February 19, 2012
Elimination Chamber
The first two nights of the Elimination Chamber media blitz Punk went to bed in his and Kofi's room but awoke in John's. On the third day Punk just followed John into his room when they arrived at the hotel and nothing was said on the matter. Kofi was the only person who had been with him every step of the way during the situation with John. Kofi had seen him at his lowest but didn't treat him any differently than he had before. The same probably could not be said for anyone else who would have found it as a show of weakness. John was equally accepting and mystified by Punk's choice of friend because Punk couldn't have gone out and found someone who was more his polar opposite than Kofi, John excluded.
While he and John had fallen back into some of their old habits, there were some that they had not. This was probably completely due to the fact that Punk had not outright said that he forgave John. They also had not had sex except for that one manic night while they were still broken up.
There was also Ziggler and Ryder causing issues. John refused to answer Ryder's calls but that didn't stop the calls from coming even though John had been seconds away from punching Ryder in the face at Raw. Ryder was not in attendance at the fan events so his presence was not in full effect. Ziggler, on the other hand, only seemed somewhat deterred by what had happened in his hotel room. Ziggler's flirtatious manner was gone but that didn't stop Ziggler from trying to speak to him. They were at an autograph signing and Ziggler had somehow managed to get the seat next to him. Punk knew that Ziggler must have figured that he was safe from Punk at the event because Punk wouldn't resume trying to choke him out in front of the fans. Ziggler seemed to be ignoring the death glares being sent his way by John who was seated across the room from the rest of them due to John's fans being highly likely to spaz out or break into tears at any moment.
"Punk can we talk…"
"No, not unless you have a death wish."
"How did you find out about Ryder and me?" Punk ignored Ziggler completely.
"I backed out of the plan. I didn't want to hurt or embarrass you. I just wanted to be with you. I didn't do anything to you that was worse than the things John did but I hear you two are back together."
"We are and unless you want John to vault over that table and finish what I started you should keep you mouth shut."
Ziggler immediately ceased questioning Punk, probably because John looked ready to do exactly what Punk had threatened.
Punk's media responsibilities and autograph signings finally came to an end. The only thing left was the actual match in the Elimination Chamber. Punk knew that his state of mind was nowhere near where it should be, his attention having been focused on the state of his and John's relationship instead of retaining his title. The closer he got to actually leaving for the arena the more he felt like he was about to crawl out of his skin. Usually when this feeling hit he would find himself under the needle not long after, adding to his already massive collection of body art but there was no time before the event to use that avenue to settle him down. Something had to give if he wanted to get into the right headspace before the match.
Punk walked out of the bathroom and John looked up at him and then did a double take.
"What the hell!"
"You don't like it?"
"Uh…"
"It's fine if you don't because I don't particularly like it either. It was an ill advised impulse."
"I'm just so used to seeing you with facial hair. This clean shaven look is definitely a change. You look 10 years younger. I'm going to feel like a dirty old man chasing a young piece of ass."
"At least you're not going all John Cena on me and trying to lie, which we both know you can't do for shit."
"You do realize that you're going to catch hell from the guys, right?"
And catch hell was exactly what happened. Most limited themselves to sidelong glances except for Kofi who couldn't seem to stop laughing.
"Did you fall asleep and someone stole your beard? Did you lose a bet?" Kofi reached out and ran his hand down Punk's cheek. "Oh, you're as smooth as a baby's bottom. That's what I'll call you, baby."
"So the Kofi can call you baby but I'm not entitled to call you by any pet names?"
"Do you want to know the difference between you and him?"
"What's that?"
"Would you like to have sex with me?"
"Yes," John said softly, no sign of the playful banter they had been exchanging.
Punk paused for a moment and then gave John a brief kiss.
"Good…" John began but Punk cut him off.
"Don't even say it."
"I wasn't going to. I was going to say good match. I know you well enough not to say good luck."
They finally reached the arena entrance where everyone in the match had already entered the arena except for Kofi. John grabbed Punk's hand and squeezed it, turning around and heading back to the monitor bay.
"It's probably a good thing that we're not sharing a room anymore."
"Why's that?" Punk asked Kofi.
"Because after I win the match and take your title I won't have to worry about you taking the belt while I was sleeping and hiding it somewhere I can't find it."
"That does sound like something I would do. If it was anyone else I'd probably jack it and then run over it with a car or light it on fire or something. Ready to show the fans what actual wrestling looks like?"
"You know it," and Kofi entered the arena.
Punk entered and as he kneeled down to run his hand over the ground the belt came undone and almost fell to the ground. Punk wasn't the superstitious sort but that probably wasn't the best sign. He entered the chamber and his attention was immediately caught by Jericho who was doing his best Truth impersonation and talking to himself. Although Punk couldn't make out what he was saying, he knew it probably wasn't anything very complimentary. Punk decided to mess with Jericho a little and stood in front of Jericho's locked pod and mocked him, lifting the title. Punk briefly gave Truth the same treatment and then walked over to Ziggler, climbing onto the ropes and screaming "Best in the World." He walked Kofi down and held up the title and Kofi just rolled his eyes at his antics. He moved on to Miz whose expression didn't even change when Punk started mocking his expression. Punk slammed his hand onto the plastic of the pod and Miz didn't even flinch. Miz had come to win and couldn't be intimidated. Punk realized that he was going to have to keep his eye on Miz. Punk kissed the belt and handed it over to the official, watching as the door to the chamber was locked.
He and Kofi locked up, neither one getting the advantage over the other. Punk sent Kofi into the ropes, instead of rebounding Kofi leaped over the top rope, landing on the grating outside the ring. Punk looked at him shocked. Kofi re-entered the ring and Punk held out his hand and Kofi shook it and then they were back to fighting. They exchanged a series of pinning attempts. Punk flipped to roll up Kofi but missed his spot and managed to power bomb himself. Kofi hit him with a high velocity elbow and Punk went down. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ziggler doing pull ups in his pod. Punk had to wonder why he ever felt that moron was deserving of his attention. Punk recovered and Kofi tried to flip him over the rope onto the grating but Punk managed to land on his feet. Kofi fought back and Punk ended up slamming onto the grating, landing on his hip. He moved his hand to his hip and his hand came back with a little blood smeared on it. Punk realized that all this was taking place right in front of Jericho's pod. Punk sent Kofi careening into Jericho's pod. He pulled Kofi up and set him up for a suplex, blowing a kiss at Jericho who was getting more pissed by the second. That was the downside of being the last to enter, being mad as hell but having no way to lay into someone.
The crowd started counting and the lights went down, with Ziggler being freed from his pod. Punk immediately abandoned Kofi and ran at Ziggler. Unfortunately Ziggler took immediate control and punished Punk outside the ring. Ziggler rolled him back into the ring but instead of trying to pin him he went after Kofi. Kofi fought him off and Punk recovered, both him and Kofi taking turns beating Ziggler down. He and Kofi were both outside the ring, both prepping to do the same move. Punk nodded at Kofi and they both spring boarded off the top rope to hit a double flying clothesline on Ziggler but he moved out of the way and they crashed into each other.
The crowd started counting down again and when the lights came back up Truth had entered the match. Punk was lying under the ropes and he could see Kofi lying not far from him. He could hear the action in the ring and then heard someone crash into the grating and then Ziggler screaming. Everyone seemed to want to put Ziggler through the ringer. Punk recovered and took it to Truth, leaving him lying in the ring as he made his way to the turnbuckle in front of Jericho's pod. He stared him down as he climbed up, Jericho banging on the wall of his pod. Punk stood on the turnbuckle but couldn't help himself as he turned to wave at Jericho, only incensing him more. He hit the high elbow and pinned Truth. He stood only to be hit with Kofi's Trouble in Paradise. As he lay on the mat he heard Ziggler hit the grating again and screaming followed up with Kofi screaming as well.
The count started up again and since Jericho was entering last, it was Miz who was entering the ring. Miz didn't seem to have any preference for a particular opponent, choosing to take it to everyone in the match. Punk eventually recovered and managed to lock Miz in the Anaconda Vise. Punk kept increasing the pressure, waiting for Miz to tap. The crowd starting counting down again and Punk immediately locked eyes with Jericho as he was exiting his pod. Punk let go of Miz and knew immediately that he had fucked up because his hatred of Jericho had overridden his more intelligent sensibilities. They stared each other down and then went after each other, Punk with more vehemence than someone who had been in the match since the beginning. They both came close to connecting on their finishing maneuvers but both managed to counter out. Punk was in a bad way until Ziggler went after Jericho and was pinned by Jericho for his troubles.
Punk and Jericho locked back up outside the ring and Punk repeatedly slammed Jericho into the unbreakable plastic of the pods. Jericho stabbed his thumb into Punk's eye and Jericho tried to barricade himself in a pod. Punk forced the door open and entered the pod, kicking and punching Jericho. Punk pulled him by his arm, sending his head crashing into the door and then Jericho slammed the door shut with Punk caught between the door and the pod, collapsing in the pod.
"I'm the best in the world at everything I do," Punk could hear Jericho shouting at him and wished he was able to get up to smack Jericho in his big mouth.
Punk watched as Jericho submitted Kofi to the Walls of Jericho, but instead letting Kofi exit the Chamber he continued to beat Kofi. Jericho seemed to be purposely trying to set him off. When Jericho tossed Kofi out of the Chamber Punk came from behind Jericho and delivered a brutal kick to the head when he turned around. Punk watched in shock as Jericho tumbled out of the Chamber, took out a camera guy and then slammed his head against some equipment on the ground. Jericho was not moving or responding to the doctor that rushed to his side. Punk kneeled by the edge of the Chamber and waited for Jericho to come to but he didn't move an inch. Punk had meant to punish Jericho for what he did to Kofi, not practically kill the guy. The crowd started to chant his name and Punk felt a twinge of guilt. The official told him that Jericho would not be able to continue and closed the door, locking him in with Miz. Punk made quick work of Miz and pinned him after a GTS.
Even though he had won he was beat to all hell and could barely raise the belt over his head. He felt like he had been hit by a Mack truck but that didn't stop him from climbing the chain link wall and celebrating his hard fought win. Walking out of the chamber he knew one person who was in a worse shape than he was. Jericho was still lying on the ground where he had fallen, conscious but still unmoving. Punk shrugged, smiled and kept walking back up the ramp. He went through the curtain and made his way through the hallways, passing the monitor bay, John rising and following him to the locker room.
"Are you hurt," John questioned, getting down on his knees to look at the abrasion on his hip.
"Probably but I can't feel it right now. Are you done down there, it's just a superficial wound."
"Sorry, I was distracted by the sexiest ass in the WWE."
"Shouldn't you be in a dark corner somewhere embracing the hate and not ogling me?"
"Probably, but this seems like a better use of my time," John looking up at Punk with a smile. John kissed the wound on Punk's hip and got up from his knees.
Punk found his mind getting a little fuzzy after John's brief display of affection.
"I need to shower. Why don't you go back to the monitor bay and I'll meet you there when I'm done."
"How about I just watch you shower and we can go back together."
"If you win your moronic Ambulance match I'll let you perve on me after we get back to the hotel."
"Oooh, positive reinforcement. I'll just go now and embrace the lust."
"I'm sure that's exactly what Kane has been intending. I'll see you in a few."
John walked out the locker room and Punk took his shower. He was pulling his street clothes on when Kofi entered the locker room.
"At least it was you that won the match and not that asshole Jericho. He's probably still lying passed out somewhere. You're a dangerous person to have as a friend. Jericho didn't go after anyone when they were eliminated like he did me."
"Sorry about that."
"No need for apologies. Tonight isn't the last that Jericho has seen of me, I'll get back at him at some point. I just passed John going to the monitor bay. I'm surprised I didn't walk in on some kind of half-naked celebration."
Punk looked down and didn't respond.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"We haven't exactly…"
"Are you holding out to punish him or something, because that's kind of juvenile."
"I haven't told him I forgive him yet."
"But you came back from Tampa attached at the hip."
"I know, but…"
"You need to tell him. It's probably driving him crazy, but being that he's John Cena he's just not showing it."
"And how does one go about having that conversation?"
"No clue, that's all on you."
"Thanks Dr. Phil."
"You better get back to the monitor bay before John hunts you down."
Punk made his way to the monitor bay and took the seat that John was saving next to him. They settled in to watch the rest of the card. The camera men eventually made their way to the trainer's room where Jericho was being checked out. Even though Punk loathed the guy he was glad that it looked like he hadn't given him brain damage.
Of course Laurinaitis couldn't manage to stay backstage like most general managers. He came to the ring with Otunga and made threats against Teddy Long and was joined by del Rio, Mark Henry and Christian who all showed up to jump on the Teddy hate bandwagon.
"It's been so nice with del Rio gone," John said, shaking his head at the monitor.
They both watched as the competitors entered for the Smackdown Chamber match and were shocked with the volume of the crowd's cheers as Santino entered.
"I hate to injure your ego but I think they are cheering louder for Santino than they did for you."
"They seem to be. Maybe I need to add a hand puppet to my repertoire."
They watched, shocked as it came down to Santino and Daniel. Daniel's smile showed that he didn't really consider Santino a threat until he began to give Daniel a run for his money. Daniel got the win but his celebration was cut short when Sheamus' music cued up and he entered the Chamber with Daniel and hit him with the Celtic Cross, making his intentions clear that he had chosen Daniel to challenge at WrestleMania.
"That's one thing you don't have to worry about now."
"Yeah, but now I get to wait to see who Laurinaitis throws in my path. I doubt I'm going to enjoy it. Come on, I'll walk you to the arena entrance for your match," Punk said, rising and pulling John up after him, holding hands as they made their way through the winding hallways. Punk pulled him into a deserted dead end hallway behind a stack of crates. "There's something I have to tell you before you go out there."
"What's that?"
"It's probably the worst time to tell you this but I just wanted to say that I forgive you, for all of it, just don't fuck up again."
John stared into Punk's eyes and then pulled him in, flush against his body, and began kissing him enthusiastically. Punk leaned his head back, breaking the kiss, but didn't leave John's arms.
"Save it for the hotel room, you have a match to get to don't you? Just try to stay out of the ambulance."
"When I have such excellent motivation there's no way I'm going to lose."
"Then get to the gorilla position, I'll be waiting in the monitor bay for you," Punk said softly, leaned up to give John another kiss and then made his way back to the monitor bay and took a seat next to Kofi. He watched as John entered the arena, a bright smile on his face.
"Not that we have a lot to compare it to since there's only been one other Ambulance match, but I don't think you're supposed to be that happy to be there," Kofi said, shaking his head at John's completely inappropriate mood. Punk just smiled at Kofi and turned his attention to the monitor.
It didn't take long for John to sober up after Kane began the match with a series of vicious blows. The brawl took them all over the arena both men beating the hell out of each other. When the finally made their way back to ringside, John laid Kane out and grabbed a microphone, "Did that get me a spot in the fave five?" he directed at Booker T, then took apart the Spanish announce table and the ring steps.
He hit Kane in the face with the steel steps and just stood there as Kane crumpled to the floor. John's face broke out into a smile, "You guys ready to have some fun?" John said to the camera.
"Seriously, what is up with John tonight?" Kofi asked, mystified by John's swiftly changing moods.
"Positive motivation."
"Since I doubt you gave the guy a pep talk on the way to the arena entrance I'll just let that comment go by without further explanation."
Punk was a little worried when Kane was wheeling John up the ramp on a stretcher and then put him in the ambulance, but John fought his way out and ended up giving Kane an AA from the top of the ambulance and then loading him in to the ambulance, winning the match. Punk watched the hallway for John who finally appeared, grabbing Punk by the arm, leading him to the locker room where they grabbed their things and headed to John's rental in the parking lot.
"You do realize that this is the first time we've both left a pay per view happy since we've been together?" Punk said, looking over at John who was staring at him heatedly, their wins obviously being the last thing on his mind.
AN: I know I've been away for a while but writer's block happens to us all. Hope the update was worth waiting for. It's been a while since I thanked my readers for their continued support, so thank you for your comments which keep this story going and hopefully writer's block doesn't hit again and the updates will keep coming.