Hello! I just put up the first of my new Christmas story! But now it's time to update my Phil/Maria story. Kudos to evilresa17 and vampiregirl2009 for reviewing! It's okay evilresa17. All of us are busy, especially since the holidays are coming up. Yes, I did review your updates. Vampiregirl2009, I accept your request. But it's the LAST one I will accept. Only because I have other stories to update. I might make your request my first story of 2010. Okay? Here's the next. Enjoy!

*Note: The layout of the PPV will be a little different. Since Punk will face Morrison for the IC Title (even though he was in the World Title Fatal Four Way at the PPV itself), the World Title will be defended in a Triple Threat against Batista and Rey Mysterio by the Undertaker.

Chapter 7: Intercontinental Title Match

Less than one week after the big confrontation between Punk, Maria, Dolph and Michelle, WWE was taping their new Bragging Rights Pay Per View. The show was being recorded in the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Among tonight's matches, Phil would be facing Morrison in an Intercontinental Championship match. And Undertaker would face Batista and Rey Mysterio in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Backstage

Phil was warming up backstage before his title match. His match was the first of the night. However, a bouncy and happy Maria walked up behind him with her Women's title on her shoulder and covered his eyes.

"Phil. Guess who it is?" she sang out.

Letting out a sigh and laugh, Phil pretended to think about it.

"I'd know those fine manicured hands anywhere. Is it... Maria Kanellis?" he finally asked.

Letting out a gasp, Maria cheered, "Yay! Of course it is! You get one kiss."

Phil turned around and kissed his friend on the lips.

"Hey babe. You ready to face John Morrison?" Maria wanted to know.

"Yes I am. I might've messed up in the World Title Submission Match last week, but this time, I'm ready. And I will win this belt just for you."

"Aww. Phil, you are such a romantic. Thank you," Maria said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Phil and Maria then walked to gorilla with their arms around each other, ready for the title match.

CM Punk w/Maria vs. John Morrison - WWE Intercontinental Championship Match

Now it was time for the first match of the evening, and ring announcer Justin Roberts made the introductions.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this first match is set for one fall. And it is for... the Intercontinental Championship!" he told the WWE Universe.

Phil's music played first, and he came out accompanied by Maria, who still had her title on her shoulder.

"Introducing the challenger, accompanied by the Women's Champion Maria, from Chicago, Illinois. Weighing 222 pounds, he is the only three - time Straight Edge World champion in WWE history, CM Punk!" Justin told the fans.

A few members of the WWE Universe clapped and cheered Punk on, but not many. Although he had saved Maria a couple of weeks ago, he was supposed to be a heel. Why was Punk acting the way he was? However, when Morrison came out with Melina, all of the fans were screaming and on their feet.

"And being accompanied by Melina, from Hollywood, California. Weighing 219 pounds, he is the Intercontinental Champion, John Morrison!" Justin shouted.

When John and Melina got in the ring, they each hugged Phil and Maria respectively. Sure the four of them were on opposite teams this night, they were friends in real life.

"Good luck Punk," John told Phil.

Phil replied back, "You too Morrison."

After Melina and Maria left the ring, the referee rang the bell, Punk gave Morrison a hard kick to the stomach, and the match had started.

Later on...

Even though it was only the first match of the night, the fans had been on their feet throughout the match. The offense between Punk and Morrison had been dead even. Near the ending, John was set to go for the Starship Pain.

"Yes John! Do it! Hit the pain baby!" Melina screamed, cheering on her boyfriend.

However, Phil rolled out of the way and John hit the ring, hard. Melina cringed while Maria was clapping and jumping up and down and screaming loudly.

"Yeah! Come on Phil! Get him!" she shouted.

A little later on, Phil tried to set John up for a Go To Sleep, but John elbowed his way out of it. He set Punk up for a DDT, but Phil got his way out of it. After setting up for a GTS a second time, he nailed Morrison. He went for the pinfall and waited for the referee to count.

"One! Two! Three! Ring the bell!" That did it. Phil was the new Intercontinental Champion! For some reason, the fans were really shocked.

"Here is your winner, and the NEW intercontinental Champion, CM Punk!" Justin told them, making the victory official.

Maria climbed in the ring, let out a squeal, and gave her friend a hug and kiss. Melina climbed in the ring to check on John, then walked over to Phil and Maria.

"Congratulations you guys," she said to them.

"Thanks, Melina," Maria replied, hugging her friend.

When John sat up, Melina helped him up and the four of them raised each other's arms. This caused the fans to scream and cheer.

However, Dolph and Michelle walked up to the stage hand in hand. Melina and Maria left the ring to confront the couple. But they simply knocked Melina out of the way and walked closer to Maria. Luckily, Phil blocked Maria from them.

"Move, you idiot!" Michelle screamed at him.

"No. I don't think I will," Phil replied to her.

For this, Phil got pushed aside by Dolph, turned Maria so that she was facing Michelle, and held her in place.

"See Ria? I told your 'friend' to get out of the way, and look what happened to him," Michelle taunted. "Tsk tsk tsk. Now you'll get the same treatment, bitch!"

Before Michelle could beat up Maria however, Dolph felt something hit him in the back of the head and fell on the ramp, unconscious. The move knocked Maria down to the floor, but she got up quickly. She joined Phil and walked up the ramp and closer to the stage. Shocked, Michelle walked over to Dolph and looked up at the person who had knocked him out... Mark! He had used his title belt to knock Dolph out!

"Mark? Why? How could you do this?" Michelle asked him, shocked and a little upset.

"I think you know why, Michelle. You and I need to talk about this later," Mark finally said to her.

Michelle just nodded her head and continued checking on Dolph while Mark safely led Phil and Maria to the back.

Phew! Done after two days. I started it yesterday, but had to stop because I was too distracted. Hey, at least I finished, okay? I know it might be a shocker to have Taker help Punk and Maria, but I'm all for pulling shockers in my stories. Hope you liked it!

~Jen