WrestleMania XXII
Trish grabbed the ropes and stopped herself. She planted her feet into the mat and used every muscle in her legs to plant the breaks before her head rammed once more into the turnbuckle. The grip in her hair tightened. Her neck strained as she was forced forward. She moved only an inch before releasing her body and jumping backwards.
Still holding the ropes, Trish dropped suddenly to her knees, just as her head was pushed forward again. Molly Holly went crashing forward, her own momentum propelling her into the corner. Her grip on Trish's hair loosened and Trish crawled backwards, then pushed herself to her feet. She grabbed Molly's hair and returned the beating she'd been given only moments earlier. Molly's forehead collided with the top turnbuckle five times before Trish pulled her backwards by the hair.
Standing in the middle of the ring, she looked around at the crowd. The lights of the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois were blinding. Blood thumped in her ears, pumping quickly as her heart rate sped up. Molly was on her knees, pulling at Trish's hands. She looked down at her, then dropped to her knees. As her body moved, so did Molly. The defending champion's face crashed into the mat and the challenger jumped back to her feet.
Trish dropped quickly back down to the mat. She rolled Molly over and covered her for the pin, but only got a two count out of it. She jumped up and screamed in frustration, then grabbed Molly by the arm. Molly swept her leg out from under her and rolled Trish up for a two count of her own. Both women rolled once and jumped to their feet. Their eyes met, then Trish's gaze went just past her opponent as a tall streak of blonde came running down the ramp.
Molly took advantage of Trish's distraction. She ran at her and speared her to the mat. While Trish was trying to regain her awareness, Molly got quickly to her feet. She bent down and hooked her arm around Trish's neck. She grabbed the side of her pants and forced her up. A quick snap suplex and both were back on the mat. Molly rolled, pulled her up and snapped her down again.
Trish rolled and groaned in pain. Her hands touched her back and she rolled onto her stomach. If she had just a few minutes, she'd be able to get herself together enough to mount a decent offense again. However, Molly was much more seasoned than she, and the champion wasn't about to let her opponent get herself together. Molly lifted her to her feet and scoop slammed her back to the mat. She dropped down for a quick pin and barely got one and a half before Trish kicked out.
Screaming her frustration, Molly pushed herself to her feet. Trish was already moving and starting to get to her feet. Molly went to the nearest corner and started to climb. Outside the ring, she could see Stacy Keibler moving closer to the apron. She was yelling at Trish as she got to her feet, but Molly couldn't make out exactly what she was saying. If she could afford the distraction, she would have kicked Stacy just for the hell of it. As if it weren't bad enough that the McMahons had passed her over for Trish, she'd been passed again for Stacy, even though she was the one who held the Women's title.
Molly finished climbing to the top and steadied herself. She waited until Trish was on her feet, then jumped. At the last second, Trish moved to the side, sagging against the ropes. The Molly-Go-Round didn't connect, and Molly Holly landed hard on her butt. She rolled around, screaming in pain. Trish took that opportunity to kick Molly hard across the back. Molly fell over and Trish dropped wearily to her knees. She laid over Molly on her back and pulled her leg up.
They were too close to the ropes and it gave Stacy the chance to interfere. She grabbed Molly's leg before the two count and put her ankle up on the rope. The referee looked down as Stacy yelled and he jumped up, cutting his count. Trish leapt to her feet and leaned between the ropes, reaching for Stacy and yelling. Stacy was just out of reach, laughing and shouting at her. Molly wrapped her arm around Trish's thigh and pulled her back. The roll-up got her two and a half, and both women jumped to their feet.
Trish and Molly ran forward and locked up in the middle of the ring. Molly gained control and gripped Trish's arm. She locked it up tight behind her back before whipping her across the ring. Trish bounced off of the ropes and started across. Molly bounced off the other side and came at her with a clothesline. Trish ducked the arm and bounced off the other side. She came back at Molly and took her down with a clothesline of her own.
Trish stood up and thrust her arm into the air. The crowd cheered and she laughed. She bent down and lifted Molly up. She gave her a boot to the stomach for security, then cinched her arm around her neck. She rose her free arm again, then went running for the ropes. Stacy reached up and pulled down the top rope just as Trish jumped up for the Stratusfaction. She went flying over the rope and Molly hit the mat.
Trish fell on the outside and rolled. Stacy waited until Molly had the referee distracted to jump on Trish. She slapped her twice, and tried to grab her hair. Trish bucked her body and tossed Stacy over her head. She kicked her once in the stomach, then climbed back onto the apron. Molly shoved the ref to the side and went to the ropes. She held onto the second rope and bent down. She propelled her shoulder into Trish's stomach and the blonde jumped, but didn't fall off.
Molly stood up and hooked Trish's head. She tried to suplex her back into the ring, but Trish held on. Stacy was back up by then and she tried to grab her leg. Trish kicked backwards and sent Stacy reeling into the barricade. She brought her foot all the way around and, holding onto the ropes for balance, delivered a Chick Kick over the top rope that sent Molly flying back. Trish jumped hastily into the ring. She grabbed Molly's legs, jumped over and covered her. When Chioda's hand came down for three, Stacy was trying to get into the ring, but she was too late.
"Winner and NEW WWE Women's Champion… Trish Stratus!"
Trish jumped up and fell only for a second to her knees. Her body was weary and her chest heaved as she tried to get air. Back on her feet, she snatched her title out of Chioda's hand and let him thrust her arm into the air. Trish laughed at Stacy Keibler as the tall blonde stood outside of the ring, spouting, screaming and pouting. Trish held up the belt, thrusting it towards her as she screamed, "Seven times! Seven! And there's nothing any of you can do about it!"
Stacy glared at her, but didn't go back to the ring. She walked away from the ring and headed up the ramp. Halfway up, Stephanie McMahon came down and both women glared at the new champion. Trish screamed again, "Seven times!" Trish dropped to the floor and rolled out of the ring, but she stayed at the end of the ramp. Her enemies backed up the ramp slowly.
"This isn't over!" Stephanie yelled at her. "We'll finish you!"
"I dare you to try!" Trish started towards them and they stopped on the ramp. Trish paused in the middle of the ramp. She jerked forward suddenly as Molly attacked her from behind. That was the entrance that Stephanie and Stacy needed. They both ran forward and all three women attacked Trish, putting the boots to her until they were pried away by a crowd of referees.
Shane and Randy came running out of the back to fight the referees and the women were set free again. Trish made it up to her knees before the attack ensued. She held onto her belt tightly and fought back as much as she could. She dropped the belt for a second and grabbed a leg. Molly fell to the floor, but the other two were still there behind her.
And then, as quickly as the onslaught had begun, it was over. Trish rolled onto her stomach and looked up to see everyone backing away and Dave running towards her. She picked up her belt and slowly rose to her feet. Dave took her arm and helped her up, throwing one of her arms over his shoulders. She leaned against him and looked at the remnants of her attackers backing away. She didn't have the breath to put sound to her words, but as she let her title belt fall until she held it in her hand and rose it as much as she could, her lips moved and she mouthed, "I still have this… and you have nothing!"
