Authors Note: Hey guys, and update for you. With the way I've worked it out, we've got three chapters left in this story, possibly a forth if I decide to go with one ending over another. Anyway, thank you all so much for the reviews, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please read and review guys! I disclaim!
Vince's patented power strut seemed to have more arrogance than usual, if that were even possible. Closely followed by is ever present son, the RAW General Manager Shane McMahon, Vince's eyes gleamed with unspoken mischief as he stomped his way towards the ring, basking warmly in the resentment and vocal anger being hurled his way. He was above it all. He was the mastermind behind a billion dollar company, and the WWE was his playground. Vince could literally do what he wanted with anyone on his roster.
To them, he asserted himself like some kind of demi-god, one which should be worshipped and obeyed above all others. Many over the years had come up against McMahon, and there was not one who could honestly say they had bested him. He had taken on wrestling promotions, billionaire media moguls and even the judicial systems, and overcome every single on of them. In his mind, Vince was the messiah of the wrestling world. No-one could hope to appose him, and that only served to feed his already bloated ego.
However, it could never be said that Vincent Kennedy McMahon was not a astute businessman. No-one could say that his instincts for the industry weren't top notch, and despite popular belief, Vince could acknowledge when he was wrong.
And when it came to Trish Stratus, Vince had been wrong. He had seen something special in her years ago when he had originally offered her place in the company. He had expected her to go the usual diva route, being a ring second and something for the fans to salivate over during downtimes from matches. She had proved him wrong once, by pushing herself to become one of the greatest female wrestlers in the world. She had risen to the top of her division, soundly defeating any and every challenger that had ever come her way.
And when Vince had thought Trish had reached her peak in winning her sixth record- championship, Trish had proved him wrong again. Her name and star had burned so brightly, it had eclipsed her entire division. It was evident to everyone other than Vince it seemed, that this woman would not be kept in the confines of usual diva popularity. Indeed, Trish fan base now rivalled that of even the most seasoned superstars which most thought could never be possible.
But Trish had done it. She had successfully branched out into traditionally male orientated championships. The fact she was the first female tag team champion in history was a huge achievement. Again, Trish had pushed herself further by putting herself in the running for the WWE championship. Of course, she had failed in beating Kane, and many assumed that was the last they would ever see of Trish Stratus in a WWE ring. It had become the decided reasoning that she would quietly leave the company, get married to Randy Orton and the spend the rest of her days raising beautiful children.
Well not if Vince had anything to say about it. In his eyes, the legacy of Trish Stratus was bubbling on the back burner, reading to spill forward and explode. Trish was at the height of her popularity, and Vince wanted to capitalise in the only way he knew now. If Trish was going to go down in flames, it was going to be by his design, and not hers.
With that in mind, he had sent word that he expect her to join him this evening on Monday Night RAW. Part of him expected her to refuse to turn up, and he had already taken the appropriate measures for a law-suit if she had. But to her credit, Vince had been reliably informed Trish was indeed in the building this evening. Tonight, everyone would find out just how hungry Trish was.
Vince's grin spread widely across his face, as he called for the microphone from Lillian Garcia.
"Good evening New York city. Tonight, I welcome you to Monday Night RAW. And as I'm sure many of you are aware, tonight I have called everyone's favourite Canadian Blonde Bombshell to the arena."
The crowd exploded into deafening cheers, the likes of which had rarely ever heard, not even in the days of Hulk Hogan and Hulkamania. Grinning as the dollar signs flashed before his eyes, Vince continued on.
"Last month, we all saw Trish's valiant effort against Kane in an 'I Quit' match. Now, Trish lost that match, and so lost her shot at the WWE Championship. I'm sure you will all join me in my disappointment at the outcome of the match. It did of course, raise some serious questions about Trish and her involvement with the company. So tonight, we're going to discuss with Trish, in this public forum her future ambitions with the WWE. And with that, please welcome…Trish Stratus!"
The crowd exploded into even higher decibels than before for, a mix of cheers, screams and chants for Trish. Starved of 'Stratusfaction' for over a month, the fans were rabid in their need to see their idol.
Vince scowled as his eyes focused on the silent Titan Tron. Much to his chagrin, Trish did not appear as instructed. Red burned into his skin as he raised the microphone once more to scream at Trish to get herself down to the ring. He was never given the chance, however, as the well known giggle escaped through the speakers, announcing the arrival of Canada's own, Trish Stratus.
Emerging beneath the huge screen, her blonde hair straightened into waves of platinum gold spilling down at the sides of her face and down her back. At her side, holding her hand in his own, was Randy Orton. Her free hand resting on her hip, Trish smiled fondly at the crowd who were on their feet in a standing ovation for the blonde bombshell. Gigging softly, Trish felt the colour flush in her cheeks as she waved softly at the crowd. Soaking in the collective love for the audience, Trish could feel the tears pooling in the back of her eyes. No matter what Vince said tonight, this would be the last time she would ever appear on Monday Night RAW.
Randy gently squeezed her hand in his own. Trish had told him of her plans after she had decided. He had been upset, but supported her as he always had. In truth, the idea of her wanting to leave the business so they could be a family warmed his heart to the point where he felt like crying himself.
Smiling softly at his fiancé, Randy motioned towards the ring, and the couple carefully started making her way down the ramp slowly, never taking their eyes from grinning Vince as they did so. Holding the ropes open for Trish, Randy's glare seemed to dare Vince and Shane to make a move Trish. He just needed that one excuse to unleash his anger at the maniacal chairman for putting the woman he loved in unnecessary danger over and over again. With both in the ring, all four could only stand and take in the reaction of the crowd, who had remained on their feet, screaming for Trish and Randy.
Smiling as she took the microphone from Lillian, Trish turned to address her biggest tormentor.
"I got the memo," she fired at the chairman, "let's cut the crap and get straight to you telling me exactly what you want from me Vince. I don't want more games or subterfuge. Just the truth, assuming you remember what that is. What do you want Vince?"
"What I've always wanted Trish. To help you progress. To better yourself. Tonight I'm going to give you the opportunity to become what you always dreamed of becoming." Vince's smile as he regarded Trish with cold, predatory smile. Randy caught the look, and took a step in front of Trish taking the microphone as he did so.
"I'm pretty sure my girl told you to cut the crap and get down to it Vince. Either you tell her why she was summoned or we turned around and get out of this ring. It's your choice." Vince's sour expression was clearly a reaction to Randy's words, but it didn't bother him in the slightest. Trish didn't want to go through this circus anymore, and he would be damned if he let the ego-maniacal Chairman screw with her anymore.
"Very well," Vince smirked, "as you two so obviously wish to dispense with the pleasantries, we shall get straight down to business. Don't think for one second Trish, that I'm not aware of your plans to ask for an early release from your contract. Believe it or not, I've seen that day coming for a long time. Well I can tell you right now the answer is no. You will not now, nor will you ever get a release from your contract. You are far too valuable to this company, and I won't agree to signing you off our roster. Unless…"
Vince's knowing smile fired Trish up more than she cared to admit. Taking the microphone back from Randy, she stood defiant in front of the chairman. "Screw you Vince. If you think for one second I'm going to bow down to your power trip, you are dead wrong. I've been pushed around by bigger people that you, and I've always come out on top. What you still seem to be unable to grip Vince, is that whilst I am employed by this company, there is no way I will ever play by your rules. If you force me to remain here, I promise you I will make your life hell. I will hound you for the rest of you miserable life if necessary."
Trish stared down the Chairman, who looked genuinely taken aback by her words. "Now Trish, there's no need to be so angry. I didn't finish what I was going to say. As everyone knows, I am a humanitarian at heart. And I respect you for your attitude and spunky attitude. Which is why, I'm moving you up to the Main Event Status. You proved to me in your 'I Quit' Match, that you have what it takes to take on any male superstar, and take your chance at winning the WWE Championship. You Trish, personify, ruthless…aggression."
The crowd rose into sustained cheers as they agreed with Vince's estimation of Trish and her abilities.
"Next Sunday, RAW is going Madison Square Garden," Vince continued, "and it will be host to the newly re-instated Pay-Per-View…Armageddon. It will be there, that for the first time in Sport Entertainment history, Trish Stratus will be in the Main Event to win the WWE Championship…"
Vince seemed to gush with his appreciation of the idea. Trish, however, was clearly not convinced, as she held the microphone to her lips, cutting McMahon dead.
"I know what you're trying to do here Vince, and I won't do it. You know, as well as I do, that Randy is the Number One Contender for the WWE Championship. If you put me in that match, then it will mean I will have to face him. Well I won't do it." Trish folded her arms, as Randy stood strong next to her, his body language reflecting her sentiments.
"Trish," Vince grinned licking his lips, "you speak as though you have a choice. You will compete in the Main Event against whomever I choose. If you don't…well…everything you and Mr. Orton have worked for will be taken out from under your feet in the court. I will sue you for every penny you and your family possess and more."
Randy growled deep in his throat, the muscles in his arms tensing as resisted the urge to launch himself at the cackling Vince.
"Think of it Trish. The Legend of Trish Stratus versus the Legend Killer Randy Orton. It's a dream match everyone would give anything to see. You are the most dominant female to set foot through those ropes. You haven proven time and again your resilience, your ability to overcome the odds and end up on top as you put it. What better way than to prove it in a WWE Championship match, taking on the most cocky and technically gifted wrestler to enter this ring in years? What better way to prove everyone's faith in you by taking on the one person who crushes legacy's like you own? Legend vs. Legend Killer. Think of it Trish. It would be the single greatest moment in your life. You would cement your legacy as a superstar."
Trish considered Vince's words carefully. What choice did she honestly have? If she refused, Vince would cripple her and Randy. She was ready for her career to end, but she couldn't bring Randy down with her. Holding the microphone up, she let loose a deep sigh.
"On one condition Vince," she glared intently as she forced her words out, "I will go into the match and give everything I've got. I will do my very best and more to walk out of Armageddon the first ever female Heavyweight Champion. But if I lose, you release me from my contract. That's the deal. No negotiation."
It was now Vince's turn to consider Trish's words. "Very well Trish. If you lose this match, then I will give you the release. I just hope your stamina can hold out against Randy and the other four competitors in the match."
Vince's arrogant cackle made Trish's stomach churn in knots. "What do you mean four other competitors?"
"Didn't I mention it?" Vince cackled even harder as he feigned innocence, "you'll be facing Randy in that match…and four other superstars. Yes, Armageddon's Main Event will take place in the confines…of the Elimination Chamber!"
Trish became deafened all at once as the crowd hit a decibel that threatened to take the very roof of the building. The microphone slid out of her grip as she vaguely watched Vince and Shane saunter out of the ring, heading up the ramp and away from the yelling Randy.
The Elimination Chamber? It was like a steel cage and a 'Hell in a Cell' match all rolled into one. Superstar's were never the same after that type of match. It was aptly named the place where 'Career's went to Die'. If Trish thought the odds had been stacked against her before, she knew she was way in over her head this time. Her head crashing to overload with all the thoughts being processed, the last thing Trish saw was the light high above the arena as she collapsed into Randy's arms.
