Chapter 49
Two weeks later…
NXT was back in full swing at Full Sail University after their stint in Atlanta, Georgia and another NXT Takeover was approaching which was the same weekend as Wrestlemania.
Michelle was at the Performance Center and came out from the back as she received some surprising news. Michelle spotted Ember at the training rings and approached her.
"Okay, you're never gonna believe what they just told me," Michelle told Ember.
"What is it?" Ember said.
"So…..I got an offer to join the cast of Total Divas."
"No way!"
"Way! I mean, I only been in NXT for almost a year and they are already offering a spot on the show? Me?"
"I mean, why not you? This could be a chance to show the entire universe who Michelle Edmondson really is."
"Yeah, but I'm nowhere near as glamorous as the girls on the show. I'm not even on the main roster yet."
"Hey, Autumn was the first NXT superstar to be on Total Divas and look what happened to her. It's still a possibility you could be on the main roster too."
"Yeah, it's a matter of when."
"Wait, does Drew know?"
"No, he doesn't know yet. And besides, if I do decide to be on Total Divas, remember, the whole world will know of my relationship with Drew and I don't want to do something to ruin his image."
"Ruin his image? Come on, Drew is not going to have his image ruined by being on Total Divas and he will support you. Besides, I believe people will see you as WWE's newest it couple."
"Okay, not gonna happen. We're just gonna be Drew and Michelle, WWE superstars and regular people outside of WWE, if I decide to be on Total Divas."
"Which is cool; look, whatever you decide, I'll support you and so will Drew."
"Thank you, I appreciate it. Now, we should prepare for our match at NXT Takeover."
"Let's."
Then a little later, NXT was on and it was time for Michelle's match against Shayna Baszler.
Shayna Baszler's entrance theme played as she came out from the curtain.
"The following is a Women's Division match set for one fall," Mike Rome announced. "Introducing first from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Shayna Baszler."
Shayna raised her arms in the air as she walked down the ramp and taunted the fans before she got into the ring and raised her arms in the air again. Then Shayna removed her towel as Michelle's entrance theme played as she came out from the curtain.
"And her opponent from Oakland, California, Michelle Edmondson," Mike announced.
Michelle was wearing a black and green ribbon tank top, black shorts with green ribbons, black knee socks and her hair curled.
Michelle raised her arms in the air as she walked down the ramp slapping the hands of the fans and went around the ring as she posed on the ring apron before doing a split and turned her legs to the side to get into the ring. Michelle climbed on the turnbuckles and raised her arm in the air as she turned her head and looked at Shayna with her face set on a hard line and got back down as the referee called for the bell.
Michelle and Shayna locked up as Shayna attempted an armbar attempt but Michelle countered with a schoolboy roll up for a one count and Michelle went to kick Shayna but Shayna grabbed Michelle's leg and Michelle and went for the Kirifuda Clutch but Michelle got out of the hold and went for a rollup for a two count and Michelle applied a sleeper hold of her own. Shayna shrugs it off as she grabbed Michelle's arm but Michelle rolled through with another roll-up for a two count and the two stared at each other as Shayna went for a right hand but Michelle ducked and bounced off the ropes and landed a hurricurana and then a dropkick sending Shayna to the ropes.
Michelle landed another dropkick as Shayna stumbled to the corner and Michelle hit a knee to the face and went for another one but Shayna moved out of the way and charged at Michelle but Michelle kicked Shayna in the face and hopped on the middle rope as she grabbed Shayna's arm and went for a lucha armdrag but Shayna blocked it and sent Michelle out of the ring as she fell to the floor. Michelle was clutching her arm as Shayna was mocking her and Shayna got out of the ring as she grabbed Michelle and rammed her to the barricade and Shayna tossed Michelle back into the ring as she covered for a two count.
Shayna then was pounding away at Michelle before she applied a keylock armbar and then she snapped Michelle's arm falling back and Michelle crawled to the ropes as Shayna charged at Michelle and Michelle hit a back elbow and Michelle stumbled to the corner as Shayna charged at Michelle again and Michelle kicked Shayna away. Shayna again charges at Michelle but Michelle leaped over Shayna and rolled through as Shayna landed a clothesline for a two count. Shayna grabbed Michelle by her arm as Michelle was fighting back with right hands as Shayna pushed Michelle away and Michelle went for a right hand but Shayna ducked and Shayna landed a German suplex and then a big lariat for a two count.
Michelle was crawling as Shayna was stalking her and Shayna kicked the injured arm before taunting Michelle and Shayna grabbed Michelle's injured arm as she applied a headlock into an inverted keylock as Michelle broke free with a knee to the head and Shayna rolled through as she grabbed Michelle by her legs but Michelle kicked Shayna away. Shayna went for a kick to the injured arm but Michelle moved out of the way and then landed a jawbreaker and ducked a kick as Michelle rolled into the corner and Michelle leaped onto the middle rope and landed a missile dropkick and both women are down.
Shayna pulled herself up as Michelle kipped up before she landing windmill punches and then a kick to the midsection and then to the face and then went to whip Shayna to the ropes but Shayna reversed as Michelle ducked a lariat and grabbed Shayna as she landed a springboard codebreaker for a two count and Michelle grabbed Shayna as Shayna was hitting right hands and kicked Michelle in the leg sending Michelle to the corner. Shayna went to charge at Michelle with a knee but Michelle sidestepped and leaped on the middle rope as Shayna hits a big one on the springboard for a two count and Shayna screamed at Michelle was she grabbed Michelle's arm and was stepping on her hand, folding it against the mat.
Michelle rolled out and applied a triangle choke hold as Shayna was fighting her and went for a deadlift but Michelle blocked it with right hands and applied a cross armbar that was reversed with a folding press for a two count but Michelle kicked out and kept the hold on but Shayna powered up and stood up as she stomping the bad arm repeatedly. Shayna grabbed Michelle with a Karelin lift and slammed her onto the mat and landed a running kick for a two count and Shayna is frustrated as she grabbed Michelle hit a right hand sending Michelle to the corner and Shayna got Michelle on the top rope and climbed the top rope as she was working the arm.
Michelle slipped under and grabbed Shayna's wrist as she yanks on it a few times before Michelle leaped on the top rope and landed a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count but Shayna immediately applies the Kirifuda Clutch and Michelle leverages her hand away but Shayna shifted into a cross armbar and Michelle rolls to the ropes and gets the break. Shayna was stalking Michelle as she applied the Kirifuda Clutch but Michelle reversed to a pin for a two count and Shayna went for a knee but Michelle side-stepped into a codebreaker and then the Crimson Wave for the win.
"Here is your winner, Michelle Edmondson," Mike announced.
Michelle was clutching her arm as Shayna rolled out of the ring and Michelle was catching her breath as slowly got to her feet and the referee raised her arm in the air. Shayna was screaming in anger as Michelle was smiling and then Ember Moon came out from the curtain staring at Shayna.
Shayna turned around to see Ember and then back at Michelle as Ember raised her NXT Women's Championship belt in the air and Michelle pointed at Ember saying that the title will be hers.
A couple of hours later, Michelle returned home with a sling on her arm and set her things down on the couch as she sat down.
Then Sadie hopped on the couch as Michelle was petting her.
"Hi, Sadie," Michelle said as she rubbing Sadie's head. "Yes, I have a cast on. I'm not really injured. Shayna did a number on me but I should be good for NXT Takeover."
Then Michelle's cell phone rang and Michelle took it out of her purse as she saw Drew was calling her and Michelle answered the call.
"Hi, Drew," Michelle said.
"Hey, baby," Drew said. "How was tonight?"
"Well, let's just say Shayna Baszler really got the best of me but I prevailed."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm kind of sore but I'll be okay. Hopefully, I'll be 100% before NXT Takeover. Anyway, I got some news to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I got an offer to join the cast of Total Divas."
"Really?"
"Yes, it was surprising to me that they asked to be part of the show. I mean, I guess they see some great potential in me that they literally asked to be part of Total Divas."
"So are you going to accept it?"
"I'm not sure. I mean, I'm still in NXT and I feel that if I'm going to be on the show, people will start asking questions about me and you. And that people will look at you differently."
"Michelle, I've come to accept that I don't care what people say. I ignore the negatives on social media and all they do is give me confidence. Who cares what they say?"
"You're right. They don't really know about you and our relationship; all that matters is that I love you. So you think I should do it?"
"It's your decision."
"Well, they say they want an answer by next week."
"Whatever your decision is, I'll support you."
"Thank you, Drew; you're amazing."
"You're amazing."
"Well, I better get some sleep since I'm on the road again tomorrow."
"Okay, talk to you soon."
"I love you; good night."
"Good night, darling."
Then Michelle ended the call as she started to relax until her cell phone rang again.
"Hmm, did Drew forget to tell me something?" Michelle wondered as she answered the call. "Hello?"
"Hello, Michelle," Michelle's father, Ron, answered.
"Dad, um, hi," Michelle said as she was surprised.
"I hope I'm not calling it a bad time."
"No, I just got home and I just talked to Drew about my match tonight. How are you doing?"
"Well, I'm doing good; you know, busy with the job and everything. I wanted to call and let you know that I actually got some free time so I can come to New Orleans and see your big championship match."
"Really?"
"Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Wow, that's…that's great. I'm…actually happy you're able to come New Orleans to see me."
"Me too. I know I have not been around to see you and your matches, but this one I won't miss. I will not miss your big moment."
"I'm glad."
"Well, I better get back to work. I'll see you in New Orleans in a few weeks."
"Okay, dad. I'll see you then."
Then Michelle ended the call.
It was surprising that Michelle's dad would call her and tell her that he was finally able to see her in New Orleans for her NXT Women's Championship match at NXT Takeover. She hardly ever sees her dad, maybe once in a while due to his job, which caused her parents' divorce; and now she'll be able to see him and hopefully work some things out and see her possibly winning the NXT Women's Championship.
Hopefully he'll stick by his word.