Chapter 57: From Flair Country to the Royal Rumble
Two weeks later...
RAW was in Charlotte, North Carolina and John and Nicole were going to be in a mixed tag-team match with a partner of their choosing against Edge and Lita with a partner of their choosing.
Last week, John was in the Master Lock Challenge against Chris Masters to break the Master Lock, but Edge came in and hit John in the head with the WWE Championship belt. To make the situation even more interesting, John came back after the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship between Edge and Ric Flair and he rescued Ric after the suffering from Edge.
RAW was on and it started with some sort of movie preview of Edge leading up to the Royal Rumble which was six days away. Edge's entrance theme played and he came out from the curtain with Lita following him. The two walked down the ramp into the ring and Lita grabbed a microphone.
Lita went to speak but then coughed her guts up. She then cleared her throat and said,
"Coming soon, to a Wrestlemania near you, the Rated R Superstar, the new WWE Champion, Edge!"
Edge took the microphone from Lita and said,
"You've seen the trailer, but the feature attraction comes at Wrestlemania when I defend this bad boy right here and I will be the champion, a real champion, because I have proved all of my doubters wrong and I know there was a bunch of you. I equal ratings and I deserve that championship. I'm not going to be some kind of transitional champion like the Iron Sheik or Mick Foley, guys who won the title, lost it a week later, never to be heard from again. I'm not going to lose it sixteen times like Ric Flair and I'm not going to become a walking joke like Ric Flair. Then again, Ric's not exactly walking right now, is he?" The fans chanted "We want Flair!" "You can want Ric Flair all you want, but right now, he can barely move after what I did to him last week. And because of what I did to him last week, I am proud to say that Ric Flair will not be here tonight! Not only will he not be here, but he will never receive another title match again. You see, I beat Flair last week so he goes to the back of the line. He's not gonna be here, so get used to it. But don't worry, Ric, because pretty soon you're going to have some company at the back of the line. Somebody's gonna join you there and his name is John Cena. After Cena cashes in his rematch clause, and loses at the Royal Rumble, his career is going straight in the toilet, and all of you people will have to hitch yourselves to a new bandwagon, to a new overrated, untalented piece of crap like him. Then me and Lita, we are going to go back to my house, the mirrors on the ceiling, spinning hydraulic bed, and have a celebration…..."
John's entrance theme plays and he comes out from the curtain with Nicole following him. Nicole was wearing a black X front tank top, denim jeans, and her hair straight. John had a microphone in his hand and said,
"Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte. Whoo-hoo! Man! Do you realize what just happened? This is big. And I can't even believe I'm doing this, but I'm out here to say congratulations. That movie trailer was awesome. It was very, very good. Well done. But see, what the people don't know is that the actual movie, 'To The Edge' is unbelievable. You see, I've seen the trailer, I saw what you saw, but I also got me that bootleg copy of the movie. So what I'm about to do is give everyone a review right here tonight so everybody can be excited as me to go see this thing. Don't get it twisted. This is a classic with a classic story. Boy meets ho. There's more. She's not just a regular ho, she's a magical red-headed ho. She changes the boy's life and he wins the Money in the bank and wins the WWE Title. The boy truly has it all, so naturally, the boy wants to make his ho happy. Takes her on vacation to Lake TaHO. She needs food, he gets her potatoes from IdaHO. He traces her heritage all the way back and finds out she is half NavaHO. The boy and the ho have it all. The WWE Title. They have a live sex celebration in the middle of the ring which is more disgusting and more disturbing that when Mae Young gave the Boogeyman a little chunky rockerfeller. But then the story gets way left. The boy is on top and the boy goes to Miami, the Royal Rumble. The single biggest moment in the boy's professional career. The lights, the world, everyone is watching, and he stands in the middle of the ring, and proceeds to take the worst ass kicking of his entire life. It's bad, it's real bad. But it gets worse. The boy really loses everything. He loses the WWE Title, he loses his main event spot, and tragically, he even loses his ho. Turns out she goes and falls in love with Hacksaw Jim Duggan. HOOOOOOOOOOOO! And in one day, the boy goes from being Rated R to Rated G. G for gone like the WWE Title and for like gold which the boy never sees again, and G for Gonorrhea, which was a little present that the ho left behind!"
Nicole ended cracking up and Lita took the microphone from Edge and said,
"Hey, Cena, I don't know who this ho is that you're referring to, but maybe, just maybe, you're referring to that blonde bitch of your girlfriend standing next to you." Nicole dropped her title belt and went to attack Lita in the ring, but John held her back. "Oh, and by the way, Nicole, your guest starring role last Friday on the USA Network's 'Monk' actually kind of sucked. But what I do know is that we have to find partners tonight and the champ and I aren't going to have a hard time finding one. But Cena and Nicole, if you're having trouble finding someone to play with, then both of you might just have to go play with yourselves."
John and Nicole both laughed it off. Nicole took the microphone from John and said,
"That was good. That was really good. It's finally good to see something of substance coming out of your mouth."
"That's enough!" Edge said. "Enough with the jokes!"
"Yeah, yeah, you're right," John said onto the microphone. "Enough with the jokes. Tonight, these people are going to get a preview of what's going to happen at the Royal Rumble. You wanna get gritty? We're getting gritty, Rated R Superstar. Ain't no money in the bank, sex on live TV, or movie trailers that are going to change the fact that although right now, you're standing next to a bitch, and this Sunday at the Royal Rumble, I am going to make you mine!"
John dropped the microphone and he and Nicole left the arena to go to the back.
"So John," Nicole said, "do you have any idea who's gonna be our tag-team partner for tonight?"
"Actually, I already found a partner," John said.
"You did? Are you serious?"
"Yep. I don't wanna spoil anything. I want to surprise you. Trust me. You'll thank me later."
"I might wanna thank you later once we win our match tonight."
"Oooh, I can't wait."
Then John and Nicole kissed each other and Delancey came forward. She then cleared her throat to get their attention.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Delancey. Did you want something?" Nicole said sarcastically as everyone laughed.
"Actually, I wanted to tell you that Trish and Ashley said it was fine that we're gonna tag along with them for their match against Victoria and Candice tonight."
"Cool, then we're set."
"I guess what you're doing has something to do with Mickie James, huh?" John said.
"Yeah, John," Delancey said. "I mean, two weeks ago, it was Nicole, and now last week, it's Ashley. I'm telling you, she's unstable."
"Completely," Nicole said.
"Well, you oughta be careful because she's crazy," John said.
"Exactly."
A little later, it was time for the Divas' Tag Team match between Trish and Ashley versus Candice Michelle and Victoria. Candice and Victoria were already in the ring with Torrie Wilson at ringside and Trish's entrance theme played. She comes out from the curtain with Ashley, Nicole, and Delancey following her. Delancey was wearing a white lace top and dark denim jeans. The four walked down the ramp and got into the ring. Nicole, Delancey, and Trish got out of the ring as the referee called for the bell.
Ashley and Victoria kicked things off with a lock up and Victoria grabbed a waist lock. Ashley elbowed out and then hit a springboard into an axe handle. Ashley rolled Victoria up for two and then hit a legsweep and tagged in Trish. They hit a double team elbow and then Trish hit a boot in the corner but then ate elbow on a charge.
Victoria went to the middle rope but then Trish hit a hurricanrana on her! Trish hit a big leg drop and covered for two and then tagged in Ashley. Trish held Ashley as she kicked Victoria and Candice away. Ashley went for a springboard but Candice knocked her off the rope. Victoria kicked Ashley in the gut and then tagged in Candice. Victoria slammed Candice into Ashley for two. Candice hit some knees in the corner, and then one to the face, and then hit a knee drop before tagging Victoria.
Victoria went for the springboard somersault leg drop but Ashley moved and tagged Trish. Trish hit a series of forearms and then some chops to the chest. Trish hit a dropkick and then a shot to Candice. Trish hit the Stratusphere on Candice in the corner, and then a spinebuster on Victoria. Trish tossed Candice to the outside, and then a Thesz press off the apron, and tagged Ashley. Ashley hit a cross body off the top on Victoria for the win.
Nicole, Delancey, and Trish got into the ring and celebrated with Ashley when Mickie got into the ring and went after Ashley. As Mickie was beating on her, Nicole, Delancey, and Trish pulled her off and Mickie went back over for Ashley. Mickie was totally out of her mind. Nicole and Trish pulled Mickie back as Delancey went to check on Ashley and then Mickie hit the Mick Kick on Delancey as she stood up! Mickie then went to beat on Ashley again as Nicole and Trish yanked Mickie off again and Nicole pushed Mickie outside the ring. Trish was checking on Delancey and Ashley as Nicole was trying to keep Mickie from entering the ring. Mickie then left the arena as Nicole helped Trish getting Ashley and Delancey up. The four left the ring and walked up the ramp to the back. As they walked down the hallway, they went inside the Women's Locker Room.
"Okay, that's it. I'm gonna kick Mickie James' ass," Nicole said as she tried to leave but Trish grabbed her.
"No, Nicole," Trish said. "Please don't."
"Trish, when are you going to talk to her? When?"
"I don't know."
"What's the matter? Are you afraid that you're gonna hurt Mickie's feelings?"
"Yes."
"Trish, a crazy person does not have feelings," Delancey said as she stood up holding her head. "I've dealt with crazy people in my life, Trish. Those crazy people happen to be my ex-boyfriends."
"Trish, Delancey's right," Ashley said, "You can't hold this in any longer."
Trish paused.
"You know what?" Nicole said. "Let me know when you get this together. I'm gone."
"Yeah, I gotta catch up with Shelton," Delancey said following Nicole as they left the locker room.
Later, it was time for the mixed tag team match between John and Nicole versus Edge and Lita with the partners of their choice.
Edge's entrance theme played and he came out from the curtain with Lita following him. The two walked down the ramp and Edge got into the ring first. Lita got into the ring and Edge and Lita made out. Then they waited for their partner to come out. Chris Masters' entrance theme played and he was on top of the ramp doing his usual thing. He walks down the ramp and got into the ring. John's entrance theme plays and he comes out from the curtain with Nicole following him. She was wearing a green halter bikini top, green miniskirt, and the Chain Gang wristbands. John and Nicole walked down the ramp and entered the ring. John took off his "Chain Gang" camo baseball cap and "Never Back Down, Never Quit" t-shirt and threw it to the crowd. Then he grabbed a microphone and said:
"Alright, I see you went and got the Masterpiece. That's fine because Nicole and I have a partner too. Our partner is from right here in Charlotte. Our partner is the sixteen time World Heavyweight Champion. Our partner the Nature Boy, Ric Flair, daddy!"
Then Ric Flair's entrance theme plays and he comes out from the curtain. Nicole was in shock and was very surprised. She was going to wrestle with her childhood hero for the first time in a year and a half.
The first time Nicole got to wrestle with Ric Flair was when she made her RAW wrestling debut back in April 2004 before Backlash teaming with up him, Triple H, Randy Orton, and Dave as Evolution versus Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Benoit, and Delancey.
The crowd went nuts as Ric walked down the aisle and got inside the ring. John and Nicole went to hug Ric and Ric even kissed Nicole on her cheek. Nicole was definitely ready to fight. She and Ric got out of the ring as the referee called for the bell.
John and Chris kicked things off and John wanted Edge but Edge was having none of it. They locked up and Chris went for a right hand but John ducked and hit a series of his own. John hit a suplex and then tagged in Ric. Chris sent Ric to the corner and kicked away at him but then Ric came back with a series of chops. Chris went to the outside and Ric followed out and hit another chop before sending Chris back inside. Edge went for a cheap shot but Ric chopped at him too, and then went to work on Chris some more. Chris came back with a press slam on Ric and Ric went to the outside. Edge hit a suplex on the floor as Chris distracted the referee. Chris then went out and rammed Ric back first into the ring apron.
Chris made the tag to Lita and did the leg lock on Ric. Ric made to tag to Nicole and Nicole tackled Lita down and stomped away at her. Nicole threw Lita around by the hair and then Lita came back with shots to the gut and send her to the corner. Lita charged at Nicole but Lita hit a back elbow in the corner and Nicole hit some right hands and forearms. Nicole again tossed Lita into the ring by her hair and tossed her around. Nicole slapped Lita on the behind and then choked her over the bottom rope and Edge tried to get into the ring but John stopped him. Lita attacked Nicole from behind and gave Nicole a knee to the mid section and then took her down with a Russian leg sweep. Lita set up for a spear but Nicole moved to let Lita hit the corner.
Lita made the tag to Edge and Nicole made the tag back to Ric. Edge immediately stomped at the head of Ric and then Chris suplexed him back into the ring from the apron. Edge walked into some chops from Ric but then Edge came back with right hands and tagged Chris back in. Chris hit a powerslam for a two count and then locked in a bear hug. Ric fought out and nailed more chops but then Chris nailed him with another press slam. Edge tagged in and went for a cross body but Ric moved out of the way.
Ric made the tag to John and Edge tagged in Chris. John hit a clothesline and then another. John hit a back body drop and then tossed Edge in the ring and hit him with a clothesline and a flying shoulder. John hit a side slam on Chris and then went for the FU on Edge but Lita is on the apron and pulled him out. Nicole went after Lita as Lita and Edge walked away. Chris then nailed John from behind and went for the Master Lock but Ric came in with a chop block and then John hit the FU and locked in the STFU for the win.
John let go of Chris as he, Nicole, and Ric looked at Edge and Lita walking up the ramp as cowards. When they went to the back, John and Nicole both hugged Ric and John grabbed a microphone and said,
"Ric, words don't describe what an honor and privilege to stand in his ring in your hometown. I am standing here with a man who has seen it all and done it all. A man who's certainly is the man! A man who is the definition of this business." The fans then chanted "Nature Boy!" "Ric Flair, this is something I'll never forget. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, I love you, this whole city loves you. The whole damn world loves you. Charlotte, North Carolina, that is the man!"
John and Nicole both left the ring and went into the back.
"Thank you, John," Nicole said. "This was truly a surprise. God, it felt so good to be teaming up with Charlotte, North Carolina's own, Ric Flair, for the first time in a year and a half."
"I told you was gonna be thanking me," John said.
"You know what? I think you gave me a boost of confidence to beat Lita at the Royal Rumble and hey, I know damn well that you'll beat Edge and become the two-time WWE Champion."
"Damn straight."
John and Nicole kissed each other and in Nicole's mind:
"Thank you, God, so much for making me fall in love with this wonderful guy. When it comes to him, I love surprises."