Disclaimer: You've heard it before.
Yo yo! How's it going people? We've reached Destination X and the long awaited match between Jason/AJ and America's Most Wanted, will the 'Showstealer' and the 'Phenomenal One' add another tag team to the list of defenses? Will Mara overcome her toughest challenge yet in Gail Kim? Will Jay earn revenge on behalf of the group? Let's find out!
HereWeGo!
Rebirth-Chapter Fifty Eight-Destination X
"Just think" commented Jason squeezing out of the back of the rental car. "This time next month we'll all be out in St. Louis, we should turn it into a roadtrip."
"No offense kid, but the four of us..."
"Five" corrected Mara.
"Of us on a roadtrip is a potential disaster, remember your birthday?"
"Of course I remember Jay" laughed the teen sitting on the trunk. "The four of us being chased by the cops, getting caught, lying about our names, good times, very good times. Although Diane here got grounded for about a month didn't you?"
"Screw you!" Snapped Sonjay, Chris laughed and pulled Jason down.
"Sonjay, if you just ignore him he won't do it, he only does it cos you react so well."
"Actually I do it cos it's funny."
Chris smirked and began pulling out the group's bags. "Jay" he tossed it to him. "Kid, Dia... Sonjay, Mara" he handed his to her.
"Why didn't you throw hers?"
"Because I'm scared if I damage her stuff she'll bust out some Senshi moves on me" Mara smirked and planted her feet as though preparing for a kick, the guys all moved out of range.
"Oh, I'm liking this" she laughed. "So who's gonna carry my stuff for me?"
"Let's not push it Mara" said Jason. "Besides we have matches to be healthy for, well, except Leanne here."
"I do have a match" said Sonjay. "Me, Sharky, Petey and Kazarian."
"Y'know, as much as I love Jim he does book some random matches" said Jason' "OK, anyone not on the PPV? You guys? You're facing each other."
"Sometime's I wonder if Russo's still around" said Chris. "It seems like something he would book."
"Ugh, Russo" the group gave a collective shudder. "I feel for any and everyone who worked for WCW while he was there."
They reached the locker room and Sonjay did a double take at the door. "Guys..."
"What is it Tammy?"
"Someone's taken the liberty of putting a sign on our door" replied Sonjay gesturing to the paper stuck to it.
"Comic relief locker room?" Read Jay before tearing it down and ripping it to shreds. "And he calls us the immature ones."
"Well make sure you beat it out of him" said Sonjay. "Just wish I got a few more shots in when I had the chance."
"Before you brained yourself on the top-rope?" Smirked Chris, Sonjay scowled at him. "Seriously Jerry's just an old guy with hurt pride after what I did to him, Jay beats him tonight and he's finished."
"Wow, you really want it to go that far?" Commented Jason.
"After what he said about us I could care less about what Jerry does after Jay finishes him" said Chris. "In the end we're still tight as tight can be and we will be with or without him."
"Touching speech Chris" said Jason. "If we had anything I'd drink to that."
"I have some water in my bag" laughed Jay.
"I meant something stonger Jay."
"Well, we'll drink to it in the bar later guys, when we're all celebrating wins" said Chris.
"Dunno about that guys, Mara's still pissed about the birthday incident."
"Poor kid, tied down in a relationship at his age" smirked Chris.
"Yeah, unable to sample the joys of single life" agreed Sonjay.
"Ignore them kid" said Jay. "One day they'll be in a relationship like us and they'll realise what they were missing."
"Yeah... wait, since when did you..."
The group was interupted by a production assistant. "Dutt, you're match is up."
"Already?" Muttered Sonjay. "Time flies when you're taking the piss."
"Good luck Wendy!" Called Jason and the whole group laughed as Sonjay let out a yell of frustration on his way out the door.
"Well, ya didn't win. But on the bright side you weren't pinned."
Sonjay sighed. "Doesn't make me feel any better, feels like I'm back at square one."
"Actually square one'd be you being pinned, so you've actually moved on a little since last time" said Jay smirking at his friend.
"Shut up Machismo!"
"Oooooo, touchy are we?" Laughed Jason as Mara came in. "You ready?"
"More than" replied Mara. "I'm planning on having to clean what's left of her brain of this boot."
"Poor Gail" sighed Chris. "She was so young."
"Your point being?"
"No point."
"That's what I thought."
"Anyone else have the opinion that we're all whipped by this girl?" Asked Jason.
"Considering she has Senshi as her martial arts tutor... hell yeah!" Said Jay. "Anyway, I'll leave you three to take the beating, I have one of my own to give out."
"Go Machismo on his ass!" Yelled Sonjay.
"Ooooooooooooo yeah!"
"Ladies and gentlemen Savage has left the building" laughed Jason.
"Unfortunately we're still stuck with Sen... she!" Said Chris pointing at Mara.
"Wow, you finally have a nickname" smirked Jason.
"Took you guys long enough, although I dunno how the original is gonna feel about it."
"True."
"Guys, shut up!" Yelled Sonjay. "I wanna watch this."
Chris and Jason joined him at the monitor as Jay and Jerry went at it, Jay dominated their former friend and sent him to the outside where he continued the beating until Jerry grabbed So Cal Val and used her as a shield then pushed her into him, Jay was distracted making sure she was OK allowing Jerry to jump him.
"Wow, who knew being old also made you a pussy and a coward" said Sonjay to silent agreement from the others. Jerry began bruatlising Jay, busting him open on the steel steps and attacking the cut with his fists, but no matter what he did Jay kept fighting and making small comebacks eventually managing to regain control, he grabbed Jerry's head and jumped over the top snapping it over the ropes before going up top, he went for the axe-handle but Jerry pulled the referee in the way, Jay quickly set the veteren up for the Lethal combination but Jerry got a low-blow, while Jay was down he went outside and grabbed a steel chair, Jay staggered to his feet and got the steel to the skull full force!
Sonjay had seen enough and dashed out of the locker room, Chris half a step behind, Jason followed them out into the arena just as Jerry set Jay up for the cradle piledriver on the chair! The three stopped in their tracks and yelled for him to stop as he taunted them allowing Val to slip into the ring and take the chair away, Jerry saw her and went to go after her but Jay suddenly sprung to life and stopped him, Jerry cut off his comeback and went for the cradle piledriver again but Jay took out his legs and tossed him into the turnbuckle then hit the Lethal combination! He forced himself to crawl to the ropes and climbed up and hit the elbow drop! He covered as Sonjay and the others revived the referee to make the three-count!
Sonjay, Chris and Jason immediately dived into the ring to check on their friend as Val looked on from the outside in concern, Jay tried to make it to his feet and Sonjay helped pull him up.
"You OK there buddy?" Asked Chris.
"Depends, did I win?"
"Sure did Jay!" Yelled Sonjay. "Way to go!"
"Man, you look like you've been in a street fight with Abyss" said Jason looking at the cut on Jay's head.
"Really? I feel like I've been in a brawl with Snake Roberts" smirked Jay earning a light slap from the teen.
"OK, enjoy your moment in the sun man, we'll see ya in the locker room."
Jay nodded and climbed the ropes to celebrate as the others walked up the ramp, Chris glanced at the screen and stopped, he spun round and looked at the ring and began laughing, Sonjay and Jason followed and joined him in laughing at the sight of Jay and Val hugging in the ring.
"No way! Jay and Val?" Laughed Jason.
"He kept that quiet" agreed Chris.
"So sweet" said Sonjay. "So, we're making fun of him about this later?"
"What kind of friends would we be if we didn't?"
"Mara? Any chance..."
Mara turned round and cut JB off with a look. "JB, the talking's done, now it's time to fight."
She turned away from JB and headed towards the entrance tunnel, her music hit and she went straight out into the arena, she got in the ring and stared up the ramp that Gail would be coming down, instead her opponent appeared on the big screen with JB.
"Well Gail Kim we are just seconds away from your match with Mara Daniels, Mara herself has been on a major roll the past few weeks while you have sat on the sidelines, will you be the one to end it?"
Gail laughed. "A roll? What we've seen is Mara getting more and more beaten up while I just sit back, scout her out and prepare in my own way, tonight I defeat Mara Daniels and prove that I am the true dominant women's wrestler in TNA, now if you'll excuse me..."
She pushed JB aside and walked towards the arena as her music began playing, Mara's eyes never left the entrance tunnel as Gail walked out and stopped on the stage returning the stare, she took her time heading towards the ring determined to make Mara wait as long as she could, the teen stepped forward and held the ropes but Gail walked all the way around the ring and slipped in on the other side, they both stepped forward but the referee stepped between them and kept them apart, Gail took the opportunity to talk smack to Mara who just stared a hole straight through her, Gail backed off to her corner while the referee backed Mara into hers then called for the bell.
Mara hesitated for a second then made to dash across the ring causing Gail to duck out to the apron, Mara smirked at her as she came back in and the two circled each other and went to lock up but Mara planted her feet and Gail dashed out of range before she could start kicking, Mara laughed and Gail scowled as she realised she was being psyched out then stepped forward and slapped Mara across the face! She backed off and tensed expecting the teen to explode but Mara merely smirked and rubbed the spot she'd hit and waited for Gail to step forward, they went to lock up but Mara suddenly broke free and punched Gail right between the eyes! Gail dropped to the mat and rolled to the outside holding her face as Mara stared down at her with the smirk still on her face.
Gail stormed around outside the ring holding her face as Mara waited in the ring, she finally rolled back in and got in the teens face before they finally locked up, Gail quickly put Mara in a wristlock but the teen rolled through and nipped up before slapping on one of her own then pulling Gail into a headlock, Gail went to push her off but Mara popped the brakes and got a takedown without breaking the hold, Gail struggled and managed to push the teen into a headscissor but before she could apply it properly Mara rolled into a headstand and fell back onto her feet, she teased going for a kick but instead just straightened her hair and waited for Gail to get up.
The two circled each other and locked up again, Gail broke out and slapped on an armbar, Mara pushed her back against the ropes and tried to throw her off but Gail rolled through it and dragged the teen down to the mat, she tried to put the armbar on fully but Mara nipped up to her feet and tried to throw her off again but found herself on the mat again, she nipped up again and jumped up to Gail's shoulders with a headscissor while still in the hold, she tried to force Gail to break it but was powered back down to the mat again, she rolled back up to her feet and grabbed the ropes using them to backflip to her feet and take Gail down in another wristlock, Gail rolled through into one of her own but Mara jumped to the middle-rope, then the top and flipped behind Gail hitting an armdrag to break free. Gail rolled to her feet and another staredown began.
Mara smiled to herself as Gail circled her keeping near the ropes, she beckoned her to come out to the middle but when they went for a lockup Gail hit her with a kick to the stomach then put on a headlock, she used the ropes to push her off but got knocked down by a shouldertackle, Gail hit the ropes and Mara went under, then over and hit a big hiptoss, Gail bounced up and walked right into another followed by a slam, she backed into a corner and Mara jumped up and monkey flipped her out, she rolled to her feet again and got a big clothesline, then a dropkick, she got up by the ropes and Mara hit a clothesline that sent them both over but the teen grabbed the top-rope and skinned the cat back in.
Gail took her time getting up on the outside as Mara waited by the ropes, she went to vault over but Gail dashed away, she turned to taunt the crowd as Mara slipped out of the ring behind her, she turned and Mara hit a big chop to knock her down, she pulled Gail up and hit another and whipped her towards the steps, Gail reversed it but Mara jumped over the steps, Gail was taunting the crowd again and turned around for Mara to launch herself off the steps and hit a cross-body on the floor, she pulled Gail up and rolled her back into the ring then hit a suplex for a two-count. Gail got up but the teen hit a kick then a back-suplex for another two-count, she whipped Gail towards a corner but it was reversed, she jumped onto the ropes, kicked Gail away then hit a cross-body for another near fall, Gail retreated to another corner and Mara went to charge her shoulder into ther ribs but Gail jumped over her! Mara shot between the ropes and smashed her neck and shoulder into the steel post before crashing to the mat.
Gail took a second to recover her breath then rolled out to the floor and headed for Mara, the teen was laid out on the floor favouring her neck, Gail smirked to herself then pulled Mara up and slammed her neck-first across the crowd rail, she kicked the teen as she lay on the mat then rolled her back into the ring. Gail dragged Mara to her feet and hit a snapmare then a kick to the back of Mara's neck, Mara went to slump to the mat but Gail pulled her back and hit another kick to the neck then flipped over her snapping her neck against the mat before pinning for a two-count. She let the teen struggle to her feet then yanked her down to the mat by her hair, she pulled Mara up and began choking her over the ropes then charged and jumped on her back, Mara bounced to her feet and walked into a suplex for a two-count then Gail began working on the neck again.
Gail put Mara in a neck-vice and tried to keep her on the mat, Mara fought up to her knees then hit an elbow to the ribs, she got free and hit the ropes but Gail ran forward and hit a neckbreaker, she smirked down at the teen and stood on the back of her neck before dragging her over to the ropes and using them to wrench her neck some more, she let her drop to the mat then hit a kneedrop to her neck, she covered but Mara kicked out at two. Mara retreated to a corner and Gail hit some upercuts then pulled her out into a clothesline for a two-count before going back to the neck-vice. Mara tried to fire up but Gail pounded her down to the mat and put the hold back on, Mara began throwing kicks but Gail kept out of range without breaking the hold, Mara struggled to her knees and looked like she was going to try some more elbows but instead hit a jawbreaker! Gail broke the hold and staggered away allowing Mara to try and stretch her neck for a second, Gail recovered and tried a clothesline but Mara ducked and hit a dropkick, they both got up and Gail charged into a backdrop followed by a DDT for a two-count.
Gail got up by the ropes and Mara charged but got backdropped over, she landed on the apron and punched her away then hit a springboard cross-body! She covered but Gail kicked out at two, Mara jumped up and went for an STO but Gail elbowed her in the neck to escape then followed up with another clothesline, she let Mara up and hit some upercuts to send her back into a corner, she pounded the teen down to the ground then stood on her neck again, the referee pulled her off allowing Mara time to recover, Gail came over but Mara kicked her away and tried a whip, Gail reversed it but Mara came off the ropes with a headscissor to take her down, Gail got up in a corner and Mara hit a clothesline then went for a whip, Gail reversed it and Mara tried to go up and over but Gail caught her legs and hit a huge spinebuster! She covered but Mara kicked out again, Gail hit some forearms while she was down then put on a dragon sleeper to continue the pressure on the neck.
Mara tried to fight back out of the hold but Gail leaned forward and put her weight down on the teen's neck keeping her grounded, Mara tried to elbow out but Gail just moved away, she tried to lean in again but Mara brought her foot back and kicked her in the face, Gail's grip loosened so Mara hit a second kick to escape and nipped up to her feet and spinkicked Gail in the face! She covered but Gail kicked out, she fought back up just in time to receive the kick combination but managed to duck the roundhouse only to take an enziguri to put her down for a two-count, Gail got up in a corner and got another kick combo to put her down then Mara hit a running knee to the head. Gail staggered to her feet and Mara nailed her with the roundhouse! She covered but Gail kicked out, she got up in another corner and Mara hit a clothesline then bulldogged her out for another two-count.
Mara went out to the apron and climbed to the tope-rope, she waited for Gail to get up and went for a cross-body but Gail moved and she crashed to the mat, Gail quickly pulled her up and hit a gutbuster and covered for a two-count then put Mara in a camel clutch, she wrenched back on the teen's neck letting go occasionally to hit some shots to the back of her neck then put the hold back on, Mara kept trying to fight out but began fading, the referee checked her arm to no response, it dropped twice but on the third she stopped it from hitting the mat! She tried to fight free but instead stood up with Gail on her back then fell backwards crushing Gail against the mat and breaking the hold. They both staggered up and Mara took Gail down with an STO! Instead of making the pin she jumped to her feet and hit a second before making the pin for a two-count, she went up top and waited for Gail to get up then came down with a big missile dropkick! She rolled into a pin but Gail kicked out again, she hit the ropes as Gail got up then jumped onto her shoulders and hit a hurricanranna into a pin for yet another two-count.
Gail retreated to a corner and Mara charged but ate a boot, Gail quickly went up top but Mara was there to meet her, they fought it out and Gail pushed Mara down and went for a legdrop but the teen moved! Gail hit the mat hard and rolled to her knees and Mara hit a shining wizard! She covered but Gail kicked out again, Mara took a moment to try and get some comfort back into her neck as Gail rolled out to the floor, the teen quickly shook off the pain then ran forward and dived through the ropes! She crashed into Gail and took her down but landed hard as well, she lay on the mat to regain her breath then picked Gail up and rolled her back into the ring, she followed and hit some kicks then set up for the Angels Wings! Gail twisted out but Mara hit a neckbreaker.
Gail rolled to a corner and pulled herself up and Mara hit some chops and lifted Gail to the top-rope, she climbed up as well and went for a superplex but Gail began fighting out, she hit some punches to the gut then pushed Mara down, the teen rolled to her feet but Gail jumped off the top and hit a hurricanranna! Mara staggered around and Gail hooked her arms and dropped her with a neckbreaker! She covered but at the last second Mara kicked out! Gail began screaming at the referee then covered again but Mara kicked out, Gail pulled the teen up by her hair then set her up for the air raid crash but at the last second Mara slipped out and hit a roundhouse! She staggered over to the corner then bounced up and hit the BME! She shook her neck out then covered but Gail kicked out! Mara gave the referee and stunned look then walked over to the corner and went for another BME but Gail got her knees up! Gail then charged and took her down to the mat with a spear for a two-count, Mara got up again and Gail hit a big dropkick that sent her backwards into the ropes and left her tied up!
Gail laughed at the situation her opponent was in then slapped Mara across the face, she laughed in her face but the teen lashed out and kicked her away, Gail responded with another slap then yanked Mara's head back across the ropes, she then backed away and hit a big dropkick to Mara's head, this broke Mara free and Gail pulled her out to the middle of the ring and covered for another two-count, she tried a whip but Mara reversed it and went for whirling backbreaker but Gail countered and locked on a modified crossface! Mara tried to stay standing but Gail dragged her down to the mat, Mara struggled to reach the ropes but Gail kept her out in the middle of the ring, Mara raised her arm to tap but suddenly slipped out and rolled through into a Koji-clutch! Now it was Gail's turn to try and reach the ropes only for Mara to roll away and pull her back to the centre, Gail went to go for the ropes again but instead rolled through into a pin! Mara kicked out at two but Gail managed to slap on the modified crossface again! Before she could properly slap it on Mara grabbed the ropes forcing her to break the hold.
Mara lay on the mat trying to recover from the pain in her neck but Gail quickly dragged her back to her feet and set her up for a piledriver! Mara sandbagged it but Gail slugged her across the back and went for it again only for Mara to hit a backdrop, Gail rolled to her feet and the teen hit a superkick! She collapsed into a pin but Gail kicked out at two. Mara rolled away as Gail got up in a corner then ran forward and hit a stinger splash! Gail staggered out of the corner and Mara went for the Angels Wings but Gail escaped, she went for a backslide but Mara backflipped through it and went for the Angels Wings again only for Gail to trip her and bridge into a pin for a two-count. Gail quickly went for a whip into a corner but Mara jumped onto the middle-rope, flipped behind her and hit the Last Rites! She slowly crawled into a cover but Gail put her foot on the bottom-rope! Mara flipped and began throwing forearms at Gail's face, the referee pulled her off but Mara shrugged him away, she pulled her elbow pad off and tossed it away then mounted Gail and began smashing her forearm into Gail's face again, the referee pulled her away again but Mara just went after Gail again, she pushed her back into a corner and hit several more forearms then backed away and went for a boot, Gail caught it and spun Mara around only to get dropped with a huge forearm! She bounced up as Mara hit the ropes and nailed a lariat! She made the cover but Gail kicked out again.
Mara dragged Gail to her feet and threw her back into a corner, she hit some chops and tried a whip but Gail reversed it, she followed with a charge but Mara moved, Gail stopped before hitting the ropes but Mara pushed her into the turnbuckle and pulled Gail into a roll-up but rolled all the way through and hit a German suplex! She held on for the pin but Gail kicked out again! Mara began screaming at the referee then pulled Gail up and went for the Angels Wings again, Gail escaped but Mara kicked her in the stomach and went for it again, again Gail escaped but Mara just went for again like she was possessed, again Gail escaped but Mara went for it one more time only for Gail to counter and hit the air raid crash! She covered but Mara managed to kick out. Gail kept her composure and pulled Mara to a corner then lifted her up to the top, she followed but Mara hit a shot to the gut and went for the Angels Wings off the top! She hooked Gails arms but just before she could hit it Gail went for a backdrop, she flipped through, grabbed Gail and powerbombed her down from the top-rope! She covered but Gail kicked out again! Mara pulled at her hair and screamed in frustration before pulling Gail to her feet and shoved her back into a corner and once again began unloading with exposed forearms, the referee kept trying to step between them but couldn't before Mara hit a huge roundhouse that dropped Gail to the mat, she pulled her opponent back up and lifted her to the top-rope then began hitting forearms again, the referee tried to stop her but she shoved him down and began screaming at him before climbing to the top-rope with Gail, she hesitated to play to the crowd then went for a top-rope hurricanranna but Gail held on causing her to fall to the mat on her head!
Mara lay still on the mat as Gail climbed down and dragged her away from the ropes, she went to make the pin but paused then turned Mara over and locked the modified crossface on again! Mara began weakly fighting back but Gail just kept the hold on causing her to fade, the referee asked if she wanted to quit but got no response, he checked her arm which fell once, twice but on the third Mara stopped it! She began fighting out again but Gail shifted her position and wrapped her legs around Mara's neck adding more pressure on the neck, Mara was screaming but still tried to edge towards the ropes, Gail shook her head in disbelief then pulled back even harder, Mara reached desperately for the bottom-rope but it was just out of her reach, she tried desperately to break Gail's grip but finally gave in to the pain and tapped out!
It took Gail several seconds to realise she'd won and the referee had to pull her off to get her to break the hold, she jumped to her feet and began celebrating as the referee checked on Mara, she shrugged him off and rolled to her knee's looking up at Gail, the anger and frustration were gone and now replaced with bitter disapointment in herself for making the mistake of losing control. Gail climbed down from the ropes and turned just as Mara got to her feet, they stared each other down and Gail raised her arms in celebration, Mara looked ready to kill but choked it down and offered her hand, Gail laughed and went to turn away but seemed to have a change of heart, she walked up to Mara, hesitated and slowly shook her hand, Mara looked at the ground and went to turn away but Gail pulled her back and went for a sucker punch only for Mara to duck and hit a superkick! She stood over Gail and smirked but then replaced it with the same look of disapointment, she slowly left the ring and headed for the back pausing only to look back at the still down Gail as she left.
"I can't believe she lost it like that" muttered Jason to himself back in the locker room. "I never thought she'd actually lose it during a match."
"At least she got the last word" offered Sonjay.
"Believe me, that mean's nothing to her right now."
"Well, you gotta admit it was cool seeing her go strong style and channel Doug Williams" said Chris.
"Again, that mean's nothing, right now she's probably trying to cope with knowing she tapped out to someone for the first time in her life."
"She's never tapped?" Asked Sonjay.
"Before now, never, only ever been pinned three times, Alexis Laree, Trinity and Traci and all of those had outside interference."
"Something tells me she won't be taking this too well."
"Nah, Mara's a pro, she can take a loss" almost on cue a production assistant burst in.
"Jason, we have a slight situation with Mara..."
"Define 'slight'."
"She's trashing the women's locker room."
Jason sighed. "Oh God."
"And AJ's just arrived, security's keeping him in the parking lot."
"Why?"
"Because he has a baseball bat and he's swinging at anything that moves."
"For the love of... Can't anything go smoothly around here?" Snapped Jason standing up. "Chris, good luck out there man, come back with that."
"I intend to kid, don't get yourself killed."
"Being killed is the least of my worries" muttered Jason, he stopped at the door looking both ways deciding what he'd rather face, a pissed off Mara or a pissed off AJ with a baseball bat. He laughed to himself and headed for the parking lot.
"AJ, just put the bat down and listen to me for five seconds..."
"No Jim! No! This bat has Harris and Storm's names on it and I ain't putting it down until their faces look like my eye after I got out of the hospital!"
"AJ, I know you want... Kid!" Cornette called Jason over. "Please for the love of God talk some sense into your partner before he kills someone."
Jason nodded and walked forward. "AJ, dude. Put it down."
"Not you too kid! How can you stand there and tell me to let it go!"
"Look, AJ, I know you want payback, hell they haven't exactly gone easy on me either! But you brain one of them with that thing and they get the belts on a DQ! And..."
"The belts? The belts!" AJ screamed. "You care more about the belts than..."
"No, but listen, they want these belts off us, pretty badly too. You go out there and get us DQ'ed and they win, sure you get a little payback but they get what they want, and they win. But if we go out there, kick their asses like there's no tomorrow and beat them clean then you get your payback and the satisfaction of keeping them away from what they want. So what's it gonna be partner?"
AJ looked thoughtfull at Jason's words, he looked at the bat then handed it over. "OK kid, your call, but we better win."
"Don't we always?"
"Yeah, we do that's true."
"See? We got this. Now go get yourself ready man."
AJ grabbed his stuff and headed for the locker rooms, Jason handed the bat to security and went to deal with his next problem, the one he was hoping had calmed down a little by now.
"About damn time you showed up!" Snapped Christy Hemme as Jason approached the women grouped outside the locker room. "If that bitch you call a girlfriend has done anything to my stuff I'll..."
"You'll what?" Jason shot back. "Get your ass handed to you by her, again? So what the hell's going on in there?" He asked Val.
"She just came in and began throwing things around, we tried talking to her but..." she gestured to the door.
"OK, I'll handle it, by the way, you and Jay? I approve" Val blushed as Jason hammered on the door. "Mara, you alright?" No one answered. "OK, if I don't make it out alive someone tell Shawn Michaels he's never getting that rematch."
Laughing nervously to himself he stepped into the locker room, Mara had certainly done a number on the place, bags were strewn across the floor, tables and chairs were overturned and the mirror lay shattered on the floor, Mara sat in a chair in the middle of the room glaring at the floor.
"Redecorating?" He joked, Mara glanced up at him then put her head down. "Are you..."
"No" she said quickly, looking back up. "I'm not."
"OK" Jason grabbed a chair of his own and sat down next to her. "Wanna talk?"
"What's there to talk about? I screwed up and Gail beat me, not just beat me but made me tap! Do you know how many people have made me tap?"
"If I remember, none."
"Exactly."
"C'mon, Mara it's not like you've never lost before."
"But I didn't just lose to her, she made me give up! She made me quit!"
"There's always a first time, I've tapped before, quite a few times actually."
"Yeah but you're..." Mara trailed off.
"What? Used to losing? Is that it?" Jason laughed when Mara didn't reply. "OK, there was something Shawn Michaels told me when I beat him, as much as you hate to do it, it's good to lose sometimes, because it drives you on to be better. Because if you don't lose you'll just react worse when you do, and y'know what, you just proved the second one right."
"Are you saying I'm a bad loser?"
"Yup, congratulations! I always thought I'd be the one who'd do that."
"Great, so now I'm just as bad as you" Jason went to reply but saw the smirk on Mara's face and laughed.
"Yup, welcome to the immature jackass club."
"When do I get my membership pack?"
"When you cheer up, get changed and come join us watching Chris beat Shelley."
"Deal."
"OK then" Jason smiled and headed for the door.
"Y'know, for someone who hates doing it you're actually pretty good at being the voice of reason."
"Yeah, but don't spread it around, if people start finding out I'm smart, you're dead!"
"Hey guys!"
"Ssshhhhhh!" Hissed Sonjay without looking away from the screen, Mara shook her head and sat down next to Jason.
"How's Chris doing?"
"Back and forth" replied Jason. "Chris hits something then Shelley hits something."
"Where's Devine and big lazy?"
"Nash is on commentary, that's his melodius voice you hear now, and Shelley told Devine to take a hike when they came out."
Mara nodded and fell silent as Shelley rocked Chris with a superkick then set him up for an air raid crash but Chris pushed him away, Shelley went to use the ropes to go up and over but Chris caught him, ran out to the middle of the ring and hit the cradle shock! He covered Shelley and held him down for the three-count.
"Our boy does it again!" Yelled Jay as Chris grabbed his belt, Shelley was pulling himself up and turned to face Chris, the two stared each other down but before anything could happen Devine hit the ring and jumped Chris from behind! He put the boots in and called for Shelley to join him before returning to the beatdown, Shelley looked on then stepped forward and pulled Devine back. His partner gave him a confused look then pushed past him and stomped Chris down again, Shelley pulled him back harder and this time the two faced off.
"What the hell is your problem?" Yelled Devine giving his partner a hard shove, he turned to go after Chris but Shelley pulled him back and decked him with a right hand! Devine bounced up and Shelley hit him with a flurry of punches, Devine kicked him away and charged but Shelley sidestepped and he ran into a spinkick to the gut from Chris, he reeled and Shelley hit a superkick, he stayed on his feet but Shelley hit another while Chris hit an enziguri to put him down! They then turned to each other and had a staredown then laughed and high-fived. Shelley handed Chris his belt and the two hopped out of the ring.
"Interesting" commented Sonjay.
"Not quite the word I had in mind but it sums it up" replied Jason as Chris and Shelley entered sporting matching grins. "How long's this been going on?"
"Believe it or not that was completely on the fly" said Chris. "Alex just finally saw where the real fun was and decided to come home."
"What makes you think we're just gonna let him walk in?" Asked Sonjay, Chris and Shelley exchanged a look.
"Well, if the kid gets to bring AJ in then I think Alex should be in as well."
"Fair point" replied Jason standing up in front of Shelley. "But if any video's of me and Mara turn up, I'll not only kill you, but I'll castrate you first."
Shelley laughed. "Awwwww man, there goes my fun."
Jason smirked. "Welcome to the party" he held out his hand, Shelley shook it.
"Well, we lost Jerry but we gained a Murder City Machinegun" said Jay.
"Yup, we're back in business!" Added Chris.
"Yeah, well as fun as this is I gotta go defend my belt, but when I get back we can go party and initiate Alex here."
"Looking forward to it!" Yelled Shelley as Jason grabbed his belt and jacket and left the room with Mara in tow, he started pulling the jacket on and jumped as AJ slapped him on the back.
"Damn! One of these days you have to teach me that!"
"Yeah, one day. Sounds like you guys have a new friend."
"Yeah, soon we won't need you anymore."
"Sorry kid, as long as you have that over your shoulder you're gonna need me to help ya keep it."
"Whatever you say Styles" grinned Jason, AMW's music hit in the arena and the grins vanished. "Ready for payback?"
"An eye for an eye kid."
"C'mon."
They reached the tunnel just as their music hit and walked out into the arena, Mara smirked as she noticed no sign of Gail at ringside then felt something barge her as AJ tore towards the ring! Jason sighed and exchanged a look with Mara before taking off after him, they hit the ring and began brawling with the challengers, Jason fighting with Harris while AJ took down Storm and began punching away at his face, they rolled to the outside as Jason gained control of Harris and threw him into a corner where he began opening up with punches of his own. The referee went outside and pulled AJ off Storm as Jason whipped Harris and hit a backdrop then a dropkick to send him out next to his partner, the two attempted to regroup as Jason went to the top-rope and came off with a moonsault! They sidestepped but he landed on his feet and pointed to the ring as AJ dove over the top-rope onto them! They picked Storm up and threw him into the crowd then sent Harris back into the ring and hit the high-low combo before Jason covered for a two-count. Before Harris could get to his feet Jason grabbed him and dragged him to his corner and tagged AJ.
AJ quickly got into the ring as Jason held him for a double-team but instead speared the 'Wildcat' to the mat and began punching away at him! Jason and the referee pulled him off but he just jumped Harris again and began pounding away at him, Storm had got up on the apron and AJ brought him in over the top, Storm tried to get to his feet but AJ took him down and began hammering him down until Harris jumped him, he tried a whip but AJ reversed it and hit a huge dropkick! He jumped on Harris and began punching away again but Jason reached over and tagged himself back in, he ordered AJ out of the ring to cool off then whipped Harris and hit a powerslam for a two-count, he hit the ropes but Storm kicked him in the back, he spun round and knocked the 'Cowboy' off the apron but turned into a huge lariat from Harris! He hit some stomps on Jason then turned to taunt AJ, he came in distracting the referee allowing Storm to come in and help his partner put the boots to Jason, Harris jumped out as Storm shot Jason off the ropes and caught him with a knee to the face for a two-count.
Storm took some shots at Jason's face then called for AJ to come in, the referee stepped between them allowing Storm to hit Jason low then kick him to the outside where Harris knocked him down then slammed him head-first into the steel steps, he rolled the teen back in and Storm covered for a two-count, Storm tagged Harris as Jason tried to get up, he got to his feet but Harris grabbed him and hit a suplex then hit the ropes and landed a bulldog for a two-count, AJ tried to get in causing the referee to get distracted again allowing Storm to hold Jason for Harris to get some free shots in then choked him on the ropes, Harris followed up by catapulting Jason into a corner and then hitting a back-suplex for a two-count and tag Storm, he threw Jason into a corner and when he staggered out dropped him with a backcracker! He covered but Jason managed to kick out at two, he went to pick Jason up but the teen began throwing punches, he whipped Storm and tried a backdrop but Storm countered with a kick then scooped the teen up and hit the eight second ride! He covered but AJ broke up the pin, he went to leave but then lost it and tackled Storm to the mat and began beating on him again, the referee ordered him out as Harris came in and picked Jason up allowing him and Storm to hit Jason with the Hart attack! He bailed and Storm covered but only got a two-count.
Storm took a few cheap shots at the teen then tagged Harris in, he went to pick Jason up but the teen began fighting back again, he got to his feet and tried a big punch but Storm caught his fist, Jason kicked him down then charged Harris only for him to sidestep and hit a full nelson slam! He covered but Jason kicked out at two, he exchanged a frustrated look with his partner then jerked his head towards his jacket, Storm dropped to the floor and began calling AJ out for a fight right there, the 'Phenomenal One' began walking around the ring but the referee cut him off as Storm went to Harris's jacket and pulled out the handcuffs! He threw them to his partner who wrapped the chain around Jason's neck and began choking the teen as AJ tried to get in and help, Harris pulled Jason up and used the handcuffs to hit a neckbreaker! He slipped the cuffs into his trunks as the referee returned and covered for a two-count. He pulled the teen up and hit another neckbreaker then went to the top-rope, he took a second to taunt the fans then went for a legdrop but Jason moved! Harris landed hard and stayed down as Jason began crawling towards AJ who was begging for a tag, Storm realised Jason was going to make it and jumped in, the referee turned to him just as Jason made the tag to AJ! The 'Phenomenal One' jumped in and went for Harris but the referee had missed the tag and stopped him! The two argued as Storm dragged Jason back to the middle of the ring, picked him up and hit the eye of the storm! Harris rolled into a cover as the referee got AJ out, he counted but Jason kicked out at two!
Harris flipped and began punching away at Jason's face, he tagged Storm in and shot Jason off the ropes, they went for a double spinbuster but in mid-move Jason shifted his weight and dropkicked them away! He rolled towards his corner, dived and made the tag to AJ! He quickly jumped in and went for both members of AMW, knocking them down with punches, he dropkicked Harris to the outside then hit Storm with a huge back suplex! They bounced up so he grabbed the 'Cowboy' and hit a brainbuster! Not content with that he pulled him up and hit a second! He made the cover but Harris attacked him, AJ fought back but Harris went for a suplex only for AJ to slip out, hold on and hit a neckbreaker! He charged Storm but got backdropped over the top, he landed on the apron, punched Storm away and hit a springboard flying forearm! He clotheslined Harris back out then scooped Storm up and hit a backbreaker followed by a gutbuster! He covered but only got a two-count, he quickly pulled Storm back to his feet and called for the Styles Clash but Harris jumped him allowing Storm to escape, he beat AJ down then scooped him up for the catatonic! He went to hit it but at the last moment AJ countered into a DDT! He rolled to the outside as Storm snuck in and dropped AJ with a low blow! He smirked down at the 'Phenomenal One' then rolled out and grabbed his beer bottle, he cracked in open and downed the beer before waiting for AJ to stand, the referee tried to stop him but Storm barged him to one side and charged but AJ knocked him down and grabbed the bottle! He lunged for Storm but the referee stepped between them, he demanded AJ hand him the bottle and a stand-off began before AJ slowly handed it over, the ref turned to dispose of it and Harris cracked AJ in the back of the head with the handcuffs! He quickly bailed and Storm made the cover but AJ kicked out at two!
Storm looked at the referee in disbelief then took some shots at AJ's eye as Harris came back in, they whipped AJ and tried a double-clothesline but AJ ducked, jumped onto the ropes and hit the moonsault into a reverse DDT on both of them! He covered Storm but the 'Cowboy' kicked out, AJ quickly went for another Styles Clash but Storm backdropped out of it then caught AJ with a big DDT! He covered but AJ kicked out at two, Storm pulled him up and whipped him but Jason tagged himself in, AJ ducked Storm's clothesline then Jason came off the top with a cross-body! Instead of pinning he jumped up as Harris charged him, he sidestepped then he and AJ hit the superkick and the Pele! Storm staggered to his feet in a corner and Jason hit the stinger splash! Storm staggered out and Jason hit the impaler! He covered but Storm kicked out, he quickly pulled the 'Cowboy' up and went for a reverse DDT, Harris jumped up and tried a clothesline but the teen ducked and dropped him with a neckbreaker at the same time! He covered Storm but Harris put his partners foot on the ropes, Jason threw Harris into a corner then went for another stinger splash but Harris moved! Jason landed on the middle-rope then jumped to the top for a moonsault but Harris sidestepped and he hit Storm! He charged Harris and went for a cross-body but the 'Wildcat' caught him and hit the catatonic! He taunted the teen then turned into a flying clothesline from AJ! He checked on his partner not noticing Storm get up then turned into the Last Call superkick!
AJ rolled to the outside as Storm turned and measured Jason for another superkick, then teen staggered to his feet and Storm stepped forward but at the last second Jason ducked, and scooped him up for the C-Bomb! He turned to the middle of the ring but Harris cut the move off with a spear! Jason and Storm fell to the mat and the 'Cowboy' draped his arm across the teen but only got a two-count! Storm and Harris looked stunned the Storm told his partner to go up top as he set Jason up for the Death Sentance! Harris made it to the top but before he could come off AJ pushed him! He flew to the floor and smashed into the crowd barrier as Storm lunged for AJ, the 'Phenomenal One' ducked and hung his head over the ropes, he staggered backwards and Jason was there to hit the C-Bomb! He went to make the pin but stopped and told AJ to go up, he set Storm up for a Death Sentance as AJ came down with the spiral tap! Jason made the pin and the referee counted Storm down for the three-count!
The referee was quick to roll Storm out of AJ's reach after the pin as the tag champs celebrated, Mara grabbed the belts off the announce table and brought them in, AJ took his and smirked at Jason.
"You were right, it does feel sweeter knowing they didn't get these."
"What I tell ya?" Laughed Jason, holding his up for the crowd. "Think anyone'll ever be able to take these off us?"
"Wait and see young Cena" replied AJ. "Let's just enjoy the moment."
"Yes sensei" smirked the teen hopping out of the ring, AJ and Mara followed him up the ramp but he stopped on the stage. "Ah hell, one more time!" He laughed before turning and holding his belt up, AJ followed suit and the soaked up the cheers before heading backstage.
OK, another chapter (finally) in the books, who will be next for the seemingly unbeatable tag champs? Is Mara and Gail's feud over or will Mara try to even up the score? And how will one Alex Shelley fit in with his new friends? Find out soon!
I'm out
James