If you want to add a little ambiance to this chapter, when you get to the fight, I'd suggest listening to Shot in the Dark by Within Temptation. I listened to that a LOT while writing this. Hope you enjoy this next chapter! Zelkina xx
The shrill beeping echoed through her head, rousing her to consciousness. Rebel scowled at the alarm as she turned it off, registering it was six thirty already. Flopping back on the pillow, she wiped her face with her hand, before her stomach lurched, and jolted her from semi-conscious to awake. Today was the day. Today, she headlined Wrestlemania, today that belt would be hers. And she'd better get her arse in gear, she decided. It was going to be a very, very busy day.
Rebel arrived at the arena mid morning. Breakfast had been spent forcing herself to eat, and hoping her nerves would let her keep the food down. The ride to the arena, Rebel was trying hard to keep her mind on the traffic, instead of the overwhelming feeling of wanting to skip town. The initial nerves were intensified as she entered the arena, heading to the locker room and spotting posters of herself facing Roman here there and everywhere. The walk had never seemed so long before. Getting to the door, she was surprised to see Hunter and Steph outside.
"There you are Rebel." Hunter smiled. "Glad we caught you."
"Something wrong?" she asked, concerned.
"Your mother…" began Hunter, and Rebel scowled.
"What does that manipulative bitch want now?" she asked.
"Orton had given her and your uncle two backstage passes. Your Uncle sent word that she's going to try getting in to the arena." Steph said.
"Fucking brilliant, as if I'm not stressed enough," She cursed. "What's the plan? I'll assume there is one, because there is no way in hell her being here is a good idea."
"Her picture has been circulated to every single member of staff both WWE and the venue itself. We've got a secure room for you, Seth, Dean and Roman to chill in, what with the circumstances between you and Orton, but if she's here, it's probably just as well." Hunter said. "There's a security camera set up in there to keep you guys safe, as long as you don't mind changing in front of it."
"Changing in front of security cameras is the least of my worries at the moment, Hunter." She replied, and Hunter smiled. He walked Rebel to the room, and advised her to change quickly before the guys arrived. Rebel did as asked, and sat down to wait.
Her mind was adrift as she sat waiting for the others. She had every thought possible going though her head. Would Orton try and take her out on the way to the ring? Would her mother happily help him sabotage her, after what had happened? And what of Rusev and Fandango? She would have to leave the room for press, for tv soon. The room might be secure, but she couldn't stay there all night. As she decided to tell Hunter that she would be happier roaming the arena, but using the room as a bolt hole in case anything happened, the door opened and in came Dean, Roman and Seth.
"Hey Bel," Roman smiled at her as he set down his bag.
"Hey." Rebel gave him a weak smile.
"How you feeling?" he asked. Rebel shook her head, her stomach had decided talking much more than the odd word was going to result in vomit. "Like that huh? Me too."
"Somehow, I doubt you and Rebel feel quite the same," Dean added as he got some clotes out of his bag. He looked at the girl, her face had paled the moment Roman walked in the room. He could feel the nerves radiating from Rebel as she looked at the floor, not watching the three guys as they changed. Once changed, the three guys tried to draw Rebel in to conversation, but it wasn't happening. As Seth made another attempt, there was a knock on the door.
More something to do than anything else, Rebel went to open it, and instantly regretted it. The moment the door opened, she found herself knocked to the floor by a flailing, screaming woman, forced to hold her arms above her head while the woman screamed insults and scratched and clawed at Rebel's face. She realised who it was as Roman, Dean and Seth pulled the banshee like creature off her.
"Holy shit, what the fuck is wrong with you…MUM!" Rebel stared in disbelief at the woman as Roman and Seth held her back.
"You bitch! You whore! You were a mistake, you've ruined my life and I'm going to ruin yours!" she screamed.
"What the hell is your problem? I don't even know how you think I've ruined your life, and quite honestly, I don't want to find out what deranged idea you've come up with." Rebel said, as Dean helped her up.
"I MADE you! I gave you life! YOU OWE ME you bitch!" she screamed and lunged at Rebel again. Roman and Seth held her fast, but Rebel took a step back, just in case.
"God damn it woman if I have to knock you out to get you to shut the hell up, I'll fucking do it, so don't give me a further incentive!"
"I'll have you for assault!"
"Which Rebel could already have you arrested for if she wanted." Roman said with a growl that the others knew meant business.
"How the fuck did she find me?" Rebel asked aloud. Her mother took on a maniacal grin, and Rebel was convinced she truly had finally lost the plot.
"I've been following you all day! I slipped in with the delivery guys!" she exclaimed with the maniac smile alive on her face. "You're going to come home to England, find a nice man, give me the grandbabies I am owed, and because you'll be such a god awful mother, you can leave them with me, and I'll raise them, and you can come back and play wrestler!" Rebel looked at her mother in disgust and horror as footsteps came running.
"You crazy bint, I'm never letting you near me, or any kids I may or may not have!" Rebel exclaimed. "And not two seconds ago you said you were going to ruin my life! How the hell you think I'll do that after what you just said, I don't bloody know!"
"You'll do as you are told, young lady, I am your mother and I…."
"Can shut the fuck up." Rebel scowled at the woman. "I'm a grown ass adult and I am NOT going to do whatever stupid ass thing you want me to." The footsteps got closer and Rebel smiled as she saw Hunter along with some police officers. "Hey, awesome. Hunter, how do I go about having this psycho arrested and committed?"
"Arrested we can do, but perhaps deported might be easier." Said the officer who seemed to be in charge.
"Either or, I don't care." Rebel said, glancing back at her mother in disgust. "Just get her out of here, get her away from me. I do not need her shit right now." Two officers took the woman from Roman and Seth's grasp, frog marching her off as she began to scream and yell that Rebel owed her, that she owed her grandkids and was going to come home and be a good daughter. Her cries and yells faded as she was marched away, and Rebel sat down, her head in her hands.
"You got a few scratches on your face, Rebel, you ok?" Hunter asked, as he got a good look at her. Rebel nodded, assureing him she was fine and that the footage on the security camera should be more than enough to get her mother deported.
As the day went on, Rebel could feel her stomach tying itself in ever increasing amounts of knots, her mouth would frequently become dry. Despite the attempts of her three friends, Rebel simply didn't want to talk about anything. She tried to focus her efforts on keeping a game plan, forming some kind of attack that might give her the edge in order to win against Roman. But she could think of nothing, think of no advantage she had. Roman, Dean and Seth had decided to give her a bit of time to herself as the crowds began to filter in. She could see it on the tv screen in the room.
"What have i got myself mixed up in?" she asked herself, putting her head back in her hands, where it had frequently been resting for most of the day. "I have screwed up so, so badly."
"You still bricking it huh?" asked a voice, as the door opened. Rebel looked up and spotted her friend, before giving him a weak smile.
"I'm fucking terrified. I am in so damn deep, it's almost painful. And I've not even got to the ring yet." Rebel replied, as he came over and sat down. He nodded, and took off the leather jacket that had become so iconic whenever he appeared on RAW or Smackdown.
"I've seen you look more terrified in the past than you are now." He replied.
"Like when? When i debuted? When i got to NXT? Take your pick." Rebel said, shaking her head.
"your first day of training." He said in a matter of fact tone. Rebel laughed as the door came open and her three friends came back in. Dean did a double take as he spotted her companion, and smiled, before reaching out to shake hands with him.
"Well I never, what are you doing here?" Dean said, shaking his hand and laughing.
"Came to see how my..." He paused and looked at Rebel. She nodded.
"Can't keep it a secret anymore. It's going to get out, especially as you came to see me." She said with a shrug. "Guys, meet the guy who trained me. Rowdy Roddy Piper." There was silence in the room for a moment, as her friends took this info in.
"But...how did you meet? How did you end up training Rebel?" Seth asked, his brow furrowed. Roddy laughed, as did Rebel.
"Well, you won't believe this, but...I hit her with my car."
August 2009
He was in a hurry. He had to get home, he had things to be doing, instead of arsing about at the doctors office. Roddy had jumped in to his car, and gave his mirrors a quick check. His phone slipped from his pocket and hit the floor of his car, and with a curse, he bent to get it. The phone now safely restored to his pocket, Roddy stuck the car in reverse, and pulled out in a slightly faster fashion than he'd intended. Sudenyl there was a sickening thud at the back of the car, and Roddy hit the brakes hard.
"What the hell was that?" he asked himself. He cursed as he quickly jumped out of the car. He did not have time for this, not at all. Rushing to the rear of the vehicle, he saw a young woman lying on the ground. "Oh shit," he exclaimed, kneeling by her side.
"Urgh," she groaned, blinking with pain of some kind.
"Are you ok, Miss?" He asked.
"I...yeah i think so...nothing feels broken, nothing feels badly damaged. Might have hit my head on the way down though." She replied, and stood up with Roddy's help.
"All the same, I'd be happier if we got you checked out," he replied, mentally cursing his stupidity for rushing.
"Oh, no, really, I'm fine," she protested, and Roddy noticed for the first time her accent wasn't American.
"You're British, right?" he asked. She nodded, and he took in her Undertaker t-shirt. "Came for the wrestling?"
"Yeah...it's a holiday and present for myself." She replied.
"Then you'll know who I am already. But just in case. Rowdy Roddy Piper." He held out a hand and shook hers.
"Rebel Wild." She smiled.
"With a name like that, you should be a wrestler you know." He chuckled. "Listen, I'm really sorry, let me make it up to you, I'll get you a backstage pass to RAW on Monday," he said.
"Are you sure? You really don't have to, it was an accident after all." Rebel said, rubbing her head. Roddy nodded.
"I'm certain. But first, we go to the local hospital and check you over. I'll cover it, don't worry." He added, looking at the sudden frown that had crossed her face.
Roddy had spent a week thinking about the girl. He'd learnt about her at RAW. That she was in training as a wrestler back in the UK, but was getting nowhere fast. How enthusiastic she was about the sport. By the end of the week, he was certain, and made a phonecall.
"Hey, Rebel, it's Roddy Piper."
"Oh, Hi Roddy. What's up?" Roddy paused, ad wondered if he was making the right decision. A split second later, he decided he was, and went for it.
"Listen, I've been thinking. You want to train properly, right? You want to hit the WWE at some point?" he asked.
"Well, yeah, of course I do." Rebel replied.
"Well, you're in luck. I'll train you." There was silence, then a stuttered reply from the end of the phone.
"are...are you sure? I mean...that's a big risk you're taking, a big chance you're taking on me." She replied.
"I know. I feel bad i hit you with my car, truth be told, and I wanted to make it up to you." He said. "All you need to do is get yourself out to the USA, and I'll take care of the rest."
Present Day
Rebel had spent a good few hours with Roddy, and he'd done his best to reassure her it would be ok. Now the show was well underway, and Dean and Seth had gone to have their fights. Rebel and Roman were left in the room. Roman tried to talk to her, but was clearly not going to get anything out of her. The pair warmed up in silence, and after a pause by Rebel to watch The Undertaker fight, and a smile when he won, it was time.
"Good luck, Sis." Roman smiled as he reached for the door handle.
"You too. Don't hit me too hard," she added, trying to crack a joke. But the sound her voice made suggested that was more of a plea than an attempt at humor. Roman watched as she gave him a weak smile, and nodded, before leaving the room. She continued to warm up, well aware that her stomach was twisting in such a way it was giving her cramps almost. There was a knock at the door, and a voice called through.
"Rebel...it's time." Rebel felt her stomach lurch as the match before hers finished, and took several deep breaths. He hands shook as she opened the door, and found a stagehand waiting. She nodded, and began on the long walk to backstage
People called out to her as she passed, their good luck wishes not really helping as Rebel could feel herself getting more and more nervous as the distance to the backstage area got smaller and smaller. As she got close, she tried to steel herself for what was coming. What she wasn't expecting, this close to the event, was for Randy Orton to risk everything and stand in her way. He smiled with an evil grin as she came to a stop just infront of him.
"Out of my way Orton," she said with a growl, or at least, as much of a growl as she could manage. He smiled wider if at all possible, both he and Rebel aware of the cameras trained on them and the people backstage gathering. Rebel could see some of the larger wrestlers readying themselves to intervene if it was needed.
"Now Rebel, I just came to wish you luck. I would say I'm wishing you good luck, but we all know you're going to fail. So, let's make it easy on you. Don't go out there, let me face Reigns. At least save yourself some dignity and honour." He said with an edge to his voice that suggested he was quite happy to rob her of the chance this close to getting her shot, if there weren't so many people around.
"Someone I look up to once said "There is no shame in going out fighting and getting your ass kicked, but there is no honour in not fighting at all." Know who that was?" she asked as someone came and stood behind her.
"That someone was me," said a voice, and the camera panned back to show The Undertaker stood by Rebel. "Rebel will be fighting tonight, Orton. I suggest you back down, and get out of her way." He said, his tone of voice suggesting it would be in Randy's best interests to do as he was told. He held up his hands, and backed away from the pair, everyone gathered breathing a collective sigh of relief. Undertaker then turned to Rebel, who was wiping her hands on her ring gear, the feeling they were covered in sweat was prevalent.
"How are you feeling, Rebel?"
"Nervous...terrified. Not sure I can do this." She said, looking up at her idol and giving him a weak smile.
"You can. I know you can. Have faith." He said, as he escorted her to behind the curtain. "I'll be watching. Good luck, Rebel. I'll see you when you're champion." He replied, patting her on the shoulder with one giant hand, before leaving her. There was a few minutes of her waiting, on her own, for the signal to go. Her stomach churned, her hands were sweaty again, and she wiped them again on her ring gear. She was damn sure she was shaking, and took a few deep breaths to calm herself. A stage hand said they were ready when she was, and after a few more deep breaths, Rebel gave them the signal to start her music. The familiar tune echoed around the arena, and Rebel waited for a moment, taking her time to give herself one final nerve steadying breath, and went out in to the arena.
The first thing that hit Rebel was the roar of the crowds. As she made her entrance, it was like a wave of sound hit her and almost took her breath away. She took a moment to look around the arena, at thousands of people cheering for her. So this is what it feels like to be main event at the show of shows, she thought as she headed down the walkway, giving hi-fives all the way down and doing a lap of the ring to give hi-fives to all the crowds present at ringside. As she came back to the walkway, she spotted a young girl dressed exactly like her, and made a beeline for her. She made the girl squeal with delight as she hugged her, Rebel guessed she had to be about eight.
"When I get that belt, I'm bringing it straight over here, and you get to touch it, ok kiddo?" she said with a grin.
"Hell yes!" The girl exclaimed, and after sharing a hi-five with her, Rebel headed in to the ring. She stood on the turnbuckles, waving and gesturing to the crowds, trying to quell the sinking feeling in her stomach. Getting back down, she went to the far side of the ring from where Roman would enter, and waited. She told herself to remember to breath, passing out right now wasn't an option. And then after a pause, Roman's entrance theme hit, and he began to make his way through the crowds and down to the ring.
Each step he took closer to the ring, Rebel thought she was getting closer and closer to throwing up. As he got on to the apron, she wiped her hands once again on her ring gear, the feeling that really, she should be hightailing it out of the ring was enveloping her mind. She tried to calm herself down, to remember that it wasn't about friendships, about family, it was about the belt. She had gotten herself in to this mess, and as Roman stood on the turnbuckles, his belt raised to the sky, she was the only one who would get herself out of it. He turned to face her and Lillian Garcia began to introduce them. But Rebel heard nothing, she could only hear and feel the beating of her heart as Roman faced her. The referee took the belt from Roman and showed it to Rebel, who nodded as she touched it, running her hand over the golden surface.
"You sure you want to do this?" asked Roman, as the pair squared up.
"I've come too far now to back down. I'm doing this, like it or not." Rebel said, knowing full well only Roman would know those words meant whether she liked it or not, not if he did.
"Good luck," he said simply, stepping back. Rebel nodded, the referee nodded and called for the bell. It rang, and the match began.
Rebel was 5ft 11, but Roman had the height advantage as well as the weight advantage at 6ft 3 inches, and 265lb. They locked up, and Rebel could feel the difference between fighting him and fighting with Dean almost instantly. She pushed back and found they were staying in the middle of the ring. Rebel scowled, and switched gears, sliding a neat headlock out of her position. Roman found himself bent double as Rebel cinched it in. Either he was letting her get an early upper hand, or he was being too nice. She didn't want to find out which, and as she shook him to make him, more uncomfortable, he shoved her forwards. Rebel found herself releasing her hold, and running towards the ropes. She turned it in to a rebound, intending to come running back at him. Roman however ducked to the floor, making her jump over him, and she rebounded again on the ropes on the other side. This time Roman caught her mid way across the ring, locking her in to the same headlock he'd suffered moments before. Rebel could feel his arm against her throat, putting on just enough pressure to make her struggle for breath, but not enough to make her pass out. He wants a match out of this as much as I do, she thought to herself as she struggled to free herself. Her elbow became her weapon of choice, and she swung it at his gut once, twice, three times before he loosened his grip enough for her to get out. Bent double, Roman was in perfect position for the knee to the face he received as Rebel went on the offensive. He stumbled backwards dazed momentarily, and Rebel ran at the ropes, rebounded and leapt in to the air, a vicious clothesline taking him down to the floor with a heavy landing. More to prove a point than make a win, Rebel pulled him in for a pinfall. The referee only got a count of one before Roman kicked out. Rebel got to her feet quickly, a feral smile across her face as Roman looked up at her.
"Really?" he asked with a smile of his own, one arm propping himself up as the other arm leant on a raised knee.
"Really. Is that it?" she asked.
"I'm just getting started Bel. Believe that." He replied, standing.
"Urgh, cheese." She grimaced, shaking her head. The pair locked up once more, and began to fight again in earnest.
As the match went on, Rebel found herself thinking more and more that perhaps she could do this. Roman's punches didn't seem to hurt that much, or was it all because of the adrenaline? They traded blow after blow, move after move, and Rebel found herself tme and time again feeling like it was meant to be, she was meant to win this belt. As she leapt from the top turnbuckle on to him outside the ring, on the arena floor, the crowds screamed and cheered for her. Roman caught her easily as they both crashed to the floor. She was quicker on her feet although only just, and dragged the man to his feet. Roman whipped her in to the ring steps in response, and Rebel's shoulder screamed in pain. Yep, this is real pain, she thought to herself as Roman helped her up and shoved her back in to the ring. Rebel forced herself to her knees and slowly got to her feet as Roman got in and stood up again.
"I thought you weren't going to go easy on me?!" she exclaimed. Roman looked at her, frowning in confusion.
"I'm not going easy!" he replied, advancing on her to be met by a surprise roundhouse kick.
"Could have fooled me!" she replied. Despite being dazed, Roman was aware enough to perform a double leg take down, dropping Rebel to the canvas. He pinned her down, and went to punch her, like he would any other opponent, but as she shielded herself he hesitated. He couldn't do it.
"Damn it!" he exclaimed, before being punched himself as Rebel took advantage of his reluctance. She brought a knee up and got him square in the middle of his back, making him roll off her and on to the ring floor. This time, she leapt on him, holding his vest as she punched him harder and harder. Roman was surprised and it took more effort than he realised to throw her off, putting his hand to his lips as she knelt on all fours, catching her breath. He could taste it, and as he pulled his hand away, he could see the blood from his lip.
"Seriously? You cut me open?" he exclaimed, looking over to where the woman was now up on her knees.
"I'll do worse if I have to!" she yelled, before dashing over, pulling his arms behind him and placing her knees in his back. She pulled hard, and couldn't help but smile when he let out an unexpected yell of pain.
"You're playing with fire right now, Rebel!" he shouted, shaking his head as the referee asked if he gave up.
"You forget, I AM the fire!" she growled. "Tap damn it!"
"Not today, Bel," Roman replied, and Rebel found herself alarmed when he wrenched himself free,, whirled round and an elbow smashed her in the face. She fell back, dazed and confused as he pulled her in to a pin. Instinctively she kicked out on a count of one, the roar from the crowds telling her the game was on. Rolling on to her front, a red droplet splattered on the canvas, and she felt her lip, and then her nose. If it wasn't broken, it was certainly bleeding.
"You ok to carry on?" asked the referee.
"I'm not ending this yet, I'm fine," she said with more menace than she intended to. She grabbed a nearby rope and hauled herself up, getting slowly to her feet. Roman grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her to the middle of the ring, before hoisting her up and delivering a deadly Samoan Drop. Rebel felt the air being knocked from her with the impact, felt her whole body protest as she lay there. But Roman wasn't done yet, and helped her back to her feet. She stumbled to the ropes once more. He charged at her, knocking her over the ropes and on to the arena floor. Rebel grabbed at the apron to haul herself up as he jumped down. The crowds went insane as the pair battled outside the ring, and began to trade blows. Except now, they hurt, Rebel realised. The punches were actually painful the chops and slaps stung like fire. She took advantage of an attempted whip in to the ring post to turn it back on Roman and sent him in to the post instead. As he hit the deck, the referee was counting to ten to count them both out, so Rebel rolled in to the ring and then back out to break the ten count. Roman pre-empted the kick that was coming, and caught her leg, throwing it aside, before delivering a whip in to the steel steps in front of the commentary desk. She yelled aloud this time, having made nothing more than small gasps of pain here and there out of determination. Roman helped her back in to the ring, and as she stood, feeling like it had to end soon, she saw the familiar set up for his trademark superman punch. She braced herself, it was coming, and as it connected and she hit the deck, it hurt like a bitch. She would definitely have a black eye tomorrow. He quickly scooped her in to a pin, and Rebel kicked out, although not as quickly as she would have liked. She swallowed the blood in her mouth, heard her heart pounding in her ears as she pulled herself up again, clouding the sound of Roman setting up for his final move. The crowds roared, the commentators gasped and her friends backstage cringed as he let fly the devastating spear that had slain so many, and Rebel was hit, taken down to the canvas with deadly force. He scooped her in to a pin once again, and the referee began to count.
"One..."