Royal Rumble: January 29, 2012

I was warming up in the locker-room for my match tonight when Randy walked in.

Randy smiles. "Looking good, Rissa."

I stop what I'm doing. "Thanks, Randy."

"Are you ready for the match?"

"Well, I still need to get hair and makeup done, but other than that, yes."

"That's good. Tyler and Kenny are almost inside the arena based on what they're texting me. What would those two do if we didn't hook them up with ringside tickets?"

I shrug. "I have no idea."

"Is that a new ring gear?"

"I've had a few ring gears that I have had for a little bit but haven't worn yet. This is one of them and coordinated with the colors that Eve, Kelly, and Alicia are wearing tonight."

"Okay. It looks really good on you."

"Thank you. How are you feeling about the Royal Rumble match tonight?"

"I'm feeling pretty confident about it."

"Have you drawn a number yet?"

"I have drawn my number, Rissa. I'm the twenty-eighth entrant in tonight's Royal Rumble match."

"I'd feel pretty confident if that was my number too."

"I think I could win."

"It seems very possible. You've done it before, have a late number, and we're in our hometown."

"It could be a pretty good night for us."

I receive a text on my phone as someone knocks on our door. "Randy, could you get the door?"

"On it."

I read the text, so I can reply.

Chelle: I'll be watching Royal Rumble tonight. Kick ass.

Me: Thanks. I am feeling pretty good about tonight's match.

Randy looks at me. "It's Ryse, Ted, Morgan, Chris, and their small children."

I nod. "I don't mind them coming in. I don't think any of them will expose my return anyway. Plus, Ryse is supposed to be doing my hair and makeup for me."

"Alright, everyone can come in."

Everyone who had been outside our door came in. Bella, Chris and Morgan's daughter, rushes over to me.

I pick her up and hold her. "Hi, sweet girl."

"Hi!" Bella says.

Chris smiles as he holds one of the twins. "Hey, you look ready to rumble tonight."

I laugh. "I'll admit that was funny. Yes, I am ready for tonight."

Morgan nods as she holds the other twin. "That's good. Everyone here is excited to see you wrestle tonight, especially Bella over there. She obviously is still too young to understand it really, but every single time you're on TV, Rissa, Bella's eyes are glued to watch. I don't know if it's because she recognizes you or you just seem interesting to her, but she'll stay still to watch if you're on TV."

I laugh as I bounce with Bella on my hip. "That's absolutely great."

Ted smiles. "I think she just draws kids in. I've never seen a child, even during a signing or meet and greet, that doesn't love Marissa."

"I don't know about that."

Ryse nods. "During every signing and meet and greet, Rissa, you talk to every single child for as long as you can and will hug every single child that wants a hug."

"I'm just polite. That's a part of the job."

"Oh please." Randy comments. "You've always been great with kids, Rissa. Chris, have you gotten your entry number for the Royal Rumble match tonight?"

Chris nods. "I'm twenty-nine. Feeling really good."

"Seriously? I'm twenty-eight."

Chris laughs. "I guess I'll see you in the ring, Randy. You better watch out though. If you aren't careful, I'll eliminate you."

"Not if I eliminate you first, Chris."

"That's doubtful."

"Do you want to hold Collin, Rissa?" Morgan asks.

"Uh, sure. Does someone want to take Bella from me first?" I ask.

Randy takes Bella from me to hold. "I got her, Rissa."

"Thanks." I reply as Morgan passes me Collin. "Well, aren't you a cute little guy?"

"Just a heads up, Rissa." Ryse says. "I need to get started on your hair and makeup in ten minutes at the latest."

I nod as I hold Collin. "Alright, Ryse. Just give me a few."

"Okay."

"So you're the mystery partner for Eve's team, Rissa?" Morgan asks.

"That is correct. Keeping it quiet to surprise everyone and catch the other team off guard."

"That sounds like a pretty good plan."

"Yeah, I hope so."

"Do you want to hold Cason, Rissa?" Chris asks.

"Sure, just let me figure out who to pass Collin to."

Morgan walks over to Randy. "I'll take Bella. Randy, take Collin from Rissa."

Randy gives Bella to Morgan and takes Collin from me. "Okay. This works."

Chris passes Cason over to me. "Here."

I hold Cason. "Thanks. He's adorable."

Ted laughs. "You guys are playing hot potato with the children."

I glance at Randy as he holds Collin, who is starting to fall asleep on Randy. He's so good with Collin. It makes me think back to the fact that we'll hopefully be having a baby together sooner than later.

Morgan smiles. "What did you do, Randy? These two never fall asleep like that."

Randy smiles as well. "I don't know. I've always been good at getting babies to fall asleep."

Chris takes Collin from Randy. "I've got him. Hopefully, he'll stay sleeping for a little bit."

I look at Randy. "Do you want to hold Cason? I need to have Ryse start on my hair and makeup."

Randy grabs Cason from me. "I've got him. Do what you need to do."

Ryse takes me to a seat in front of the mirror to do my hair and makeup. "I've got it all planned out for you already. Love the orange and gold color scheme of your ring gear for tonight."

"Thanks." I reply as I sit down.

"Randy is so good with kids." Ryse whispers.

"I know. Actually, I need to do something real quick." I get and open a box to get my newest t-shirt out to put on over my ring gear.

Randy looks at me. "You got a new t-shirt?"

"Yeah, it's my first one in over a year. I'm getting that merchandise money."

I look at the shirt. It's a nice navy blue color. The front of the shirt says Missouri's Own: Marissa Orton, Queen of Chaos. The back of the shirt says 4x Women's Champion, 2x Divas Champion, and the only woman ever to be United States Champion.

"It looks nice." Randy comments as I put the t-shirt on over my ring gear.

"Thanks." I reply as I sit down in front of the mirror. "You're good to do my hair and makeup as you please, Ryse."

"Trust me. I will make you look fantastic, even more than you already do of course."

"Thanks, Ryse."

Randy and I hid in a room close to guerilla to not spoil my in ring return before the match. I would have to wrestle very soon.

"How long are they selling your new t-shirt?" Randy asks.

"For today and tomorrow at Raw in Kansas City if they aren't sold out by tonight." I reply. "It works since Kansas City is in Missouri still."

"I'll have to snatch one up soon."

"I have a whole box in our locker-room. There's plenty more where this one that I'm wearing came from."

"Good. I'm getting one."

"I was gonna make sure that you did anyway."

You can look, but you can't touch
You keep dreaming on the stars above…

"The following is an eight Diva Elimination Tag Team match! Introducing first, from Scottsdale, Arizona, Nikki and Brie, the Bella Twins!"

Randy looks at the monitor in the room. "It's about time for you to go."

I nod. "It is."

"Are you nervous?"

"A little bit, but I got this."

"Good, you'll do great."

("Glamazon" plays)

"And their partners, Natalya and the WWE Divas Champion, The Glamazon Beth Phoenix, the Divas of Doom!"

I look at Randy. "Can I have my entrance jacket?"

Randy passes it over to me. "Here."

I put the jacket on. "Thanks. Let's get to guerilla."

Randy opens the door. "Right behind you."

We exit the room and enter guerilla. Eve, Kelly, and Alicia all smile at me.

"Hey," I say. "Are we all good?"

Eve nods. "Yeah, Rissa. Just one thing, don't have them start your entrance until I introduce you because you know Beth and Natalya will run their mouths. I want you to get a big moment."

I smile. "Thanks."

"See you in the ring."

She looks good to me

She's got everything I want

She's got everything I need…

"And their opponents, first, from Denver, Colorado, Eve Torres!"

Holla, holla, holla

So all my girls in the club say hm

'Cause you know just how we do

Side to side, front to back

If you ain't taking that…

"And from Jacksonville, Florida, Kelly Kelly!"

("Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Party" plays)

"And from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Alicia Fox!"

Eve, Alicia, and Kelly all stand together on one side of the ring. Beth, Natalya, Nikki, and Brie stood together on the other side of the ring, all of them holding up three fingers and laughing.

Boy, were they about to be surprised.

Beth grabs a microphone. "I've got to give you three a lot of credit for still showing up tonight. I mean you don't have a fourth team member. I'm not surprised of course because I'm the most dominant Diva in WWE history. Nobody wants to face me. You three have guts, but you aren't going to win this match. We have the numbers advantage, and even if you did have a fourth team member, I would be able to beat her easily. You three were never going to be able to win anyway. And…"

"Actually, Beth." Eve says as she holds a microphone. "We do have a fourth team member. Our fourth team member is one of the most talented women on our roster. She is also one of the most decorated Divas in WWE history and someone who has had your number on multiple occasions, Beth. Not sure who I'm talking about? Maybe this will jog your memory. She's from right here in Saint Louis, Missouri. Ladies and gentlemen, the fourth member of our team here tonight at Royal Rumble…is Marissa Orton."

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…

"And their partner, from Saint Louis, Missouri, the Queen of Chaos, Marissa Orton!"

I walk onto the stage to a loud reaction from the crowd. I make my way down towards the ring while I high-five fans in the crowd. I see Tyler as I make it close to the ring and hug him.

Tyler hugs me back. "Kick some ass, kid."

I laugh. "I plan on it."

I stop hugging Tyler and hop up onto the apron. I taunt to the crowd as I smile, noticing a lot of people wearing my new shirt. I enter the ring as I lock eyes with Beth. My theme song stops playing as I stand with my team. The crowd starts to chant welcome back. I smile as I glance at Eve. Eve hands me her microphone.

I take the microphone into my hand. "Miss me?"

I dropped the microphone before taking off my entrance jacket and the t-shirt that was covering the top of my ring gear. Our team gets in a huddle.

"Who's starting?" I ask.

"If it's not Beth starting for them, I'll start the match off." Alicia answers. "If Beth decides to start, you can jump straight in, Marissa."

"Okay. Works for me."

"Natalya is starting for them." Kelly tells the rest of us.

Eve looks at Alicia. "Go, Foxy."

Eve, Kelly, and I get on the apron. Nikki, Brie, and Beth are standing on the apron on the other side of the ring. The crowd starts chanting my name.

Eve looks at me. "Aren't you popular?"

"We're in my hometown." I reply.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Alicia and Natalya lock up. Natalya takes down Alicia in a Side Headlock as she stares at our team. Alicia wraps her legs around Natalya to escape. Natalya escapes from Alicia's legs. Alicia goes for a Big Boot on Natalya, but Natalya ducks. Both women come back and take each other down with a Clothesline. Natalya rolls over to her side to tag in Brie Bella while Alicia rolls over to us and tags in Kelly.

Kelly runs in and hits Brie with a Thesz Press. She then knocks Nikki off of the apron. She turns around into a Dropkick from Brie. Brie pins Kelly.

1…2…kickout!

Brie picks Kelly up by her hair and taunts her. Kelly kicks Brie in the gut and hits her with the K2. Kelly pins Brie.

1…2…

Nikki Bella breaks the pin. Kelly tries to go after Nikki, but the referee holds her back. While the referee is occupied with Kelly, Brie and Nikki use Twin Magic to switch places. Kelly goes after Nikki, who she thinks is Brie, but Nikki rolls her into a pin.

1…2…3!

I groan as Kelly is eliminated from our team. "Damn it. Who's going in now?"

Eve steps through the ropes and into the ring. "I got this."

Eve and Nikki run at each other. Eve hits Nikki with a Dropkick. Eve then goes for a Standing Moonsault, but Nikki gets her knees up to counter. Nikki grabs Eve and hits her with a Neckbreaker. Nikki pins Eve.

1…2…kickout!

Nikki grabs Eve, but Eve rolls her into a pin.

1…2…kickout!

Eve and Nikki Dropkick each other at the same time. Both women crawl towards their respective teams. Nikki makes it over to her team first and tags back in Natalya, who pulls Eve away from being able to tag out.

Natalya drags Eve to the middle of the ring and goes to lock in the Sharpshooter, but Eve kicks Natalya away before she can lock in the submission hold. Natalya goes after Eve again, but Eve gets to her feet and hits Natalya with a Right Hand. Natalya goes to hit Eve with a Discus Clothesline, but Eve avoids it and hits Natalya with a Dropkick. Eve then hits a Standing Moonsault and pins Natalya.

1…2…

Nikki and Brie break the pin up. Alicia runs in and knocks both Bella Twins out of the ring. Beth runs up behind Alicia and dumps her out of the ring. As Beth taunts Alicia, I get in the ring behind her and wait. When Beth turns around, I knock her out of the ring with a Superkick. I head back over to my team's side of the apron. Natalya is distracted from watching me, so when she turns around, Eve hits her with a Dropkick and tags in Alicia, who had just made it back to our corner.

Alicia runs in and hits Natalya with another Dropkick. Natalya starts to get up, but Alicia hits her with a Scissors Kick. Alicia pins Natalya.

1…2…

Brie breaks up the pin and drags Natalya over to their corner, where Beth tags herself in.

Alicia runs at Beth, but Beth grabs Alicia by her arms and hits her with the Glam Slam. Nikki and Brie pull me and Eve off of the apron as Beth pins Alicia.

1…2…3!

Alicia is eliminated. I throw Nikki into the steel steps before sliding into the ring to wrestle Beth. Beth is taunting the crowd, so I am able to grab her from behind and throw her into a corner. I drive my knee into her gut, using most of the five count before the referee has me back off. I go after Beth once again, but she strikes me with a Right Hand. I stumble before Beth nails me with a Clothesline. I fall to the ground. Beth tags in Brie.

Brie taunts me before slapping me across the face as I get to my feet. I feel my cheek before slapping Brie back. She stumbles before running at me. I hit her with an Arm Drag before locking in an Armbar. Brie immediately taps out, finally getting us an elimination on them.

Nikki enters the ring and immediately starts punching me. I finally manage to grab her arm to block and hit her with a Headbutt. Nikki falls back. I knock Nikki down with a Right Hand before hitting Beth off of the apron. I turn around to receive a Bella Buster from Nikki. Nikki pins me.

1…2…kickout!

Nikki slowly climbs up to the top turnbuckle. As I start to get up, Eve starts yelling at Nikki to distract her. As Nikki gets distracted, I climb up to the top turnbuckle as well before hitting Nikki with a Superplex. I pin Nikki.

1…2…kickout!

I stomp on Nikki before grabbing her and Irish Whipping her into our team's corner. I tag in Eve before we double team Nikki. Eve pins Nikki.

1…2…kickout!

Both women get up. Nikki goes to Clothesline Eve, but Eve ducks and kicks Nikki in the gut. Eve then grabs Nikki as she watches Beth and Natalya and hits Nikki with a DDT. Eve then climbs up onto the top turnbuckle and hits Nikki with a Moonsault. Eve pins Nikki.

1…2…3!

I grin as Nikki is eliminated from the match. "Come on, Eve! It's even numbers now! We've got this!"

Natalya runs into the ring and hits Eve with a Discus Clothesline. She locks Eve into the Sharpshooter as I'm pulled off of the apron. Beth tries to swing at me, but I dodge and shove her into the barricade. I look towards the ring just as Eve taps out, leaving me all on my own.

I slid into the ring and hit Natalya with a Thesz Press. As I get off of her, Beth gets back up on her side of the apron and swings at me. I duck. Natalya attempts to roll me into a pin, but I roll through and nail her with a Dropkick. Natalya uses the corner of the ring to get back to her feet but I hit her with a Handspring Elbow. Natalya falls to the ground. I lifted her up into a Fireman's Carry position and hit the Picture Perfect in the middle of the ring. I pin Natalya.

1…2…

Beth pulls me off of Natalya and attempts to throw me into the ring post, but I reverse it and send Beth into the ring post instead. Natalya goes to hit me with the Discus Clothesline but I avoid it and hit her with the same Backbreaker that Randy uses. I pin Natalya once more.

1…2…kickout!

I grab Natalya and lock her in Sleeper Hold. She stands up and runs me back first into the corner. She ran at me, but I moved out of the way. I pulled Natalya out of the corner and kicked her in the gut before putting her in a Side Headlock. I then looked at the ropes. In a small tribute to Trish, I hit Natalya with Trish's move, Stratusfaction, which also knocked Beth off the apron since I caught her with my feet while rebounding off the ropes. I pin Natalya.

1…2…3!

I smile as Natalya rolls out of the ring. It was one on one now. Something that I could work with. I roll out of the ring and grab Beth, but she pokes me in the eye and throws me into the steel steps. Beth rolls me back into the ring before hitting me with a Glam Slam. Beth pins me.

1…2…kickout!

Beth grabs me by hair and tosses me across the ring. I roll to the corner to help myself get up. As I'm getting up, Beth runs at me, but I catch her with a kick. Beth stumbles back. I get myself to be fully standing up. Beth and I stare at each other before locking up. She gets me into a Headlock, but I elbow my way out of it. I shove her into the ropes and hit her with a Dropkick when she comes back towards me. I pin Beth.

1…kickout!

I stomp on both of Beth's legs before going to lock in the Figure Four. Beth kicks me away and into the ropes before I can fully lock it in. I fall into the ropes. Beth knocks me out of the ring with a Running Clothesline. As she taunts to the crowd, I grab her leg to knock her down and pull her legs towards the apron. I grab one of her legs and slam it hard onto the apron. I slide back in the ring as Beth holds her knee. I drag Beth into the middle of the ring and lock in a Kneebar. Beth refuses to tap out and manages to grab the rope to force a rope break.

Beth gets up. I go to hit her with a Running Knee, but she avoids it. I hit one of the turnbuckles. Beth comes up behind me and bounces my head off of the top turnbuckle. She hooks my arms and moves me to the middle of the ring to take a Glam Slam. However, before she can hook both of my legs, I stomp on the knee I had been working on a little earlier. Beth drops me and holds her knee. I kick her in the gut before hitting her with a Running Bulldog. I pin Beth.

1…2…kickout!

I go to kick Beth, but she grabs my leg and rolls me into a pin.

1…2…kickout!

Beth Clotheslines me after we both get up and hits me with a successful Glam Slam. She pins me once more.

1…2…kickout!

Beth slams her hand on the mat as she looks at the referee. "That was three!"

"It was two, Beth." The referee replies. "Not three."

Beth continues to argue with the referee. I roll over to the ring ropes, so I can use them to help stand up. Beth turned towards me as I got stood up. She runs at me, but I hit her with a hard Right Hand. I then harshly kick her in the gut. I move her towards the middle of the ring before hitting her with the Chaotic Ending. I pin Beth in the exact middle of the ring.

1…2…3!

"Here is your winner of this match, Marissa Orton!"

I sigh in relief as the referee raises my arm in the air. This is exactly how I wanted things to go, winning my return match at Royal Rumble in my hometown and taking care of Beth myself. Beth glares at me as she stands on the ramp, holding the Divas Championship. I think I know what's next for me.

I blew a kiss to Beth, just to taunt her as I continued to celebrate in the ring in front of my hometown.