Disclaimer: I own no person, place or thing mentioned. Title inspired by the song of the same name by Pat Benatar.
Spoilers: Minor for RAW, 5-3-04. As with previous chapters..uses some elements from the show, but also uses things from my mind. (no really?) anyhow, minor spoilers but nothing big.
Chapter Summary: Split Chapter to cover RAW- before, during and after. My way. If Lita is on Heat this coming Sunday, I'm leaving her off for my plot purposes.
Notes: see the Story Recap for applicable notes and thank you to anyone who has reviewed. :) And by the by, for those of you who did watch RAW..Shawn Michaels midway through the championship match O_O What I wouldn't give to have had a front row ticket to RAW in Phoenix. And on one other note..RAW is coming my way in June!! *jumps up and down for joy* Anyway, enough with that on with the plot.
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2:00 p.m. Monday, May 3, 2004 America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona.
While there was at least a good three hours before the RAW stuff would be set up, and while there was still a good hour before most of their co-workers would arrive, Evolution was ready and raring to go. With the pre-show meeting happening in half an hour, Evolution claimed the ring for practice. Lita, Dave, Hunter and Randy sat in the middle of the ring, while Ric and Stacy looked on from the outside. The arena was quiet, save for the stage crew setting up for Heat and the quiet whisperings of strategy for the evening's card. The four in the ring had just finished a grueling run through of holds, moves and other such things to prepare. Every member, save for Ric and Stacy, would be participating on tonights card. Randy, Hunter and Dave would be kicking off the night in a six man tag team match, while later on in the night, Lita was slated for a non-title match with Gail Kim. And, although they had heard the chairmen himself would be there that night, they did not know why. Nor did they know, what the main event would be. That last bit of news did not sit well with the collective, but Hunter re-assured them all they would all walk out with their gold in tact. As Hunter and Lita put the finishing touches on their respective match notes, the four in the ring exited..making their way backstage with the rest of Evolution. Once backstage, it was off to the locker room for a set of quick showers, then of course off to the catering hall for the pre-show talent meeting.
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2:30 pm. Catering Hall
Evolution filed into the catering hall, securing a table at the back. Just as they were getting settled in, a quartet of water spits nearly occured..for along with the usual RAW roster.. sitting three tables away; John Cena, Dawn Marie, Torrie Wilson and Kurt Angle. As Lita, Dave, Randy and Stacy set their water bottles down (and wiped away the traces of water droplets from their mouths) they then noticed the ominous presence of the Big Show in the far corner. By the time the four had collected their senses, and the collective was settled..Lita elbowed Stacy, muttering under her breath.
"Stacy..I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. We are OVER the rainbow..repeat we are OVER the rainbow."
However, before any more comments could be uttered, and before Lita could begin a non-verbal inquiry of Dawn by way of napkin notes and looks, Eric and lackey stepped forward.
"For those of you who do not know them" The sleaze grinned broadly. "Please welcome our special guests from SmackDown!" He gestured to the table where the SmackDown stars were currently settled. "And I'd also like to extend a warm welcome to our special tele-coference guest." He hit a button on the remote in his hand..and lo and behold a picture of Vince McMahon was shown. He hit another button on the nearby speaker device. "We're ready whenever you are Sir."
"Ah yes..thank you" Vince's voice boomed through the speakers, "I'm on my way from New York City as we speak..had to pick up a few things first." He chuckled, and with a cough he continued. "Now, ladies and gentlemen..I'd like to take you back a few weeks to our draft lottery. No worries because that will not happen tonight, however..it was the first part of the new beginnings in the WWE. Tonight, in that very arena, another cycle of the new beginnings will be set forth." A small pause as Vince conversed quietly with one of his guests before he went on. "First of all, I'd like to congratulate all of you holding title gold on RAW. Impressive to say the least. And I'll admit, while I was a bit disappointed to see no title defenses this evening..I was more than happy to-" Hands flew to cover each ear in the room as static broke up the next part of Vince's speech. "And I am looking forward to seeing each and every one of you when RAW goes live. Keep up the good work."
Before any of the puzzled superstars and diva's could ask,
Eric informed them were all dismissed. But before they left, every one present was informed a new card would be posted in each of their locker rooms. With one last reminder for them to all make note of said new card, they were excused.
"What the hell are y'all doin' here?" Lita scratched her head in confusion, looking between Torrie, Dawn and John. "I mean, don't get me wrong..I'm happy to see y'all but why are you here?"
"All we know..is that we" John re-shouldered his gym bag and Dawn's purse. "Are here with him." He nodded over to Kurt Angle, whom was currently in conversation with the head of Evolution.
"Uh huh" Lita frowned, following absently behind Randy, Stacy and Dave. "And what about the Big Joke?"
"Do you know what I do to people who call me a joke?" Big Show spoke up from behind them. "Do you? Little girl?"
Lita raised a brow as she turned. "Do you know what I can do to people with a low blow?"
"Lita.." Hunter coughed, from behind the Big Show. "I really think we should get to our locker room." He forced a smile, pushing past those in his way to reach the rest of Evolution. "Now"
"But I haven't finished my conversation" Lita placed a hand on her hip as Hunter stood next to her. "That would be rude."
"So help me, if I have to drag you back to the locker room. I will." Hunter pressed his lips into a firm line. "Let's go."
"Li." Dave joined the two, wrapping an arm around the red heads waist. "El amor, piensa dos veces de esto." He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to protest. "Fósforo más adelante. Y todavía no es seguro alrededor aquí."
She nodded, looping an arm around his waist as Evolution made their way to the locker room. "Apenas tengo una mala sensación sobre todo el esto." She tsk'd softly. "Primero con la reunión y con ellos aquí."
Once they had reached the locker room, Hunter pulled the red head aside.
"Listen to me..and listen well. First of all, Big Show,
Big Joke I don't care what the hell you call him. But he is the last thing that Evolution needs to deal with right now. You start a problem with him, and it's on all of our heads." He squared his shoulders, tossing his gym bag in the corner. "Secondly, you can not afford to piss someone like him off. Especially with Kane running around, not to mention the diva's that are after your title belt and on top of that, everyone else who is out to hurt Evolution. We are a team, we function as such. When they attack one of us, they attack us all. Remember that."
After Hunter and Lita had stuffed belongings into their lockers, Ric informed them all of the new card for the RAW portion of the evening. While Hunter, Randy, Dave and Lita were still scheduled to wrestle, it was noted that they would all be wrestling in the first hour of the show. Two un-named matches were set for the second hour and several time slots had been set aside for announcements. With a slight look of disdain, Lita looked over the note tacked to the inside of her locker. After the show was done, she was to meet with Eric, Kurt and Vince. She frowned, crumpling the note into a tiny ball..and with a sigh, put the rest of her things methodically in her locker.
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With the Heat tapings now under way, Lita was donned in track pants and a tank top. Just as she was heading out of the locker room, Hunter reminded her once more of his previous 'pep' talk. With a roll of her eyes, and Dave, Randy and Stacy in tow..the red head exited the locker room. However, instead of the pre-RAW jog around the arena, they ran into Dawn and John. Torrie was off with Chris, and Kurt was currently speaking with Eric. As for the Big Show? Who knew. As it were, the Evolution members, John and Dawn settled in one of the hallways. Dawn, Lita and Stacy were just launching into the most recent news they had heard..that being the impending addition to Tommy Dreamer's family, when who should arrive on the scene? The ladies were abruptly yanked behind a three person wall as the Big Show loomed over them. Tempted as Lita was to dart between the broad shoulders of Randy and Dave, she did not. However, as they brushed past, she did send one look over her shoulder to the Big Show..a challenging look if you will..and Show in turn, only smirked. Finally, with one more match left on Heat, Evolution made their way back to the locker room for last minute preparations, while John and Dawn made their way to whatever locker room they had been assigned temporairly. As Stacy and Lita were changing, to walk the three down to the ring, Hunter informed the ladies that they would not, under any circumstances be leaving the locker room until Lita's match. When he was met with protests and an annoyed look from both diva's, he stood his ground. But, by the time all was said and done, Lita, Stacy and Ric exited the locker room after the three..instead of heading ringside though, Stacy and Lita joined JR and the King for commentary. For, even though the night had changed slightly and the order of matches was compressed into the first hour of RAW, there was the new Evolution enterance video to look forward to.
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Following the first match/Commerical Break
Lita stood on her tip-toes, her hands on the shoulders of one very pissed off Dave. An equally pissed off Hunter, Randy and a pained Ric Flair stood not too far away, for although Evolution had barely escaped with a win, it was a hard price to pay. For during the match that could have gone either way, Dave was the newest victim to Tajiri's green mist. Added to that, Ric was on the receiving end of a a spear from Edge. Just as Lita was trying to pry one of his hands away from his face, Dave swung blindly in frustration. In his temporary blind state, the back of his hand connected with the red head's cheek. She blinked, backing off..stepping right into Stacy. And, with Dave being led by Hunter, Ric being supported by Randy; Stacy and Lita followed silently behind. Once they were in the trainers room, Lita slipped out..heading for the locker room. Stacy remained in the trainer's room with Ric, while the other half of Evolution made their way to Eric's office. Just as Ric and Stacy returned to the locker room, Vince McMahon arrived elsewhere in the arena. Also accompanying the chairman, six guests and all male at that. When the rest of Evolution returned, and Dave was somewhat subdued (due to the fact that he now had Tajiri in a match); Lita kept to herself. Just as the normally fiery diva was settling back against the locker, one of the stage hands popped in. He informed her and the rest of the locker room, that her match had been pushed back to last on the RAW portion. Reason being..Chris Jericho was now scheduled to have a Highlight Reel. His special guest that evening- Kane. Stacy just noticed the barely visible wince on the red head's face at the mention of that name, but she said nothing. Just that since Molly was going to the ring with Gail, she would be there for Lita. A simple nod of acknoweldgement in return as Lita slipped her headphones on, tuning out the locker room for some pre-match preparation. The blinking of her eyes was the only sign that she was somewhat still with them all; as Hunter, Dave, Randy and Ric discussed next weeks card. And with the Hurricane's music now hitting the arena, Lita hopped up from her spot and slipped off the headphones to change in the bathroom. Once the red head was ready, she and Stacy stood near the door..waiting for the current match to end. Just as the two were leaving, Dave stood by the door.
"Tenga cuidado hacia fuera allí."
Lita nodded, simply stating. "Se parece que entre bastidores es donde debo tener más cuidado."
He offered quietly, "No signifiqué para que ése suceda"
"Lo sé." She conceded with a shrug, shouldering her title belt. "No refería a eso de todos modos."
He raised a brow. "Entonces qué-"
"Let's go Stace..we've got a bald freak to hold off." Lita quirked a smile to the long legged blonde before they ducked out of the locker room.
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Following Lita's match/Before the Highlight Reel
Thankfully for them and to the relief of the four still in the locker room, Lita and Stacy fared far better than their male counterparts. Granted, while the red head did not pick up the win..they managed to leave the ring otherwise unharmed. However, just as the two were making their way through the curtains; they found themselves wishing they were back near the ring. For, blocking their path..and essentially their escape route to the safe haven of the locker room, one Big Show. But, as he came closer, he was halted in his tracks..by one Big Red Machine. Lita bit her lip before hissing to Stacy for her to run..and when the blonde didn't; Kane made his move. With a handful of red hair and a handful of blonde hair in each hand, Kane made his way to the basement of the arena. On the way there, Lita tried to reason with him, reasoning with him that Stacy had nothing to do with whatever it was he had planned. And in return, Kane laughed. With that lovely sound going through their ears, the diva's were taken to one of the clearings in the basement. Kane stood behind the two..after they had been handcuffed to the poles; reminding Lita that she was nothing but prey and informing Stacy that the hunt had grown. Both diva's winced when he came closer, alternately sniffing and petting them, effectively reducing them to nothing but prey. Lita shut her eyes, trying to block out the face looming above her; concentrating on the noise that could barely be heard from their locale. By the way the music was going in the arena above, it was time for the Highlight Reel. And, that became apparent when Stacy strained to hear the voice in the distance..that of Y2J as he began his introductory speech. The diva's exchanged a glance, hoping that someone in that arena cared enough to go looking for them..and when Y2J started calling for Kane to get to the arena, someone did come. As Randy and Dave led the two out of the basement and back to the locker room, they passed by the tempoarirly still body of Kane. While they were heading to the stairs, Stacy noted the dented steel chair in the corner. However, when they returned to the locker room; Dave and Randy informed them that by the time they got there, Kane was already laid out cold. The diva's exchanged a look of confusion before Lita went to the back for a shower. By the time she re-joined the collective (and one long commercial break later); Vince McMahon was standing in the ring, microphone in hand.
"For this next match" The chairman nodded towards the titantron. "I'd like to introduce referee Brian Hebner. He will be officiating the rest of this evening's matches. On that note, it is my pleasure to anncounce the following title match. And, let me just say..this is no ordinary match. This will be a no disqualifications match for the U.S. Title. However, should the current champion lose, he will be on RAW." He cleared his throat, plastering a smug smile on. "With that said, let the match begin!" Vince waved to the crowd before stepping through the ropes to join the time-keeper.
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Translations (keep in mind, I use a translator online. I took French, not Spanish and even my French is crappy):
Dave: El amor, piensa dos veces de esto. Fósforo más adelante. Y todavía no es seguro alrededor aquí./Sweetheart, think twice about this. Match later. And it is still not safe around here.
Lita: Apenas tengo una mala sensación sobre todo el esto. Primero con la reunión y con ellos aquí./I just have a bad feeling about all of this. First with the meeting and with them here.
Dave:T enga cuidado hacia fuera allí./Be careful out there.
Lita: Se parece que entre bastidores es donde debo tener más cuidado./Seems that backstage is where I should be more careful.
Dave: No signifiqué para que ése suceda/I did not mean for that to happen
Lita: Lo sé. No refería a eso de todos modos./I know that. I was not referring to that anyway.
Dave: Entonces qué/Then what