Times in the WWE have been hard as of late, especially for Vince McMahon.
On accounts of being sued by numerous people and companies, the WWE is
loosing money and superstars are leaving for other companies such as the
OVW. Now, Vince is left to bring everyone out of the ashes, and it couldn't
come at a worse time.
"One week till vacation!" Everyone was cheering.
It was already mid December and the holidays were approaching fast. WWE merchandise was selling well but money was still an issue for the McMahon's. Usually, the superstars get two weeks off, but this year, Vince would have to make some cuts.
"Everyone report to the cafeteria." Vince announced and everyone was soon eating the free food in the arena café. "Hello, as you know times have been hard for us around this holiday season." Vince began and everyone murmured in agreement. "Quiet please. I'm afraid I have some bad news." That made everyone's voice rise in protest. "Hear me out damit!" Vince yelled and everyone grew a hush. "Pay will be cut drastically depending on the superstar." Everyone began to yell again but Vince raised a hand and everyone settled down again. "And we'll only have one week off this year." That did it, everyone leaped up and began to yell in anger.
"What the hell kinda joke you pullin McMahon?" Booker T stood on the table.
"Look Book, this aint no joke." Vince growled. "I'll be talking to some of you individually later on before the live show." He left and everyone began to talk angrily.
"Yo guys, we need to settle this out." Booker said to some of the other main event superstars. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, The Rock, Rob Van Dam, Kurt Angle and the others followed him to Vince's room.
"Vince!" They all burst through, nearly tearing down the door.
"Ah, I've been meaning to talk to you guys." Vince stood up. "Now, I know you are all main event superstars and because of our need for you, you will be needed more."
"And what the hell does that mean?" RVD pounded Vince's desk.
"There will be a few sacrifices." Vince said and everyone tensed at the word. "You will all be sharing two hotel rooms, you will only have two days off this Christmas and we'll have to give you larger pay cuts."
"What, so since we're main event guys we get giped?" Hunter gasped.
"I'm sorry, but I can't risk the company, you're our best bet." Vince replied.
"Look, it's not that we don't understand boss," Y2J began.
"Oh great, then since you all understand, you may go now." Vince sat down.
"But Vince, I.." Jericho tried to continue.
"I said leave!" Vince yelled and everyone backed out of the room.
"Looks like this is gonna be some Merry Christmas." Triple H growled.
"Oh, by the way champ." Vince called and Trips turned around. "You'll be needed the most, so I'm willing to give you a larger pay if you agree to one term."
"What?" Hunter looked around to make sure everyone was gone.
"I'll have to cut pay on the others and you'll support them." Vince replied.
"Alright, I'll agree to that, if I remain champion." Triple H added.
"Agreed, now go, and speak nothing to the others." Vince warned and Triple H nodded, taking his leave.
That night at the hotel.
"Hunter, are you hungry?" Stephanie asked as they lay down in the bed.
"No, thanks." Triple H replied.
"Is something wrong?" She sat up and he looked over at her.
"No." He forced a convincing smile.
"Hey, can it, I'm tired." The Rock groaned from the second bed.
"Give me some blanket." Kurt tugged at it and Rock pulled back.
"Be quiet!" HBK and RVD cried from the next room. It had only one bed.
"Shut up Angle." Booker T growled from the fold up bed.
"Sucka." Jericho growled, he lay on the floor.
"Good night." Stephanie pounded on the wall and everyone was quiet.
"I guess you and I are the ones in charge now." Triple H sighed and they went to sleep. The next morning, everyone was waking up from a very odd night sleep.
"Guys, wake up!" Booker T ran in from the other room, waking everyone else up.
"What is it, what's wrong?" The Rock woke up from his dream.
"It's Chris, something's wrong with him." Book panted.
"Hu?" Kurt rolled off the bed, mangled in the sheets.
"Hmm, no wonder I was cold." Rocky said, looking down at him. Everyone went to the next room where HBK was tending to him.
"I don't know how long he's been like this, all I know is when I went to the bathroom and came back, he wasn't well." RVD replied as Triple H entered.
"How is he?" Stephanie asked, kneeling down by Shawn.
"He has a fever." Shawn put a hand on Chris's forehead then his own.
"Poor kid." Steph sighed as she looked down at Chris. His bangs were damp with sweat, his face was all red and pale and he struggled and tensed in breathing.
"We should get the trainer." Hunter took control and walked down the hall. Five minutes later, he came back with their trainer Dan.
"So it's Chris hu?" Dan said as he noticed everyone around the young superstar. "Well let's just have a look see." He listened carefully to Chris's heart and pulled the thermometer out of his mouth to inspect it. Everyone watched as he began to put the pieces of the problem together.
"Chris has been getting sick a lot recently, if that matters." Rob pointed out.
"Hmm, I'll take that into consideration." The trainer nodded and pulled a small light out of his pocket and opened Jericho's mouth. Finally, he came to a deduction. "I don't think it's much of anything, just a fever and minor bronchitis. He should be fine in a few days." Everyone nodded, understanding as Dan packed up his things and left.
"Aw, poor Chris." HBK sighed and sat back down.
"Should we tell Vince?" Stephanie asked.
"No, Chris wouldn't like that." Triple H stepped forward. "And as much as I hate to put the kid in any kind of risk, he still needs to perform because we need the money."
"Why do you say that Trips?" The Rock asked. Triple H let the cat out of the bag.
"I didn't want to tell you this, but Vince is cutting all of our pay and as the champ, it's my duty to support you all. This is all on me, I'm sorry but it the way it is." He said.
"No, it's ok. We understand." Kurt Angle replied quietly.
"Then we'd better get ready. Tonight is Raw and since only us main event guys are performing, we need to do our best if we want to get paid." Triple h sighed.
That night before Raw...
"Ok I have your match assignments." Vince said as he walked into the cafeteria where everyone was eating. Since they had to be on a very tight budget, they couldn't buy any food and were just eating now, the free food offered in the arena cafeteria.
"What's up Vince?" Triple H stood up.
"Here, do your best." Vince handed him a paper and left.
"Alright, here's the game plan." Triple H cleared his throat and everyone looked up. "Rock, you and Angle are fighting in a hardcore match. Rob, you and HBK are in a triple threat match with Book. Chris, you're having a match with me. Are you up to it?"
"Yea, why'd you ask?" Chris asked, not knowing everyone knew of his condition. Triple H could tell how hard Chris was trying to talk normal, he was coughing horribly in his sleep in the afternoon and Hunter was worried for his safety.
"No reason, just checking up on everyone." Hunter replied. "So after you guys get done eating, plan your matches. And I suggest you not eat to much so you don't loose it all in the ring. I know this is our only food, but we can eat after the show."
Raw would only be a little over an hour with the three matches and everyone doing a promo. But the fans understood that most everyone was on vacation. Vince was actually the ref for all the matches that night and Stephanie was the only announcer.
After Raw..
"Great night guys." Vince came into the cafeteria where everyone was eating again. "My, you guys sure do work up an appetite."
"Sorry daddy." Stephanie blushed and tried to eat lady like.
"I'll see you later at the hotel, the bus comes in an hour." Vince said.
"I forgot we're all going on a rented school bus." Triple H sighed. He looked over at Chris Jericho who was picking at the little bit of food he had taken. "Good match."
"Hu?" Chris looked up at Hunter's voice. He smiled. "Thanks."
"Are you sure you're ok?" Triple H asked, noticing Chris's stomach growl.
"Yea, just an upset stomach is all." Chris smirked and Triple H nodded. After everyone finished and cleaned their rooms up, they got on the bus and were soon at the hotel. Everyone went into their room and decided to go to sleep early, they needed it.
"You really want the floor?" Booker T asked Chris.
"Yea." Chris nodded, clearing his throat for a tenth time since their arrival.
"You can trade with me." RVD suggested.
"Or me." HBK added.
"No I'm fine!" Chris raised his voice and he winced at the pain. Everyone grew quiet, they knew how proud Chris could be due to his big ego. "Good night." Chris lay down on the floor and curled up under the blanket. Everyone went to sleep.
The next day..
"Vince, I have to talk to you before you go review SmackDown with everyone." Triple H was in Vince's room, which happened to suspiciously be a hotel suite.
"What?" Vince asked and got up from a fancy room service meal.
"Don't you think you're spending too much in this condition?" Hunter asked.
"Who are you to question me champ, if you want to stay champ." Vince said.
"Oh, no, I'm sorry." Triple H gulped and changed his tone of voice.
"What's on your mind?" Vince asked and Triple H went to speak.
"Knock, knock." Somebody said at the door, they turned to see Shane McMahon.
"Hey son." Vince smiled and stood up to greet him.
"I've come to invite you to my party back home with mom." Shane said.
"You know I'm too busy, you know the condition of the WWE." Vince replied.
"But we're going all out to make it really great." Shane pointed out.
"Spending more money?" Vince growled and Shane tensed. "Bah, humbug!"
"Aw." Shane sighed and Triple H patted him on the shoulder.
"I'm sorry but I can't come." Vince turned his back.
"But sir, it's your family, it's Christmas." Triple H jumped in.
"Is this any of your concern, champ?" Vince growled.
"No sir, I'm sorry." Triple H cowered, not like him.
"I'm sorry you feel this way, but the invite is open." Shane sighed.
"But my door is not, good by." Vince replied sharply. Shane was about to say 'merry Christmas' but stopped and sadly left. "And you Triple H, if you want to stay champ and you want everyone else to remain employed I suggest you change your attitude." Vince turned swiftly to Triple H. He nodded and shamefully left.
"Did he give you the raise?" Stephanie asked when Hunter returned. He shook his head no. "Didn't you tell him about Chris?" She asked and he shook his head no again.
"I couldn't, he just lashed out at his own son. He tore his heart and soul out Steph, you're brother looked so down after the way your dad treated him." Triple H sighed.
"Oh no." Stephanie felt horrible. "What do we do?"
"We have to perform for SmackDown tonight." Triple H replied.
"But it's Christmas Eve!" Stephanie cried but then sighed.
"I know, it's horrible." Triple H sat down next to her. "It's gonna be ok. It'll all be ok." Triple H assured as he put his arm around her. That night at the arena, everyone was stuffing themselves with the free cafeteria food when Vince came in.
"The show will only be an hour again. The matches are Booker and Rock vs. Angle and Triple H. The other match will be a number one contenders match with HBK and RVD with Jericho as the special guest referee." Vince instructed. "Good luck."
That night after when the main event came, HBK and RVD set the match so Shawn would win. As the match went on, Chris didn't want to tell anyone but he was fading fast. When the hour was about up and HBK went for the winning pin over RVD, Jericho went to count. One, two. but as he lifted his arm up for three, he blacked out. HBK and RVD got up and shook Jericho but he was out cold. The others ran out to get him, the crowd stared in shock and dismay as Stephanie came into the ring with a microphone.
"I'm sorry but Chris has seemed to have fallen under the weather." She said. "So I pronounce the winner by decision, Shawn Michaels." The crowd cheered and the recording ended. As the crowd left, everyone took Chris to the locker room. "Is he ok?"
"Yes, he just blacked out from exoustion." Dan replied.
"What the hell was that?" Vince's voice boomed and everyone cringed.
"I'm sorry, Chris seems to be quite sick." Dan said.
"I don't care." Vince growled and he turned to Triple H who tensed. "That's it, I warned you Hunter, if you didn't take care of everyone."
"No Vince please, you can't." Triple H cried out, his voice cracking.
"You're fired!" Vince spit viciously. "You're all fired!"
"But daddy!" Stephanie cried above the gasps.
"Everyone!" Vince yelled. "Now get out!" The superstars got Chris and left.
"Even me sir?" Dan gulped.
"No, you can go on vacation now since we have no superstars to employ." Vince replied. "Oh, and cancel the house shows for the rest of the week. We return on air next Monday on Raw with a vacant WWE title." Vince said and Dan nodded and left.
"One week till vacation!" Everyone was cheering.
It was already mid December and the holidays were approaching fast. WWE merchandise was selling well but money was still an issue for the McMahon's. Usually, the superstars get two weeks off, but this year, Vince would have to make some cuts.
"Everyone report to the cafeteria." Vince announced and everyone was soon eating the free food in the arena café. "Hello, as you know times have been hard for us around this holiday season." Vince began and everyone murmured in agreement. "Quiet please. I'm afraid I have some bad news." That made everyone's voice rise in protest. "Hear me out damit!" Vince yelled and everyone grew a hush. "Pay will be cut drastically depending on the superstar." Everyone began to yell again but Vince raised a hand and everyone settled down again. "And we'll only have one week off this year." That did it, everyone leaped up and began to yell in anger.
"What the hell kinda joke you pullin McMahon?" Booker T stood on the table.
"Look Book, this aint no joke." Vince growled. "I'll be talking to some of you individually later on before the live show." He left and everyone began to talk angrily.
"Yo guys, we need to settle this out." Booker said to some of the other main event superstars. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, The Rock, Rob Van Dam, Kurt Angle and the others followed him to Vince's room.
"Vince!" They all burst through, nearly tearing down the door.
"Ah, I've been meaning to talk to you guys." Vince stood up. "Now, I know you are all main event superstars and because of our need for you, you will be needed more."
"And what the hell does that mean?" RVD pounded Vince's desk.
"There will be a few sacrifices." Vince said and everyone tensed at the word. "You will all be sharing two hotel rooms, you will only have two days off this Christmas and we'll have to give you larger pay cuts."
"What, so since we're main event guys we get giped?" Hunter gasped.
"I'm sorry, but I can't risk the company, you're our best bet." Vince replied.
"Look, it's not that we don't understand boss," Y2J began.
"Oh great, then since you all understand, you may go now." Vince sat down.
"But Vince, I.." Jericho tried to continue.
"I said leave!" Vince yelled and everyone backed out of the room.
"Looks like this is gonna be some Merry Christmas." Triple H growled.
"Oh, by the way champ." Vince called and Trips turned around. "You'll be needed the most, so I'm willing to give you a larger pay if you agree to one term."
"What?" Hunter looked around to make sure everyone was gone.
"I'll have to cut pay on the others and you'll support them." Vince replied.
"Alright, I'll agree to that, if I remain champion." Triple H added.
"Agreed, now go, and speak nothing to the others." Vince warned and Triple H nodded, taking his leave.
That night at the hotel.
"Hunter, are you hungry?" Stephanie asked as they lay down in the bed.
"No, thanks." Triple H replied.
"Is something wrong?" She sat up and he looked over at her.
"No." He forced a convincing smile.
"Hey, can it, I'm tired." The Rock groaned from the second bed.
"Give me some blanket." Kurt tugged at it and Rock pulled back.
"Be quiet!" HBK and RVD cried from the next room. It had only one bed.
"Shut up Angle." Booker T growled from the fold up bed.
"Sucka." Jericho growled, he lay on the floor.
"Good night." Stephanie pounded on the wall and everyone was quiet.
"I guess you and I are the ones in charge now." Triple H sighed and they went to sleep. The next morning, everyone was waking up from a very odd night sleep.
"Guys, wake up!" Booker T ran in from the other room, waking everyone else up.
"What is it, what's wrong?" The Rock woke up from his dream.
"It's Chris, something's wrong with him." Book panted.
"Hu?" Kurt rolled off the bed, mangled in the sheets.
"Hmm, no wonder I was cold." Rocky said, looking down at him. Everyone went to the next room where HBK was tending to him.
"I don't know how long he's been like this, all I know is when I went to the bathroom and came back, he wasn't well." RVD replied as Triple H entered.
"How is he?" Stephanie asked, kneeling down by Shawn.
"He has a fever." Shawn put a hand on Chris's forehead then his own.
"Poor kid." Steph sighed as she looked down at Chris. His bangs were damp with sweat, his face was all red and pale and he struggled and tensed in breathing.
"We should get the trainer." Hunter took control and walked down the hall. Five minutes later, he came back with their trainer Dan.
"So it's Chris hu?" Dan said as he noticed everyone around the young superstar. "Well let's just have a look see." He listened carefully to Chris's heart and pulled the thermometer out of his mouth to inspect it. Everyone watched as he began to put the pieces of the problem together.
"Chris has been getting sick a lot recently, if that matters." Rob pointed out.
"Hmm, I'll take that into consideration." The trainer nodded and pulled a small light out of his pocket and opened Jericho's mouth. Finally, he came to a deduction. "I don't think it's much of anything, just a fever and minor bronchitis. He should be fine in a few days." Everyone nodded, understanding as Dan packed up his things and left.
"Aw, poor Chris." HBK sighed and sat back down.
"Should we tell Vince?" Stephanie asked.
"No, Chris wouldn't like that." Triple H stepped forward. "And as much as I hate to put the kid in any kind of risk, he still needs to perform because we need the money."
"Why do you say that Trips?" The Rock asked. Triple H let the cat out of the bag.
"I didn't want to tell you this, but Vince is cutting all of our pay and as the champ, it's my duty to support you all. This is all on me, I'm sorry but it the way it is." He said.
"No, it's ok. We understand." Kurt Angle replied quietly.
"Then we'd better get ready. Tonight is Raw and since only us main event guys are performing, we need to do our best if we want to get paid." Triple h sighed.
That night before Raw...
"Ok I have your match assignments." Vince said as he walked into the cafeteria where everyone was eating. Since they had to be on a very tight budget, they couldn't buy any food and were just eating now, the free food offered in the arena cafeteria.
"What's up Vince?" Triple H stood up.
"Here, do your best." Vince handed him a paper and left.
"Alright, here's the game plan." Triple H cleared his throat and everyone looked up. "Rock, you and Angle are fighting in a hardcore match. Rob, you and HBK are in a triple threat match with Book. Chris, you're having a match with me. Are you up to it?"
"Yea, why'd you ask?" Chris asked, not knowing everyone knew of his condition. Triple H could tell how hard Chris was trying to talk normal, he was coughing horribly in his sleep in the afternoon and Hunter was worried for his safety.
"No reason, just checking up on everyone." Hunter replied. "So after you guys get done eating, plan your matches. And I suggest you not eat to much so you don't loose it all in the ring. I know this is our only food, but we can eat after the show."
Raw would only be a little over an hour with the three matches and everyone doing a promo. But the fans understood that most everyone was on vacation. Vince was actually the ref for all the matches that night and Stephanie was the only announcer.
After Raw..
"Great night guys." Vince came into the cafeteria where everyone was eating again. "My, you guys sure do work up an appetite."
"Sorry daddy." Stephanie blushed and tried to eat lady like.
"I'll see you later at the hotel, the bus comes in an hour." Vince said.
"I forgot we're all going on a rented school bus." Triple H sighed. He looked over at Chris Jericho who was picking at the little bit of food he had taken. "Good match."
"Hu?" Chris looked up at Hunter's voice. He smiled. "Thanks."
"Are you sure you're ok?" Triple H asked, noticing Chris's stomach growl.
"Yea, just an upset stomach is all." Chris smirked and Triple H nodded. After everyone finished and cleaned their rooms up, they got on the bus and were soon at the hotel. Everyone went into their room and decided to go to sleep early, they needed it.
"You really want the floor?" Booker T asked Chris.
"Yea." Chris nodded, clearing his throat for a tenth time since their arrival.
"You can trade with me." RVD suggested.
"Or me." HBK added.
"No I'm fine!" Chris raised his voice and he winced at the pain. Everyone grew quiet, they knew how proud Chris could be due to his big ego. "Good night." Chris lay down on the floor and curled up under the blanket. Everyone went to sleep.
The next day..
"Vince, I have to talk to you before you go review SmackDown with everyone." Triple H was in Vince's room, which happened to suspiciously be a hotel suite.
"What?" Vince asked and got up from a fancy room service meal.
"Don't you think you're spending too much in this condition?" Hunter asked.
"Who are you to question me champ, if you want to stay champ." Vince said.
"Oh, no, I'm sorry." Triple H gulped and changed his tone of voice.
"What's on your mind?" Vince asked and Triple H went to speak.
"Knock, knock." Somebody said at the door, they turned to see Shane McMahon.
"Hey son." Vince smiled and stood up to greet him.
"I've come to invite you to my party back home with mom." Shane said.
"You know I'm too busy, you know the condition of the WWE." Vince replied.
"But we're going all out to make it really great." Shane pointed out.
"Spending more money?" Vince growled and Shane tensed. "Bah, humbug!"
"Aw." Shane sighed and Triple H patted him on the shoulder.
"I'm sorry but I can't come." Vince turned his back.
"But sir, it's your family, it's Christmas." Triple H jumped in.
"Is this any of your concern, champ?" Vince growled.
"No sir, I'm sorry." Triple H cowered, not like him.
"I'm sorry you feel this way, but the invite is open." Shane sighed.
"But my door is not, good by." Vince replied sharply. Shane was about to say 'merry Christmas' but stopped and sadly left. "And you Triple H, if you want to stay champ and you want everyone else to remain employed I suggest you change your attitude." Vince turned swiftly to Triple H. He nodded and shamefully left.
"Did he give you the raise?" Stephanie asked when Hunter returned. He shook his head no. "Didn't you tell him about Chris?" She asked and he shook his head no again.
"I couldn't, he just lashed out at his own son. He tore his heart and soul out Steph, you're brother looked so down after the way your dad treated him." Triple H sighed.
"Oh no." Stephanie felt horrible. "What do we do?"
"We have to perform for SmackDown tonight." Triple H replied.
"But it's Christmas Eve!" Stephanie cried but then sighed.
"I know, it's horrible." Triple H sat down next to her. "It's gonna be ok. It'll all be ok." Triple H assured as he put his arm around her. That night at the arena, everyone was stuffing themselves with the free cafeteria food when Vince came in.
"The show will only be an hour again. The matches are Booker and Rock vs. Angle and Triple H. The other match will be a number one contenders match with HBK and RVD with Jericho as the special guest referee." Vince instructed. "Good luck."
That night after when the main event came, HBK and RVD set the match so Shawn would win. As the match went on, Chris didn't want to tell anyone but he was fading fast. When the hour was about up and HBK went for the winning pin over RVD, Jericho went to count. One, two. but as he lifted his arm up for three, he blacked out. HBK and RVD got up and shook Jericho but he was out cold. The others ran out to get him, the crowd stared in shock and dismay as Stephanie came into the ring with a microphone.
"I'm sorry but Chris has seemed to have fallen under the weather." She said. "So I pronounce the winner by decision, Shawn Michaels." The crowd cheered and the recording ended. As the crowd left, everyone took Chris to the locker room. "Is he ok?"
"Yes, he just blacked out from exoustion." Dan replied.
"What the hell was that?" Vince's voice boomed and everyone cringed.
"I'm sorry, Chris seems to be quite sick." Dan said.
"I don't care." Vince growled and he turned to Triple H who tensed. "That's it, I warned you Hunter, if you didn't take care of everyone."
"No Vince please, you can't." Triple H cried out, his voice cracking.
"You're fired!" Vince spit viciously. "You're all fired!"
"But daddy!" Stephanie cried above the gasps.
"Everyone!" Vince yelled. "Now get out!" The superstars got Chris and left.
"Even me sir?" Dan gulped.
"No, you can go on vacation now since we have no superstars to employ." Vince replied. "Oh, and cancel the house shows for the rest of the week. We return on air next Monday on Raw with a vacant WWE title." Vince said and Dan nodded and left.