Vengeance: October 23, 2011

I put on my gear as I prepare for my match against Beth tonight. This match was a huge deal, win or lose. If I win, I set the record for most reigns with the Divas Championship. If I lose, I'll step out of the ring for an extended period of time for the first time by my own choice. It's to have a child no less, which was a huge deal.

Randy walks up behind me to clasp my top. "Are you nervous?"

I nod. "Yeah, I'm a little nervous."

"That's okay. I don't blame you for being nervous."

"You don't?"

"No, I don't. I know that this match has a big impact on you no matter the result. Either way, I think you'll put on a fantastic match. That's what you wanted."

I smile. "That's true. I just want to have a match that I could walk away from content about how it ended even if I lose."

Randy puts a hand on my shoulder. "I'm certain that'll happen tonight."

"Well, I sure hope so."

"You're Marissa Orton. You've been here for seven years. You can put on a good match without a worry."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I am right. Go get your hair and makeup done."

I nod. "Okay."

Ryse starts doing my hair. "I can tell you're really tense."

I sigh. "Tense, nervous, I'm feeling a lot of things honestly."

"I'm sure everything will be alright. I'm honestly feeling weird too."

"Because you're retiring?"

"Yeah. I mean it's my own choice but I still feel weird about it."

"I'm sure things will be alright for you too. I'm going to miss hanging out with you here though."

"You'll still have Eve."

"Yeah, but it'll be just me and Eve. Chelle is done, and now you. I'm going to miss you guys being backstage all the time."

"I know, but it's like Eve said. We're growing in different directions."

"I understand that. It just feels weird."

"It does, but we'll all still be friends in the end."

Chelle walks in. "Are we getting nostalgic?"

I laugh. "A little bit."

Ryse finishes my hair. "Hair is done. I'll start your makeup."

"Okay."

"I like your gear for tonight." Chelle comments.

"Thanks."

"You usually wear brighter colors, but you're doing a simple black and white color scheme tonight."

"Yeah, I wanted to be more simple. Plus, it represents something else in a way."

"What does it represent?"

"Black and white are opposites. Winning and losing are opposites that also determine which of two paths will be my future after tonight."

"That's some deep symbolism."

"Yeah, it's what it means to me."

"I understand. Good luck tonight."

"Thanks."

"Yeah, good luck." Ryse says. "Your makeup is done. We're all good here."

"Thanks, Ryse. Like I said before though, I'd be content if I lost as long as the match is good."

"It's you we're talking about." Chelle says. "I'm sure the match will be great."

"We'll see about that."

I know I want that girl so bad

I lie awake at night

And think of all the things that I would do

With a girl like that…

"The following contest is a No Holds Barred match scheduled for one fall and is for the WWE Divas Championship! Introducing first, the challenger, from Saint Louis, Missouri, Marissa Orton!"

("Glamazon" plays)

"And her opponent from Buffalo, New York, she is the WWE Divas Champion, The Glamazon, Beth Phoenix!"

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Beth and I lock up. She shoves me into a corner. She drives her shoulder into my ribs. I drop down to the ground as Beth rolls out of the ring.

Beth pulls out a steel chair. As she goes to re-enter the ring, I catch her with Randy's draping DDT and pin her.

1…kickout!

I grab the steel chair that Beth had gotten. I swing at Beth as she gets up, and she ducks it before kicking me to make me drop the chair. Beth starts hitting me with the chair. I groan. Beth pins me.

1…2…kickout!

I rolled out of the ring quickly to recover. Beth follows me. As she runs at me, I dodge and let her crash into the barricade.

I grab a kendo stick and start repeatedly hitting Beth with it.

Once I stop, I throw Beth into the steel steps. I roll her back into the ring and pin her.

1…2…kickout!

I drop a knee on Beth before rolling back out and the ring. I pick up the steel stairs and start to slide them back in the ring when she kicks them into my face. I fall onto the ground. Beth grabs me and tosses me into the ring. She picks me up and tries to hook my arms for a Glam Slam. I elbow her and roll her into a pin.

1…2…kickout!

Beth grabs me by my hair and tosses me across the ring. I land on the steel chair and groan in pain. Beth rolls out of the ring to grab a kendo stick. She enters the ring and takes hard shots with the kendo stick across my back before dragging me to the middle of the ring. She pins me.

1…2…kickout!

Beth grabs the kendo stick and prepares to swing at me again. I duck and catch her with a DDT on the steel chair. I pin Beth.

1…2…kickout!

I notice Beth is bleeding. I grab her, and she shoves me into the corner. She drives her shoulder into my gut. I fall to the ground. Beth runs at me. I roll out of the way. Beth hits the turnbuckle. I grab the kendo stick as Beth comes back towards me. She attempts a Clothesline. I duck and lock in an Armbar with the kendo stick aiding. We struggle. Beth manages to get my hair and pull on it to release the hold.

We both get up. I run at Beth, but she catches me with a Spinebuster. Beth lifts me up in a Glam Slam position. She drops me with a Glam Slam on top of the steel chair. Everything gets fuzzy as she pins me.

1…2…3!

"Here is your winner and STILL the WWE Divas Champion, Beth Phoenix!"

Beth celebrates as she heads towards the stage. I laid there on the ground.

This wasn't a bad match.

This was the closure I needed.

I was content. I could've tried harder. I didn't need to. I was content with my immediate future not having me as an in-ring performer. I was ready to do something far more important.

The referee checks on me. "Do you need medical attention?"

I sit up and shake my head. "No."

The referee gives me a concerned look. "Are you sure?"

I stand up. "Yes, I am."

I exit the ring and head towards the back. I enter guerilla to see my friends. I walk right into Randy's arms.

Randy holds me close. "Sorry that you didn't win, sweetheart."

I look up at Randy with a smile and caress his face. "Let's have a baby."