Sunday, July 20: WWE Battleground – Tampa, FL; Tampa Bay Times Forum
(PPV in progress)
(The Miz vs. Bad News Barrett for the Intercontinental Championship)
Paige's POV
I've been standing at ringside for a good part of 15 minutes. The match is coming to its end here soon. Already, I've caused three distractions for Miz but he escaped all of the near falls thrown at him. The adrenaline is surging to my fingertips with the post match celebration.
Earlier in the night, the triple threat match with Nikki and Brie proved to establish me as the top Diva in the WWE. As always, it could have been better but I'll be honest—I enjoyed wrestling those girls. They've improved more than what the people are allowed to witness. Looking to my title resting on the apron's corner brings proud feelings all around.
Back to the action, the boys are countering every attempt at each other's finisher. They've outdone themselves throughout the match and the WWE Universe is trapped into every move. It's picking up now and this is where I get involved once more. Barrett goes for the Bullhammer Elbow and Miz falls to my side of the ring. He covers and the official counts. 1...2..
I grab Miz's boot and put it on the bottom rope. The fans on the floor collect in a bolt of cheers. Bad News' facial expression is so disgustingly shocked and I'm here giving the smile of betrayal.
Barrett gets up and starts yelling over the top rope. His voice is raining down, almost literally. This allows Miz to roll behind him, and in the corner of my eye I see him get to his feet.
Miz's POV
Behind Bad News, the crowd picks up in anticipation as to what I'm going to do next. Wade's still yelling at Paige and that's when I sweep my arms under his shoulders. I pull our bodies back and slam forward, hitting the Skull Crushing Finale. This move has never felt so satisfying to do in my entire life.
1...2...3!
Every cheer in the arena makes its way to my ears when the bell rings. Looking up into the lights, I take in this moment of becoming a third time Intercontinental Champion. It's real.
"The winner of this match and NEWWWW Intercontinental Champion, The Miz!"
A rush of emotions flood my system and I'm lost, stunned, in the center of the ring. When referee Charles Robinson hands me the championship title, the gold and white leather rests in my hands so perfectly. I can almost see my reflection.
Standing up feels like a task more than anything. The match was grueling but I'll be damned if anyone calls it mediocre. The last bit of energy left stretches my arm in the air, with help from the referee.
My tired eyes scan the audience out front and see the faces of those who support and hate me. Whether or not they're with me, that doesn't matter.
Paige comes up the steel steps and into the ring. My attention directs towards her as my music stops. Her Divas Championship is resting on her shoulder like my newly won title. We share this intense stare for a good amount of time and I can't help but smirk at her. This is the moment we've been working for.
Bad News Barrett is still in the ring, and he's stirring up to his feet. Paige makes her way over to and hovers.
Slap! The smacking sound gets everyone to cheer even louder, with an uproar of "Oh!"
Wade sells it then rolls out the bottom rope. I'm laughing all the way to her side. I grab her wrist and raise her slapping hand. I'm soaking it all in now—WWE, say hello to your new power couple.
But wait! There's more. After we drop our arms, I make sure to get real close to her body. Paige does one little evil smile and I lean in to kiss her. My mouth is so dry from exhaustion but I could care less. This storyline has been a wild ride but now—right here—it only gets better. The fans' reactions pop so loud and I know, just from that, this is the start of something special for the both of us.
(Post match)
After the match, newly crowned champions have to take promotional photos with the title. Paige decided to jump in and have some fun, like we've done before on photoshoot sets. It feels too damn good holding this championship and holding my girlfriend, who's also a champion.
I get directed to another room for the Battleground Post Show and there's stage set up with a table on it. The backdrop is lit blue with the WWE Network tiled up and across. A few microphones sit on top and I make my way over, with Paige behind me. We plop down on the chairs next to each other and I'm staring into a small crowd of the WWE website crew. I display the proudly won white-strapped title in front.
"Miz, you've just won the Intercontinental Championship for the third time in your career, how are you feeling?" One of them asks.
"How am I feeling? I feel like I'm on top of the world. This title means so much to me and winning against Bad News was a personal victory too. Having this girl by my side makes it even more awesome. Next question." Under the table, I give Paige's knee a squeeze.
"You mentioned Paige, how did you two come about?"
When I look to my left, there's a red tint on her white cheeks. "The short answer? Well common sense, obviously. We've talked in the back many times, and Barrett never knew—"
"I decided that Miz was right. I don't deserve being used as a trophy. I'm the Divas Champion, not another sidekick to help win matches." She cuts in onto her microphone. A few months ago, Paige wouldn't have the speaking ability she does now.
I'm so proud of the performer she's become, "Yeah, Paige is the most must-see Divas Champion in the WWE today... Last question."
"What are your plans moving forward?"
"I'm going to stay champion. I'm going to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion—the possibilities are endless. But for now, I'm gonna take it day by day—night by night."
"Babe—I mean, Miz and I..." She lets out a nervous laugh. Adorable. "...is WWE's new power couple. We're the most must-see champions of all time. Right?" She addresses me with a smile.
"Because I'm The Miz and she's Paige, and we're..."
I let her finish the rest of the catchphrase, "Awesome."
Through the entire locker room, I've been getting congratulatory remarks from the Superstars and Divas. Even one from John Cena. "Congrats man, you earned it. Now keep pushing forward," He winks, referring to his advice in Japan about keeping headstrong. "I will, thanks. I'm coming for your titles next!"
In the rental car, there's an air of accomplishment after I let out a breath. What a long night. What a great night. The Intercontinental title is resting in the back seat over one of our bags. The Divas title is sitting right next to it. These championships are probably my favorite things to carry on the road.
"We did it, babe!" Grabbing Paige's hand, the adrenaline is still in my system. Images of everything that happened tonight scroll through my mind. Nearly flawless.
"I'm so proud of you, Miz. You have no idea how excited I am for all of this."
"Hey the same goes for you, my lady. You know, I've never told you that your promos are the best I've heard from a Diva in a long time. Good job."
"Thanks, babe. It's honestly thanks to you. If we had never met, where would we be?"
That question sparks something that leaves the inside of the car silent. I can tell she's reflecting on it like I am. Where would we be? The last two months have felt like an eternity. But that's the thing—it's only been two months. And in those two months, what if Paige and I never talked? What if we went our ways like strangers? Now, it'd be impossible to part me away from this girl. It's eerie to think how one person, how one feeling, can change your entire life. This whirlwind will continue its wave of uncertainty, I'm sure. One thing I am certain of regardless—I have Paige to love. All mine. And she has me.
She has me.
"We'd be completely oblivious to the kind of love we could have. I'm so glad I said hello to you." I finally manage to break the silence. The way she smiles with every part of her face, the way her eyes twinkle, just lets me know.
Inside the car, I wiggle to find a comfortable position, then lean forward. Her head turns at the last second and I land right on her lips, warm and ready. From the first time I kissed her, to this one, the feeling is exactly the same. It's the initial surge of softness that gets me every time, so loving and delicate.
My heart is healing to a hundred percent, and she's a solid half of it.
Please review! :)