Ch. 10 as promised :)
June 1: WWE Payback - Chicago, IL: Allstate Arena
(1 hour before start time)
Miz's POV
I stand near the interview area backstage talking to Nick about tonight's pay-per-view. I have a singles match against Kofi Kingston which is labeled as "extra" on the card. Dolph is about to head off for his Kickoff Pre-show bout versus Jack Swagger to determine the number one contender for the United States Championship.
"Hey, so someone told me they saw you driving off with Paige after the Springfield show."
"Yeah? I did, so what?"
"Didn't I tell you to quit all of this while you were ahead, man?!"
At this point, my relationship with Paige is worth so much more to me than a suggestion. I don't care if everyone knows. Last night's car ride proved to strengthen rather than break us.
"Yeah, and I obviously didn't listen to you. I know what I'm doing, man."
"You think that but I think you're just a fucking lunatic. What about your wife, Maryse?"
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."
I feel a sudden energy emerge to my right.
"Hey guys!" It's Paige. "You two prepared for Payback?"
She asks with definite perk and cheekiness. The sight of her throws a smile on my face.
"Yeah Paige, getting there." Dolph replies with an obvious uneasiness. "Hey uh, I'll catch you later, man.." He says and walks past us.
I turn the attention to the raven-haired champion by my side.
"Hey what's up, Saraya?"
"So Miz, those promo lessons could come really handy about now."
I can see a twitch in her face that signals anxiety.
"Oh yeah! You're on the mic tonight, aren't you?"
"And I was promised one, remember?" She replies with an expecting eagerness. Her eyes flare under the white light.
"Aww, of course. Should we take this somewhere a little more private?" I playfully nudge her arm and wink. Making her giddy is one of my favorite pastimes.
Paige lets out a laugh and rolls her eyes, "Yeah, best not to draw attention to the both of us here."
So we decide to move to a wide hallway. We stop near the end where there's another equipment trunk. This time I jump back to sit on it instead of her.
"Alright kid, give me what ya got."
"What do you, um...off from what?" She stands a foot in front of me with a lost expression.
"Okay," I clear my throat and form my fist like I'm holding an invisible microphone, "Paige, tonight you go against Alicia Fox for the Divas Championship. How are you preparing for this match?"
I hold my fist out in front of her chin.
She takes a moment to collect herself.
"Aaand, that's where you make the first mistake!"
"What is it?!"
"First thing I'll tell you—you've got to be in full persona mode from the moment your interview starts even when you haven't spoken yet."
"I was getting there, it's just you. You make me nervous."
"Wait, I thought I made your nerves go away!"
"Not these nerves, Miz. I mean, you're so good at this! And I feel like it'll be harder trying to impress you this time." She adjusts her left shoulder where her championship sits.
With my fist still under her jaw, I uncurl my fingers and grasp her chin, "Paige, you've got so many other people to prove wrong. I already know how talented you are, don't worry about what I think. Remember the people you have to make believe in you."
I let go and she looks down with a soft smile.
"So Paige, how are you preparing for your championship match against Alicia Fox tonight?" I repeat and hold the 'mic' to her.
"Tonight's pay-per-view has the perfect title—Payback. For the past few weeks, Alicia Fox has been taking her sweet opportunities to make sure I can't fight her. From the backstage attacks and her making other Divas do her dirty work, I'm sick of it. Tonight, the only thing she'll make the other Divas do is hold her while she cries after taking an ass-kicking from me. I'm going to get my Payback, Miz, and I'm going to walk out exactly how I walked in—as your Divas Champion."
The last sentence had a certain grit that I can tell has been newly added in her character. Her intensity is nothing short of beautiful.
I purse my lips and start a slow clap, "That...was...AWESOME."
Paige's anger softens and melts into a smile, "Really? How'd I do?"
"You were—you're great! I don't see why you need my help."
"Well, that was like an interview. I'm going to be in the ring before the match and they gave me time to talk about how I won't settle for being underestimated and all that."
"The only piece of advice you really need is to believe in every word you say. Make it true so that the fans can relate with you."
"Yeah? And what if I draw a blank?"
"Always have a last line ready to pull out and finish the promo. Other than that, you have to use references from the storyline to add. Keep it entertaining. Keep it relevant."
She bites her lip in question. By the look on Paige's face, I can tell she's taking the information and applying it inside her head.
"Okay, will do."
WWE Payback - Chicago, IL: Allstate Arena
Paige's POV
I stand in the middle of the ring facing camera side. With a microphone in hand, my hands are trembling. The fans are cheering but it's difficult to focus on them. As my entrance music draws and fades out, I'm given the go-ahead to speak. I lift the black piece of equipment to my mouth.
"Ever since I became the youngest Divas Champion, my entire life's worth of dreams have come true in front of my eyes. But in the back with the rest of the Divas, it has become my worst nightmare..."
Keep it real.
"There's an enormous target on my back and every one of my competitors has made sure they had a chance to take a hit. I'm here to tell the WWE Universe and those jealous Divas in the back that I won't stand for it—no. Instead, I'll fight for it. I'll fight for my championship and I'll fight for every person who's counting on me. This division is about to get a wake-up call because I am NOT one to be underestimated. WWE Universe, I will be YOUR champion, and defend it with pride, for a long time!"
I release my arm and hold up the title with the other.
The fans are on their feet, cheering. Stress leaves my body and I try not to smile too much from this feeling.
Alicia Fox's music booms through the arena. Now I can focus on what I love the most, the wrestling.
Miz's POV
I watch from the Superstars locker room. Paige just did one hell of a job! I'm proud of her. In her posture, I could see a piece of myself when she spoke.
As Fox and Paige lock-up, my phone starts ringing. I quickly run back to my bag to grab it.
"Hello?"
"Babe! I'm watching Payback and I just saw Paige."
Maryse phones in and I'm surprised at her topic of conversation.
"Oh, cool. So what'd you think?"
"I think she did a really good job. Did you help her with promos?"
"Yeah! Before the show started actually."
"Well, I could tell. How is she?"
"She's getting the flow of it all. I feel like her mentor." Among other things...
"That's great babe! Keep it up. Oh, and your match against Kofi was good too."
I laugh. She's focused on Paige instead of me which is ridiculously ironic, "Thanks babe."
"Alright, I'll let you go. Text me when you can, okay?"
"Of course. Love you."
"Love you too!"
End call.
Wow, did that just happen? Again: ridiculously ironic. I return to the monitor to watch Paige and Fox go at it.
She's moving really well in the ring. Alicia Fox is an athlete to watch out for as well, so this pairing can put on above average matches.
Fox executes a big body drop and Paige hits the mat, hard. She managed to get to her back but the back of her neck wasn't far behind, hitting the canvas. On screen, it doesn't look out of the ordinary but to the wrestler's eye, it's brutal. I can tell she's hurting. She clutches the back of her head as Fox goes for a pin. Just two and the match continues.
Damn, this girl's tough.
Back and forth action goes on for a good 10 minutes before Paige hits her modified scorpion lock to retain her Divas Championship.
Great showing from both of these girls.
I worry, her eyes show she's not all there. Paige doesn't even take time to celebrate before walking up the ramp, gripping her neck. Now I know something's wrong.
I have to get to her. I bolt out of the Superstars locker room and hurry to the curtain.
More unfolding events in this story! It just keeps getting better. Please review! :)