something amazing. The fans love you, the announcers love you, other superstars love you. Vince is right, you are very hot. You are a very hot new comer."
I smiled. Jeff was throwing complementing me left and right. I took the belt from him and said, "this right here symbolizes strength. My strength in blowing off two people. Beating the odds to become the WWF's Women's Champ."
"Now that's a good way to look at it." He told me. I sighed. "What's wrong?"
"You don't have to ask." I answered. "The most amazing thing of my career has happened and I can't enjoy it because I am too pissed off about Vince."
"I can't say forget about it, because you can't. But, just think about what you've done. What you just won. This is a belt, something every wrestler dreams of."
"I know." I said. "And, I really am happy about this. But, it's hard to show when you know your boss can't stand you. I mean, I thought he respected me, ya know."
"I know. It's a huge blow here too." Jeff told me.
I sat on my bed, and Jeff followed. I rested my head on his shoulder, then got behind him and wrapped my arms around him. I wanted to tell him now what I will be soon enough. There's just one thing standing in my way. Something that's bigger than life. Something that would force me out of the WWF for a while.