Chapter 3:
5…4…3…2…1
Come on, you know I gotcha, yeah
BREAK THE WALLS DOWN!!
Break down the walls
For those about to rock and what you want
Baby you know you're Judas and I'm your priest
Bring it through the stage in the rage of the beast
Step in the arena and break the walls down
Step in the arena and break the walls down!
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, the WWE Women's Champion Haley Mariano and the Intercontinental Champion, Y2J Chris Jericho!" Lilian announced from her seat outside the ring, as the ring was currently arranged for the Highlight Reel.
Unlike their first appearance that evening, the two superstars had left their belts and their ring gear backstage. They opted to come down to ring in a tuxedo and Haley in a little black cocktail dress, since Chris had determined it an awards theme for tonight.
Jericho helped Haley through the ropes, before going over to stand behind the podium set up for him. Haley chose to lean against one of the turnbuckles, hoping only to be present for this particular segment, rather than a part of it. When Chris and Shawn got into the ring together, it usually ended in Sweet Chin Music.
As the music faded, Jericho flashed his trademark grin. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to tonight special Awards Edition of the Highlight Reel." He spoke into the microphone. "Tonight I would like to present this," He held a mini statue. "The award for best actor in sports entertainment. This prestigious accolade defines who we are as competitors. I'd like to list off the nominees."
"Oh Chris." Haley rolled her eyes, as Jericho proceeded to poke some fun. Once again, his mouth was going to get him into trouble.
"And finally, Shawn Michaels for pretending to have a knee injury in order to beat Batista at Backlash." Jericho gestured to the footage of the match in question.
Haley sincerely hoped her boyfriend would remain backstage. She didn't want him to get involved with what would probably become a brawl, as most Highlight Reels tended to do. If Shawn Michaels was indeed faking his knee injury, Haley would bet Chris would taste Sweet Chin Music before the night was done. She hated being stuck in the middle out here. It was almost as bad as the one a couple weeks ago, when she had stood out here with Chris, Shawn and Dave before Backlash. She had to keep an iron grip on Dave's wrist as a means to keep him from knocking Shawn's face in.
"And the winner is…" Jericho made a show out of opening the envelope. "Wow, I can't believe it, Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of the award for Best Actor in sports entertainment goes to my guest tonight, Shawn Michaels."
Ah, ah, Shawn!
I think I'm cute
I know I'm sexy
I've got the looks
That drives the girls wild
I've got the moves
That really move 'em
I send chills
Up and down their spine
I'm just a sexy boy
SEXY BOY!
I'm not your boy toy
BOY TOY!
I'm just a sexy boy
SEXY BOY!
I'm not your boy toy
BOY TOY!
Jericho's smile turned plastic, as Shawn limped his way down to the ring. Haley felt a twinge of sympathy. If Shawn was indeed injured, then Chris was out here making an ass out of himself, and she was worried for Shawn's physical condition.
To ease her conscience, Haley stepped on the ropes to help Shawn awkwardly climb his way through. He hobbled back to his feet and thanked her with a small smile, before turned to face Jericho, who was still applauding and grinning plastically at him.
"Shawn!" Jericho greeted him with forced enthusiasm. "Kudos to you, man. What a massive performance to put on. I mean you've really…you amaze me with what you did. I think you deserve an award and I think you should give the people what they want and give them a speech."
"Chris stop." Haley quietly pleaded. "This is really unnecessary."
"I mean look, to show no hard feelings, Batista's very own girlfriend, who also happens to be my very lovely assistant, is out here to show her support for your incredible performance!" Jericho gestured to Haley brightly. "See, all's well. Now please, give us a speech."
"God damn ego." Haley muttered.
"Look Chris." Shawn picked up a microphone. "I'm hurt."
"Shawn, this is me you're talking to here." Chris shook his head. "You won the match, the charade is over, the façade is done. You flat out told Batista you'd do whatever it took to win the match at Backlash and you did. You did whatever it took and that's why you are who you are, that's a masterful performance. It was tremendous. I mean that why you are who you are. No one goes from pious preacher to backstabbing bastard faster than you do."
"Chris!" Haley hissed, flinching from the insult. "That's enough. Show some respect!"
"Am I wrong?" Chris demanded. "If I wasn't standing on the other side of this podium you'd probably try to superkick me with the bad knee right." He used air quotations. "Come on, I know the game. You need to enjoy this moment, this award. You deserve this award. You need to tell these people, tell Batista, tell the world exactly what you did yesterday. Look right into that camera and tell Big Dave gotcha!"
"Leave Dave out of this." Haley snapped. "Let it lie."
"Come on, you deserve it. Please!" Jericho insisted, ignoring Haley like he had since Shawn entered the ring.
A faithful HBK chant rose from the crowd, while Shawn remained his blank expression. Looking out at the crowd as they showed him their support, Haley almost felt inclined to join them.
"Okay. See you don't have to say anything. No matter what, you are still the Daniel Day Louis of the WWE. Ladies and Gentlemen, kudos to Shawn Michaels for his performance! Hit this man's music!" Jericho ordered, applauding once again.
As Sexy Boy played in the background, Chris left the ring, leaving an unamused Haley and Shawn Michaels in his wake.
"I'm sorry, Shawn." Haley apologized. "I had no part in this, I swear."
"I know. Chris has a big mouth; it constantly makes an ass out of him." The Heartbreak Kid muttered. "How's Big Dave feeling anyway?"
"A little jaw jacked." Haley smiled. "But, no worse for wear. I'll see you." She gave him a small wave, before she too left the ring, now the Chris had gone backstage. She loved that boy, but damn, he could be obnoxious when he wanted to be.
All Haley wanted to do now was have some down time with her man. She'd earned it after tonight.